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WHO DEPARtED THIS LIFE, lANUAST iOai».18HL

••^

* BY ASHBEL GREEN, D. D.

KiBttfdtli:

S. ANDRUS AND SON.

1843.

■!^3

E a ihi * DUtrkt ^ J P<»i i i<yl >ai rfg , to nmit

$••••« BE IT REMEMBERED, That on the fint tvt of Mar, in the
• L. S.« ftfty'MCond tmut of the independence of the United States of
$««mS America, A. I>. 1838, Jacob J. Jariwat, (in behalf of the execu-
tors ^tne Rer. Joseph Eastborn) of the said district, has deposited in this
olBce the title of a Bod^ the rigm whereof they claim as Proprietors, in the
words fUlowinf, to wit : \ ,

•( Mamsir of &• lllv. J sesa h SaptbiinL (tfaled Poacher in the Mariner's
Chth, Phiads^hiat wjg&nrted mU^hmmn^f^ySIV^ ByAshbel
Chreen, D. D.**

In ConfbrmitT to the Act of the Congress of the United States, cortitled,
** An Act fbr tne enconrafBiB«nt of Learmn*, by seearing thtf copies of
Maps, C%arts, and Books, to the Authors and Piroprietors of iach copies
dortnf the times therein mentioned.** And also to the Act entitled, '* An
Act sapplementarjr to an Act, entitled * An Act for the Encouragement of
Learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the Authors
and Proprietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned,* and
•ztMiding the benefts thereof to the arte of designing, engraving, and etch-
ing, historical and other Prints.**

D. CALDWELL, CforJfcit/'l&s

EttiUm Distrid qf PmnsylvatUa.

(jl^ One half of the profits arising from the publication
of this book, is to be appropriated to the use of the Mariners
Church of Philadelphia.

i»- -£>-*-" *--*?

->'«14

«-^ .'

To the founders and supporters of the Mariner^s
Church in the city of Philadelphia;

To the Rev. Alfred H. Dashiell, who statedly
ministers in that church;

And to the mariners and their families who
attend on public worship there, —

These Memoirs of a man who was exceedingly
and deservedly dear to them all, are most

respectfully and affectionately
inscribed, by

THE AUTHOR.

M\mT.\h :mt

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

HIb Parentage, Education, and first Roligioua Exercwes •

CHAPTER n.

Remarks on Mr. Eastbam's narrative— his marriage and the
character of his wife— his exile from and retnm to Pfaila<>
delphia — his bearing arms — his son — ^is refused to be taken
on trials for the gospel ministry, by the Synod of New-
York and Philadelphia— his rebaptizatipn

CHAPTER HI.

Mr. Eastbum enters into partnership-Hsbaracter of his part*
ner — situation of his workshop, and ccmversations in it—
his long and unabated struggle with adverse worldly cir-
cumstances—his conduct and Bufferings in several aeastms
of pestilence— his kind attentions t> the afflicted fiimily of
Dr. Sprout^-the way providentiatty opened ibr his de-
liverance from worldly embarrassment, and for his becom-
ing a religious teacher — ^plan for his services in the
Northern Liberties oi Philadelphia^-^ departs frrom that
plan, and remarks on the subject

CHAPTER IV.

Unhappy consequences of Mr. Eastbum's acting as a cate-
chist and ezhorter without a regular designation; the
manner in which the evil was arrested; Mr. E.'b examip
nation and qualified licensure by the Presb3^ry of Phila-
delphia

A 2

ri CONTENTS.

CHAPTER V.

Pag*

His license entirely satisfkctory to himself— his fidelity and

Buccesfl in the Hospital, Aims-House, and Prison of Phila-
delphia — his labors, various and incessant, and acceptable
to difierent denominations — ^he is principally instrumental
in forming a congregations-death of his wife, and entire
relinquishmeBt of his mechanical business 4d

CHAPTER VI.

Continuesto preach to the 8ailovB,aiid inyarious other places
— sickness and death 76

CHAPTER VII.
Miscellaneous particulars and remarks — Conclusion . . .107

^ FIRST APPENDIX.

Letters . , 129

Narratives and Anecdotes, extracted from Mr. Eastbum's

Manuscripts 164

Mr. Eastbum's Will 177

SECOND APPENDIX.

A Faitblbl Narrative of the many Dangers and Sufferings,
as well as wonderAil iJeKverances, of Robert Eastbum,
during his kte Captivity among the Indians 181

♦

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• •

129

(urn's

• •

164

• •

177

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• •

181

CHAPTER I.

His Parentage, Ediication, and first Religious Exercises,

The name and virtues of Joseph Eastburn, have
probably been already celebrated in the four quarters of
the globe. The last ten years of his life were so disin-
terestedly, assiduously, and affectionately, devoted to all
the best interests of seamen, that a large number of them
regarded him with the veneration and attachment which
dutiful children bear to a worthy parent ; and with their
characteristic warmth of feeling, tnere is little reason to
doubt that they have proclaimed his praise, in every
region to which their vocation hai caued them. Not
only in many of the sea-ports of our own continent, but
on the coasts of Asia and Africa, and in various parts of
Europe, we may believe that they have extolled his piety,
commended his benevolence, and exhibited him as an
example. In Britain especially, the religious journals
which are occupied with the concerns of mariners, give
abundant evidence of the high estimation in which he
was held in that country.

But the best evidence of a man^s real character is de-
rived from the public sentiment, in the place of his stated
residence, and where of course he is most fully known.
Of this sentiment there was a striking expression, in re-
ference to Mr. Eastburn, when his obsequies were solemn-
ized, in the city wiiere he was bom, and where he had
lived till he had entered his eightieth year. More than
five thousand persons, it is believed, came to see, and
many of them to weep over, his remains, before the

2 MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBUUN.

coffin was closed upon Ihem. And although his funeral
was of the plainest kind, without gloves, scarfs, pall, or
hearse ; and although a copious fall of rain descended
without intermission, while the procession was moving
from his residence to the place of interment ; yet a mul-
titude of all characters, from the highest to the lowest,
and of all ages, and both sexes, produced such a throng,
through five squares of the city, that it was frequenttv
necessary to stop, till an opening could be made through
the crowd for the passage of the corpse. The feeling of
respect for the deceased, manifested on that occasion,
taken in all its circumstances, was certainly of a very sin-
gular and most extraordinary character.

And how, it may be asked, was this celebrity and affec-
tionate attachment obtained? Was it acquired by an illus-
trious parentage, by splendid genius, by great talents, by
distinguished erudition, or by munificent donatives ? No-
thing, not an iota, of all this. The individual concerned
was of humble binth, he had no pretensions to genius, no
eminence of intellectual powers or attainments, little
learning, and but a scanty property. The whole must
be attributed to simple, genuine, consistent, fervent, ac-
tive, eminent piety. Of the influence and esteem which
such a piety may secure to its possessor, by manifesting
itself in all the ^orms in which it will, without seeking or
expecting such an effect, become conspicuous, Mr. East-
burn was one of the most striking instances that the world
has ever seen. To show what such a piety may effect,
is a principal object of the present memoir ; and what it
has effected, has therefore been summarily stated at the
entrance ; that the whole of the subsequent narrative may
illustrate and impress a fact, honourable to religion, and
calculated to promote its influence and extension.

Autobiography, or a man^s life written by himself, has
become fashionable; and doubtless it has some advan-
tages. An individual is not only able, but permitted, to
say of himself, a number of things which no one else
could, or ought, to say of him. Till the writer of this
memoir had engaged to draw it up, he did not know or
suspect that the subject of it had penned an account of
the first part of his own life. It was however a very

MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBURM. 9

agreeable surprise when he found that this had been
done ; and as soon as the papier was perused, the resohi-
tion was taken to insert it, without the addition or sup-
pression of a single thought, and with as little alteration
as possible of the language. If the fastidious should cen-
sure him for this, he is willing to bear it He believei
that if he had new cast the whole, he would not have
been able to present a view of Mr. Eastbum^s earlj life,
aiid especially of his first religious exercises, nearly so
interesting or so useful to the pious reader, as that which
he will now find. It was desirable, besides, to show, as
far as practicable, this excellent man precisely- attch at he
toas; and this was partly to be done by letting the reader
see how he spoke of himself, and in what manner he ex-
pressed his tnouehts in writing. He wa8,innofe8pect,
an imitator ; but he seems to have read the works of the
inimitable John Bnnyan, till he had unknowingly caught
something of his manner. His narrative is as follows:

** At the pressing request of some of my religioiis friends
that I should give some account of my life and religious
experience, it is with reluctance I now make an attempt
to comply — truly willing that my name should be buried
with my body, as to the opinion of my feHow-men ; for I
do know and feel that in all things I have come short

*^ As to my parentage, my father, Robert Eastburn,*
came from old England when quite young, of a strict
Quaker family, and continued for some time in that con-
nexion, and was married in their public meeting, in their
way. My mother also belonged to the same denomina-

* A memorandum found among Mr. Eastbum's papers, fumiihet
the following information :

Robert Eastburn was born in Old England, in the year 1710. H*
came to America with his parents, when he was four years old. He
was married in the year 1733, to Agnes Jones of Germantown. She
was bom in the year 1713. — Robert Eastburn died Jan. 3Sd, 1778;
his wife, Sept. 27th, 1784. They had six children — Sarah, Hannah,
Thomas, Robert, John, and Joseph. Sarah lived to the age of 83
years, and died in Sept. 1818. Hannah died in 1773. Thomas in
1802. Robert in 1815. John in 1806. — We here add, Joseph died
on the 30th of January, 1828,— having entered his 80th year on the
11th of the preceding August.

# MEMOmS OP THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBURN.

tion, and continued in their society until Mr. Geoi^e
- Whitfield first came to America. My father had been
under serious concern about his soul for some time be-
fore ; but could get no relief, until hearing him preach.
He went, as he said, with prejudice, to hear a young
priest, but found he had been taught of the Lord, and
could tell him the exercises of his heart ; and his heart
was now opened to attend to the preaching of the gospel
by him, and this was the means of his spiritual comfort —
Mr. Whitfield used to call him his first fruit in America.
My mother, being of a meek and humble temper, and
seriously disposed, and being also benefited by his preach-
ing, left the Quakers and united with my father to follow
him ; which soon brought upon them severe trials from
their parents and tlieir former friends, which I do not
. , wish to enumerate. Many of the followers of Mr. Whit-
field united together, and erected a large building for
worship, (now ^^old academy,) and by his advice called
^the Rev. Gilbert Tennant to be their stated minister, and
became a regular congregation. My father was chosen
deacon, and was very active in promoting the interest of
the society, and in attending religious meetings in many
. places through the city.

1 was born, according to the date in my father^s Bible,
on the eleventh day of August, 1748, in Philadelphia, the
youngest of his diildren; and experienced the tender
care of my kind parents, and the watchful providence of
my heavenly Father. When an infant in my cradle, a
cat had nearly drawn out my breath, when she was
caught by my father, and just saved my life. Wlieu be-
ginning to walk, 1 had followed my brother to the river,
and fell in and narrowly escaped being drowned. I was
early put to school, and had serious impressions on my
mind when young; so that 1 would retire from school
and go to the garret of the house alone to pray, and would
weep freely. My parents iinding me at times soriou-;,
and like to make a scholar, were desirous that 1 might
have an education; hoping I might be useful to my fellow-
men in the work of tin; ministry. But it was a time of
war, and my father having been a prisoner among the
Indians, brought their circumstances too low to atlbrd me

MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBURN.

more than a common English education. At fourteen
years of age I was put apprentice to the cabinet-maker^i
business, in a lai^e shcp of seventeen lads and young
men — all thoughtless about eternal concerns, and making
the sabbath a day of idle amusement. I was tempted to
go with them to skate on the Schuylkill ; but had not
gone far before my conscience so accused me of doing
wrong, that I left them, ran back, hid my skates, and
went to meeting. Thus I was an evidence of the truth
of those words, ^ Train up a child in the way he should
go, and when he is old he will not depart from it^ I
now quieted my conscience, and thought, by my regular
conduct, praying in secret, and shedding a few tears at
times, I should do well enough. But *• evil communica>
tions corrupt good manners.^ I was by degrees drawn
into vain company. I had committed many trifling, jovial
songs to memory, and having something of a turn for
singing, I was often pressed to sing in company. I found
I was going fast to ruin, and that a horrid snare was laid
for my destruction ; but the Lord was pleased to pluck
me as a brand from the burning, and through his blessed
restraints I was preserved from all scandalous outbreak-
ing sins.

" I was now awfully alarmed with a view of eternity
and the danger of losing my soul, which determined me
to leave all vain company, and try afresh to seek salvar
tion. But I found it hard to gtand their solicitations,
and afterwards their persecution ; for they would come
with great pretensions of friendship, and beg I would not
leave them, or deprive myself of all the happiness of
youthful pleasure ; for Solomon, they told me, had said,
there ^was a time for all things*,^ and the time to be
merry certainly was, when we were young ; and they
said I eould not pretend to be more holy than David*
and he danced. My reply was, that we had been merry,
but as we did not know how soon death might call us,
as he did many as young as we, our time to mourn might
soon begin, and never end ; and I thought it high time
for us all to cry for mercy, before it was too late. What
made my alarm so great and lasting was, the views I now
had of eternity, from one of Mr. Davis 's Sermons. These

C MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBURN.

words were fixed in my mind, *Oh! Eternity, Eternity!
how will this awful sound echo through the vaults of
hell !* — It was upon my mind day and night. I thought
if I could live as long as Methuselah, and be in as much
misery as it was possible to bear, all the time, I would
be willing to bear it, if I could have hope of happiness
afterward. Finding they could not persuade me to re-
turn to them, they turned to be cruel persecutors, mock-
ing and treating me with contempt : and if they found
my place of retirement, they would be sure to disturb
me, throwing stones where they only suspected I might
be. For a long time I used to rise at midnight, when
they were asleep, and spend the time in prayer for mercy.
One of them happening to hear me, was so much affected,
be could not conceal bis cries ; and said, if I was afraid
of going to hell, what would become of him and the rest
of them. From f^at time he ceased his opposition, and
became my friend till his death. But I had severe oppo-
sition, from A man in the shop, who had made a profes-
tion and turned back, and afterwards died in a bad way.
** I had at this time no religious acquaintance, for my
father had moved from the city to Neshaminy. I attend*
ed worship on sabbath days, and every opportunity I
could have, with great care. I worked hard, and was
trying to gain a righteousness of my own. Having done
overwork in my trade, I had gained a day clear, which
I devoted to fasting and prayer alone. About this time
I received a letter from a brother in New- York, in which
he informed me he had been under soul-concern for some
short time, and had obtained comfort. I thought he had
not been so long nor so much engaged as I had been, and
yet I had not the least comfort. I then began to think
the Lord dealt hard with me, and I was displeased with
his sovereient}'. The ninth chapter of the Romans filled
me with discouragement — that it was '• not of him that
willeth, or of him that runneth, but of God that showeth
mercy.' I feared I was not elected, and therefore would
be lost afler all. I went to the Episcopal Church, and
when they read prayers and thanked God for their crea-
tion, my heart replied, I do not} for I wished I had never
been bom, and ohen wished I was a brute, a stock, or a

MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBURN. 7

stone, rather than an accountable creature. I envied the
\little birds their happiness. I found fault with the impu-
\tation of Adam^s sin, and that through his fall we were
rendered helpless and yet condemned. My wicked heart
rose in horrid rebellion, and would wish there was no
power that could punish me in hell for ever. I continued
a long time in this awful state of mind, and found truly
that * the carnal mind is indeed enmity against God.* I
thought I had the very spirit of Satan, and began to won-
der that the Lord did not strike me dead, and fix my
place among the fiends in hell, for my dreadful rebellion
against his awful majesty. And I did expect that must
be the case at last, for I thought so vile a creature as I
saw myself to be, could never be admitted into his pres-
ence ; and often have 1 feared to close my eyes in sleep,
fearing I should awake in torment.

*^ About this time my father returned to the city; but I
could not lor a long time open my mind to him ; but he,
observing my distressed countenance, insisted upon know-
ing what was my trouble. I then made it known to him,
and he did all he could to encourage me. He took me
to see pious ministers ; a Mr. Strain was often in town at
that time, to whom I made my case known. He gave
the advice Paul gave to the jailer, and pressed me to be*
lieve in the Lord Jesus Christ, immediately ; warning me
against false resting-places, and insisted upon it I was
now doing so, and said while I hoped to be saved in any
other way but through Jesus, I was practically calling
God a liar, who declared there was no other way. That
evening a strange minister preached upon the sin of un-
belief. I determined then that I would never close my
eyes in sleep again, until 1 had made the attempt; and I
spent the night in a solitary place alone, trying to realize
my need of a Saviour, as a guilty, polluted, lost sinner ;
and then thinking of the offices, fulness, and invitations
of the Saviour — ^trying to give up myself to him, and pray-
ing to be accepted by him, but I could find no relief. I
thought 1 could as easily clasp the moon with my hands,
which was then shining over my head, as I could believe
so as to obtain comfort to my soul ; not realizing that
faith was the gift of God. I wondered that ministert

MEMOIRS OP THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBURN.

. t

^'■-

would press people to do what was impossible ; or thought
that I was not like any one else, for I could not believe.
Here my carnal heart again began to find iault, that I was
required to do what I could not; and therefore must bfe
lost and could not help it. But my rebellious murmuring
was silenced with a thought of who it was I was thus
censuring ; and I began to wonder he did not strike me
dead, and send me to dwell among the wicked spirits in
hell, which I often thought must finally be my place.
But now that passage in the 9th of Romans came again
to my mind, in quite a different way from what I took it
up before — *' It is not of him that willeth, nor of him
that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy,' was
now my only encouragement. For if it was for any
goodness or merit in the creature, I of all mankind must,
it seemed to me, for ever despair ; for I could deserve
no favor from the Lord. But if he did it for his own
mercy's sake, who could tell but I might yet experience
his power to save me ? and therefore I again resolved I
would try to wait in the use of means, and not give over
until he might please to reveal the way of salvation to
me, a lost creature.

" I now took much care to get spiritual instruction, tried
to remember the sermons I heard, wrote down the texts,
and what I could retain of them ; but still found myself
awfully stupid, and felt all to be a task and burdensome;
yet I thought I must wait until the Spirit of the Lord
would come powerfully, and then would be my time to
strive. My apprenticeship was now expiring, and the
man with whom I learned my trade, through improper
conduct, had become bankrupt. I had a new place to
seek, and the kind notice of Providence surprised me.
I had friends raised up beyond my expectation. My mas-
ter's brother presented me with a complete good suit of
clothes ; a place was provided for me to earn my living;
I was favored with health and plenty of business, and
could work well. I wondered that the Lord should re-
gard my mean concerns, and show me any favor ; and
as he had taken care of my temporal concerns, I thought
it was an encouragement for me to cast my soul's con-
cerns upon him. But my wicked unbelieving heart would

MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBURJJ.

not go to that kind and gracious Father, who was mani-
festing his tender pity for such a poor wretch as I was.
Instead of this, my unbelief still increased, and the abom-
inable corruptions of my vile, sinful nature, seemed as if
they would overpower all my resolutions to do any thing
that was good. I confined myself to attend on the means
of grace in public, and also attended society meetings,
but found no pleasure in them ; but awful hardness of
heart, and vile thoughts, would continually possess me.
I thought there never was so hardened and yet stupid
creature, as 1 was, which made me conclude the Lord
had given me up ; tliat I had so grieved the Holy Spirit
that he would no longer strive with me ; and that I had
sinned the unpardonable sin, and there could be no mercy
for me. Now I ceased to pray, for I believed that the
Lord would strike me dead, if I dared to call upon him.
I therefore looked for his judgments to follow me ; and
hardly dared to close my eyes in sleep, fearing I should
awake in hell. I would dream I was there blaspheming,
and awdke in horror, but dared not ask to be saved from
it : and now, as I feared I should become a scandal to
my parents and family, I resolved to keep alone, or to go
to places of worship only to keep out of the way of tempt-
ation ; not daring to hope ever to have a word of encour-
agement spoken to me again. But I worked hard at my
trade, to divert my mind, which I found was my best
way. I said little to any one, and told no one of my dis-
mal fears and horrors. I did once ask my father what
he believed the unpardonable sin to be, without telling
him my apprehension of my having committed it ; an^
his explanation seemed to confirm my belief that it was
really my case. I still went to places of worship, and
when any encouragement was presented to distressed
souls, I would think — there now, I might have some re-
lief, if I had not sinned that sin, which is unto death, and
cannot be forgiven. But one sabbath evening, going to
the Baptist meeting, a stranger of the name of Sutton
preached, and remarked that some were tempted to be-
lieve that they had sinned the unpardonable sin, and were
greatly distressed about it ; which he declared was an
evidence that it was not their case, or they would be

MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBURN.

hardened and careless. This coming from one who I
believed knew nothing ahout me, I did believe the Lord
had directed it for me, and it greatly relieved my mind.
I then resolved I would again betake myself to prayer,
and if I perished, it should be at the throne of grace with
the publican, crying as he did for mercy, and I was ena-
bled to continue so to do, until at last, when just sinking,
I was relieved ; which was in the following way :

" I frequently had a word of encouragement in sermons
from my precious friend Dr. Sproat, and from dear Mr.
Robert Smith of Pequea, who pointed out my convictions
to be those of the Spirit of the Lord, which were com-
monly followed with manifestations of divine favor : also
from several pious people, with whom I had now become
acquainted, who were much interested in my case, and
were, I believe, much engaged in prayer for me. But
still my mind was overpowered with unbelief, until one
sabbath mornipg, about the break of day. 1 was then
thinking about mv miserable state of soul — ^guilty, filthy,
wretched, and helpless, and that a Saviour was appointed,
and Jesus was inviting me to come to him, and if I did,
I should obtain relief. I found the hindrance was in my-
self, and that none but the Lord could remove it. I then
fell on my knees, crying to him to undertake for me. I
tried to present all my wants to him, and besought him
that whatever it was that hindered my closing with Jesus,
he would remove it out of the way ; and that he would
be pleased to work tnie faith in me, that I might believe.
And while I was thus pouring out my heart to the Lord
for his grace, that blessed counsel of the precious Saviour
was powerfully impressed on my mind, contained in the
third chapter of tiie Revelations and 18th verse — 'I
counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire that thou
mayest be rich, and white raiment that thou mayest be
clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not ap-
pear; and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve that thou
mayest see.' Now a perfect suitableness appeared in
this blessed provision to answer all my wants ; for I knew
I was truly poor, and deep in debt to divine justice, and
had nothing of my own to pay. But the white raiment
was what I stood in particular need of, for I had often

MEMOIRS OP THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBVRN.

been filled with horror at the tliought of appearing a
guilty, vile, filthy spirit, before the bar of a holy and just
God ; but if arrayed in this glorious white raiment I might
appear there to divine acceptance, and all my filthy gar-
ments be cast away. The enlightening of the mind with
this eye-salve of the Holy Spirit, was what I was likewise
deeply sensible I greatly needed ; so that before I was
aware of a change in my mind, my soul cried out — O
Lord ! I accept this gracious counsel, and do bless thee
for it. My heart was filled with comfort, and I could
now call the Lord my dear father, and felt my very soul
going out to him in love, wrhom before I had so much
dreaded as my awful judge. I know not that any crea-
ture heard me, in all or any of my private exercises, or
how long I continued in this ; but when I came down to
my father's family, with whom I then boarded, my father
saw such a change in my countenance, that he directiv
desired me to lead in family worship, which I felt a will-
ingness to do. But I did not mention any thine to any
one of my joy, but went to meeting with great pleasure ;
when Mr. Caldwell, from Elizabethtown, preached from
the 73d Psalm, first part of the 28th verse — * But it is
good for me to draw nigh to God.^ He showed that no
one could draw nigh to God, in the sense of that text,
without having experienced a change of heart, and a true
heart-love to him ; and then described how the soul was
delighted with a sense of his gracious presence and fath-
erly love ; and how it could call him my Father, I was
fully satisfied that such had been the exercise of my soul
that happy morning, and therefore did relate to my father
what had passed in my mind. He then went with me to
see Mr. Sproat, and desired me to relate the same to him,
which I did, at their request. He inquired if I thought
the Lord had shown me this favor for any goodness of
my own ; which I protested I did not, but only of his
pure, undeserved mercy. He then encouraged me to
believe it was a work of divine grace, and now invited
me to join in the communion of the church, which I
never dared to do before, although often desired to do it.
** But mv first comfort was of short duration. I soon
began to fear 1 was deceiving myself with false hopes;
^ B2

12 MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBURN.

and that it had been but a mere imagination of my own.
Here I was much cast down, and feared I never should
have a soUd hope : and the loss of that comfort I bad
enjoyed for the short time I felt it, left upon me for a few
days a most distressing sensation. I told my friends my
distress, but could find no relief. I tried to pray that the
Lord would satis/y me whether it was his work or not ;
and the cry of my heart was constantly through the day —

for faith ! O for faith ! when I did again experience a
sweet confirmation that it was the Lord's work, and that
he would bless me ; and from time to time I had similar
changes. I was very attentive to secret duty, and rose
every morning before day, to read and pray alone, before

1 went to my work. At this time the Methodists came,
and held worship before day, and in the evening. I often
attended both seasons, and was pleased to have so many
opportunities. But one evening the minister spoke against
the doctrine o^ the saints' perseverance, from those words
in the 10th chapter of 1st Corinthians, 4th and 5th verses,
*And did all drink the same spiritual drink, for they drank
of that spiritual rock that followed them, and that rock
was Christ: but with many of them God was not well
pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness.'
From which he undertook to prove, that a person might
be united to the Saviour and partake of his grace, and
yet after this finally fall away. I thpught there appeared
great reason from his text, and what he said upon it, to
fear it might be so ; and therefore I was greatly discour-
aged, for 1 knew what a poor helpless creature I was,
and my enemies were too powerful for me to withstand,
if left to myself. I lodged at my father's, and went home
distressed; his family Bible was on the table; I imme*
diately opened it, and the first passage 1 saw was the
eighth chapter of Paul's Epistle to the Hebrews, at the
9th verse — ' Not according to the covenant that I made
with their fathers, in the day when I took them by the
hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, because they
continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not,
saith the Lord : For this is the covenant that I will make
with the house of Israel, after those days, saith the Lord;
I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in

MEMOmS OF THS REV. JOSEPH EASTBVRN.

their hearts, and I will he to them a God, and they shall
he to me a people.* Here I stopped with joy, and was
filled with deliffiht in that hlessed covenant, well ordered
in all things and sure. I saw that the Lord not only en-
gaged to be all in all to his people, but resolved that they
should be his people, and that he would accomplish his
work in them, and bring them through. This 1 believe
is the sealing of the holv Spirit of promise ; and now my
mind felt such a confidence in the unchanging love of
God through Jesus Christ, in whom the promises are all
* yea and amen,* that I thought if all the ministers in the
world would unite in speaking against the perseverance
of those who are united to Jesus, they could not shake
my comfortable hope. I now no longer depended upon
my frames and feehng for my hope of eternal happiness,
Dut upon the unchangeable covenant of grace, wnerein
the Lord has promised never to leave nor forsak« his
people, and that he will put his fear in their hearts, and
they shall not depart from him ; that sin shall not have
dominion over them,* being * not under the law but under
grace;* and that where the Lord begins a good work, he
wiH carry it on to perfection. Now for a long time 1 went
on my way rejoicing, and was encouraged to unite with
others in religious societies, and began one weekly in my
fatheF*s house, led in prayer, and read sermons to the
people, who filled the house every time. And when I could
get ministers to come, I did, and was much encouraged to
go on. Mr. Robert Smith, the minister at Pequea, who
kept a grammar school, and was earnestly engaged to
promote the cause of his blessed Master, sent me an in-
vitation to come to his institution ; promising to assist me
in every way to obtain a classical education. I did earn-
estly entreat the Lord to direct me, and having a desire
to be useful to my fellow-mortals, and hoping this was an
opening, and the way to be more so than in private life,
I immediately gave up my business and went Now 1
thought no exertions could be too great to accomplish
this object, and did study night and day, until I became
so unwell Ihat the most noted physician we had told me,
if I did not quit my studies, and go to active business
again, I would soon die. This was like a dagger to my

MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBURN.

heart; but I had good reason to believe it was so; and
therefore had to give up, and attend to my business again;
and now concluded 1 would attend rehgious societies, and
do all I could in a private way/^

Here Mr. Eastbum's narrative ends abruptly. He
probably intended to continue it, but for some reason,
which cannot now be discovered, did not execute his
purpose. His subsequent life, however, was so fully
known to some still living, and for the greater part of
the time, to the writer of this memoir, that there is no
lack of the information necessary for continuing his bi-
ography.

CHAPTER II.

Remarks on Mr, Eastburn^s narrative — his marriage and
the character of his wife- — his exile from and return to
Philadelphia — his hearing arms — his son — is refused to
be taken on trials for the gospel ministry ^ by tlu Synod
of New'York and Philadelphia — his rebaptization.

The germs of future character are often distinctly seen
in early life : and a careful consideration of the narrative
before us will, it is believed, disclose the elements of
those habits of feeling, thought, and action, by which its
author was distinguished in his maturer years.

It is his own remark, that he was an example of the
inspired declaration of Solomon, " Train up a child in
the way he should go, and when he is old he will not
depart from it." But for that sensibility of conscience,
and knowledge of his duty, which he derived from the
pious instructions and admonitions of his parents, there
IS no probability that he would have torn himself from
his thoughtless companions, when going to the Schuylkill
to profane the sabbath by skating on the ice, and have
hastened back to attend a place of public worship. It
is the want of such parental teaching and good example
as he enjoyed, which is the radical cause that our cities

MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBURN.

now abound with crowds of noisy boys and thoughtless
youth, who desecrate the day of sacred rest, and even
disturb, in their own dwellings, the exercises of those
who wish ^*to keep holv the sabbath day." To this
cause indeed — ^to the neglect of parental duty — ^may be
traced that shocking violation of the fourth command
of the decalogue, which prevails throughout our country,
and which threatens to bring down upon it the just judg-
ments of Heaven. If heads of families, in general, were
as faithful in the discharge of their duty as the parents
of young Eastbum appear to have been, many, Uke him,
would not only abstain from ail open vicious practices,
but, like him, would also feel the influence of that fear
of God, which might lead to the diligent use of all the
means of grace; and eventually, under the Divine bless-
ing, to genuine and eminent piety.

In the vivid and impressive views which the subject
of this memoir had of his guilt and misery, and of his ex-
posure to the curse of the broken l^w of God, in his UQ-
converted state, connected, as thev were, with his awful
apprehensions of the eternity of future punishment, we
may doubtless find the origin of that earnest desire,
which never forsook him, to be instrumental in plucking
sinners as brands from the burning. He could not con-
template their fearful situation, without most anxiously
wishing to convince them of it, and to engage them, u
possible, to flee from ** the wrath to come." He was
habitually and deeply sensible that an effectual care for
the soul, is emphancally ^^ the one thing needful ;" and
to do something — to do every thing in his power — ^to
promote the salvation of souls, he felt to be an obligation
from which he could never be released.

In the long and sore conflicts which this good man ex-

Eerienced, and the variety of exercises through which
e passed, before he was comfortably established in the
hope of the gospel, we may perceive the source of that
lively sympathy which he always manifested with per-
sons in mental distress, and inquiring what they should
do to be saved; and of the peculiar qualifications which
all who knew him admitted that he possessed, for in-
structing, counselling, and praying with individuals^ who

^m BIEMOmS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBURI7.

had been brouglit into this interesting situation. Me
** remembered his own affliction and misery — the worm-
vrood and the gall ;^^ he had been carried to the borders
of despair, or rather, for a season, he seems to have
passed those borders; and he had found, at last, a happy
and complete deliverance. Hence his interested feehngs
for those who were experiencing, in any degree, the
views and apprehensions of which he had known so
much; and hence too his ability to give them advice,
and to assist their labouring minds. They could scarcely
speak of a fear or a discouragement, which he had not
experimentally known. He had passed over the whole
thorny path in which he found them travelling; he knew
every inch of the ground, and every danger with which
it was filled. He could make out, in his own case, a
situation more deplorable than that of the most of those
with whom he conversed; and, while he warned them
faithfully of ^very false resting-place, he could guard
them against utter despondency, and invite them to an
immediate application to that precious Saviour, of whose
readiness to receive the very chief of broken-hearted
and believing sinners, he considered himself as a striking
and memorable example. It appears that the apostle
Paul often appealed to his own experience; and there is
reason to believe that this was also frequently done by
him whose narrative is before the reader. With the
holv scriptures his familiarity was eminently great, and
scriptural examples and scriptural doctrine were always
the authorities, and the only ultimate authorities, on
which he relied. Through the whole period of his pro-
tracted spiritual conflict, it appears that Mr. Eastburn
diligently employed himself in his lawful calling, and
that when his distress was the greatest of all, he sought
in ** working hard at his trade^^ for the mitigation of his
misery. This advice he was doubtless prepared to give
to others. He was no friend to the neglect of relative
duties, or any of the ordinary concerns of life, because
the mind was deeply engaged on the subject of religion ;
and he was one of the best and safest advisers, for those
whose mental exercises were mixed with morbid melan-
choly.

MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBURN,

The doctrines from which an individual first derives
relief and comfort, after having .jflfrred from gloomy
forebodings in re^rd to his eternal destiny, he is usually
disposed to chensh fondly, and maintain siedf^istly, in
subsequent life. This was remarkably verified in the
subject of the present menM>ir. The all-sufficiency of
Christ; his obedience and atonement, i^s constituting •
righteousness, the imputation of which is the sole ground
of the sinner^s pardon, justification and acceptance with
God; the necessity of the Holy Spirit^s influence, to re-
new and sanctify the heart; faith, in the strictest sense,
the gift of God ; the union of the justified sinner with hit
Saviour indissc^uble, and perseverance in grace the cer-
tain consequence; resting on the covenant of grace, in
which every true believer is interested, and not on fluc-
tuating frames and feelings, as the foundation of hope
and confidence toward God. — Of these doctrines the
outlines are conspicuous in the narrative of Mr. East-
burn; and of these he was tenacious to the end of his
days. He nevertheless cherished a sincere afiection for
many who differed from him in r^ard to some of these
doctrines, and could maintain a cordial Christian fellow-
ship with them; provided he discerned in them a real
love of holiness, a true reliance on the Saviour, and a
devoted attachment to his cause. He was a strict Cal-
vinist, of the old school, in his own creed ; and could,
for himself, not derive comfort from other views of Chris-
tian doctrine than those which that creed presents. But
the peculiarities of the system he did not reckon among
the essentials of religion ; and he held his own opinions
so meekly, that he was, in a remarkable degree, accept-
able, in his visits and ministrations, among several Chris-
tian denominations, whose doctrinal tenets differed con-
siderably from his own.

It appears from his narrative, that his parents early
entertained the idea of his being educated for the gospel
ministry ; and that after his conversion, he, for a time,
left his mechanical occupation, and applied to study,
with the hope of being regularly introduced into the sa>
cred office. Although disappointed in this, it is probable
we may here discern the beginning of that desire to bear

H MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EA8TBURN. '

the messages of salvation to perishing sinners, which
could never be extinguished. This desire was no doubt
greatly increased in its intensity, by those circumstances
and considerations to which we have already adverted.
So intense it certainly was, Uiat he sought its gratifica-
tion, in opposition to discouragements and disappoint-
ments neither fe.w nor of short duration; till at length,
after he had passed the meridian of life, he was authorized
to use his gifts, in exactly that form which was most de-
sirable to himself.

The foregoing remarks seemed to the writer to be
naturally su^ested, on a careful examination of Mr.
Eastbum^s narrative ; and to be worthy of attention on
their own account : at the same time, they will enable
the reader more clearly to understand a number of oc-
currences, which will be noticed in the sequel of these
memoirs.

After Mr. E. returned to his business, as a cabinet-
maker, nothing worthy of record seems to have occurred ;
except that he labored v^tb his usual activity and dili-
gence, and attended meetings for prayer and religious
conference, as oflen as opportunities offered, for about
the space of two years. — He then entered into the mar-
riage relation. Among his papers the following certifi-
cate was found —

"This may certify, to all persons whom it may con-
cern, that Joseph Eastburn and Ann Owen, both of the
city of Philadelphia, were lawfully married on the 12th
day of June, Anno Domini, 1771.

Per me, James Sproutt,

Minister of the Gospel."

The woman whom Mr. E. selected for a wife, v;as as
much noted for industry as himself. Hers was exercised
in a branch of the tailor^s business, which she had learn-
ed, and in which she had become expert. She possessed
higher intellectual powers, and was more improved by
reading than her husband. But her best distinction was
her eminent piety. She had, with this, much good sense
and discretion, in connexion with an amiable temper and
an engaging demeanor. Hence her company and coa-

MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBURN.

versation were truly attractive ; and the singular neat-
ness and order of her dwelling were the admiration of
all her visitants. Religion was her favorite topic of dis-
course. But she never introduced it unseasonably, os-
tentatiously, or offensively. She suffered conversation
to take its natural course, and joined in it with cheerful-
ness, and sometimes with pleasafitry, till a fit opportunity
presented to give it a serious cast, or to drop some pious
remark which she hoped might be useful. During the
latter part of her life, she was a habitual invalid, and
found it necessary to confine herself to her apartment
through the whole inclement season of the year. Yet
she was habitually cheerful, bearing her infirmities with
little complaint and with exemplary fortitude. Her
maladies were connected with a pulmonaiy aflection,
which at length carried her to the grave. But, for her,
the grave had no terrors. She approached it not only
without fear, but with serenity and a desire to depart.
Her patience, tenderness of conscience, Christian resig- ^
nation, and unwavering hope of heaven, through a long
confinement, were or the most edifying kind. She was
doubtful of the propriety of taking laudanum to mitigate
her cough and restlessness ; nor would she consent to its
use, till she had very seriously consulted the present
writer on the lawfuFhess of such a remedy. — This tribute
to her memory it had been unjust to withhold. The pe-
riod of her dissolution will be noticed in its proper place.

After what has been said, it is scarcely necessary to
add, that Mr. and Mrs. Eastburn were happy in their
union. For a number of years subsequent to their mar-
riage, they had no house of their own, nor the undivided
occupancy of one upon rent. They lived in a single
room furnished by themselves, in a family that owned or
had rented the dwelling in which they resided. This
was their manner of life, during their residence in the
city, till after the war of the American revolution ; and
from the labour of their hands, in their several occupa-
tions, they derived the means of a very comfortable
support.

Mr. Eastburn performed two or three tours of military
duty, in the revolutionary war ; he was in the field at

MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBURN.

r£

the memorable battle of Princeton, Jan. 3d, 1777, on
which the success of our struggle for independence
seemed to be suspended. He however accounted it a
merciful providence, in his after life, although never in
principle opposed to defensive warfare, that he had, in
no instance, been instrumental in taking away human
life. On one occasion the corps in which he bore arms
was commanded to fire on the enemy, but was instantly
countermanded, and ^\d not fire — nor on any other oc-
casion was he called to discharge his musket on an op-
posing foe. On the approach of the British army to
Philadelphia, in September, 1777, many of the citizens,
who had been ardently attached to the American cause,
fled into the adjacent country. That Mr. and Mrs.
Eastburn were among the fugitives there is no reason to
doubt; but the place of their residence, during their
exile, if ever known to the writer, is not now in his
recollection. ,Before the close of the summer of 1 778,
the British troops had evacuated the city, the citizens
who had fled returned to their homes, and Mr. Eastbura
and his wife resumed their occupations. The subsequent
period, however, till the peace of 1783, was one of great
public agitation; religion was in a languishing state
throughout the land, and vice and immorality, the usual
attendants of war, lamentably prevailed. So far as op-
portunity offered, Mr. Eastburn continued his former
practice of attending meetings for prayer and Christian
conference, and was usually a leader in them.

In something more than a year after marriage, as
nearly as can now be ascertained, a son was born to the
pious pair, whose story we are tracing. This child
bore the name of Thomas ; and there can be no doubt
that many prayers were offered in his behalf, and much
religious instruction imparted to him. But, contrary to
the wishes of his parents, he insisted, at an early age,
on going to sea. After fruitless endeavors to dissuade
him from his purpose, he vvas committed to the care
of Captain Benjamin Wickes, then an intimate and en-
deared friend of his father, and the commander of a
merchant vessel which sailed from the port of Philadel-
phia. The statement of this venerable man, now an

MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBURN.

larriage, as

elder of the clnirch in his 82d year, as given to the writer
a few days since, represents the conduct of young East-
burn, while under his superintendence, as orderly and
correct. That he was not so, when he came to act for
himself, it is^rievous^ to mention. He, however, became
first a mate, and then the commander, of a merchant
vessel. By the failure of a mercantile house, into whose
employ he had entered, he lost the little property he had
acquired : and shortly after, on his return from the West
Indies, in a vessel in which he was only a passenger, he
was instantly killed by a cannon-ball, at the age of twen-
ty-four or twenty-five years. This was at the time when
the excesses of the French revolution were at their
height; and the shot which killed Thomas Eastburn,
seems to have been fired with a view to detain, or to
capture, the vessel in which he was a passenger, with a
view to plunder. The news of the death of their son
soon reached his anxious parents. This correction of
their heavenly Father they bore with a submission and
resignation truly Christian ; but it was manifestly painful
for them to speak on the subject to any of their friends.
Hence the memoriahst, after his pastoral visit to the
mourning family, never introduced the topic in his con-
versation with the parents; and hence, although he is
satisfied that all the material facts of the case are here
correctly stated, he is not quite sure that some unimpor-
tant circumstances might be diiferent from the represent-
ation now given of them. It may serve to show how
opposite are the sources from which consolation under
affliction is sought by different descrii)tions of people, to
relate an incident which took place on this sad occasion.
Some of the sailors belonging to the ship in which Thomas
Eastburn was killed, called on his mother, to narrate the
particulars of the disastrous event. On [)erceiving how
much she was grieved, one of them said — " Madam, he
died without a bit of pain ; the cannon-ball carried oif
his head all at once.'^ Between the views of this sailor
and Mrs. Eastburn, what a dillerence ! — he thinking only
of an easy death; she absorbed with the tlioughts of that
eternity into which her son was so suddenly hurried.
This excellent woman, in a kind of reserved

HJLinjiei'

i ' n

•' 'i i;!

^ ' t4

',1

( 4

•U

1 'l

MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBURN.

intimated to her pastor, in the single conversation he had
with her on the death of her only son, that she had been
unusually engaged, and, as she thought, assisted, in prayer
on his behalf, for some time before his death ; and this
vras the source, and the only one, from which she ap-
peared to derive a ray of consolation. It is not improb-
able that the deep interest which, in the latter part of his
life, Mr. Eastburn took in the spiritual concerns of sea-
men, was increased by the remembrance of his son.

We now return to narrate the events of most impor-
tance in the life of the subject of these memoirs, during
the period which elapsed from his return from exile, till
the termination of the awful pestilence of 1 793. It has
already been mentioned, that during the first part of this
period, he continued his practice of attending meetings
for prayer. But it appears that beside this, he sought a
regular introduction to the gospel ministn^. h is in the
recollection of the memorialist, that before he left his
father^s house for college, which was in May, 1 783, a
letter iu relation to the introduction of a man into the
gospel ministry, without a liberal education, was address-
ed to that father. It cannot be stated as a matter of dis-
tinct remembrance, that this letter related to Mr. East-
burn ; and yet no doubt is entertained that it did. The
man concerned, it was understood, resided in Philadel-
phia. The letter was written by a delegate from the
State of New- Jersey to the old Continental Congress, on
which that delegate was then attending. The party to
wh'jm the letter was addressed was a leading member of
the Presbytery of Morris county, all the members of which
had, a short time previously, separated themselves from
the Presbytery of New- York, and formed the Presbytery
of Morris county — -chiefly with a view to license men to
preach the gospel, without requiring, as indispensable, a
course of liberal study. But the manner in which the
business to which this letter related was disposed of, in
the Morris county Presbytery, is unknown to the memo-
rialist ; except that Mr. Eastburn was never under the
care of that Presbytery. It is considered as probable,
that the finances of Mr. £. did not permit him to spend

MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTRURN.

the time in preparation for the pulpit, which was required
even by the Morris county Presbytery.

Certain it is, that shortly after this time, a proposition
was made to the Presbytery of Philadelphia, to take Mr.
£. on trial for the gospel ministry, without the literary
acquisitions usually required in such a case. The minute
of this Presbytery on the subject is not before the writer;
but the following minute of the Synod of New-York and
Philadelphia will show that the case had been referred
to the Synod by that Presbytery. The name of Mr.
Eastbum was indeed omitted, and no doubt with design,
in the record ; but there is no question that the reference
was to him. In the minutes of the Synod,* at their ses-
sions in May, 1783, the following entry appears :

"Through the committee of overtures, it was requested
by the First Presbytery of Philadelphia, that the Synod
declare to them their sense on this point, viz. whether a
person without a liberal education, may be taken on trial
or licensed to preach the gospel ? The questicm being
put, it was carried in the negative."

It was mentioned to a friend of the writer, by Mr.
Eastbum himself, not long before his death, that the
influence of the Rev. Dr. Witherspoon in the Synod,
was chiefly instrumental in obtaining this decision. How-
ever that might be, and whatever might be the number
of those who voted in opposition to the majority, the
cause of Mr. E. had, it appears, but one open and active
advocate. A daughter of tlie Rev. Dr. Sproat, now liv-
ing, has within a few hours assured the writer, that she
well remembers the emphasis with which her father said,
on returning to his family from the Synod—" I have had
to stand alone, in pleading the cause of Mr. Eastbum :'*
and then added, that he believed Mr. E. might do more
good in preaching the gospel than some others who ob-
tained license. The memorialist feels himself bound to
state facts as he finds them ; but it is not to be understood
<hat he means to give an opinion, in opposition to that of
the Synod on this occasion. It will appear hereafter in

* It will be recollected that this was before the formation of the
General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church ; and that this Synod
was then the supreme judicature of that church.

5 h

MEMOIRS OF THE RET. JOSEPH EASTBURN.

what manner he did think and act, when called in Provi-
dence to take a part in authorizing Mr. E. to assume the
character of a religious teacher. In the mean time, this
decision of the Synod seemed to terminate all hopes in
the mind of Mr. E. that he would ever be permitted to
preach in the Presbyterian church. How much influence
it had, or whether any, in turning his views to another
communion, the memorialist is not prepared to pronounce.
The facts are, thait not long after this decision, an inti-
macy, which had not previously existed, took place be-
tween him and some brethren of the Baptist church ; and
that, in the issue, he received from a minister of that
church rebaptization in the form of immersion. This
took place at Southampton, about 17- miles to the north
of Philadelphia.

The known consci^itiousness of Mr. E. ought to pre-
vent or remove all suspicion that, in this transaction, he
did not act under a full conviction of duty. But whether
that conviction was the result of due deliberation, and of
enlightened views, is another matter. His purpose of
doing what he did in this concern, appears to have been
concealed, both from his wife and his beloved pastor and
friend, Dr. Sproat It is certain that he was never en-
rolled as a member of the Baptist church ; and it is be-
lieved that he never communed in that church, even in
a single instance. To satisfy his a^ieved wife, (for she
was deeply grieved on this occasion,) he promised her
that he would not leave the church to which they both
belonged, while she remained in life ; and he not only
fulfilled this promise, but showed as little disposition to
leave it after her decease, as he had done before.*

* Mr. Hiram Ayres, whose signature appears at the close of the
first of the following letters, very kindly consented, at the request
of the writer of these memoirs, to endeavor to obtain authentic
information from Southampton, in regard to Mr. E.'s rebaptization
there. The foregoing account was just finished, when the foroA ,
ing letters were received.

Philadelphia^ March 21ff, 1828.
Dear Sir, — In compliance with my promise, I wrote to South-
ampton for information concerning the late Rev. Joseph Eastburn,

( 26 )

/*i|<

CHAPTER in.

Mr. Eastbtim enters into partnership — character of his
partner — situation of his workshop, and conversations
in it — his long ana unabated struggle with adixerse
worldly circumstances — his conduct and sufferings in
several seasons of pestilence — his kind attentions to the
afflicted family of Dr. Sproat — the way providentially
opened for his deliverance from worldly embarrassment^
and for his becoming a religious teacher — plan for his

. services in the Northern Liberties of Philadelphia — he
departs from that plan, and remarks on the subject,

^ Near the time of his heing rebaptized, Mr. Eastburn
entered into partnership, in the cabinet-making business,
with Mr. Peter Lesley. A brief notice of this worthy

and after considerable delay, received the following information
from two different persons, one of whom was present at the bap-
tism, and whose testimony is conclusive as to time, &c. He thinks
it was in the smnmer of 1788, that Mr. Eastburn was baptized,
and states that the ordinance was administered by the Rev. David
Jones. But for your greater satisfaction, I have given the paper
accompanying this, which you will perceive contams the informa-
tion above stated; also some interesting circumstances — all of
which is at your service. The other person to whom I wrote
gives a corresponding statement ; says it was between the years
1786 and '92, that he was baptized, and by the same person, and
at the same place, as above stated. It appears from both the
letters I received, that no record was made of the transaction in
the church book. Sindte receiving those letters I have heard it
said, that the Rev. Thomas Fleeson, of Blockley, was possessed
of information concerning the subject of our inquiries. I accord-
ingly wrote to him, but have not yet received a reply.

I am yours, dtc. '

Hiram Ayres,
JVo. 14, South Twelfth Street.
Rev. a. Green, D. D.

The letter to Mr. Ayres, to which his note refers, is as follows :

Southampton^ March 17, 1828.
" Dear Cousin, — You wrote some time since, requesting such
information from Southampton as could be come at, concerning

MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBURN.

man ought to have a place in these memoirs. He was not
only the partner and particular friend of Mr. E., but the
remembrance of him is too grateful to the writer to admit
of passing him by, without some memorial. During the
six and twenty years, in which the memorialist sustained
the pastoral relation to the second Presbyterian church
of Philadelphia, Mr. Lesley was the sexton of that church.
He was a man of great modesty, integrity, industry, and
piety. His industry and prudent management of his

i.*l

I m

Mr. Joseph Eafitbum. I do not recollect the precise time, but
think it was some time in the summer of 1788, that Mr. Eastburn
came to Southampton, where he gave a very pleasing and satisfac-
tory relation of his religious experience, before the church — dated
his first reUgious exercise among the Methodists — but afterwards,
becoming dissatisfied with their way, left them, and gave himself
a member among the Presbyterians ; said the Lord's presence was
among them, and that he had enjoyed many precious seasons m
their society; bilt to satisfy a scrupulous conscience, he had come
to Southampton to be baptized by immersion — which ordinance
was administered by Mr. David Jones. What I have now written
I remember perfectly well, being present at the time.

" Elias Yerkes.
" Mr. Hiram Ayres."

*' Mr. Eastburn did not give himself a member of the church at
Southampton, his residence being in Philadelphia ; therefore the
church-book is silent about him. He was baptized only upon a
profession of his faith in Christ, and went on his way rejoicing."

It will be observed that the statement which had been prepared
before these letters were received, is not invalidated by them, in
any thing except the date of the transaction to which reference is
made. This date is in itself of little importance. Yet it may not
be improper to remark, that it is incorrectly assigned to the sum-
mer of 1788. At that time the writer had been settled as co-pas-
tor with Dr. Sproat for something more than a year ; and he is
well assured that the rebaptizing of Mr. Eastburn had taken
place before his settlement, which was in April, 1 787. Mr. Yerkes,
the venerable member of the Baptist church at Southampton, who
wrote the second letter, says expUcitly — " I do not recollect the
precise time." After the lapse of more than forty years, although
facts may be distinctly remembered, dates can seldom be fixed,
without some other aid than that of mere memory. The informa-
tipn given by Mr. Yerkes, as to Mr. Eastburn's views in seeking
baptism by inunersion, is a valuable addition to the previous ac-
count.

MEMOIRS OP THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBURN. 27

affairs, enabled him, under the divine blessing, to provide,
in a very reputable and conrifortable manner, for a nu-
merous family ; and by a careful attention to the duties
of his station, and a uniform disposition and endeavour to
oblige, he acquired a respect and esteem, which men of
a more elevated rank do not always merit or obtain. The
piety of Mr. L. was marked by simplicity and humility ;
he was "an Israelite indeed, in whom there was no guile."
Such were his lowly thoughts of himself, that he sometimes
needed counsel and encouragement to prescr^'e him from
despondence. He was truly devout ; and no other neglect*
of his duties as sexton is recollected to have been ever
laid to his charge, than that he was, occasionally, so en-
grossed by the services of the sanctuary, that he did not
sufficiently notice the strangers who entered the church.
If there was truth in this charge, of which the writer is
doubtful, who that knew the cause, would not readily
excuse, if they did not commend the man, whose devo-
tion to his God produced a temporary foi^etfulness of his
fellow-worms? This^ humble and exemplair Christian,
died in the faith and hope of the gospel, March 31st,
1816, at the advanced age of 79 years.

Mr. Eastbum was. for a long time, the clerk of the
church of which Mr. Lesley was the sexton ; and a small
wooden building, in front of, and connected with, the
base of the steeple, by which the church edifice was then
adorned, furnished the workshop^ in which these part-
ners in manual labour pursued their occupation, with
unceasing activity. The number of hours in the day,
during which they toiled at their trade, was greater than
usual. Mr. Eastburn once told the writer, that a man,
who valued himself on his skill in the caljinet-making
business, came from the country to the city, under the
idea that city mechanics had easier times than their
country brethren. He applied to Messrs E. &: L. for em-
ployment as 8 journeyman. Employment was offered him,
on condition that he should work the same number of
hours in each day as his employers. The offer was gladly
accepted ; but in less than a week, the journeyman de-
clared that " he could not stand it to work as they did,"
and left their service. This workshop was, for several

StB

MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBURN.

t n

years, the resort of many who wished to converse with
Mr. Eastburn on the subject of religion generally, or on
the state of their own souls in particular. He convers^sd
and laboured at the same time; and the observations he
made, and the advice he gave, in these circumstances,
were, in many instances, highly useful.

He was always fond of children, and seldom failed to
gain their affection and confidence in return. From a
school almost adjoining his shop, he was daily resorted to
by a number of these youthful visitants, whom he sup-
plied with little blocks, the remnants of the wood in
which he wrought; and sometimes permitted them to
build their tiny fabrics on the floor of his shop, while he
watched an opportunity to say something to them, which
he hoped they might remember with advantage. The
following short dialogue between him and the writer'^
eldest son, then a child about six years old, may serve as
a specimen of his conversations on these occasions —
** Mr. E. Well Robert, you seem very busy — If you live,
what business do you expect to follow ? what do you ex-
pect to be? Robert. Why Mr. Eastburn, you know what
my Pa is? Mr. E. Yes, your Pa is a minister of the gos-
pel. R. Well, I intend to be a minister too, Mr. E. Ah,
my dear, if you intend to be a minister, you must first be
a good man. Remember that ; for you had better be a
cliimney-sweeper, than a minister of the gospel, if you
are not a good man.^^ It is known that a number of indi-
viduals of unquestionable piety, now living, attribute their
first religious impressions to the affectionate admonitions
and instructions which in their childhood, or early youth,
they received from this faithful servant of the Lord Jesus.
His earnest prayers were doubtless constantly offered, in
behalf of those who received his counsels ; and " the fer-
vent and effectual prayer of a righteous man availeth
much."

After the close of the revolutionary war in 1783, till
the establishment of the federal government of the United
States in 1788, and, in a degree, for several years after-
wards, there was a most deplorable stagnation of almost
every kind of business. The produce of the soil was in-
deed abundant, but there was scarcely any foreign com-

MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBVRIf.

merce ; and in consequence of this, and the circulation
of a paper currency, the precious metals had almost en-
tirely disappeared — they had either left the country, or
were iioarded by a few individuals. For the wares of
mechanics, especially, the demand was very small, and
the price unusually low. Mr. Eastbum^s circumstances^
in common with those of many others, became, from this
cause, much straitened. But another cause increased
his embarrassment. He had borrowed money to pur-
chase a lot of i'round, and on it had erected the house in
which he lived till the time of his decease. The labour
of building the house had, to a considerable extent, been
performed by his own hands. But the lot was not paid
for ; and although his creditor never pressed him for the
debt, yet he dreaded its increase; and to prevent the
accumulation of interest, and to support a wife, now ex-
ceedingly infirm, and his son, then a boy, exertions and
management, of no ordinary kind, were required. The
writer well recollects the sympathy which be felt for this
exemplary man, in witnessing the incessant labors, pur-
sued both early and late, by which he endeavored to
avoid debt, and to afford to a valetudinary wife the ac-
commodations which she needed, and which he never
suffered her to want. This stru^le with adverse circum-
stances was not abated, till it terminated in complete
success. It is believed that his debt, if not annually di-
minished, was always kept stationary, till it was ultimately
cancelled, in the manner that will presently appear. In
the mean time, the debtor, with an humble but cheerful
tmst in the providence of God, seized ever}' opportunity
that offered, to serve the Saviour whom he loved, and to
engage in those spiritual exercises in which he delighted.
Unless detained in his shop to prepare a coffin that was
urgently demanded, he never failed to attend a weekly
religious service of the congregation to which he belonged,
and which was celebrated in a private dwelling, as well
as every public service performed in the church, on the
evenings of secular days. He often, also, after the fatigues
of the day and a part of the evening, visited, conversed,
and prayed with the sick.

In the manner above described, Mr. Eastbum passed

't;

MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBURN.

his life, till the occurrence of the memorahle oestilence,
which spread terror and desolation throj^gh tiie city of
Philadeii)hia, in the year 1793. On tliat occasion, the
city was soon abandoned by a large majority of its inhab-
itants ; but the senior pastor of the Second Presbyterian
church, with the clerk and sexton, remained at their
posts. The then junior pastor of that church, the writer
of these memoirs, having, with his wife, suffered among
the iirst subjects of the disease, and while yet in a state
of imperfect convalescence, was called by a singula!
providence into the country, where he remained, with
his family, till the calamity had subsided. But never,
while memory remains, can he forget the distress of that
awful period. Many of his dearest friends and most es-
teemed parishioners were hurried to the grave. Among
the rest, his venerated and beloved colleague, with his
wife, two of his children, and an amiable daughter-in-law,
became the victims of this awful scoui^e. Mr. Eastburn
did not esca|>e a severe attack of the prevailing pesti-
lence; but his life was spared — spared in rich mercy,
not only to those to whom his after ministrations in the
gospel were so eminently blessed, but to many who,
during the pestilence, were destitute of every other friend
and helper. The family of his aged, endeared, and deeply
afflicted pastor, received his most assiduous attentions.
To them, as a relict of that family, still in life, has re-
cently and with much emphasis expressed it to the writer,
" he was like a good angel." He visited them daily, to
inquire after the state of their health, or more commonly
the state of their illness ; to take charge of their concerns,
and to provide for their wants, as if they all had been his
own — his own indeed they were, for affection and sym-
pathy made them such. As one after another of this
mourning family fell before the destroyer, Mr. E. was
still present, to see that the corpse was decently laid out,
the coffin prepared, and the funeral rites performed, with
all the respect which the uigency of tlie times would
permit. Such were his attentions and exertions, unabated
and undismayed by disease and death, which stalked on
every side, till, as the concluding part of his sad employ-
ment, he deposited in the house appointed for all living.

■>ii muij i I .im mm0e*ai

MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBVIUf.

the mortal remains of his beloved pastor, and those of his
wife.

It appears from the diary of Dr. Sproat, a part of which
has been published, that for a considerable length of time
after the general prevalence of the yellow fever, and the
flight of the citizens, h« met a few of the pious people of
his charge who remained in the city, both on the sab-
bath and on some other occasions. On all these occa-
sions, without its being testified particularly to the memo-
rialist, he has no doubt that Mr. Eastburn took a leading
part; and also, in rendering, in a more private way,
every service, both of a spiritual and temporal kind, to
the sick and the dying. His own attack was before the
disease had attained its widest spread ; his recovery was
speedy and perfect; and he afterwards retained his hiealth,
till health was restored to the city at large.*

* The following extract from the writer's printed sermon on tbm
death of Dr. Sproat, with the accompanying notes, will serve to
illustrate some of the facts referred to in this part of the memoir:

*' The painful infirmities of age, under which Dr. Sproat laboured
for a considerable time before his death, he bore with a cheerful
fortitude. Since the twenty-third day of August last, he had been
looking for death, and ripening for it with uncommon speed. Oa
that day he completed half a century of years in the character of an
ordained minister of tlie gospel ; and thenceforward, to the time of
his death, the larger portion of his wdsing hours were spent in the
immediate acts of devotion, or of devout meditations and aspiratiras
of soul.C') He endured the severe distress which was iniucted on
his family without the least repining.(f ) At the funeral of a dear
sun he might with peculiar propriety use the language, for he emi-
nently possessed the spirit of Job.(tj

" His death was easy, and he was rational to the last. A short
time before he expired, and after he had lost the power of speech,
being asked if he felt the support of religion, he answered by the
signal of lifting up his hands and his eyes to heaven.

(*) *• This is confirmed not only by the observation and testimony of thoM
who were most about him, but by what appears in his own diary. Thi»
diary exhibits one of the most instructinsf views of the exercises and temper
of a Christian, especially when under affliction, that perhaps has ever been
seen.

(t) " His eldest son with his wife, and his younjest daughter, died within
the space of a month. The doctor himself, and Mrs. Sproat, were added to
the number in less than a month afterwards.

(t) " Enfeebled and trembling with age, the Dr. followed the corpse of hi«
son to the grave, and after it was deposited, leaning on his staff, he pro-
nounced only these words,—* The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken awa/t
blessed be the name of the Lord.* Amea !

MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EA8TBURN.

i \i

. I

A -A'

Mr. Eastburn passed through three other seasons of
desolating pestilence, which occurred in Philadelphia, in
the successive years of 1797, 1798, and 1799. Those
with which the city was visited in 1802 and 1803, were
comparatively slight and partial. Of these, that of 1798
was not less fatal and terrific than the one of 1 793, of
which we have taken a more particular notice. In 1 798,
Mr. E. suffered more severely from the prevalent malig-
nant fever, than he had done five years before — it brought
him in appearance to the verge of the grave. The faith-
ful and vigilant nursing of his infirm v/ife, was the princi-
pal means, I'nder the divine blessing, of preserving his
valuable life. He had in this illness a very earnest desire
to depart, and to be with his Saviour. " But I could not
obtain my discharge," was the language which he used,
in speaking to the writer of his feelings and views at this
period ; and this language carried in it more meaning than
he could have thought of at that time. He was not
** dischai^ed, because he had yet to render services, in
the church militant, of the most important kind. He had
not yet had an opportunity to sound the gospel trumpet,
in that public manner in which he afterwards did, and
for which hundreds, perhaps thousands, will bless God
to all eternity.

The providential dealings of the Father of mercies
with his dear children, are often such as they do not un-
derstand at the time ; and which astonish them on the
The exertions, and anxieties, and privations,

review.

" The respect which was shown to his remaiDs, at a time which
precluded it in almost every other instance, was a proof of the high
esteem in which he was held."(*)

(») " During the late distressing scenes which were witnessed in this city,
the almost universal mode of conveying a corpse to the grave was in a Learse
or a cart ; and the attendants consisted only of the person who drove the
carriage, the grave-digger, or a negro hired for the purpose, and, in a few
instances, two or three mourning friends. But in the case of Dr. Sproat
there was a procession and bearers of the dead, which, as it was more strik-
ing to the beholders, in the circumstances in which it happened, than the
most splendid funeral that perhaps the city ever produced,' so it was a much
stronger proof of the affection which was felt for the deceased, than tlie
greatest parade, in ordinary times, can possibly be. The pious people who
had met at the church for prayer, formed a procession of about fifty persons,
•ind some religious negroes voluntarily offered themselves to carry the bier."

MEM0r2 OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBtJRN.

;r services, m

of Mr. E. in the seasons of yellow fever through vi^hich
he passed, were certainly great, and at times exceedingly
trying; although it is believed that he suffered little, per-
haps nothing, fronn the fear of death, as a personal con-
cern. Yet he not only suffered extremely by disease,
especially in 1798, but the scenes of human misery with
which he was surrounded, and which in many instances
admitted of no relief, were distressing beyond description.
The toil he endured both by night and by day, in making
coffins for the dead, and in visiting the diseased and the
dying, were burdensome in the extreme. Above all, the
multitude of immortal beings, (sometimes a hundred in a
day,) whom he saw passing into eternity, the most of them
ignorant, and many of them vicious — ^must have produced
on a mind like his — always sympathetic, and always
deeply impressed with the realities of that unchanging
state of happiness or misery upon which death sets ite
seal — feelings, which nothing but the grace of God, added
to much natural fortitude, could have enabled hira to en-
dure. These, notwithstanding, were the very dispensa-
tions of Providence which were made to contribute to
his future comfort and usefulness — which brought him
into that sphere of action in the church of Christ, to
which he had long been looking as an object of intense
desire, and which he had often resigned as hopeless.
The avails of his mechanical business, of which the
making of coffins is always a very profitable part, were
such, (although he took no undue advantage of the neces-
sities which the pestilence created) that he not only can-
celled all his debts, but accumulated a little capital, which
enabled him afterwards to live without labor, to make sll
his ministerial services perfectly gratuitous, to do many
charitable acts while living, and to provide for the sup-
port of a preacher in the mariner's church at his death.
In another and a still more important respect, were the
desolations of pestilence made instrumental in opening
the way for his preaching the gospel. They produced a
demand for his services, which it was not easy, if it had
been lawful, to resist. To be prepared for an uninter-
rupted narrative of the several steps by which this was
brought about, an account of the manner in which he

^f"

MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBITRN.

. :i

passed the various seasons of pestilence that have been
noted, has been given at once ; and has carried forward
the story of his Hfe, as connected with these events, to a
period from which we must now look back for several
years.

The church to which Mr. Eastbum belonged was col-
legiate. The congregation worshipped in two places,
and in those the two pastors preached alternately. Each
of these congregations, of course, on the death of one of
the pastors, and till the settlement of another, would be
deprived of half the supply of the public and regular
preaching of the gospel ; or else, a portion of ministerial
labour was to be taken from one, at the expense of the
other. The Northern Liberties of the city contained
one of these congregations, which was yet in an infant
and very feeble state, and had contributed, and could
contribute, but little to the support of the gospel. It was
therefore ma^e a question, on the death of Dr. Sproat,
whether the attempt to establish-a Presbyterian church
in that place, and at that time, ought not to be abandoned.
This idea was resisted by the remaining pastor ; but it
seemed neither practicable nor proper to resist the opin-
ion, that his services should be chiefly, and almost wholly,
given to that congregation which was fourfold the more
numerous of the two, and from which nearly the whole
pecuniary expenses of the collegiate church had been,
and was still to be defrayed. The remaining pastor, who
vras the present writer, and who must now speak of him-
self and his agency much more frequently than he could
wish, gave as much attention as he could to the feeble
congregation ; but it was without a regular supply for
six years in succession. It was mournful and embarrass-
ing to witness this destitution ; and to hear applications
for religious instruction which could not be complied
with. To afford some relief, the pastor resolved, that,
in addition to the occasional services which he might be
able to render to this part of his charge, (for such he still
considered it,) he would open a weekly meeting for re-
ligious exercises, on the evening of the Lord's day, and
commit the conducting of it, subject to some general di-
rections from himself, to Mr. Eastburn.

MEMOIRS OP THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBURN.

The plan for the exercises of this meeting was as fol-
lows : — The children and youth of the congregation were
to be the principal objects of attention. They were to
come tc^ether in a large school-room, to repeat to Mr.
E. the Westminster Shorter Catechism, with the hymns
and forms of devotion prepared for children by Dr. Watts
— the forms of devotion somewhat modified, and reprinted
in a primer-like form, for the occasion. The parents of
the children were invited, and any others who chose were
permitted, to attend at these meetings ; and after prayer
and singing, the children were to repeat their catechism,
hymns, and prayers, to Mr. E. and he was then to make
such explanatory remarks on the catechism as he thought
proper, and to address, first and principally to the chil-
dren, and then to their parents and other attendants, such
exhortations of a practical nature, as he judged would be
for edification. These exercises were to be followed by
prayer, and- to be concluded with singing a hymn or
psalm, with the doxology. Such was the plan adopted
by the pastor — adopted without consultation with others,
and for which, if he deserved the blame to which a few
of his ministerial brethren saw fit to subject him, it cannot
be denied that it belonged to him exclusively. The se-
quel will show that it did lea": to some abuse ; but that
this abuse was apeedily and completely corrected ; and
the issue was unquestionably of the most salutary kind.
Certain it is, that the pastor was entitled to no praise or
commendation whatsoever, for being, as he undoubtedly
was, the chief instrument of introducing Mr. E. to the
wide field of usefulness which he afterwards entered ; for
there was not, at that time, in the mind of the pastor, any
conception that such a result would be produced. He
had no expectation that Mr. E. would do more, or go
farther, than teach the children and youth, and exhort
and pray with them and their parents, agreeably to the
plan that has been specified ; and he supposed that even
this would be no more than a temporary measure. In a
word, all that ensued was unforeseen and unexpected,
and the pastor only acted on the several emergencies
which subsequently occurred, as his sense of duty dic-
tated at the time.

MEMOIRS OP THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBURN.

.1 '.:. ' t !

]i • I i

The original plan appeared evidently to be attended
with a divine blessing. Since the writing of these me-
moirs was commenced, word has been sent to the writer,
that one or more Christians of distinction trace their con-
version to the instructions, and exhortations, and prayers,
which, in youth, they heard from Mr. Eastburn, in the
school-house at Campington. The pastor attended these
meetings on a few occasions at the first, to afford his
countenance and aid in executing the plan he had devised.
He finds in his diary for January 31st, 1796, the follow-
ing entry : — " In the evening 1 went and drank tea at
Mr. Eastbum's, and went with him to the society at
Campington. The people were very solemn, and the
children appeared to be much affected." This was no
peculiar occurrence — it was only a single instance of
what was usually, and almost uniformly, witnessed at
these interesting meetings. So interesting, indeed, they
soon became, tiiat the school4iouse would not contain the
numbers of which they were composed, and they were
therefore transferred from that house to the church.

It was natural for Mr. E. when he found a crowd of
attentive listeners at these meetings, originally intended
chiefly for children and youth, to make his address to the
adult part of his audience longer and more particular than
he did, or perhaps ever thought of doing, at the first.
Many of his hearers, moreover, had no regular connexion
with any religious society : some of them seldom, if ever,
attended any other place of worship, and were not only
extremely ignorant of the fundamental doctrines of the
gospel, but, till now, utterly careless, in the matter of
their souPs salvation. On seeing a crovtrd of this descrip-
tion, attentive and serious, who could censure him for
extending his address to them, into a discourse, equal to
a sermon in length ? But his error was, and it must not
be disguised, that he gradually diminished his attention
to the youthful part of his audience, till at length he
almost, or altogether, passed them by, took a text, and
made as regular a discourse as he was capable of, to the
promiscuous assembly which filled the small church in
which his addresses were made. It was at that time,
and it still is, the conviction of the writer, that Mr. E.

;! *

MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBURN.

would probably have done more good, had he adhered
to the original plan, with no other change than a length-
ening of the concluding address; instead of suffering that
address gradually to supplant the catechetical instruction,
and special pious admonition of the your^.

This change of plan, which was made, and for some
time continued, without the knowledge or suspicion of
the pastor of the church, was, when he became acquaint-
ed with it, the cause of considerable uneasiness. It was
also disapproved by the most discreet and judicious mem-
bers of the congr^ation ; but it was extremely popular
in the neighborhood of the Campington church, and with
some others who resorted to it statedly, on the evening
of the sabbath. The writer recollects, and indeed has
found the time noted in his diary, that with a view to
ascertain from personal obser\'ation, whether, besides
their irregularity, there was any thing exceptionable in
the addresses of Mr. £., be attended one of these meet-
ings, and took care to mingle with the crowd, in such a
manner as not to be observed. The experiment satisfied
him fully, that the discourses of Mr. E., although in a
measure immethodical and unconnected, w^ere still found
in doctrine, and well calculated to benefit his liearers.
Under this conviction, and considering the destitute state
of the people, and the influence which Mr. E. had over
them, no interference was attempted — it was believed to
be not only injudicious, but, in the circumstances of the
case, absolutely inconsistent with Christian duty. It was
also expected, that when an additional pastor of the col-
legiate church should be chosen, which was then believed
to be near at hand, and which shortly after took place in
fact, these irregular exercises would, in that place at
least, be terminated as a matter of course. ^

■T ^?(i*^|*¥«<^i* *^i# ( 38 ) • ^'' «-.rf*^*«*

S-

m f

CHAPTER IV.

Unhappy consequences of Mr. Bastburn'^s acting as a cate-
chist and exhorter without a regular designation ; the
manner in which the evil was arrested; Mr, E.^s cx-
amination and qtialijicd licensure by the Presbytery of
Philadelphia, ^

In an early part of the summer of 1 799, a collegiate
pastor of the church to which Mr. Eastburn belonged,
was ordained ; and public worship was, in consequence,
regularly celebrated, twice on the sabbath — at Camping-
ton, as well as in tlie associated church in the city. The
urgency, therefore, which had led to Mr. E.'s employ-
ment as a catechist and an exhorter, was now terminated.
But his labors had been so acceptable, and so evidently
blessed, thaj; he thought he ought not to discontinue them;
and for the same reason, his pastors were reluctant to
attempt to lay him under any restriction. He therefore
continued, for nearly six years, to exhort on the evenings
of the Lord's day and at some other times, both in the
Northern Liberties of the city and in several othef places.
Toward the latter part of this period, the ill effects of
Mr. E.'s appearing as a public teacher, without any regu-
lar call or appointment to such an ofiice, became pam-
fully manifest. Several individuals, utterly unqualified
to teach and admonish others, became exhorters and
leaders in religious meetings ; and considered themselves
entitled to assume these characters, in consequence of
being able to plead the example of Mr. E. The evil
was increasing, and the embarrassment it occasioned to
the pastors of the church to which these unauthorized
teachers chiefly belonged, was not small. To endeavor
to arrest the evil by an explicit prohibition, would, it
was thought, hazard the peace of the congregation ; and
to suffer it to proceed, seemed inconsistent with a. faith-
ful discharge of duty. In these circumstances the ir-
regularity was corrected, in a manner which the writer
of these memoirs has always considered as peculiarly
providential, and as laying him under special obligation

MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBURN.

to divine grace and goodness. The facts were as fol-
lows — The writer had been so occupied in the course
of a certain week, that Saturday had arrived, without
his having even selected a text for a discourse on the
following day. On opening the New Testament with a
view to such a selection, one of the first passages that
met his eye, was Gal. vi. 3 — ^'' For if a man think him-
self to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth
himself.^^ The determination was immediately formed
to discourse on theB«^ words, and to show how, in re-
ligious concerns, this text is verified, in a variety of in-
stances. Five such instances occurred, and were rapidly
minuted down, before the connexion of the text was care-
fully examined, or a commentator consulted. On look-
ing into Doddridge, it appeared that, in his opinion, the
words were specially mtended as "a caution against
vainglory and an overweening opinion of ourselves ;^*
and in a note he states it to be the opinion of Mr. Locke,
that the following verse has a particular reference to
false teachers. This immediately suggested that a sixth
particular might consist, in an application of the text to
those who take on themselves the office of public teachers
of religion, without either qualifications for, or call to
such an office. But it was speedily resolved to omit
this, lest, in the particular circumstances of the congre-
gation, the contemplated application might appear to be
too pointed, and thus be productive of disturbance. To
this resolution, however, the pastor, on a little reflection,
found he could not adhere. The words — " not handling
the word of God deceitfully," flashed on his mind, with
a force which almost made him tremble. He saw that
if the text he had chosen rendered the particular in ques-
tion peculiarly applicable to his charge, this was so far
from furnishing a reason for the omission of that paii:icu-
lar, that it formed an imperious demand that it should be
retained, and be distinctly and prominently presented.
It was accordingly retained, and made the last of the se-
ries. The efTect was salutary beyond all expectation.
The impression produced by this discourse was power-
ful, and yet, so far as was ever known to the pastor, not
offensive. The unqualified exhorters never again, it is

■*l

Hi MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTRURN.

believed, attempted to speak in public. But on the
Wednesday morning following, Mr. Eastburn came to his
pastor, and in a long conversation opened his mind freely.
lie said that the sermon he had heard on the sabbath,
had deprived him of sleep, and had led him to close self-
examination. He appeared to be particularly distressed
with the apprehension, that he had been *^ thinking him-
self to be something, while he was^ nothing." Such, he
was told in reply, was not the estimate made of him by
the preacher, either when the sermon was delivered, or
at any other time ; but on the contrary, that he was be-
lieved to be qualified to do good, and that he had done
good, by taking the lead in social exercises of religion ;
still that it should be our care to do good in such a way
as not to do harm at the same time ; and that he could
not but be sensible that his example had furnished a
plausible pretext, for some who were wholly unfit to dis-
course publicly to others on the gre'-.£ doctrines of the
word of God, to assume the awful responsibility of doing
it. The result was, that he threw himself entirely on
his pastor to direct him how to act ; and was promised
that his case should receive the most serious and de-
liberate consideration. This conversation, which lasted
from early in the morning till one oVlock, took place, as
appears from the writer's diary, on the 1 2th of Decem-
ber, 1804, and the writer has often looked back to the
circumstances which led to it, and tne consequences
which followed it, as furnishing for him a subject for
humble gratitude to God — gratitude that he was, with-
out plan or design on his part, in a sort compelled to do
that which not only arrested the progress of evil, but
opened the way for the eminent and extensive usefulness
of the holy man whose memoirs he is now writing.

It was so ordered in providence, that about four years
before the occurrence just stated, a plan had been devis-
ed for providing a chaplain, of the Presbyterian denomi-
nation, for the jail, hospital, and bettering-house of the
city of Philadelphia. This plan, with some considera-
tions urging its adoption, had been printed in a pamphlet
form, and distributed among those who, it was supposed,
were hkely to favor it and render it effective. But no

MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBURN.

suitable candidate for the deficiency could be named)
and hence the whole plan met with opposition from
some, and with indifference from many; and the present
writer, by whom it had been drawn up, had already con-
sidered his attempt as finally abortive, when he found
himself pledged to consider the case of Mr. Eastbum,
and advise bim as to the course he ought to pursue. It
did not require much meditation to thmk of him as a fit
person, and in some respects the fittest that could be
found, to act as a chaplain to the public and charitable in-
stitutions which have been mentioned. The management
of those institutions was much in the hands and under the
influence of the Friends or Quakers ; and with them the
very circumstance that Mr. E. was not a regular clergy-
man of the Presbyterian church, would render his stated
access to these establishments more easy and acceptable,
than if he had been clothed with the regular clerical
character. With others, also, who had been hostile or
indifferent to the plan first proposed, Mr. £. was highly
popular ; and that he was admirably qualified to perform
the duties of a chaplain to those who were in a state of
suffering, whether through misfortune or crime, was ad-
mitted by all. Afler, therefore, consulting with a num-
ber of his friends, and finding that Mr. E. ^as cordially
willing. to accept of the appointment contemplated, the
writer determined to endeavor to obtain in his behalf,
from the Presbytery of Philadelphia, a designation to the
duties of a chaplaincy; with a license also, to exhort and
pray with Christian assemblies generally, as opportunity
might offer. Accordingly, the memorial recited in the
minute of the Presbytery, which will presently appear,
was drawn up, and subscribed by a number of influential
individuals. During the interval between Dec. 12th,
1 804, and May, 1 805, the impression of the writer is (but
without a distinct recollection) that Mr. E. did not oflen,
if ever, address promiscuous assemblies ; but confined him-
self chiefly to taking a leading part in meetings for prayer
and religious conference, to the visitation of the sick, and
to conversations with individuals whose minds were se-
riously exercised in regard to their spiritual state.
The following extract from the minutes of the Presby-

■t^'

'tt

W'- MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBURN.

teiy of Philadelphia, will sufficiently explain the whole
process by which Mr. £. was regularly authorized to per-
form the duties of a religious teacher, the conditions and
limitations under which the authority was granted, and
the examination to which he was subjected when the grant
was made. The Presbytery was remarkably harmonious
in all the discussions which took place at the time, and
entirely unanimous in the result — A venerable member,
now deceased, remarked to the writer, after the adjourn-
ment, that he thought a divine influence had most sensibly
pervaded the judicature of the church on this interesting
occasion. , .. .

i-B

" At a meeting of the Presbytery of Philadelphia, May
the 14th, 1805—

** Present Drs. Green and Blair; Messrs. Irwin, Daven-
port, Russel, Miiredoler, Latta, Boyd, Potts, and Jane-
way, ministefs.

**A memorial signed by a number of members of
several Presbyterian congregations in Philadelphia, was
brought in, read^ and is as follows —

" ' To. the Reverend Presbytery of Philadelphia,
" * We the undernamed inhabitants of Philadelphia and
the liberties thereof, beg leave to lay before Presbytery
the following memorial, viz.

*^ *■ We represent that the circumstances of those who
are confined in the Bettering-House, Gaol, and Hospital
of the City of Philadelphia, in being deprived of the in-
structions and consolations of religion, are calculated
deeply to affect the minds of those who suitably estimate
the value of evangelical truth, and know the worth of
immortal souls. Influenced by the consideration of these
circumstances, a number of the ministers and other mem-
bers of the Presbyterian churches in Philadelphia, did,
about four years since, devise and endeavor to execute,
a plan for committing to a regular Presbyterian minister,
the charge of the unhappy people in the public establish-
ments mentioned. This plan is herewith submitted to the
Presbytery, that our views and designs, and the reason
which in our opinion justify them, may the more distinctly

^STBVRN.

plain the whole
ithorized to per-
i conditioiM and
as granted, and
t when the grant
ibly harmonious
it the time, and
erable member,
ler the adjoum-
id most sensibly
this interesting

iladelphia, May

. Irwin, Daren-
otts, and Jane-

f members of
iladelphia, was

MEMOIRS OP THB REV. JOSEPH EASTBURN.

appear. For though we do not propose exactly to adopt
the plan which is exhibited in the printed pamphlet, yet
the considerations by which it is supported, are those
which still influence us. — But we beg leave to remark,
that the plan, thus exhibited to the Presbytery, was not
carried into effect at the time it was devised and printed,
principally because a suitable and popular candidate, for
taking the charge of the establishments in question, could
not be held up to those who were requested to subscribe
for his support; and till the present hour the whole busi-
ness has been suspended, for this reason. In the mean
time the ministers and members of various religious de-
nominations have occasionally visited the Bettering-House
and the Gaol, and spoken to the people who are there
confined. Among those wlio have performed these acts
of religious charity, none has been so assiduous as Mr.
Joseph Eastbum, a member in flill communion with the
2d Presbyterian congregation of this city, and none, we
truly think, could be nK>re acceptable or useful than he.
We do, therefore, with all deference to the reverend
Presbytery, respectfully submit it to their very serious
consideration, whether it might not be highly advanta-
geous to the interests of religion, if the said Mr. Eastburn
should be by them appointed a catechist or evangelist,
for the express purpose of taking the chaise, under their
direction, of the Bettering-House, Hospital, and Gaol of
this city ; with permission, also, as occasional opportuni-
ties might offer, of speaking to others on the great sub-
jects of religion. It is, no doubt, well known to the Pres-
bytery, as it is to the undersigned, that Mr. Eastburn has
been, for some years, in the practice of exhorting smaller
or larger assemblies of the people on the concerns of their
souls, and that his labours have been very acceptable to
many. If he should receive authority from the Presby-
tery to continue this practice, with the special designa-
tion of the public institutions mentioned, as his particu-
lar charge, and under the control of the Presbytery,
would it not rather prevent, than become a precedent for,
the violation of the established order of our church ?
Could it be pleaded as a precedent for introducing men
into the ministry, indiscriminately, without those hterary

'IJ

, '^;'

i::-' •

'ri

5 -jlf

MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBT7RN.

qualifications, or that regular process of trial, usually de-
manded ? Would it not rather be analogous to what other
Presbyteries have lately done, and the General Assembly
approved ? This we fully submit to the wisdom of the
rresbytery; being ourselves sincerely attached to the
excellent order established on this subject generally, by
the constitution of our church. We have, on the whole,
nothing further to add, but that we know that Mr. East-
bum is so well esteemed in the city, that the appointment
we surest would immediately render practicable the
plan for supplying the institutions in question with regular
religious instruction and visitation ; that his acceptance
among other denominations is such, that he would be
likely to obtain their countenance and approbation in
this work ; that the very circumstance of his not being
a regularly ordained clei^yman of our church, would of
itseli facilitate his entrance into the institutions contem-
plated ; and that if Presbytery, as we hope may be the
case, shall find their way clear to authorize him to take
the charge of these establishments, we the undersigned
are ready to use our endeavors to obtain for him such a
salary as may enable turn to devote his time to this im-
portant work.'

^Philadelphia, Ma^/^ 1805.' ;. >i

" This memorial was made the subject of much delib-
eration, inquiry, and discussion. — In the course of which
it appeared, that Mr. Eastburn, to whom the memorial
refers, has received baptism for himself in adult age,
though he had been baptized in infancy ; and was still
disposed to consider infant baptism in a different light
from that in which it is viewed by our church, though he
has always remained in communion with that church, and
shown no disposition to uige his peculiar sentiments on
others. On the whole, after a careful consideration of the
case, the Presbytery, feeling most sensibly the import ince
of providing for the religious instruction and assistance
of the unhappy persons confined in the places mentioned
in the memorial, and desirous at the same time to do no-
thing contrary to the principles and usage of the Presby-
terian church, determined to specify distinctly the cpndi

MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBURff.

tions on which they would agree to take Mr. Eastbum
under their patronage. These conditions were the
following —

*^ 1. That he adopt the Confession of Faith, catechisms,
government, and discipline of the Presbyterian church,
(the article of baptism alone excepted) and agree to walk
by them as the rule of his faith and practice.

^^ 2. That he be willing to engage, and do engage, that
on the subject of baptism (retaining his own sentiments)
he will leave those with whom he may have intercourse,
in the undisturbed possession of their creed and opinions;
and that whenever applications shall be made to him in
regard to baptism, he will direct the applicants to some
regularly ordained minister,

" 3. That in receiving from this Presbytery authority to
teach, he do not consider himself a candidate for the pas*
toral office.

^^ 4. That he agree to submit, in the discharge of his
duty, to the directions that shall from time to time be
given him by Presbytery.

" 5. That the authority to teach which may be confer-
red, shall cease whenever the Presbytery, or Mr. East-
burn, shall judge its continuance to be no longer ex-
pedient.

" 6. That in the execution of the trust that may be con-
ferred by Presbytery, it be understood that he will in all
respects endeavor to avoid giving offence, by taking
care not to violate unnecessarily the sentiments and
opinions of those among whom he may be called to la-
bor, and by the exercise of an exemplary humility, pru-
dence, and condescension.

" Mr. Eastbum was then introduced to the Presbytery,
and the above conditions were twice read, and he fully
agreed to each and all of them as reasonable and proper,
and as forming the system by which he would act in the
execution of the trust which the Presbytery might com-
mit to him, in consequence of the prayer of the memorial.

" Presbytery then conversed with Mr. Eastbum on his
experimental acquaintance with religion, and questioned
him on some of the leading truths and doctrines of the

■| H

111

!:[

■'" (h

Bl [i I

41 ::

MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBURN.

Christian system, and having obtained entire satisfaction
on these subjects, came to the following resolution, viz.'

" Resolved^ That Mr. Joseph Eastburn be, and he is
hereby authorized, to explain and discourse on the sacred
scriptures* to catechise and exhort in the Gaol, Aims-
House, and Hospital, of the city of Philadelphia, and also,
as occasional opportunities may offer, to speak to collec-
tions of people m other places, on the concerns of their
souls.

*' Ordered, that the stated clerk furnish Mr. Eastburn
with an attested copy of the preceding memorial, and of
the subsequent proceedings of Presbytery relative to him.

" Extract from the Minutes of the Presbytery of Phila-
delphia.

« George C. Potts, Stated Clerk:'

':% '

;^'

CHAPTER V.

His license entirely satisfactory to himself- — his fidelity
and success in the Hospital^ Alms-House^ and Prison of

A Philadelphia — his labors, various and incessant, and
acceptable to different denominations — he is principally

i instrume7ital in. forming a congregation — death of his

'''- wife, and entire relinquishment of his mechanical busi-
ness — becomes stated preacher to the Mariners,

The resolution of the Presbytery of Philadelphia al-
reody recited, formed the license, or conveyed the eccle-
siastical authority, under wliich Mr. Eastburn performed
his ministerial services to the end of his life, a period of
about four-and-tw^enty years. The conditions on which
he accepted the office of a religious teacher, imposed on
him no irksome restraint; for it is believed they were not
different from those which he would have chosen, if the
choice had been wholly left to himself. It is not known
that he ever desired to sustain the pastoral relation, or to
administer the sacraments, or to share in the government
of the church, or to change the sentiments of an indivi-

MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBURN.

dual on the subject of baptism. To proclaim the mes-
sages of salvation — ^to impress the momentous truths of
the gospel on the hearts and consciences of careless sin-
ners, to guide inquiring souls to the Saviour, and to edify
the people of God by privite, v. well as by public dis-
course, appears to have comprised all that he wished, and
all for which he considered himself as qualified ; and fts
this was a field -of usefulness as ample as he probably had
any inclination to enter, so it is certain that in this he la-
bored with a most exemplary diligence, and a most un-
usual success.

His first special designation was to those who were
confined in the three public establishments which are
mentioned in the memorial presented to the Presbytery ;
and the assiduity and tenderness could scarcely be ex-
ceeded, with which he endeavored by every mean in his
power to promote the spiritual welfare of these children
of poverty, misfortune, or crime. He visited them often ;
he instructed and counselled them; he reproved some
and encouraged others ; he was found at the bedside of
the sick, the maimed, and the dying; he sympathized with
all, and as frequently and fully as opportunity would per-
mit, he united with them in social woi'ship, and preached
to them with zeal and fidelity. All this will best appear
from some of his own statements.

The following connected narratives were found among
his manuscripts.

^> I am requested to keep in writing the case of a
woman that had been confined in one of the cells of the
Pennsylvania Hospital — which is as follows. As I was
passing the place, I heard the most plaintive voice, crying
* Oh! my burden is too heavy for me to bear! My sins are
too great to be forgiven.' I called aloud to her — * if your
burden is ever so heavy, Jesus invites you to come to
him, and he will give you rest; and if your sins are ever
so great, he can freely pardon them all.' She immediately
called me by name, and desired me to open the door
(which I could not do) but inquired where she had known
me. She said it was when I kept meeting in the Northern
Liberties, and had many children about me — ^that she
was one of them, and that those were her happy days.

£ 2

BIEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBURN.

II El

..'l

She said if she had only gone on to serve the Lord as
she did then, she might have been happy. But she did
not — and now she was shut up in that dismal place. My
mind was much affected to hear the poor creature thus
exclaim; but shortly after, she made her escape at mid-
night, and went to her home. I visited her there, and
found hermind more composed. Buther friends did not like
that any one should speak to her, or that she should go to
any place of worship ; and if she did, they would shut her
out of doors all night. But the Lord had pity on her, and
called her to his blessed home, * where the wicked cease
from troubling, and where the weary are at rest.' When
she was near her end, she sent for me, and with pleasure
told me what the Lord had done for her souj. She had
a full assurance of her eternal happiness, through a
precious Saviour, and hoped to meet me in heaven. As I
was then going a journey, I saw her no more — she died
while I was away, ^m ' <" - v .

r The Lord can make the way-faring, though fools, wise

to salvation.

This has encouraged me to pay attention to the poor
deranged people in the Hospital ; and I now record some
things more which took place there. Going into a ward
where many of them were together, an elderly gentleman
who had been long there cried out — ' What, sir, are you
come to preach to us again?' I replied, *Yes, sir, if you
will please to come into another ward and hear — I have
no authority to compel you.' 'But you have,' replied
another. * Does not your Lord and master command you
to go out to the highways and hedges, and compel sinners
to come to him ?' I replied, * That is true, my friend, and
will you come?' — *I surely will,' said he: and many of
them did attend worship at that time. I took for my text
the words — 'Compel them to come in.' He who men-
tioned them appeared much engaged, and entreated me
to go to their ward again, which I did. He soon after re-
covered his use of reason, and was set at liberty.

At another time, some of the doctors wished to see
what effect it might have upon some that were quite bad,
to bring them in. A number were accordingly brought

MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBURN.

and placed before me — one with his hat covered with
dirty feathers, which he had picked up. Some of them
appeared very uneasy, and kept stamping and looking
very wild at me and others — one figuring m the sand on
the floor, and then looking at me, as though he were
taking a likeness. This drew the attention of the people
who were in their senses, so much, that I thought our
meeting would be broken up. I tried to keep my mind
composed, and to beg the Lord to direct me what to do.
J thought it would be best to surprise them ; and I jumped
up suddenly before them, and csdled upon Uiem to attend,
telling them we had come there to worship Him that
made us, and had given us our reason at. first, and could
restore it to those who had lost it; that we did not know
what he might do for us, if we should sincerely pray; and
now, said I, if you will be quite still, we will endeavor
to pray. They saw me go upon my knees, and to the
surprise of all, they immediately kneeled dowt), aod
the feathered hat was thrown aside» . After prayer, they
all rose and sat down, looking earnestly at me, acid re-
mained quiet until all were dismissed. Some time after,
the steward, Mr. Francis Higgins, desired to know if I
would be willing he should bring a man out of a cell into
the meeting. I told him, if he could be kept in order I
was willing. He then brought him- — ^a very large man.
I went up to him and welcomed him to take a seat They
then brought another, very bad, and put this man by the
side of the first — The second man began to shuffle and
make a noise, on which the first seized lum fast by his
knees, and told, him he must be perfectly still there, and
kept him in order all the time of worship, and did not
move himself, except when I was speaking of what the
blessed Saviour had done for poor sinners — ^how many
dreadful cases he had relieved — ^he then clasped the other
round the neck, as if he wished they might be benefited
also ; and after worship went quietly to his cell again.

A woman called at my house, desiring I would speak
to a friend of hers, confined in one of the cells. I inquired
for her, and was told she was so unreasonable it would
be in vain to say any thing to her. I observed I would
wish to comply with the request of my friend. They

i.tnii|i t

II :

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MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBURN.

then went and put some decent clothes on her, and in-
vited me to go in. She cried out — * I do not know that
man/ True, said T, but you know such a lady. She, I
said, desired me to come and see you. She then began to
measure the shawl they had put on her with her knuckles,
as fast as she could. Why, said I, do you that? *I must,
I must,' was the answer,* for I am a great sinner.' So am
I, was the reply, but I am come to tell you about a great
Saviour, who is able to save you and me. She then stop-
ped, and sat as still as was possible for any one to do, and
listened to all that I said without uttering another word.
In a short time after she came to herself, so far as to leave
the Hospital, and took lodgings for herself; and then de-
sired to see me. I found her composed and solemn. She
desired me to pray and return thanks with her; and when
she rose up to go to prayer, she lifted up her hands and
said — *0 Lord, help me to unite with thy servant now
i« prayer,' and then fell upon her knees.

Dr. Rush desired me to visit a patient of his, also, in
one of the cells. The gentleman was much distressed, and
complained that he was worse tliain a brute ; that he could
not act as a rational creature ; that when he eat he was
so ravenous that he was shocked at himself — he was very
melancholy. Visiting him on a Sabbath day, he inquired
if I was not about to have worship in some part of the
Hospital. I told him I was. He requested to attend with
us. The steward observed, it was contrary to his orders
to let him come out of his cell. The gentleman said, if
Dr. Rush was there, he would let him come. At that
very instant, unexpectedly to him or any of us, the doc-
tor appeared, passing the cell door. He called out, * Oh,
Doctor, shall I not be permitted to go to meeting here?'
Certainly, replied the doctor. He appeared oveijoyed,
and attended with great apparent devotion ; and after-
ward entreated me to go back with him to his place,
which I did, and often tried to encourage him. He had
not been allowed any book before, but now earnestly
desired to have a Bible, which was allowed him. But
his constitution was very weak, and he gradually declined
in body, until nature sunk. He was not able, as far as I

MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBURN.

could fincl, to say any thing about the state of his mind,
until death closed the scene.

Doctor Rush also desired me to visit a Doctor, who
had come from the West Indies in a consumption, seeking
the advice of physicians, and to try a change of climate.
But he WAS very fast sinking under the disease.- He had
a room furnished in the Hospital, and every attention pos-
sible paid to him. I went with one of the managers to see
him, and told him Dr. Rush had desired me to come, and
what was my errand. He received me politely, but said
but little. I endeavored to improve the time to the best
of my knowledge, and hope I was directed by the blessed
Spirit to a word in season. I urged the necessity of prayer
to the Lord, who alone could help him ; and desired to
know if he would have me to pray with him. He seemed
rather to consent, than to ask it. But in time of prayer,
his mind was filled with wonderful joy ; and when I rose,
he clasped me with both hands, and said it was the hap
piest visit to him that ever be 1^ ; and that he was un-
der great obligations to Doctor Rush for many favors, but
none was so great as sending me to visit him at that time ;
and he desired me to come again. But in a few hours
after, on the same day, he expired. The manager, who
was of the Friends' society, was so much pleased with
what he beheld, that he wrote me a permit to visit the
Hospital when 1 pleased, and gave orders to the steward
and gate-keeper to admit me at any time — which opened
the way for my holding worship there ; and he and other
of the managers have often attended the meetings and
countenanced them." . '

It appears that, beside the foregoing narratives, Mr. East-
burn kept a regular journal of the religious services he
performed, from the time of his licensure till he was con-
fined to his house by his last sickness. If the whole of this
journal were published, it would exhibit a very extra-
ordinary series of labor and self-denial, through which
this excellent man passed, in the service of his divine
Master, and for the salvation of sinners of all descriptions
— but especially for those for whom others had not suffi-
ciently cared.

-**-^

MEMOIRS OF THE REV; JOSEPH EASTBVRN.

From this journal a considerable number of extracts
will be made. Previously to this, however, it may be
proper to remaiic, that for the two or three years imme-
diately succeeding his licensure, his services on the Sab-
bath were almost wholly confined to the three public in-
stitutions, already repeatedly mentioned. But after the
lapse of about that period, he requested of the Presbytery
that his attention might not be so strictly confmed as it
had been, to those institutions — observing, that the scenes
which he constantly witnessed there were so gloomy, that
he found it difficult to keep them from having a depress-
ing influence on his spirits. His request was readily grant-
ed ; and indeed from that date till his death, he was left
very much at discretion, in the employment of his time.*
He never failed, it is believed, to make a distinct report
to the Presbytery, at least once a year, of the manner in
which he had employed his time ; and these reports were
iavariably approved — In a few instances, he was appoint-
ed by the Presbytery, either to perform some missionary
services, at no great distanceirom the city of Philadelphia,
or to preach in vacant congregations ; but in general it
was left to his own sense of duty, to choose where and
when his services should be rendered. He never ceased

■4

* The following extracts from the minutes of the Philadelpliia
Presbytery, found among Mr. E.'s papers, afibrd a specimen of the
records usually made in nis case.

" April 20th, 1808. — The Presbytery received from Mr. Eastburn
an account of the manner in which he had fulfilled his appoint-
ments, since the last stated meeting in the spring, and approved
his fidelity.

" On motion, resolved, that it be left at the discretion of Mr.
Eastburn, as he shall judge it expedient, to employ less of his time
in the public institutions of the city of Philadelphia, and more in the
places in its vicinity, which are destitute of the regular preaching
of the gospel."

"April 19th, 1809. — Mr. Joseph Eastburn made a report with
respect to the discharge of his duties ; which being accepted, he was
directed to continue to act under his former instructions."

"April 19th, 1810. — The Presbytery received, and approved the
report of Mr. Eastburn, and directed him to employ his time till our
next stated meeting, agreeably to his instructions received at the
last Spring Sessions."

Truly extracted from the records of the Presbytery of Phila-
delphia. , ,

> i f^, ■■■■ - • James P. Wilson,

Stated Clerk for the year 1810.

MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBURN.

to visit and preach to the inmates of the prison, alms-
house and hospital. The whole change consisted in
giving enlargement to the circle of his labors : and there
can be no doubt that this was not only conducive to his
health and happiness, but also to the extension of his
usefulness. It should likewise be remarked, that till the
death of his wife, he never gave up his mechanical busi-
ness ; and, as will appear from his journal, he was some-
times called to work at a coffin on one part of the Lord^s
day, and to preach on another part of the same. But in
no manual labor, which was not clearly the demand of
necessity or mercy, would any earthly inducement have
tempted him to have any concern, on the day of sacred
rest. Yet when such a demand was clearly made, he
showed that he was superior to all superstitious feelings :
and those who knew him best, had not a doubt that not
only on the Sabbath, but on other days also, his medita-
tions were much of the things of God and heaven, while
his hands were diligently employed in the use of his
mechanical implements.

The following extracts from his journal will show the
nature, extent, and variety of his engagements, during the
whole period which elapsed between his licensure, and
his becoming stated , preacher to the mariners — The
reader will remark how acceptable his services appear
to have been, to almost every denomination of Protestant
Christians.

1 808. — Continued at the alms-house, jail, and hospital,
to the end of the month of April.

1st Sabbath in May, held worship at the village called
the Rising Sun, in the forenoon ; and at the alms-house
in the afternoon. At the former the people attended de-
cently, and some young people appeared to be affected.

2d Sabbath — Held worship at the hospital in the morn-
ing, and at a school-house in Buck-lane, below the city,
in the afternoon. Had a very orderly company — collect-
ed a number of boys from their amusements, who also
attended. In the evening attended a society in the North-
ern Liberties.

3d Sabbath — Held worship in the morning over the

MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBURN.

''ill

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4 i

'111

Delaware, at Camden. But few attended, but they were
desirous of having the worship continued. In the after-
noon, attended at the bettering-house, and in the even-
ing in the Northern Liberties.

4th Sabbath — Attended the communion in the Second
Presbyterian Church in the morning, and preached at the
prison in the afternoon, and at a society in the west part
of the city in the evening : — ^poorly attended, and some
boys were very unruly.

5th Sabbath — At the hospital in the morning : attend-
ed Mr. Welch, from Connecticut, to the prison in the
afternoon. He spoke to the prisoners and visited the sick,
and I assisted him. In the evening attended public worship.

Ist Sabbath in June — ^A^tended at the alms-house in
the afternoon, and at Kensington in the evening ; and had
a very large collection of people, who attended with
great apparent solemnity.

2d Sabbath-^Prevented by heavy rain from attending
out of the city — assisted Dr. Green. In the evening be-
gan to hold worship at Spring Garden, under very dis-
couraging appearances — ^ColIected some boards and. fire-
wood, to make seats for the people ; and many attended
out of curiosity, who were not in the habit of going to any
place of worship. Some appeared affected, and several
desired to have meeting there again.
"' 3d Sabbath — Held worship in the Pennsylvania hos-
pital in the morning — at the new church in the Northern
Liberties in the afternoon — and at Spring Garden at night.
More attended than at first.

4th Sabbath — Hurried in the morning with a cofSn ;
but went to Frankford and held worship there, both parts
of the day. In the evening held worship at Kensington —
people attentive.

1st Sabbath in July — Held worship in the First Pres-
byterian Church in the morning. Had to work in the
aitemoon, and hindered at night from going to Spring
Garden, by the sickness of my wife, and unwell myself.

2d Sabbath — My wife too sick too permit me to leave
home and go out of the city — had to work at a coffin and
attend a funeral. Gave an exhortation at the grave for
Dr. WilsonV congregation.

MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBURN.

3d Sabbath — ^At the State prison in the morning-—
preached for Dr. Green in the afternoon ; but could not
attend society in the evening, on account of my wife being
very ill.

Supphed for Dr. Green at the new church on Wednes-
day evening; beside attending my own society on every
Thursday evening.

4th Sabbath in July — Had to work in the morning —
heard Dr. Green — attended at the bettering-house in the
afternoon, and spoke to the poor; visited the sick in the
evening.

5th Sabbath — Held worship at the Rising Sun in the
morning ; and back of the city in the evening, at a school-
house ; at both places the people attended decently and
solemnly.

1st Sabbath in August — Had to woric, but attended
worship, and spoke in the evening near the Schuylkill,'in-
a school-house.

2d Sabbath — Had to work in the morning before wor-
ship ; but preached both parts of the day at Pine street
church.

3d Sabbath— Supplied for the Lutherans in the morn-
ing, and attended the communion in Arch street. Assisted
Dr. Grreen in the afternoon, and held a society at Spring
Garden at night. Friday evening, spoke for Dr. Green in
Arch street meeting.

4th Sabbath — Held worship at Frankford both parts
of the day. Was called upon to visit a dying son of Mr.
Lesley's with the lock-jaw — he died in the evening. Sup-
plied for Dr. Green in the week.

October, 1st Sabbath — Was to preach in Arch street
church, but obtained Mr. Kollock to perform the service.
Had to make a large coffin, but attended a society in the
evening. A number of families attended, who were be-
ginning to perform family worship, and were addressed
particularly on tliat subject. They appeared determined
to go on, and look to the Lord for grace to help them.

2d Sabbath in October — Obtained Dr. Keith to preach
in Arch street church, and Dr. Blair in the north church,
as Dr. Green was sick, and Mr. Janeway out of the city.
I went to the bettering-house in the afternoon, and to

ji '.

ill

19 MfiMOIRB OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTB17RN.

Spring Garden at night — had a crowded house, and many
in the street — some very vain and careless.

4th Sabbath — Preached in the north church in the
morningf and gave an exhortation in the Methodist meet-
ing in the evening, to a great congregation, who were
very attentive.

December, the 2d Sabbath — Preached in the morning
at Spring Garden — ^in the aflemoon at Zoar, a Methodist
meeting, chiefly black people, but very attentive.

1809, January, the 1st Sabbath — Preached in the
morning at the hospital ; and in the evening at the Union
Methodist meeting.

2d Sabbath — Preached in the morning at the prison,
and visited the sick in both wings ; they were very atten-
tive. In the evening preached at the black Methodist
meeting, called Bethel, to a very lai^e collection of peo-
ple, white and black.

^ February, 3d Sabbath — Attended the communion in
the Second Presbyterian Church in the morning. Had
to prepare a coffin in the afternoon, fcN: a corpse to be
sent out of the city. Attended at the Union Methodists^
meeting in the evening. Concluded a prayer meeting,
with an exhortation and prayer.

4th Sabbath — Attended a funeral in the morning, and
spoke to a large concoui-se of people, at Mr. Potts 's bury-
ing-ground. Held worship at the Hospital, and attended
another funeral.

March, the 1st Sabbath — Preached for Mr. Janeway
in the north church, in the morning, and for the Inde-
pendents at the Tabernacle, in the evening.

2d Sabbath in March — Preached a charity sermon in
the morning at the Methodists^ meeting in Kensington,
by the request of a large society, for helping the poor in
tliat part.

4th Sabbath — Preached in the afternoon at the First
Presbyterian Church, Dr. Wilson being unwell ; and in
the evening opened a new place for worship, south-west
of the city, built by Captain Moore and others, which
was well attended.

1st Sabbath in April — Preached in the morning in the
Fourth Presbyterian Church — assisted Dr. Wilson in the

MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EA8TBURN.

afternoon, but was unable to go to the society at night,
bj reason of the rheumatism.

3d Sabbath of April — At the prison in the morning —
preached for Mr. Potts in the afternoon — and at a new
school-house, built for the use of the Evangelical Society,
in the evening, to a large collection of grown people and
children.

2d Sabbath, May — At the prison in the morning, and
at the bettering-house in the afternoon. Delivered a
funeral sermon on the death of a pious blind woman,
who had been long there.

3d Sabbath of June — Preached at the prison in the
morning, and Spring Garden in the evening. The follow-
ing week went abroad. Held worship at Trenton, on
Wednesday evening ; Thursday and Friday evenings at
Brunswick.

4th Sabbath, in New- York — Attended the Lord's Sup-
per at Mr. Milledoler's church, and preached for him ^n
the afternoon. Preached on my return, at Brunswick,
and at Trenton. Arrived at home in time to attend my
own society in the evening. Next evening supplied for
Dr. Green at the Tabernacle.

3d Sabbath of July — Mr. Flinn supplied in my place
for Dr. Green. I then began to help the German Cal-
vinists. Preached, morning and afternoon, for them in
the Academy.

4th Sabbath — Supplied for the Germans both parts of
the day, and catechised their children. Visited a sick
man at night.

5th Sabbath — Supplied for the Germans both parts of
the day, and catechised their children. The number
increasing so much as to require assistance by some of
their members.
All August supplied for the Germans.
September — Continued still to supply for the Germans,
except when I obtained some one to take my place — 1
then went to the poor-house, prison, and hospital, through
the months of September, October, and November. At
the hospital, in September, there was a seaman, who had
been hurt in his back, which turned to a mortification.
He was under great concern about his soul \ and for some

MEMOHIS OF TIIE REV. JOSEPH EA8TDURN.

t \

•u

■ 1

time declared he Iiad no hope of his salvation. Bat within
a few days of his death, he said he could helieve in Jesus,
and rest liis soul on him. He desired to be baptized, and
was so, by the Rev. Mr. Alexander, on his dying pillow.
He attended worship next day, and in a few hours after
expired. At the bettering-house some professed to be
benefited.

1st Sabbath in December — Preached at the hospital
in the morning. A man deranged hung himself. His
wife came, in time of worship, crying bitterly. Preached
in the afternoon for the Germans, and exhorted at the
Methodists' meeting at night.

6th Sabbath in December, and last day of the year,
Mr. Burch having now come to the Germans, I attended
at the prison in the morning, at the alms-house in the
afternoon, and gave an exhortation in the evening at the
Union Methodists' meeting, thus ending the year.

1810 — Presbytery met, and I delivered my report,
April 19th. They approved it, and directed me to con-
tinue as I judged best. ■

4th Sabbath of June — Preached at Abington in the
morning. Dr. Tennent being sick — ^gave an exhortation
at Frankford after Mr. Doke, on my way home.

4th Sabbath, July — Preached at Germantown in the
morning, and exliorted in the First Baptist Meeting in
tlie evenixg.

6th Sabbath — Attended a funeral in the morning —
opened a place for worship in the afternoon near Schuyl-
kill, and preached to a small congregation.

4th Sabbath, August — Preached morning and afternoon
for the German Calvinists. An impostor offered his ser-
vices to preach for them, and was detected.

September, 1st Sabbath — Preached for Dr. Tennent
at Abington, in the morning, and at Milestown, on my
return, in the afternoon.

2d Sabbath — Supplied the German Calvinists morning
and afternoon, their minister being gone to North Caro-
lina.

5th Sabbath — Preached for Mr. Alexander in Pine
street church ; and for Dr. Green on Wednesday evening,
at the church Northern Liberties.

MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBUR5.

sts morning
»Jortli Caro-

October, the Ist Sabbath — Preached for Mr. Janeway
in the morning ; attended a funeral in the afternoon^ and
spent the remainder of tlie day and evening with my sick
wife.

2d Sabbath — Attended at the State prison in the morn-
ing, exhorted and prayed with the prisoners, who were
very attentive. In the afternoon preached to the poor
in the alms-house, upon Simeon seeing the salvation of the
Lord, and desiring to depart in peace. Luke ii. 29 and 30.

5th Sabbath of December — Preached at the prison in
the morning, and at the Free Quakers^ meeting in the
afternoon. We had a solemn and affecting time. Oh to
be well prepared to end our time as we are now Ending
another year ! The Lord pardon all defects and short-
coming through it.

2d Sabbath of April, 1811 — Preached at Kensington;
gave in my report to Presbytery the 1 8th of April, which
was accepted, and liberty given me to supply wherever
the Lord in his providence may call me within tbeir
bounds.

June, 1st Sabbath — Preached in the Fourth Presbyte-
rian Church in the morning for Mr. Potts.

In the afternoon attended on my dying wife, until she
expired, between 5 and 6 o'clock, to enter on her blessed
sabbath above. June 2d, 1811.

2d Sabbath, June — Preached in Wilmington, morning
and evening, for Dr. Reid and Mr. Henderson, and ex-
horted in the afternoon for the latter.

3d Sabbath — Preached in the Baptist meeting at Pen-
nepack in the morning, and at the Fox Chase in the
afternoon.

5th Sabbath — Preached at Cape May, morning and
afternoon. Monday delivered a funeral sermon, and in
the evening preached at Fishing Creek. Tuesday at
Cape Island school-house. Wednesday evening at a
private house. Friday evening at the court-house at
Bridgetown.

1st Sabbath in July — ^Preached at Pitsgrove in Jersey.

2d Sabbath — Preached at Bond-brook, in East Jersey,
both parts of the day, to a very attentive congregation.
Attended and preached at Trenton on my way, in a

MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBURM.

i
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^ m

schoal-house, to a few people. Preached at Amboy and
Brunswick.

3d Sabbath — Preached at Washington, on South river,
below Brunswick, both parts of the day, to a people who
seldom have any to preach to them.

4th Sabbath — At home; went to the prison in the
morning ; preached at the bettering-house in tlie after-
noon, and visited the sick there.

'\ 2d Sabbath of October — Dr. Reid, of Wilmington, had
sent for me to assist him at his communion. I went and
spoke four times, and returned better in health than when
1 left home.

' 1st Sabbath in November — Attended the communion
in Northern Liberties; spoke for Mr. Burch in the even-
ing. This week went to Columbia, and held meeting in
a school-house, and both parts of the sabbath following,
when the people attended well. Monday evening, spoke
in the German church ; next day went to Donegal, and
spoke in the Pj^esbyterian meeting. On Thursday, l)eing
the day recommended by the General Assembly to be
kept for worship, I preached ; also at Maytown, in the
German church, and at New-Haven on Susquehanna.

3d Sabbath — Preached morning and afternoon in the
Presbyterian meeting-house in Lancaster, and was treated
in each place with more kind attention tlian I ever ex-
perienced in any journey before, and found all safe at
my home. Thanks be to my heavenly Father, for all
these his tender mercies.

1812, January, the 1st Sabbath — Preached at the hos-
pital, and visited in the different wards. »#

2d Sabbath — Preached in Spring Garden to a very
attentive society.

3d Sabbath — Preached at the bettering-house. Was
kindly received by the new steward, and all the orderly
poor. Visited some of them that could not attend wor-
ship. ' ■ •_,■'■-' ■ .,■-.'.,,'. ,r

4th Sabbath — ^Attended the communion at the First
Presbyterian Church, and preached in the afternoon for
Dr. Wilson. Wednesday evening supplied for Dr. Green.
Thursday attended a funeral at Kensington. Friday
evening spoke in Southwark.

MEMOIRS OP THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBITRN. 61

February, 1st Sabbath — Preached at the prison, and
visited a number of sick con^ned there, who had com-
fortable acconmiodations.

Wednesday evening — Preached for Dr. Alexander in
Pine street.

Friday evening — Spoke at Mr. Burch's house prepara-
tory to the communion.

Saturday evening — Preached at Mr. Burch's meeting.

4th Sabbath of Feb. — Preached in the prison, and
visited the sick men confined there, but found very little
appearance of repentance. In the evening, preached at
Spring Garden to a very attentive people.

2d Sabbath of April — Preached at Neshaniiny, in the
late Mr. Irwin's congregation ; in the meeting-house in
the morning, and at Mr. Samuel Mann's in the afternoon ;
to a very attentive collection of people in both places.
Came home on Monday with Mr. Jaudon. Tuesday
evening held society for Mr. Burch's people. Wednesday
evening preached for Dr. Green. Thursday evening at
Kensington. Friday evening for Dr. Alexander, at Mrs.
Casdrup's, Southwark,

2d Sabbath of June — Preached in the prison in the
morning, and at the First Baptist meeting in the after-
noon. Monday went to Camden, and held meeting in
the evening there. On Tuesday went to Haddonfield,
and was refused by the Quakers to hold meeting in a
school-house, belonging to one of them in the town. We
had to go to one back of the town, in a heavy rain, where
the people attended well. From there to Moorestown,
where we were received by Mr. Harris, and held wor-
ship at his house. In the evening he conveyed us to
Mount Holly, where we held worship afternoon and
evening. Mr. Richards sent us in his carriage to Bur-
lington, where I staid and preached.

3d Sabbath — Morning and evening at the Methodist
meeting, and afternoon at the Baptist. Monday after-
noon and evening at Bristol.

Thursday, 16th July — Rode to Lancaster, and went
to Lititz, a Moravian town, to see their order.

3d Sabbath of the month— Preached in the Presbyte-
rian meeting-house in Lancaster, morning and afternoon,

ill

iji

MEMOIRS OP THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBITRN.

and was kindly received. Tuesday evening, preached
tit Columbia^ in a handsome new meeting-house, to a
lai^e congregation, who were very attentive. Thursday
evening, preached in a new school-house at New-Haven
*^a rainy night, but the people attended better than could
be expected. Returned to Columbia, and had society at
Mr. M'Kissick's house, on Friday evening, and at Mr.
Beaty's on Saturday evening ; people very attentive.

4th Sabbath — ^Preached three times in the new meet-
ing-house at Columbia, to full congregations ; the people
were very attentive and solemn. Monday evening, held
society at Dr. M'Corkle's. Tuesday went down the
river on a raft of boards, to a town called Washington,
where a sermon had never been preached before, and
had a meeting in an unfinished house. The people
crowded the place, and some sat on the joists oyer our
heads; the floor not being laid. Some were very attentive,
others, out of doors, were noisy, and generally very care-
less. Returning in the. n<ght in a gig, the gentleman who
drove, ran against a stump and overset. We were both
thrown out, but I escaped unhurt, and had neither bruise
nor mark. He was very little injured, nor the carriage.
Wednesday evening, held society at a Mrs. Houston's,
who had long been confined to her house, and Was in
connexion with the Quakers.

1st Sabbath in August — Preached three tinges in the
new church in Columbia. Monday evening, held society
at a Mrs. Ralston 's, and afterwards gave an exhortation
and prayer at Mr. Ring^s, at the stage and ferry house.
Tue^ay afternoon, preached at Mr. Pettit's, at the sign
of General Wayne. Wednesday at Downingtown, where
many attended. Thursday, came home in the stage, and
found all safe and in good order. Bless the Lord, oh my
soul ! and all my powers join to praise and thank him
for all his favors to me, a poor, unworthy, unprofitable,
servant.

5th Sabbath — Preached at Abington in the morning,
catechised the children, and attended a funeral there ;
and in the afternoon preached in a school-house at Miles-
town.

September, the 1st Sabbath—Preached in the afler-

■i.:i

MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBURN.

uonn at New-Brunswick, in New- Jersey, to a large con-
gregation. Monday evening, at a private house. Tues-
day evening, at Mrs. Mier's. Wednesday evening, at
Tvlr. Seymour's school-house. Thursday evening, in Dr.
Clark's meeting-house. Friday, came away with Mr.
Guest and my brother, to see one John Williams, who
has long been locked fast in body, with the rheumatism,
and brought to know the Lord, and can now sing his
praise in the midst of bodily distress, in an astonishing
manner.

2d Sabbath — Preached morning and afternoon at Bris-
tol, in the Episcopal church, to a very attentive people.
Mr. M'Elroy read the prayers, and I went home with
him. Monday, preached near his house, to a very atten-
tive assembly. Tuesday, preached again at a few miles'
distance, and on Wednesday returned home.

2d Sabbath of October — Preached both parts of the
day at Pine street church. On Monday went on a secoii4^
tour appointed by Presbytery. Mr. Burch being unwell^'
I had to go alone. Preached in the evening at Camden,
and had to walk next day to Haddonfield. It being their
election time, I could get no stage or carriage. Preached
ui the evening in a school-house, and paid a woman for
cleaning it. Was taken next day to Moorestown ; preach-
ed at Mr. Edward Harris's, who entertained me kindly,
and sent me on next day in his carriage to Mount Holly;
preached there, afternoon and evening, in the Baptist
meeting-house. Went from there in a stage to Burlington,
and preached again on Friday evening, and from there
home.

3d Sabbath — Preached for the poor in the bettering-
house.

41h Sabbath of November — Preached at the hospital.
Monday evening, spoke in a society of our polite ladies,
who usually meet by themselves. Wednesday evening,
spoke in Pine street meeting. Thursday evening, in a
society belonging to St. Paul's church. Friday evening,
in Southwark society. Saturday evening, at Mr. Jaudon's.

6th Sabbath — Preached at the bettering-house ; the
people were very attentive, and some pious women much

'■.■Il

MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBURN.

■S.' !

comforted. In the evening, went to hear Mr. Fisk at the
Academy.

4th Sabbath of February, 1813 — Preached at the hos-
pital. The managers, and steward, with his family, and
a lai^er collection than ever before, attended.

3d Sabbath of March — Supplied at Pine street church,
morning and afternoon, and was much oppressed in body,
and with pain in my breast. On Thursday, went up to
New-Hope to supply, by direction of Presbytery. Preach-
ed there on Friday evening, and on Sabbath day.

4th Sabbath — Preached in the new meeting-house.
On Monday afternoon, at Mr M'Nairs', and from house
to house ; and on Wednesday afternoon at 'Squire Ing-
ham's house. Returned home Thursday evening. Fri-
day evening, spoke for Mr. Joice in his society.

1st Sabbath in June — Preached for Dr. Clark. On
Tuesday evening in a private house. Wednesday, went
to New- York, And was sick at the Rev. Mr. Brodhead's
one day. Friday, went to Amboy, and preached in the
evening, in th«i Presbyterian meeting-house.

2d Sabbath — Preached both parts of the day in the
same place; the people were very attentive; the militia
were encamped before the church ; the trumpeter stood
clerk, and officers all attended.

3d Sabbath of August — Preached at Solesbury, up the
Delaware ; again on Thursday, at the same place, and
from house to house through the week ; and attended a
funeral.

4th Sabbath — Preached at Newtown to a lai^e and
attentive congregation ; went in the afternoon six miles,
and attended a lai^e funeral, and spoke there. I hope
the Lord directed and blessed this journey.

Thursday, 9th of September — The humiliation day.
I preached in the morning and evening, to an attentive
and solemn people, in Crown street church.

2d Sabbath — Attended again at Crown street. Mr.
Sergeant preached in the morning, and I in the afternoon.
I then informed them that the Rev. Mr. Brodhead, whom
they had invited to be their minister, was coming.

3d Sabbath — Preached in the morning at Abington,

■i;i

MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBURN.

and gave an exhortation in the aflernoon at Hatborough
or Lollards Academy, and went next day to a camp-meet^
ing at Neshaminy. Wednesday evening, preached in the
North Meeting ; had a favourable time.

October, 1st Sabbath — Went to the lazaretto ; preached
in the afternoon from Isaiah iii. 10, 11,*^ Say to the right*
eous,** &c. ; the people attended well, and desired meet-
ing again in the evening : we met again in the evening ;
attended to the 20th chapter of John generally.

2d Sabbath in October — Attended the communion in
Crown street church in the morning, in the afternoon
prcaclied to the poor at the bettering-house ; visited some
that were very sick, and one died while we were in prayer
by the bed-side.

November, the 2d Sabbath — Lectured at the bettering-
house on the 11th chapter of Luke, the first 13 verses;
the people attended well.

3d Sabbath — Attended there again, and preached frcnn
Jeremiah viii. 20 — " the harvest is past," &c." Monday
evening attended a society of ladies, as I had done the
Monday evening before ; gave an exhortation, sung, and
prayed, each evening. They were both solemn seasons.
Tuesday evening attended a meeting for young people.
The place was much crowded, and much weeping among
them. I found it hard to dismiss them. Wednesday evening
preached for Dr. Holcombe in the First Baptist meeting
house.

4th Sabbath — Gave an exhortation and prayed in St.
George's Methodist meeting, after Mr. Cooper had
preached; in the afternoon I preached at the hospital and
prayed. Mr. Richards attending there, gave an exhorta-
tion. Monday evening attended the ladies' meeting.
Tuesday evening attended Crown street society ; spake
from Matthew xi. 28 — ^''Come unto me," &c.\ there was
a remarkable moving among the people ; nor would they
go away when dismissed ; and I had to give an exhorta-
tion again.

December, 1st Sabbath — Preached at the poor-house,
on the rich man and Lazarus. As there had been a uni-
versal preacher preaching there, I thought that passage
the best reply to his doctrine.

;i>.

'':i\

mi-

{5'i''ii;;.i

1'^':'

W :l t

■ r» ■ *

4l|^ MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBURN.

February, 1st Sabbath — Preached for the poor; attend
ed societies through the week.

2d Sabbath — The public institutions were supplied
by those who offered their services ; attended a funeral,
and spake in the house ; spake at societies through the
week.

3d Sabbath — Preached at the north church in the
morning, attended the communion at Arch street, and
assisted at the prison in the afternoon with Mr. Warren ;
attended societies every evening this week.
fi 4th Sabbath — Preached at the poor-house, and attended
societies as usual through the week.

May, 5th Sabbath — In my way to the lazaretto stopped
at Kingsess church, where a large audience met, but no
preache: came ; I was therefore requested to preach, by
the vestry, and the Lord, I hope, did direct and assist me
— ^may his blessing follow ; preached again in the after-
noon at the lazaretto.

June, Ist Sabbath — The elders of Pine street church
began worship in the court-house. I attended them in the
afternoon, and preached at Spring Garden in the evening.
Tuesday evening attended for Mr. Brodhead. Wednesday
evening for Mr. Skinner at his society.

2d Sabbath — Preached in the bettering-house. Tues-
day and Wednesday evenings as before.

3d Sabbath — Preached in the Baptist meeting at
Lower Dublin in the morning, and at the school-house,
near the Fox Chase, in the afternoon. Wednesday even-
ing for Mr. Skinner, and Thursday evening back of Arch
street church.

4th Sabbath — Preached at Camden in a school-house ;
the people very attentive.

The last Sabbath of June — Dr. Read of Wilmington
wrote for me to come and assist him, as there appeared
to be a revival of religion, and he was unable to attend
to the duties of the church. Mr. Joyce and myself went
and found much attention; he staid but two days; we had
frequent meeting early in the morning, conversing through
the day, and public worship ewery evening.

1st Sabbath in July — Preached for Dr. Read; Inde-
pendence day united with the Baptists and Methodists,

III

MBMOiRS OF THS RET. JOnpR EA8TBITBN.

and held worship morning,, aflerooon^ and «1%xutig, to*
getber, in the dinerent inec!iing-hou8ea,>wheB tke-peopld
attended well, and highly approved bavin^ won&iy in-
stead of parade. Thursday evening attenikd mtiet^g it
Mr. YoungV Friday evening at Ne!i¥-Caitie ; &$ meft*
ing very soiietnnk: . -,. . ^.i^^i.-..

2d Sabbath — Had worship at five oVlock in the inoni^
ing at-WiJjnington, at ten ako, and ^br6e in the aftemooii.
Mr. John Latta preached in .the eveiiiiig; returned hdmtf
on Monday by water ; had some good inclined men in the
packet, and a pleasant passage. Tuesday eVefiitig spi^ke
and prayed in Mr. Brodhead^s society ; but my br^sliwas
so sore wi<& much exercise, I did not ei^age. again tiiirou^
the week, bat visited the sick as called wv.

November^r l^^^i ^^t Sabbatb-'^Teached at t^e ho^
pital. ' . • ,

3d Sabbath-^Assisted Mr. Dpk6iri:themonnog,attefidi»^
ed at the north meeting-house for .Mr. Fattera6i4'#a|ft
preaclwd £Mr tit^ poor in^tlte aftea^^^opo, - - .:' "

On Friday #a3 sent for hymy brother, at Bnm»i«k]^
.who was yn^ sick. ,/; •

^d Sikbiaath---Pfeacfaed in Branswick momiiig and
afternoon ; Monday evening at the landing, and Fridaj
evening at Trenton.

- 4th Sabbatli — Preached at Mr. Rose's above Tirentoa,
and Monday evening in town; Tuesday returned home
and found all safe, thank the Lord; attended Mr. Brodr
bead^s society the same evening; so many attended, and
placje confined, that the candles were near going out for
want of good air.

January, 1815, began on Sabbath day — Preached to
the poor in the bettering-house from LukexiH. particular^
on the barren fig-tree; and had humbling views of my-
self; attended societies in the week, and preached a pre-
paratory sermon for the communion in Mr. Brodhe&d^
meeting-house, from Micah vi. 6, first part.

April, the 4th Sabbath— Preached at the state-bouse
from Hebrew x. 38 — " the iust shall live," &c. -

5th Sabbath — ^Preached lor the poor at their house.

May, the 1st Sabbath— Spoke at the hospital; the
steward conducted me to every ward where the people

1 '• - ';l,

Mi
i; i

4l!

it BttMOnUI OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBURlf.

W6re in their seDSes, and I gave an exhortation in each,
and prayed in one as general for all, and for the institu-
tion ; by this method more had an opportunity of hearing,
than if I had held worship only in the large ward; through
each week attended societies, and spoke in different places
at funerals, and had constant calls to visit those who were

■ick.

Jane, 1st Sabbathr— Preached for Dr. Row at Wood-
bridge, morning and evening, and in Brunsv^ick on Thurs-
day evening.

:2d Sabbath — Preached in Brunswick, morning and
afternoon, and attended a society in the evening with the
Low Dutch. Monday evening preached at the landing.
Tuesday evening at my brother's house. Wednesday even-
ing in the meeting-house at Princeton, and visited the stu-
dents. Thursday morning prayed with them in the hall ;
many were very serious. Friday evening held a meeting
tnTfrenton* < . -, '

3d Sabbath — Preadied at Penington for. Mr. Roe, and
in the afternoon at the river meeting. Monday evening
in Trenton again. Tuesday, June the 30th, 181^, returned
home, and found all safe and in good order; thanks to my
heavenly Father for all his mercies.

4th Sabbath of September — Preached at Providence
meeting-house above Norristown in the morning, and
attended a funeral there and spoke at the grave ; in the
afternoon preached at Norristown, and lectured in the
evening in a private house to a very attentive peoj^e ;
came home on ])londay, and found all well. Tuesday even-
ing delivered a lecture in a lai^e society connected with
Crown street congregation ; this week had many calls to
visit sick in different places.

October, 1st Sabbath — Preached in the Independent
Tabernacle from Luke xii. 32. Fear not, little flock, for
it is your father, &",.

2d Sabbath — i* ttended the Lord's Supper with Dr.
Brodhead's congregation, and preached for them in the
afternoon. Tuesday evening attended the society. Thurs-
day was sent for to Wilmin^on to assist at the communion
in Dr. Read's congregation, he being sick; preached on
Friday evening and Saturday afternoon. r v ; w^

MEMOIRS OP THE RBV* JOSEPH EASTBVRN.

3d Sabbath — Joined in the coinmunion,gave an addresii
at the close and prayed and preached in the afternoon,
and gave an exhortation, and pra3Fed at night after Mr.
Bell had preached ; came home on Mond^, aiid fouiid
all safe ; tnanki to my dear heavenly Father for all his
mercies to a poor unworthy worm.

New- Year day, 1816 — belirered an address to the
younp people of Dr. Brodhead^s congregation ; in the
evening joined Dr. Wilson in a public prayer meeting tn
his church. Tuesday evening shoke for him in a society.

1st SabbatL — Preached in the Tabernacle; att^ded
societies through the following week.

2d Sabbath ofFebruary — Preached ibr the poor at their
house ; attended Mr. Purves^s son Alexander, ten yean
old, who experienced a remarkable change in the close
of life, clear conviction of sin, believing views of salva-
tion through Jesus, and full assurance of- eternal -happi-
ness, in the course of four days. - \ • ^
. 3d Sabbath — Preached at the faospitd ; HA k laTg^ apd
attentive bellection of the lame, halt^ and blind.

1816. Aftil, i^eSd Sabbath— Preached in the Sitth
Presbytelrian Chiircfi.

4th Sabbath — Preached in the morning in the Taber-
nacle, and in the afternoon in the hospital. '

May, Ist Sabbath — ^Preached to a large collectioh of
children,' and visited several people sick and in distress
of mind— attended a collection otadults who were learn-
ing to read, on Monday evenihg,and delivered an address
and prayed with them, and spoke in societies every even-
ing through this week. '^

1817. January, 3d Sabbath — Preached in the Second
Reformed Dutch Church, in the afternoon, and assisted
Dr. Janeway in the evening.

4th Sabbath — So unwell as not to he able to go from
home all day — confined to my house all the week.
Febniary, 1st Sabbath — Still unwell. -- -^ $

2d do.— Still obUged to keep in my house, ^'''^'^^^y^^
3d do. — -Not out H-om home all day. ~ "^

4th do. — ^Attended a prayer meeting in the morning,
and the Gooununion in the Second Presbyterian Church

70 MEMpIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBURN.

—assisted Dr. Neal in the afternoon, and Dr. Janewaj
at night.

April, Ist Sabbath — Preached to the children belong-
. ing to the Sunday Schools — ^in the evening, assisted Dt.
Janeway. Monday afternoon preached to a great collec-
tion of children in Mr. Patterson *s meeting-house, and
attended a prayer meeting in the evening. Tuesday even-
ing spol^e and prayed in Dr. Brodhead^s meeting. Wednes-
day evening preached for Dr. Neill in Spruce street.
Friday evening assisted Dr. Jane way.

1817. Made my report to Presbytery.

3d Sabbath in April — Preached in the First Presby-
terian Church, in the Northern Liberties, to a great col-
lection of children and others — ^very attentive, and some
much affected — in the evening assisted Dr, Jane way.

July, Ist Sabbath-— Was distressed in the momine with
a bowel complaiipt and very sick stomach, but was relieved
just in time to go and preach in the north Presbyterian
Church, Mr Patterson being away, when I was favored
with divine assistance — addressed a lai^e collection of
children of the Sabbath School in the afteroi^n, at half

East two o'clock — attended worship after at Dr* Brod-
ead's Church, and spoke in the evening in a society of
the Baptists in Fromberger's court.

November, the 1st Sabbath — Preached a charity ser-
mon in Mr. Patterson's meeting in the Northern Liber-
ties for the Sunday Schools — attended at the hospital in
the afternoon, and assisted Dr. Brodhead in the evening.
2d Sabbath— Preached in the State prison to a great
number of prisoners from the 1 6th of Luke, from the 1 9th
^o the end—some of them at first appeared very careless,
but afterward they were very attentive, and many of tliem
seemed to be much affected and wept. .,«,»i

„:jGood Friday supplied for the Moravians at their minis-
ter's request. i t ; / » \,
4th Sabbath — Preached morning and afternoon at
Frankford. Monday preached to a great collection of
children in Mr. Patterson's meeting, supposed to be above
1500. Tuesday evening preached in the Methodist meet-
ing by request. Wednesday evening for the Baptist in |be
First meeting-house. j -:

fffi

■ ?■! , t>''

- -)»!r**

MEMOIftS OF TBE REV. JOBfiPH EASTBUfiN.

eir miais-

5th Sabbath— ^Preached again both parts of the daj ^t
Fraukford, and assisted Dr. Janeway in the evenine.

April) Ist Sabbath — Preached for the Afiricans in the
morning, and at the hospital in the afternoon.

July 4th — ^Held meeting in the morning with a Baptist
society, and in the afternoon with tiie Presby tenant — sdso
in the erening.

1st Sabbath — Preached in the navy-yard iii the morn-
ing — attended a funeral in the afternoon, and assisted
Dr. Janeway in the evening.

November, the Ist.Sabbath — Was at Evesham in the
morning — assisted in public worship there — preached in
Moorestown in the afternoon and evening to a very
attentive congregation. This visiting in Jersey to be men-
tioned to the Presbytery; they appointed Mr. Burch and
myself to visit Camden, Haddonfield, Moorestown, Mount
Holly, and Burlington, in 181^. Mr. Burch went but on^j^
There have si^ce been four meetins-hou^ built vi^fief'e t
have attended. Two mUes beyond Wool i ^jm a, at a laige
school-house,* 'womeo catted upon '
worship often there.

^ Sabbath — Preached morning.
Falls of SchuylkiU. ^ ' ''

January 1st, 1819— Preached

ist Sabbath— Assisted Mr. Pa
preached for the children o{ ih
Seceder's meeting in Spruce str©«
M'Cartee prayed last.

2d Sabbathk— Preached for Mr.
in the morning ; assisted Dr. Brodhead at his communion
immediately after; assisted Mr. Patterson in the after-
noon, and spoke for Dr. Holcombe's people in the even-
ing ; had a solemn time.

3d Sabbath — Attended the communion with Dr. Wil-
son, and preached for him in the afternoon ; assisted Dr.
Janeway in the evening.

March, the 1st Sabbath — Assisted Mr. Patterson at his
communion in the morning, attended a Sabbath School
in the evening, where a number of Jewish children attend,
and some of their parents.

2d Sabbath — Preached in the hospital, visited many

iii7tojbav&

at Uie

the momins;

School in the

afternoon. Mr.

at Spring Garden

''l'* u

« '.

it-

MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EA8T0URN.

lick, and distributed tracts; rend one publicly. A ladj
who had, when chained to the floor, retjucsted me to
pray, was now restored to her reason ; assisted Dr. Jane-
way in the evening ; both of us sj)okc and prayed.

July, 1st Sabbath — Assisted at Mr. Patterson *s in the
mominc; preached for the poor in the afternoon; at night
ai usual.

2d Sabbath — Assisted Dr. Brodhcad at his communion
in the morning, and Dr. Jancway at night; attended many
meetings in the week.

3d Sabbath — Preached in the Seccder's meeting in
Spruce street in the morning for Mr. M^Cartee ; at the
hospital in the afternoon, and assisted Dr. Janeway at
night.

4th Sabbath — Preached at Haddonfield in the morn-
ing, at Moorestown in the afternoon. Monday evening at
Mount tioWy, '!^uesday preached a funeral sermon there ;
prea^ed at Burlington on Wednesday evening.

August, th^CUt Sabbath — Attended a funeral in the
mofniQg tc^ gH^ FVee Quaker^s burying ground ; preached
in the jjSSJ/K^^^ the Orphan Asylum; W|B(ktber .very

cbed morning and afternoon at tlte

3d Sab^
Falls 6f
4th Sabba

men, mommg
and conducted vi

;k>ber — Began preaching to the sea-
^rnoon ; many attended both times,
^ell. Some were affected.

Having traced jKlife and ministerial services of Mr.
Eastburn to the period when he began to preach to the
mariners, to whom he afterwards devoted his stated
labors, it may be proper to make a few remarks on his
journal, and to notice more particularly some events of
which he takes only a cursory notice. Of the journal his
particular friends and acquaintance will probably wish
for more, and others may think that too much has already
been given. Not a fourth part of what he wrote has
been extracted. In selecting the parts which appear, the
design has been to present a fair specimen of the whole,
and to show in how many different places and on what a
variety of occasions this faithful mmister of Christ was

MEMOIRS or THB RBV. JOSBHl EASTBCtlt.

eni)>Io)'cd in his MasterV pcrvice. Except when lickneM
prevented — and it was onFv to serious illness tliat he ever
yielded — scarcely a sabbath passed, in which he did not
cngHge twice, or thrice, and occasionally four times, in
some public religious exercises, beside many visits paid
in the intervals of worslnp to the sick and tlie atOicted.

On the sabbath on which bix belu>^d wife expired, we
find that he preached in the morning, and attended her
dcttth-bed in the afternoon. Iler complaint was a decline,
80 gradual ihat the time of her departure ceuld not be
foreseen, either by herself or others. She was probably
not in appearance more likely to expir6, on the day on
wliich sne actually breathed her last, than on many that
had preceded it. There was, therefore, no want of sym-
pathy, or attention, on his part, in leavings her for two or
three hours in the morning, that his public usefulness,
which it was her desire as well as his to consult, might
be interrupted as httle as possible. The only xv^ittea
memorial which he has left of his wife is that quoted from
his journal, which in the maouscript is surrounded by
broad black lines. The following irjscription appears on
a monumental stone, whicJi he 'Caused to be erected over
her grave — ' v

In memory of Ann Fastburn, ' • '"Si

The wiA) of Joseph Eastburn ;

Who departed this life,

1^ In the Aill astiurariue of her eternal happiness, ^^

Wb^ Through the merits of Jesus Christ, * k

1.. The 2d day of June, 18U,

Aged 66 years.

The following letter from her a^ed brother, on the
occasion of her death, bears a pleasmg testimony to the
excellence of Mr. Eastburn^s character as a husband and
a friend —

"Dear Brother — I received your letter, which an-
nounced the death of my last and most beloved sister :
and though it is inherent in human nature to mourn the
departure of our dear and valued friends, yet when we
call to mind her advanced age, her long and painful illness,
her resignation and desire to be removed, we must ac-
quiesce in the dispensation of that kind providence,
which hath taken her from this life of pain and misery, to

MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBURN.

Ill' J

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t '

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H , i ''■1 i

the enjoyment of an eternity of bliss, in the presence of
the God whom in this life she loved and adored. Yet but
a short time, and we. shall follow. The longest human
life is but a short space of time, and we may consider our-
selves verging on the close — ^particularly myself, who am
a number of years older than you. I can perceive my
faculties, both bodilv and mental, rapidly on the decline.
M^ sated appetite ^>r what is called the |pod things of
this life, has often reminded me of old Barzillai^s reply
to king David, when invited by him to spen^he remain*
der ofnis life at court

f " Please to tender my best respects to Mrs. Hall, if she
still lives, and let me know, from time to time, how you
and my other friends pre : for be assured I shall always
regard with sentiments of esteem and friendship, the man
who has, for so many years, been the tender and indul-
gent husband of my dear departed sister.
-ffw...^ ' " Your affectionate brother,

" Wm. Owen.
Sullivan County, Aug, 17^1911 »

'* Mr. Joseph Eastbubn." -*'

«i

On the death of his wife, Mr. E. relinquished alto
gether his mechanical occupation. The expense neces-
sarily incurred by her long illness having now ceased, he
found that his income from the investments in public
stocks, which his industry and economy had enabled hifh
to make, was fully adequate to his own comfortable sup-
port, and also for contributing to the support of an aged
and necessitous sister, as well as to some public charities
of which he highly approved. From this period therefore,
he devoted his time exclusively, and with augmented
assiduity, to his evangelical labors.
' That part of the German Calvmist church in Philadel-
phia, to whom the English language had become more
familiar and intelligible than that of their ancestors, dis-
satisfied with attending on the preaching of the gospel in
what was to some of them almost " an unknown tongue,^'
separated from their brethren in the year 1 809, and form-
ed a society by themselves. They at first me\ 'jt worship
in a large public hall, in what was then and still is usually

MEMOIRS OF TFIE REV. JOSPJ>I| EASTBURN.

known by the name of the Old Academy. They ap^iYied
to Mr. Lastburn to preach to Ihcin statedly, and it ap-
pears from his journal that he did so, from the latter part
of July, 1&09, till December of the same year, when the
Rev. James K. Burch, to whom they had given an invi-
tation, arrived among them. This people, who have since
become a flourishing congregation, in connexion with
the Reformed Dutch Church, have always considered
Mr. Eastburn as, in a sort, the father and founder of their
religious society. When his stated labors among them
terminated, they addressed to him a very affectionate
letter, containing the sum of one hundred dollars, which
they begged him to accept, not as. a remuneration of his
services, but as the expression of their sense of obligation
to him, for what he had done to promote their spiritual
interests. He immediately sul)scribed and paid over this
sum to their treasurer, to aid the congregation in building
their church. To the end of life he was peculiarly af
tached to thifr people, and was much be.oved by them.

The Sixth rref^yterian Church in Phiindelpbia was,
in like manner, greatly indebted, in it& infant state, to the
faithful labors of this devoted man of God. While they
worshipped, in the court-house of the city, before the
erection of the church edifice which they now occupy,
he scarcely ever failed to minister to tlieni publicly, when
they were not otherwise supplied : and his kind and as-
siduous attentions in visiting their sick, and in attending
funerals and speaking at the grave, gave him a strong hold
on their affections, which he retained to the last. For
a series of years, indeed, he seemed to be considered a
kind of common property of the whole religious com-
munity, in the region where he was known. If an efibrt
was to be made to establish religious worship, in a place
where it had seldom or never been known — ^if appearances
indicated that a revival of religion was commencing — if
a destitute portion of country called for some occasional
preaching— if extraordinary services were required at
sacramental seasons — if a minister of the gosi)el, by rea-
son of sickness or infirmity, could not perform his ordinary
duties — if addresses were to be made on exliaordina ry
occasions — on all these and numerous other occurrences,

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MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBURN.

Fatlier Eastbum was always looked to, and ahvays, if
compliance was possible, he cheerfully undertook, and
most acceptably performed, the services to which he was
called. Such was the tenor of his life, till he in a measure
became stationary, as stated preacher in the Mariner^s
Church.

-r'f^-'

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■^^tm -^f\<f^ CHA1?TER. VI. -^■fr'

Continues to preach to the sailors^ and in various other
p places — sickness and death — reflections,

Mr. Eastburn, as appears from his journal, began to
preach statedly to the Mariners toward the close of the
month of October, 1819. At the opening for worship
of the buildings now known as the Mariner's Church of
Philadelphia, a compendious narrative was given of all
the measures which had previously been adopted, in that
city, for the religious benefit of seamen; and of those
efforts in particular which had issued in the erection of
that edifice. This narrative, which was printed and
published as a report to the public, it seems proper to
insert entire, in these memoirs. It contains a short but
authentic history of the commencement, progress, and
completion of an establishment, of which Mr. Eastburn
may justly be considered as the founder : for although
the liberality of the religious public, and the zealous ex-
ertions of several pious and public-spirited individuals,
were concerned, and were indeed essential, in bringing
this establishment to maturity, yet the labors of Mr.
Eastburn gave origin, animation, and effect to the whole.
The narrative will also make known, as it ought to do,
to all who may read these memoirs, the benevolence and
liberality of some of the chief patrons of the Mariner's
Church in Philadelphia ; as well as exhibit one of the
happiest and most important efforts of Mr. Eastburn, in
his incessant solicitude and unwearied activity in the
cause of his divine Master. The narrative is as fol-
lows: — . -

'Memoirs or i^k rev. josbph EAffrBuuf. 77

<* The third Sabbath in October, 1824, was fixed upou
by the Committee for opening the Mariner^s Church in
Philadelphia. The da^ wsEs very fine, and the house %vm
filled at an early hour with seamen and their famifiesi
and many citizens who jfelt an interest in the sailors^ wel*
fare. It was supposed that 1200, at Ieast» formed the
congregation, and many persons who went to the church
were not able to gain admittance. The dedicatory ser-
vices in the morning were performed by the venerable
Joseph Eastburn, assisted by the Rev. James Patter-
son, of the Northern Liberties ; and in the afternoon a
sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. Brodhead.
After the concluding prayer in the morning, Robert
Ralston, Esq. rose and remarked, that it had been con-
sidered proper, on this occasion, to make known the
commencement and progress of exertions for the benefit
of mariners in this city, and for that purpose he read the
following statement : —

" The first public service for the Mariner^s Church in
the port of Philadelphia, was performed on the third Sab-
bath of October, 1819, in the sail-lofl of Mr. Jaccb Dun-
ton, (who generously offered the same gratuitously) by
the Rev. Joseph Eastburn ; this discourse was from the
31st and 32d verses of the 107th psalm, * O that men
would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his won-
derful works to the children of men ! Let them exalt
him also in the congregation of the people, and praise
him in the assembly of the elders.' — The Rev. Mr. Joyce
being present, also made an address, which, with ^he
discourse, afforded the greatest satisfaction. From five
to six hundred persons were present, of which, at least,
one-half the number, including masters of vessels, were
mariners. On the following Sabbath, a Sunday School
was opened, between the morning and afternoon services,
which hat continued, and now numbers on the roll, one
hundred and sixty children.

The worship continued in the sail-loft until the month
of July, 1822, when a removal was made to the lecture
room of the Second Presbyterian Church, in Cherry
street, where the audience has generally been crowded,
and the attendance of the mariners as numerous as could

!!•

, f

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78 MEMO1R8J0F T^ RET. JOSEPH EASTVtIJtM.

be expected, at & distsnce so far remold irofo the
water,- \::■^y^•if^ . ■•; x.,,^«i^.-,,V;1 V,?; W

In the tnoi^lh of June, 1823, an agreement was enter-
ed into by a few citizens with the directors of the bank
of North Anierica, for the lot now occupied as the site
of the church, seventy-five feet front on Water street,
and sixty-one and a half feet deep, for which the sum of
eight thotisand dollars was to be paid, subject to a lease
of the .tenant, then in possession. The contract being
made, by which a Jot was thus secured, subscription pa-
pers were circulated for the purpose of raising the amount,
and which, at the close of a few weeks, produced nearly
the suui of $10,000. This furnished the means of com-
plying with the contract for the lot, by paying the eight
thousand dollars to the directors of the bank, seven hun-
dred dollars to the tenants for vacating the lease, and
leaving about twelve hundred dollars towards the erection
of a building. The conveyance for the lot, agreeably to
the direc|ior«s of those who were employed to solicit sub-
fiCriptioos, was made io Richard IHle, Samuel Archer,
and Robert Ralston, in trust, for the usse of Ihe mariaers
of the port of Philadelphia. - . •

On the 10th of April, in the present year, an agree-
ment was entered into with Mr. William Strickland, for
a brick building of the whole dimensions of the kit, two
stories high, constructed for warehouses ia the lower
story, and for a church in the second story, having a
ceiling eighteen feet high, a gallery in the south end, and
a pulpit, ^c. in the north — the building to be covered with
slate, and an observatory of twenty feet above the roof —
the whole of the materials and workmanship to be of the
best, and finished (without any additional expense) by the
middle of the ensuing month, (November,) for the sum
often thousand five hundred dollars.— To meet the pay-
ments tinder this contract, which were to be month!}' as
the building progressed, a loan for the sum of eight thou-
sand dollars was obtained from the Savings Fund So-
ciety, at an interest of five per cent, per annum, mort-
gaging the lot and building as security. The instalments
have all been regularly paid ; and agreeably to a stipula-
tion in the contract, the balance, after a release from all

.■I

MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBURN.

leases or claims for workmanship and materials furnished,
will be paid in a promissory note, at sixty days.

A statement herewith annexed, exhibits the contribu-
tions received from the citizens and insurance companies ;
the sums which have been received from the manners in
monthly contributions ; the sum obtained on loan ; and a
balance of interests arising from unoccupied funds. It
also exhibits the amount of payments for incidental ex-
penses — for attending to the care and cleaning of the
rooms used for worship — for the supply of books, &c. to
the Sunday School — for the payment of the lot and lease
— for the instalments on the building as far as they have
become due, — and for six months' interest on the money
borrowed — leaving a cash balance of $2152 52. A
credit taken for this balance, and debiting the payment
yet to be made for the building, with the loan and interest
to be paid on the 1 3th April next, will make an a^regate
of $9047 48, hereafter to be provided for.

The funds raised by contributions from the citizens,
and insurance companies, were the result of the exer-
tions of twenty-two committees, of two and three each,
who very diligently and successfully pursued their solici-
tations, until the amount was adequate to the cost of the
lot — The plan being to borrow for the erection of the
building, and calculating to extinguish the same by a
sinking fund, arising from the rents of the stores, and the
monthly contributions of mariners. From the first of
these sources, there will no doubt be a revenue of several
hundred dollars per annum ; and from the latter, if prop-
erly attended to by the owners and masters of vessels, a
considerable annual income also. To facilitate the last,
there has been prepared and circulated, a number of sub-
sciption books, designed to be brought to the notice of
the officers and crew after embarking, for the purpose of
subscribing donations and monthly contributions — to be
paid for the use of the church, at the end of the voyage.
From the experiment which has been made, this plan
promises to be productive, if it is properly attended to ;
and carries with it the conviction, that the funds will
come from an appropriate source, being from the mari-
ners themselves. The danger however of deferring the

,1 ^

MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBVRN.

•

extinguishment of the debt to the slow operation of the
rents and monthly contributions, induces a suggestion,
that there should be a renewal of the exertions on the
part of the citizens who formerly solicited, and of any
others feeling interested for the cause of the mariners —
who, making the calls general instead of partial, as was
the case before, may, in a short time, with other aids,
render the means equal to a final extinguishment of the
debt Hitherto the gospel has been free to the mari-
ners; and Whilst the venerable Pastor, so eminently

aualified to break the bread of life to them, remains to
ischarge his ministerial duties, it will continue to be fur-
nished without money and without price. To be pre-
pared however for a change, which sooner or later must
take place, is an additional reason, why exertion should
be made now, to render the institution entirely inde-
pendent

The reflections arising from a review of the peculiar
smiles of Providence attending the efforts using in favor
of tlie best interests of mariners, are calculated to fill
the mind with wonder and astonishment at the goodness
and mercy of the Lord. Surely it conveys the encour-
aging hope, that the set time to favor seamen is come.
The interest excited in their behalf, was simultaneous on
both sides of the Atlantic. Only seven or eight years
have elapsed since the public feeling has in any measure
been alive to this object ; and what has been the result,
both in Europe and America, since that period ? Bethel
Unions, Floating Chapels, Mariner'' s Churches, and Prayer-
Meeting Establishments, we hear of, from almost every
large sea-port Can this be any other than a supernatu-
ral influence operating at one and the same time, without
concert, without the knowledge of each other's exertions,
and yet, all tending to the same godlike work of benev-
olence — the salvation of the souls of poor neglected
mariners. In our own humble sphere, where has there
been more evidence of the favor, and the blessing of the
Lord ? — where a greater proof of the efEcacy of prayer,
than is witnessed by the continual solicitude of those de-
parting, for the prayers of the church — conveying a man-
ifest feeling of an humble dependence on the God of

MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBVRN.

«il

providence ? And where a greater evidence of the divine
favour, than is witnessed in the accommodation afibrded
hy the building, under the roof of which we are assem-
bled at this time ?

May we not also notice, and notice it with emotions
of grateful hearts, how the Lord has spared, and used as
an instrument for this new work, the smgularly qualified,
and eminently pious pastor of the Mariner's Church?
Nor should we omit to notice, the services rendered from
the commencement of this establishment by two of our
Christian brethren,* who undertook, and have conducted
the Psalmody of the Church, in the most acceptable
manner — till it pleased the Lord to call one from labour
to reward ;t and who, it is believed, will be recollected
by all the worshippers in the Mariner's Church, with ap-
probation and heartfelt regard."

[The church is situate on the east side of Water street,
between Chesnut and Walnut streets.]

October 16,1824.

Dr. The Marintr'M CAttrdk, tmth tJte CommittM $mptrimteniimg tJU AnUmjr, fce. Cr.

1824.

To cash paid the Directors
of the Bank of North
America, for lots, 8000

To Tenant for vacating
lease. 700

Incidental expenses of fuel, la-
bur, &.C. for five years, in the
rooms used by the Church.

Books, &c. for the Sunday
SchodI, including discount
for ib" exchange of uncur-
rent bonk paper,

Wm. Strickland for 7 instal-
m'tnts on building,

6. Billington for 6 months' in-
terest on loan of 8U00 dollars
at 5 per cent, per annum.

Balance, being cash in hand.

Balnnee of cont/act to be paid
Wm. Strickland,

Loan from Savings Fund So-
ciety, with six months' in-
terest, due 13th April. 1825,

dots, ct

8700

217

7500

900 00
215252

18845 82

3000.

8200

11300

1834

By smount of donationa
from individuals. 9094 39
Ditto, from Insur-
ance Companies. 90000

Monthly contribution from

Mariners,
Loan from Saving! Fund

Society,
Balance of interet<t by placing

out unoccupied funds,

-;;:•*«»

By balance brought down,
Balance which must be paid
by the 13th April, 1^,

Pkila. 16(A October, 1834.

doU.
094

800000
156 56

18845 82
2153 52
9047 48

11200 00

* Mr. John Harned, and Mr. Gilbert Gaw.
t Mr. Gaw departed this life, 27th March, 1824.

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MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBURN.

Among other letters which Mr. Eastburn had received

during the last week, and read at the meeting, was the

following from Capt. Tubbs.

Brig Commodore Barry, off" Cape
Henlopeny Oct. Wth. 1U24.

.. My VERY DEAR FRIEND, — Through the tender mercy
of our heavenly Father, we have proceeded thus far on
our vovage without accident, and all in good health.
The wind is fair, and very soon, if no accident happens,
will many waters roll between you and us ; and while
we are exposed to the dangers incident to the watery
element, may we never forget that God, who once said,
" peace, be still, and there was a great calm."

We are bound to a country where all are professed
Christians; still they hardly have the form, much less
the power of godliness — but Christ will one day (and
O may it not be long, before he will) destroy that man of
sin, with the bi^^htness of his coming.
jff^ To me, a seafaring life has become painful, not only
in the separation from one of the best of wives, but from
Christian society ; for I can say from my heart that I do
love all those who love the Lord Jesus Christ ; and in
my darkest hours that promise has never failed me, " We
know that we have passed from death unto life, because
we love the brethren ;" and I think I have realized the
promise more than once, " I will never leave thee nor
forsake thee !" — weeping may last for a night, but joy
comes in the morning. : .

I have the happiness to have with me this time two
pious souls — I believe my second officer and one man bc-
iore the mast ; and in fact they all appear to be fine
moral young men. — B^ divine permission I intend to es-
tablish the public worship of God on boards at least every
Sabbath^ the weather permitting : And I hope, my dear
father m Christ, indeed I am sure, we shall have your
fervent prayers, not so much for our temporal as for our
spiritual and eternal welfare. O how should this con-
cern every son and daughter of Adam ! " What will it
profit a man if he gain the whole world, and lose his
own soul ; or what will a man give in exchange for his

MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBURN.

soul,^^ is the language of Him who knows the worth of
immortal souls.

The pilot is calling, I must hid you adieu. Father,
pray for us ; we know that the effectual fervent prayer
of a righteous man availeth much. You have mj imper-
feet petitions daily — and may the God of all grace be
with you — may you have a Mariner's Church indeed,
built of lively stones, Jesus Christ himself being the chief
corner-stone, and grow up to a holy temple in the Lord
— are the sincere prayers of your affectionate friend, '

Calvin Tubbs.

Rev. Joseph Eastburn.

During the five years which elapsed, from the time
at which Mr. E. began to preach statedly to seamen, to
that at which the Mariner^s Church was opened, he per-
formed many occasional services in a variety of places.
A few extracts from his journal during this perioid, wlU
best exhibit the tenor of his life and hie ministenaJ en-
gagements.

1820. January, 1st Sabbath— Preached in the morn-
ing from Luke xiii. : The barren fig-tree. Many were af-
fected — in the afternoon from the 11th chapter, upon
prayer.

2d Sabbath — Preached in the morning from Deuter-
onomy xxxii. 29 : " O that they were wise." In the af-
ternoon from John i. 45 : " We have found him of whom
Moses," &c.

3d Sabbath — Preached in the morning from Isaiah iii.
10, 11 : "Say ye to the righteous." In the aflemoon
from Luke xiii. 24 : " Strive to enter in at the straight
gate."

4th Sabbath — Preached in the morning from Malachi
iii. : " Then they that feared the Lord," &c. In the after-
noon from John iv. : The woman of Samaria.

5th Sabbath — Preached in the morning from Daniel
v. : Belshazzar's feast and death. In the afternoon from
Luke XV., particularly the prodigal son.

March, 1st Sabbath — Preached in the morning from
Matthew xiv. 30 : " Lord save me." In the afternoon
from 1 Timothy iv. 8; Godliness profitable for all.

MEMOIBS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBURN.

■*'tU\

2d Sabbath— Preached from Revelations iii. 20: " Be-
hold I stand at the door," <SiC. In tlie afternoon a Mr.
Harned spok^ from Psalm xix. 13 : " Keep back," kc,

3d Sabbath — Mr. Thompson, formerly a sailor, spoke
from Luke ii« 14: "Good will to men." I preached in
the afternoon from Psalm xlvi. : ** God is our refuge."

May, Ist Sabbath — Preached in the morning from
Psalm xl. first three verses — was taken very sick on my
way home, but recovered so as to go again, and preached
in the afternoon from 1 Peter iv. 18 : "And if the right-
eous, &c."

2d Sabbath — Preached in the morning from Matthew
xi. 28 : " Come unto me," &c. Mr. Muhlenberg preached
from Luke xv. : The parable of the prodigal son.
-i 3d Sabbath — Mr. Bell preached in the morning from
1 John iv. 19 : "We love him because he first loved us."
In the afternoon Dr. M'Dowell preached from Luke xix.
10: " Foir the soh of man is come," &c»

4th Sabbath — At this time the General Assembly was
in session, and several assisted. Mr. Wisner preached
from Hebrews it. 3: "How shall we escape if^" &c.
Mr. William M'Dowell, from Mark xvi. 21 : " One thing
thou lackest"

June, 1st Sabbath — Mr. Calhoun preached from 1
Timothy i. 15: "This is a faithful saying." Mr. Hum-
phrey in the afternoon from Mark iii. 7 : Jesus going to
the sea.

2d Sabbath — Mr. John Hodge preached from Matthew
xi. 28 : " Come unto me all ye that labor," &c. I spoke
in the afternoon from Acts xxiv. 25 : PauPs reasoning be-
fore Felix.

July, 4th Sabbath — Mr. M'Innes preached in the
morning from Isaiah Ixiii.16. I preached in the afternoon
from Revelation xiv. 1 3 : " I heard a voice from heaven,'
&c. Monday went to Chester — Preached in the Episco-
pal church, by request of the Rev. Mr. Douglas, in the
evening. Tuesday went with him to Marcus Hook —
Preached there in the Baptist meeting-house — the peo-
ple were very attentive in both places. Wednesday went
to New-Castle — Preached in the evening in the Presby-
terian meeting; visited a charity school and several fami-

MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBURN.

lies, one woman ver^ poorly. Thursday came to Wil-
mington — Prearhed in the Presbyterian meetine for Mr.
Gilbert, preparatory to the communion; twelve were
mentioned to join.

5th Sabbath — Preached in the Mariner^s meeting in
the morning, from Psalm ix. 9, 10: "And they that
know thy name will put their trust in tliee." Mr. Dc-
wees preached in tlie afternoon from Matthew vii.: build-
ing on a rock and on sand.

August, 3d Sabbatli — Preached from Jonah iii. 2 : The
Lord sending him the second time to Nineveh. In the
afternoon from Matthew xxv.: The parable of the ten
virgins. An alarm of the yellow fever near the shore^
kept many away. The board of health seat an order
this week to stop our meetings. Upon this I went to
see my friends in Brunswick, and held meetings there.

4 th Sabbatli — Preached in the Presbyterian meeting-
house. Monday evening I went up to the landios, and
preached there. Tuesday evening in the . Methodis''
meeting in Brunswick. Wednesday evening for .the Bap-
tists. Thursday, being appointed by the General As-
sembly of the Presbyterian Church as a day of humilia-
tion, thanksgiving, and prayer, I preached morning and
evening in the meeting-house. Friday attended the fu-
neral of Mrs. Applegate, a worthy member. Saturday
came to Trenton and visited many of my friends there.

September, 1st Sabbath — Preached in the Presbyterian
meeting-house, and was favored with sweet freedom in
almost every exercise, and experienced great kindness
in every place. On Monday returned home and found
all safe. - ,

September, 2d Sabbath — Attended the communion in
the morning with Dr. Neil — Preached in the afternoon
at the Orphan Asylum, and in tlie evening for Dr. Jane-
way, in the society rooin,

3d Sabbath — Preached in the morning in Fort Mifflin
to the soldiers there ; in the afternoon in the garrison on
the shore, to the soldiers there ; many of the neighbours
around attended ; we held worship under the trees $ the
officers and men behaved well, and some were affected.
Wednesday went to Burlington, and preached in the even-

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MCMQIRS Ot THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBURN.

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iuff there. Tliuraday went to Moant Holly, and preach-
ed in the ereiUDg there.

4th Sabbath— S'reached in the morning in Haddonfield,
and in the evening in Moorestown; all places well at-
tendedk

:r October, Ut Sabbath — ^Preached in the Navy- Yard in
'the morning, and in the Hospital in the afternoon : good
attention in both.

2d Sabbath — Attended the Lord's Sapper with Dr.
Brodhead, and ga've an exhortation— Preached in the
afternoon for the poor in the Bettering House.

3d Sabbath-^Attended the Germans at the Academy
In the morning, who have English preaching ; in the af-
ternoon with the Moravians at their communion ; in the
evening with Dr. Janeway, in the society house.

4th Sabbatb-x^AsBifited Mr. M^lnnes in opening the

meeting in Thirteenth street, ki- the mornings attended

i^ild^'Meiftls to Ihe new Baptist meeting ground, and

Bieadied &e#e In the aftemboiribF Mr. Griffin, his wife

being one th»t was buried.

5m Sabbath — ^Attended a funeral to the Moravhin
ground^ and'spoke at the grave : preached in the aftei^
noonut tlite Orphan Asylum ; walked there and home.
' November, Ist Sabbath — ^Renewed the Mariner's meet-
ing. Preached in the morning from Hosea vi. 1 : " Come
and let us return." Dr. Brodhead -assisted me in the
afternoon : the meetings were crowded.

2d Sabbath' — Preached from a part of the 107th
Psaim, being a stormy dav, on sailors. Dr. Janeway
preached in the afternoon ^om 1 John ii. 3.

1821. January, 1st Sabbath — I spoke from John i. 45 :
"We have found him," &c. Mr. Kennedy in the after-
noon from Jude, 12th and 13th verdes.

2d Sabbath — Preached in the morning from 1 Chron-
icles xxviii. 9 : " And thou Solomon my son," &c. Mr.
Scott in the afternoon from John viii. 12: 'M am the
Kght of the world." Some sailors returned, who gave a
good account of a reformation.

3d Sabbath — A new flag was raised at the Mariner's
meeting, with stars, dove, and anchor. I spoke in the
morning from Hebrews vi. from the nth verse to the end.

MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBUSN.

Mr. Osburn, io the afternoon, upon our Lord^s iamentiog
over Jerusalem.

April, 3d Sabbath— 4'reached in the moniing from Jc^n
i. 10, li : *^He. came unto his owb,'^ &c. £&. JanewAj
in the afternoon (torn Romans viii. 6 : ** To be carnally
minded is death,^* 'kc. This week made mj report io the
Presbytery, and had prayer meetings on board different
vessels. '^^^ « «

-4th Sabbath — Mr. Osbum preached in the morning
from Matthew v. 6.. A Mr. Allen, just from London, in
the afternoon from fsaiah xlv. 22 : ** Look imto me,.''^ Sic,
I had to take a coDsidera1[>le part, in each of the meetines.
.5th Sabbath — Lectured on the first 10 verses of £e
12th chapter 2d Corinthians: PauPs vision of heaven.
Mr. Kennedy preached in the afternoon from Zechariali
ix. 12 : The strong hold. I had to speak afterwards, as
many appeared to be-^nder serious concern.

July, 5th Sabbath— Mr. Osburn in the momin^ii^ii%^
turedonthe 5th chapter to the Esh^ikiBi^ IbHowed.
In the afterhoonr 1 Bptake Urom Mlark v. 15: The man
possessed deliveped.

August, 1st Sabbadi^-I spoke from Hebrews ^. 24 :
"By faith, Moses, when he,^^ &c. Addressed Sabbath
schools between meetings, and assisted again in tiie Mar-
iner^s meeting in the afternoon. Mr. Kennedy spoke
from Isaiah xlii. 16.

2d Sabbath — Preached in the morning at sunrise in the
Northern Liberties. Mr. Osburn preached for ^e Mar-
iners at 10 oVlock, from Proverbs viii. 17. .1 spoke in
the afternoon from Matthew xiv. 30, last part : ** Lord
save me,^' &c. On Tuesday went to Princeton, and at-
tended the Theological Seminary in the evening. Wed-
nesday attended at the ordination of Mr. Stewart, and
went to Brunswick. ~ Thursday evening spoke in the
Presbyterian meeting. Friday went to New- York.

3d Sabbath — Preached morning and evening in the
Mariner's meeting. Monday evening had prayer meeting
on board a vessel at a wharf. Tuesday had worship on
board the ship Franklin 74. Wednesday evening in the
Mariner's church. Thursday evening spoke for Dn
Spring in a large session-house. Friday evening had a

■¥i

MCMOmS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBVRN.

prayer meeting on beard of a ship at the shore ; many
attended.

4th Sabbath — Preached morning and evening in the
Mariner^s church ; very crowded in the evening, and
very attentive. Monday visited the Orphan Asylum, and
gave* an address to them by the request of Divie Beth-
une, Esq., who kindly received me to his house, and
conducted me to many places. Tuesday returned to
Brunswick, preached there again on Wednesday evening,
and returned home.

November, Ist Sabbalh — ^Mr. Mead preached from
2 Timothy ii. 15 : " Study to show," &c. Mr. Kennedy
in the afternoon from Acts xi. 33 : ** Exhorting with pur-
pose of heart," &c.

3d Sabbath — I lectured on the 103d Psalih, as several
seamen had experienced deliverihg mercy. Mr. Wilmer,
an Episcopal minister, in the afternoon, from Isaiah Iv.

. ■■r'''^*..

si 9abti8&— 'I^^rteadbed from Galatians iii. 34 : ^ Where-
fore the hw is our achoohnaater,** &€• Mr. Kennedy
£rom Philippians iii. 3 : *^ We are the circumcieaon," &e.
Nineteen seamen signed their request to be remembered
this day in prayer.

1833. December, 5th and last Sabbath in the year —
Spoke from Jeremiah viii. 30. Mr. Osburn in the^ after-
noon from Isaiah Ivii. 31 : ^^ There is no peace," &c. I
read 'some interesting accounts of Ihe conversion of sea-
men. A quaker woman preacher requested hberty to
speak, and did.

1833. February, 4th Sabbathr—I spoke from 3 Cor.
viii. 9 : " For ye know the grace," &c., and attended the
communion in the 3d Presbyterian church. Dr. Bfod-
head spoke in the afternoon from Genesis vii. 1 : ^*Come
thou and all thy family into the ark," — we had much en-
couragement with the seamen all day — many appeared
deeply affected.

July, 1st Sabbath — Lectured on the 7th of Matthew,
particularly the 34th verse: A good foundation. Mr.
Osburn in the afternoon fron^ Joshua xxiv. 15: ^' As for
me I will serve the Lord."

3d Sabbath — 1 lectured on the 8tb of Romans, partic-

-*-«w

MEMOIRS OF TB£ REV. JOSEPH EASTBURN*

ularly the 14th vene: The leading of the Spirit Dr.
Saiigent assisted in the afternoon from the 138th Psalm.
On Tuesday I went to Trenton, and had meeting in the
Presbyterian meeting-houiBe mormng, afternoon, and even-
ing; several ministers attended a concert meeting; vent
with the Rev. Mr. Clark to Ftemington, tmd haA meet-
ings through the week in different DNuresi on Sahba^ I
spoke in Uie meeting-house in the aay, an^ at the eourt-
house in Ihe evening; many attended and some were
much affected, old and young ; went to Amwell ; preachi
ed in the Rev.-Mr. Kirkpatrick^s meeting-house and other
places ; on Saturday had meeting in the church at Flem-'
ington preparatory to the communion ; alao in the even-
ing. Sabbath morning at 6 o^clock — ^At half past lO,'
when the ordinance was attended, there wad half an
hour^s intermission, when I preached again; also in the
evening in the couit-house, and next dav in the meming,
when we had the most solemn and affecting m^^ti$fggSi^
ever saw. I then went^to NBrnntwkk» i pa l i l ttiN*
evenings there, and iMfeit the fint d«fof Ai^^ to New-
Yoik. On mfirB^ Sahbath I 8p<dce in the MarinerV
meeting^ there, morning and evening ; , many attended.
Monday evening attended the concert of prayer'With
Dr. Spring. Tuesday afternoon had meetii^ in the
Mariner^ church; several ministers attended, and in the'
evening had meeting on hoard a ship, which was well at-
tended. On Wednesday returned^ to Brunswick, spdce
there again, and returned home on Saturday^ and found
it safe. ':

September, Ist Sabbath-^Lectured on the 12th chap-
ter of 2 Corinthians. Mr. Abels, a mariner, assisted m
the afternoon. On Tuesday went towards New-Hope;
preached in the evening ; the next day at New>Hope in
the meeting-house, and mthe evening at a privates honse^
then went with the Rev. Mr. Clark, preached at different
places until we arrived at Flemington, and there again. '

2d Sabbath — Addressed the Sabbath school in the
meeting-house, and preached three times in it through the
day and evening ; had meetings daily around the country
in private houses. ,/j

3d Sabbath — Preached five miles from the town in ft

•■■•*

MEMOIRS OF TBfi BEY. JOSEPH EA8TBURN.

meetinff-faouse, and assisted in the evening in the town;
nett dajr preaehed in the meeting-hoiise, and afiec-
tioBately the people came upto bid me farewell^ but had
a serious meeting with some of them in the evening at
Mr. Clark'*8 house. Tuesda^y came back to New-Hope,
preached for Mr. SteadifoM in hit meeting in the after-
noon^and in an academy at night; next day at Mrs.
Neiy^s house in <he afternoon ; next morning in Solesbury
meeting«4iou8et and in the evening at Mr. WinekoopV
Friday returned home in. safety, and found it safe ; thanks
be to the Lord for all his goodness to a poor unworthy
creature. -

4th Sabbalh — Preached in the Manners^ meeting in
the morning from Luke xix. 10: **T6e son of man is
come to seek and save,^^&c. Dr. £ly preached in the
•fitemoon very seriously.

|824)r MarcK 4th Sabbath— Lectured on the 11 6th
Paakn^ by requ^t of a pious friend. Mr. Kennedy spoke
in the 9 ^ikH f ibo »isom Luke xix. 10.-

The foHowing ui^ oinrdeikr fHend, Mr. Gilbert Gaw,
who constantly attended with- us and read the lioe^iii
Rtogkig^ departed to his heavenly home, after being in a
heavenly frame of mind all day.

April, 1st Sabbath>--Spoke from Revelations xiv. 14 :
^* Blessed- are the dead who die in the Lord.^^ Dr. Brodr
head in the afternoon from Mark xiii. 35 : *^ Watch ye,^*

&c. :- - ■ -"' ■ ': •• ••■•-.•

2d Sal4>ath — Spoke from the 23d chapter of Job:
"Oil that I knew where I might find him." A Mr. Fer-
tilMon assisted in the afternoon, and spoke upon the first
day. Sabbath.

3d Sabbath—Lectured on the 28th chapter of Matthew,
being Eister Sunday; Mr. Hannah, a Methodist minister,
from England, spoke from Romans viii. 1. This week I
made my report to Presbytery, which gave full satisfac-
tion.

August, 1st Sabbath — Mr. M*Iver spoke in the mom~
ing from Ecclesiastes tu 9 : ^* Know thou," &c. Mr.
Scott in the afternoon from Proverbs v. 10, 11:** And
thou mourn at the last," &;c. I had to take part in both;
we had a crowded and solemn meeting, day and evening.

HBBfeoui or Tmt RET. josBFfl lAmnnDt

c. 2d Sabbatic— Mr. Samuel HelfebsteiQ tpokefrom 1 Tim-
othy iv. 8 : ^ Godliness is profitable unto all things,^* Sic,
In me afterridon Mr. Charles Nassau from Amos iv. 13 :
** Prepare t(r meet thy God," &c,

3d Sabbath — I lectured on the epistle of Jude to «
crowded congregation of sailors. Dr. Sargent in thft
afternoon spdke from Deuteronomy yiii. 2: ** And thou'
shalt remember,'^ &c.

4th Sabbath— Lectured on the 14th of Matthew, from
the 16th verse ; had many seamen, attentive. • In the af-
ternoon Mr. Mi^ffin spoke from Mtdah ii. 10 : "• Arise
ye,^^ &c. This week I went to Baltimore, and was kindly
received by many friends, and spoke in several places of
worship; on the last Sabbath in Ac^st, and the first
Sabbath in September, in each momitis, at^the head of
the basin, and m the afternoons at FeH^s Point, in sail-
Ibfts, and two evenings in a large school-room, and the
people were very attentive, and many affect($d; aHMy '
seamen itttended- there also; several capl«Fns ef vessen

appeared to be jNOtiii meit

October, Isl Sabbath^^Lectured on tiie 6th of Daniel;
and on his character* Mr. Scott spoke in the afternoon
from Revelation i. 7 : ^ Behold he cometh," &.c.

2d Sabbath— Lectured on the 4th chapter ;of 2 Tim-
othy, particularly Pa'i^^s departure at hand. Young Mr.
Taylor in the afternoon from Deuteronomy xxxii. 29 1
" Oh that they were wise" — this was our last Mariners*
meeting in Cherrv-street, and a solemn day ; the'seamea
returned thanks K>r the use of the place to the Sessi^
and Corporation. "f^

"" 3d Sabbath — Began worship' in the i^ew Mariners*
church, being the same Sabbath of the year that worship
began for seamen five years before-; the Rev. Mr. Patter-
son assisted in the morning, and read Solomon *s dedica-
tion of the Temple, and made some remarks upon it and
prayed; many attended. I then spoke from Genesis
xxviii. part of the 17th verse: " This is none other but
the house of God ; this is the gate of heaven." Mr. Ral-
ston read an account of the commencement of the meet-
ing antl of the building — ^an anthem was sung; The Rev.

" J Wl "| ii <H »«P>Wi'n|i;w l^ ii f '

.^.

MBMOma OP THE REV. JOBfiPR EASTBURIC

Dr. Brodhead preached m the afternoon from 3 Chron-
icles vii. 16.

1825. Janearj, Ist Sabbath-r-I spoke from the 13Ui
of Luke : The barren fig-tree. Mr. Gary, from Calcutta,
in the afternoon from Psalm nxiv. 8 : ^ Taste and see,^*
•&c. .

' April, 1st Sabbath, Easter-r-I lectured on the 28th of
Matthew in the morning. Mr. Matthews, an £piseopal
minister, in the afternoon, spoke a few words.

2d Sabbath — I spoke i^pon erieving and Quenching thfe
influence of the Spirit Mr. Cary in the auemooa from
Psalm Ixxii, Jl 7 : *^ All nations shall call him blessed." -

Sd Sabbath — Lectured on the first 5 verses of the 3d
chapter of Solomon-s Son^. Bishop White preached
Irom 1 Corinthians xv. 56, m the afternoon.

4th Sabbath^^Lectured on the 5th of Daniel. Mr.
SamQel Lawrence^ Acts iii. 19. 1 made my report ta
llift Fresh jte^ last week.

July, Ist SiM>bath7— I lectured on the 3d chapter of
Jonah in die morning. Mr. Mitchebnore in the after-
noon. This, week I went with Mr; Steott t^New. Ca^.
I spoke there on Wednesday eveninc in the Presbyterian
meeting-house i next day went to Salem, and spoke there*
Went to Bridgetown on Friday^ spoke there in the Court
House; the place crowded. The Rev. Mr. Hofi* pre-
vailed on me to stay with him over Sabbath. I spoke on
Saturday preparatory to the Lord^s Supper; again on
Sabbath morning. In the aftemooa spoke in the Baptist
n^eting-house. On Monday went with Mr. Hoft* toward
Cape May. Tuesday spoke in a school-house. Wednesday
Mr. Hoff spokfi in the meeting-house ; Mr. Scott and my-
self assisted. On Friday I spoke in the same place. On
Sabbath morning Mr. Scott also spoke there ; I 8pok<e in
the afternoon to a very attentive copgregation. We re-
turned home on Thursday morning, having been kindly
directed by the good providence of the M>rd in all the
way.

4th Sabbath — I again attended our Mariner^s church ;
weather very warm.

5th Sabbath — I lectured on the 96th Psalm, but could
not attend in the afternoon.

MEBfOiaA or THE REV. JOSEPH EABTBURN.

Sjn>leinber, Sd Sabbeth — I apoke from 3 KinoB yii. 3,
4 : The leprous men. Mr. Mitcbelmore in the auernoou
from dd or John : Tlie brazen serpent I was enabled
to attend both parts of the day and spoke in the close.
This week- 1 went to Princeton, spoke in the Seminary
and at the College ; went to Briinawickt spoke in the
Presbyterian and Ijovr Dutch churches ; from there to
Flemington, spoke Ihere, and several places around there;
the Rev. Mr. Clark was with me, and assisted ; we were
much encouraged.

1B26. February, 3d Sabbath~I spoke from 1 Tim-
otliy, i. 15 : "^ This is^faithAil saying,'' &c. Mr. Mitcbel-
more in the afternoon lectured on the 36th of Matthew*

3d Sabbath — I lectured on part of the 32d of Genesis.:
Abraham offering Isaac. Dr. Ely, in the afternooid, spoke
from 3 Corinthians, iy. 17.

4th Sabbath — I spoke from Revelations xiv. 1 3. Mr.
Eustace spolce in the afternoon. We then attendesNIift
funeral of our good friend. Commodore Dale $ te Mari-
ners went together irom the churchy and the ehHdmi
belonging ^ the Sabbath school of the church, aiKin

order* ^ ^ '

May^ 1st Sabbath— 4 spoke from Romans xiv. 17. Mr.
Mitcbelmore oin redeeming time..

3d Sabbath — I lectured on the 3d of the Acts,being v rhai
is called Whitsuntide. Mr. R&msey spoke in the after-
noon from 1 Thessalonians v. 19: "Quench not ve
Spirit"

3d Sabbath — ^The General Assembly were in sessiofi,
and several of them attended. Mr. Woodbridge spoke
in the morning from Isaiah Iv. 3: "Wherefore do ye
spend money," &c. — Mr. Curry lectured in the afternoon
from Matthew xi. 19.

<« 4th Sabbath — ^Dr. Jennings preached in the morning
from Hebrews vi. 19: The anchor of hope— -well ap-
plied. Mr. Casner in the afternoon, from Isaiah Iv. first
3 verses.

July, 3d Sabbath — I was at Reading, spoke in Dr.
Greir's church, and addressed the Sunday schools who
collected in the church in the afternoon.

4th Sabbath — I supplied for Mr., Nsissau «^t. Providence

!^-

\->

BIBMOnS or THE RKT. JOSBPH EAiTBtTRll.

in the morning, and at Ndrristown in the evening, and
had several pfajer meetines in the week : also attended
ft public meetine with the Rer. Mh Clay« in his chnreh.
Tue Lord kindly supported me, and brought me home
in safety, and this week had a meeting on "board the Ship
Algonquin; many attended ; very orderly.

5th Sabbath — Attended the Mariner^i church in the
morning; not- well. - -- ; ■

;> - September, 3d Sabbath — The se&men of ^e Ship
Benjamin Rush presented a small ship to the Marinehi*
church, and desired to fix it there, which was allowed.
The captain named it Beulah, from the 62d chapter of
Isaiah, 4th verse. I therefore read the whole chapter,
made some remarks on it, and then proceeded to im-
prove -the difierent parts of a ship, and the blessing of
navigation in discovering our land of liberty. Mr. Mal-
colm spoke, in die -afternoon from the 10th Psalm, 13th

4fli l^bbalb— I lectured on the 3d chapter of Jonah ;
was onweH; did not go back in the afternoon.
^October, 3d Sabbath-^Being't>ur annlveisary, sev^
years since we began Mariner^s church. I spoke In the
morning from H^ai ii. 9i *»The glory of the latter
house,^ &c. Mr. Eustace in the afternoon from Hebrews
X. 30 : " Vengeance bekingeth," &e.

Nov. 3d Sabbath — I was at Baltimore at the opening
of the Marine^'^s meeting. I spoke in the morning from
Ha^ai ii. 9. Rev. Mr. Henshaw in the afternoon from
Romans vi. 23 : ** Tlie wages of s^n is death.^^ We had
meetings every evening while I was there in different
places.

' 4th Sabbath— I spoke in our Mariner^s church from
the 14th chapter of Mark. Mr. Eustace in the afternoon
from Romans viii. 28 : " All things work together for
good,'" &c.

1837. January, 1st Sabbath — I spoke from Matthew
vi. 33 : " But seek ye first the kingdom,^^ &lc. Rev. Mr.
Shed, Preacher to Mariners in New-Orleans, spoke upon
repentance, from several passages;

3d Sabbath — I spoke from Numbers xxiii. 10; "Let
me die the death of the righteous," &c. Not being well.

»»•

BftMomg or TiiS REV. Kunspfi CASTBvmr.

hureh in the

Atid the weather cold, I did not go in the a/lemooo. Mr.
Mitchelmore engaged to attend.

4th S.abbath----Mr. Shed spoke in the morning from
S Corinthians v. 17. Mr. Fowler in the afternoon fiwn
2 Timothy it. €^ 7, 8. I addressed the children^ and
took part morning and afternoon.

i^pril, 2d Sabb^h — Mr. Dasluel spoke from Numbers
xxiii. 10: "Let me die," kc, Mr. Mead inihe Vtemoon
from John v. 39 : " Search the Scriptures," &c, I took
part each time, aiid attended a funeral of a 8aik>r. ^

3d Sabbathf--L spoke from Romans iv. 25 ; " Who
was delivered for our 6£G$nccs," kc» Mr. Mitchehnore
from Acts xxiv. 16:. "A conscience void of ofieac«i^*
kc. - ' ^- .■ ^ ..-..■-:, ,*I

Made my report to Presbytery last week.

4th Sabbath-— I lectured on th^ 6th of Hebrews, pai^
ticularly the 19fh versed The anchor of hope—^thiJi. has
been blessed heretofore. Mr. MHthehn^ire spoke ji|Hfb#
afternoon from Isaiah Kii. I : ** Whor h^b; IfmKNff dar
report," and gave a fareiSreH addrc^s^ *

5tK &bba|&-^l spoke front 1 Timothy iV. 8 :^" Godli-
ness is profifoble unto all things," Szc. Mr. Livingstoii
fi^om Matthew V. 20: "Except your riglUeousncss shall
exceed," &,c.

May, Ist'Sabbath — I lectured on the 3d. of Acts. Dr.
Janeway spoke from 2 Corinthians jiv. 18*

2d Sabbath — 1 lectured on the 6th of Daniel, partico'-
larly on pray en M& Kennedy spoke from 9 Thessalo^
nians. « " . . • j '^

3d Sabbath— Mr. Williams, from Baltimore, spoke
from Matthew xi. 28 : " Come unto me all ye that labour
and are heavy laden," &c. Mr. Nevins of Baltimore, in
the afternoon.

4th Sabbatli— rMr. Baker spoke on. standing idle all the
day. Mr. Kirkpatrick from 2d Psalm : " Kiss the son,"

June, Ist Sabbata — I lectured on the 2d chapter of
Acts. Many ministers being in the city, several came
and assisted ; some from the General Synod bf the Low
Dutch church — They spoke well on difierent subjects.

■ f

■h.
i

MtMOlM or THfi EEV. JOSEPH BAATBiniN.

'thit week I mrav very unwell, and applied for help Hi
the Mariuer^s church, which 1 now expect

3d8ahbath— I spoke from the d3d of Ezekiel: The
wamini^ of the watchman ; and endeavoured to be faitb>
All, not eitpectine to be able to attend there much longer
It was a very solemn time.

4th Sabbisth-^Mr. Efashiel supplied' for me morning
tnd afternoon.'

Mr. Eastbum^s journal terminates with the last date
mentioned above. It appears that he apprehended the
ipeedj close of his ministerial labours; nor was his ap-
prehension unfounded; On a loose piece of paper found
m the little book in which he kept his journal, he wrote
as follows : —

^*F6r fheMaryner'^s Church, Jum 24, 1827.
^Jfo lecture from the 25th verse of the 6th chapter
"SaXingi^aiid the foHowiiig chapter, as the Lord piay 4i-
rect.-^^ng 79th hymn, 1^ book,. bi^nning with the 3d
verse — 25th Psalm, 2d part, S. Jf. \ Where shall tfaejnan
be found'— dJSth Psalm, 2d part, * Joy to the ivorld, ^
Lord >8 come.\ I wasnot able to attend on the above
day, but was confined at home.''

Thus ii- appears that this faithful servant of the Lord
Jesus inMide a preparation for addressing his chai^,
which he was never able to use — a preparatidn, neither
longer nor shorter than those whicii he usually made.
Once after this, as we shall have occasion elsewhere to
mention, and once only, he appeared before the inter-
esting people to whom his heart and his prayers were
ardently devoted, and by whom, in return, he was be-
loved with truly filial and fervent aftection* But on that
occasion he was able to take but a small part in the pub-
lic service.

It seems proper that the effect of Mr. E^stbum's la-
bours among seamen should here be more distinctly and
connectedly stated than is done in his^ journal. For this
purpose, ^ writer, before proceeding with his narrative,
will avail himself of the report which was made and pub-

MEH0IS8 or THl HBV. JOSEPH EASTBUSN.

lished tlve year preceding that in the beginning of which
Mr. £. died.

** By the first publication relative to the religioui in*
ftructien of Mariners in the port of Philadelphia, it will
be seeii, that the attention to this object commenced on
the thii^ Sabbath of October, 1819; and under favour
of Providence, it has continued to the present time, now
seven years, with uninterrupted encouiragement and suc-
cess— nnanifesting that the Divine blessing has attended
this labour of love.

The building which has been erected as a Mariner^s
Church, being situated near to the Delaware river, in the
very centre m the shipping business of the city, not only
affords accommodation to about twelve hundred persons,
but also fumifihes warehouses, producing a" rent of $873
per annum.

The edifice is contracted in such a manner as \fk^titk
ford three avenues to the Church, and sizop^ningi^ the-
stores; and thus these o4)Jects are prevented from inter-
fering with one ano^r.

From the ^opening of the church to the present time,^
the worshipping assemblies have been generally very nu-
merous, ana in some instances «o large that many per-
sons, who could not be accommodated, were obliged to
depart In no instance has the Church been Mosed on
the SiU>batb throughout the year : and on but one occa-
sion has the venerable Pastor been prevented, by indis-
position, from officiating in his place. On two other
Sabbaths, In the height of the warm aeason, he made a
preaching excursion mto the interior of the state, for the
benefit of a change of air, calculated to invigorate both
the body and the mind. Here then is there cause to efect
an Ebenezer of praise to the Great Head of the Church,
who has been pleased so graciously to prosper an institu-
tion established to promote the best interests of Mariners,
and who has, in mercy, crowned the means used with
such abundant and visible success.

The language of one and another of the Mariners is,
** Come, and I will tell you what the Lord has done for
my soul,'' believing that, ** except a man be bom again,

^mim

dd MEMOUlS or TIIE RET. JOSEPH EASTBUKR

he cannot enter into the kingdom of Gap." The roaster
of a vessel stated, that this passage of holy writ struck
him like a flash of lightning, and produced a shock frpm
which he never rested, till he obtained a hope that he
knew what that change was .which the passage describes:
and he exhorted all within the hearing of his voice, to
seek the pearl of great price* He died in the .full assu-
rance of seeing the kingdom of God.

Females (for it is common for the families of the Man-
tiers to be punctual in their attendance) arc not less
awake than those of the other sex, to the care of the soul
as the one thing needful : and in the opinion of their
spiritual guide, there is reason to hope that many of them
are truly pious. One of their number remarlced to the
Preacher, that her name was Lydia^ and tliat it was upon
an occasion of speaking on the text, contained in the 16th
chapter of the Acts, and the 14th verse, that the Lord
was pleased 4q open her heart, so that she attended unto
the things which were spoken.

The work, of refbrnaatioii' is evident in many other
respects. — The present highly respectable^ and indefati-
gable Chief Magistrate of the city, hag receixtlyistated, that
the Police Office is no longer a seat of Justice, as it for-
merly was, for pronouncing judgmenton Mariners, brought
there in a state of inebriation. A like testimony is borne
by a distinguished officer placed over the Customs of the
district — it being a rare occurrence for a Mariner now to
appear on the floor of the Custom-liouse under the in-
fluence of intoxicating liquors. But above aH, the trading
part of the community, connected with vessels, are irtfi
to testify to the sobriety and orderly conduct of Mariners
at the commencement of a voyage, (exhibiting a most
striking contrast to former days) and also of the reports
made to them by their Captains, of the subordination and
unexceptionable conduct of sailors whilst they are at sea.

Well may it be, said, 'MVhat things hath God wrought
among the Mariners !" " They that go down to the sea
in ships, and do business" in great waters, these see the
works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep ; these
cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them
out of their distresses." " He maketh the storm a calm,

MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBURI^. 99

80 that the waves aire still : then thej are glad,' and crj,
Oh ! that men would praise the Lord for his goodness,
and for his wonderful works to the children of men V^
Is there not much encouragement to hope from such
facts, that the set time to favour Mariners is come, and
that the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto
God ? Many days do not now pass without JVfariners
being seen who are awake to a general and particular
Providence, while they behold the works of &e Lord,
and his wonders in the deep.

To the devoted and patriarchal Preacher on whom
devolves the interesting chaise of ministering statedly to
the Seamen, nothing could afford more joy and rejoicing
to his heart, than he experiences in seeing the bread he
has cast upon the waters, thus returning after many days,
according to the Divine promise — and in contemplating
still brighter prospects in future. The sum and substance
of his preaching is, repent, or perish — betiev<si iat^^l£i
Lord Jesus Chnst, and be 'saved. Gospel simplicity is
well suited to his audience ; and his practice,' very fre-

Suently, is, to lecture en the substance of a chapter,
wellina; most on the parts particularly adapted to ex-
isting ctrciimstances. This mode, it is believed^ the Mar-
iners are best pleased with; and it has the effect of pro-
ducing a habit of thi'^king on what they hear and read.

Passing occurrences are al&o very happily improved
by the Preacher, as will appear in the use made of the
following incident. The ship^ company of the Bemamin
Rush, presented to the Mariner^s Church, a miniature
ship prepared for the purpose, in a late voyage to Canton,
ri^ed in the most perfect style, and now moored over
the pulpit in the Mariner's Church. The day after it
was placed there, being the Sabbath, the speaker ob-
served that the hull of the ship composed of many pieces,
bound round with plank, was like our bodies composed
of many parts, covered with flesh and skin. If the ship
leaked, he observed, it caused hard labour at the pumps :
so sin indulged would cause great sorrow both here and
hereafter. If a plank gave way., the ship would sink ;
and if the thread of life should break, the soul would de-
part immediately into the eternal world. The masts and

too MEMOIRS OF THBKET. JOSEPH EASTBUIOr.

rigging being intended for the purpose of spreading sailS)
that me ship might be speedily conveyed from port to
port, riiight show the need of using the means of gr^ce,
which the Lord has appointed, and in the proper use of
which we may hope to obtain the influence of the Holy
Spirit, as a heavenly wind to take us to the haven of
eternal rest.

The captain of the ship in which this model was made
had given it the name of ** Beulah,^^ taken from Isaiah
Ixii. 4, *' No more forsaken," and this text was inscribed
on the Burgee at the fore royaL mast head. It was ob-
served from this that sailors had formerly said no one
cared for their souls, but now it was remarked th6y were
earnestly invited to come to the blessed Saviour, and all
who should comply with the invitation might call their
Maker their Father. On the main royal mastHbead was
the flag with Bethel wiStten on it. That, said the preacher,
^^lAoiijd always remind us of Jacob^'s vision at Bethel,
where he saw the ladder set up from Earth to Heaven,
and the Lord at the head of it. Seamen when mounting
the shroud should think of being prepared to bie wrapped
in a shroud. The American flag at the^ stj^ra shows the
importance of navigation, without which Columbus would
never have discovered this happy land. This ship has
anchors at her bows, but if they were cast out where
there were no soundings, it would do them no good ; so
if they should be trusting in the general mercy of God,
without having their hope fixed on the foundation he has
laid in Jesus Christ, they must certainly perish ; but if
fixed on him within the vail, they would at last be safely
brought up into eternal rest and happiness. The compass
being absolutely necessary for the helmsman to know
how to steer the ship, should remind us that the Scrip-
tures alone can direct us to the port of eternal glory."
After the address some account was given of the expe-
rience of Seamen ; and the whole service wa» attended
to with deep solemnity. The church was crowded, and
a liberal deposit was made in the boxes. * * »

The Sunday School is composed of a President and
nineteen Teachers, and two hundred and twenty-five
scholars. The Teachers are of the Methodist^ Episcopal

M&MOIRS OF Tn£ AEV. lOSfiPff EAStBTTRN. 101

and Presbyterian -persuasions ; seven of them profess re*
ligion publiclj^the others are seriously inclined. The
pupils are the children of Mariners, or of those who
worship in the Church. The number generally attending
at one time does not exceed one hundred and fi%, and
with which the gallery is filled.

Although the desirable ciFcumstahce cannot be stated
of any of those pupils having made a public profession of
religion, yet the death-bed of some, who have been called
into the eternal world, has given evidence that they have
made a happy exchange.

The children sing^a'h3rmn on every occasion of meet-
ing and receive an address from the Preacher before
public worship. They appear to be benefited, and many
of them evidently are seriously impressed. Some of the
old scholars who now frequent the sea, whenever they
return home manifest their attachment to the school iii
which th&y have been taught; and often display a NeW
Testament bearing evident marks tiliat it has been in
much use. '

The fiscal concerns of the 'School are in a measure
easy. It is supported by the contributions of its mem-
bers,- and sixty annual subscribers at one dollar each.

Whilst the Mariner's Church has so much reason to
sing of mercy, an event has nevertheless taken place in
the past year, of a very afflictive and mournful kind.'
We refer to the lamented death of one of its earliest and
most efficient friends ; the late estimable and excellent
Christian mariner. Commodore Dale. His is a name
distinguished in the naval history of America, and it is
here recorded with all the sweet recollections, attending
the memory of the just : He was an Israelite indeed, in
whom there was no guile. By the Preacher as well as
by all concerned in the establishment, he was a friend
most highly valued ; a supporter, a counsellor, a pillar of
the Institution. His Christian meekness and gospel sim-
plicity ; his uniformity of character and devotedness to
every good word and work ; his evangelical principles ;
his holy zeal, to build up the Redeemer's kingdom on
earth ; and especially the importance of his services to
the cause of the Mariner, procured for him an ele*

iWkM

\ »

109 MEMOQUB OF TBE REV. JOSEPH EAWtBVBSk

vated station in the community in which -he lived, and
inspires the firm belief that the public loss is his.Qwn
eternal gain. >•

The Church of Christ is one, and all the friends of
Zion will feel a strong desire to promote her interests
in ever J part of the world ; those however who are more
immediately concerned in efforts ibr the religious im-
provement of Seamen, will feel a peculiar obligation and
desire to attend to this particular duty: such has bees
the motive which has actuatei^ the a^ed and zealour
Preacher of this Church to undertake visits to New- York
and Baltimore In the former city great things have been
done for the promotion of the JMariners' cause in general,
particularly in the recent establishment of an *^ American
Seamen^s Friend Society ,^^ the object of which, in ad-
dition to the public administration of the gospel, is speci-
fied in the following particulars. .
^.:^o establish ^* reputable and orderly boarding houses
in title several seaport towns of our country, where special
attention will be paid as well to the morals as to the pro-
tection of the property and civil rights of the Seamen,
each of which houses, when practicable, is to be furnish-
ed with a reading room and a small library of suitable
books.**

**Re»ster or Intelligence Offices, where Seamen of
good character may have their names entered and
lodgings designated, for application by ship owners and
masters.**

** A Saving Bank for the deposit on interest of such
portion of the Seamen*s earnings as they may deem ex-
pedient.'*

^* The employment of Agents or Missionaries to traverse
the coast, visit vessels and distribute Bibles and Tracts,
and to co-operate with the local committees appointed
for that purpose, to induce Seamen to resort to the4)oard-
ing houses under the patronage of the society, and to at-
tend places of worship.**

" The establishment of schools for the instruction as
weH of adults as the children of Seamen.**

** To afibrd such aid as the means of the institution will

■4-'

JX!.?

instruction as
institution will

MEMOIRS OP TRS REV. JOSEPH EASTBUBICi jO$

allow to Marine preaching establishments and all kindred
Institutions/^

The most entire approbation is given hj us to the oh*
jects expressed in the foregoing articles, and the hope is
entertained that in process of time the benevolent views
of the ** American Seamen^s Friend Society," will be
carried into effect " in the several seaport towns of our
country."

In Baltimore it appears there is in ereat forwardness^
and very near to completion, a new building designed for
a Mariner's Church — the consecration of which is in con- •
templation very shortly ; to attend which the venerable
Preacher here is invited and expects to officiate;*

At Boston, Charleston, South Carolina, Norfolk and
New-Orleans, similar establishments have been made;
much activity is known to prevail in the two first, and
it is hoped, that there is no want of a holy zeal in the
others. For the New-Orleans establishments jEfasv9fieD4
gentleman has been deputed by a society formed at that
place, to travel and solieit funds in aid of erecting a
Mariner'a Church. That port being the resort of nume-
rous vessels from different parts of the world, afibrds a
large field for benevolent exertions, and has a peculiar
claim on other places for aid, from the circumstance that
very few of the Seamen are other tlian strangers.

the communications from London, embracing a cop-
respondence with the Rev. G. C. Smith, the distinguished
Preacher of the Mariner's Church in that ci^, and
Thomas Philips, Esq. Secretary of the British and Foreign
Seamen's Friend Society and bethel Union, have affoi^-
ed the most ample and satisfactory information of the
blessed work prevailing among Seamen in England, and
also of the deep concern which appears to be implanted
in the hearts of British Christians to promote this glo-
rious cause, not only in their own land, but throughout
the world* *

K. i(. * « « « #

In concluding this statement, it is felt to be incumbent,

'«'i

* It appears from Mr. Eastburn's journal, that he did attend and
officiate on the occasion here referred to.

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104 MEMOIRS OF THE- REV. JOSEPH EASTBURIT.

that we should he deeply sensible of the eoodness of God«
in condescending so remarkably to smile on the effort
which has here been made, to extend the blessings of the
gospel to our sea-faring brethren ; that we should humbly
and fervently implore his gracious benediction on all the
endeavours we shall use, for the same purpose, in time to
come ; and that while we earnestly solicit our fellow
Christians to unite their supplications with ours in this
hehalf, we should express our gratitude to those who
have already favoured our undertaking with their patron-
age and their prayers,"

The foregoing report is the last which has been pub-
lished, in relation to the Mariner's church in Philadel-
phia. Mr. Eastburn was present when it was read, and
par^oipated largely in the pleasure which all the friends
of the establishment experienced, in. contemplating its
proiperky and its prospects. Previously, however, as
appears from his journal, his health had, for some time,
been less i6rm than usual; and his unabated exertions,
when he Was verging on the age of fourscore, had doubt-
less some efiect in increasing bis infirmities, and hasten-
hig the period when he was to exchange them all for im-
mortal bliss, activity and vigour. His decline was gradual,
and he continued to preach occasionally, even afler his
worthy successor, the Rev. Alfred H. Dashiel, stood
ready to supply his place, whenever his feebleness might
demand aid or relief. ,It appears from the journal, that
Mr. Dashiel performed the last service for which Mr. E.
made preparation, but which he found himself unable to
attempt.

On the 26th of June, 1827, the writer of these memoirs
paid a visit to his aged friend, drawing near in appear-
ance to the eternal world ; but not in much pain at the
time, and in perfect possession of all his powers of intellect
and speech. The conversation, which lasted for perhaps
an hour, turned on scenes past, present, and to come ;
and terminated in a distinct agreement to pray daily for
each other, till one or the other should become silent in
death. For the two immediately succeeding months the
writer was, the most of the time, absent, from the city,

MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBURN.

105

and at a considerable distance from it. On one occasion^
a rumour where he was, announced the death of Mr.
Eastbum, with such circumstances of probabiHty as to
leave no doubt in the mind of the writer, that be was no
longer in a situation to be the proper subject of prayer ;
and in place of petitions for him, thanksgivings for his
edifying example, and supplications to be prepared to join
him in a better world, seemed to be the incumbent duty
of the survivor. On returning to the city however, hb
was agreeably surprised to find that his old friend was
still in life ; and that, on hearing of the rumour which
had consigned him to the grave, he had said — ** as yet,
there is no such good news." He even revived so much
after this, that in the month of September he was once car-
ried to his beloved Mariner^s Church, where he made ft
short address to the Sabbath school children, and one still
shorter to the mariners themselves. This was his fare-
well interview with them, and was so regarded by atl: tiie
parties concerned^ — It is almost needless to say, thai tears
in abundance were -shed on the occasion.

The organic disease of Mr. E.- which terminated in
death, wj^s of the stomach and bowels, unaccompanied
by fever till near its fatal issue. He had but little «ase,
except when it was procured by the use of anodynes ;
and at times his pain was extreme. Mortification was
much apprehended, but it never took place. His'appe-
tite, in the progress of his complaint, entirely failed, and
the powers of nature sunk by degrees, till the lamp of
life went out by a gradual extinction.

To all who are acquainted with the influence which
the bodily organization has on the mind, it will be obvi-
ous to remark, that the circumstances in which Mr. E.
approached his dissolution, were exactly those which are
least favourable to clear perceptions, and vigorous mental
exercises. The mind which is not clouded, or debili-
tated, by the relaxation of all the springs of life, and the
constant use of opiates, must be sustained and invigorated
in no ordinary manner ; and that examples of this descrip-
tion have sometimes been seen, the writer is not disposed
to deny. The subject of this memoir, however, did not
furnish such an example. The usual influence of diseasej

t .

toe MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBURN.

and the usual effects of remedies, were, io his case, fully
apparent His mind, indeed, suffered no alienation, till
very hear the close of his mortal career, and then it was
only fitful and partial. But in perspicuity, sensibility,
yigor, and animation, he was manifestly different from
what he had been immediately before his confinement.
It was therefore not wonderful, that on spiritual subject?,
as on all others, he was less excitable than he was woivt
to be in health. He expressed no rapturous views of
divine things. He used none of that language of ecstatic
delight in God, and animated triumph over death and the
grave, which is sometimes witnessed in holy men, as they
draw near to the eternal world ; and wliich he would
have been the last man on earth to censure or undervalue.
But what he exhibited — and it was most edifying and de-
lightful to see it — was the blessed effects of long habits
of piety — a'n humble, stedfast assurance of an interest
in tbe unchanging covenant of grace. If his hope of
heaven was ever shaded, it was but a passing cloud, a
momentary eclipse. For more than seven months, during
which he labored under the disease that terminated in
death, the habitual state of his mind was that of unre-
served submission to the will of God, thankfulness for his
mercies, a placid, tranquil, unwavering trust in the divine
promises, and. an unshaken expectation of a speedy and
eternal vision and fruition of his covenant God and Sa-
viour. The writer finds, on consulting his diary, that on
the 1 2th of January, a little more than a fortnight before
Mr. Eastburn^s death, the following memorandum is en-
tered — " I found at my house, on returning from

paying what I expect will be my last visit to father
Eastbum. I conversed with him, and he told me that he
had not a douht, or a fear, in regard to his future happi-
ness. He thanked me for -what I had done for him, in
bringing him into public usefulness. I prayed with him,
and was a good deal affected :" — Such is a short-hand
memorandum, made when no thought was entertained
of penning these memoirs, or that the record would \fM
intelligible to any human eye but the writer's own — It W
DOW published, as exhibiting the general state of the mind

li I

MEMOIRS^ OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBURN.

lot

of this man of God, in the near view of eternity. He
languished till the morning of the 30th of January, 1838,
when, without a stru^le, he fell asleep in Jesus, and
went to be for ever wim the Lord.

te of the mind

CHAPTER VII.

Miscellaneous particulars and remarks — Conclusion,

Of the excellent man who is the subject of these
memoirs, it may be gratifying to the reader to know
somewhat more than is contained in the foregoing narra-
tive. It may also be proper for the writer to make some
additional remarks.

The person of Mr. Eastburn was in no respect peculiar.
His stature was a little below the middle size, and hia
frame was such as to favor the activity for which he
was always remarkable. A better likeness of his face,
in the last ten years of his life, could scarcely be given in
an engraving, than is exhibited in that which accompanies
these memoirs. — His aspect in younger life was con-
siderably different. In public speaking his countenance
and eyes often expressed much animation, and he used a
good deal of unstudied, yet not ungraceful gesticulation
— when much engaged, as was often the case, his whole
body seemed to be agitated by the fervors of his mind.
Still there was nothing of that boisterous, loud and en-
thusiastic rant, in which extemporaneous speakers in the
pulpit too often indulge. His voice was strong and his
spe<;ch articulate ; and there was seldom any hesitation,
or appearance of difficulty to get forward, in his public
addresses. They were generally fluent, and always
characterized by great solemnity.

He was singularly neat in his dress, and in all his
habits ; and he could scarcely refrain from showing his
disapprobation, when he saW the want of an attention to
decency of appearance in others. His mechanical busi-
ness had not rendered him uncouth or awkward in his

108 MEMOmS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBUAN.

behaviour. His address and manners, although destitute
of polish, were agreeable and even prepossessing. The
genuine influence of Christian meekness and courtesy
seemed to throw a charm around him, wherever he went,
or whatever he did or said.

His natural temper seems to have been hast^ ; but it
was so softened, subdued, and regulated by divme grace
and habitual watchfulness, that it rarely discovered itself.
On the contrary he was a bright example of forbearance,
caution, prudence, and the endurance of injury and even
of insult, without anger or resentment. One instance is
recollected of his usii^ an expression which he after-
wards thought harsh and unwarranted, and he could not
be at peace with himself, till he had expressed to the
offended party his sorrow for the oflence. He never in-
dulged in levity, but was remarkably social and cheerful ;
and kindniess, sympathy, and a desire to relieve distress,
whether- of a temporal or a spiritual kind, were prominent
features of his character.

I'he best men are not without their imperfections, and
that which the writer thought the most visible in Mr. E.,
was precisely that wrhich Kippis has noticed in the
character of Dr. Doddridge, *^ that he was fonder of ap-
plause, from every quarter, than was desirable in one
who was so justly entitled to it." Yet it is but justice
to add that this foible diminished as his usefulness in-
creased ; till, toward the close of life, when both useful-
ness and applause were most abundant, his love of praise
seemed to be nearly extinct. He grew in humility, and in a
disregard of all but the approbation and glory of God, as
he drew nearer to the end of his course and the rest and
reward of heaven.

It was observed, in the commencement of these me-
moirs, that Mr. £. had " no pretensions to genius, no emi-
nence of intellectual powers or attainments." Such cer-
tainly was the fact, taking the terms used in the assertion
in their customary acceptation ; and yet, if there be such
a thing as a genius for religion, he possessed it — i%
is beyond a question that piety elevated his intellectual
powers, in regard to every thing in which piety was con-
cerned. Without piety, he would probably never have

M£M0m8 OF THE REV. JOSEPH BASTBURN.

109

been remarkable for any tiling but his mechanical in*
dustry, and good common sense. He does not appear to
have been tormed for literar)' improvement, if ne was
even capable of it He has mentioned, in his account of
the former part of his life, that bis assiduous application
to study, while at the grammar school of Dr. Robert
Smith of Pequea, produced a pain in his breast, which
compelled him tp return to his mechanical employment
This was undoubtedly true ; but the late Rev. Dr. John
Smith, who was then a student or a teacher in his father^s
grammar school, told the writer that Mr. E. was not able to
master the Latin grammar, and it is certain that he never
did master it Probably the eiTorts he made, by night
and by day, to effect what to him was peculiarly difficult,
produced the complaint of his breast which drove him
irom the school. He wrote a plain legible hand, but was
far from correct in the grammar of his own language.
His reading was much more scanty than tiiat of hundreds
of mechanics, in situations less favorable than his own
to the possession and perusal of books, ^mong his papers,
the bookseller^s receipt fop Scott^s Commentary was
found, dated January 19tli, 1809. This, there is little
doubt, was the first commentary, and the only one, that
he ever owned. The writer remembers lending him
a volume of Henry's Commentary, several years before
this, but he did not retain it long. He was 'much accus-
tomed to compare scripture with scripture, and thus to
be his own commentator. His memory, although not
tenacious of the Latin or any other grammar, seemed to
be formed to receive and retain the words of Holy Scrip-
ture, and to be a receptacle for devotional psalms and
hymns almost without number. He knew a large part
of the Bible by heart, and could repeat the devotional
poetry of Watts, and of some other writers, to a wonder^
iul extent, and with great accuracy. This too was the
man who, in his public prayers and discourses, used his
mother tongue with a readiness and propriety seldom
exceeded by those who speak what they have not pre-
composed, or studiously prepared. The truth was, that
he threw his whole soul into what he delivered in public ;
and this so carried his hearers along with him, as left

" 'i^

no MEMOIRS OF "iHE REV. JOSEPH EA8TBURN.

them little leisure or inclination to notice any slight in-
accuracies of exprcision in what they heard ; and nence
his public addressefi were acceptable, and often delight-
ful, even to nice and fastidious ears. On the subjects of
religion he Iikewi»e seemed to possess no inconsiderable
share of imagination, as well as a capacity for promptlr
adapting scriptural truth, both historical and doctrinal,
to particular subjects and occasions, which few educated

J preachers ever excel, and many never equal. At concerts
or prayer, and all incidental religious services at which
special addresses were to be delivered, father Eastbum
was looked to, as one whose presence and assistance were
peculiarly desirable. Shortly after the writing of these
memoirs was announced, the following unsolicited note
was received from the respectable citizen whose name it
bears : — ,

^^•Dear Sir,

A circumstance respecting the Rev. Mr. Eastbum,
which fell within my knowledge, may perhaps deserve a
passing notice, in your intended Memoir.

Two of my apprentices were drowned in one of the
ponds in the suburbs of this city, some years ago. Mr.
Eastbum happened to be in the grave-yard, and seeing
that no person was prepared to address the assembled
crowd, he undertook that office, and delivered an extem-
poraneous address, perfectly suited to the occasion — one
of the most affecting I ever heard in my life.

Yours very respectfully,
. February 9th. . Mathew Carey.

The following extracts from a letter which had been
solicited from the Rev. William S. Plumer of North
Carolina, will illustrate several traits in the character of
Mr. E., as well as give the reader a good idea of his
preaching powers.

'- fVarrenton, X C. Juli/ 7/A, 1828.

Rev. and Dear Father : —
When in the city, I promised you some little sketches
of the life of Mr. Eastbum. * * # *

In October, 1825, 1 visited Philadelphia, and called on

■ill -^r

nd called on

MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTDURN. 1 ] 1

Father Eastburn. When I fiibi called, he ^as not at
home. 1 was told that he wan visiting the h*ck, in a part
of the city rather destitute of pastoral labor ; but that
he would be at home in half an hour. I accordingly
waited until his return. At the appointed time, he came.
AAer Christian salutation, he said m had been visiting —
had seen many very distressed people, and especiallv
one. " She is a young lady," said he, '* whose mother is
dead, and whose father and only brother are infidels, and
very bold in wickedness. The young lady is under soul-
concern (a very common expression with Mr. E.) 1 got
to her room, when her father and brother were froni
home, and I talked to her much about the plan of salva-
tion. Poor thing, she was very ignorant, and she is very
much distressed. While I was talking, I heard some

Eerson coming in — I was told it was her father, and that
e would be very angry. Presently the door was opened
noisily, and a man forty or fifty years old entered the
room, in a very blustering and angiy manner. He first
accosted me by saying, * And who are you?^ (he knew
who I was :) I told him my name was Eastburn. * And
what are you doing here ? We want none of your religion
here. We have sorrow enough already.' * My friend,*
said I, * I heard that your daughter was sick, and that
her mind was troubled about her sins, and I knew that
Christ Jesus came to save the chid" of sinners ; and I
thought I would come and tell her.' Here a conversation
ensued — the father became less irritated, and at last, be-
fore I came away, he was willing that 1 should pray with
and for his daughter. Now," continued the old gentle-
man, " we can bring almost any body over, if we will be
mild, and calm, and aliectionate."

Before I left him, I said, ** Father Eastburn, you have
been long in the service of Christ ; what advice would
you give, in few words, to one who, like myself, was
about to enter the ministry." His answer was : " When
I was a young man, I asked Dr. John Mason, the father
of Dr. John M. Mason, nearly the same question; I asked
him what advice he would give to a young Christian. I
will give you his answer — it was thi&: * When you are
about to engage in prayer, remember what the object of

ie;k

112 MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBVRN.

prayer is. When some people pray, they seem to be
paying their compliments to God, as to some great man.
God wants no compliments. Learn to converse with
the Lord, to talk with him. The secret of the Lord is
with them that fear himj* If I may add any thing to this,
continued Mr. E.,^ I would say, when you read the scrip-
tures, do not read too fast. If, in reading, the mind strikes
a rich vein of thought, do not call it back : let it go on
for a while. This is the way to have profitable thoughts,
and to be filled with the knowledge of God, My best
and happiest frames are brought on in this way." This
advice shows clearly that Mr, E. was a growing Chris-
tian ; ^at he " increased in the knowledge of God, and in
spiritual understanding."

It is possible that some may have supposed Mr. E.^s
talents far below what they really were. He was not
learned ; he was not methodical ; nor had he any of that
»opkomorical eloquence, which produces pleasant sound.
"Words ought surely to be labored," says Dr. Johnson,
" when they are intended to stand for things ;" and only
then is there need of laboring them. Although there
was nothing of this kind, yet there was a deep interest
kept up in his public services. No man could look at
him, and be disposed to criticise. Eveir man felt that
Mr. E. was an honest man ; and therefore the hearer
very much resigned himself to the speaker. -

I heard him, in February, 1826, lecturing on the first
fourteen verses of Genesis, 22d chapter. The first part
of the sermon was descriptive of the age, appearance,
family, feelings, and conduct, of Abraham. He often per-
sonated Abraham, in the course of his remarks. Having
followed this course some distance, he, at length, repre-
sented Abraham as having arrived on the mount with his
son — " Here came the conflict," said Mr. E. He then
briefly summed up the feelings of Abraham, while "he
built an altar, and laid the wood in order there." The
interest he now threw into the description was worthy
of the subject ; and would have done credit to any man.
When he described Abraham " binding his son, laying
him on the altar upon the wood, and stretching forth his
hand and taking the knife to slay his son," it seemed al-

. MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBVBN. 113

most as if the scene described was one we could all see.
The audience was still, and hung upon his lips. " At this
critical moment^^^ said the old gentleman, ** a voice was
heard, saying, Abraham, Abraham.^^ These last words he
pronounced very rapidly, and as we might suppose one
would do who saw another in great danger. The effect
was as great as any I have ever seen produced by descrip*
tion. 1 am persuaded that one-half of the congregation
involuntarily moved forward, rather raising themselves
from their seats, as if to seize the father^s band, and save
the life of Isaac. All this was done in perfect simplicity.
A little child never spoke with more artlessness, or re-
moteness from affectation.

Institution of worship among mariners, — Mr. E. gave
the following account of the hrst^ meeting for marinera in

Philadelphia. " In the year we determined to have

a meeting for the dear mariners, and procured for tha|
purpose a sail-loft. On the sabbath, we hung out a flag.
As they came by, they bailed us,. 'Ship ahoy !' We an*
swered them. They asked us * where we were bound?'
We told them, to the port of New Jerusalem ; that we
sailed under admiral Jesus, a good commander ; that we
wanted men ; that we had several ships ; that there was
the ship Methodist, the ship Baptist,, the ship Episcopalian,
the ship Presbyterian, &;c. ; that they might have choice
of ships and of under officers, but that they would do
well to go in the fleet. ' Well,' said they, ' we will come in,
and hear your terms ;' and here," said Mr. E., •* was the
beginning of our Mariner's Church — And now, when r.ny
of them express a desire to join a church, I ask them
what church they would wish to join, and I go with them,
and introduce them to the pastor of the church, and tell
him what I know about them."

Thus I have imperfectly fulfilled^my promise. I have
given you the most striking sketches, that I remember.
I have given you only the substance. I think that what
I have stated is strictly true, certainly not beyond the

truth. — You can make what use you please of it.

.# # # # # «

, -, mfc

;•-;:.»-

i\ .-.■ t

114 MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBURK.

In these memoirs Mr. Eastburn is frequently mentioned
as the pastor of the Mariner^s Church, and is also styled
Reverend, To prevent misapprehension, and indeed to
correct that which has, to a certain extent, already taken
place, it may be proper to remark that according to the
technical use of the terms Pastor and Reverend, Mr. E.
was entitled to neither; although, in their general import,
it is believed that he had a good claim to both. Neither
Pastor nor Reverend is technically or customarily ap-
plied to any man who is not an ordained minister of the
gospel^ which Mr. E. never was ; and the former term is
used to designate one who is not only ordained, but who
has the stated charge of a particular church and con-
gregation, in which he both preaches and administers the
sacraments ; and in Mr. E.'s licensure it was expressly stip-
ulated that " he should not consider himself as a candidate
for the pastoral office."* The Mariner's Church, more-
over, was established by a joint effort of several religious
denominations, and it could not, without some new ar-
rangement, be placed under what is usually denominated
the pastoral care of a minister belonging to any one of
these denominations.

But the word pastor or shepherd, in its general appli-
cation to the duties of a minister of the gospel, refers
chiefly to his obligation to feed a flock of Christ, of which
he has the oversight, with spiritual food ; to watch over
them, and in every way to promote their spiritual wel-
fare : and never did a ministee of the gospel labor more
assiduously than did Mr. Eastburn, to give to the people
of his charge — his " dear Mariners" — a full and the most
suitable supply of the bread and the waters of life ; to
watch for their souls ; to visit them in sickness ; to warn
them of danger ; and to " guide their feet into the way of

* In this stipulation, which was agreed to without any reluctance
on the part of Mr. Eastburn, regard was had by the presbytery, not
only to the defects of his education, but also, and chiefly, to the state
of bis mind in regard to the sacrament of baptism. It is believed by
the writer that his sentiments on this subject were somewhat different
before his death, from what they were at the time of his licensure.
But at that time, he could not, if he had been a pastor, have bap-
tized infants at all, nor adults m any form but by immersion. He
could not, of course, be a pastor in a Presbyterian church.

y mentioned
s also styled
kd indeed to
tready taken
rding to the
rend, Mr. E.
leral import,
th. Neither
tomarily ap-
nister of the
rmer term is
led, but who
ch and con-
ministers the
xpressly stip-
s a candidate
tiurch, more-
eral religious
ome new ar-
denominated
[> any one of

general appli-
gospel, refers
rist, of which
watch over
spiritual wel-
;1 labor more
to the people
and the most
rs of life ; to
less ; to warn
to the way of

: any reluctance
: presbytery, not
iefly, to the state
It is believed by
newhat different
of his licensure,
astor, have bap-
immersion. He
hurch.

peace."-^To them^ tborefoire, he tr^is toily.and emphat-
ically a po^for. .^

Jotibson'^s definitioQ ^tthe vrori Averind^in its gen-
eral import, 19 ** Teneraibk { deserving rdvie^nee, eararc*}-
in^ r<e8]^e<;t bf his tL^^rmce^^ An^ ^^'w^ki^tyhk iji
this itifore applicable, tnan to^e tml^ veheMttiimi Vf^'0r
is the sul^cit of these memditB? Reword, says the
great texi^bgraf^^er, is J* air boadntty epit^ -of ^ A*
cleigy.'*— Arid the epittiet waa. courteously given to Mn
Eastbum, by sucfh a Vo|u[^iyi^edera!,ah<| cordfi^
fragc of the feligibds |>Qblic, as butr few cc^ld obtti^naiid;

If aiiy should be disposed to noalre tbi "^e^se of Mr. E.
a plea for the introdactibn^ofmeii into' the j^Spel iiiiotstry
withoat more, educ^tibfi than \^e pos^esseC^hey poghA to
be informed that they eouidjnotiiaye obtain^ hw$anctiotf^
or countenaiticef to suclx^a pleli. tfe never. t}ioi]^it;]^iii*
self qtialified for the pastor^it office iM tbej^rase is^uioidf
understood; and it ts bei^ed bie i^o<ira's6rKav^V
sented to accept it, if It ha4 beeao^eriat «ii#^««^i^
ujran him. ' -lie iilintfETlamented'tbatiie "^ ci6t ^e^
fuiliishcHd i^An lie^a8,'for the ri|nitelt|(itic^of ^etbbihtier
and'pteacfibr. He ha4lhe go^ se^ti^ i&> I:ii6w, tfent he

had not the **tt;easure** of theot<^cal fnadwled^V
of which he could ** bring forth things pe# aid' olq^ m i^
stated charge. Let those therefore wKo aroire to he ^hat
he was, have some good evidence that thenr ^liafificationk
are equal, or similaf, to those \vhi6h he possfes^bd. The
writer has always considered tiie case'1[>f'j^^sthurri at
nearly wm^'we— as standing by itself. He' h^s never re-
gretted, arid thinks he shall never regret^ th^ instramen-
tality he had, ia giving to this extraordinary ixian the qual-
ified Hcensure which was granted him. He "would vote
to give it to another of lilkequalificatioiis, if another could
be found. But another such he never expects to see.
A man like Mr. Eastburn does not often appear— a man
who had suth a force of piety, as far more feari. counter-
balanced the wants and defects which must for ever, and
completely, disqualify ordinary Christians ibr the Bf here
in which he moved. . " ^

"-^j*

lU M8M0IBH OF THE REV. JOSEPH EiOSTBUSIf.

'%■

.CONCLUSION.

.,. It wa3 stated in the introduction to these memoirs, that
a principal design in writing them was, io show what
** simple, genuine, consistent, fervent, active, eminent
piety may efie^t,^^ even when unaided hy rank, genius,
education or wealth. And we have now seen that such
a piety, and sp unaided, did, in the case of Mr.Eastburn,
secure to him a personal influence and esteem among
various denominations of Christians, and among people
of all de^riptions of character, that was truly wonderutK
This is manifest from numerous facts recited in .these
memoirs, as well as from the demonstration of public
respect which was exhibited at his funeral-^a demonstra-
tion which many have thought and said, the death of no
other citizen of Jrhiladelphia could have produced. But-<r-
what was of;infinitely niore mfportance than any *^ honor
^(H^cfa comdth from man,^* and was 'so regarded by Mr,
£aatb^re iiknseU^tbe influence and. esteem which he
had ac<|uiredr^sihledlum| todo good to the souls of men, to
a most uj)cpmmop ^tent It is scarcely <:nedible in wl^ a
number of housdiolds in the city of his residence his name
is precious, and will long be so, for some profligate of a
family reckUn^td and coi^verted' by his kmd and faith-
ful admonitions; for some laboring mind directed by his
instructions and counsels to the Saviour; for some sick
or dying member edified by his conversation and prayers ;
and for the nomirners whom his presence, and sympathy,
and exhortation, soothed, sustained, and comforted. But
besides all this, it is probable that his preaching and ex-
hortations during the fpur-and-twenty years of his public
ministrations, were quite as instrumental as those of any
other man in our country, during the same space, in turn-
ing sinners " from darkness to light, and from the power
of Satan unto God." They were, let it be remembered,
the gifts of divine grace, in their large bestowment to this
eminent Christian, which God was pleaded thus to honor;
and let the praise and glory of his own gifts be given to
God alone.

But surely such a character as that of Mr. E. furnishes
a very strong presumption, if not a conclusive proof, of

BN.

gmoirs, that
show what
e, eminent
mk, genius,
jn that such
r. Eaitburo,
eem amon^
long people
r wofldertuK
;ed in .these
n of public
idempnstra,-
deatb of no
jced. But-^
any ** honor
rded by Mr.
xi which he
Lil8pfn(ien,to
iilein w^a
Dce his oame
pofligate of a
d and faith-
rected by his
or some sick
and prayers ;
id sympathy,
nforted. But
:bing and ex-
of his public
those of any
pace, in tuf n-
m the power
remembered,
vment to this
bus to honor;
;s be given to

'. E. furnishes
live proof, of

MEMOIRS Or^tHE REV. JOSEI^H EASTBVRK. 117 '

the truth of the whole gospd sys'teno. From the ioflu«
ence of that system his mind unquestionably received, in
relation to certain gubjects^ a strength and elevation*
which it could not have derived from any dtheir source.
Nor were his mental powers merely raised and invigo-
rated ; they were, by the same influence, rendered .most
amiable and benevolent ; they were unceasingly devoted
to the promotion of human happiness, in every way their
possessor could devise ; And they were actually success-
ful in advancing all the best interests of mankind, to a
very unusual extent Now, can a system productive of
such effects be nothing more, or better, than a system of
base falsehood and deception ? Musi not such a system,
on the contrary, be divine? Must it not have come from
Him "whose tender mercies are oy^r all his works?**
Yes, indubitably — And such eiamples as that which we
here contemplate, do in fact confound infidelity, silenqs
its advocates, or prevent their influence, more thaa'flffi \
the argumentative reasopiiigs, powerful «r6. usefdl as they
are, by which the truth of revelation is defended and
established. ,

The humblest Christian may £|l8o see, from the example
before us, not only how much he may promote his own
happiness, but how useful he itiay be to others, by dili-
gently cultivating; and keeping in lively and vigorous ex*
ercise the Christian graces, and by " adorning the doc-
trine of God his Saviour^ in all things." Although he
may never, like Mr. Eastburn, become a public exhorter,
still he may, " by well xioing, put to silence the ignorance'
of foolish men." He may, by a heavenly temper and a
holy life, more effectually recommend religion t<5 all who
observe his conduct, than can often be done by the most
eloquent and cogent discourses. If Mr. Eastburn had
not lived religion., his public addresses would have had
little effect ; and it was in fact by living religion that he
did more good than by his formal addresses. An exem-'
plary Christian life speaks a language which all under-
stand, and which few are so hardened in wickedness as
not in some measure to feel-^They often feel it, even
when they ridicule and profess to despise it : and some-
times they sQ feel it, that at last it produces repentance,

:vi

3 »

' t,

• ; -M

■t-

1^18 MEMOIRS OF THE EEV. JOSEPH EA8TBURN.

reformation, and the salvation of the soul. There have
of late been a number of instances, in which pious sailors
and soldiers, by their eood example and Christian de-
portment^ have drawn. the attention of their companions
(savingly it may be hoped) to attend to the thinp which
belong to their peace ; anid have produced a favorable
impression even on the^r commanoing officers.

in the subject of these memoirs we see eminently veri-
fied the important remark, that the most valuable of all
distinctions, the distinction which is made by the grace
of God, and which renders the; subject of that grace a
child of God and an heir of eternal glory, is not made
according to those qualities and circumstances by which
men usually class and measure their esteem ror each
other ; but may be the allotment of any of the human
race, whatever be their standing in society, or the estima-
tion made )of them by their fellow jnortals. . Observa-
^on, indeed, abundantly shows, that this ereat and lasting
distinction, which alone is worUiiy of much concern, is not
most frequently possessed by men of high intellectual pow^
ers, or brilliant endowments of any kind ; not commonly
by the wise, the wealthy, the learned, the eloquent, or the
powerful ; but by men of no eminence for genius, station,
or property. In every succeeding age, it has been much as
it was when the Saviour said, ^* I uiank thee, O Father,
Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these
things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them
unto babes. Even so. Father, for so it seemed good in
th^ sight" — ^And when afterwards an inspired apostle
said, " Ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many
wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many
noble are' called : But God hath chosen the foolish things
of the world to confound the wise ; and God hath chosen
the weak things of tiie world to confound the things
which are mighty; and base things of the worl^^ and
things whfch are despised, hath God chosen; y^a, and
things which are not to bring to nought things which are ;
that no flesh should glory in his presenc^.-^*

Men make many classes and distinctions, but God
makes account of one only— that which exists between
his friends and his foes. This will portly divide the

MGMOms OP THE RfiV. JOSEPH EASTBURN. liO

%vhole human familj into two great companies. And
oh ! when the assembled race of men shall stand before
the judgment seat of Christ, how will the distinctions of
this world be reversed ! How much more glorious will
Joseph Eastbum then appear, than the unsanctified kin^
and conquerors, patriots and sages, orators and poets,
wits and scholars, men of influence and men of wealth,
who have been feared, or admired, or envied, and who
may have filled the world with their fame I How would
they rejoice to exchange their place of infamr and agony
unutterable, for that of the humble mechanic, wearine
his ^^ crown of righteousness,*^ acquitted and honorea
by his Judge, triumphing in his Saviour, surrounded by
a happy throng whom his pious labors have led to glory,
and saying, with adoring gratitude, ^vBeh(^d I ana the
children that God hath given me/* In the exercise of
that faith, " which is the substance of things hoped fbr^
and the evidence of things not seen," how oughtr&e
meanest disciple of Jesus^ not enfy to be content with hia
present allotment, but to give thanks to God, whose
grace has disposed und enabled hkn to choose ^^ the good
part which shall not be taken away from him.**

Mr. Eastbuf n*s example as a man of prayer, was highly
instructive and worthy of particular notice. His private
devotions, indeed, remained private.-^He has stated what
they \yere, in his first religious exercises, in the narrative
inserted in these memoirs; but the writer does not re-
member to have heard him ^jpeak of them in a single
instance. Yet an observing person could not be in his
company even for a day, without percwving that he was
one who communed much with his God •, mat his " con-
versation was in heaven.'* No doubt can exist that he
was eminently a man of prayer. No one who did not
pray much in secret, could pray as he did in public. In
his pubhc prayers, especially in the first part of them, he
oftevi seemed as if he was weighed down with a sense of
the divine presence, of the holiness and majesty of a
present God, of his own nnworthiness, and his need of
the intervention of a Mediator. Deep reverence and hu-
mility marked every part of the exercise. — It was char-
acterized throughout by solemnity and fervor. He rarelyi

'b.-

i '''1'

110 MfiMOUtB or THE REV. JOSEPH BASTBURN.

if ever, beeitated ; his langua^ was in a suitable degree
acriptaral, and in general pertinent and happy. His sup-
plications frequency and strongly indicated that he was
~ praying in faith, and tliat he looked for an answer. A
petition which he often uttered was, ** May we, O Lord,
follow our prayers with expectation.^^

In considerins the unusual success which attended the
labon of this holy man, who can doubt that it was
greatly, nay chiefly, to be attributed to his prayers ? He
was an Israelite, who " had power with God and pre*
vailed.^^ What he did he was prepared to do, by the
influence of prayer on hi« own mind ; and when it was
done, the answer of prayer rendered it successful. — A
prayer-hearing God crowned what he did with the de-
sired blessing. Others might, arid often did, perform the
same services which he performed, but seldom with the
^me happy result. How forcibly ought this to impress
Ob. the minds of all who minister in holy things, the infi-
nite importance of their being men of prayer. Unless
they truly possess this character, it is tio wonder if they
labor in vam : and is it rash or uncharitable to believe,
that a deficiency in this particular is a principal cause
that there is so much labor in vain, in the ministry of re<
conciliation ?

In some respects, it is believed that many preachers
of the gospel might learn a profitable lesson from the un-
disciplined exhorter, whose memoirs we are closing. He
was entirely willing to give himself for exactly what he
was. He never labored, or appeared to be anxious, to
do something that was out of his reach. He made no
attempts to shine, or to say what should be thought novel,
or unusually excellent. He had no affectation of elo-

auence, and this made him at times truly eloquent. Al-
lou^ he never precoinposed any thing, he took a good
deal of care to say nothing that was not true, nothing ex-
travagant, nothing that might mislead, nothing that might
unnecessarily give offence ; but while he was speaking,
he appeared as if he thought of nothing else but of doing
good to souls ; he was carried along by his subject, and
was apparently entirely unconcerned as to what his
hearers mig^t think or say of himself. Hence he was

p- ''^-

llEMOms OF THE RRV. JOSEPH BASTBVRN.

Itl

always ready to sneak on any occasion, however unex-
pected, in which auty appeared to call him to address
an audience. He was willing to say what he could, and
to let it stand for just what it was worth. It is believed
that if preachers generally ^cted more like Mr. Eastburo,
in most of the particulars now stated, they would be
more comfortable themselves, and^ be at once more ac-
ceptable and more useful to their hearers.

but in concluding these memoirs, which, from a regard
to the subject of them, will probably be found in the
hands of many seamen, the writer cannot satisfy himself^
without making

•'A SHORT ADDRESS TO MARINERS:—

Especially to those who heard Mr. Eastbum preach,
who asked and received his pj^ayers, and who were
warned and counselled byiiis lips v now for «ver clos^ii
in death : —

Friends and BRF4THRB.if, . / *

Did you not love father Eastbum ? You will doubtless
answer that you did; for almost every body loved him,
and nobody more than mariners. Well then, have you
shown your love to him, in that way which would hiave
pleased him most — and in the only way, indeed, that he
cared much about? You certainly have not done this,
if you have not complied with his many and affectionate
entreaties that you would seek the salvation of your
souls, as *Vthe one thing needful.^^ He asked nothing of
you but this. He would receive nothing but this, for all
his exhortations, and entreaties, and visits, and kindnesses
shown to you, and to many of your families ; and for all
the prayers that he made for you in public, and many
that he poured out in private, with many tears, that God
would have mercy on you, and save you from eternal
misery. Oh I he did most earnestly desire to see you
solemnly engaged about your eternal well-being ; to see
you inquiring what you should do to be saved, and with
all your might pressing into the kingdom of God ! And
now, will any of you refuse to give this proof of your
love and gratitude, to a man who loved you so much, and
did so much for you ? and above all, will you refuse this

I'^l

( ,'■-■■>

IH *.

122 MEMOIRS OP THfi REV. JOSEPff EASTBURN.

to the blessed Saviour, who loved you more., and did
more for you, than any mortal man could do— who came
down from heaven to earth, and died the cursed death of
the cross, that the curse of God might not rest on your
souls forever?

Do you not know that although you will never see
' father Eastbum again in this world, yet you will see him
again in the world to come ? Do you not know that you
will all meet him before the bar of God ? Yes, you will
assuredly meet him there; and there you will be called
to a strict account for the manner in which yon have
treated every address that he ever made to you, and
every prayer that you ever heard him make in the Mar-
iner^s Church, and every prayer you requested him to
make for you there, and which he did make for you^
when you were going on a voyage to sea, and when you
•Were for a^ay on the ocean. Truly, my friends, it will
be an awful account that you will have to give up, and
an awful condemnation that wHl follow, if it shall then
be found that- you have not passed that great spiritual
change, that being "bom again," which father East-
bum used so often to speak to you abou^. A4as ! if it
shall then appear that you were never tmly converted
unto God, that you never truly repented of your shis
and turned from them with all your heart, that you
never truly trusted in the Lord Jesus Christy and
relied on his atoning sacrifice, finished righteousness,
and prevalent intercession, as the sole ground of hope
for acceptance with God ; or that you never proved
the truth of a supposed conversion by^ fleeing from all
known sin, and by honestly endeavoring to obey all tlie
commands of God — if this shall appear, it will be man-
ifest that you died in your sins ; and he who once so
earnestly and affectionately counselled, and warned,
and entreated you to turn without delay unto the Lord —
even he will then become a swift witness against you ; and
you will be condemned to be eternally separated from
your dear old friend, and from all good beings, and will
be sent away to dwell for a long eternity with the devil
and his angels, in the fire that never shall be quenched.
Be not offended, dear friends, at this plain language. It

'ti,
•i
'I

-t^

MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBURN.

128

is spoken in love and kindness to yoarsoals, and that the
writer may deliver his own soul. What hat heen said
is the truth of God, and such you will assuredly know it
to be, either in this world or in eternity. Do not allow
yourselves to be deceived in this great concern. Do not
flatter yourselves with vain hopes, th^t it will go well
with you at last, even if you indulge in sin ; and beware
that you do not rely on repenting and turning ta the
Lord at somie future time. No time, believe it, will be
so favorable for this as the present. Even if you should
die by a Jingering disease, a sick and dying bed is a most
unfavorable place and time to make your peace with
God. You may not have the use of your reason then ;
and if you have, the distress of the body will be enough
to bear, without having the great work of your souls' sal-
vation both to begin and finish. Beside, if you reckon
on this, you may so grieve and offend the blessed Spir^
of God, that he may leave you to yourselvest-^nd Itieb
you will be sure to perish; ibirwidiQut Us gracious «&<•
sistance you neverwiH repent You ought to recollect^
moreover, that yours is a Ufe of peril. You may be
swallowed up in the ocean, without having a moment^s
time to prepare for eternity, if you have not done it be-
forehand. O do not delay or trifle ! Break away, at
once, from all your wicked associates. If they sneer and
laugh at you, regard it not. Let them not banter you out
of your souls ; they are too precious to be thrown away
as a sacrifice to the sport of fools. Remember that
your Saviour bore much reproach and shame for you;
Renounce all those lewd, filthy, intemperate and pro-
fane practices, Mrhich destroy so many seamen, soul and
body, for time and eternity. Set them all aside at once.
Cry to God for help; attend mariners' meetings, where-
ever you can find them ; and resolve, in the strength of
the Almighty, that you will give no peace to yourselves,
till your peace is made with God through the Lord Jesus
Christ. " Behold now is the accepted time ; behold now
is the day of salvation. Ih-day if you will hear his voice,
harden not your hearts." . . 4

But it is known that there are some^ — and for ever
blessed be the name of the Lord that there are some, and

#■

p- 'f"

Ti«l «

i,«* >t4

-*.

1S4 MEMOIRS OF TH£ REV. JOSEPH EASTBURN.

would to God the number were much greater — who have
received benefit, saving benefit, it is hoped, from the ser-
vices performed in the Mariner^ Church of Philadelphia.
You, dear friends, have an important part to act, and
much, very much, will depend on your acting it welL
If you adorn religion, if you constantlv show a good ex-
ample, and use your influence prudently, and kindly, and

.perseveringty, to promote piety and good morals among
your brother mariners, the effect, under the divine bless-
ing, will be happy beyond all calculation. It may be
the means of saving multitudes of sailors from present
misery and wretchedness, and from eternal destruction
beyond the grave. Much is now doing for the benefit of
seamen, by good people in many parts of the world ; and
surely it may be hoped that seamen themselves will do
all in their power to promote the good cause — to help

.4hemselves,'and sen-e their brethren.

But, on the other hand, if any of those who profess to
have felt the influence of religion turn back, if they apos-
tatize, or if, without complete and final apostasy, they
for only once indulge in any of the gross vices of seamen,
the consequences will be incalculably mischievous. O
what a triumph will it give to the wicked and licentious,
and what a hindrance will it be to tliose who are engaged
in promoting a brtter state of things among sea-farii^
men, whose comfort, and happiness, and spiritual interests,
have been so long and shamefully neglected ! And will
any sea-faring man do any thing to stop and throw back
this good work ? Indeed he ought to dread it worse than
death. But be aware that those who hate religion, and
the work of reformation that is going on, will do what
they can to tempt you to practices which will, if in-
dulged in, bring reproach and distress on yourselves, and
be a stumbling-block to those who may be thinking of
reformation. Therefore, dear friends, keep a good look
out ; and take heed to all your ways. Do not rely merely
on your own prudence and strength; but often put up
earnestly that petition of our Lord's prayer — " Lead us
not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." They only
are well kept whom God keeps. Daily ask grace and

-'»■».'

"I I

BfBMOms OP THB REV. JOACPB KASTBTlllV. 125-

gofdance from on hi^h. ^* In all your wap acknowledge
God, and be will direct your paths/^ Much, both of
^'our comfort and your safety, will depend on your keep-
ing up, as far as possible, a lively sense of divine thingi
in your own soul^ This is the great secret of beinc
happy, of ayoidmg ^v il, and of doing eood. When the soiu
is alive to spiritual and heavenly realities, it so hates sin^
and so loves God and goodness, that it will, instinctively
as it were, shun and stand at a. distance from any thing
that would mar and destroy its holy pleasure.

A mariner^s life is, doubtless, in many respects, un-
friendly to spiritual exercises, and lively religious feeling.
Yet this should only make you the mpre resolute, watch-
ful and careAiI. There ia hardly a higher example of a
devout and holy life, than that wliich was led b^ James
Meikle, on board a man of war, and oden without a
single religious friend to speak to. The thing th^efore
is not impossible. Daily secret prayer — ^fervent efTec^cnir^
prayer — must not be neglected* • The bf»t a'dvafttages
for this are, it ia admitted^ not often found On ship-board.
StrU) Acceptable prayer can be performed on board of any
ship, if only the heart is in the business^ God knows
the heart, and it is this' only that he re^rds in prayer:
and the heart may be lifted up to hioEi, m any situation
in which we can be placed. You will have some op-
portunities to be alone, and these should be carefully im-
proved for prayer, devout meditation, and conrnuinion
with God^ Read the Holy Scriptures as much and as
often as you can ; peruse as many religious tracts as you
can find ; commit psalms and hymns to memory ; and
observe the Lord^s day, as far as your circumstances and
occupation will permit. It may be that you will be
called to suffer persecution for tlie cause of Christ; and
if so, bear it patiently, perseveringly, and with prayer for
your persecutors. But an exemplaiy and exact discharge
of all the duties that belong to his station, and a respect-
ful and ready obedience to those who have the com-
mand, will commonly give even a common sailor fiivor
in the eyes of his superiors ; and wliile diligence and
fidelity in business is an important Christian duty in itself,

i '4

126 lilSMOIRS or gpHE Rev. JOSEPH eASTB^RM.

it aho serves to recommend religion to dfhers, v/tbr^ in
'diced than .aH the talk in the world, if this be neglected.
It 18 doubtless the duty of seamen ta speak to each
othe^, on the coftcems oT their souk.' This, however,
inust be done discrei^^ and seasonably; o&erwise, it may
•Ibe productiTe of more hapm than good. On the other
band, there muM not be too \tiuch fear and reserve, in
regai4 totiiiB Hung.' A nin^ bint or remark, kindly
.given, ^d Accompanied with an ejaculatory prayer -that
God niay bksa itvRia^ strike the heart of a profane per-
son,4U[» as never to be fbi^otten, and may at last be the
means of saving las soul. There have bejBn many in-
stances of this kind, and they afibrd much encoaragemcnt
to speak a word for God^ whenever a proper opportunity
is offered. Alreligious seaman, moreover, who acts up
to his t^ristian cl»ract^, will commonly hav6 the con-
fidence of ^ a Inumber of his shipmates; and he oidght
>aF!ii9e it, whenever be^uroperly can^ to converse. at some
lei^ i^Ub we And aouftthes of them, on the great mat-
iet^ot- (heir souPs sanation — Seaaoss^ of affliction, of
slcknest, e^gecii^y^ may commonly be improveil ^mt tbis
{Mirpose. Whenever tnere are a number of pious «€»>
men ia the same vessel,^^ they niay greatly help and en-
courage each other; an^.they ou^^if practicable, to
have some stated seasons for social prayer and piousxon-
ference. When on shore, tbey wi^l of course resort to
a Mariner^s Church, if there is one at hand ; and they
ought, h^ all means, to take alone with them as many of
their shipmates, ibis possible. If there is no Mariner^s
Church in the port .where they are, another place of
worship should be attended^ Great care should be taken
to ^d a proper- boarding-house, free from lewd and in-
temperate inmates ; for it is on shore, and especially in a
bparding«house where vicious practices are allowed, that
ft pious seaman will commonly meet with the strongest
tG«R]^tad<M>e, to do something that will bring reproach on
religion, and pierce his own soul through with many sor-
rows. It is a happy circumstance that pain» are now
taken, in some places, and likely soon to be taken in
more, to provide sailors with comfortable lodgings, m

MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBITRN.

127

ore m
lected.
> each
wever,
it may
s other
irvie, in
kindly
er-that
ne per-
be the
lany in-
Lgemcnt
>rtanity
acts tip
;he coh-
e o\ight
at some
eat mat*
tion, 4)1
r fer Hits
008 -sea*
and en-
able, to
ousxon-
resort to
nd they
many of
lariner'a
)lace of
ye taken
and in-
Lally in a
ved, that
strongest
roach on
lany sor-
are now
taken in
sings, m

houses where no vice will be permitted, and where they
may find books and companions that will do them good,
and keep them from being led astray.

The present is an age of missions — Missionaries are
sent to every quarter of the globe ; and ships and sea-
men are employed to transport them. Those who observe
" the signs of the times ^^ notice with pleasure the erec-
tion of Mariner's Churches, and the zeal that has been
awakened to promote the spiritual good of seamen, at the
very time when " swift ships " are carrying the heralds
of salvation to the heathen, even to the ends of the earth:
and they remark with great interest, that in the glowing
description given of " the latter day glory," by the evan-
gelical prophet,* a part of that description is formed by
the declaration, ** that the abundance of the sea shall be
converted," and brought into the Christian church. Hence
they are led to hope that the time is not far distant, whea
almost every ship shall be in very deed a Bethel, a bouse
of God, with a church in that house — a company of joy-
ful Christians, of pious seamen and devoted missionaries^
who, while they are sailing over the watery waste which
divides one country from another, shall still, even on the
passage, enjoy all the privileges of the Christian church :
and when they shall arrive at a heathen land, shall be
able, at once, to exhibit to the wondering natives, the
worship of a Christian sanctuary in all its loveliness ; and
thus commence the blessed work of evangelizing the peo-
ple, with advantages hitherto unknown. Let pious sea-
men pray much for the arrival of this glorious period —
Let them do all in their power to bring it forward. Let
them, when they go to heathen ports, or to ports where
often there are nominal Christians worse than heathen, —
let them show, at least in their own example, what real
Christianity is. Let them co-operate, in every way they
can devise, in the blessed work of ?-xtending the gospel
throughout the habitable earth. Thus v. ill they imitate
the holy man, the " Mariner's friend," whose memory is
60 dear to their hearts : and thus will they be preparing

*" Isaiah LX.
M

128 MEMOIRS OF THE REV. JOSEPH EASTBURN.

to join and rejoice with him, in that haven of eternal rest
which he has reached ; and where, notwithstanding the
dangers of the passage through this fluctuating and tem-
pestuous state, all who look by the eye of faith unto Jesus,
as the great pole-star to direct their course, shall surely
and safely arrive.

.,^-

T'ivni-

THE END OF THE MEMODUS.

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APPENDIX,

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T*.'*^'

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3S -|*(^«rc4«

\^tr: f

Mr. Eastburn received a very large number of letters,
duriug the period of his ministry. Two or three of these,
or extracts from them, have already been published in
newspapers ; but many others have never as yet appet^
ed in print It is supposed that a few of them will gratify,
and it is hoped be useful to, the readers of his memoirs.
They are therefore here subjoined in an Appendix;
together with some other papers which were selected
and preserved by Mr. Eastburn. It were to be wished
that his own letters to his correspondents could have
been obtained, and inserted along with those to him. But
of these letters, copies of only two were found among his
papers. These are all that we are able to publish at
present. , . ,

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130

APPENDIX.

LETTERS.

•,

From Mr, Eattburn to Mr, Reynolds.

Dear Mr. Reynalds, — I have just received your very
friendly letter of the 17th of July last. It was handed to
me in our Mariner's Church, by a sailor from New- York,
and contains much pleasing intelligence of your progress
in pronioting the cause of our precious Saviour, and of
the bringing in of the poor seamen, who had been say-
ing, " no man cares for Jack Tar's soul," — nor did they
care for their own souls. The Rev. Mr. Whitfield said it
was a strange thing to think, that a sailor could find the
main-top-bolin of a ship in the darkest night that ever
was, and yert: could not find a church door of a sunshining
day. But now they seek for churches and prayer meetings,
and it is to be hoped the time to favor them is come, and
that the abundance of the sea is coming in ; and may we
not hope that he that called seamen to be his disciples at
the first spread of the gospel, is now calling many of them
to be his messengers, to carry the gospel round the globe
they traverse ? I am happy to declare, that I have good
reason to believe we have evidences of the power of the
Lord turning some bold hardened seamen, from being
bold in the service of Satan to be bold in the service of
their Lord and master; and we hope the good work
among them is increasing. Our place of worship, which
will seat twelve hundred, is generally crowded and very
solemn. Many are deeply afiected, and request to be
prayed for ; and when away they do not foi^et to write,
and show that their impressions have not left them.

We have no regular committees to conduct our affairs.
Robert Ralston, Esq. is the principal manager of all the
temporal concerns of the church. He, with Commodore
Richard Dale, and a man belonging to the Society of
Friends or Quakers, were the trustees who bought the
ground. Commodore Dale is dead. I expect a report
of the church will be published soon, but fear not in

time to send

you a copy

of it.

Dea

Bethur

of you

waited

attentic

who [\

honte,

until n

me as ]

and ma

alarme(

to have

painful

that be

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and va

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bidding

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many a

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cern, ai

came 1:

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and cor

declare*

a great

much b

I am

Herald

APPENDIX.

^-^■■\t'.^

->;%t

To Mr, Bethune,

Dear Sir, — I was in hopes of seeing you and Mrs.
Bethune on your return from Carlisle, but did not know
of your passing through Philadelphia, or I should have
waited upon you ; as I feel obligated to you for your kind
attention to me when in New- York, and to many more,
who far exceeded my expectation. Since my return
home, I have been fully engaged as usual in visiting daily,
until my old frame calls for rest. Many here look upon
me as public property, and demand my attention to them :
and many of them belong to no place of worship, but are
alarmed when in sickness with fears of death, and desire
to have a prayer as a passport to heaven. It is indeed a
painful part of my calls, to find so many ignorant of all
that belongs to their soul^s concerns, and to have to warn
them of their danger, when they are in pain and sickness.
I visited one young woman lately, who had b^en very gay
and vain, but brought low in sicknesSi she was awfully
alarmed, crying out, "my day of grace is past," and for-
bidding any prayer to be offered up for her. Thus the
tempter is still carrying on his craftiness, by presumption
or despair. Many of the seamen, when sick, send for
me, and I feel more encouraged in speaking to them, than
to those who live on shore and neglect the means of grace.
Our Mariner's Church is constantly well atiiended, and
many appear very solemn, and come in the close of the
meeting with tears flowing, to speak of their soul's con-
cern, and entreating to be remembered in prayer. Five
came lately at one time, and another following in the
street, who said he had never been so affected in his life
before, and hoped the Lord would enable him to be bold,
and confess him before men. One of our chief Pilots
declared, when a meeting was dismissed, that he found
a great alteration in many seamen for the better, and
much better order and attention to duty than formerly.

I am much obliged to the kind editor of the Christian
Herald and Seaman's Magazine, for sending it to me.

133

APPENDIX.

Mariner^s House, London.
My Dear Sir,
I received your letters, and the seanien''s letters accom-

ranyiflg them, with pleasure and thanksgivings to God.
have also this week had an interview with the captain
of the Cambria, and learned from him, as well as from
your letters, how greatly God is blessing you in your
' pious labors among sailors. While listening to the state-
ments of captain R. in his cabin, I could not but exclaim
' to my good friend Mr. Marks, " Who raised up an East-
burn in Philadelphia, to preach to sailors ? Cfannot the
same divine power and grace raise up others also ? Je-
hovah said of Cyrus, " I have raised him up in righteous-
ness, and I will direct all his ways.^^ What encourage-
ment, is this to prayer, especially when we recollect
that it is said of Messiah, *^ He ascended up on high ; he
hath led captivity captive ; he hath received gifts ^r
,'^ifien, even for the rebellious, that the Lord God may
dwell among them.^^ May we all have an humble de-
pendence upon the words of his grace, that our souls
may be encouraged to believe, that when we are caUed
into eternity, the same almighty love and mercy which
called and fitted us to labor among poor sailors, will
qualify many more to take our place, unto whom it shall
be said, ** other men have labored, and ye have entered
into their labors."

I praise God, my brother, for your health and strength;
and I pray it may continue yet a little longer, until the
work is more established in the world among sailors.

God has done great things for you, in giving you a
heart to love them, and giving them a heart to love you.
Depend upon it, you are not forgotten in our prayers.
Many in England, when they read of your humble and
pious efforts, cease not to make mention of you in their
prayers. O that Abraham^s God may bless you, and
make you a blessing.

The committee of the London Mariner^s Church and
Rivermen^s Bethel Union, beg your acceptance of an en-

f raving of the church ; they rejoice to know that the
iOrd in mercy still spares you. I should be glad to hear
how you first became a sailor^s Preacher. Certainly Je«

APPENDIX.

135

hovah has some great designs of mercy in causing all
these great things in our day, to be wrought for guilty
manners. May the Lord abundantly strengthen, bless,
and sanctify you and your generous efforts for his glory.

I am yours affectionately,
My 22iZ. . G. C. Smith.

Philadelphia^ January 18/A, 1810.
Respected Friend,
The trustees of the " Evangelical Reformed Congrega-
tion," in justice to their feelings, cannot forbear expressing
their sincere thanks to you for the many services you
have rendered the congregation, and in being instruniental
(under God) of adding another church to the cause of
Christ, ^e trust and hope you will visit the congrega-
tion, when assembled together, as often as may be con-
venient to your engagements, and address them ocg««
sionally if requisite. We have enclosed one hundred
dollars, to be appropriated by you to such use as you may
deem proper ; out do not wish it to be considered as an
adequate compensation for your services : we are sorry
the funds of the congregation will not admit of enlarging
the sum at present

We sincerely wish that when many shall come from
north to south, and from east to west, and sit in the Re-
deemer's kingdom, you may be one of that happy num-
ber, and enter into the joys of the Lord.

^ . , ,^ Signed in behalf of the Trustees,

Philip Peltz, President.
Matthias Gebler, Secretary.
Rev. Joseph Eastburn.

[The foregoinff letter is written on one side of a leaf of letter
paper; and on me other side is found the following receipt :] —

Received, March 3d, 1810, of the Rev. Joseph East-
bum, one hundred dollars, as a subscription towards
building a church, for the Second Reformed Congre-
gation. Daniel Sutter, Treasurer.

'V I

134

APPENDIX.

;v■^^i/i..> Ili t V^:'»«'^

r.M

If' ' StR

London Mariner''s Church and RivermerCs
. * Bethel Union, Wellclose Square, u.*

Rev. and Dear Sir,
The committee of this institution have requested me
to express the great gratification we all felt, by the very
animating communication you have sent to our friend
and minister, the Rev. G. C. Smith, containing a delight-
ful detail of the Lord's gracious dealings, as they regard
your own individual experience, and the establishment
and f)rosperity of that cause in wh:ch you have been so
long and usefully engaged ; and in which we all take a
lively interest, while we lament that most of us should
so long have remained indifferent to the eternal concerns
of seamen ; which sinful apathy i^ight have continued
among us, had not the Lord — who is never at a loss to
raise up agents to be workers together with himself, to
<5arry on his designs of mercy when the set time is come
to favor any people — have stirred up Mr. S. on this side
the Atlantic, as he has you on the other : for of most, if
not of all ministers of the gospel in this country, his la-
bors are more abundant, for which God has furnished
him with strength of body and mind above most of his
fellows. Were it not for his great exertions in travelling
and preaching nearly in all parts of the kingdom, to col-
lect for this society, which you may be aware is exten-
sive in its operations and attended with great expense,
we should not know hovir to carry it on. The time for
"the watchmen to see eye to eye'^ is not yet arrived;
and but few of onr ministers, comparatively, care about
sailors, but we doubt not they soon will, as they see the
work proceed. Indeed, one and another now almost
every week, are virtually saying, " we will go with you,
for we see the Lord is with you." Mr. S. has collected
nearly £200 for the cause during the last five weeks, in
different inland towns ; which evinces that the concern of
the inhabitants for mariners is at length awakened ; but
so ignorant were pastors and people of the maritime
world, in some of these lai^e commercial towns, that Mr.
S.'s description of a man of war surprised them more

:A-- *

APPENDIX.

135

than the seven wonders of the world ; and when brought
to recollect that their own manufactories were kept open
by intercourse with other nations, by means of ships con-
taining precious souls, many hundreds have lately, and
but lately, simultaneously said, *^ we will begin to do
something for sailors ;^^ and thus auxiliary societies are
rising up constantly, to assist by pecuniary means ; and
monthly prayer meetings are formed, to implore the out-
pouring of the Holy Spirit upon mariners all over the
world.

When we hear of you, sir, by pious men who vi&it our
Mariner's Church, we rejoice and unite in spirit with
you, and fondly indulge the wish to hear you there —
but as that cannot be, we shall always be most happy
to hear of you, and particularly from you by your re-
freshing epistles. After Mr. Smith had read your letter,
and I was appointed to acknowledge it, I thought it only
a reasonable request that I should be favored with the
loan of it for one day, but this (perhaps the only favor he
would deny me) was not granted: he thinks it is not
probable he shall be gratified by receiving many more
epistles written with your own hand — therefore makes
choice of it accordingly. Put in one part I am more
interested than Mr. S., where you alludie to the death of
your son. My first deep concern for sailors* souls was ex-
cited about nine years since, when I parted with a prom-
ising and only son on board a merchant-ship bound to the
West-Indies, and who died soon after his arrival. Though
feeble are my labors in the blessed cause of God among
our seamen on the Thames, &c., they are the most pleas-
ing and profitable which ever occupied my time and at-
tention. They are the most earnest and attentive hearers,
and their prayers and praises are inspiring to the preach-
er's feelings. May it please our heavenly Father to spare
you yet a little while longer, that you may more than
ever you have, see " the pleasure of the Lord," which is
the salvation of sinners, " prosper in his hands," who, ac-
cording to the years of your pilgrimage, will very soon
say to you, " Well done, &c., enter into the joy of thy
Lord."

136

APPENDIX.

|*f! .* ''I

[■}■■ ■■■■ .i

Mr. Smith, and the committee of this society, most
sincerely join with me in praying you majr finish your
course with joy, and have an entrance ministered unto
you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord
and Saviour Jesus Christ.

I am, Rev. and dear Father,
«, . y Your's affectionately,.

. f V Robert Joyce,

J{ov, 29, 1826. Secretary to the Thames Mission.

Extracts from the letter of the Rev. G. C. Smith, dated
Mariner'^s House, Wellclose Square, London.

My Dear Sir, — ^'^ It is now about seventeen years since
my attention was first directed, by the God of all giace,
to labor more especially among Sailors. Iii' 1808, it
pleased God, in a singular manner, to pour out his Holy
Spirit on many persons in our ships of war ; and in 1 809,
I began a, correspondence with the Navy, which left me
at last in the direction of the spiritual concerns of nearly
eighty men of war. In 1817, 1 was mercifully directed
to the early prayer meetings among merchant-seamen in
the Thames, and in company with my worthy friend,
Phillips, laid the plan, and started the project of the first
Floating Chapel, and the first Seamans' Society for reli-
gious instruction. In 1819, I lamented to see our ex-
ertions limited to one Floating Chapel ; and thinking the
Bethel Flag would be an admirable signal for universal
invitation to divine worship, if we could once get it uni-
versally introduced, and recognised among Mariners, I
determined to form a society of all denominations, and
called it The Bethel Union. After three months' hard
]abor,and immense discouragements, I succeeded, through
the goodness of God — and have since assisted to form
most of the large societies in the chief ports of the king-
acm, connected with this Institution. I started at much
risk, and with only one person to encourage me, the
Sailors' Magazine — which, by the blessing of God, I
have been able to continue to this day. My place has
been at the helm therefore for some years, and amidst a
world of difficulties, dangers and anxieties, that some-

APPENDIX.

137

times drink up and exhaust my spirits ; but hitherto the
Lord has helped me. O ! how rich, how sovereign, and
how free, that grace must be, that chose and appointed
and called a poor, wretched, guilty wanderer or the sea,
who had been a cabin-boy in an American brig of Salem
— a cable-tier-strapper in a frigate — a common sailor be-
fore the mast in different line of battle ships — and a cap-
tain of the fore-top — an officer on the quarter-deck of a
most depraved and horridly abandoned man of war ! —
But so it is — By the grace of God I am what I am. Oh!
1 have reason indeed to cry out with holy Paul, " I thank
Christ Jesus our Lord who hath enabled me, for that he
counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry^ who
was before a persecutor, a blasphemer, and injurious."
Ah ! fatally injurious to many ! — " But I obtained mercy."
Surely I may add, that " the grace of God was exceed'
ing abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Je-
sus." O ! that this Almighty grace may give me daify
evidence that my salvation and my mercies were intended
as much for the good of others, as of my own soul ! so
that I may indeed be able to say, ** Howbeit, for this
cause I obtained mercy, that in me first among my sea-
faring brethren, Jesus Christ might show forth all long
suffering, for a pattern unto them which should hereafler
believe on him to life everlasting." Having lived to see
at the ace of — — — , the cause which I have thus been
graciously permitted and honored to begin, extending
itself throughout the world ; I am now most anxious to
consolidate and perpetuate the work in every possible
way, and, in particular, by well-regulated and judiciously
organized establishments on shore.

My mind has for some years been deeply concerned
for the horrid neighborhood of Tower-Hill, St Catha-
rine's, Wapping, Shadwell, Lime-House, Stepney, Poplar,
Deptford and Greenwich, all waterside parishes of infa-
mous notoriety, where millions of sea and river men,
and their families, have been hurried down quick to end-
less perdition. A few meeting-houses of different per-
suasions existed along shore, but they were wholly con-
fined to their own peculiar worshippers.

I had hitherto resided chiefly on the other side of the

130

APPENDIX.

It't • '•;«
Tii ■ 'I

river, where my friend Mr. Phillips lives, and in a neigh-
borhood chiefly frequented by coasters, but I saw no
one on this side, who ventured to act upon all the mass
of iniquity that rolled forward on this shore. I have
tried various means and plans to urge some others to this
station, and to some suitable plans for extensive labors
in it ; but no one could or would be placed in the fore-
front of the battle, to bear the attack of the adversary,
and fearlessly proclaim war against all his hosts, in the
very heart of his undisturbed and uncontrolled dominions.

These things induced me last summer to devote some'
time to preaching in the open air on Tower-Hill, and in
the worst part of this neighborhood, to some thousands
of wretched sinners of all descriptions. I had thus many
opportunities of announcing a plan I had long formed of
having a land establishment in these parts, thpit should
combine a .variety of essentials for their mor&i improve-
ment, religious instruction, and general protection of
Mariners, and their families. While laboring to diffuse
abroad correct notions as to the real usefulness of such
a plan, I was invited by a Norwegian to view a Danish
church in this square : I was astonished to find a laige
church, capable of holding about 1000 persons, and about
200 years old, with a variety of conveniences, had been
closed about nine years. It was originally built for the
Danes and Norwegians, and at one time the Danish and
Norwegian captains visiting London, subscribed nearly
£100 per annum to the support of the clei^yman, but
of late years, by intermarriages and a variety of other
circumstances, the congregation was much diminished ;
and when Norway was ceded to Sweden and the Nor-
wegians had become Swedish subjects, there was scarcely
any congregation left, especially, as the more wealthy
Danes about London, had become so anglecized and
mixed up with our various English congregations, as not
to require any distinct place of worship.

Under all those circumstances, the Danish church had
been shut up for years. I determined immediately to
apply for it, and form a MetropoHtan Mrriner's and
Rivermen's Bethel Union, that should embrace all my
views of a land establishment. Happily after much labor

APPBNDnU

18»

fttid difficQlty I succeeded in obtaining it, and the Danth
Elders kindly undertook the repairs of the roof and in*
terior to a very great extent. Last December it was
opened, and the reault has been most bless^. It is fiUed
every Lord^g day, and incalculable good has been accom*
plished. ,s,^-n i, ^.i » ;v .7

The situation is most suitable, being ck>se ttt fhe JLok*
don Dock, where an immense multitude oftiupBhy fir
general ports, and by means of which we can hold intaiv
coarse with most parts of the world. It stands in tht
very centre of what I may indeed caU HeUV DbminioD)
for every court and lane is filled with thieves and
crimps and prostitutes, and here thousands .of aailoii
perish every year. ' '

The yells and bowlings and screams o{ the most aban*
doned wretches, dra^hig sailors lo their dens, are to
dreadful every night at eleven o^cIock, that l am qbl^ed
to close up every avenue in front of the- house, left isf
family should hear their language. We -arc. however id£>
terniined through grace t» nut black -the torrent that would
overwhelm London and make it like Tyre or Baforlon,
when the Sailors should stand afar off, and «ay, AIm f
Alas! that great city! We have a dnnestic MisBioB
Society (^ pious females, who cover Tracto with brown
paper, and go out every Lord's Day afternoon through
about thirty courts and alleys, among ^e very w<NiKt
slaves of Hell, and civilly knock at each door, leaving 4
covered Tract to lend, saying they shall call for it next
Sabbath and exchange it lor another. In a few Sabbaths
some little conversation ensues, when they civilly invite
them and the ragged children to the Mariners' Church.
This has done immense good. . . ^

We also take advantage of every disastrous event that
is likely to make a powerful impression ; and printing
bills to announce a sermon to sailorg, we despatch agenu
with them through the Docks and Canals, and over all
the Piers in the river, Which is sure to bring large hosts
of the- worst characters, and whole ships' companies are
seen weeping like little children. We also seek after the
Watermen and Liditermen and Ship Porters at the 6tair««
and the crews of Steam Packets, and you will see by the

It 'I

!40

■*^

APPENDIX.

Magazine that we ar& now determined to invade tlie ter*
rltorieg of Satan in die Canal boatSf so that we wish if
•possible to purify the horrid fountains of sin in London,
that send forth thar poisonous streams to !:11 parts of the
United Kingdom ly mland traffic, and through the whole
world by foreign trade. Since we began this establish*
ment w€ kiaYe had one or two dreadful shocks, that we
tiiought would have nearly annihilated all our hopes, but
more are they who are for us than they that are against
lis. . I have indeed been strongly reminded of the words
of the Hon. and Rev. Gerrard Noel at one of the May
meetings^ ^^ We have, in order I conceive to remind us
how feeble and mutable are all hunian things, been called
to feel something like the shock of an earthquake; the
ground has seemed for. an instant to rock beneath us, per-
haps to remind us, that we have not, with sufficient hu-
mility, looked to that.great and glorious Being, who alone
4Ban bow ihh hearts of men as the heart of one man ;
bit I trust -jby turning to Him with fre^b feelings of af-
fection, and deep contrition and humility and anxious
player, we shall fbd that ^at common- ground^ which
the Divine Providence has permitted us to take will now
atand faster and firmer beneath our feet ; and that no
circumstances connected with our destiny in life, no cir-
cumstances connected with our different views of Chris-
tianity, shall free us iirom that sacred inclosure which
the Providence of God has placed around us."
i. . ITie general success however that has attended our
exertions, has been of the most extraordinary character;
and I have no doubt but if, as our Newton of St. Mary
Woolwoth and the friend of Cowper once sang,

" Satan trembles when lie sees
The weakest Saint upon his knees,"

that Hell itself must tremble, at the prospect of Messiah's
triumphs in this guilty neighborhooa.

One circumstance is very remarkable, viz. the burning
down of the Royalty Theatre. This was an immensely
laige Playhouse,, held about four thousand' persons, and
one of the very lowest for an audience, and for gross sen-
suality in London. It was chiefly for Sailors, Prostitutes,

river.

AP1>ENI>!X.

141

Thieves, Jfews, Procuresses, and a herd of their eonnex-
ioos. It was close to this square, that last winter ! haVe
stood and seen such hosts of sailors and girlr pour into
it every night, with brr^' y^ of rum, and the most horritl
blasphemy, that my htj^.t has bled, and my soul shuddei^
ed, to think of the consequences. My hopes liave some-
times in consequence been very low, and had"^ not been
for what I have experienced in my own soul, and^what I
have seen among the chief of sinners in other parts, I
should have despaired and closed up the church doors.
Judge of my astonishment when, being absent in the
country for some days lately, I read in the newspaper
that the Royalty one night was burnt to the ground, nolr
is it likety to be rebuilt. A son of the late Rev. John
Hyatt of the Tabernacle was, to the great grief of his
pious father, one of the chief actors. Do not^ those two
circumstances, the opening Of a Manners' Church, and
the burning down of the Sailor's Theatre, indicate SOBM
kind designs of mercy towards Mariners, from the <jrod of
all grace?

I will mention one other proof of som^ infhience in
the nei^bourfaood, by the measures adopted. This week
the Rev. R. Marks, camei» town, to attend t>nr &rst an-
niversary : on Wednesday morning 1 took him. through
all the immense district of Docks and Shipping on l£e
river.

At St. Catharine's, I showed him a place catted Hell-
lane. An immense number of the most horrid and aban-
doned prostitutes were seated as usual ^ on chairs in the
lane, waiting to seize upon every sailor that ventured
into this infernal cavern of wickedness. Having advanced
about twenty yards into this lane, I stood with Mr. M.
pointing to the women, and describing the horrible scenes
that frequently abound here. The wretched creatures
saw us, and knew me ; and Mr. M. being also dressed in
black, they naturally suspected what we were, and to our
utter astonishment, every one of them drew back, re-
entered their houses, pulled back the most indecent and
forward, and actually left us a clear coast, so that we
walked through at perfect ease, and only one poor wo-
man ventured to appear in the lane, whom we stopped

i ■

i^'i

.*ii

ii'Ni"

I4d

APPENDIX.

and begged to send her wretched children to Mariners*
Church SuDdftv School. Such a circumstance I should
scarcely have believed possible six months since. This
I would humbly hope is only the beginning of good thinj^
•here. 'J<

^^peaking of Mr. Marks, I would draw your attention
lor a moniefit to this good man^ He was formerly in the
^avy,.and was in the action of Trafalgar. He wa»iieu-
tenant of the Conqueror 74. It pleased God ta awaken
him by' his grace, as you will see, if you have an oppor-
lunity of reading his book, called the *^ Retrospect,", and
'fkbout 1809 he establishea meeting^ widi a few pious
•Seanien in one of the wings of that ship, for prayer and
/or reading the Bible; whei) he quitted the Navy about
1810i he studied at Cambridge, and has since taken or-
ders for the Church of- England. He published his Retro-
bpect a few^'cars »nce, and it brought him into notice,
W^ben a gentleman of Great Missender in Buckingham-
Ihilne j^rchased the hving and presented it to Mr. 'M.

About six years ago, he was sent for by Mr. Phillips and
niyself to visit London, and preach &r the Seamen ^s
Friend Sodiety, and he has since that preached^n im
Episcopal Church for the Society. Last Autumn he
came rto London, to attend the anniversary of the Sea-
men^s Friend Society, it was my lot to preach one of
the annual sermons at Zion Chapel (Lady Huntingdon's)
one of the laigeat in London. His mind was deeply im-
pressed, and he retired determined to do something mor> ,
for his brother seamen. I had afterwards an interview
with him at the London Tavern, and urged him to come
(brward and advocate the cause by his pen. Soon af-
terwards he came to town, and attended the Mariners'
Church. He returned to his vicarage, deeply impressed
with the importance of the work ; and he has since that
been writing letters, which have been published in the
Christian Guardian, or Church of England Magazine.
They have excited very extraordinary sensations in the
Church; and Iwish I could get him to ccnne forward
find preach for the cause in some churches, that might
be obtained all over England, for him : But such are his
retired habits, and his love to his parochial charge, thai

he Cftonot be prevailed upon to travel for the cause'; hisr
heart, however, is in the risht place, and he burns to see
the salvation of seamen. In common with a few mofe
of uf in London, he feels sorrow the most profound, that
so VERT SMALL a portion of the wealth and influence and
ipiety of thit large Metropohs, are brought info the sea-
mens^ cause.^

*^ Finding the business grow upon my hands to such an
astonishing degree, I have beeu obliged to resi^ mj sit-
uation as Secretary to the British and Foreign SeamenS^
Friend Society, and devote the whole of my Tabor to this
great Metropolitan estabFishment, called tile London
Slariners' Church, and Rivermert Bethel Uhion. As
travelling Secretary, and superintendent Miuister, I have
quite enou^ now to occupy me ; and the Dock^, Rivers,
and Canals, present afield so boundless, that, if i hid
fifty agents, and adequate means, I could employ them
all in daily labor for the Lord Jesus Christ. /, ' 'I

We have tiiis week held our first anniversary. Si^^
Francis Le Hunte, of the N^vy, in the chair. It was a
noble meetiiiig.'' I shall send you the Report, or Retro-
qiect, by the' next packet'*

Letter to the Rev, Joseph 'Eastbum, from three seamen on
board sf the ship Jefferson, bound to St. Petersburg,
. Russia f dated JReedif Island, March 2&, I B20, . v

Reverend Sir,— With pleasure do we improve an op-
portunity of addressing a few hneis to you ; and return
our grateftil ^anks and acknowledgements for jour past
exertions and ai-xiety for our everlasting happmess and
welfare ; and also to solicit an interest in your interces-
sions at the Throne of Grace for our protection through
a vast and trackless ocean, and our safe arrival at our
destined port, and a welcome and happy return to our
friends and native shore. ^ '.''

We have for some time been attentive hearers at the
Mariners' Church, where we have often heard our mani-
fold sins attd trartsgressions plainly elucidated, and have
seen ourselves as in a glass : we have been taught the
way of light and life-^everiasting, and to adore and wor-

•^ N2

144

APPENDIX.

i -

1 1

•lup the God of heaven and earth, and to confide in biih
througli all the changing vicissitudes of this uneven life,
and look forward with h(»>es of salvation, through the
mediatjoo and merits ojT the dear Redeemer of a Ibst
world. ' . -

/^ May the prayers of the church be heard and answered
feir our preservation, and that we may tread the paths
of 'holiness and humilitv, and that we: may live in the
world a3 becomes the children of Ood, and become the
%k subjects of. the Kingdom of Heaven,
5 May every great and good blessing attend you Sir, in
your exertions to promote the cause of Christ: and may
you live to see the fruit of your labors and be abundantly
blest, and finally arrive ^t the haven of eternal rest, to
shake the friendly hapd, and sing the song of Moses and
the Lamb with all the children of God, and join in the
rounds of eternal felicity, where happiness sbaU know no
respite, and; enjoyment no end.
. > We are, aiear Sir, with the inost sacred respect^

Yours, . _

■ ; JoscPB B. Daooi:t, .
Jeremiah Stqw, ,
William Farthin,

' 7 Ji*.»*^^

■.T»*.'bA» .--t^'Vi- ^ti":

To the Editors of the Philttdelphia Gazette/
If it should not be viewed as an unreasonable trespass
on the columns of your valuable paper, hitherto so much
devoted to the best interests of the Mariner, a Subscriber
would respectfully request the insertion of an extract
From a letter of T. Phillips, Esq. secretary of the Sea
man''s Friend Society in London, communicating info^
mation of a highly interesting nature to the cause of the
Bethel Union J information also which will be very ac-
ceptable to the friends of the cause in other seaports
where it may be republished, and by the promulgation
of which it will be known how desirable it is to receive
across the Atlantic, information of the progress of the Re-
deemer's Kingdom among the mariners in the United

Myf

not eon

to my i

tpPhiU

Father,

making

of %1

J^sus.ai

small ac

J was

10th of

co.rrespc

upon yc

cheering

of our ^

he a stin

it has^ thj

Magazin

there ar<

% tlie j

thankful

up, I wa

ner, jaid

for his 0^

when "

unto him

be fulfilk

We have

Society

in the est

was an oi

badge of

Jesus Ch

that Soci<

to Hambi

which he

Denmark,

invite his

worship

APPENDIX.

146

t-jn r^ii^i^i^m'^ M ''^ London, 9th September IS25.

My reiy much esteiemed and venerable Father,— I caov'
not commence niy lettcir with any iMng more consenial
to my feelings than a Quotation from the episHe of Paiil
tci. Philemon — ^^* Grace -to you, and- peacie, jirom God jour
Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thaok i^y God,
making . mention of thee always in ;my prayers, hearing
of Ihy love and faith which tfa!>u hast toward the Lord
Jesus and toward all Saints'^--^to which I would make, a
small additipn^" and all SaiTor^.^* ., , _ „

I wa6 much pleased at the receipt of your letter dated
10th of June. I diall be highly gratified by your fMture
correspondence, if it is not imposii^: too heavy a task
upon you. "Good news from a f«ir country y^^ is most
cheering, and while we can heap of the piety and zeal
oif our mends in the ports of the United States, it wiU
be a stimulus to greater exertions here* I am confident
it has^ this effect by communication through the Ssulors*
Magazine^ not onfy in London, but in every po£t wher)^
the^ are Bethel pocietieftior friends who ieel and care
for tlie souls of Seamen. We have reason to be very
thankful that new friends to the cause are hein^ raised
up, I was ^oing to say, almost daily, in a wonderlul man-
ner,, and ^is a convincing proof that tbe Lord is zi work
for his own glory, and the period is soon to approach,
when " The abundance of the seas shall be converted
unto him.^^ This is a most blessed promise, and it shall
be fulfilled, though we may not be permitted to see it
We have an Institution here called the "Continental
Society^T— its n^embers and subscribers are principally
in the establishment A Mr. Von Bulow, who formerly
was an oiHcer in the Danish army, and has received a
badge of honOr from his sovereign, is now a minister of
Jesus Christ, and has been taken up and patronized by
that Society, and in the course of a few weeks is going
to Hambui^^ — he intends to purchase a small vessel, in
which he means to visit all the ports ia Norway and
Denmark, and with the Bethel Flag at his mast-head,
iDvite his countrymen, particularly the sieamen, to the
worship of God, under the patronage of the Contiuental

146

APPENDdr.

aiid Bethel Union Societies. He has been visiting and
preaching to his countrymen on board their ships in this
port, and I have received a letter from him this day, of
which the following is a copy, viz. :■.,-.

Dear Sir, — You wish to know something of my^op-
-^ratiotM among ibre^ sailors on the River Hiames— -
Being a stranger, and having had no one to assist me, to-
gether with many other difficulties, my labors have been
very much limited^ and as this is only undertaken with
a view to another plan, 1 have especially directed my
visits to the Norwegian vessels— -Of these, I have in the
last month been on board of twenty-four, together with
hue Danish, two from the BaHic, and one from Finland
-—to all of them I communicated the plans and operations
<i( the Continental and Bethel Union Societies — I have
sold forty copies of the New Testament in their own
knguage,^and eiven away several hundreds of Tracts.

^^1 have on four Sundays hoisted the Bethel Flag on
ifour difierent Norwegian vessels, and preached to con-
gregations of from tweiify to forty perMns who were veiy
att^tive, and thanked me for iny trouMe. — One of tfaie
captains was oHich pleased to hear some&ing was to be
done for fisheimen and seamen, who were vei7 much ne-
glected in thatt^buntry, and tliey, as well as the landsmen,
do more generally use the Sunday, and the opportunity
Wtiich the excursion to church gives them, to visit the
different inns on the way, and drink themselves drunk.
But, {said he) if sound doctrine was preached to them,
and they got the word of God, he hoped it would make
an alteration.-^So you see, my dear sir, a little cloud has
ascended, and by the blessing of the Lord, it may pour
out a fruitful rain ; and althou^ it is a very rocky and
stony country, there are many fine valleys, and the seed
may grow there^ and bring fruits to the glory of our God
and of liis Christ — The harvest is great, but the laborers
are few — may the Lord raise up many of this people to
turn their backs upon the things of the world, and use
all tibe gifts which (hey possess, to promote the kingdom
of God, and the salvation of poor lost sinners. I trust
the Lord will let his tmmpet sound, and call his valiant

APPENDIX.

*147

to battle, and awaken them who sleep. * Pray for me,
dear eir, that I, a weak vessel may become strong m the
Lord — may He be with you, and all his Israel.
Your fellow-servant in Christ Jesusy

(Signed) Von Bulow.

* I beg leave my dear Father to call your attention to
his last sentence— he requests my poor prayers at the
Throne of- Grace — he shall have tnem, that the Lord
may bless him and preserve him, and make hhn a blessing
among the Seamen and Fishermen of his cOun^ — And
shall he not have the fervent |)rayer8 of my beloved, my
venerable father — the friend of Sailors, the; Pastor of the
Mariner^s Church in Philadelphia ? Yes ! he shall, and
the Lord will answer them. Shall he not have the prayers
of our beloved pious American captains, mates, and sea-
men ? Yes ! he shall have those toor->^ShalI not the friends
of the Redeemer on board the Globe, Victory, Lancaster,
George, Jane, President, Evelina, Commodore Barry,
Franci», Delight, and others now before me (for which I
thank- you) pour eai their prayers for a blessing upon
hmi and this new opening in Providence to do good to
Sailors^ when they meet for the solemn worship of God
in tbe^ cabin or forectistle of their respective ships ? Will
not the pious captain Calvin Tubbs, and captain Dunton,
pray for Von Bolow?

He will leave England for the North, in the fall of the
year — a time particularly dangerous for navigators ; but
it is delightful to know, that the Lord rei^eth, and he
holds the winds in his fist and the waters m the hollow
of his hand. — His word,** Peaces be still," can cahn the
most violent sea-'— I hope to be able to send herewith Re-
ports of the Continental Society and some others.— -Our
friends at Hull have lately been taking up another class
of foreign sailors. They had many Dutch vessels there,
and in one of them, they found a pious captain. They
asked him if he would preach to his countrymen, on
board the Floating Chapel there. He consented ; and
the first sermon, he had eighty Dutch shippers, steermen,
and sailors : and the following Sabbath, he preached to
a hundred or more of his brother sailors ; and it is hoped
a blessing attended the services. In addition to the

148

APPfiNinX.

Bethel Flag at the mast-head, they had on these occasions
a new Dutch Jack as a signal for divine worship. I
cannot hut consider it as a token for good, the wonrings
of Providence in this cause. The letter from Hull, com-
municating this pleasant account, is dated (I believe,) the
16th June; and a few days after Iread a letter from a
captain of the Navy of the King of the Netherknds,
dated from Rotterdam, I believe the 17 th June^ devoting
himself to the cause in that part of Europe, and request-
ing his name to be put down as a subscriber to the So-
ciety here--you will see his letter in the Marine sent
herewith. I have written to him in reply, with reports
of the Society, Magazines, &C; urging him, as strongly as
possible, to proceed in Ihe noble cause, assuring him that
the blessing^ of Qod will attend his exertions. Thus,
my venerable and esteemed father, is the work in a state
of progress, and all the Devils in Hell will not be able
to stop it — they have too long reigned in the hearts of
seamen, but the Sun of Righteousness is arising with
healing in his wings, and they must 4ubmit. But while
present prospects are most pleasing, th«ve is very nmek
to be done — -We are only just putting on the armor, and
must not boast as they who are putting it off— Satan will
not quietly lose his victims — he will raise up enemies —
yes, even among those who are the professed friends of
the Redeemer, and some half-hearted, cold, calculating
prudential persons (we have some out here, and perhaps
you may Imve others in America) will be ready to say
^*' this is not the proper time — the Lord will do the work
by his Holy Spirit in his own way," &c. &c. We know
this as well as they, but while the great Jehovah is
pleased to work by instruments, it is our duty to go for-
ward ; and if we work wi^ a single eye to his glory,
sailors will be converted, and He shall have the glory,
- Our anniversary is settled to be on the 20th October,
before which I hope you will receive this. Let us haye
an interest in your prayers for the blessings of God upon
us. Our pious and venerable President, Admiral Lord
Gambier, has promised to be with us D. V. — and as the
public feeling, as it respects the religious instruction of
seam^, has not decreased, I expect that many will not

▲pp£in>ix.

149

be able to obtain admittance, as was the case last year.
I shall send you one of the Reports, when they are print-
ed ; and as l am not acquainted with the names of the
worthies in the different ports of America, who belong
to Bethel Union Societies, I shall intreat you or Mr. R.
to circulate them, and intreat their correspandence with
us, aff we are very anxious to know how tne cause pro*
ceeds in every part of the world*

One instance I must relate, which proves the utility
of the measures adopted to evangelize Seamen. It was
related to me by my worthy friend Capt. Wilkins, in
whose ship I attended the first Sailor^s Prayer Meeting
in the Thames, and in consequence of that attendance,
all the public measures that have since been taken arose
— he had the account from a Wesleyan minister.-^One
of our Downs Pilots boarded a ship, to bring her to Lon-
doB-^as soon as he got on deck, he began to bluster and
swear most horridly, as is too much the custom with tiiese
men — the mate came up to him, apd said * yoa must not
swear here; the captaw will not aflow it.* This iunt
was not strong enou^ ; he went on as before, which
broutfht ^'^ptain from the cabin, to know the reason;
and finding the pilot obstinate, he ordered him out of the
ship, and took aitother. He went off, and soon after
boarded another, and immediately as before gave his
orders with oaths and imprecations — a sailor stepped up
to him and said * you must not swear in this ship, it is not
allowed — the Bible prohibits it^ and our cap^in won't
allow it^ He said ^ it was impossible to navigate a ship
without, and swear he must.* — The sailor replied * why,
we Ve taken the ship to Leghorn and back without swear-
ing, and it's veir hard if she cannot be taken from the
Downs to the Thames without.' The end of the busi-
ness was, that he was turned out of the second ship — he
boarded a third, and was turned out of her for swearing,
and another taken in his place. He was so astonished,
that when he met a brother Pilot on shore, he told him
all about it, and that the sailors had said that the Bible
did not allow swearing ; what sort of a book is the Bible?
His companion, about as ignorant as himself, holding out
his hands, said, Mt is a book about so big, and it is all

*»:

*./'

f
!

"■:*-J

r't.'i

I ' T,,

160

APPENDIX.

full of religion.* The Pilot declared he wouM hay ooi
to see aH about it — Who can tell, but that the Lofd di-
rected him to those ships, and that he may have desi^^i
of mercy to this poor blaspheming pilot ? Eternity may,
and will, declare many strange and unexpected things.
Many wrill be found in Heaven that we little ei^pect to
flee there; and many perhaps excluded who we reason*
ably expected would be there.

ki. ■ : -■

p'.'f' Skip Caledonia, M(^ ^Zthi 1^27^

^* Respicted Sir,

' It is with feelings the most sincere, that we embrace
(he present opportunity of addressing these few lines to
you,' as the worthy pastor of the Manner's Chtth:h, the
good eff^ts of which, will always be as deeply felt as
admired. We make no hesitation in saying, that since
the f<Minda^n of the Ijiatrtution in which you have so
i^loudy engaged from its eonunencement, we have ex-
perienced the most beneficial efiects, aiKi wlucfa can
never be forgotten. . We are at present bound on %Ae\Bii
voyage, and put our only trust in Him who can contFol
the winds and waves. Please to remember us in your
prayers. We are all perfectly satisfied, so far, with our
situation. For the future welfare of the churchy and its
object, and for the healtli of its founder, we Ihe sub-
scnbers, crew of the ship Caledonia, sincerely pray.

^^^^I.

• -'

■"■■; f

rV^

'■*■

■•-

.^'l-.

««^.-"

•>■

■f ,

..:!■

Tsk

V'l}

s«^

'r-- i

(-'

John Gilliard, jr.
Enoch Stevens, ,' ,
John Bliven,
William Pride,
Nicholas Vanderhoven,
Samuel Bragden,
Edward Haines, ^ '
Richard Lacey, * ,^''*
Sanmel Brown, " * ;f
William Bowden,

John

■-'V i. •*»

'■'i "i y -» >» ■

■•''"■'>'♦/■

John Smith,
Abel Stevens,

" Geoi^e Wilson,
Church Hagens,
Thomas C. Olby,
Adam Strieker,

' John P. Monell,
Henry Wharton,
Charies Whitman.

Barr, 2rf Officer,

Belie

have pi

once m(

here frc

I am no

delphia

1 cam

the Rei

kindest i

many yc

and conl

you, by j

nal and i

has been

labor, an

iner's C

desired, i

your sou

a comfor

mentality

I hear yo

peace."

And n(
which pa
" wait wi
in the wi
—and en
the rich a
The Lon

APPEMDn.

151

From the Rev, Dr, Brodhead, ■

J^ew-York^ Kovembir Mth^ t827.

My very venerable and dear old friend, —
Believe me when I say, I have not foi^otten you. I
have put off* writing to vou in the hope of seeing you
once more on this side of eternity. I have been detained
here from week to week with necessary business, so that
I am now almost afraid to undertake a journey to Phila-
delphia this season,

I cannot, however, suffer the opportunity presented by
the Rev. Mr. Livingston, to pass, without sending my
kindest and best wishes to one who has been to me, for
many years, a valuaMe counsellor in all spiritual duties
and conflicts. May the dear Saviour continue to reward
you, by giving to you the continual assurance of his eter-
nal and unchangeable love. I understand that the master
has been pleased to withdraw you from the field of public
labor, and that another voice is now heard in the Mar-
iner^s Church. It is well. For what could you have
desired, more than you have. seen? The object dear to
your soul has been accomplished, and the seamen have
a comfortable place for worship. Through your instru-
mentality has all this been accomplished. And methinks
I hear you say, ^^ now lettest thou thy servant depart in
peace."

And now, my dear old friend, " May the peace of God
which passeth all understanding be with you." May you
" wait with patience all the days of your appointed time"
in the wilderness — ^pass over me Jordan of death in joy
— and enter into the Canaan of everlasting rest, praising
the rich and sovereign grace of your ahni^ty Redeemer.
The Lord of his mercy grant it. Farewell.

. I am yours in the bonds of the gospel,

J. Brodhead.

153

APPENDIX.

When the place of meeting for Beamen was trani ferred
from the sail-toft to the sesiion-room of the 3d Presbjr-
terian Church of Philadelphia, the following hymn, com-
poted for the occasion, was sung.

HYMN.

Hohr be tUs, m wm the pkce
To biin, of Padan-aram, Enown ;
When Abrahaai's God revealed bis fiure
And caught the pilgriin to the throne:
O, how transporting was the glow
Which thrill'd bis bo8<wn. mivd with fear,
" Lio, the Eternal walks below —
The Highest tabernacles here !"

Be ours, when faith and hope grow dim.
The glories which the Patriarch saw;
And when we faint, may we like him
Fresh vigor from the vision draw.
Heaven's li^^tning hovered o'er his head,
And flash'd new splendors on his view, —
Break ibrthj thou Sun ! and freely shed
Glad rays upon our Btlhel too.

, 'Tis ours to sojourn in a waste
Barren and cold as Shinar's ground ;
No fruits of Eschol chann the taste,
No streams of Meribah are found, —
But Thou canst bid the desert bud
With more than Sharon's rich display;
But Thou canst bid the cooling j3ood
Gush from the rock and cheer the way.

We tread the path thy people trode,

Alternate sunsnine, bitter tears ; \ '

Go Thou before, and with thy rod

Divide the Jordan of our fears.

Be ours the song of triumph given,

Anselic themes to lips of clay, — *'

And ours the holy harp of heaven, • - 1^-.^, j ;*-

Whose strain dissolves the soul aw^. .^ ^ Iff

A* •

The foil
after the li
on the 21e

On sabb
nal for mei
this city.
Miss Eliza]
ties, in col]
made by M
tously paini
obtained, b
chased for
distribution
The flag
and white I
morning an<
wing, with i
torn, an ancl
The Rev.
the congregi
Hebrews,
refuge as ins
cessity for s
tion," by *^
before them'
the doctrine
that, as the <
ness of nigh
and as the n.
light of ever
like the dove
would fly to
come person
as an anchor
sure him an

IT ..

APPENDIX.

15S

The following article appeared in a public paper, shortly
after the hoiHtine of a new flag at the Mariner^s Church,
00 the 2l8t of January 1833.

THE MARINER'S CHURCH.

On sabbath morning last, 21st inst a new /7a^, (he sig-
nal for meeting, was hoisted at the Mariner*t Church in
this city. This flag was procured by the exertions of
Miss Elizabeth White and sister, of the Northern Liber*
ties, in collecting subscriptions for the purpose. It wat
made by Mr. Dunton at a very low charge, and gratui*
tously painted by Mr. Woodside ; so that, with the money
obtained, besides the flag, several chairs have been pup
chased for the use of the Church, and some tracts Ibi
distribution.

The flag is in size, 13 by 8 (eeU with an azure field,
and white border. The symbols are — on the top, the
morning and evening stars ; in the centre, a dove on tlie
wing, with an olive-branch in her mouth ; and at the bot-
tom, an anchor. Inscription—' MARINER'S CHURCH.'

The Rev. Mr. Eastbum, the stated preacher, addressed
the congregation from the four last verses of the 6th chap.
Hebrews. He spoke of the stability of the Christian's
refuge as insured by God's immutability ; and of the ne-
cessity for sinners actively to endeavor '' to obtain salva-
tion," by ^fiying for refuge to lay hold on the hope set
before tnem in the sospel.' He illustrated the import of
the doctrine by reternn^ to the emblems on the flag ;
that, as the evening star mdicated the approaching dark-
ness of night, so the shades of death were advancing ;
and as the morning star denoted the dawn of day, so the
light of everlasting day would rise upon every soul, who,
like the dove that '^ found no rest for the sole of her foot,"
would fly to Jesus Christ the Ark of safety, and thus be-
come personally interested in that heavenly hope, which,,
as an anchor^ would secure him from shipwreck, and in-
sure him an abundant entrance into the haven of rest

154

APPENDIX.

' The foUowiag hymn, of which a number of printed
copies were presented by Mr. Mentz, was sung on the
occasion. \

A MARINERS' HYMN, C. M.

Presented to the Rev. Joseph Eastburn, a Pilot of
Jtsus Christ, the Captain of his Salvation, and now
cruising in the offing of Eternity.

Written hy J. W. S — , and sung hy the congregation in
the Mariner"* s Church in Fhilaaelphiay on Sabbath 2lst
January^ when the new Flag of the Church was hoisted.

■i^

wv'

-•» #vt -a.

■tv

■ ^

'^ -

^.vu.iv

■-. ^ ,^::<

.-ii,"

■r. -m =^

1 While o'er the swelling sea of life,
Poor sinnera heedless sail,

Their guilty passions drive them for,
Till cheering prospects fauL

2 Then gloomy storms and fearful roar

) Of tempests threaten death ;
And yet sdl hands despise the name ^ j ;
^f God who gives them breath. ■ J

3 But Oh ! how mercifkl ! how good
. Is He whom sinners hate!
He kindly sends his Pilots out

To warn them of iheix fate.

4 [Along the dang'rous coast of Time,
The Pilots hail each crew —

* The gulph-siiream sets to endless woe,
*■ * The dismal port's in view !]

5 ' See hoisted high the^Iog- of love,

* By heav'nly breezes waved;

* Here Sailors, stop, and orders hear,—
— * Obey, and youll be saved.

6 ' The Captain of Salvation calls,

* O wretched Seamen stay !

* Now change your course and heavenward steer,

* The Pilots show the way.

7 * Then, like the gtart of mom and eve, , .

* Your future days shall prove;

* Nor storms of death your hope destroy,

* For Christ your souls will love.

8 * The dove of peace portends the land

* Of joy and holy rest;

* There Jesus dwells and makes his saints

* With him for ever blest.'

. .*«-«

APPENDIX. 155

The two last stanzas particularly allude to the em-
blematical figures on ihejlag.

The diore 1^ peace portendt the kmd —

^-It is common for resseis at sea, when nearine the land,
to be visited by the plumy inhabitants of the forests.
And sometimes, after recent storms, having been driven
by the gale beyond their usual flights.

These little warUert,
Wearv on the wing, alight upon the masts,
And cheer the sailors with their grateful song.

J. w. s.

^•»rj-r*t;5

The following account of the placing of a miniature
ship over the pulpit in the Mariner^s Church, was found
among Mr. Eastburn^s papers, in his own hand-writing.

The seamen of the ship Benjamin Rush, in a voyage
to Canton, prepared a miniature ship, completely rigged,
and moored it over th^ pulpit of the Manner^s Church.
The captain, Levi Barden, named it Bett/dA, which name
was placed on the burgee, at the fore-top-mast head.
On the main-top was the word Bethel, in the flag ; the
ensign was the American colors, with the jack ahead,
with the stars. The day after it was put up being the
sabbath, the speaker, in order to draw the minds of the
people off from it as a toy, endeavored to show the im-
provement that might be made of this beautiful little
ship. First, the hull, containing so many pieces bound
round with plank, was like our bodies with their flesh and
skin. If a plantc should start, the ship would sink, and if
the thread of life should break the soul would depart
If but a leak was made, it would cost much labor at the
pumps ; so sin brings on trouble and sorrow. The masts
and rigging were to spread sails upon, to receive the
wind necessary to convey the ship to the port to which
they intend to go; so seamen must use the means of
grace, if they would hope to enter the port of glory. The
designs of the flags were all noticed, with the anchor and
compass, to which very great attention was paid.

150

APPBJNDIX.

The ibUowtog st^temeiit was also found in Mr. £ast*
bura^s hand-writing : —

*^ On the 15th Feb^y. 1820, John Evans, a sailor, came
with another, requesting bibles to take to sea. Evans
said he should not have asked one as charity, but that he
had been cast away, and lost all he had; but he said if
he should be spared to return from this voyage, he would
repay it seven-fold. He acknowledged he had received
tracte at the Mariner^s Meeting, which had reminded him
of his former wickedness ; that while he was handing sail
in a gale of wind, he called upon the Lord to damn his
eyes ; when immediately the end of a rope struck out the
sight of his right eye, which he showed. He also said
that since the meeting had commenced, a reformation
had taken place among many of the seamen. Many of
the seamen lamented when ,the Board of Health forbid
the continuance of the Maiiner^s Meeting ; and several
isaid it had been a blessing to them. One declared he
would not part ^ith what he had received while attend-
ing there, for all Philadelphia."

•M^

,-!!■';

A-^f^A'

'■tf ■■**■. "a-r

"^ The following memorandum appears to have been
made by Mr. Eastburn, with a view to aid his memory
in a report to the presbytery — It will serve to show the
nature of those reports, and the success of his ministry : —
** To notice the young man that received a bible in the
appearance of a sailor, and has been reformed — Of several
boYS reclaimed by attending at the Mariner's Meeting-—
Of a man who was very wicked and bad to his family,
but is now reformed and attends the meeting with his
family, and wants to assist in supporting it — Of a young
woman who cried out in the meeting, and has since be-
come very orderly — Of the many requests of seamen to
be prayed for — Uf the seamen stopped at the Reedy
Island Piers, wishing that the meeting might be bett<T
known — A request from Bermuda of a captain and crew
to be still remembered in prayer at the church/^

APPENDIX.

157

-»^.r ■

The following Hymn was found in m^uscript among
the papers of Mr. Eastburn. It is not known that it bar
before been published.

THE SEAMAN'S HYMN.

O Thou eternal riewless God

That ridest on the seas.
Thou that controUest witn a nod

The billow and the breeze—

Thy powerful arm alone can save

Thv children on the deep.
Can bear them o'^r the curling wave,

And down th^ threat'ning steep.

^ a

V "'y -

Though staunch our bark and proud her way,

Though breezes swell the sails,
Ye.t Lord, if thou art not our stay,

The seamaji's courage fails.

Be thou, O God! our kind support,

Our earnest hopes fulfil i
On the wild ocean, or in port,

Be thott our anobar «tiU.

May we escape the dangerous ground,

And while thy strength we feel,
Help us to keep each timb^ sound,

With grace, our chosen keel.

And O ! when near temptation's sboal.

No beacon shines from far.
Cheer thou the seaman's anxious soul

With Bethlehem's b(dy star.

Jesus, our helm, we look to thee.

Nor shall we look in vain.
From quicksands thou wilt keep us free.

And guide us o'er the main.

And soon, our chequer'd voyage o'er.
And yfe have crossed life's sea,

Grant that our crew may tread the shore
Of bless'd eternity.

- ' t'i'.:"

i>.uV

The name and the contemplated enterprise of Mr.
Von Bulow are mentioned in one of the preceding letters,
addressed to Mr. Eastburn. The following printed cir-
cular, containing information in regard to his first mis-
sionary voyage, and of a second, for which be was pre-

158

APPENDIX.

paring, was also addressed to Mr. E.,and will be gratify-
ing to those who take an interest in the attempts now
making to evangelize seamen. — And it may also be df use
to correct an idle story, which has been printed and exten-
sively circulated, that Marshal Von Bulow, who com-
manded the advance of the Prussian arm}^ at the battle
of Waterloo, had become a Christian missionary. The
identity of name, and similarity of previous military char-
acter, have probably led some one, who possessed more
zeal than knowledge or prudence, to circulate a story
which is calculated, by its entire falsehood, to injure the
cause of Christian missions — Marshal Bulow has never
been, and probably is never likely to be, a Christian
missionary.

** The Rev. Carlos Von Bulow, who in 1825 was ap-
pointed an agent of the Continental Society for diffusing
religious knowledge on the Continent of Europe, has just
returned from Norway, where he has been laboring to
promote this object during the past year.

The representation which he gives of the state of re-
ligion in those northern parts of Europe, although on the
one hand truly deplorable, is on the other very encour-
aging, and claims the sympathy, prayers, and assistance
of British Christians. As his journal is to be communi-
cated to the public through the medium of the Sailor^s
Magazine, all who feel interested in promoting the king-
dom of God, are referred to that source of information.
The plan originally arranged for Mr. Von Bulow, was,
that he should be furnished with a vessel of about thirty
tons register, in which he could have embarked with the
scriptures and tracts in the several languages of Europe
— wherewith the British and Foreign Bible Society, and
Religious Tract Society, had supplied him ; but as the
necessary means of fitting out and navigating the vessel
fell short, through the embarrassments of the times, he
was compelled to content himself with a decked boat,
of five or six tons burthen, in which he sailed from port
to port, and from island to island, beginning at Chris-
tiansand and cruising as far as Drontheim — having ap-
proached latitude 64°. On this voyage to the north and
back again, he visited the inhabitants every where, as

APPENDIX.

169

;ratify-
s now

6f use

exten-
5 com-
i battle
. The
■y cbar-
i more
a story
ure the
s never
hristlan

was ap-
liifusing
has just
oring to

te of re-
1 on the
encour-
isistance
>m!nuni-
Sailor's
he king-
rmation.
►w, was,
it thirty
with the
Europe
ety, and
as the
le vessel
mes, he
d boat,
lorn port
Chris-
nng ap-
kth and
lere, as

well as the vessels of the several nations in the ports,
preaching the gospel and distributing scriptures and
tracts : this he has done at sixty different places, to Nor-
wegian congregations of from twenty to four^hundred
persons, five times in English, and twice in German ves-
sels. He could have preached much more frequently to
mariners, had he been provided with a vessel capable of
assembling them. The boat which he has navigated
hitherto is manifestly unfit for this purpose, or for expo-
sure to the hazards of coasting those shores. — His con-
viction is, that only the especial protection of God has
preserved him hitherto.

The destitution of the scriptures and of religious in-
struction in the regions already visited \fy Mr. Von Bu-
low, is great, and the wants of the population inhabiting
the islands and coasts from 64*^ to 71°, are still greater.
If he can be provided with a proper vessel of thirty to
forty tons raster, and funds to meet the expenses of
navigating her, he is ready to devote himself to this ar-
duous mission. The cost of sueh a vessel is estimated at
£200, and the annual expense £130 to £150 per annum,
" The committee of the Continental Society, judging
that this n^ission does not come within the sphere pre-
scribed to them by their regulations, have intimated to
Mr. Von Bulow that they do not feel justified in laying
out their funds upon it, except to a limited extent. He
has therefore now to appeal to the friends of seamen,
and to the various Bethel Unions, for aid in promoting the
glory of God and salvation of fishermen and sailors, in
these neglected regions. To forward his views, a sub-
committee has been appointed in Hull. On behalf of
Mr. Von Bulow they entreat your prayers, influence, and
exertions to procure subscriptions and donations, which
they request that you would kindly transmit to their
treasurer, John Clay, Esq. Swedish Consul at this port,
as early as possible, as the season for the recommence-
ment of Mr. Von Bulow 's labors is near at hand. , :.
Signed, -, James Bowden,
, John Sadler,
Thomas Sykes,
Hull, March, 1B27, Secretaries,'*^

160

APPENDIX.

** The Port of London Society has presented the Rev.
C. Von Bulow with a Bethel Flag, which has already
^aved Ti om his little bark, and other vessels in various

Sorts of Norway. The British and Foreign Bible Society
ave likewise made him a new grant of one thousand
New Testaments ; and the Religious Tract Society has
engaged to furnish him with a sufficient number of tracts/*

The following circular, addressed to Mr. Eastbum,
contains some valuable su^estions in regard to sean>en,
and especially in relation to the establishment of good
boarding-houses, which is deserving of the attention of
every seamans* friend. ,

Charleston, S, C. Jarmary^ i623,
** The Charleston Bethel Union, to all Bethel Unions,
Port Societies, and Ship-Masters, send greeting: —

Brethren and Friends,
' Thou^ an infant institution, we hope we shall be par-
doned for the liberty we are taking, in addressing those
who are greatly our superiors in knowledge and expe-
rience, when we assure them, that our object is not to
teach them wisdom, but to soticit their assistance.

In exploring the field of our labors, for the purpose of
ascertaining what is to be done, and how it is to be ac-
complished, we have endeavored not only to make such
personal observations as jcircumstances would permit,
but also to avail ourselves of the knowledge which ship-
masters have acquired from experience. To facilitate an
acquaintance with the feelings and habits of seamen, we
have conversed with masters individually, and have also
adopted the plan of giving a general invitation, as often
as it shall be deemed expedient, to those in port, to meet
a committee from our body on board some ship, for the

fmrpose of holding a free discussion upon any topic re-
ating to the moral and religious improvement of seamen.
The result of our investigation has been to establish in
our minds a firm conviction, that all the deficiencies
which are found in the character of seamen, beyond
what are daily exhibited in other classes of the comma-

APPENDIX.

161

nity, are owing to their want of the same means and the
same motives.

As to the means of their religious instruction in this
place, we hope that in future they will be constant But
as a hand-maid to the truths of the gospel, some other
motire seems to be necessary to encourage sailors to aim
at a higher elevation of character — to stimulate them to
strive ror that good name which is rather to be chosen
than great riches.

To other men this motive is furnished by the common
circumstances of thdr situation. Placed in the midst of
their acquaintances, and in the bosom of their family,
their reputation, their livelihood, and even their daily
comfort, depend upon their maintaining a regular ani
decent deportment. But the sailor is often far removed
from the watchful eye of kindred affection, and hh char-
acter and conduct wholly unknown to any individual of
his former acquaintance. If then he can be as readily
employed and obtain as much wages, while rioting in th«
paths of dissipation, and revelling in the haunts of sin,
as in the pursuit of any other course, what motive, un-
less he possesses moral {Mrinciple, will draw him away
from the jaws of the destroyer, and induce him to aim at
what is virtuous and praiseworthy ?

With a view of furnishing the motives most likely to
operate in the case, ^ ship-masters have informed us, that
in some ports in Europe a register office has been estab-
lished for the puipose of recording the names of such
sailors as should be able to obtain from the last master
with whom they sailed, a certificate of their correct
habits and faithful services, and that when masters ship
sailors, they apply to this office and give such men a de-
cided preference.^ That such an institution may have the
desired effect, it should be distinctly understood, that in
connexion with it, there must be good boarding-houses,
where the means of rational entertainment and solid im-
provement may be enjoyed — where no imposition shall
be practised — where the sailor of every clime shall find
his friends and his home ; and also, that those, who apply
at the office, must uniformly be recommended to those
houses, and that such as do not comply with their direc-

1^3

^ APPBMinX.

■r^.

-H

tions, but take lodgingii in places not patronized by the
managers of the institution, are to be considered as for-
feiting their certificate,^ and losing all claim to employ-
ment or protection. Ship-masters with whom we have
consulted, have with one voice assured us, that if institu-
tions of this kind can be generally established under
proper regulations, they will give them their hearty sanc-
tion, and their uniform patronage. They also say they
are decidedly of the opinion, that they would be among
the best means of improving the moral character of sea-
men, which have yet been devised, and which are so
practicable in their operation. But, at the same time,
they remind us, that our exertions must be exceedingly
embarrassed, if we attempt such an enterprise alone;
and that the good eJQfected will be comparatively small,
if it is undertaken only in a few other places. If the
sailor needs such a motive in one port^ he nieeds it through
the world. If ihe master and the owner find it for their
happiness and interest to know the character of the men
they ship in one port, it would be equally for their benefit
to have the advantage of the same information in eveiy
port round the globe. In short, masters assure us that
although disposed to make every effort in their power,
they shall not be able to afford all the encouragement to
an in^tution of this kind, which we hope soon to estab-
lish, that it may deserve, while standing alone. For
when in other ports they must be always liable to ship
sailors who have no certificate, and leave those who have,
because there is no regular method of making the dis-
tinction. And this, brethren and friends, is the special
reason of our communication. Out minds have been
deeply impressed with the importance of the object, and
we have (' It ourselves imperiously called upon by the
indicatior':, of Providence to make an effort. But sensible
as we are, that our influence must be exceedingly limited,
unless something of the kind shall be attempted in other
pbrts, we have taken the liberty of addressing the friends
of seamen generally, for the purpose of soliciting their
co-operation. And we trust we shall be permitted ear-
nestly to entreat all bodies organized for their benefit, to
give the subject a speedy and a careful examination.

APPEia>IS.

163

time,
dingljT
ilone;
small,
If the
irough
r their
le men
benefit
ereiy
IS that
)Ower,
lent to
estab-
. For
to ship
have,
le dis-
pecial
been
ct, and
)y the
ensible
imited,
other
friends
g their
d ear-
efit, to
nation.

Woald it not be eipedient for all such bodies to invite
either stated or occasional meetings of ship-masters, in
which a committee from the body shall meet them and
discuss freely any subject pertaining to the welfare of
seamen? And if upon suitable inrestigation it shall ap-

Eear advisable, to establish institutions of the kind which
as been proposed, may we not anticipate the united ex-
ertions of Marine Associations, Ship-Owners and Ship-
Masters, throughout the world ? We feel assured there is
a kindr<.d spirit glowing in the bosom of the friends of
Zion of every nation. The unusual interest which has
of late been excited in behalf of seamen, and the special
success which has crowned the recent exertions for their
welfare, encourage us to indulge hopes of no ordinary
kind. And when we reflect on their number, the hardi-
ness and enei^gy of their character, and their constant
intercourse with every part of the globe, what may we
not expect from them, should they become Christians,
towards evangelizing the world ? Eveiy thing we do to
elevate their character will have a tendency to bring
them under the influence of the gospel. — Shall we not
then in obedience to the indications of Providence, sum-
mon our energies, combine our exertions, and make one
eflbrt corresponding, at least in some degree, with the
movements of the day in which we live, earnestly sup-
plicating that blessing, without which all human endea-
vors will be utterly fruitless, and with which the feeblest
may accomplish wonders.

With much respect.

We have the honour to be.
Brethren and Friends,
^ Yours most afiectionately.

In behalf of the Charleston Bethel Union.

Thomas Napier, President.

Joseph Brown, Corresponding Secretary,

■f

164

APPENDIX.

Among the manuscripts of Mr. Eastburn, were found
,B number of narratives and anecdotes, which were pre-
faced as follows : —

** As there are some remarkable things, which I have
heard or knowTi, and which I have never seen in print,
and finding my memory failing, I would just write them,
that they may not be forgotten — as they should be a
Warning to every one.*

** In the congregation of Mr. Ramsey, near Cohansey,
in Jersey, there was a young man who had made a pio-
fession of religion, and was thought well of for some time ;
but associating with vain worldly company, he was per-
suaded, on a Christmas night, to attend at a jovial meet-
ing for dancing and merriment. And as he was remarkable
for activity, he was persuaded to take his turn in dancing.
He accoringly stepped out on the floor with a young wo-
man for the purpose, but the instant the violin began to
'I^ay, he was struck dead. The company thought he was
about to show some feats of his activity, whicn he had
formerly done, and waited to see him spring to his feet ;
but when they found he was dead, they all fled and left
the house, and their mirth was turned into awful horror
and alarm. The account spreading, and Mr. Ramsey
giving out that he would preach a sermon upon the oc-
"casion on new-year day, many attended,- and were much
effected ; and this awful instance occasioned the begin-
ning of a revival of religion there. (MS.)

Mr. Kirkland, a missionary to the Indians, related the
following account.^ In a town in New-England where he
had been, there were two young women who were very
intimate: one of them became very serious; but the
other, having an infidel father, who had brought her up
in his sentiments, left her company, but was shortly afl;er
taken sick. This pious friend paid her a visit ; and upon
reminding her of the importance of being prepared for

'"in connexion with these manuscripts, several printed articles
were found, which Mr. E. had manifestly selected and preserved
for the same purpose— We shall insert a few, distinguishing the
manuscripts with the mark MS.

APPENDIX.

165

death, she forhade her to mention death in her hearing,
until she should get well. Her friend expostulated with
her, telling her, now was the time, and she knew not
that she should recover. She then declared she would
not hear her, and desired her to withdraw. Her physi-
cian coming in, the sick one asked him what he thought
of her case. He told her it was past the power of man
to help her. She cried out, " O doctor, you must help
me." He told her she must apply to the Lord, for he
only could help her. She replied, the Lord I know will
not help me, as I have refused to seek or serve him all
my life ; and she would not hear any thing ahout death,
or any thing that was good. The doctor withdrew, and
her infidel father came in, when she told him that the
doctor had informed her that she would die ; and said,
" I now believe it, and I must be miserable ; and now I
tell you, that your principles have ruined me for ever :
and remember what I now tell you, when you see my
body put in the coffin and lowered in the grave — ^then
my soul will be in hell," — and in dreadful distress she
expired. This being known, he said there were not less
than two hundred people awakened by this awful case.
(MS.)

Mr. Kirkland also related the case of an officer in our
American Revolution, who had from a child possessed
iniidel principles ; so that when quite young, when his
mother, who was a pious woman, would catechise him,
and ask him that question in the Assembly's catechism,
" How many persons are there in the godhead ?" he
would ridicule the question, and refuse to attend to her
instructions. He became very vain and haughty, and en-
tered into the army. Possessing; much wit and humor,
he was much admired by his brother officers, and at-
tained to the rank of major in the standing army, and
behaved as a resolute good officer until the war was
over — when he returned to the town where his mother
lived in New-England. , At this time there was a revival
of religion there, which he very much despised, and was
quite provoked to find the young people so attentive to
meetings. He therefore set himself to oppose the work.

166

APPENDIX.

and prevailed with some to join him on sabbath evenings,
to assemble together to mock the preaching of the day,
and spend the rest of the time in merriment He would
go himself to hear preaching, to obtain something to ridi-
cule. But while he was hstening for this purpose, the
Lord was pleased so to apply the word to his heart, that
he knew not how to behave. He tried to overcome his
impressions, and thought to brave it out, by going to his
company again in the evening. But conscience made
him linger by the way, until it was late. The company
shouted at his coming, and inquired the reason of his
delay ; when the impressions of the day came powerfully
to his mind again. — Upon which he cried out that they
were all in the way to hell, and that he had been the
wicked leader, and now gave a solemn warning and for-
sook the place. His distress became so great that he
could scarce sleep or eat any, for three days and nights. He
would cast himself upon the floor at night, wrapped in a
blanket, and roll in anguish, crying out against himself
as the chief of sinners. .His mother finding his distress so

freat, began to fear the enemy might tempt him to destroy
imselA and therefore, unknown to him, would watch
him. Finding him rise suddenly at midnight, and go out
from the house, she followed him ; when at some dis-
tance, in a private place, she perceived him on his knees,
and could hear him with rapturous joy praising the Lord
for the unspeakable gift of nis Son, to be a Saviour (or
such poor lost sinners as he was, and enabling him to be-
lieve in him ; and from that time he took an active part
in promoting what he had before been trying to hinder.

Instances of Infidelity^ and marks of Divine displeasure.

In the city of Boston, a company of infidels met for
the purpose of ridiculing religion; and after spending
part of the night in a profane manner, three of them had
to pass over the neck, and go some distance on a road,
on the side of which was a burying ground. One of them
observed that they had been disavowing any belief of a
future state, or resurrection of the dead, and asked who

APPENDIX.

1G7

Would CO over the wall and stand upon d tomb-stone,
and calf the dead to come fb judgment ; u^on which one
offered to do so, and immediately stood up and called
aloud, ** Arise ye dead and come to judgment." — A poor
deranged woman, who often spent her nights among the
tombs, at that time lay by the side of the one on which
he stood, and hearing him call, instantly sprang up and
cried, ^* I am coming." This so dreadfully affriehted the
poor infidel, that he fell into fits, and never auerwards
recovered until he died. His companions were also
dreadfully alarmed and confounded. (MS.)

In the year 1 799, in the State of New-York, a similar
company assembled for the same purpose, and spent the
evening in ridiculing every thing serious and sacred. The
servants who attended them declared that they made a
mock sacrament, and gave the bread to the dogs, saying
it was fit for such animals. After they had broken up,
the president of the club, who was a physician, retired
to his lodging, and told his landlady he wished to go to
bed ; but said it was so damnM hot he did not expect to
sleep. Not long after, the woman heard him groaning
dreadfully, and went to know what was the cause. > She
found the agonies of death had come to call him to an-
swer for his conduct, and before morning he expired.
(MS.) -

In the City of Philadelphia, a like company associated
themselves together every Sabbath, at a tavern, back of
the city: and when a certain number were collected,
they chose their officers, — in doing which the rule was,
he should be president who had never prayed ; he should
be vice-president who had never gone to church ; and
he should be secretary who had never read the scrip-
tures. They then proceeded to business, which was to
make a mock at every thing serious and sacred — at all
ministers, and professors of religion-^— and they continued
in this way for some time. At one of the anniversary days
of our American Independence, one of them was taken
very sick, and not long afler was seized with great horror
of mind. He sent for the person who writes this account

168

AI^PENDIX.

at a late hour of the night, and said to him, you may
think it strange that I have sent for you at such a time
as this, but I am so tormented I could not refrain. I
find I am a wretched ruined sinner, a God-provoking,
blasphemous, wicked wretch : you visited my wi|e in her
dying hours, and I have no doubt but she is gone to
heaven ; but I am as sure, that in a little time I shall be
in hell. She often entreated me to go with her to a place
of worship, when I told her to go among the fools, but
that I had better company, which consisted of infidels
like myself. After expressing his abhorrence of his
former conduct and great distress, he was told the Lord
Jesus came to save sinners, even the chief. This ap-

r eared to increase his agony. " Oh ! monster that I am !
have abused his name in a filthy manner, by calling
him what is too vile to be repeated. I cannot expect
any mercy; on his account." Nor could any thing that
was mentioned, afford the least relief. He was visited
twice afterward, by the same person ; when he appeared
more composed, but did not express any hope concerning
himself; and shortly after the last visit, he expired.

N. B. He requested a hymn might be sung, and being
asked what one, he said, any good one the person pleased.
The 51st Psalm was then sung,

" Show pity Lord, O Lord forgire,"— &c.

Lest I might be called upon to qualify to the above,
although I have not publicly mentioned his name, I now
record it to be Benjamin Merrit, by trade a tailor, a
ready speaker. His wife^s maiden name was Britt, a
member of Arch-street church. (MS.) ' : ' ;

The following account is taken from the Western Star,
a Washington and Georgetown newspaper, dated Octo-
ber 28th, 1801, :-:-r

Not many years ago several young men in a certain
part of this country, who had for some time been asso-
ciated together in Hterary pursuits, mutually agreed
to give their serious attention to re?-rrious topics, and
freely communicate their sentiments to each other.

AAer

one o

his dii

ence <

ed, an

uouslj

treatci

with i

zeal ir

able, t

in thei

in the i

they cj

the un]

them t]

and aci

ciples,

and vi<

wicked

the hai

commei

of deat

indescri

and ine

fused b(

time, ea

when tl

soothing

of the li

manner;

"You

heaven's

I now h

his displc

than my

no state

experien

and kno\

s^d dest

these sen

APPENDIX.

169

Star,
Octo-

lertain

asso-

ligreed

8, and

[other.

After proceeding a while in conformity to this agreement,
one of them at last avowed infidel principles ; declaring
his disbelief, not only of the bibles but even of the exist-
ence of God. His virtuous companions, though astonish-
ed, and exceedingly shocked, by this declaration, assid-
uously endeavored to convince and reclaim him ; but he
treated their kind endeavors with scorn, upbraided them
with superstitious weaknesses, and manifested a furious
zeal in favor of infidelity. Thus finding him irreclaim-
able, they withdrew from his society, and, still persisting
in their serious inquiries, grew more and more confirmed
in the all-important truth of religion, according to which
they carefiilly regulated their lives. On the other hand,
the unhappy youth, who had left their company, made
them the subject of his daily derision, and profane scofis ;
and acting accordingly to the tendency of his infidel prin-
ciples, he eagerly plunged into the vortex of dissipation
and vice, and seemingly gloried ia being unmeasurably
wicked ; but his career was short. Suddenly struck by
the hand of God, with a sickness, which, in its very
commencement, appeared evidently to be the harbinger
of death, his mind was at the same time stricken With
indescribable horror. Positively declaring he should die,
and inevitably sink to the regions of woe, he utterly re-
fused both medicine and consolation ; but, at the same
time, earnestly requested to see his former companions :
when they had arrived, they kindly began to attempt
soothing his distress ; but he instantly forbade any efforts
of the kind, and then addressed them in the following
manner: —

" You behold me, (said he,) an awful monument of
heaven's justice ! I lately told you that there was no God.
1 now know that there is a God — I feel the weight of
his displeasure, which is a thousand times more intolerable
than my pain of body. I lately told you that there was
no state of punishment for the wicked — I now awfully
experience the contrary — I feel hell in my own breast,
and know that I am now sinking into that abyss of woe
and destruction!" Almost immediately after uttering
these sentiments, he expired ; and the unutterable horrors

170

APPENDIX.

of his departing spirit, marked his lifeless corpse with
such a peculiar and frightful ghastliness, as made the be-
holders ttemble.

I-'

II '

I^^om the Long Island Patriot,

AWFUL WARNING!

r Sortie few months ago, during the performance of di-
vine service on board the receiving-ship at this place, one
of the men contrived to slip out of the congregation,
beckoned to one of his shipmates, and went below. He
did not, however, escape unobserved ; an officer followed
him on tip-toe, and the man, presuming that it was his
comrade, said, in an under-voice, " come, let us have a
snug game at cards." When the service was over, the
culprit was summoned by the commanding officer, who
severely reprimanded him before the assembled crew,
and dismissed him with these words : " How do you know
but this may be the last opportunity you will have of
hearing a sermon ?" The next morning he fell from the
mast-head^ and was picked up a corpse !

Three Sabbaths ago, during divine service in the same
place, a man behaved with so little decorum, that an
officer was sent to check him. After service, the offender
was publicly rebuked — was reminded of the preceding
anecdote, and dismissed with this remark : " Who can
tell but this may be your fate to-morrow?" The next
mornings he was ordered to perform some duty aloft,/e//
from, the mast-head^ and was picked up a corpse [ The
narrative requires no "omment, ' ^^**

Brooklyn, 2d July, 1821.

A copy of a representation of John Williams'* s life,

John Williams, a colored man, believed to be of an
Indian extract, appeared to have been afflicted with the
rheumatism twenty years or upwards. He served about
four years as an apprentice with Robert Eastburn of
New-Brunswick, New-Jersey ; and during that time, and
before, he was in a weak state of body. But his com-

APPENDIX.

171

plaints increased, so that for about twelve years befdre his
death, he appeared unable to help himself in bed. He
possessed good natural understanding, for one in his con-
dition. He could read well, and appeared at times to
possess some serious reflections of mind, but continued
rather impenitent ; had an undue fondness for spiritous
liquors ; and was disposed to use profane language. But
by means of some instrumental help, attended by divine
mercy, he came under deep convictions, and was nearly,
if not entirely, in a state of despair. This continued, as
is believed, for some months ; after which time, light
arose on his mind, and he rejoiced greatly, giving glory
to the Most High. And it is believed that the greatest
part of his time, until his death, his mind was exercised
in devotion, prayer, and praise. 1 visited liim at sundry
times, as opportunity offered, and to the best of my re-
membrance, he appeared in nearly the same exercise of
mind. One evening in particular, I appointed to go and
stay with him at his dwelling all the night : and when I
came to the door, I heard him in the act of praise. I
went in and saw him ; he appeared pleased, and I en-
joyed a pleasing conversation with him, and when I re-
tired to rest, I awoke at different times in the night, and
heard him in acts of prayer or praise. What was singu-
larly remarkable, and perhaps beyond any thing known
or scarcely heard of, is, that for some years before his
death, his jaws were set, and his whole body stiff, with-
out any capacity to move. His hands were greatly de-
formea, and laid across his body ; his neck was also stiff.
He lay with some support under his shoulders, but could
not bear any thing to rest his head on. He appeared to
possess but little hfe, except in his tongue and one eys.
He had a book placed before him by his request, and was
supported in such a position that he could look into it;
and he learned the contents in a remarkable manner, so
that he repeated and sang them over, in a clear and dis-
tinct voice, and it appeared as an act of solemn praise.
It will also appear wonderful, that about the time of his
jaws being set, two of his teeth came out, whereby he
was enabled to receiye nourishment, by means of its

'4^

APPENDIX.

being poured into his mouth from a teapot, or put other-
ways through this vacancy. He could move his tongue
and one eye, but otherways was motionless. (MS.)

The fol]o\;ring affecting story of a Poor Drummer and
his Boy, is extracted from a volume of Newton's Letters,
and it is hoped will prove edifying to the reader.

When on a preaching tour with a friend, we met with
i^ pious drummer belonging to a regiment quartered in a
town which we visited. We invited him to sup with us
in the inn. After supper, we requested him to favor us
with his history, which he did with great modesty and
seriousness in the following words, which are as nearly
his own as I can recollect. I have been (said he,) twenty-
four years' in the army and navy together. Till four years
ago I was the vv4ckedest wretch in either. Our regiment
. was then at Hulk I was seized with an unaccountable
melancholy : it was not about religion. I do not know
what it was, but I was miserable. One evening, as I
was walking on the common, very unhappy, I observed
a church lighted up, which convinced me there was ser-
mon in it, but I durst not go lest my comrades should
laugh at me, for going to sermon on a week day. I knelt
upon the common and prayed to God to give me courage
to go to church. When 1 rose I went directly to church.
• The minister was preaching upon believing on the Lord
Jesus Christ. Immediately when I was seated, the min-
ister said, " If it could be of the smallest service to the
meanest person present, I would come down from the
pulpit, and on my bended knees beseech that person to
believe in the Lord Jesus Christ." Thought I, this must
be a mighty matter surely, that a gentleman would come
down from the pulpit, and on his bended knees beseech
a poor drummer to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.
That, with the remainder of his sermon, made a deep im-
pression on my mind. I went home to my wife : she met
me at the door. I said to her, Jane, we are all wrong,
we are living like beasts, we know nothing about believ-
ing in the Lord Jesus Christ, Poor thing ! she trembled,
for she thought I was gone mad ; but, said I, Jane, I am

■.. if

APPENDIX.

173

^ not iKiad, but you and I are going to destruction. I un-
derstand the bible will tell us every thing ; but we have
not a bible, and though we had, we cannot read it. O,
said she, we can buy a bible, and our little boy, who is
only twelve miles off, can read it to us. Accordingly we
sent for our boy, and also bought a bible. When he
came home, we desired him to begin at the first pa^e and
read forward to the end of the book. We gave hmi al-
ways two suppers to keep him from sleep, for he got
drowsy with reading. I used to rise very early in me
morning to hear more of tho^bible ; but I would say, it is
cruel to awake my boy so early, and would give him
another hour of sleep ; then he arose and began to read
where he had stopped the preceding night, and we both
sat listening to our boy reading the book. He read slow,
for he had many hard words to spell. At length God
opened my poor blind eyes to see that Jesus Christ was
the very Saviour I stood in need of. O how happy I was I
Our boy read onward, and the Lord was jpleased to open
the poor blind eyes of my wife, so that she saw in Jesus
Christ just what I saw. Now we became one of the
happiest families in all Hull.

I had put myself to school that I might learn to read,
and in a few months I was able to read nearly as well as
my little boy. I determined that my house should be a
house of prayer, and my door open to all who should
choose to come. I told my comrades I had now begun
to pray to God, and read his word every morning and
evening ; and I should be glad of their company at these
times. Several attended to make sport. When I could
not make out a long word, then they all laughed, but I
thought now, a few months ago I would have laughed at
these things as well as they, but if God opens their eyes
as he has mine, they will laugh no more at these things —
so I read on as well as I was able. By and by some of
them became very serious, but drink and wicked com-
pany did them much injury. One of them however re-
mains very stedfast to this day.

174

APPENDIX.,

A common hackney-coachman had a most remarkable
dream not long since, which is as follows : — He dreamed,
one Saturday evening, that he was out with his coach,
plying for a iair ; and, being engaged, had directions given
him where to drive. As he was carrying his passengers,
he thought he was called to ascend an exceeding steep
hill ; and when he reached the summit, he found the de-
clivity of the hill still more troublesome. However, with
great difficulty he cot down ; and, as he proceeded, he
arrived at a pair of great iron gates, wide open. When
he had passed them, he found himself in an uncommonly
dark and gloomy place, in which were vast crowds of
people dressed in mourning ; all of whom, by their coun-
tenances, seemed to be in a very pensive frame of mind.
Hereupon he stopped, and asked one of the persons what
place tha^ was ? He answered, " It was hell." " Hell !"
said the coachman, " I have had more frightful ideas of
hell than this appears to be : if this be hell, I shall not
be under such fearl^l apprehensions of hell as formerly."
Upon this the person mformed him, " that hell was not
so much outward, as it was inward ;" and, as a proof of
this, he opened his waistcoat, and showed him his heart,
which was in a flame of fire. This shocked the coach-
man to a great degree : but the person proceeded to in-
form him, " that his case was not singularly shocking, for
all whom he then saw were in the same condition ;" and
added, "if he would accompany him, he should see
worse than that."

This the coachman refused, and, in great confusion
and consternation, attempted to return. But, to his su^
prise, the person, in conjunction with others, caught hold
of him, and refused to let him go, except he would
promise to come again. After he bad used every effort
to free himself, to no effect, he at last promised, " If they
would let him go, he would certainly come again at
twelve o'clock." Upon this condition they let him de-

Eart, and he drove off in haste. When he was got out,
e awoke in great horrors of mind. He then awoke his
wife, and related the whole to her ; but she treated it
with ridicule, and soon went to sleep again. But the
poor man slept no more : and in the morning said, " he

-J^-. -^

Al>PENDnt.

f', * . • . • . . -

was afraid he shouM die, and go td hell;'*' and desired
his wife to seek for some man to go out with the coach
that day; for he could not; and refused to eat or drink
any thing. Hereupon his wife took fire, and used him
vyith rough lan^age; and went among her acquaintance^
ridiculing hid fancy, and said her husband was going to
hell at twelve o'clock. This passed on, and the man got
worse in his mind, till the clock struck twelve ; when hia^
wife damned him, and said, " It is twelve o'clock', and
you are not yet gone to hell." With that he replied,
" Hold your tongue, for I am going;" and immediately
fell down dead. This the person related to the minister^
the Rev. Mr. W. who communicafed it to me as certain ;
and subjoined that the wife was then almost in a state of
distraction. ' :/ / * -/ .

^.,.,^-,K.

Wisdom's ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her
paths are paths of peace. This is only truly known by
those who have their minds enlightened by the teaching
of the Holy blessed Spirit of the Lord. One instance,
among the cloud of witnesses, is that of a young woman,
well educated, of sprightly talents, the life of young com-
pany, an excellent singer, her company earnestly sought
for by the gay and thoughtless ; but by attending a religious
meeting, she was led to see that her course of life Would
lead to everlasting sorrow. So powerful was the im-
pression, that she trembled ; aiiu i" om that time she be-
gan to seek a refuge for her soul. At another meeting,
her mind was much relieved, by these words, " they that
sow in teal's shall reap in joy." Some time after, while
alone, meditating; upon divine things, her joy was as great as
her human frame could support. At this time several of
hop young friends came to visit her, and seeing her in such
a wonderful frame of mind, inquired if she had lost her
reason. She meekly replied, that she never possessed it
more than at present ; but that her mind was turned from
vanity to real and substantial happiness : and she said she
could declare, that if she could unite all the happiness she
ever enjoyed, in all the company she ever attended, one

176

APPENDIX.

hour of her present joy would far surpass diem all. And
now, said, she, I do not want to part with you, although
I cannot join you in our former vain amusements. I do
entreat you to join me, in walking the narrow road that
leads to happiness. At first they tried to banish every
serious thought* and made light of all she could say to
them. But her afiectionate address was so powerfully im-
pressed upon some of them, that after senous reflection,
they united with her and became happy companions. She
made rapid advances in divine things, and was fast pre-
paring for higher enjoyments in a better world ; and did
shortly after meet death with sweet composure, without
a sting, and saying, " My heavenly Father, receive thy
poor child home. O precious Saviour, into thy hands I
commit my spirit !" And thus without the least symptom
of uneasiness, she left a world of sorrow, to inherit eter-
nal joy. (MS.)

^ -. O'

■%'■
J

. ^ '•

VV.

. - / • *

"■V i

,!* I

BASTBUBXTfl WXXiL

[It would be great injustice to the memory of Mr. Eastbum, not
to record his pious concern for the spiritual interests of sea-
men, even after his decease : and it is believed there can be
■noL better memorial of this instance of his Christian charity,
than to publish iiis wffl; in which it will be perceived, that he
devoted the far larger part Of his property, to make permanent
provision for a preacher to the mariners when he should be no
more, after having served them gratuitously ^hile he lived.]

■•■ '^♦^•

With solemn reverence before the Lord, I, Joseph
Eastburn^ of the city of Philadelphia, preacher of the
gospel to ^e mariners, being of sound mind, memory,
and judgment J and wishing while iji |uch a state to de-
clare my last Will and Testament, with respect to that
property which a kind Providence has intrusted to my
stewardship, do ord^n this to be my last Will andTesta-
ment, revoking all of a previous date.

First, I commend my soul to the hands of my Re-
deemer, to be presented by him, clothed with his right-
eousness, before the throne of God, and my body to be
fashioned like his own glorious body in the last great day.

Second, After my executors shall have buried my
body in a manner which to them shall seem fit, and which
I desire may be done, if I die in Philadelphia, by the side
of the grave of my wife in Arch-street burying ground,
and shall have dischai^ed the expenses of my funeral,
including one hundred dollars which I direct to be paid .
to the trustees of the Second Presbyterian Church, for
the ground, and all my just debts, then I give and be-
queath the following legacies, to wit : —

178

APPENDIX.

To Robert Eastburn, son of my deceased brother
Robert, the sum of fifty dollars, and Scott's Bible, which
he requested ; and to his son Joseph, my silver watch.

To Thomas Eastbum, another son of my deceased
brother Robert, the sum of sixty dollars.

To Mary Ann Jones, daughter of my said brother, the
sum of sixty dollars.

To the two sons of Abigail Boyer, who are grandsons
of my said brother, the sum of forty dollars to each of
them, to be kept for them by Robert Eastburn, or Mary
Ann Jones.

To the daughters of my brother John Eastburn, who
are poor, to wit : Sarah Eastburn and Maria Wells, to
each of them the sum of one hundred dollars. > '

To my dear aged friend, captain Benjamin Wicks, for
his kind attention to my poor son, one hundred dollars.

To Mr. John Harncd, who has acted as clerk in our
Mariner's Church, one hundred dollars.

To the family of Mr Gilbert Gaw deceased, who was
>vith us in the Mariner's Church from the first, one hun-
dred dollars. :,

The best cloak, the best hat, and the best coat in my
wardrobe, given to such minister of the gospel, as my
executors or a majority of them, may think proper, and
the residue of my wearing apparel to my niece, Maria
Wells, for the use of her children.

The open stove, and the time-piece fixed abovfe it in
the parlour of my dwelling, to remain as fixtures, and for
the use of the family who for the time being may occupy
the house.

And to my housekeeper, Ann Mack, who has been very
attentive to me for more than eight years, one hundred
and fifty dollars, in addition to any wages which may be
due to her at the time of my decease.

And I do direct the foregoing legacies to be paid as
soon after my decease as conveniently may be, by my
executors.

Third, I do give, devise, and bequeath all the rest,
lesidue, and remainder of my estate, real and personal,
whatsoever and wheresoever, to the Trustees of the

APPENDIX.

179

General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, in the
United States of America, and to their successors and
assigns for ever : to be held by them in trust, and for the
use and purpose of supporting a preacher or preachers
of the gospel to the manners, m and of the port of Phila-
delphia : and for that end to pay over the clear net in-
come or product of said estate, to such person or persons,
as shall be designated to them by the Presbytery of Phil"
adelphia as animated, zealous, and orthodox in preaching
the everlasting gospel to said mariners ; and in visiting, as
may be convenient to him or them, the hospitals, poor-
houses, and prisons of Philadelphia : such payment to be
made semi-annually : and the said Presbytery not to be
liable to any claim from any preacher to the mariners, but
upon their appointment of him, and agreement with him :
and in default of any such designation by the Presbytery
of Philadelphia, I will and direct, that the said income be
applied and peid by the Trustees of the General Assembly
of the Presb}'terian Church, in the United States of
America, to and ibr such religious objects and purposes as
they may thinlc proper : always desiring that my affection
for the marin^irs, and my desire to promote the eternal
interest of that class of my fellow-beings, may be, so far
as is practicable, borne in niind, in the distribution of said
income : and as^ whilst meditating alone, I thought of the
kindness of ihe Lord to me in giving me a comfortable
house, and sallowing me to live in it above forty-two
years, I concluded it might be an encouragement to the
Mariner^s Church to have it as a parsonage-house for the
preacher, if appointed as above, for the time he may be
the minister, he paying the taxes and repairs, 1 do there-
fore authorize and empower the said trustees, to devote
the house and lot where I now dwell to the said purpose
of a parsonage-house for said church : to be occupied by
the preacher for the time being, if he have a family ; but
if he be a single man, and not desire to live in it, then to
be rented for the use and benefit of said church, in the
manner aforesaid.

Last, I do appoint Robert Ralston, Jacob J. Jane-
way, D. D., Mr. Jacob Dutton, Mr. Thomas Latimer, and

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180

APPENDIX.

Hr. John WHlis, all of Philadelphia, to be the execaton
of this my last tviU and testament.

In witness whereof, I havfi heveanto set my halld^and
.feaL, this twentv*foiirth.day of NoTember, in &e year of
oiir Lord one thousand eight .hundred and twenty^even.

JOSEPH EASTB URN. (Seal.)

/ Signed,' sealed, published, an^ declared, by Joseph
" Eastburu, as and for his last WiU and Testament, in me
presence <jf us. . ^

Joseph Leslet, )
JopN H, Irwii^. 5

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SECOND APPEKDIX.

r . » »

' It may be recollected that in the account given hy
Mr. Elastbum of his first religious exercises, he mentions
that his " father having been a prisoner amons the In-
dians, brought his circumstances too low to afibrd his
son more than a common English education/* A narra-
tive of this Indian captivity was printed in 1758; and a
copy of it was preserved with great care by Mr. Elastbunu
It is certainly both entertaining and instructive; and it
has been thought proper to preserve, in a sq)arate ap-
pendix, this memorial of a father whom the subject of
the foregoing memoirs greatly loved and venerated. As the
\diole of this narrative, both in its substance and manner
of statement, is calculated to exhibit the state of things
in our country, in times long since gone by, it is given,
with the title-page of the pamphlet which contains it,
and the preface and recommendation by which it is in*
troduced. . '

IH7I

..4(»'

fO<»!fcTH

Pttbluh

PSALK CXli

teeth: O
broken, a

PliALM ciii.

redeemetl
tender m«

,»«.

//<

yt.

FAITHFUL NARRATIVE

...... — ,

THE MANY DANGERS AND SUFFERINGS,

•"A8WELL AS
WONDEB|tJIi &£LIVi:RAIf€£S'

'.'.•' : ■■■ -.. '- '..OF."" ;'. .";■; ■ '

ROBBB'T EASTBiJKNr V

. IMJIUNG HIS MTE CAPTIYlTV AMONG 1*HE l!Q>|ANS^ .
ToocTsaJA wiTBt sdMX RBMABia uiTOjfTrtH^ covkTl^r or d43tfiibi»

Ain> THS RKLiaiQN Ain> FOE,K$T OV UTS TKBAMtnKWtm\-
' ■ REFLECTIONS. "" . ' ' . '

BY ROBERT EASTBURN.

Pvblithed at thi earnest reqttett of mamg friend*i-fiir the hen^

of the 4v*fMf.

WITH A RECOMMEND AtoRT PREFACE^ BT THE

REV. GILBERT TENNENl^. -

Psalm cxziv. 6, 7.-— Blened be tbe Lord, -who Iwtli dot giv<« lis as a prey to their

teeth : Our «oul ia escaped u a hird oat of the nare of the -fowlar : the sBaie ia

brol^en, aod we are escaped.
PtfALM ciii. 8, 4.— Bless the Lord, O my aoo); and fbrget not all his beneflis: Who

redeemeth thy life from dtistructioii ; who cronvnetlr diee^vith loviiig-k|ndneiii aiid

tender mercies.

PHILADELPHIA:

PRINTED BY WILLIAM DUNLAP.

1758.

#••

PREFACE.

• Caitdid' Reader,
The Author (and subject) of the ensuing Narrstive (who is a
deacon of our Church, and has been so for many years) is of such
an establinhed good character, that he needs no recommendation of
others^ where be ift known : a proof of whicb^ was the general joy
of tlie uhabitants of this city, occasioned by his return from a mise-
rable captivity; together with the readiness of divers persons, to
contribute to the relief of himself and necessitous family, without
any request of his, or the least motion of that tendency !— But, see-
ing the following sheets are like to spread into many places where
he is not known, permit me to say, that upon long acquaintance, I
have found him to be a person of candor, integrity, and sincere
piety ; whose testimony may with safety be depended upon, which
gives his narrative the greater weight, and may induce to read it
with the greater pleasure. The design of it is evidently pious. The
matters contained 'm it, and manner of hanging them, will, I hope,
be esteeoMd by tite Impartial, to beentertaining and improving, i
heartily with it mny, by the divine benediction, m of great and du-
rable service. I am thy sincere servant in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Philadelphia, Jan. 19, 1758. Gilbert Temnent.

Kind Readers,

Oif my return from my captivity, I had no thoughts of publishing
any observations of mine to the world in this manner ; as I had no
opp<nlunity to keep a journal, and my memory being broken, and
capacity small, I was disinclined to undertake it : but a number of
my friends were pressing in their persuasiiMis that I should do it ;
with whose motion I complied, from a sincere regard to God, my
king^ and country, so far as I know my own heart. The following
pages contain, as far as I can remember, the most material passages
that happened within the compass of my observation^ while a pris-
oner in Canada. The facts therein related are certainly true ; but
the way of representing some things especially, is not «o regular,
clear, and strong, as I could wish; but I trust it will be some apol-
ogy, that 1 am not so much acquainted with performances of this
kind as many others, who may be hereby excited to give better
representations of things far beyond my knowled^.

"'■" I remain your unfeigned well-wisher, ^ ^^^s *^

and humble servant,

Philadelphia, Jan. 19, 1758. . Robert Eastburn.

( J86 )

NAEEATIVE, &c.

rBURN.

About thirty tradesmen and myself, arrived at Captain'
Williams' fort, (at the carrying place^) in our way to Ob-
wego^ the 26th of March, 1756, who informed me that
he was like' to be cumbered in the fort, and therefore
advised* us to take 'the Indian-house for our lodgipg.
About ten oVIock next day, a n^ro man came runnhiR
down the rdad^ and reported that our s}a3nnen were aff
taken by the enemy. Captain Williams, on hearing this,
sent a Serjeant and about twelve men to see if.it was
true. I being at the Indian-house^ and not thinking my-
self safe there in case of an attack, and being also sin*
cerely willing to ser^^e my king and country io^ the h^
manner I cpiSd, in my present 'circuiBStaiices, askie^ turn
if he would t^e company? He repli^^ with all W
heart flereupoii t fell into the rear, with my sihna, ,and
marched after them. When we hatd advanced about a
quarter of a mile, we heard a shot, followed with doleful
cries of a dying man, which excited me to advance, in
order to discover the enemy, who I soon perceived were
prepared to receive us. In this difficult situation, seeine
a large pine tree near, I repaired to it for shelter ; and
while the enemy were viewing our party, I having a good
chance of killing two at a shot, quickly discharg^ at
them, but could not certainly know what execution was
done till some time aftei* — our company likewise dischaig-
ed, and retreated : seeing myself in danger of being sur-
rounded, I was obliged to retreat a different course, and
to my great sur{)rise, fell into a deep mire, which the
enemy, by following my track in a lignt snow, soon dis-
covered, and obliged me to surrender, to prevent a cruel
death — (they stood ready to drive their darts into my
body, in easel refused to deliver up my arms.) Presently
after I was taken I was surrounded by a great number,
who stripped me of my clothing, hat, and neckclo^, so
that I had nothing left but a flannel vest without sleeves.

186

APPENDIX.

put a rope on my neck, bound my arms fast behind me,
put a long band round my body, and a large pack on my
back, struck me on the head a severe blow, and drove
me through the woods before them — it is not easy to con-
ceive how distressing such a condition is — in the mean
time I endeavored with all my little remaining strength,
to lift up my eyes to God, from whom alone I could with
reason expect relief.

Seventeen or eighteen prisoners were soon added to
our number, one of which informed me that the Indians
were angry with me, and reported to some of their chiefs
thiat I had fired on them, wounded one, and killed an-
other, for which he doubted they would kill me. Here-
upon i considered that th6 hearts of all men are in the
hand of God, and that one hair of our head cannot fall
to the ground without his permission. I had not as yet
learned what number the enemy's parties consisted of;
there being only about one hundred Indians who had
laiti in ambush on the rbad, to kill or take into captivity
all that passed between the two forts. Here an inter-

{>reter came to me tp inquire what strepgth Captain Wil-
iams had to defend his fort? After a short pause I gave
such a discouraging answer (yet consistent with truth) as
prevented their attacking it, and of consequence the effu-
sion of much blood — a gracious Providence, which I
desire ever to retain a grateful sense of, for hereby it
evidently appeared, tiiat I was suffered to fall into the
hands of the enemy, to promote the good of my country-
men to better purpose, tlian I could by continuing with
them — ^verily, the Almighty is wise in council, and won-
derful in working !

In the mean time, the enemy determined to destroy
Bull's Fort, (at the head of Wood creek,) which they
soon effected, all being put to the sword except five per-
sons, the fort burnt, the provision and" powder destroyed;
(saving only a little for their own use ;) then they retired
to the woods, and joined their main body, which, inclu-
sive, consisted of four hundred French and tliree hundred
Indians, commanded by one of the principal gentlemen
of Quebec. As soon as they got together (having a priest
with them) they fell on their knees and returned thanks

APPENDIX*

187

ed to
idians
chiefs
ed an-
Here-
iii the
ot fall
as yet
ed of;
tio had
iptivity
I iuter-

in wn-

I gave
■uth) as
le eflfu-
irhich I
reby it
lie the
ountry-
ig with
id won-

destroy
;h they
ve per-
tro};e(l;

retired
I, inclu-
lundred
itlemen
la priest

thanks

ibr their vtctoi^; an example tfatf, worthy of imitation—
an example, which may make profiuie pretended Protest-
ants blush, (if they are not lost to all sense of shame,)
who, instead of acknowledging a God, or Providence, in
their military undertakings, are continually reproaching
him with oaths and curses; is it any wonder that the
attempts of such are blasted with disappointinent and
disgrace?

The enemy had several wounded men, botlr French
and Indians, among them, which they carried on their
backs ; besidtes which, about fifteen of their number were
killed, and of us about forty.: it being by this time near
dark, and some Indians 4rank, they only marched about
four miles and encamped ; the Indians un^ed my arms,
cut hemlock bou^, and «trewed round the fire, tied my
band to two trees, with my bkck on the,gi^n bou^,
(by the fire,) covered, me with an old blanket, and lay
dci^n across my band, on each side, to prevent my escape
while (hey slept. ^

• > Sunday the 3&th,- rosg early ; the comDMtBder ordered
a'ha^ retreat towards Canada, ibr fear of General John-
sOn^in&emean time, one of our men said, he under*
stood the French and Indians designed to join a stroi^
party, and fall on Oswego before our forces there coum
get any provision or succours^ having, as tbey thought,
put a stop to our relieving them for a time*^ Whe -^e
encamped in the evening, Uie commanding officer orcic v\;d
the Indians to bring me to his tent, and asked me, by an
interpreter, if I thought GeneralJohnson would follow
them? I told him I judged not, but rather thou^t he
wQutd proceed to Oswego ; (which was indeed my senti*
ment, grounded upon prior information, and then express*
ed to prevent the execution of their design ;) he farther
inquired, what was my trade ? I told him that of a smith ;
he then persuaded me, when I got to Canada, to send for
my wife, ' for (said he) yon can get a rich living there ;•
but when be saw that he could not prevail, hie asked no
more questions, but commanded me to return to n^y In-
dian master: having this opportunity of conversation, I
inibrmed the General that his Indian warriors had strip-
ped me of my clothing, and would be glad he would be

188

APPENDIt.

good enou^ to order me some relief; to which he repli-
ed, that I would get clothes when I came to Canada,
which was cold comfort to one almost frozen! On my
return, the Indians perceiving 1 w<is unwell, and could
pot eat their coarse food, ordered some chocolate (which
they had brought from the carrying place) to be boiled
for me, and seeing me eat that, appeared pleased. A
strong guard was kept every night. One of our men being
weakened by his wounds, and rendered unable to keep
pace with them, was killed and scalped on the road — I
was all this time almost naked, travelling through deep
snow, and wading through rivers cold as ice.

After seven days^ march, we arrived at Lake Ontario,
whei'e I eat ^ome horse-flesh, which tasted very agreea-
bly, for to the hungry man, as Solomon observes, every
bitter thing is sweet.* The French carried several of
their wounded men ^all the way upon their backs, and
(l9^y of them wore no breeches in their travels in this
cold seasoii ; they^re strong, hardy men.) The Indians
had three of their -party wojunded, which they likewise
carried on iheir backs — I wish there was more o£ tbii
hardness, so necessary for war, in our nation, which
would open a more encouraging scene than appears at
present. The prisoners were so divided, that but few
could converse together on our march, and (which was
still more disagreeable and distressing) an Indian, who
had a laige bunch of green scalps, taken off our men^
heads, marched before me, and another with a sharp
spear behind, to drive me after him, by which means, the
scalps were very often close to my face, and as we march-
ed, they frequently every day gave the dead shout^ which
was repeated ^s many times ai there were captives and

* On the Friday before we arrived at the Lake, the Indians killed
a porcupine, which is in bigness equal to a larj^e raccoon, with short
legs, is covered with lon^ hair intermixed with sharp quills, which
are their defence, it is indeed dangerous coming very near them,
because they cast their quills (which are like barbed irons or darts)
at any thine that opposeth them, which when thev pierce, are not
easy to be drawn out, for, tboujB[h their points are sharp and smooth,
they have a kind of beard, which makes them stick fast; however,
the Indians threw it on a large fire, burnt off the hair and quin*,
roasted and eat of it, with whom I had a part. ^ i_:

APPENDIX.

189

kilted
short
which
them,
darts)

ire not
looth,

^wever,
quilU)

scalps taken. In the mi^st of this gloomj scene, when I
considered hdw many poor souls were hurried into a vast
eternity, with doubts of their unfitness for such a change,
it made me lament and expostulate in the manner follow-
ing: — Oh Sin! what hast tnou done? what desolation and
rmn hast thou brought into this miserable world ? What
am I, that I should be thus spared ! My afflictions are
certainly far less than my sins deserve. Through the
exceeding richness of divine goodness and grace, I was
in this distressing situation supported and comforted by
these passages of sacred scripture, viz. That our light
afflictions, which last but for a moment, shall work for
us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory ;
and that, though no afflictions are for the present joyous,
but grievous, yet, neverth^ess, they afterwards yield the
peaceable fruits of righteousness to them who are exer-
cised thereby ; and farther, that all things shall work
together for good, to them that love God-^to them who
are the called, according tohis purpose. But to return.

I may with jufti^e and truth observe, that our enemies
leave no stone unturned to compass our ruin ; they pray,
work, and travel, to bring it about, and are unwearied
in the pursuit, while many among us sleep in a storm that
has laid a good part of our country desolate, and threatens
the whole with destruction. Oh! may the Almighty
awake us, cause us to see our danger before it be too
late, and grant us salvation ! Oh ! that we may be of
good coucage, and play the man, for our people, and the
cities ^ our God ! But, alas ! I am obliged to turn my
face towards c(^ Canada, amoi^ inveterate enemies,
and innumerable dangers ! Oh Lord, I pray thee be my
safeguard; thou hast already covered me in the holloW
of thy hand; when Death cast darts all around me, and
many fell on every side, I beheld thy salvation !

April 4th, several French batteaux met us, and brought
a large supply ol provision, the sight of which caused
great joy, for we were in great want ; then a place was
soon erected to celebrate mass in, which being ended,
we all went over the mouth of a. river, where it empties
itself into the east end of Lake Ontario ; a great part of our
company set off oa foot towards Oswegotchy, while tl ^

190

APPENDIX.

rest were ordered into batteaux, and carried towards the
entrance of St Liawrence, (where that river takes its be-
ginning,) but by reason of bad weather, wind, rain, and
•now, whereby the waters of the Lake were troubled,
we were obliged to lie by and haul our batteauz on shore;
here I lay on the cold shore two days. Tuesday, set off
and entered the head of St Lawrence in the afternoon ;
came to late at nisht, made fires but did not lie down to
sleep ; embarked long before day, and after sonte miles*
progress down the river, we saw many fires on our right
Dand, which were made by the men who left us, and
went by land; with them we staid till day, and then again
embarked in our batteauz; the weather was very bad;
(it snowed fast all day ;) near night arrived at Osw^ot-
chj; I was almost starved to death, but hoped to stay in
this Indian town till warm weather; slept in an- Indian
wiewam ; i^e early in the morning (being Thursday)
and soon to my grief discovered my disappointment.
Several of the prisoners had leave to tarry here, but I
must go two hundred miles farther down stream to an-
other Indian town ; the morning being ektremely cold, 1
applied to a French merchant (or trader) for some old
rags of clothing, for J was almost naked, but to no pur-
pose. ^- ^ ,

About ten oVlock, was ordered into a batteau, on our
way down the river, with eight or nine Indians, one of
which was the man wounded in the skirmish before men-
tioned ; at night we went on shore, the snow being much
deeper than before ; we cleared it away, and made a
large fire ; here, when the wounded Indian cast his eyes
upon me, his old grudge revived; he took my blanket
from me, and conunanded me to dance round the fire,
barefoot, and sing the pri$on£r''s song, which I utterly
refused ; this surprised one of my fellow-prisoners, who
told me they would put me to death; (for he understood
what they said ;) he therefore tried to persuade me to
comply, but I desired him to let me alone, and was,
through great mercy, enabled to reject his importunity
with abhorrence. The Indian also continued urging,
saying, you shall dance and sing— but apprehending my
compliance sinful, I determined to persist in declining it

APPENDIX.

191

at all adventures, and to leave the issue to the divine dis-
posal. The Indian, perceiving his orders disobeyed, was
nred with indignation, and endeavored to push ine into
the tire, which I leaped over, and he being weak with
his wounds, and not bein^ assisted by any of his brethren,
was obliged to desist 1* or this gracious interposure of
Providence, in preserving me both from sin and danger,
I desire to bless God while I live.

Friday morning, was almost perished with cold. Sat-
urday, proceeded on our way and soon came in sight o(
the upper part of the inhabitants of Canada ; here I was
in great hopes of some relief, not knowing the manner of
the Indians, who do not make many stops among the
French, in their return from war, till they get home —
however, when they came near some rapid falls of water,
one of my fellow-prisoners, and several Indians, together
with myself, were put on shore to travel by land, which
pleased me weU, it being much warmer running on the
snow, than lying still in tlie batteau ; we passed by sev-
eral French houses, ^t stopt at none ; the vessel going
down a rapid stream, it required haste to keep pace with
her; we crossed over a pomt ofiand, and found the bat-
teau waitir^ for us, as near the shore as the ice would
permit Here we left St. Lawrence and turned up Con-
asadauga river,^ but it being frozen up we hauled our

was,

tunity

igmy
tng It

* The river St. Lawrence, at Lake Ontario, takes its beginning
through several islands, by wliich we are in no necessity of coming
within sight of Frontenac, when we go down the river ; it is smooth
water from thence to Oswegotchy ; (or, as it is called by the French,
Legalet;) but from hence to Montreal, the water is more swift, with
a number of rapid streams, though not dangerous to pass through
with small boats and bark canoes, provided the steersmen are care-
ful and acquainted with the places. In transporting provision and
warlike stores up stream from Canada to Lake Ontario, there is
a necessity of unloading batteaux at several of the rapid streams,
and hauling them empty through shoal water near the shore, and
carrying the loading oy land to where the water is more slack —
though fliere be several of these places, yet the land carriage is not
very far. The land on both sides the river appears fertile a great
part of the way from the Lake to Montreal ; but the nearer the
latter, the worse — more miry and stony. The timber is white pine,
aih, maple, beech, hickory, hemlock, sfMruce, and from the Lake
about one hundred and fifty miles down, plenty of white oak, but
none about Montreal of that kind.^

1;*

JH^I

192

APPENDIX.

batteau on shore, and each of us took our share of her
loading on our backs, and marched towards Conasadauga,
an Indian town, which was our designed port, but couM
not reach it that night; came to a French house, cold,
weary, and hungry; here my old friend, the wounded
Indian, again appeared, and related to the Frenchman
the affair of my refusing to dance, who immediately as-
sisted the Indian to strip me of my flannel vest before
mentioned, which was my all. Now they were resolved
to compel me to dance and sing. The Frenchman was
as violent as the Indian, in promoting this imposition; but
the women belonging to the house, seeing the rough
usage I had, took pity on me,tind rescued me out of their
hands, till their heat was ovefr, and prevailed with the
, Indian to excuse me from dancing ; but he insisted that
I must be shaved, and then he would let me alone; (I had
at that time a long beard, which the Indians hate ;) with
this motion I readily complied, and then the Indian seem-
ed content. '

Sunday, April 11th, set off towards Conasadauga,
travelled about two hours, and then saw the town, over
a great riv^r, which was stiU frozen ; the Indians stopped,
and we were soon joined with a number of our own
company, which we had not seen for several days. The
prisoners, in number eight, were ordered to lay down
their packs, and be painted; the wounded Indian painted
me, and put a belt of wampum round my neck, instead
of the rope which I had worn four hundred miles ; then
set off* towards the town on the ice, which was four miles
over; our heads were not allowed to be covered, lest
our fine paint should be hid, the weather in the mean
time very cold, like to freeze our ears; after we had
advanced nearer to the town, the Indian women came
out to meet us, and relieved their husbands of their packs.

As soon as we landed at Conasadauga, a large body of
Indians came and encompassed us round, and ordered
the prisoners to dance and sing the prisoner's song, (which
I was still enabled to decline,) at the conclusion of which,
the Indians gave a shout, and opened the ring to let us
run, and then fell on us with their fists, and knocked sev-
eral down ; in the mean time, one ran before to direct

APPENDIX.

193

luga,

over
»pped,
own
The
down
ainted
nstead
then
miles
, lest
mean
z had
came
packs,
ody of
dered
which
which,
let us
•d sev-
direct

us to an Indian house, which was open, and as soon as
we got in, we were beat no more ; my head was sore
with beating, and pained me several days. The squaws
were kind to us, gave us boiled com and beans to eat,
and fire to warm us, which was a great mercy, for 1 was
both cold and hungry. This town lies about thirty miles
north>west from Montreal ; I staid here till the ice was
epne, which was about ten days, and then was sent to
Cohnewago, in company with some Indians, who, when
they came within hearing, gave notice by their way of
shouting that they had a prisoner ; on which the whole
town rose to welcome me, which was the more distress-
ing, as there was. no other prisoner in their hands; when
we came near shore, a stout Indian took hold of me, and
hauled me into the water, which was knee-deep and very
cold. As soon as I got ashore, the Indians gathered round
me, and ordered me to dance and sing, now when I was
stiff with cold and wet, and lying long in- the canoe ; here
I only stamped to prepsnre for my race, and was encom-
passed with about five hundred Indians, who danced and
sung, and at last gave a shout and opened the circle ;
about one hundred and fifty young lads made ready to
pelt me with dirt and gravel stones, and on my setting
off gave me a stout volley, without my suffering great
hurt; but an Indian seeing me run, met me, and held me
fast till the boys had stored themselves again with dirt
and small stones, and let me run ; but then I fared much
worse than before, for a small stone among the mud hit
my right eye, and my head and face were so covered
with dirt, that I could scarce see my way, but discovering
a door of an Indian house standing open, I run in : from
this retreat I was soon hauled, in order to be pelted more ;
but the Indian women, being more merciful, interposed,
took me into a house, brought me water to wash, and
gave me boiled com and beans to eat. The next day I
was brought to the centre of the town, and cried accord-
ing to the Indian custom, in order to be sent to a family
of Indians, two hundred miles up stream, at Osweeotchy,
and there to be adopted, and abused no more. To this
end I was delivered to three young men, who said I was
their brother, and set forward on our way to the aforesaid

APPENDIX.

town*^ with about twenty more Indians, but by reason of
bad weather we were obliged to encamp on a cold, stony
shore three days, and then proceeded on ; called at Con-
asadauga, staid there about a week, in which time I went
and viewed four houses at a distance from the town,
about a quarter of a mile from each other, in which are
represented, in large paint work, the sufferings of our
Saviour, with design to draw the Indians to the Papists'
religion; the work is curiously done. A little farther
stand three houses near together on the top of a high hill,
which they call Moimt Calvary,, with three large crosses
before them, which complete the whole representation.
,To all these houses the priests and Indians repair, in
performing their grand processions, which takes up much
time.*

Set offon jOur journey for Oswegotchy, against a rapid
stream, and being long in it, and our provision growing
short, the Indians put to shore a Httle before night; my
lot wag to get wood, others were ordered to get &re, and
some to hunt ; our kettle was put over die fire withson^
pounded Indian com, and after it had boiled about two
hours, my oldest Indian brother returned with a she-bea-
ver, big with young, which he soon cut to pieces, and
threw into the kettle, together with the guts, and took the
four young beavers, whole as they came out of the dam,
and put mem Ukewise into the kettle, and when all was
well boiled, gave each one of us a lai^e dish full of the
broth, of whicli we eat freely, and then part of the old

* The pains the Papists take to propagate such a bloody and
absurd religion as theirs, is truly amazing. This brings to my
remembrance the following discourse I had with two French priests
in my captivity : one of them asked me, if I was a Catholic ? appre-
hending the Romish religion, I answered, no; he replied, no oon.
On my relating the above to a fellow-prisoner, he said, I had an-
swered wrong, because by the word Catholic he meant a Christian.
Some time after I was again asked by the other priest, if I was a
Catholic ? I answered, yes, but not a Roman Catholic ; at which he
smiled, and asked, if I was a Lutheran ? I replied, no ; he again
inc[uired, whether I was a Calvinist ? I told him I was ; to which he

warmnew in promoting the religion of the Bible?

mtmmtmm'mmi

wilimmifm

APPENDIX.

195

was
the
old

ippre-
oon.
id an-
istian.

Vetver, the tail of whkh was divided equally among us,
there being eight at our fire ; the four young beavers were
cut in the middle, And each of us got half of a beaver ; I
wlktehed ah opportunity to hide my share, (having satis^
fied myself belbre that tender dish came to hand,) which
if they had se«i, would have much displeased them.
The other Indians catched young muskrats, ran a stick
through their bodies, and roasted, without being skinned
or gutted, and so eat them. Next morning, hastened on
our journey, which continued several days, till we came
near Oswegotchy, where we landed about three .miles
from the town, on the contrary side of the river ; here I
was to be adopted — ^my father and mother that I had.
4iever seen before were waiting, and ordered me into an
'ndian house, where we wer^ directed to sit'down silent
A>r a considerable time; the Indians appeared -very sad,
Bnd my moti^er began to cry, and continued crying
aloud mr some time, and then dried up her tears sod
received me for her son, and took me over the rivvr to
the Indian town; ^ next day I was ordered to go to
fXiMi with tbem^ butl refused once alid again, yet they
continued their ^ importunity several days, saying -it was
good to go to naass, but r s 111 re&tsed; and seeing they
could not prevail with me, they seemed much disple^ed
with their new son^^ I was then sent over the river to
be employed in hard labor, as a punishment for not
going to mass, and not allowed a sid^t of, or any conver-
sation with, my fellow-prisoners^ The old Indian man
that I was ordered to work with, had a wife and some
children ; he took me into the woods with him, and made
signs that I must chop, giving me an axe — the Indian soon

I ■ I I " - - — - - - ■- — • —

* When I was at Oswegotchy, the Indians took notice tiiat I fre-
queatly retired alooe^ ancTsupposinff I bad some bad design, threat-
oaed, if I did npt desist, they would tomahawk me; but my fellow-
prisoner, who understood their language, told them it would be a
pity to hurt me on that account, for I only went into a private placo
to pray — wtdoh was true; the Indians replied, if so, it was good;
but being yet suspicious, took pains, by watching, to find out how
the.c&se was, and when they satisfied tnemselres. seemed pleased,
and did iK>t offer to intemmt me any more, which was a great
mercy ; as the contrary would have, in sane degree, marred my
oonverse with God. ,-^, ^, ^,^. ._.„,, ._. -- ^v i

196

APPENDIX.

saw that I could handle the axe : here I tried to reconcile
myself to this employ, that they might have no occasion
against me, except concerning the law of my God. The
old man began to appear kind, and his wife gave me milk
and bread when we came home, and when she got fish,
gave me the gills to eat out of real kindness ; but per^
cerving I did not like them, gave me my own choice, and
behaved lovingly. Here I saw that God could make
friends of cruel enemies^ as he once turned the heart of
angry Esau into love and tenderness : when we had finisfa-
ed our fence, whicb had employed Us about a week, I
showed the old squaw my shirt (having worn it from the
time I was first taken prisoner, which was about seven
weeks) all in rags, dirt, and lice ; she said it wasnotgood^
and brought me a new one, with ruffled sleeves, saying
that is good, which I thankfully accepted. The next day
they carried ^me back to the Indian town, and admitted
me to converse with my feHow prisoners, who told me
we weie Wi to be sent to Montreal, which accordingly
came to pass. • ^

Montreal At our arrival here, we had our lodgmg first
in the Jesuit^s Convent, where I saw a great number of
priests, and people that came to confession ; afler some
stay, we were ordered, to atfend, with the Indians, at a
grand council, held before Uie head General Yaudriel;
we prisoners sat in our rank, surrounded with our Others
and brethren, but were asked no questions : tiie General
had a number of officers to attend him in council, where
a noted priest, called Picket, sat at his right hand, who
understands the Indian tongue well, and does more hurt to
the English, than any other of his order in Canada (his
dwelling is at Oswegotchy.) Here I was informed that
some measures were concerted to destroy Oswego, which
they had b6en long preparing to execute; we in our jour-
ney met many batteaux going up stream, with provision
and men for an attack on our frontiers, which confirmed
the report. The council adjourned to another day, and
then broke up. My Indian father and mother tooi^ me
with them to several of their old acquaintance, who were
French, to show them their lately adopted son; these
persons had been concerned with my father and other

Indian

young!

their li

ders!

fore V,

ofTered

carryii

labore(

ents ol

knowii

liams, I

my fan

for red(

being e

wine-tc

came t

skins (1

powder

own us

mother

if I ptei
decJmin
affected

* T^e ]

having th

unjust 4e

the (bUoin

viss. Thf]

sold to thi

of it, thei

ment iafl

occasion,

add, t^at

inhftbitanl

in case w(

with a But

continual!

large bodi

uponlong

borders; a

and ravag

beat withi

them, the}

■ions, whic

us entirely

■ m iiii w I

▲pn&!n>ix.

197

the

Iwere

Ithese

)ther

Indians, in destroying man^ English families in their
younger days; %nd (as one standing by, who understood
their language, said,) were boasting of their fonner mur-
ders ! After some days the council was again called, be-
fore which) several of the Oneida chiefs appeared, and
offered some complaint Against the French''s attacking our
carrying place, it being their land ; but the General
labored to make them easy, and gave them sundry pres-
ents of vahie, which they accepted :* after which, I
knowing these Indians were acquainted with Captain Wil-
liams, at the carrying place, sent a letter by them, to let
my family and frien<£ knoW I was yet alive, and longed
for redemptions but it never came to hand. The treaty
bei^g ended, th^ General sent about ten gallons of red
wine^to the Indians, which they divided among us; after
came the presents, consisting of coats, blankets, shirts,
skins (to make Indian shoes,) cloth (to make stockings,)
powder, lead, shot, and to each a bag of paint, for theijr
own use, &c. After we prisoners had our share, my
mother came to me with an interpreter, and told me I
might stay in the town, at a place she had found for me,
if I pleased (this was doubtless, the consequence of my
declming to obey her orders, in some instances that
aifiected my oonscience^) this proposal 1 almost agreed to;

* TIbie French in Canada, inrell knowing the great importanceof
having the Indiana in their interest, to promote tbeii^ ambitious and
unjust 4«sngns, use a vari^y of methods with them, among which
the foUowing one is excellent in itself, and well worthy of imitation,
Viz. Thi^y are ex<;eeding careful to prevent spirituous liquors being
sold to the Indians, and if any cf the inhabitants are proved guilty
of it, theif temporal interest is quite broke, and corporal punish-
ment iBflicte4 on them; unless the General, on some particular
occasion, orders his commissioners to d^ver some to them. I may
add. that knowing their number is«mall, compared with the British
inhabitants on tiiis continent, and must quickly fall into their handf,
in case we united, and entered boldly into the heart of their country
with a sufficient force ; foi* that very reason, they choose to keep us
continually on the defensive, by sending, v^hen occasion .reqmret,
large bodies of regulars, together with great numbers of Indian*,
upon- long and tedious marcnes, that we may not come near their
borders; and especially by employing the latter, constantly to waste
and ravage our frontiers, by which we are murdered by inehes,and
beat without a battle. By what I could learn when I was among
them, they do not fear our numbers, because of our unhappy divi-
sions, which they deride, and from them, strongly expect to conquer
us entirely, which may a gracious God in mercy prevent.

* ".

198

APPSNDIZ.

but one of my fS^ow prisoners, wi& ^tiom I had hekft.
some discourse, about making our escape from the lodiBii
town, opposed the motion, and said, "pray do not staiy,
fbr if you do, we shall not be able to form a plan for our
deliverance;^ on which I told her I chose to go home
with her, and soon set off by land in our way thither, to
Lascheen, distant from Montreal about nine miles, where
we left our canoes, and then proceeded, without deky,
on our journey ; in which I saw, to my sorrow, great
numbers of soldiers, and much provisioos^ in motion to*
wards Lake Ontario. ^ •

J After a painful and distressing journey, we arrived at
Os wegotchy, where we likewise saw many b^tteaux, with

frovision and soldiers, daily passing, by iii their way to
'rontenac, which greatly distressed me for Oswego.
Hence I resolved, if possible^ to give our people notree
of their danger. To this end, I told two of my fellow
prisoners, that it was not a time to sleep, and asked if
they would, go witiime> to tins they heartily agreed ; but
we had no provision, were desebr eyed by the enemy,
and could not lay up a stock out of o«ir aHoMwnoe. Moinih^
ever, at thb time Mr. Picket (befi»re raentioiied} had
concluded to dig a large tceneh round tbe~town ; I there-
fore went to a negro, the principal manager of this r/ork
(who could speak English, French, and Indian weH,) and
asked him, if he. could get employ for two others and my-
self, which he soon did ; for which we were to have meat
and wages. Here we had a prospect of procuring provi-
sion for our flight ; this, J in some time effected wr my-
self, and then asked my brethren if they were ready, who
replied they were not yet, but said^ Ann Bdwman, our
fellow prisoner, bad brought one hundred and thirty
dollars from BulPs fort, and would give them, all they had
need of; I told them it was not safe to disclose such a
secret to her, but they blamed me for niy fears^ and ap-
plied to her for provision, letting her know our intention,
who immediately informed the priest of it ; on which we
were apprehended, the Indians apprized of our desi^,
and a court called; by order of wmch, four of us were
confined under a strong guard, in a room within the fort,
for several days.

AFPBRDIZ.

From hence, another andinjielf were sent to Cohne*
wago, under a strong guard of sixtr Indiant, to prevent
my plotting any more a^inst thei^ French, and banish all^
hope of my escape. However, when we arrived at this
place, it pleased that gnicioua God« who. hai^ the hearts
of all creatures in his hand, to incline the captain of the
guard, to show me great kindness, in giving me liberty to
walk or work where I pleased^ within any snmll distance ;
on which t went to work with a French smith, for six
livres and five sous per week ; which the captain let me
have to mpfeelf, and farther favored me with the privi-
ledge of lodging at his mother^s house, an English woman
(named Maip, Harris, taken captive when a child, from
Dearfield, ilii New-England) who told me she was mr
grand-mother, and was kind ; but the wages being small,
and not sufficient to procure such ciothii^ as 1 was in
want of, I proceeded no &rtber with the French smttii, but
went to my uncle Peter, and told him I wante^d clothes^
and that it would he better to let me gcrfo Moatical, and
work there, where I could clothe myself better, than by
itftying wttbhim, and thai without any charge to him,
who after some reasoning consented..

Set off on m3rioumey to Montreal, and on my enterii^
the city met an En|li8h smith, who took me to work With
him ; after some time„ we settled to work in a shop, op-
posite to the GeneraFs door, where we had the opporw
tunity of seeing a great part of the forces of Canada (both
soldiers and Indians) who were commonly brought there,
before their going out to war; and likewise all prisoners,
by which means we got intelligence how our people were
preparing for defence ; but no good news from Oswego,
which made me fear, knowing that ^reat numbers of
French were gone against it, and heanng of but few to
defend it. Prayers were put up in all the churches of
Canada, and great processions made, in order to procure
success to their anns against poor Oswego ; but our people
knew little of their danger, till it was too late : certainly^
if more frequent and earnest application (both in private
and public) was made to the God of battle, we might,
with greater probability, expect success would crown
pur military attempts. To my surprise, the dismal news

soo

APPENDIX.

came, that the French had taken one of the Osweso forts ;
in a few hours, in confirmation of this, I saw the English
standards (the melancholy trophy of victory) and the
French rejoicing at our downfall, and mocking us poor
prisoners, m our exile and extremity, which was no great
ai|;ument either of humanity, or true greatness of mind ;
great ioy appeared in all their faces^ which they expressed
by loud shouts, firing of cannon, and retumins thanks in
their churches ; but our faces were covered With shame,
and our hearts filled with grief I Soon after, I saw seve-
ral of the officers brought in prisoners, in snrilll parties,
and the soldiers in the same manner, and confined within
the walls, in a starving condition, in order tp make them
work, which some complied with, but others bravely
refiised; and last of all came the tradesmen, unong whom
was my son, who looking round saw his lather, who he
thought had Ibng been dead ; this joyiul sight so affected
Jiim, that he wept ! nor could I, in seeing my son, remain
unconceraedl — no; the tenderness of a. father^s bowels,
upon so extraordinary an occasion, I am -not able to ex-
press, and therefore must cover it with a ¥eil of silenceJ
— but he, with all my Philadelphia friends, being guarded
by soldiers, with fixed bayonets, we could not come near
each other: they were sent to the common pound; but
I hastened to the interpreter, to try if I could get my child
at liberty, which was soon effected ! When we had the
happiness of an interview, he gave me some information
of the state of our family, and told me, as soon as the news
were sent home, Uiat I was killed, or taken, his mother
was not allowed any more support from my wages, which
grieved me much, and added to my other afflictions \^

* In the mean timev it gare me some pTeft8ui!«,in this situation, to
see an expression of equal duty and prudence in my son'« conduct,
who, though young in years (about seventeen] and in Kuch a con-
Aised state oi things, had taken care to ISrihg, with much labor and
&tigtie, a large bundle of considerable value to me, it being cloth-
ing, 4rc* whien I Was in great need of; he likewise saved a quantity
ofwampum, which we brought fyom New- York, and afterwards sold
liere,fbr«ie hundred and fifty livres. He travelled with me part of
the journey towards Oswego, but not being so far on his way, as I
was when taken, he did not then fall into the enemy's hands, but
continued free tillOsweeo was taken, and was then remarkably de-
fivered fitxn.tibe bands oTthe Indians, in the fbUowing mannen AfLsen

APPENDIX.

201

When the people taken at Osweto, were letting out
on their way to Quebec, I made apphcation for liberty to
CO with them ; but the interpreter replied, that I was an
Indian prisoner, and the General wouM not suffer it, till
the Indians were satisfied ; and as they lived two hundred
miles from Montreal, it could not be done at that tinne.
Finding that all arguments farther on that bead, would
not avail, because I was not included in the capitulation;
I told the interpreter, my son must go and leave me ! in
order to be ready at Quebec to go home, when the
Oswego people went, which probably would be soon; he
xeplied, *•'' it would be better to keep him with me, for he
might be a roeali to get me clear much sooner."

The officers belonginj^ to Oswego, would gladly have
had me with them, but found it impracticable ; this n an
instance of kindness and condestension, for which 1 am
obliged ! Captain Bradley gave me a good coat, vest, and
shirt ; and a young gentleman, who formerly lived i^
Philadelphia, gave four pistolei (bit Dfttne is Jinies Stone,
he was Doctor at Oswego.) These generous expressions
of kindness and humanity, I am under great obligations

young lads were drafted out to he delurered to them (whieb, from
their Known custom, it is reasonahle to conclude, wu to fill up the
number th^ had lost in the battle) among which he. was one^ This
barbarous design, which is contrary to the laws of war, amtrng all
civilized nations, -the French artfully concealed, und^r the pretext
of sending them to work in the batteaux; but my chfld taking notice,
that all that were chosen were small lads, doubts their rciu inten-
tion was bad, and therefore slipt out of his rank and cmxsealed him-
self, by which means, under God, he was preserved from a state of
perpetual captivity *< his place being filled up in his absence, the
other unhappy youths wefe delivered up a sacrifice to the Indian
enemy, to be instructed in popish principles, and employed in mur-

empire, doubtless the pardons they get from their pope, and their
priests, embolden them, which brings to my mind, what I saw when
among them. On a sabbath day, perceiving a great eonconrse of
people at a chapel, built on the commons, at some distance firom tiie
city, I went to see what was the occasion, and found a kind of a
fair, at which were sold cakes, wine, brandy, &c. ^ I likewise saw
many carts and chaises attending, the chapeF doors in the mean time
open, numbers of people going in and out, and a board hanging
over the door, on which was written, in large letters, INDUL-
GENCE PLENARY, or FULL PARDON,

-M

202 APPENDIX.

to remember with affectionate gratitude, and if ever it
be in the cqmpaBS of my power, to requite. This money,
together wim what my son brought, I was in hopes would
go (ar towards procuring my release, from my Indian
masters ; but seeing a number of prisoners in sore distress,
amons which were, the Captains Grant and Shepherd,
and about seven more in company, I thought it my duty
to relieve them, and commit my release to the disposal
of Providence. Nor was this suffered to turn to my dis-
advantage in the issue, for my deliverance was brought
about in due time, in another and unexpected way. This
company informed me of their intention to escape; accord-
ingly I gave them all the help in my power, saw them
clear of the town, on a Saturday evenine before the sen-
tries were set at the gates, and advised mem not to part
from each other, and delivered to Captain Shepherd two
pocket-compsBses; but they, contrary to this counsel, part-
j&d, and saw each other no more. By their separating.
Captain Grant and Seijeaut Newel, were deprived of the
benefit of a compass ; the other part «>t safe to fort
'William Henry, as I was informed by Seijeant Henrys
who was brought in prisoner, being taken in a battle,
when gaUant, indefatigable Captain Rogers, made a brave
stand, against more than twice his number ; but I have
not heai^ any account of Captain Grant — was enabled,
through much mercy, to continue communicating some
relief to other prisoners, out of the wages I received for
my labor, which was forty livres per month.

In the latter part of the winter, coal and iron were so
scarce, that I was hard set to get any more work ; I then
offered to work for my diet and lodging, rather than be
thrust into a stinking dungeon, or sent among the Indians.
The interpreter took some pains (which I thankfully
acknowledge) but without success; however, as I offered
to work without wages, a Frenchman took me and my son
in, upon these terms, till a better birth presented; here
we staid one week, but heard of no other place : then he
ofiered me and my son thirty livres per month, to strike
and blow the bellows, which I did for about two months,
and then was dischai^ed, and travelled about from place
to place, having no &Led abode, and was obliged to lay

"> — -^---iJ.'

.^~-

APPENDIX.

209

out the small remains of my cash, in bujine a little
victuals, and toolc a hay-lofl for my lodging ; I t£en made
my case known to the kind inteq>reter, and reqaet ted
him to consider of some means for my relief, who replied
he would ; in the mean time, aS I was foking a wafk in
the city, 1 met an Indian prisoner, that bekmt^d to the
town where my father lived, who reported, mat a great
part of the Indians there, were juat come, with a resolu-
tion to carry me back with them ; knd knowing him to be
a very honest fellow, I believed the truth of it, and fled
from the town to be concealed from the Indians; in the
mean while, schemes were formed for an escape, and well
prosecuted, the issue of which was fortunate. General
V audriel gave me and my son liberty (under his hand) to
go to Quebec; and WOrk there at our pleasure, without
confinement, as prisoners of war; by wmcb means, I Was
freed from paj^ing a ransom. \ ,

The commissary^ Motisieiir Pinttre, beif^ albdiit to sc^
off for Quebec, lO^ son infontied me tbtft \ most come to
town in the evemng, a passage being provided fOr us ; f
waited till pear dark, and^en entered the town, with
great care, to escape the Indians, who kept watch fornoe
(and had done sO for some time) which isade itTery diffi-
cult and dangerous to move ; however, as they bad no
knowledge of my son, he could watch their mOtioiis, with-
out their suspicion (the providence of God is a great deep;
this help was provided ror my extremity^ not only beyond
my expectation, but contrary to my design.) In the morn-
ing, upon seeing an Indian set to watch for me, over
against the house I was in, I quickly made nay escape,
through the back part of the house, over some hieh
pickets, and out of the city, to the river side, and fled!
A friend knowing my scheme for deliverance, kindly
assisted me to conceal myself. The commissary had by
this time got ready for his voyage, of which my son giving
me notice, I immediately, with no lingering motion,
repaired to the boat, was received on boara, set off quite
undiscovered, and saw the Indians no more! A very
narrow and surprising escape, from a violent death ! (for
they had determined to kill me, in case I ever attempted
to leave them ;) which lays me under the strongest obliga-

5» Jfc:>

204

APPENDIX.

tions, to impi^ve a life rescued from the jaws of to many
deaths, to me honour of mj gracious Benefactor ! — But
to return, the commissary, upon seeing the dismission I had
from the General, treated us courteously I*

Arrived at Quebec, Mapr 1st The honorable Colonel
Peter iScAfiy/«r, hearing of my coming there, kindly sent
for me, and aAer inquiries about my welfare, &c. gene-
rously told me, I should be supplied, and need not trouble
myself for jiupport. This public spirited gentleman, who
is indeed an nonour to his country, did, in like manner^
nobly relieve many other poor prisoners at Quebec ! —
Here I had full liberty to walk where I pleased, and view
the city, which is well ^tuated for strength, but far from
being impregnable.

Here, 1 hop^, it will jiot be judged improper, ^ give a
short hint oi^the French governor's conduct; even in
time of peace, he gives the Indians great encouragement
to munler ami eaptivi^ the. poor inhabitants on our
frontiers; a^ honest, ^ood man, named WiUiam Ross,
was taken prisoner twice in the time of peace ; when he
was first taKen, he learned a little of the French tongue,
was afteir sofne time redeemed, and ^ot to his place of
abode. Yet some years after, he, with two sons, was
again taken, and brought to Quebec ; the governor, seeing
the poor man was lamie, and one of his legs smaller than
the other, reproved the Indians for not killing him, asking,
** what they brought a lame man there for, who could do
nothing but eat; you should (said he) have brought his
scalp!" However, another of his countrymen, more
merciful than his excellency, knowing the poor prisoner
to be a quiet, hard-working man, redeemed him from the
Indians; and two other Frenchmen bought his two sons.
Here they had been slaves more than three years, when

* Saw many houses and Tillages in our pass along the river St.
Xjavrrence towards the metropolis ; and here it may he with justice
obsoT.ed, that the inhahitants of Canada in general, are principally
(if not wholly] settled upon- riyera, hy reason that their hack lancb
Ming flat MM swampy, are therefore unfit to bear grain. Their
if^eat is sown ia the spring of the year, because the winter is long,
lOM would drown it; they seem to have noeood notion of makine
mcndow (so fiur as I had an opportunity of observing) their homed
^ttle are few and poor, their living in general mean, they eat but
little flesh, iierertheMss tiiey are strwig and hardy.

^.NDIX.

206

I first arrived at Quebec ; thii account I had from Mr.
Ro8i himself, who farther added, that the governor me
the Indians presents, Co encourage them to proceed, in
that kind or work, which is a scandal to any civilized
nation, and what many pagan* would abhor ! Here also,
I saw one Mr. Johnson, who was taken in a time of peace,
with his wife, and three small children (his wife was big
with child of a fourth, and delivered on the road to
Canada, which she called Captive) all which had been
prisoners between three and four years : several young
men, and his wife^s sister, were likewise taken captive
with them, and made slaves.

^Our cartel being ready, 1 obtained liberty to go to Eng«
land in her; we set sail the 33d of July, 1757, in tTO
momingi and dischai^ed our pilot about four o^clock in
the afternoon ; after which, we neither cast anchor or
lead, till we got clear of the great river St Lawrense,
ft-om which, I conclude, thenavigativa bnracb lalBrthan
the French have refiorted; in twenty-eight da vs we arriv-
ed at Plvmouth^ i^nicb occasioned great joy, for we were
ragged, lousy, sick, and in a manner, starved'; and many
of the prisoners, who in all were about three hundred in
number, were sick of the small-pox. My son and self,
having each a blanket coat (which we bought in Canada
to keep us warm) and now expecting relief, gave them to
two poor sick men, almost naked ! but as we were not
allowed to go on shore, but removed to a king^s ship, and
sent to Portsmouth, where we were still confined on
board, near two weeks, and then removed to the Mermaid,
to be sent to Boston; we now repented our well meant,
though rash charity, in giving our coats away, as we were
not to get i^ny more, all application to tiie captain for
any kind of covering being in vain ; our joy was turned
into sorrow, at the prospect of coming on a cold coast, in
the beginning of winter, almost naked, which was not a
little increased, by a near view of our mother country^ the
fioil and comforts of which, we were not suffered to touch
or taste.*

* On board the Mermaid man of war, being in a distressed condi-
tion, and hearing little from the mouths of many of my countrvmen,
but oaths and curses (which much increased my a£9iioti<m) and find-

^■'

206

APPENDIX.

September the 6tb, set sail for Boston, with a fleet in
convoy, at which we arrived on the seventh of Novem-
ber, in the evening; it being dark, and we strangers, and
poor, it was difficult to get a lodging (I had no shoes, and
but pieces of stockings, and the weather in the mean time
very cold) we were indeed directed to a tavern, but found
cold entertainment there; tlie master of the house seeing
a ragged and lousy company, turned us out to wander in
the dark ; he was suspicions of us, and feared we came
from Halifax, where the small-pox then was, and told us,
he was ordered not to receive such as came from thence.
We soon met a young man, who said he could find a
lodging for tis, but still detained us by asking many ques-
tions ; on which I told him we were in no condition to
answer, till we came to a proper place, which h% quickly
found, where *we were used well; but as we were lousy,
could not expect beds. The next morning, we made ap-
plication for clothing; Mr. Erwing, son-in-law to the late
General Shirley, gave us relief^ not only in respect of
apparel, but also three dollars per man, to beair our
charges to Newport. When I put on fresh clothes, I was
seized with a cold fit, which was followed by a high fever,
and in that condition obliged to travel on foot, as far as
Providence, in our way to Rhode-Island (our money not
being sufficient to hire any carriage, and find us what was
needful for support.) In this journey, I was exceedingly
distressed! Our comforts in this Hfe, are often alloyed
with miseries, which are doubtless great mercies when

ing it difficult to get a retired place, I crept down into the hold
among. the water casks, to cry to Grod ; here the Lord was graciously
pleased to meet with me, and give me a sense of his fatnerly love
arid care ; here he enabled me (blessed be his name for ever) to look
back and view how he had led me, and guarded me with a watchful
fiye and strong arm, and what pains he Tiad taken to wean me from
an over-love of time things, and make me content, that he should
choose for me. Here I was enabled to see his great goodness in all
my disappointments, and that afflictions were not evidences of God's
wrath, but the contrary, to all that honestly endeavor to seek him
with faith and love ; here I could say, God is worthy to be served,
loved, and obeyed, though it be attended with many miseries in this
world ! What I have here mentioned, so far as I know my heart, is
neither to exalt myself, or offend any one upon earUi, but to glorify
God, for his goodness and faithfulness to the meanest of his servants,
and to encourage others to trust in him.

«•■>«••

APPENDIX.

207

suitably improved ; at Newport, met with Captain Gibbs,
and agreed with him for our passage to New- York, where
we arrived, November Slst; met with many friends, who
expressed much satisfaction at our return, and treated U8
kindly, particularly Messrs. Livingston, and Waldron.

November 3Cth, 1757. Arrived at Philadelphia, to the
great joy of all my friends, and particularly of my poor
afflicted wife and family, who thought they should never
see me again, till we met beyond the grave ; being re-
turned, sick and weak in body, and empty-handed, not
having any thing for my family ^s and my own support,
several humane and generous persons, of different de-
nominations, in this city (without any application of mine,
directly or indirectly) have freely given seasonable relief;
for which, may God grant them blessings in this world,
and in the world to come everlasting life, for Christ ^s sake !

Now, God, in his great mercy, hath granted me a tem-

Eoral salvation, and what is a thousand times better, he
ath given me with it, a soul-satisfying evidence of an
eternal in the world to come !

And now, what shall I render to the Lord for all his
benefits? alas! I am nonplussed! Oh that saints and angels
might praise thee, for I am not worthy to take thy name
into my mouth any more ! yet notwithstanding, tibiou art
pleased to accept poor endeavors, because Jesus Christ
has opened the door, whereby we may come boldly to
the throne of thy grace, praised be the Lord God Jeho-
vah, by men and angels, throughout all eternity !

But to hasten to the conclusion, suifer me with humil-
ity and sorrow to observe, that our enemies seem to make
a better use of a bad religion, than we of a good one ;
they rise up long before day in winter, and go through the
snow in the coldest seasons, to perform their devotions
in the churches ; which when over, they return to be
ready for their work as soon as day-light appears. The
Indians are as zealous in religion, as the French : they
oblige their children to pray morning and evening, partic-
ularly at Conasadauga; are punctual in performing their
stated acts of devotion themselves, are still and peaceable
in their own families, and among each other as neigh-
bours I

208

APPENDIX.

Wheni compared out manner of living with theirs, it
made me fear thai the righteous and jealous God (who is
wont to make judgment begin at his own house first) wad
about to deliver us into their hands, to be severely pun-
ished for our departure from lum ; how long has he wait-
ed for our return ! O that we may therefore turn to him,
before his anger break out into a flame, and there be no
remedy!

Our case appears to me indeed very gloomy ! notwith-
standing our enemies are inconsiderable in number, com-
pared with us ; yet they are united as one man, while we
may be justly compared to a house divided against itself,
and therefore cannot stand long, in our present situation.

May almighty God, graciously incline us to look to him
for fleliverance^ to repent of our sins, reform our lives,
and unite in the vigorous and manly use of all proper
means to this end. Amen.

Ih.^^>.>il!^^ .^'W>4ii^.

THE END.

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