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I A Hert ciety west< count respe son, 1 cuttii ring had t of mt of a r bid fi but tl not b forev( appai Wi selfol dy of quain the yc ed an tue, a and I death De prote in dej THE T.IFE I V or AMOS WILSON, &.C. I v im ■ ■ii « » „ ^9,^ WILSON, (usuuliy termed «' The Pennsylvania H«rniit,") whose eccentricity and seclusion from human so- ciety for nmeteen years, has excited so much curiosity in the western part of the state, was l.orn in Lebanon, Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, in 1774. His parents were honest and respectable, although not very wealthy. Amos was their only son, whom, at the age of sixteen, they apprenticed at the stone cutting-busmess— he was a youth of correct habits, atid du- ring lus apprenticeship very deservedly respected by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. His countejiance was of meek and modest expression, and perfectly characteristic of a mdd, affectionate temper ; indeed, he was a youth who bid fair to become not only a valuable member of society, but the support of his parents in their declining years, had it not been for a most distressing circuuiotance, which not only forever destroyed theirpeace of n:ind, hut rendered their son apparently the most unhappy of human beings. Wilson had an only sister, but tuoyear:^ younger than him- self of whom he was affectionately fond. She was a young la- dy of amiable disposition, and not less esteemed by her ac- quaintance for her virtuous and unblemishod character, than the yonth to whom she was so nearly allied ; but alas, esteem- ed and beloved as she was in early youth for her love of vir- tue, at the age of nineteen ciue! lato doomod thid deluded and unfortunate young woman to suffer an ijr.ioininiuus death ! " Deceived, and shamefully seduced l;y a wretch, who with protestations of love, ond fn-omises of jnarriao-p pr.cccf*dcd in depriving her of all timt could render h.er respectable in the '•"•F (M AMOS U'l/,So\. the laws of our land is nuSi f^"^"''"^'^ « crime, which by -he was tried. condS ^'^nd ^ °"^' ^""^ ^^^ich exertions that were nmdot .H«l '""''''''^ •^'•^«*^"'*''J ' The -pectable citize,^ of Pennsyka '??" "',";"•*'''' °'"»^^' "'"«» »•«- "avo this young woman fi^n 'n J *°'" P^''^^" ^°'-' '^"d perhaps, beyond all exam, le h rhf '^'"""""'""^ death, were tended with succp"s ,,nH f a '^"""""^ ' ^^^ were unat- h's applications in herbclmlf t. .1° '2'' ''^*'" constant in awful moment of her mn.li. . *''^ ^^Xccutive since the «f that day. hastened to pT'!^-' ^^'''^^ «" the morning himself at^'thefeorofth^rn:'^''""' ^^''^^ he prostrated stro^.er than we W po ' tr'"°'"' "".^ ^i^h entreaties gard to his aged iXffl Jl , '''■''^'' I'egged that in re- wretched daughter mfXthJ ^^'^?^'^ ^^^ '"^« of their the half distrat? 5 bTofht ^J^^^^^^^^ . ^''« ^'^^ ^^"'-cy of he was successful, and w^/hn?.. " *^*"' '^»« irresi..tible ; ings that can be b^^e" ima ^ine/tr^"^?"''' '^^''^>^' ^'^h feei: to convey the plea ng S's 1 bf^ '"'"'^^ he hastened friends : but, alas • Prn.^ ? '^ ^ anxious and expectant blast his fondest hopes A^T Tr^ "°^^ *° interfere to dered them crowned with^rnn^/."'" '"''^"' *^^* ^^ *^«n«i- P'tious rain, which ha I fi/lt ?/ ''"!?P^ ''"*'^«««' «" ""Pro- «tream of a rive which he i" ul^' '1^^'^^^ '"'^^^'^ the to such a degree as to r a •''?^'^ *° ^'^^'^ '^n his return, hours he was^^ll^, ^/f;^;;^ '"'POf sable ! For many hrain, and gaze Zon t . ^ ""^ ^^"^ hank with bursting his fondest Cec aTons" ''IZ'^^' ^^^^^^^^ '^ ^^f ford was practicable he dn«ho i lu ^""f''^'* "'^'"^"t that a P^ce of execution Lt-ntht 1 '''"«'^' ^".^ ^"'^-^^ «» the of his unfortunate Ser r w ' "^ '"^*^^ ^«^t struggles l>Vt a few minutes pre,!^ouo h?' '^""f^^"*^ '"^^ ^^«^"'ty. w^'th her pardon ! ^ ^° ^'' ^"'^^^ «t the fatal spot, [ng'^^erta^e, wKn'a'sS'; ''V'"'''''' ''' '"^^ heart-pierc \orse. in whi;h si? a^" Z ^^ •"^^"^ihility he fell fro?n his '"any n^onths he°tmaine'dT *" '^ ^'"^''^ °^«^— For ««dfrom themoment that hisL^ '*'*' ^^ P^''^^^* ^«"'-'""' '•e declarer! that the woimH b 't !f ' "^^':^ P^^'^"^ '««tored tde wound he had received was incurable LIl'K OF AMOS WILSON. that the world had now no plnMurc fur him, and that it was bis determination the remainder of his life to seclude him- self from human society. In an unfrequented forest, twelve miles from Harrison- burgh, ho found a cave suitable for his purpose, which he se- lected as the place of his future abode. In this lonely and solitary retreat he dwelt alone for the space of nineteen years, and was seldom visited by any one but the writer of these few particulars of his life, whom he selected as his confiden- tial friend, and who orcasionly supplied him with such neces- saries as his situation required. Harriot Wilson, the sister of Amos, was born in 1776. She was early educated with the utmost tenderness ; and ev- ery possible care was taken to itnpress on her mind senti- ments of virtue and religion. She was of u sprightly dispo- sition, polite in manners, and engaging in conversation — in a word, she in early age exceeded most of her sex in many of those accomplishments which are calculated to grace and dig- nify the female mind. At the age of eighteen. Miss Wilson unfortunately became acquainted with a young man by the name of Smith, a native of Philadelphia ; who, although there was nothing very attrac- tive in his person, succeeded in ingratiating himself into the affections of this innocent and unsuspecting young lady. Her parents, aware of the impropriety of their daughter's forming too hastily an attachment for one who was yet to them a stran- ger, gave her that advice, which had it been strictly adhered to, would have preserved her innocent, and prevented the com- mission of a crime which brov;;!.; their gray hairs in sorrow to the grave, and their daught r to a shameful death. Not until the credulous and unsuspecting Harriot had sur- rendered toiler vile seducer (bytho repeated and solemn pro- mises of marriage) all that could render her respectable in the eyes of the world, was it discovered that the vile author of her ruin was already a married man ! and that his protestations of love and promises of marriage were without a shadow of sin- cerity — a wicked device, made use of only to enable him to effect the ruin of an innocent girl. This poor deluded female now too late saw her imprudence in listening to the false vows of her vile seducer. To devise means that would enable her to avoid the disgrace that her im- prudent connection was likely to produce, appears now to lmv« been her principal object ; and sImmKIm^ u» relate, she fiuaily MfX OF AM'Ji f»r„,go.V. rat-, nii.l ,0 be over oji tiiei, „ ,, . f ' '.° "''"' ""a'nin. by her Th™?';'" "'■""= »'l'er If "^■■"=""'^' "'« '"'••igSes'^and ■"o^f .iis.i,l?^;l.red^,«[™'^«:"ions made by several of ,h„ ' , "",""'■'' ''■■■<"''""■, whoso !"if ,!'"',"■''''''•'' ^"'^'^'^s'- She <'=.~.th, and •„..,". ';:?•:•.""»- •» ^^^ e he,. fr„„, „„ l^^ZT. '»o exi«tence of untl to cherish fcdintobeingi 'jG carried into 'oiiikJ secreted irriot was sas- fthe unnatural Jarin^' an-ainst '■espfctuhllity t'on, and such heenacquain- i'3 early fiHe^i l''>e trial last- t'je cvidenco luiiy oircuni- k'inced of the exhibited an c to lament -r. on whom Dmiiinf Jicr 'nation, sho 'ctable per- >iisequence a e.vhibited c whole of >nising the ™g" female 'ng by her igues and »;al of the 'in a par- 'ss. She ite of his too, was >'ninious Ppointed to suffer the par- "her e.v- is made ■ranient LIFi:: OF AUOS WILSON. 7 was administered, t'he parting between her and her afflict- ed parents, and many of those with whom she had been most intimately acquainted, was affecting beyond discription. At half past 10 A. M. accompanied by several of the clergy, sho was convoyed lo the gallows, she having taken an affectionate farewell and leave of her friends ; and rather appeared dis- posed to impart to their comfort than to repine in consequence of her own unhappy fate. When ascending the platform and after the fatal cord had been aflixed, her countenance display- ed a serenity that appeared more than human, and when she gave the signal there was a collected gracefulness and sub- limity in her manner that struck every heart; and is above words or ideas. After she had been suspended nearly a min- ute her hands were twice evenly and gently raised, and grad- ually lot to fall without the le ist appearance of convulsive or involuntary motion, in a manner whi;;h could hardly be mista- ken, v/hen interpreted, as designed to signify content and re- signation. At all events independently of this circumstance, which was noticed by many, her whole conduct evidently show- ed, from this temper of mind, a composed and even cheerful Hubmisson to the views and will of heaven ; a modesit unaf- fected, submisson entirely becoming her age, her sex, and sit- uation. In less than five minuets after the fall of the fmal drop, her brother arrived with a pardon, with the governer's signature affixed. A letter directed to this unfortunate brother was de- posited by hir. wretched sister in the hands of one of the Rev. Divines whonttendedhor, to be delivered to him as soon as ho should return, a^d of which the following is a copy : " My Dear IJrolher : As the awful moment has nearly arrived, in which the dread- ful sentence of the law is to be executed upon me I am con- fident that we shall meet no more in this world. Your failure to return yesterday at the hour appointed, satisfies mo that you have again been unsuccesfulinyour applicationfor a par- don, and that you wish to be a.^ far distant as possible from the distressing scene, which a numerous throng ofiuipityinajspop- tatovs arc already collecting to witness. My dear brother, ' am happy to inform you that I am prepared to meet my fate. nnd shall die penitent, and in peace with the world, i tni^t that I have made my peace with my God, in wliosr pr'\sf'nfe I must shortly KODear. Mv dr.ir hrn'lwT. rh.-' mo-f iii;ii f now 8 ''"•'« OF AMOS WILSON. Suffer ig from t) the g,a.e ! S„„.W° T""' "> So dj„rt„ 1"'T' '«"' "■« "•estrain voi,^ V ".""''"■ations of eterni.,, j "'wmbers of elcriiiti.mvZ. 1- '""'c'ess walk an.l „ ^ "=""" ''yaho- "2 "ay all ^ee? ^eraTnT'' ?™»"»« P«yer f„ ^ •" ""■" ' »l-trC:S^f"-«''o.he,e„siMaie,ofh ■ ?he bloom of l„v"n„ ''!'■''' ?^ « ""e but yeS"" ""''"' "«»• ■loated on Ker "' '"^""'yand innoM„.° *?/""»ln'<'m. "ff on the g' bbe • f ' "" <"^*"der of the black J?"* ^^ "» ^er warnioff asaln«f r , "PP^^'e "olated^,,.? ^'' "="*'- "Pir- '7i<.4?r US ,£"'"». «"« ^ Si.re r p"'"« ^.I"<.l.^»ubl„„ar7*orijlP«^'"• benevolence ""^ "^ calamities assail us on »« ' '^f^''^ ^"ed (he " v.i. , ''uman miaeiT is nr«^ ./"''" ' "hcrever „. / »' "ears" posing attitudes BnTT't^/" ""e view of all^ T.""' eyes. ted parents .' nji f ^^.^'»' a«d to Wand that tJieir P'-^ve lor their sp. '«tJS,thatyoucher. 'jywaytopromote 'pation. I never ^^vas possible fo^ ■elations, and that tne chambers of 'ear brother, wiJl ^tsofthishfejit '•eJi^ion byaho- rsation. Itisi^ again to meet,- '»■ in prison that en I bid you an '^^^"nunprin. d HARRIOT sofhumanitv, 'e of woe" as ?f abhorrence ""of his arts. V. Was in ali ''ernal morn- make her— edbyaJlher t cast, expir- ed a public tne tears of ^e of tears" n our eyes, '"^andim- uncontrol- originaliy nnocence, disobeyed LlPB OF AMOS WILSON. Q the mandates ofthe Almighty, fallen from that blessed state, and is now surrounded with all the evils and dangers atten- dant on sin and misery. Satan like a roaring lion ranges about seeking whom he may devour, and man preys upon his fellow-man : often do we see the wicked rolling in riches and honors, while poor depressed merit is too often abandon- ed to poverty and scorn. The tenderness and sensibility that prevails in the minds of females, subjects them to many temp- tations and dangers from which men are in a manner exempt. Their weakness and dependent state places their reputation on a foundation so slender, that the smallest breath of wind will overturn, and the slightest touch indelibly tarnish. While lordly man can sin with impunity, and his most indecent devi- ations from modesty and virtue, set dr-'n as trifling indiscreti- ons and oftentimes, the more he sin:, .e more he is caressed. He can without any scandal to himself, seduce the innocent virgin from the paths of virtue, while the unfortunate victim of his arts is expelled from society, and doomed either to end her days in a brothel, among the most depraved, or be made a sacrifice on the altar of justice. The family ofthe unfortunate subject of these pages,was a happy <»ne until the intrusion ofthe vile seducer, when the un- iortunate Harriot, the victim of his wicked arts, was the hope and joy of her aged parents ; but in an unsuspecting moment their hopes were blasted forever ; thei" gray hairs were brought in sorrow to the grave ! A doating and only brother was thereby driven into a state of retirement, and during the remainder of his days lived a recluse from the society of men. '^v fair readers — You see by the foregoing pages the gra- dation of evils attendant on a departure from that dignified modesty which renders you respectable and loved by the good and the worthy ofthe other sex. A chaste and virtuous wo- man sits exalted on the pinnacle of excellence, giving rational happiness and pleasure to all within the reach of her acquain- tance; as a sister, she possesses the warmest affection of her brothers, and the value set upon her reputation very often pre- vents them from the commission of acts of folly which precede the depravity of vice ; and as adaughter, the delight of her pa- rents, and the sweet soother ofthe path down the vale of life from time to eternity. But mark the contrast. I am now to depict woman in her state of depravity, which I do with reluc- tance. View the scenes of dissipation, and the closing resort Ujjon eartii oi tuese niisguiucu leniatvB, who too credulous, lost 10 '■'"' o" A„o, ^,,^^ aWtfc — ""-SOX no tie* 1,^ ^ ""'orsuDnnl^f •i®"'* caprice nf„ •?.. """i •'"'•is were the? ""J^ ^»"'h° "fef ' "'•"'".W V™,!,"""- P"n«ual i„\i. '^''^ preferred h! i '''« ''°<' otlior Jf ^■''- fPrnunation of OiV. n^^''«'-denroitsei> 'se'^c/ean/vat. ■ ^^as always «."*^ repeat! '.'on;afidino- '« situation! * and that ^f '"n any ** t'njojino. wne. Aj! ( epen his f'on after 's fellow- Ptyw/ii/e latfon of i.tFE OF AMOS WILSON. 11 his earthly cxistenco, to leave them a legacy, which if attended to, might prove for their earthly as well as spiritual good. On the writer's expressing to him his surprise (one day) that he should be found so willing to exclude himself from the so- cial enjoyments of human society, he thus replied :— ^I live the life of my choice — I prefer being a recluse from the jars of a coutending world, and the mistrust and jealousies of an Ostentatious race, who have £ilready inflicted a wound which they never can heal. Retired in this lonley cell, I meet not the neglect of ungrateful ft lends, nor hear the taunts of the children of pride. I couii only the company of the Divine Spirit of the Most Holy, and the clamours of the foolish dis- turb not my pious meditations, nor the sneers of ignorance excite painful sensations in my peaceful breast. The shafts of envy, tipt with calumy, spend their force ere they reach me ; and the vain of mankind may satiate themselves with folly, iniquity and deceit, and I shall not be rendered more mi- serable thereby." But a few years since, this extraordinary and singular cha- ractar expired in his hut, unattended by a single friend to close his eyes ! His exit must have been very sudden : as he was left, the evening before in tolerable health, by the writer ; in a corner of his cave was found a bunch of manuscripts, among which.was that of which the contents of the following pages is an exact copy, and which he requested particularly might be published ; o' ^ in conformity to which, we here present it to the pubhc. , discontent ia tu^ • '"""Sr-Wocks to fL" LIFE OF AMOS WILSON. 19 "VD, WiVD, HI, . ISreat portion .feat pursuit ; ^^goal of ti,eir „\h^ Circum- "^mse/ff,o^ ^J^selfto live «/e there who ^P^anofcon- f^yeakh, the ''^^ to their ''e •• there are *;i°;^er,a|- their will • '"• iVotto -St satisfied *o content- thing., jt * constan- ^"'th pros- " ^'^c the 'e brave- ly amid his trials ; knowing them to be the hand of God, therewith he will be content, and scorning to repine will make himself happy. The greatest cause of discontent is, that men have no de- finitive measures to their desires. It is not the supply of all their real wants that will satisfythem ; their appetites are precarious, they hunger not because they themselves are emp- ty, but because others are full. Ahab, one would think, might well have been content with the kingdom of Israel, without Naboth's vineyard; and Haman, with the obeisance of all the Persian court, without the additional bow of a poor Jew. A low condition in the world seems to all a terrible misfortune; but how many are really poor amid their riches, and want in the midst of plenty. The true felicity of life is to be free from perturbations; to understand our duty towards God and man ; to enjoy the pre- sent, without any anxious dependence on the future. Not to amuse ourselves with either hopes or fears, but to rest satis- fied with what we have, is abundantly sufficient : for he that is so, wants nothing. The greatest blessings of mankind are within us, and within our reach ; but we shut our eyes, and, like people in the dark, we fall foul upon the �ry thing that we are in search of without finding it. One of the greatert secrets of life is that of knowing how to soflen our uneasiness ; and if it be not in our power to disen- gage ourselves from the trouble, to weaken at least the im- pressions of it ; without this we must resolve frequently to be miserable, for, being exposed to numberless evils, hardly a day passes but we feel some new distress. Now I know of no remedy more effectual than pre-consideration ; and whoever has made an exact reflection upon the traverses of life, will find himself at least consolable in his misfortunes. I would have every one so far consider and expect all kinds of evils, as not to be surprised at any calamitous event. Let the happy courtier possess the favour of his sovereign, and enjoy to his wish the pleasures of his good fortune ; yet let the example of so many falls incline him to mistrust the security of his seat : let him not, although on the summit of the wheel, forever cast his eyes upward, but sometimes look down : let him view the place he began to rise from, let him consider the first degree of his advancement, as a precipice from which he may every minute be tumbled. Let not a prince be too fond of his em- pire ; let not the obeisance of such a world of people easily u '"•jtake to count L^eff^' *^' ^^«« ^'-oi^' j' }^'«^ adventj. „^'!^to depend uponT ""=^ snides ; that wh; t l^ ^"'^"c. Thpri • ^ °^ ^'^e, whirl, find li,maelf deraiv J '"' "■""s to hTk ^ ""'i' "leprive r?"Wed because ill: "' [^ '«' bem,'t<"',; ='"•" <^'l'et «'« world, ne ou'heTo^'"' '?• "Coe, '!'" "" '»« be ^f ^e joy of a sincerp !w ^PP'^'^'^nyems of « " -^ ''''^^'•^"i and Jr" V'" «" places at M^'^" «'ands firnM",>?^^'-^'«' God f ^-eat Creator ; let »? "' *° ^ontempjiS ll "' ^^'"^^ar ad. and pomn nf "^ remove our tu *"^ w^orks nf /L ««d ^n "cJitude' "S' ?' -noSly enf "^.^-^ ^^4' 5: «^ents, have th;v „^^,^^^^«««. *he sun ''^{ *'^" ^^^^'.^i^Ke /.^"'Plates themT ThP '''"^'^^ *° ««tir'th^ '•^?' *^^^ 0^- *he meads, the fln. "^^^'^ of piai„7,J''® «^'nd that con ^r groves ? ^^^ ^« ^e ever wam ^L '^ "«* channs to t^^^ our pieT:4f^ -ntemed teT ^°^'^-^" in 'n this urorld in the f.^^ T ^^^^de.. WpT/^'"^^'"^ '^ we ^? hitn who is »»,„ ^*"^/ of nature • .v ?■ ^"'^ o"racco.,nf '^ir delights It/T' ^"'^or ofV- ''J'''''' ^"r thoS ^«^«/«r^nou;^^^^^^ » capabV;r'"r «^^«* " vi h ON, l"V''"^' ^^^'e been •^^"1 the hands of a ^^Pends upon for- f feature in .,„. ;'t 13 a common ^; a^-e superfluoa7 «otr„stmgtoher '^'" at least be ''' °"'' ^ot is in •bmus to the ^"tasmal|poi._ f ap/>7 in this a cheerful and jn^PartiaJ God. ^o"t interrup. conditions his Jcessity or in- ^s forbear ad- """'■^s of the .°'5 ff'e pride ai-s, tile ele- nd tiiat con- se of rivers, )t charms to of birds in '"t""-e ie we ^ur account ir thoughts ^eet with ation, will l^^ tyrants LIFE OF AWOS WJLSON. 19 of it any fm thor than we are willing to aerve them ; their chains cannot bind it, and in whatever place the body be •shut up, the soul never changes its place or dwelling. Thus we may find contentment even in the meanest hovel, if we will only endeavour to make ourselves so. Let the man of a firm health not account himself happy only in the enjoy- ment of this good, but may the thoughts of suffering nothing among so many calamitous objects, which are about him, make him yet more content ; let him enjoy himself not only from the good circumstances that are his lot, but from the evils too which do not befall him. May the pleasures he tastes, and the pain he suffers uot, afiford him equal satisfac- tion. In reality, however innocent they may appear, excess is ever criminal, and produces not only infamy, but sickness and pain ; a man who looses his reputation by a debauch, very often looses his health too, and wounds his constitution no less than his honor. It becomes every man to live with restriction. Pleasure is the view of our actions ; and altho' we pursue different plans, we aim at the same point. Let every one live as is most agreeable to his innocent inclina- tions, and enjoy all the delights that offer, when they are con- sistent with the principles of conscience and honor. It is preposterous for any one to expect to be truly happy in this world, unless he is truly pious ; he who aims to be iiappy, with all his earthly possessions, if he possesses not religion, he is indeed a miserable inhabitant of what he is pleased to call " miserable world." True happiness is not to be found in the excesses of wine or of women, nor in the largest prodigalities of fortune. He who would perfectly know himself, let him set aside his money, his fortune, his dignity, and examine himself naked. It is dangerous for a man too suddenly or too easily to believe himself; wherefore, let us examine, watch, ob, .e, and inspect our hearts. — We should every night call ourselves to an account. — What infirmity have I mastered to-day ? t ir what passion opposed ? what temptation resisted ? what virtue acquired .'' Our vices will abate of themselves if they are brought every day to the shift. What can be more reasonable than this daily review of a life that we cannot warrant for a moment ? There is a great variety i:T our lives, but all tends to the same issue —nature may use her bodies as she pleasea, but a good man has this consolation, that nothing perishes which he can call 16 LIFE OF AWOS WlLfSOy. against a common calamity b^tlJli ^^'^ i^ »° '^nt'dote Whoever seriously and mi^pLi ^f ''^'P" a"d Virtue, his own mind, may I'n LTru& ''^^ operationsof vmce him that there i^a God wto "17'^*"'" '^''^' »° «««" vidence he owes all the blessin JI on2 fir ^"" ', 1° ^^°^« P^o- nj^sion it is that he exercisef «„j ^' ^l*'' ''^^ ^^ose per- placed in this " miseraWe woHd^' 1^?°^'^ them-that he is ture of a day, hastening toXni„ r""'^"^' "^"^ «» « crea- retnrn ; that he is accoLmb i fS hf/'"'",^*"^ ^« '^^l' "ot and wisest of Beings Tm!,!^ ■ ''°"^"^* to the greatest must have ereryZn/Tolt'. brtttT' "^T J"^^'- "« humble and penitent, and cast'hill^' t " ^'^^^"^^ ^'^ be order which he fn his^TsS K ^'^f^l^'i"'"^ -'^ ^-"^iful appointed continual lersoS ^ " '^'^^ ^o have ture, man. If the luminaries of th. V u-^" ^^^'°"a' «>-ea- splendor over our heads ?rLf^ ^ ^^'"^ ^'^h superior cipally intended to mt ilu?„d heir "^li *''^^ ^^''^Vi"- gladness beyond themselvef i trrM""^^ •'JP^t Wand habit IS a world of trials and temm«T: "'''''5 '^^ »°^^ >«- our passions to take possession y?"' ' ^"^ '^^^ «»ffer break their force, irwronc " fv ' ! " "° ^^*^ '"^"er to we know not when " hold Jhe S ' 1^- ' >""^ ^PP^*'^°«' always to stop short of vice so fr Jh« i! '' " '" °"'' Power the force of habit, thal'Vfs ^asier^^^^^ «re than to satisfy all that follow ?t.°'"PP'''' ^^^ ^'^ ^^ ofwhich,manyaUish7Sral .'%^kT^''"' ^''^ truth too late, been forced to acknowledge "J ^'"'^•"Syouth has, known who, from the induirnrS • ^^ ""^"^^ ''^^^ we have been led into excesses if.?- '"T^"^ amusements, reputation which woXtherwi rit ""u'^ ^^^ «*«'"«'** proachable, and which have ,n.^!^ "*? ^^^« ^a'*" and irre- a shameful end. Innocent nC-'""' °"^''* themselves tt support of theconstiJS anrhS^'" as necessary to the but in keeping within bounds th! '.?' 'l'"*^""^ "'^'Ji^^ne ; gress, by slol degrees till wl }^-^ ^^' l^^ task ; we pro- a%. As well mfy ' the EtZ "an' 1! ^'^^ ^.">^ °^ ««"««" leopard his spot«," as those on? "h '^?§J'.'»'« «kin or the Vice'' to reform the drunkard to h^"'"^ '" '^^ ^«y« «f .-bler to lose a relish fof ca^^^',-^^^^^^^^^ LIF£ OF AMO« WILIOM. 17 fish ; to hope and here is no antidote and Virtue. the operations of ence there, to con- im ; to whose pro- and by whose per- them— that he is ed, but as a crea- vliich he shall not «ct to the greatest whose justice he IS exhorted to be pe upon the infi- ess. «e and beautiful i, seems to have lis rational crea- te with superior 1 they were prin- I impart joy and iich we now in- ind if we suffer easy matter to > our appetites, It in our power ture — so strong ss the first de- ^xim, the truth ing youth has, nany have we - amusements, f»ave stained a fair and irre- themselves to Pessary to the ry medicine ; isk ; we pro- Iph of sens u- is skin or the the ways of nperate, the ^0 sensaslist td give up his carnal desire. How important, then, is it, that those who have; the care of youth shoulJ warn them, both by precept and example, to shun the excessive indul- gence of pleasure, (falsely so called, a sure precursor of loss of health, reputation, fortune, and peace of conscience,) and to pursue the paths of sobriety, honostv, frugality and indus- try ; to lead godly lives, in the fear ot the Lord, which is the begmning of knowledge ! Thus will their lives be serene and happy and their exit peaceful. In my solitary abcdc, secluded from the society of man- kind, what pleasure have I enjoyed in contemplating the goodness of the Almighty ! and should my life be prolonged to double the number of years which I have already passed, I would prefer a secluded life to that of mingling with the in- habitants of a world producing so many temptations calculated to beguile them from the paths of virtue and morality. Hea- ven is a witness, that in this rocky cavern I enjoy more hap- py moments than where I passed my laughing youth in the pursuit and indulgence of what is termed worldly pleasures. If I am not soothed by flattery, I am not wounded by ingra- titude. If I have it not in my power vainly to boast of supe- rior life, I am not the object of calumniating envy, and 1 am now too far removed into the shade for scorn to point its fin- ger at me : my hopes no longer rest in vain, idle, fallacious ob- jects, on private friendship or public justice : they have now a more durable foundation — they rest on Heaven. Well did the ingenious writer say of Solitude, that in if •* the mind gains strength, and learns to lean upon herself :" in the world it seeks or accepts a few trracherous supports; the feigned compassion of one — the flattery of a second — the civilities of a third— the friendship of a fourth ! Tl.ey all deceive, and bring the mind back to retirement, reflection, and books ! But although mankind read so many excellent maxims of wisdom, and their judgments are so fully convin- ced of the lasting advantages of true philosophy, how frail, how forgetful, how much under the influence of the pasfious. But they are living monitors to teach us wisdom by their weakness ! Whilst we remain in the world we are all fet- tered down, more or less, to one level, and have neither all the leisure nor all the means to soar above it, which we may procure to ourselves by breaking the fetters of retirement. To talk of abstracting ourselves from matter, laying aside 18 '•'»"t- or AWOa WlL.SO.-V. i ti ^ody, ami bcintf resolvp#l o. •« proud, metaphylical, unlZin ''*""''' """ I^"'-« intellect i« «elve« from the^,rcjud ces S^'T" ^'^"' ^« "^^^^'^ct oL !' not capable of doiL ; U cv u " """'/ '""'' *''«"=''' "" "ro co„.e weaned fVon't .%;,;''«„;:';" ^° ^'n-- who can be- «»•'"' M portion Of their |iv,s"n /'"""''"^ themselves to *;^'naio their soals to a 1 'l.; « m I ^ '' ''T '" ^''«''- ''^trea? «uch a v.ew of the ,vo.ld Is to!"' TL '""^ ''"^"^'^ t^'^c dream from the seats of M. 1 1 f ""'' ^^'P'o took in his appeared so little to „m tat fc^^'Sf^'" ^''^ vvhole "a th "crease our knovvled..e by Xwino- "" ^•'''''' "^ ^'"« will Will teach us to estabif^h our nel'^ f *^"'" ^^norance, and can rest securely in resigmi ion 41* /'""^.^'-ore al^ne U life more agreeable, and doa h i '''•'' ^'^'^^ ^^"1 render «od, and ti.e precepts oft btl!7:,il"''^^- ^he idea of i'^ff ') a'-e never so little re2mhf 7 ^'""P " celebrated intercourse of society Pn ^"^®i»^cred as in the ordinary P"-uits, intrance/fn tlfcS,)" V""'^'^"^^ «"«S the continual ebriety which raLp«r ^ ^.^'''*>^' inflamed by dved'tr' rv '-"-tbaTetitrrd" '^•;' ^*'"'"^'^^- solved, the bright and noble farnll! ? ""^ ^"** ™an is dis- even the great and imporfamS ^ T°" ^^^^^''^d, and source of true felicity. Svobl^ '.''^ '/"«'°"' ^^^ «nly remembered only with lev ^ oS '^ ^'^"^ *''« "^^nd or tering into a serious self-examinaHn T^''^"^'' ^'^ ^vho, en- in silence towards his Go^ ^''°"' ^'^^'^t^^ ^"^ thoughts -if - Ss':;^ri;t^L;^tr^ ^--^" ^^- - an wittcod '"^'p^'^^^'-'th ouTselvef and'n:r '"'* «^"^"^-' with Uod. Pressed bv the rlZ\i ?• " ^''^**^''" communion then clearly perceive that thev vvJ''''""' "^^"^ errors we 'ng shunned the snares of .f '^°''««'««ed by not hav watched with sufliSe/ret--H and by n'ot havbg hearts Oppose the sent.^en^of^^"^'''""*^«'^ «f ou? passed his life in pious confnT ■ f^^'^^^^ "^an, who has occupy a worldly CrCtfufofTtsV''"'' ^" *^-«'« c'ng Its dearest interests tothefj '^^^'''' ^"^ «acrifi- compare the character of a�ise '"^.T"' ^J*^'^ "'^"'^nt : on the importance of eternityTwitluhn/^f?"^*^ in silence whoconsumeshis.eimeinti^;Tdtt;S^^^^^^^^^^^^ / purr intellect, iy to abstract our- cjisuies and bu- '. though ull nro 8. who can be- theniselves to »n tlieir retreat tiy tJieiice take no took in his 'c wlioJe earth ly tliscern that ev,- as tins will ?norance, and vliere alone it Hv will render The idea of i a celebrated the ordinary do of absurd inflamed by id stimulates i man is dis- bscured, and 3n, the only the mind or he who, en- liis thoughts that we all id solitude, communion errors, we Jynot hav- lot having ns of our i> who has lose Avhich nd sacrifi- moment : in silence ible being, he world J LIFE or AWOr? WILSO.N. 10 and we Bhall then perceive that solitude and dignified retire- ment can alone afford true |)leas»rc, and give ua what nil the vain enjoymentH of the world will never bestow, consolation in death, and hope of everlasting life. But the bed of death discovers most clearly the difference between tiie just man, who has (juiefly passed his days in religious contemplation, and the man of the world, whose thoughts have only been employed to feed his passions and gratify his desires. A life passed amidst the tumultuous dissipations of the world, even when unsullied l)y the commission of any crime, con- cludes, alas, very differently from that which has been spent in the bowers of solitude, adorned by innocence and rewarded by virtue. Were mankind to examine on what their hope of future bliss is founded, and anticipate that day of discovery and de- cision which is hastening upon them, it would excite diligence and awaken their attachment to inferior objects. To a mind conscious of his native dignity and immortality, this employ- ment cannot be unpleasing or unprofitable. It is the highest proof of wisdom so to act in our present situation, that, when removed to another, the change may be ns happy as it will be lasting. We need not fear that this will diminish our present happiness. The Gracious Being who formed us, requires no service at our hand but what will promote our present good. " Godliness is profitable to all things ;" by living in conformity to its rules, we escape many evils, and are preserved in virtue and innocence. We enjoy every gratification that can give delight to a reasonable mind. Were mankind generally influenced by this noble principle, how happy then might be the state of human society. They would then cease to be miserable in a •' Miserable World." The voice of discord would then be no longer heard. The various ranks and classes of men would be connected in the strongest and most pleasing band of union. "Righteous- ness and peace would kiss each other," and the present state of existence would be only a happy prelude to one still more exalted and glorious in the realms of eternal day. By experience I well know that the highest happiness which is capable of being enjoyed in this "miserable world," consists in a peace of mind, and strict adherence to the prin- ciples of the Christiigin religion ; and by experience I can assure my duar readers that the rich and the ])oor, the hap- m '-'" "'• *wo« tvino.y, »ophi :o-ur ^^d^raip'i" r^r^- t,tro'. ir « W'-i wore animated naiure. LIFE or AMOS WII4M^> 81 'cic, in ehort, all '"t'lr .stulions or ' i'i(init<;at livsson We f P'ooruoii-ive '«'» is not to lie 'ient8 ; by fly. 't'r ; by cunti- ; '>y untlerta- eniJ[rosse9 tlie I' liis visiomi- tfie iifnis f,i- siie will con- the pursuit, tondinif pas- ippiness in a nar from the duties of na- tranquilhty rse with hia without ha- mms of en- al or phiJo- bodies can an assimi- Maker- . o the soui, as Ui-e the tiiral con- he world, whilst the d duties, from the «al piety i nature, it looks up to God, sees, bears, and feels him in eve^y event, in every vicissitude, in all places, at all seasons, and upon all occasioriH. It is theory verified by experience ; it is faith sulistiintiated by mental enjoyments; it is heaven transplant- ed in the hiinuni bosom ; it is the radiance of the divinity wurminL uftd enrirciing man. It is a spiritual sense grati- fied by spiritual sensations ; without this all ceremonies are ine{lic*u-iou;<. A fellow-being, with a cultivated mind enjoys peculiar sa- fi'l'iction in the hours of solitude, and the most popular sub- ject on which he can meditate and employ his attention and observation when alone, is the thought of deity. Not that he may doubt the existence of a Supreme Being ; but he can naturally, and with more perspicuity, meditate oo his Almigh- ty |)ower, mercy, and benevolence towards poor, frail crea- tures of mortality. The sick, the sorrowful, and the discon«- tentcd, may fmd equal relief in solitude ; it administers u balm to their tortured souls, heals the deep and painful wounds they have received, and in time restores them their pristine health and vigour. Sorrow, misfortune, and sickness, soon render solitude easy and familiar to our minds. How willing- ly do we renounce the world, and become indifferent to all its pleasures when the insiduous eloquence of the passions is silenced, and our powers are debilitated by vexation of ill health ! It is then we perceive the weakness of those suc- cours which the world affords ; the mind ^'^en seeks a balm in religion, and becomes more disposed to seek " its Guardian Anirel and its God." Thus, my dear readers, have I endeavored, as far aa my feeble powers would permit, to satisfy you of the blessings of Solitude, and of the vast importance of cherishing religion *i' tJis world, that you may be fitted for another and a bet- ter. When you peruse these few pages, containing the best advice that I am able to give you, I shall have paid that debt which you must sooner or later pay ; my only prayer there- fore is, that you may receive the foregoing advice with as much pleasure as it is given, and that it may ultimately ope- rate as powerfully on your mmds, as it baa on that of the author. Mysterious are the ways of Providence ; the same wheel which raises you to-day on the smooth, unruffled ocean of prosperity, may, before the morrow, roll you in the stormy t2 LIFE OF AMOS WILSON. heals those wounds, irvarthlltLn^^^^^^ '^^^'» *hat vented niy committing vT4nce on 2 1^?^ ""'' ^"^' P'"^" moinentvvhcnlwasdoomecUoPvlT ^^^' '^'^ melancholy trials of this life--wrrdoomn?r ^^"'^^"^"^'**^^««^«rest fateofanaffectionrteandonTsis^^^^ t^- melancholy youth, torn from her fond muZtT � companion of my fined within the thicl waRs of a X "' '"""^ "^""*^« ^«»- thence conveyed, (at the vprl ^ ^ ""."^ P"^''""' ^nd from tained for her^) to the lallowT ZlTT '^^l^P^^'^on was ob- greatest monsters of lemS ^ " ' '"■' ''" °"" °^*'^^ view her lifeless corpse s^tpe/ded If hT""'""' ^^^^^' •'-*« a throng of u„pityi„^ spectC f '^' '"' ^"'•'•-""ded by waf :; t: .;^:^lt^^^^^^^ [« which wemust submit. It to my aid, and' bi^d "neZlott tl':" V^t^" V"^ r««-" not and ought not wish toSf S fh * m' ^'^^^^ ^ «««'d for her whSmlhad iust Vph!. *« this troublesome worW-^ gions of eternal day love th.° "^'T 'f ^ ^^"« *«the re- pain. ^' ^''''^^ t'^*' reach of sorrow, vice or vidence while we are wrantTn in^ /r"^ *^^ '^^^^ ^^ P^O" thcre is a God, we muTt Tnn'^n^^T^''*^,' ^"* convinced I am fully senslwrmv Zr Zi^"^''^' '^'^^ ^" '« ^'^^t. are strewed with diffic^fiertroubleT '""fl '' *^'"* «"'• ^'^^^ that we daily experience the r^d w?' iT^ ^.'«!^PPointments ; son highly Lrthy of „^ruct?on if] ^T'^""' *^ "« '-^ ^^'- tJnngs requsite thatwemcef ^ .»,: . .^ ''^^^ »^*"r« of order thai we know h^w to pdl' S^^^ ^^'^-'i" 'n the heavens above : that hp whn » ^''^"^^ ^^aits us trials and misfortunes of tEworM ^^"'^ «."^0"nters the tng them but as moTentaraffl Ivf^'^^^^ joypvhich are set bef^etm^n totr'T'"'"^^^ ^'^ ^'^^ fault and conclude we are possesseT;f n ^'^ ''Pf *« ^"** !,/i LIFE OF AMOS WILSON. 33 continuaHy sf,if^^ lavvayl" Man- nrmities, and dis- c the long-lived IS the balm that ed me, and pre- t the melancholy le of'the severest the melancholy om])anion of my any months con- nison, and from pardon was ob- > like one of the ious death ! — to surrounded by rnist submit. It ■ion and reason r whoin I could Bsome worW gone to the re- rrow, vice, or md the glories MvaysofPro- l>ut convinced t all is right, that our lives ppointments ; es to us a les- sry nature of lere below, in ich awaits us counters the Jinall, count- itively to the -e apt to find Iter share of Ijan our pro- 3 it were, to uaded man- kind are not so unequally provided for iu this world as many imagine. " God is no respecter of persons," ho favors one man no more than another, and his blessings are equally showered upon all his offspring. As regards my ovv'n situation, few, very few, of my fellow creatures it is probable, could be found willing (after experi- encing so many severe trials) to retire from the busy world, and be content to abide alone nineteen years within the walls of a solitary cave, as I have myself done. My situation has no doubt been pronounced unhappy and miserable by many of my fellow-beings ; but secluded as I have been from the so- ciety of man, depriving myself of the superfluities of life, I solemnly declare that I have enjoyed more real happiness in retirement than what all the riches and superfluities of this world could have afforded me. My dear readers, I must now bid you an affectionate fare- well. May the remainder of your days be spent in the faith- ful discharge of the duty you owe to the Supreme disposer of all events ! As your days shorten, may the sun of right- eousness brighten over you till you arrive at the new Jeru- salem, where tears are wiped away from every eye, and sor- row is no more ! AMOS WILSON. A