Memoir of the life and religious exercises of Rebecca B. Thompson, a minister in the Society of Friends

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OF PITTSBURGH

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^■^1866

FRIENDS'

HISTORICAL SOCIETY

I

OF

SWARTHMORE COLLEGE

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MEMOIR

LIFE A.\D RELIGIOUS EXERCISES

OF

REBECCA B. THOMPSON,

MINISTER I?r THK SOCIETY OF FRIENDS

HER HUSBAND

PHILADELPHIA:
KERBIHEW & SON, PRINTBBl
No. 243 Arch Street
1866.

MEMOIR

I have long felt a duty incumbent upon
me to give forth, for the benefit of others,
some account of the life, religious exercises
and labors of my beloved wife, Rebecca B.
Thompson. Although by some she may
have been considered one of the little ones,
— even as the hindmost of the Father's
flock, — yet I have felt that some record of
her dedication to the will of her Divine
Master, and her humble, unobtrusive walk-
ing through life, may be an incentive to us,
her survivors, to press forward with re-
newed diligence, to make our " calling and
election sure;" that we may attain even to

such a degree of religious experience, that
when the "last sands of life are fast ebbing
awaj," we may feel, as she did, a spirit of
quiet resignation to the Divine will in all
things. This duty seems the more impera-
tive upon me, knowing that she had a con-
cern and engagement of mind to hand down
to posterity some account of the gracious
dealings, fatherly care, and protection over
her, of "Israel's unslumbering shepherd."
This she has given, in a little narrative
written some twelve years prior to her de-
cease, comprising some of the most promi-
nent incidents in her life, as they occurred
from early childhood up to near the time of
her marriage ; and as this is, perhaps, a
more reliable history of that portion of her
life than can now be written, I give it in
her own plain, simple language, to wit :

" From an impression which has, from
early youth, accompanied my mind, that at
some proper time it would be right for me

PPiU

to show forth to others the gracious kind-
ness and condescension of my heavenly
Father towards me, a poor worm of the
dust, I shall now endeavor, with as much
accuracy as events and times, which can now
only be recalled by memory, and the assist-
ance of Him whose goodness and power I
wish to commemorate, to pen down whatever
may seem to arise as being worthy of pre-
servation ; hoping it may be useful to some
into whose hands it may chance to fall, and
afford renewed evidence of the unsearchable
wisdom and watchful care of the great
Shepherd of Israel, who sleepeth not by
day, nor slumbereth by night ; and who
hath said, the very hairs of your heads are
numbered, and that not even a sparrow
shall fall to the ground without his notice ;
and are not ye of more value than many
sparrows ?

''My parents, Cyrus and Rachel Bar-
nard, (formerly Wilson,) were respectable
1*

and valuable Friends, adorning the religion
they professed, by their dedication and
faithful walking before its author ; and
were, beyond a doubt, useful instruments
in His holy hand, in gathering many to
righteousness. My mother, I think in her
twentieth year, was enabled to confess
Christ before men, by publicly opening her
mouth in the assemblies of His people ;
and, by taking heed to the trust committed
to her, became an acknowledged minister
in Society. In the exercise of this gift she
travelled extensively, much in the unity of
her friends, both at home and abroad; and,
indeed, so much was her time occupied in
the discharge of this duty, and her decease
having taken place when I was between six
and seven years of age, it seems as though
I could never retain a distinct recollection
of her ; but that which I have gathered
from the testimony of others, is truly pre-
cious, and has often proved a cordial to my

feelings, and an incentive to endeavor to
follow her as she was concerned to follow
Christ. One of her expressions upon her
deathbed, which is brought before the view
of my mind at this time, was her con-
cern for those who dwelt at ease in their
'ceiled houses,' and her sympathy for the
rightly exercised. Having been strength-
ened and enabled to perform the work ap-
pointed her, she was, I doubt not, gathered
to rest from her arduous labors, in the
forty-second year of her age.

"My father, who survived her about
seven years, possessed a meek and quiet
spirit, and was generally beloved wherever
he. was known, by all classes of persons ;
for in him the worthy and respectable found
a companion, the* poor and distressed a
sympathising friend and counsellor, and
who often obtained shelter under his hos-
pitable roof. His sickness, which was of
several months' continuance, he endured

8

with much patience. Although I was
young, I was much with him, and never re-
member to have heard a murmur escape his
lips, although his sufferings were, I believe,
great at times ; while the prospect of an
ultimate dissolution, and leaving three
young orphan children, (of whom I was the
eldest,) exposed to the many snares and
temptations which surround the youth, was
a trial which no doubt exercised his sensi-
tive mind, and caused him to seek for
strength from the arm of power, which he
had learned to lean upon, not only in
seasons of affliction, but in prosperity.
That it was granted him, may be inferred
from the composure with which he had his
two surviving children summoned to his
bedside, to give them his last benediction ;
believing, as he expressed it, that He who
numbered the hairs of our heads, and
watched over the sparrows, so that not one
of them fell to the ground without His no-

9

tice, would watch over and care for us ; —
and I feel bound on this occasion to testify
to the truth of the promise, believing it has
been verified. For, although we were thus
left exposed to many and various tempta-
tions,— almost wholly without earthly pro-
tectors to train and instruct us in that
which is profitable, — yet I have no hesita-
tion in asserting that His all-seeing eye was
over us, preserving us from many evils to
which we were exposed.

"He was a man of considerable business,
in the transaction of which he was much
from home: and his family was of a charac-
ter which rendered the situation of his
children exposing, as regarded example ;
for, as might be expected in so large a
family, there were those who would not be
so guarded either in conduct or conversa-
tion as would have been profitable. But I
remember hearing the housekeeper say, on
one occasion, in speaking of my two bro-

' 10

thers, tliat she had never known them to
depart from the truth, or say a bad word,
which she considered rather remarkable, I
suppose, when she considered all the cir-
cumstances under which we were placed,
and furnishes another proof that the Divine
principle is implanted in each and every
breast ; which is capable of preserving from
all evil, and which, if suffered to take root,
will bring forth fruit to the honor of the
great Husbandman ; but if stifled in the
bud by that which is evil, it will gradually
become fainter and fainter, until it is
wholly obscured. How necessary, there-
fore, for those unto whom is intrusted the
great responsibility of rearing the infantile
mind, that they take these things into
serious consideration, — as good or bad prin-
ciples, implanted while young, commonly
go with us through life. My dear father
was exceedingly fond of his children, and
when at home, we were his companions :

11

for the feeling was mutual, and there was
nothing like fear attached to our inter-
course. On the contrary, when we ex-
pected him home, after being absent either
a short or longer time, his arrival was
hailed as a source of great joy ; and who
should be the first to meet him, and impart
to him our little joys or sorrows, was a
question that was settled only by our
activity. How many mingled sensations of
joy and sorrow do these reflections call
forth ! The last journey of any importance
which he took was to the city of Washing-
ton, in order to obtain a patent for the in-
vention of a machine which, it was con-
sidered, would be greatly useful in remov-
ing the large quantities of earth required
in the construction of canals, &c., which at
that time were claiming the attention of
those around him ; and having obtained it,
he returned as far as Baltimore, where he

12

was attacked with the disease which eventu-
ally terminated his useful life.

" He was taken ill at the house of a friend
and relative, where he remained some time,
unable to return home. Here he was kind-
ly attended by his friends and their physi-
cian ; and word being at length received by
his family, preparations were made to assist
him in returning ; and never while memory
remains shall I forget his arrival amongst
us. The carriage came to the door, and we
went, as usual, to meet him ; we met him in
the yard, — it seems now as though I could
mark the spot. He was pale, with a blan-
ket wrapped around him, for the weather
was cold. The meeting was one of mingled
joy and sorrow, and I turned to hide my
tears. He was spared to us until about the
middle of the ensuing summer, and then
passed away, leaving a void in the hearts
of his children and numerous friends, which
time alone could fill. An aged father in

18

the truth bore this testimony to his worth
at the time his remains were consigned to
the silent grave : ' This day hath a king and
a great man fallen in Israel.'

" Having given this hasty notice of my
worthy parents, whose memory is so precious
to me, I will proceed. I was born on the
8th of Third month, 1814. When quite
young, and at school, my inclination was,
during hours of relaxation, to leave my
childish plays, and mingle with those much
older than myself; and I well remember
repeatedly being told by my playmates I
would make a preacher ; and I believe that
it was not by way of ridicule, but on account
of a predisposition to seriousness. I also
remember, when attacked with illness (a]_
though nothing serious or lasting) in quite
early life, an anxiety that attended my mind
respecting my being in a prepared state to
leave the world, should I be called upon.

"At the time of my mother's decease, I
2

14

was too young to understand the great and
irreparable loss to which I was subjected ;
but I well remember, when quite small,
wishing father would marry again, that I
might have a mother ; being fully sensible
it was a great favor ; and sometimes, when
among my young female companions who
were thus favored, I could scarcely re-
frain from shedding tears, when I compared
my situation with theirs ; for, oh, I felt it
was indeed a privilege of which I was de-
nied ; and that all who enjoy it may duly
prize it, for there is an accountability at-
tached to it which many do not feel until
they are deprived of it ; then, if they have
slighted their counsel and pious concern for
them, it will hang as a mill-stone around
their necks. Let all ponder these things.
" Soon after my father's decease, myself
and brother went to reside with my grand-
mother Wilson and her son, a man well
advanced in years ; and she being above

15

seventy years of age, our opportunities for
improvement were very limited. She, how-
ever, was in a few months removed by death,
when the scene was again changed. In a
little while I was sent to boarding-school, so
that from this time brother and I were
mostly separated. He was sometimes at
school, and then went to learn the turning
business ; and it always felt to me that we
sustained a great loss by being so little to-
gether. I have always thought where
parents can conveniently keep their families
together, (though I know it does not always
seem prudent), and as much as possible
cherish kind feelings for each other, that
their sentiments and feelings would become
blended together, and they would be mutu-
ally helpful one to another. After being
at school as much as my friends thought
necessary, I commenced teaching school, in
which I continued occasionally until a short
time before I was married. During this

16

period of my life I became fond of gay
dress and gay young company, in wliich I
indulged to a considerable extent, frequent-
ing parties and places of amusement. In
all this, I was followed by the Divine moni-
tor within, although at times I almost
stifled His voice ; yet sometimes, when I
assembled with my companions for the pur-
pose of spending our precious time in these
vanities, I wished the time was passed, and
we were ready to return to our homes,
secretly feeling how wrong it was thus to
squander that time which was given for
nobler purposes. And when I have re-
tired to my bed, after having thus spent
my time, sorrow of heart has been my por-
tion, which I fully believe is more or less
the situation of all others ; although I be-
lieve we may stifle these convictions until
they become almost extinct.

*' Oh ! that young persons could be awak-

17

ened seriously to consider the responsibility
which rests upon them, rightly to employ
the talents given them by the great Author
of ^ every good and perfect gift,' and who
will hold them accountable for the advan-
tages with which he has blessed them. He
does not endow them with talents capable
of being greatly useful, and place them in
situations in which these may be cultivated,
without requiring something at their hands,
by which all the glory and honor may be
given unto him, and the creature be laid
low in self-abasement before him.

" Much also depends upon parents and
heads of families, that they in a proper
manner instil these sentiments into the
minds of the youth intrusted to their care, —
the great object of their creation, — and the
awful responsibility which rests upon them,
to be attentive to the still small voice with-
in, that will teach them what they should
do and what to leave undone. I can set
2*

18

my seal to the truth of the declaration that
it will lead them out of all vain amusements
and sinful pleasures, with which the world
abounds ; and as they become willing to
take up the cross in these things He will
be with them, and they shall become weaned
from the world and the world from them.
Thus they experience a living unto that
which is truly valuable, for the more
they become crucified to the world, the
more they will be engaged to look unto
their Heavenly Father, who will be their
counsellor and friend ; although their
earthly friends may for a season forsake
them, sorrow not for them. If they have
Him for an instructor, they will be strength-
ened and enabled to journey forward with
the happy assurance that having performed
the part allotted them, in this state of
being, they shall be gathered to rest with
those who have passed from time to the en-
joyment of a happy eternity.

19

" On the important subject of making
choice of a companion for life, I was fa-
vored to see and feel that neither the rich
in the things of this world, nor those who
made the most showy appearance, were to
be the objects of my choice, for when such
opportunities presented, clouds of dark-
ness came before me, so that that which to
the outward observer might seem suitable,
was controlled by His invisible power for
some wise and good purpose best known to
himself."

Thus ends (rather abrubtly) her narrative,
which brings us up to a period near the
time of our marriage, which took place in
the Twelfth month, 1889, with the approba-
tion of New Garden Monthly Meeting, and
in the twenty-sixth year of her age. During
the early years of our married life, although
she had known of that which reproves for
evil, (as evinced by her own testimony), and
had felt the sweet incomes of the love of

20

God as the reward for well doing, yet for
want of faithful obedience to the dictates of
Truth in her mind, she had as yet not
come forth as the acknowledged advocate
for the furtherance of the cause of her dear
Redeemer. Yet I believe she was accounted
a sober, religious-minded young woman, —
to me she was a loving and devoted wife ;
and, by her affectionate nature, peculiarily
qualified for the ministration of those name-
less little duties and attentions which tend
to make the married life pleasant and happy.
As a mother, she was fond and indulgent,
feeling that solicitude for her offspring that
a mother only can feel ; yet she was keenly
alive to the responsibility that attaches to
a parent in the proper culture and training
of those precious plants. And feeling, as
she often expressed it, in times of sickness
and suffering, when powerless to help our-
selves, how very dependent we were upon
one another for the fulfilment of those kind

21

offices which humanity dictates, even to
smooth the couch or wipe the falling tear,
these feelings often prompted her to seek
the bedside of the sick and afflicted, there
with her own hands to minister to their ne-
cessities ; and I feel that there are those
now on the busy stage of life who can look
back to acts of dedication on her part, and
remember her with feelings of gratitude
and affection. This innate feeling, coupled
with a genial affability of manners, with
great deference to the sentiments and views
of others, caused her to be beloved and es-
teemed by a large circle of neighbors and
acquaintances.

But as revolving years rolled round, her
health gradually declined ; and, being of a
naturally weak and delicate constitution,
she was at times brought into much bodily
suffering, which was more or less her portion
for several years. It was during this time
of suffering and trial that she became more

^1

thoroughly aroused to the necessity of
greater dedication on her part to the will
of her divine Master, and a more thorough
knowledge of his will concerning her, that
thereby she might grow in grace and in
favor with him, and ultimately come to
know a preparation for a solemn, final
change. This seemed the more imperative,
as she could not look forward with much
hope that her life would (at best) be length-
ened out many years, but that it was held
by a very slender thread. As it became her
daily concern to know His will concerning
her, and as obedience kept pace with
knowledge, a great future was opened up
before her, and she was favored to see that
the axe must be laid at the root of the cor-
rupt tree; that even our strong self-love,
together with all our animal passions and
propensities, must be brought into entire
subjection to the Divine will.

But as one little sacrifice or duty after

23

another was called for, she not having
attained to the " stature ot the full man in
Christ," for want of true dedication to the
pointings of Truth, entire obedience was
sometimes wanting, and His will or com-
mand not obeyed ; but the penalty for diso-
bedience was heartfelt sorrow and lamenta-
tion ; and I have believed that none but
those who have paid this penalty can truly
feel for and sympathize with those tribu-
lated ones. And all within me is melted
into tenderness when I remember the hours
of conflict, the almost sleepless nights, the
moistened pillow, aye, and even the feeble
but earnest petition to the throne of Grace,
of this dear one, for preservation and for
strength to obey His requirings. She was
permitted to remain in this state of proba-
tion several months, wherein at times she
felt the hand of the Infinite Father under-
neath her, and the gentle touches of His
love wooing her away from a dependence

24

upon all outward help to become wholly
His. At other times she drank of the bit-
ter cup to its very dregs.

Her path seemed to be a narrow one.
She was called, as she believed, to many
little acts of duty, which, to the natural
man, seemed peculiar and even simple;
but in referring to them in after life, she
believed them necessary in the Divine hand,
to subdue her natural will, so as to be will-
ing to become, as it were, a fool for Christ's
sake. Having in a measure submitted to
the turning and overturning of His holy
hand, and thus learned somewhat of obedi-
ence by the things she had suffered, she
was, by the love and condescension of the
Infinite Father, measurably released and
redeemed from this state of thraldom, for
which she could ascribe thanksgiving and
praise to His great name.

In the year following, to wit, 1851, she
was deeply tried, and all the tender sensi-

25

bilities of her nature keenly awakened, in
having to part with and consign to the
grave a darling child, one on whom was
centred a mother's love. But having
learned in the school of Christ the neces-
sity of submission to all the dispensations
of Providence, and feeling, as she ex-
pressed it, that he was too pure for earthy
and had become the recipient of the joys
of heaven, she submitted thereto with be-
cominor resio^nation. She had, for some
time previous to this, felt, at times, that it
would be right for her to make known to
others the merciful dealings and long suf-
fering kindness of a gracious God to her,
(as she would express it,) a poor worm of
the dust. Hence, in our religious gather-
ings, she sometimes felt concerned to hand
forth a word of exhortation to those as-
sembled, but on account of natural diffi-
dence, and feeling her unworthiness, she,
for a time, shrank from so weighty a ser-
3

26

vice ; but being made obedient through
suffering, she at length came forth in the
ministry.

One of the peculiar and distinguishing
traits in her character, that of having little
confidence in her natural abilities, and the
settled conviction on her mind of the ne-
cessity for the natural will in us to become
slain, that we may come into the teachable
state of the little child before we can be in-
structed in divine things, will be best ex-
emplified by the introduction of the two
following letters written about this time.

Mill Creek, 10th mo. 22d, 1851.
Bear Friend : — It has been my lot to
pass through a season of stripping, in which
I have felt my unworthiness to ask of the
Father even one crumb of soul-sustaining
bread, and yet He has condescended to
bless me far beyond my merit, inasmuch as
He has not wholly cast me off, but has com-

27

manded me, as I have believed, to write
what He may direct for an absent friend.
" As iron sharpeneth iron, so doth the
countenance of a man his friend ;" so, also,
do I believe that communications of this
kind may have a tendency to stir up the
pure mind by way of remembrance ; for as
it is the pure in spirit that shall see God,
they who feel that they have none in heaven
or in all the earth to look unto but Him for
counsel and direction, feel, also, that
none other can teach as He does, and that
His mercies are new every morning ; and
as it has been written that " ten righteous
persons might be the means of saving a
city," so do I believe that the prayers of
the rightly exercised, on behalf of those
we love, may avail much, for He who is
our author and creator is a prayer-hearing
God. Had it not been so, I should have
been driven from His presence as one to-
tally unworthy of the smallest favor. Had

2«

it not been for the secret petitions of my
parents, which ascended to the throne of
grace on behalf of their infant charge,
which they early left to the care and pro-
tection of strangers, outwardly, yet secret-
ly, they were watched over by the All-wise
Caretaker, and preserved from many snares
and temptations by which they were sur-
rounded. And all that is within me is
bowed when I reflect upon His goodness
and matchless love, and the little return
which I have made for these favors, for
which body, soul and spirit should be given
into His hands, to be converted to the pur-
pose He designed, that of giving glory and
honor to his great name, by surrendering
my own will in passive obedience to His
entire control, and allow the creature to
lie low in self-abasement before him. This,
my friend, is what He requireth of us in-
dividually, in order that we may come to
know Him to be the resurrection and the

29

life ; for when this comes to be our con-
dition, we do His works, and there is a ceas-
ing from man's, for what man knoweth the
things of God but God and he to whom
He revealeth them ; and, as He is a spirit,
they can only be spiritually discerned by
His unspeaking voice, which must be at-
tentively listened to, or we may not dis-
tinguish it from the voice of the stranger,
and thereby fall into error, from which we
may have much difficulty in freeing our-
selves. But if, on the other hand, we are
willing to listen to the divine monitor with-
in, we shall come to know his power to
be superior to every other power, be-
cause it can set us free from the law of sin
and death, — not the death of the outward
body, but that death which is produced by
transgression. It is recorded, ^' the soul
that sinneth shall die," for, as in Adam, all
shall die ; showing that the animal propen-
sities of our nature must know a death to
8*

30

pass upon them in the character of the fire
of the Lord, which consumes all that is light
and chaffj, while that which remains may
be compared to silver in a pure state, free,
from the dross that adhered to it when dug
from the earth. That which is of the
earth is earthy, and must undergo the re-
fining process before it can become valuable
in the hands of the refiner. " He shall sit
as a refiner and purifier of silver." These,
then, being testimonies recorded in the
Scriptures of Truth, what further evidence
do we want to show that man as man can
never perform the works of God ? He must
come to experience His spirit breathed into
him, for " He breathed into his nostrils the
breath of life, by which he became a living
soul," showing that he was passive to the
operation as the clay in the hands of the
potter, which resisteth not, but is fashioned
and formed agreeably to the will of the
maker into many different shapes, not pre-

31

suming to call in question the wisdom of
the architect, who fully understands the
use which he designs each vessel should be
applied to. As this is yielded to, there is no
clashing nor jarring, for this might have a
tendency totally to destroy that which
would be otherwise truly valuable and
precious.

And, as regards the Society which we are
members of, it was, I believe, established
upon the the firm basis of scripture truth,
the light within. Had it not been so, its found-
ers would never have been able to have en-
dured the bitter and cruel persecution which
was inflicted upon them by their enemies, and
which nothing but a superhuman power
could have supported them under and raised
them above, until they were constrained,
amidst it all, to sing praises unto Him,
whose divine arm of power was underneath
them. And as He remains to be the same
yesterday, to-day and forever, He will

32

raise up and qualify those who will not only
maintain these principles, but will raise the
standard of truth and righteousness yet
higher in the view of surrounding nations.
Truth is mightier than error, and must pre-
vail ; so it is also progressive, and instead
of our being as we now are, a hissing and a
by-word, there would be n flocking unto us
not only from the highways and hedges, but
from among those of rank and fortune,
whose eyes would be pleased with the
beauty of holiness, such as were not only
professed but practiced by the followers of
that memorable instrument in the hands of
his Divine Master, George Fox. These
views have been presented to me, I believe,
in the light of truth, which can alone re-
veal them unto man, and which he, with all
his high and exalted reasoning powers, can
never comprehend, because they are spiritu-
ally discerned even by babes and sucklings,
those who hunger and thirst after the milk

33

of the kingdom, which nourisheth up the
soul unto immortality and eternal life.

However much and often I have missed
my way in my spiritual journey, the sin-
cere desire of my heart is to be found walk-
ing in my allotted sphere ; for fully con-
vinced I am that I can never bring glory
and honor unto His great name by seeking
to establish principles and rules of my own
contrivance, and which, the more I indulge
in, will lead me farther away from the
source and centre of all good, which is God.
And although one among the weakest of
His servants, He has sometimes commis-
sioned me to hand forth to others, either
verbally or in epistolary communications,
that which He may deem meet for them to
have, although it may be by way of re-
proof, and sometimes by way of instruction
or encouragement, to those who are weary
and heavy laden, and who feel that they
have none in heaven or in all the earth to
rest their hopes of salvation upon but

34

Christ Jesus, " the rock of ages." Unto
these the salutation of the spirit through
me is, fear not little flock, for it is your
Father's good pleasure to give you the king-
dom. Lift up then the hands which are
ready to hang down on account of the
many deficiencies prevailing among us as a
people, remembering; as has been testified,
that the prayers of rightly-exercised pa-
rents on behalf of their ofi'spring availeth
much ; so, also, doth those of the parents in
the truth, for the preservation and protec-
of that unto which they may feel bound by
the strong ties of deep and fervent love to
the Father, and, consequently, to the chil-
dren, over whom he has, in a measure,
placed these as fathers and mothers in the
truth, demominated ministers and elders.
As I have written nothing but that which
seemed to present in the light which we as
a people profess, I will close, with the salu-
tation of love.

Rebecca B. Thompson.

35

Mill Creek, Tenth mo. 23d, 1851.

Dear Friend, — After a season of almost
(as I feared) total banishment from the pre-
sence of my Heavenly Father, a little speck
of light seemed at last to arise, bringing
with it the evidence that I must address an
absent friend, as way may seem to open in
the light of Truth ; not feeling myself at
liberty to correspond, even with those I
truly love, in any other manner, except in
way of business ; for I have plainly seen,
that in my own will and time I can do no
good thing, but that the Lord's time and
will is the alone right time and way ; and if
I move not thus, I mar the work he designed
me to perform. And as this is my situa-
tion, it is, I believe, the condition of others
of the human family, dependent as they are
upon the same great author for every bless-
ing, and therefore required to render obedi-
ence to His dictates, made manifest in the
secret of their hearts, and which they ean

36

never correctly understand until there is a
•willingness, not only to listen to, but also to
comply therewith. For as God is a spirit,
they who worship him must worship him in
spirit and in truth, for such he seeketh to
worship him. They that seek me shall find
me, is one of his declarations to the child-
ren of men ; and of this class he knows no
distinction, but, of " every nation, kindred,
tongue and people, they that fear God and
work righteousness are accepted of him ;"
they who fear to ofi*end him, by being dis-
obedient to his inspeaking voice, which can-
not be heard in the noise and confusion
which abound in the world, or the worldly
wisdom of man, but in the silence of all
flesh. All the imaginations of the creature
must be laid low in the dust before Him,
who says, " Keep silence before me, oh ! ye
isles, and let the people hear my voice,
that they may understand my law, that they
may write it in their inmost parts." How

37

plain, then, that there must be a willingness
to hear, before much knowledge is gained in
divine things. " The sluggard that will
not plow by reason of the cold, shall beg in
harvest and have nothing;" for if the ground
is not prepared for the reception of the seed,
how can we expect a crop to be produced
and gathered into the garner where it will
be protected from the whirlwind and the
storm that rages around, scattering as to the
forewinds of heaven all that is not founded
in the immutable Truth ? And as all these
testimonies are to be gathered from the
Scriptures, given forth by the inspiration of
God^ for the instruction of His finite de-
pendent creature man, who is incapable of
himself to judge of the things which per-
tain to the salvation of his immortal soul,
he must receive that knowledge solely from
God, who formed him in the beginning, and
consequently has all power to do with him
as may seem good in his sight. And al-
4

38

tHough this brings us into the littleness of
self, and prostrates us at his feet, as hum-
ble suppliants at the throne of Grace, yet
it must be submitted too, for it is " by
grace ye are saved if ye are," and not by
any merit of your own ; all belongs to God.
This, then, my friend, is the foundation upon
which the church of Christ is built — the re-
vealed ivill of God to man. For he says,
" Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will
build my church, and the gates of hell shall
not prevail against it." Neither shall the
combined reasoning powers of man over-
throw what He has established in order
more fully to show forth His marvellous
power, by bringing aU into subjection unto
Him, whereby all glory and honor is given
to His great name. And as this is the
principle and object of the formation of our
beloved Society, can it be sustained in any
Mother way than the one alluded to ? And
yet how prone we are to endeavor to keep

39

it together by doing things in our own

wisdom which we should leave undone, and

in this way often mar the work. This I

have known from a degree of experience,

as I feel that I have sometimes missed it

in this way, even when the motive was good.

Fully convinced I am that it requires strict

watchfulness on our parts, lest we step

aside from the beaten path. If we should

even fear for the safety of the ark, let us

not in our own wills put forth a hand to

steady it, lest peradventure we retard the

performance of that which would build it

up by simply allowing His will to rule and

reign within us. Feeling, as is often my

portion, one of the poorest and weakest of

the Father's flock, and that in me dwelleth

no good thing, yet the aspirations of my

spirit are poured forth unto the Father of

spirits that he will condescend to bless my

feeble efforts to perform his will even in the

littleness ; knowing, as I do, that if I am

40

not faithful in the little, I will not be made
ruler over more. " He that is not faithful
in the little, shall never be made ruler over
more." Let none then despise the day of
small things, as it is by little and little we
rise or fall ; rise in favor with Him, or bring
upon ourselves the divine displeasure by
disobedience to His command, as manifest-
ed in the secret of our hearts. No keener
anguish of spirit have I ever known than
for unfaithfulness, even in very little things.
And if this is the state in which we are
placed for the neglect of trivial things, how
much greater must be the condemnation of
those who slight His internal voice, which
has been wooing them to forsake the evil of
their ways and come unto Him, until His
locks are wet as with the dew of the night,
and there is a fearful looking for the judg-
ment ; for he has declared His spirit shall
not always strive with man, but such as
they sow, such shall they reap ; if they sow

41

unto the flesh, they shall of the flesh reap
corruption ; but if to the spirit, life ever-
lasting. The salutation of the spirit unto
thee through me, a poor weak worm of the
dust, is, that thou slight not the day of small
things, lest thou fall little by little, until
thou comest into the state which I alluded
to in the commencement of this letter, even
that of total banishment from the presence
of thy Heavenly Father. As I have not
written this in my own will ; on the contrary,
would gladly have been excused, having
been under the necessity of neglecting many
things which seemed to press heavily upon
me ; but I felt that no outward things,
however rational and useful they may be,
must ever interfere with the performance of
that which my Heavenly Father requires
at my hands. In that love which is not
confined to persons or sect, I remain, thy
friend,

Rebecca B. Thompson.

42

During her progress through the spiritual
baptism that had then been meted out to
her, having had to part with .many things
upon which her hopes of enjoyment had
been centred, and learned through suffer-
ing that all terrestial things are fleeting and
uncertain, she came experimentally to realize
that all substantial joys, even every bless-
ing with which we are favored, was from the
Divine hand ; and as this feeling was che-
rished, a concern was matured, that when
we came to partake of the bounteous supply
of that which goes to nourish these poor
bodies when assembled at our meals, that
the family be all gathered, and a solemn
silence be observed, wherein a feeling of
gratitude might arise in our minds for these
numberless blessings. This concern lived
with her to the latest period of her life, and
it was often her engagement in these oppor-
tunities of silence and waiting openly to

43

acknowledge these favors, and hand forth a
word of exhortation and encouragement.

It was also her practice during several
years of the latter part of her life, gener-
ally before retiring at night, to sit down in
stillness, and, in the quiet, frequently re-
questing myself, sometimes others of the
family, to join her therein, for the purpose
(as she would express it) of waiting upon
God for the renewal of our strength, that
we might look over our past actions with a
view to future improvement ; and often giv-
ing advice peculiarly suited to the occasion.

Having been brought into a state of en-
tire dependence upon, and a sense given
her of the great condescension and loving
kindness of her Redeemer in meeting with
and redeeming her from her low estate,
she felt that none need despair of his
mercies. She therefore felt constrained, in
the love of the Father, to go forth even as
to the highways and hedges, that she

44

might proclaim the glad tidings of the gos-
pel, even to the seemingly most degraded,
that there was yet hope for all. Under
this feeling, and about this time, she visited
many mostly not of our Society ; and the
remembrance is now vividly before me of
the simple but earnest pleadings of this
loved one, and the touching and heart-
tendering acknowledgments of His unmerit-
ed mercies to her, as an incentive to their
amendment of life, with the encouraging
language, *' Come unto me all ye that are
weary and heavy laden, and I will give you
rest." As a further evidence of this feel-
ing pervading her mind, and her desire to
be found faithful in the performance ot his
divine requirings, I will give an incident
that occurred about this time. While sit-
ting in a meeting at Mill Creek, a stranger
in charge of cattle, while passing the house,
used language in her hearing that grated
harshly on her ear. Her sympathetic feel-

45

ings went out after him with desires for his
improvement, and as the concern matured,
she felt drawn to have an opportunity with
him ; but as none then offered, she returned
home ; but not feeling excused, a horse and
carriage was provided, and she travelled
several miles alone, not knowing where she
should find him. Having procured an in-
terview, and after relieving her mind of the
concern, he acknowledged in broken accents
his obligations for her kindness and interest
in him ; and she returned home with the re-
ward of sweet peace for this little act of
dedication. Although favored at times to
be the recepient of His love and favor, for
acts of obedience, yet, by not keeping suffi-
ciently on the watch, she was at times
brought into suffering on account of omis-
sions of little duties, as set forth in the fol-
lowing manuscript :

" Since it was my privilege to mingle
with you, my mind has been much exercised

46

on account of my neglect of a trifling duty,
which seemed pointed out for me to per-
form ; but, letting the reasoner in, I omitted
to attend to it. Desiring that all may not
be lost, I feel drawn to address you by let-
ter, as matter may seem to present, be-
lieving as I do that our Heavenly Father
condescends to make use of his creatures as
instruments of good or usefulness one unto
another, in order to advance his cause in
the earth, which is truth and righteous-
ness.

" After a season of sufiering, on account
of not fully performing the part which I
believe was appointed me, a spark or glimmer
of light shone forth, and with it a command
to address you by letter, as way should
open ; not in my own ability, for I ac-
knowledge little of this for letter writing.
Therefore, if any thing valuable is commu-
nicated, let all the glory be given to Grod,
who is as able to dictate what to write as

47 '

what to speak, either in private opportuni-
ties or in the public assemblies of his peo-
ple. In the love which I feel in the enjoy-
ment of my Heavenly Father, which is in
proportion to my obedience to his will, I
was drawn to visit you with what I believed
to be a message of His love to you, through
me, a poor, weak instrument. But finding
my way very much closed up, I came away
burthened in spirit, on account of my un-
faithfulness ; yet I believe that he who ap-
points can open a way, if we let not the
reasoner in and conclude it is out of the
question to perform our known duty. This
reasoner is the grand enemy of our soul's
salvation; which destroys the happiness of
all who listen to his voice, for it is always
in opposition of the will of God ; for the
voice of God, if strictly followed, raises us
above the fear of man. This I have known
from a degree of happy experience, as I

• 48

have also known deep sorrow occasioned by
omissions of known duty.

" For as a parent caretli for a child, so
doth our Heavenly Father watch over and
care for us, the workmanship of His holy
hand, and appointeth unto each a work to
do, in order that they may work out their
own soul's salvation with fear and trembling
before him. He giveth unto each one ac-
cording to their ability to comprehend.
This is beautifully illustrated in the passage,
' He carrieth the lambs in his bosom, and
tenderly tendeth those with young;' evidenc-
ing clearly that his care is extended even
to the youngest of his flock — the feeble and
the helpless ones. These are nourished and
fed by the sincere milk of his word, and
they come to know that it alone can sup-
port them. That which is of an outward
or external character can never nourish up
the soul to life and immortality. Those
who have tasted of His goodness are con-

49

strained to bear testimony to, and invite
their fellow-travellers, wherever their lot
may be cast, to come taste and see that the
Lord is good, and a rich rewarder of all
those who diligently seek him ; for ' they
that seek shall find,' and ^ unto those who
knock it shall be opened,' and ' they shall
come in and sup with me and I with them.'
They shall enjoy union and communion
and sweet fellowship with the Author of
their being, and see with indubitable clear-
ness his will concerning them. These, then,
are the blessed privileges of the Gospel of
Jesus Christ, to which all may have access
if they will submit to his terms. If any
man will be my disciple, he must deny him-
self, take up his daily cross, and follow me
in the way of my leadings ; not in his own
will, for that would rob God of his glory,
which he has testified. He will not give
unto another, nor his praise to graven
images. Proving beyond a doubt that

50

man of himself cannot perform acceptable
worship unto the great Author and Creator
of all ; for it is not in man that walketh
to direct his steps aright. He is prone to
hew out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can
hold no water ; such as proceed from Him,
the pure and inexhaustible fountain of liv-
ing waters, and whose crystal streams make
glad the whole heritage of God."

She was at the time referred to, and for
several years previous, an almost constant
attender of our religious meetings, making
many sacrifices, often in much weakness,
and under bodily suffering. Her interest in
these, and her views on the right ordering
thereof, may be gathered from the letters
inserted. Although she had a high regard
for the Society of which she was a member,
yet she was measurably free from that sec-
tarian feeling so much abounding in the
world, and so much to be deplored. This

feeling is well depicted in the following
manuscript, to wit : — ,

" From an impression which has attended
my mind to write what the spirit may dic-
tate, as being applicable to whomsoever it
may seem to be addressed, for in that par-
ticular I am at this time blind ; therefore,
the natural will in me can have no part,
having long since seen that of myself I
can do no good thing, neither do I believe
it possible for any man, as man, to do the
works of God. But in order to do this, he
must know a coming down into the littleness
and lowliness of self, willing to ask counsel
and direction of Him ; not depending on
his own understanding, or that of others, as
regards what he may do or leave undone.
However high and exalted his reasoning
powers may be, they are insufficient to teach
him his duty to his God. For no man
knoweth the things of God save God and he
to whom he revealeth them by his inspeak-

52

ing word, whispered in the attentive ear of
the sincere seeker after spiritual food.
The Scriptures of Truth declare ' thej that
seek me shall find me, and unto those who
knock it shall be opened ;' showing that
there must be a laboring upon our parts
for our daily bread, in order that we may
be nourished and supported with spiritual
food during this state of existence ; and
thereby be prepared, when done with the
perishing things of this world, to enter
upon a life of joy unspeakable and full of
glory in that which is to come. Thus we
may be enabled to adopt the language of
that eminent apostle, Paul, ' I have fought
the good fight, I have kept the faith, and
henceforth there is laid up for me a crown
of righteousness that fadeth not away ; and
not for me only, but for all those who do
likewise.' How much is embraced in these
few words, not for me only, but for all those
who follow me, as I have followed Christ !

53

This includes all the human family, no
matter what their rank or condition in life
may be, or to what religious sect they may
belong, whether Presbyterian, Baptist,
Methodist, Episcopalian, Roman Catholic,
or to the humble Orthodox or Hicksite
Quaker. If they are only concerned to ac-
knowledge and follow Christ as their holy
leader and true guide, as Paul did, they
will be enabled to adopt the same glorious
language when about to bid adieu to the
perishing things of this world. This is the
precious privilege of the love of God to
his poor finite creature man, — that it does
not confine him to any particular creed or
any set forms of worship, it only requires
true humility and entire dedication of
heart ; for ' the humble he teacheth of his
ways, and the pure in spirit shall see God.'
They shall know a union and communion of
feeling — a sweet fellowship, in which they
shall not only feel love to God, but it will
5*

54

extend to all the workmanship of his hands.
' B J this shall all men know that ye are
my disciples, that ye have love one for
another.' Under the influence of this love,
I ask no man to embrace my particular
title or sect of religion, for I have no feel-
ing but that of love for any one, however
differently they may see from myself; it
having been my lot to mingle with different
religious professors, where every feeling of
' stand by thyself, I am holier than thou,'
was swallowed up in the love which ema-
nates from the Father, and there was a joy
and rejoicing together, unknown to the un-
baptized in spirit, — they who are trusting in .
their own strength instead of leaning upon
the breast of the beloved of souls."

Her offerings in the ministry were for a
time but seldom, and often of but few words,
expressed with fear and trembling ; neither
were they at any time in the "enticing
words of man's wisdom," but were few and

65

savory, accompanied with a vitality that
made them generally acceptable to her
hearers. In 1853, she was acknowledged to
have received a gift in the ministry, which
was in the thirty-seventh year of her age.
Although she never obtained a minute from
her Monthly Meeting to travel in the ser-
vice of Truth on her own account, yet
she several times received the sanction of
her friends, by way of minute, to unite with
other laborers in the vineyand, when she
felt a Gospel call leading her thereto. But
her great care and concern, not to engage
in such weighty undertakings without the
sanction and approval of the great Head of
the Church, will be best exemplified by an
extract from a letter to a female friend,
respecting a proposed religious visit on
Truth's account : —

" Feeling, as I believed, the way opened
this morning to communicate a few lines to
thee, I gladly embrace it, not having

56

before seen with clearness how to proceed
in so weighty an undertaking as was under
consideration when I last saw thee ; but as
I have been willing to leave all with my
Heavenly Father, who is not only able to
appoint, but also to anoint, I am only
desirous of becoming passive in His holy
hands, knowing that, unless this is my con-
dition, I can never go forth as an instru-
ment of usefulness. I also know that
strict watchfulness is necessary to maintain
this position, for the enemy of our soul's
salvation is ever on the watch, and if he
cannot draw us in one way, he will seek to
do so in another. This I have known from
a degree of experience. I believe I must
for the present endure all that my Father
may be pleased to inflict for my further
refinement, for He will refine His servants,
and make them as pure gold and as pol-
ished shafts before they can go forth in
His name. This, then, is the situation in

57

which I am placed ; therefore, I can move
no further in the concern, unless a fresh
command should proceed from His lips, who
doeth all things well. Therefore, let none
go forth in His name, unless fully con-
vinced it is His will."

In looking back over the chain that con-
nected her with her paternal ancestry, she
would remark, " There is but one link left,
and that link was an only and devotedly
attached brother." They were often to-
gether, and there being a great congeniality
of spirit and feeling between them, it is
not surprising that upon him should be
centred all a sister's love. He beins:
several years younger than herself, of a
more robust constitution, with a fair pros-
pect for a longer life, she had looked for-
ward to him as a staff to lean upon in more
advanced years ; but in this, too, she was
doomed to disappointment, for in the
spring of 1852, he, too, was followed to the

58

grave bj this solitary, disconsolate sister.
His removal being sudden, the shock on
her already shattered nervous system was
such, that her life for a time seemed almost
poised as in a balance. But in time, a
greater degree of resignation was attained
to. Her feelings, consequent upon his
sudden removal, will be best expressed by
an extract from a letter written by her, a
few days after this eventful period, to his
widow : —

" I am seated for the purpose of penning
down what may seem to emanate from the
Divine fountain, and without which words
fall coldly on the ear of one situated as
thou art — lonely, disconsolate and almost
broken-hearted ; feeling that for thee the
world, with all its beauties, has no chaims,
since he who once so fondly shared them
with thee is now numbered with the silent
dead ; and fain wouldst thou, too, leave
this dreary world, to rest beside his loved

69

remains. But oh ! my beloved sister !
since it has been the will of Him who is
infinite in wisdom and unlimited in power
to snatch fro'm thj fond embrace, in an
unexpected moment, one thus dearly loved
by thee, myself and a numerous circle of
friends, who deeply deplore his removal
from the scene of action in which they
were daily discovering his valuable traits of
character, let us remember that all his
virtues could not chain him here ; but
when the mandate of the Infinite Jehovah
is pronounced, it must be complied with,
and the soul summoned to His bar, there
to await His decree, who is a God of
justice, love and mercy. These are His
attributes"; and all who willingly sur-
render themselves to His disposal, who bow
as he did to the Master's will, are the
recipients of the joys in store for those
who, like the Lamb Immaculate, was
led to the slaughter, and there yielded up

60

his natural and animal life, and thereby
was made partaker of a never-ending
eternity of bliss beyond the confines of the
grave."

From this time forward her health
began gradually to improve ; and being
favored measurably to keep the enemy of
her soul's peace under foot, and having
received an enlargement of her gift in the
ministry, she journeyed forward for a
time, filling up, in a good degree, her
measure in the line of a Gospel minister.
During this portion of her life, she often
attended neighboring meetings in Gospel
love, and was frequent in her appearances
in our own. But for some time prior to
1861, she was mostly silent therein. From
that time, she seemed to be released from
her bonds, and again came forth in the
ministry, to the great satisfaction of her
friends, and so continued so long as health
permitted her to attend meetings.

61

Although her path through life may
seem to have been a tribulated one, she
having had so often to go down into suffer-
ing on her own account and for the suffer-
ing seed, yet she was permitted, I believe,
at times, to experience newness of life,
and be made a partaker of those substantial
joys which the unbaptized in spirit know
not of. And as she became weaned from
the world and its entanglements, and ex-
perienced more of the smiles of Divine
favor, she came to enjoy life (in Christian
simplicity) with a greater zest, and greatly
enjoyed the society of her friends and
neighbors, and loved to mingle much with
them in the way of receiving and making
social calls or friendly visits, thus mani-
festing her interest in their welfare, not
overlooking those in the humbler walks of
life. These were the fruits of a feeling in-
herent in her nature, which she would
sometimes allude to thus : "I live not for
6

62

myself alone ;" and being liberal in her
views and feelings, with much honesty and
simplicity of character, caused her to be
beloved by many, especially by the young.
In the spring of 1864, our son and only
child was attacked with measles, which
proved to be of a serious character, during
which he was waited on by her with that
unremitting attention, such as a mother's
solicitude only could prompt, that by the
time he began to recover, she became quite
indisposed from over-exertion of body and
mind, and in this condition she, too, was
attacked with the same disease; and,
although she suffered but little bodily pain,
she soon sank with the progress of the dis-
ease, her mind through the whole (except at
short intervals) remaining clear and un-
clouded.

For a more particular account of her
last illness, which lasted about two weeks,
I refer the reader to some memoranda

63

written (the most of it) soon after her
death, by sister H., (who was her almost
constant attendant,) for her own private
perusal, which is submitted, as follows : —

"It was my* privilege to nurse dear
sister R. in her last illness, and thus be an
eye and ear witness of the beautiful spirit
of resignation to the will of her Heavenly
Father, evidenced at different times by
expressions that I have felt a desire to
preserve from the records of an unretentive
memory.

"I think it was on the morning of the
13th, (near a week previous to her decease,)
that she first expressed to me doubts of her
recovery, and at different times afterward
seemed to desire my opinion of her, but I
felt it was a delicate matter, in her weak
state, to tell her my fears, still hoping they
might not be realized. After my going to
her on the morning of the 15th, she ex-
pressed her sense of her unfaithfulness in

64

little things, and mentioned one thing in
particular, which she said had been before
her all night. On my querying if she did not
believe we had a good Father that pitieth
his erring children, she said, ' Yes, but the
work was not done. Oh!' said she, 'if I
had only been faithful, how the work would
have prospered ; but it has been marred
upon the wheel.' I told her not to worry
about it now, that it was said all things
worked together for good to those who
loved God ; and I hoped she did that. She
remarked that it was just such poor sinners
as she that he came into the world to save.
" On my feeling flattered with a little im-
provement the morning but one before her
close, I asked her if she did not feel better.
She replied she scarcely knew, she felt so
weak, and remarked that she did not know
that it made any difference whether she
got better or not, just as the Master saw
meet. He had raised up those that were

65

weaker than she ; hut if she was raised, it
must be to do her Master's work more per-
fectly. She said she had felt there was
something coming upon her to try her.
The language had presented in meeting,
*I will refine thee, but not with silver;'
and then alluded to the afflictions of Job.
She afterwards lay unusually quiet, and in
the after part of the day, when apparently
suffering from great heat, she observed she
did not wish to give us so much trouble by
throwing off the clothes, thus evincing her
patience and submission under suffering.
In the early part of the night following,
she talked to her husband and son; to the
former she said, 'When I am gone, Cyrus
and thee will have to do the best you can
without me.' He said he hoped they
would be favored to have her with them
yet longer. She replied, ' On your
accounts, I could desire it ; but it is very
doubtful ; yet, if it is the Master's will, he
6*

66

can yet raise me up and put a new song
into my mouth ; and I now feel, if he has
a further work for me to do, I shall be
more faithful and obedient than I have
heretofore been. The cares and pleasures
of this world have sometimes been a snare
to me, leading me away from a full depend-
ence upon Him.'

*' Upon the doctor's urging several things
being done, with the hope of affording
relief, she seemed to think it unnecessary,
but submitted, saying that she supposed we
wanted to do all we could. As the morn-
ing approached, we thought her going, and
called the family together. She appeared
under exercise, often uttering broken sen-
tences, sometimes apparently supplicating
her heavenly Father. Once, on bending
my ear to hear, she said, ' The compassion-
ate Jesus stands on the other side.* And
upon my querying, 'Ready to meet thee?'
she replied, ' I do not see as I would like ;

67

I thought last night mj way was clear, but
since then clouds and thick darkness have
intervened; I have leaned too much to the
weakness of the flesh.'

" Oh ! this was a baptism trying indeed ;
yet it seemed to me it was not for herself
alone, but for some of us who surrounded
her, (whose every feeling of nature would
have gone out for her relief,) who were thus
made to feel the utter insufficiency of the
creature unassisted by God, the alone true
Helper. And for this true help our
beloved one seemed singly to seek, except
that she once remarked, in speaking of a
beloved friend, that we all haii our own
work to do, but she had thought sometimes
we could help each other ; and to the same
friend she said, ' If I could only get still
enough ; cannot thee help me with thy
lowly spirit?' often repeating her desire
for stillness ; and once added, ' I think, if I
can get still enough, I can see Ilim after

68

awhile,' evidencing to me that she felt the
supporting arm underneath.

" After this conflict passed away, she was
strengthened to give utterance to a last
and dying testimony, deeply interesting to
those who were privileged to hear it.
Looking round on those about her, she
observed there was a great many friends to
talk to, and she had not long to do it in.
She wanted us all to be faithful — that none
of us had any too much time to do what we
had to do. To her son she gave much
good advice, desiring him to consider the
importance of setting a good example,
particularly for his cousin, and in his
choice of a companion for life, that he
should seek for one who possessed durable
riches — not the riches of this world. She
asked for a relative. On his coming to
her bedside, she said, ' I want thee to be
faithful, and not be ashamed to own Christ
before men.' A valued friend being

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present, she looked at her with a counten-
ance radiant with the spirit, and queried,
' Is it not good to be with the Lord ?' To
which was responded, ' Yes, dear, and that
eternally.' Again she queried of her,
^ Think He has forgiven me all my sins V
of which she assured her she had not a
doubt."

During the delivery of the above testi-
mony, her anxiety on her own account
seemed entirely removed, her concern being
for us who stood beside her ; but feeling
exhausted from the effort to speak, she
said, " Now let me rest, though I am not
done ; (meaning, we supposed, speaking).
Her physician then gave her stimulants,
with a hope to enable her more fully to
relieve her mind, but without effect, as she
never after spoke, but lay still and quiet,
(evidently conscious till near her close,)
with a countenance so expressive as long to
be remembered by many of us, and which

70

we felt to be an index of the peace and
quietude within ; in this apparently happy
frame of mind, she passed- quietly away
about noon of the 19th day of Third
month, 1864, aged about fifty years ; and
we feel that we have reason to believe that
her portion is that of the just of all
generations. She was interred on Third-
*day, the 22d, at Mill Creek, at which time
a large and interesting meeting was held.

George Thompson.