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Hannah Logan Smith 
 
 A Collection of Religious Memoirs 
 and Extracts. Vfritten or 
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 Philadelphia 
 1839 
 
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 _) 2^, • 
 
 PREFACE 
 
 Dear Children: 
 
 I present to you a volume containing a short 
 memoir of your father, and some account of several 
 persons in some way or other connected with our 
 family. There are also many extracts from books 
 of a religious tendency, which I was induced to 
 copy from a hope that they might, by the Divine 
 blessing, be made of use to some of you when I can 
 speak to you no more. I trust that there is nothing 
 in the book which will give offence to any one, 
 however differing with me in religious opinions; 
 for it is in truth my belief that God is no respecter 
 of persons, but that in every nation they who fear 
 Him and walk in the path of duty by the support 
 of the Holy Spirit, will be accepted through the 
 Atonement of our blessed Lord. 
 
 Although it is not so material in a book which is 
 more of the nature of a manuscript, not being in- 
 tended for sale or general circulation, yet it may be 
 well to state that when I first thought of printing, 
 it was merely to make a few more copies of the 
 memoir of my beloved husband, there being but a 
 single one remaining. It then occurred to me to add 
 the testimony concerning my dear friend Deborah 
 
 722 
 
••• • 
 
 Darby, and' I went on from time to time to add 
 
 other matters which I thought might be useful, till 
 the book has grown to its present size. While it 
 has been in progress, several changes by death and 
 marriage have taken place. The decease of the 
 greatly respected Deborah Logan, and the marriage 
 of my daughter Esther to Dr. Wistar, are noticed 
 in another part of this book; but I may here men- 
 tion the marriage of my husband's grandaughter, 
 Margaret Wharton Smith, who was married on 
 the Sth of 1 1th month, 1838, by Henry J. Morton, 
 an Episcopalian Minister of the Gospel, to George 
 Harrison White, son of Thomas H. White. 
 
 I trust that nothing has been omitted which ought 
 to have been here, although this may have happened, 
 as the work has been long in hand. If it be so, it 
 is not intentional, but the contrary, and I hope no 
 one will think there was any want of respect or 
 affectionate attention. 
 
 I offer to you, dear children, the contents of this 
 little volume, conscious that I have prepared it in 
 much weakness and infirmity, but hoping that you 
 will receive it and read it with a teachable spirit; 
 for it will then, whatever its defects, be blessed to 
 your improvement. It may, at a time not very 
 remote, be a memorial to you of your affectionately 
 attached mother. 
 
 Hannah Logan Smith. 
 
 Philadelphia^ ith Month, 1839. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 A Testimony for Deborah Darby, - - - 13 
 
 A Testimony, &c., respecting Rebecca Byrd, - 23 
 
 A Testimony respecting William Byrd, - - 32 
 
 A Testimony concerning Ann Brewster, - - 42 
 
 Mary Prior, ------ 47 
 
 Sarah Fisher, ----- 48 
 
 Sarah Stephenson, ----- 51 
 
 Epistle to Thomas Fisher, - - - 55 
 
 James Logan Fisher, ----- 58 
 
 Papers concerning the Banishment of Friends in the 
 
 Revolutionary War, - . - - 64 
 
 Epistle to Sarah G. Dillwyn, - - - 99 
 
 Testimony concerning Hannah Fisher, - - 100 
 
 Benjamin Ridgway Smith, - - - 103 
 
 Nicholas Wain, - - - - - 104 
 
 To the Memory of Mary Dickinson, - - 149 
 
 Lydia Dean, ----- 150 
 
 Hannah Powell, ----- 154 
 
 To the Memory of Peter Yarnall, - - - 156 
 
 Wife of Robert Barclay, - - - - 158 
 
 John Estaugh, - - - - - 160 
 
 In Memory of Sarah F. Corlies, - - - 167 
 
 A Memorial concerning Hannah Smith, - - 168 
 
 Some account of John Smith, - - - 172 
 
 James Logan to his son William, - - - I74 
 
 To the Memory of Joseph Brown, - - 177 
 
 Parson Peters to Anthony Benezet, . - - 179 
 
VI 
 
 Samuel Fothergill, - - - - 180 
 
 Faithfulness in Little Things, - - - 182 
 
 On the Importance of Religion, - - - 186 
 
 On Passing Meeting, - - - - - 193 
 On Love to God — Extracts from Joseph John Gurney, 195 
 
 Memoir of the Fisher family, - - - - 237 
 
 Visits of European Friends to America, - - 272 
 
 Visits of American Friends to Europe, - - 283 
 
 Testimony concerning Hannah Lindley, - - 291 
 
 Testimony concerning Jacob Lindley, - - 294 
 
 Last illness of Benjamin Ridgway Smith, - 297 
 
 Memoir of James Smith, . - - - 301 
 
 Eulogium on Benjamin R. Smith, - - 306 
 
 Deborah Logan, , , , , - 319 
 
A Testimony from Shropshire Monthly Meeting, 
 for Deborah Darby. 
 
 Many Friends having applied for copies of the 
 following Testimony, Friends of Coalbrookdale 
 have printed a few, for their satisfaction. In pass- 
 ing it through the press, they have no other view, 
 than to economize time, and labour, and to secure 
 correctness of copy. Though printed, it is not pub- 
 lished. Into whosever hands, therefore, the follow- 
 ing sheet may come, they are requested to consider 
 it as being only a substitute for manuscript commu- 
 nication. 
 
 Coalbrookdale, 6th Month 22nd, 1810. 
 
 <<The righteous,'^ it is written, ^^shall be had in 
 everlasting remembrance;" and it is important to 
 survivors, to retrace their steps, and to commemo- 
 rate their conduct; whether, as continued memorials 
 of the Divine power, and goodness, or, as addition- 
 al waymarks to succeeding generations. Hence, we 
 are induced to give forth the following testimony 
 respecting our dear deceased friend, Deborah 
 Darby. 
 
 She was the daughter of John and Hannah Bar- 
 nard, and was born at Upperthorpe, near Sheffield, 
 2 
 
14 
 
 in the county of York, on the 25th day of the 8th 
 month, 1754. 
 
 She was, naturally, of a sweet and amiable tem- 
 per, and, in her youth, of a lively, active disposi- 
 tion. In early life she was frequently favoured to 
 feel the overshadowings of Divine regard, and was 
 led to seek opportunities of retirement, wherein she 
 was often melted into tenderness. This practice of 
 frequent religious recollection, having proved to 
 herself of unspeakable advantage, in tempering the 
 vivacity of her own sprightliness, and in checking 
 the emotions of youthful vanity, she was often, in 
 after life, concerned to impress it upon her friends, 
 and especially upon the youth. Her care in this 
 respect was uniform throughout her life. Often, 
 when surrounded by companions innocently cheer- 
 ful, her vigilant mind would withdraw from less 
 important subjects, and would gradually attract 
 others to a more excellent communion. 
 
 She was married to her friend Samuel Darby, in 
 the 8th month, 1776, and resided with him for some 
 time in London. Her husband returning into Shrop- 
 shire, they settled at Coalbrookdale, and in the 5th 
 month, 1779, she appeared in the ministry. Expe- 
 riencing a growth therein, she was concerned to 
 travel, and in the year 1782, she received a certifi- 
 cate to visit the families of Friends within Grace- 
 church-street monthly meeting, and for some other 
 services. A dedicated servant in the cause of her 
 Great Master, she was willing to spend and to be 
 spent in the service of truth. She repeatedly visited 
 most parts of this kingdom, Scotland, and Wales, 
 with many of the islands appertaining thereto. Three 
 times she visited Ireland, and once she performed a 
 religious visit to Friends in North America. 
 
 Being abundantly endowed with the love of the 
 gospel, her line of service was not confined to our 
 
15 
 
 own society, but she was much led to those of other 
 denominations, amongst whom her labours were 
 generally acceptable. She was frequently concern- 
 ed to visit those in prison, and we have reason to 
 believe that her dedication herein was particularly 
 comfortable to some under condemnation. 
 
 When not employed in services abroad, she was 
 diligent in attending meetings for worship and dis- 
 cipline at home. She was also zealous in animating 
 others to a due discharge of that duty; and she en- 
 deavoured, as far as her power and influence would 
 extend, to furnish the means of attendance to as 
 many as were unprovided therewith. Solicitously 
 attentive to her religious duties, yet was she not 
 unmindful of those which are relative and social. 
 As a daup;hter, a sister, a wife, and a mother, she 
 was alike tender and assiduous. As a mother, she 
 was particularly desirous that no improper indul- 
 gences might injure her offspring. Often, also, she 
 was concerned to inculcate upon parents the great 
 importance of education, and the necessity for early 
 vigilance, whereby the first shoots of an evil pro- 
 pensity are discovered and suppressed. Concerned 
 for the temporal and spiritual welfare of all, she 
 was especially solicitous for the comfort of the 
 poor, and increasingly desirous that a due propor- 
 tion of her outward substance should be expended 
 on their behalf Meek, humble, and patient, she 
 was not apt to take offence, and cautious not to give 
 it; and it may be truly said, that she exemplified in 
 her conduct the gospel she was commissioned to 
 preach. 
 
 Her last journey, with certificate, was under- 
 taken in the spring of 1808; at her return from 
 which, in the autumn of that year, she appeared to 
 be considerably unwell, and exhausted hy fatigue. 
 During the winter her debility continued, if it did 
 
16 
 
 not increase. In the spring of the following year, 
 she found a concern to attend the quarterly meeting 
 for Bristol and Somersetshire, held at Bristol, from 
 whence she went, for the benefit of her health, to 
 Bath. While there, her illness much increased, 
 and she was removed to the house of her brother 
 and sister Fowler, at Milksham. There she was 
 detained for some weeks, and about this time, as 
 appears by a date affixed, penned the following 
 remark: ^'I have had some precious seasons of Di- 
 vine overshadowing, during my illness, which have 
 been better than all the cordials administered by 
 my medical attendants." 
 
 From this attack she so far recovered as to re- 
 turn into Shropshire, where she was favoured to 
 experience a little revival of strength, and was ena- 
 bled to get out to meetings once in the day, and 
 also frequently to minister acceptably therein. In 
 a memorandum written at this period, she says: *^I 
 think it is a mercy to be enabled to get out to our 
 morning meetings, in which the love of God often 
 flows in my heart towards the people." In another 
 she says, *'Was engaged in supplication, after a 
 deep exercise in spirit;" and further adds, <«I am 
 sometimes strengthened to speak well of his name, 
 who lives and reigns, and is for ever worthy. I 
 have cause to be thankful for strength being grant- 
 ed to sit with my friends, though often in much 
 poverty of spirit." 
 
 As the winter approached, she found it necessary 
 to confine herself to the house, and from the com- 
 mencement of the present year chiefly to her own 
 apartment. The following extract from her memo- 
 randums describes her experience at this time. '*I 
 have little to remark, my allotment being often in 
 suffering as to the body, and low in mind; yet can 
 say, God is good, and a strong hold in the day of 
 
17 
 
 trouble." After recording the death of a friend in 
 the ministry, her memorandums conclude with this 
 paragraph: **Thus, the church is stripped of its pil- 
 lars: may the Great Lord of the harvest be pleased 
 to raise up and send forth more faithful labourers!" 
 
 This expression, or one similar, she repeated at 
 different times during her illness: ''If I can be of 
 any service to my friends, I am willing to live; 
 otherwise I had rather go." She also said, ''Unless 
 the Lord had some further service for me to do, I 
 could not wish to stay much longer, I suffer so 
 much; but all in His ordering is best." Being in 
 great pain of body, she said, "It would be a great 
 favour to have a little ease; once more, before I 
 leave you, I should like to be a little cheerful; for 
 I have nothing but the pains of the body to make 
 me otherwise." 
 
 When a friend said to her, "I wish thou couldst 
 get a little sleep," she replied, "I do not want sleep; 
 1 want to get to a better country." At another time 
 she said, "The Lord is altogether able to endue with 
 patience if he pleaseth." Becoming very sick, she 
 added, "This is a bitter cup, but I have drank many 
 a bitterer cup than this; it is trying to the taberna- 
 cle, but I have no conflict of mind." Being much 
 exhausted by seeing her children, grandsons, and 
 some other relations, she said to a friend who sat 
 beside her, "The Lord be praised! he is wonder- 
 fully good even now." About three days before 
 her death, she said to a friend who inquired if she 
 had any thing further to say to her; "1 have dropped 
 counsel as I passed along, and perhaps that makes 
 me to have less to do now." A friend observing 
 that she was an example of patience, she replied, 
 "Sometimes, as I am helped." When in extreme 
 pain of body, the evening before her death, a friend 
 who thought she had asked for something, said, "Can 
 2* 
 
18 
 
 we do any thing for thee?" to whom she replied in 
 the words of the apostle, "Rejoice evermore, and in 
 every thing, give thanks;" and shortly afterwards, 
 "The Lord's will be done!" Her mind seemed to 
 be engaged in supplication for some time after this, 
 but her articulation could not be understood. 
 
 She died on the 14th day of the 2nd month, 1810, 
 and was buried the 22nd of the same, in Friend's 
 burying ground at Coalbrookdale, aged about fifty- 
 six years, a minister about thirty years. 
 
 Read and approved at our monthly meeting for 
 Shropshire, holden at Shrewsbury, the eleventh day 
 of the fourth month, 1810, and on behalf thereof, 
 signed by 
 
 Sarah Darby. 
 Lucy Barhy. 
 Hannah Barnard. 
 Rebecca Darby. 
 Snn Dickinson. 
 Hannah Darby. 
 Susannah Appleby. 
 Elizabeth Ogden. 
 *dnn Dearman. 
 Mary Young. 
 Jinn Clarke. 
 Margaret Phillips. 
 Sarah Enock. 
 Lucy Robinson. 
 Esther Holtham. 
 Hannah Younge. 
 Hannah Bradley. 
 Rosannah Robinson. 
 
 Robert Barnard. 
 Barnard Dickinson. 
 Francis Darby. 
 Joseph Reynolds. 
 John Reynolds. 
 Thomas Reynolds. 
 Edward Simkin. 
 Joseph Enock. 
 Robert Enock. 
 George Morgan. 
 Benjamin Morgan. 
 Thomas Graham. 
 William Boycott. 
 Satnuel Simkin. 
 William Stanly. 
 Richard Collins. 
 Newman Cash. 
 
19 
 
 [Our beloved D. D. had an aunt, Rachel Wilson, 
 who paid a very acceptable visit to Friends in Ame- 
 rica some years preceding her niece's visit, whose 
 name and services I have heard my family speak of 
 with great interest and acceptance; her home when 
 in this city, was at my grandfather Joshua Fisher's; 
 under the same roof dear Deborah and Rebecca 
 mostly staid, at my uncle S. R. Fisher's, with 
 whom she crossed the ocean from England, towards 
 whom, as also with his valuable wife, H. F., there 
 was a close, lasting friendship, (likewise with 'my 
 parents and our united families,) which I am in- 
 duced to mention as a record, that it is good to en- 
 tertain the Lord's children and people, when they 
 are thus dignified, dedicated, and clothed, as these 
 devoted servants were, with the blessed power of 
 truth; and their consistent^ humble walking, was 
 remarkably edifying and exemplary, as many can 
 testify. Their mission being that of love and per- 
 suasion, particularly to the youth, towards whom 
 their ministry, I trust, was blest, being a precious 
 visitation extended toward those of this description. 
 
 And desirable it is by the faithfulness of indivi- 
 duals many more may be engaged to ^'publish with 
 the voice of thanksgiving and say unto Zion, Thy 
 God reigneth." 
 
 So wisheth and prayeth one who has in gratitude 
 remembered, and commemorated these mercies. 
 
 Nothing can be more just than this, that the par- 
 ticular affections of *^reverence and love" towards 
 "good characters'* are natural to all those who have 
 any degree of '^goodness in themselves" — and there 
 are few persons so lost to every right feeling, as not 
 to be sensible of a certain degree both of admiration 
 and attachment towards such characters. But the 
 truth of this remark is still more clearly proved by 
 
20 
 
 every man's experience in social life. It is the 
 temperate, the just, the self-denying, and the mer- 
 ciful — it is those who are ever ready to sacrifice 
 their own ease and comfort for the benefit of others, 
 wdio obtain the esteem even of general society; and 
 in the narrower circle of the private family, these 
 are the characters who are sure to attract the largest 
 measures of love. Virtue, indeed, has often been 
 the object of scorn and persecution, both in public 
 and private life, because wicked men cannot bear 
 the light which detects and condemns their own con- 
 duct; yet there is something in the mind of man 
 which compels him to confess her excellence; and 
 no sooner are we ourselves imbued with any mea- 
 sure of her influence, than we feel a corresponding 
 regard for all those who follow^ her guidance, and 
 obey her laws. "\¥e own and feel the force of 
 amiable and worthy qualities in our fellow-crea- 
 tures," and can we be insensible to the contempla- 
 tion of perfect goodness? 
 
 When the religion of Jesus has become influential 
 in the mind, Christianity brings God very near to 
 us. He meets the perception of his reconciled chil- 
 dren in every flower that blossoms, in every star 
 that shines, and in every cloud that floats across the 
 sky. They find him in daily, hourly contact with 
 themselves, in his providential mercies, in his pa- 
 rental care. 
 
 We may now advert to a principle of much prac- 
 tical importance — that the love which good charac- 
 ters excite in the minds of men, who have ^^any 
 spark of goodness" in themselves, is always accom- 
 panied by a desire to imitate the patterns which they 
 admire and approve. What person can find his best 
 affections drawn forth by noble and generous cha- 
 racters in the history of his country, without feel- 
 ing some ardent wishes to act on the same princi- 
 
21 
 
 pies of virtue and charity? The force of example 
 is felt even in large communities; and goodness, 
 under the divine blessing, is often diffused in socie- 
 ty, through the tendency, so common amongst men, 
 to imitate those of their neighbours who are the 
 objects of their regard. The same principle applies 
 with redoubled force to the domestic circle. When 
 we are instructed and comforted from day to day 
 by the good conduct of our dearest friends, it is im- 
 possible for us (if our minds be in any degree under 
 a right influence) not to desire, and almost impossi- 
 ble not to endeavour, to be of the same mind, the 
 same character. This indeed is a test by which we 
 may try our love; for if such a desire is strange to 
 us, we may rest assured that our afiections have 
 never been rightly excited. There is something in 
 the inmost feelings of every true believer, which 
 responds to that precept, ''Be ye holy, for I am 
 holy." Enamoured with the beauty of the Holy 
 One of Israel, and panting after a resemblance to 
 his righteous attributes, he bends the whole force 
 of his soul to the race of holiness; and behold, he 
 becomes a new creature in Christ Jesus; he puts on 
 ''the new man, which after God is created in right- 
 eousness and true holiness." Thus is the love of 
 the christian towards that Being, in whom all love- 
 liness dwells, graciously rewarded by a daily in- 
 creasing resemblance to the highest object of his 
 regard. 
 
 "For God, who commanded light to shine out of 
 darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the 
 light of the knowledge of the glory of God, in the 
 face (or person) of Jesus Christ." 
 
 Now, as the christian character is gradually form- 
 ed in obedience to the precepts of Jesus, and after 
 his example, the image of God is renewed in the 
 soul. 
 
22 
 
 It appears, then, that when there is any spark of 
 goodness in men, their love and regard is naturally 
 attracted by virtuous characters: The more the 
 child is strengthened in his moral principles, the 
 more he will love the parent in whose conduct those 
 principles are displayed; and further goes to evince 
 how important thus that the christian should be 
 watchful and diligent in maintaining his commu- 
 nion with God! 
 
 H. L. S.] 
 
23 
 
 Ji Testimony from the Monthly Meeting of 
 Shaftesbury and Sherborne, in the County of 
 Dorset, respecting Rebecca Byrd, of Mam- 
 hull, deceased. 
 
 [Sent b}' William Foster, a respectable minister from England, 
 to H. L. Smith.] 
 
 It having pleased the Lord to take from amongst 
 us our beloved friend, Rebecca Byrd, we think it 
 right to give forth the following testimony respect- 
 ing her. 
 
 She was a woman that feared the Lord from her 
 youth, and, in her love to Christ, she took up her 
 cross daily, denied herself, and followed him. She 
 was remarkable for the constancy of her faith in the 
 immediate teaching of the Holy Spirit, and was 
 deeply attentive to its intimations, during the course 
 of her walk in life. It was given her to build on 
 the foundation of the prophets and apostles, Jesus 
 Christ himself being the chief corner stone; and we 
 believe that he, in whom she trusted as her strength 
 and her redeemer, was with her to the end of her 
 days. 
 
 As a minister of the gospel of the grace of God, 
 she was sound in doctrine, weighty, and scriptural. 
 We believe her to have been faithful to her calling, 
 and patient in waiting for the renewing of the Holy 
 Ghost; and both in her early dedication, and in ad- 
 vanced life, careful not to move, either in her 
 travels abroad, or in the appointment of meetings, 
 or in the exercise of her gift generally, without an 
 evidence of the quickening virtue of the Spirit of 
 Christ putting her forth, and engaging her in his 
 service. Unity amongst the believers was espe- 
 
24 
 
 cially valuable to her. She was constant in her 
 friendships, and to the poor in her own neighbour- 
 hood she was kind and considerate; and, in propor- 
 tion to her means, which were never very abundant, 
 she endeavoured to administer to their relief, even 
 by abridging herself of some personal comforts. 
 
 Our dear friend was the daughter of John and 
 Jane Young, of Shrewsbury. In her very early 
 years she was the subject of serious religious im- 
 pressions, which were sometimes induced by the 
 ministry of friends who visited her father's family, 
 and at other times by the immediate influences of 
 Divine love. 
 
 We have received but few particulars of that pe- 
 riod of life which elapsed between her childhood 
 and the twenty -fourth year of her age, about which 
 time she was awakened to deep religious thoughtful- 
 ness, and to a sense of many transgressions. The 
 hand of the Lord was heavy upon her for a season. 
 She sought in prayer for restoration to his favour; 
 and ver-y earnest was her engagement of mind, that 
 in all things she might be brought into conformity 
 to the Divine Will. She was gradually drawn into 
 separation from her former companions; and in her 
 waiting before the Most High, she had clearly to 
 see that He was preparing her for the work of the 
 ministry. A prospect of this line of religious ser- 
 vice had, it appears, been opened to her in child- 
 hood; but whilst her mind was occupied with youth- 
 ful vanities, it had been much obscured. Being 
 subsequently humbled in the presence of her Lord, 
 and in great measure crucified to the world, the call 
 was renewed, and she was made willing to obey the 
 requiring. Her first appearance in the ministry 
 was in 1784, in the twenty-sixth year of her age. 
 In this dedication of herself to the service of Christ, 
 she not only enjoyed the unity of friends, but was 
 
25 
 
 also favoured with that peace of mind which had 
 become precious to her above all other things. She 
 was very soon engaged to travel abroad in the work 
 of the gospel; and before the close of that year, she 
 became the companion of our beloved friend Debo- 
 rah Darby, in a visit to the principality of Wales. 
 They were closely united in the fellowship of the 
 gospel of Christ; and from that time to the death of 
 our said friend, in 1810, they were, with little in- 
 termission, employed in the same service, visiting 
 most parts of Great Britain and Ireland; and in the 
 year 1793 they were engaged in a visit to Friends 
 in North America, in which arduous service they 
 were absent three years. 
 
 In the year 1800 she was married to our dear 
 friend William Byrd, of Marnhull, and became a 
 member of this monthly meeting; and in company 
 with her husband, subsequently to the decease of 
 Deborah Darby, she continued to make proof of her 
 ministry, not only in our own society, but also ex- 
 tensively among those of other denominations, in 
 various parts of this nation, Scotland, and Ireland. 
 Her ministry was exercised in much watchfulness, 
 and deep humility; and its tendency was not only 
 to gather the people to Christ, that he might be- 
 come their Saviour from sin, but that, taught of 
 him, they might be brought to a clear understand- 
 ing of the spirituality and peaceableness of his king- 
 dom. Having passed through many conflicts of 
 spirit, and being kept alive to a sense of her own 
 infirmities, she was prepared to sympathize with 
 those who were in temptation, and tried with doubt 
 and discouragement. To the weary, the heavy 
 laden, and those who were in tribulation and de- 
 pression, it was often given her to speak a word for 
 their comfort, and the strengthening of their faith. 
 
 Whilst attending the yearly meeting of 1829, 
 3 
 
26 
 
 she was seized with an affection of apoplexy, from 
 which she was so far restored, as to be frequently 
 and acceptably engaged in her own meeting, and in 
 our monthly and quarterly meetings, in the attend- 
 ance of which she had, during her health, been very 
 exemplary, and eminently serviceable. 
 
 For about two years previous to her decease, she 
 was tried with much bodily suffering; and although 
 confined at home, and living in a situation much 
 secluded from intercourse with friends, it was evi- 
 dent that her love to the cause of Christ, and her 
 interest in the welfare of our own society, and the 
 progress of true religion in the world at large, were 
 in nowise abated. For the youth amongst us, she 
 had long felt an affectionate and ardent solicitude; 
 and it might be truly said, that she had no greater 
 joy than to behold the children of her friends walk- 
 ing in the truth. Her concern for our young peo- 
 ple is so fully expressed in the following paper, 
 which, though without date, appears to have been 
 written in the course of her illness, it is thought de- 
 sirable to insert it. 
 
 "Often, very often, of later time, when not well 
 enough to move amongst my friends as heretofore, 
 my mind has been led to remember some of my 
 younger friends with earnest desires that it may 
 please my Heavenly Father to extend his gracious 
 visitations to their souls, even as he was mercifully 
 pleased to extend them to my soul, when young in 
 years, so that all within me was bowed under the 
 sense of his mercy and love in calling me, an un- 
 worthy creature, who had often turned a deaf ear to 
 his secret wooings and strivings — in calling me into 
 a straight and narrow way, even the way of the 
 cross; which for a season was bitter to me, and I 
 was ready to conclude I never could yield my neck 
 to such a yoke. But oh! his boundless goodness 
 
27 
 
 in softening and melting my heart, until it became 
 willing to obey, and cheerfully submit to be ac- 
 counted a fool amongst my former associates; and 
 when this submission was brought about, then to fill 
 my mind with a sense of his goodness, so that I 
 could joyfully follow him in that way, which before 
 had appeared so narrow that I had considered it 
 impossible to walk therein. The sense of the love 
 and mercy which was at that day extended to me, 
 humbles my spirit while I record it, and raises liv- 
 ing desires that the same gracious power may so 
 draw, and so strengthen many minds in this day, 
 as to enable them to forego every pleasant picture, 
 or creaturely prospect, and to leave all that is be-, 
 hind; and in simplicity of heart to yield to the 
 secret intimations of the Heavenly Visitant, who 
 would deal bountifully with them, and make them 
 lambs of his pasture and sheep of his fold; clothing 
 them from time to time with every requisite for the 
 warfare unto which he is pleased to call them. And 
 thus servants and handmaids will be raised up to 
 succeed those who may be shortly called from 
 works to rewards; some of whom, though now 
 much unfitted for active service, can thankfully ac- 
 knowledge that they have not served a hard mas- 
 ter; and therefore strong are their desires that a 
 succeeding generation may wisely give up their 
 names to be enrolled as advocates in his blessed 
 cause." 
 
 Her state of mind at this time may be inferred 
 from the subjoined extracts from her private memo- 
 randums. 
 
 "Tenth month 19th, 1832. — Serious thoughts of 
 death almost constantly attend me, night and day; 
 yet death does not appear in prospect to have any 
 sting. I hope this does not arise from stupefaction, 
 though much mental weakness is my companion, 
 
28 
 
 but from a humble trust that mercy and peace await 
 me." 
 
 "Twelfth month. — that I could sing of mercy 
 and judgment, as some have often done! But I am 
 poor and empty; yet my heart craves good. Help, 
 Lord! if it be thy will, and suffer me not to de- 
 spair, however tried; for I have loved thee and thy 
 truth, even from a child. Oh! that in old age I 
 may not forget thee, who wast the dew of my 
 youth, and my helper in time of trouble. 
 
 ^^Third month 12th, 1833. — Since the twelfth 
 month last, I have been wholly confined to the 
 house, and much to my chamber and bed; with 
 great pain both day and night: many of the latter 
 have been nearly sleepless. that I could be satis- 
 fied that patience has had its perfect work! One 
 only knows my conflicts of mind and body— may 
 his compassion not fail." 
 
 Her sufferings continued to increase, and she was 
 often afflicted with very acute pain, and at times 
 involved in mental conflict, by the withdrawing of 
 that sense of the presence of her Saviour which had 
 been her joy and song in the course of her christian 
 pilgrimage. In this time of trial, her faith did not 
 fail; she cried unto the Lord in prayer, and we be- 
 lieve her prayer was granted, and that He to whom 
 she desired to commit the keeping of her soul, in 
 his ever-watchful care and love, was with her, and 
 assisted her endeavours to stay her mind on him. 
 One evening, when very ill, and thinking that per- 
 haps she might leave this state of being before the 
 morning, she wished her friends to know that, 
 although her sufferings were very great, she did not 
 murmur; neither had she a murmuring thought. 
 Speaking of her religious service, she frequently 
 said, that she knew of nothing that she had left un- 
 done that was required of her, and that she felt no 
 
29 
 
 condemnation. And on another occasion, sending 
 a message to one for whom she was religiously ex- 
 ercised, she said, "Tell her," alluding to her own 
 state of mind, <<it is all peace within, and I am wait- 
 ing to be wafted away to the Lord Jesus, where I 
 wish her to come to me." Within half an hour of 
 her departure, though it was not considered by her 
 attendants that her end was immediately at hand, 
 her husband, who for many weeks had been con- 
 fined to his chamber, with much weakness, was as- 
 sisted to her bed-side. On enquiring how she felt 
 herself, she said she had no pain of mind, the pain 
 of the body only, and that *^her peace was made." 
 She spoke but little after this interview, and quietly 
 expired on the morning of the 24th of the 5th 
 month, 1834, in the 76th year of her age, and was 
 interred at Marnhull, the 1st of the 6th month. A 
 minister about fifty years. 
 
 Read, approved, and signed in our Monthly 
 Meeting, held at Shaftesbury, the 31st of 3d month, 
 1835, by men and women Friends. 
 
 Jit a General Meeting for Dorset and Hants, held 
 at Poole, the 2nd of the Ath month, 1835 — 
 
 The foregoing Testimony, respecting our beloved 
 friend, Rebecca Byrd, has been read amongst us; 
 and this meeting, in lively remembrance of the con- 
 sistency of her christian conduct, her humility and 
 watchfulness, and the faithfulness with which she 
 laboured amongst us, and her devotedness to the 
 cause of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, to the 
 end of her days, cordially unites therewith. 
 
 Stockwell Common, 8th of 8th month, 1793. 
 Dear friends:* 
 
 Your intended voyage to America on religious 
 
 * Deborah Darby and Rebecca Young. 
 3* 
 
30 
 
 service, being noticed in the Yearly Meeting of 
 women Friends in London, and the sympathy then 
 felt, and the silent tears shed on the occasion, gave 
 rise to the following lines, which at that time 
 I took my pencil and wrote in part. Your accept- 
 ance of them as a token of my affection will be 
 pleasing to your unknown friend. 
 
 Why drops the tender tear? 'Tis pain to part. 
 
 Say, why these secret sighs each bosom heave? 
 The truly tender, sympathizing heart, 
 
 Feels these sensations, tho' it dares not grieve. 
 
 I feel the self-devotion in my breast. 
 
 And pay the tribute of a parting tear; 
 But true obedience leads to peaceful rest, 
 
 Preserves the soul from feeling guilty fear. 
 
 Darby is zealous in her Master's cause, 
 Leaves her connexions and her native land. 
 
 Obedience yields to the great power that draws. 
 Young also joins her in the known command. 
 
 Under his guiding hand how safe to move! 
 
 Be Israel's God your glory and defence! 
 Acting from motives of the purest love, 
 
 A rock so stable who shall pluck you thence! 
 
 Nor dare we venture to detain you here, 
 
 But recommend to that protecting arm; 
 May pure unerring wisdom guide your way, 
 
 Defend from danger in impending harm. 
 
 May He, who bid the raging waves be still, 
 Smooth the rough billows of the foaming main. 
 
 Shelter beneath his wing from ev'ry ill. 
 
 Succeed your labours, soothe your ev'ry pain. 
 
 "Lo! I am with you always to the end!" 
 
 Advert to this in ev'ry trying hour. 
 The mighty God and Saviour is your friend, 
 
 Sufficient is his all-sustaining power. 
 
 To bring you safe thro' each tempestuous blast. 
 
 From whatsoever quarter it may rise. 
 Still to preserve you safe 'till all is past. 
 
 And then to land you in the peaceful skies. 
 
31 
 
 So prays your unknown friend with numbers more, 
 But oh! before you reach the land of rest, 
 
 May He who reigns our ancient power restore, 
 Zion once more in all the earth be blest. 
 
 Composed hy Sarah Stephens* for Rebecca D. Smith to address her 
 Mother^s friend Rebecca Byrd. 
 
 Thou long hast been my mother's friend, 
 
 As such I can but wish to prove, 
 And venture o'er the waves to send 
 
 The tribute of her daughter's love. 
 
 She tells me, that in days gone by. 
 
 The ties of home, the friends of youth. 
 Were left by thee without a sigh. 
 
 To promulgate the blessed Truth. 
 
 That thou didst brave the ocean's wrath. 
 
 Didst cross the broad Atlantic's wave, 
 Tho' pestilence was in thy path. 
 
 Didst prove Omnipotence could save. 
 
 She tells me too, that by thy side 
 
 An earthly friend was ever found. 
 That both on the same God relied. 
 
 That both were on one errand bound; 
 
 That when your mission was fulfilled. 
 
 The services required were o'er. 
 Full many an eye by sorrow fill'd. 
 
 Wept your departure from our shore. 
 
 Yes! there are hearts which still, full well. 
 
 Remember all their love to thee. 
 And mothers who their children tell 
 
 The same my mother told to me. 
 
 Years have gone by; each added year 
 
 To thee a good old age has given; 
 We may not hope to meet thee here. 
 
 But we may hope to meet in Heaven. 
 
 6/^ month 1, 1829. 
 
 * Sarah Stephens was a great niece of the beloved James 
 Smith. 
 
32 
 
 A Testhnony from the Monthly Meeting of 
 Shaftesbury and Sherborne, in the County of 
 Dorset, respecting Willam Byrd, of Mam- 
 hull, deceased, 
 
 [I am indebted to S. P. Morris, whose mother was a particu- 
 lar and dear friend of mine, for the copy of the following me- 
 moir of the husband of my valued friend Rebecca Byrd, which 
 he brought with him from England, and has kindly spared to 
 me for insertion.] 
 
 Our ancient friend William Byrd, departed this 
 life at Marnhull, on the 16th of the twelfth month, 
 1S35, in the seventy-eighth year of his age, and was 
 interred in Friends' burying-ground at Marnhull, on 
 the 22nd of the same, having been a Minister about 
 forty-three years. 
 
 In bearing our testimony to the Christian charac- 
 ter and religious services of our dear friend, we trust 
 we may be allowed to apply to him the words of 
 Holy Scripture, respecting a servant of the Lord, 
 in days of old, that he was ^'a faithful man, and 
 feared God above many." We counted him an 
 Elder worthy of double honour: and he was be- 
 loved amongst us as a father in Christ. 
 
 Of his early life we have not been able to gather 
 many particulars. He was born at Uffculm, in the 
 county of Devon, in the year 1757; his parents, who 
 were members of our religious society, were con- 
 cerned for his education consistently with our Chris- 
 tian profession. In his youth, though it is believed 
 that he was much preserved from the corruptions of 
 the world, yet he occasionally deviated from the 
 plainness in which he had been brought up; but 
 being favoured with serious religious impressions, 
 
33 
 
 he soon adopted the simple habits of Friends. In 
 recurring, in after life, to these early acts of obe- 
 dience, he thought he could perceive cause to be- 
 lieve that they were owned by tokens of Divine 
 approbation. About the twenty-second year of his 
 age he left home, and became an assistant in busi- 
 ness to a friend at Long-ham, in the county of Dor- 
 set: whilst living in that situation he is remembered 
 as a young man of decidedly religious character, and 
 of circumspect conduct; and there is strong reason 
 to believe that the work of the Lord was, at that 
 time, making progress in his heart. In the course 
 of about tvvo years, he removed to the village of 
 Marnhull, and entered into business, upon a small 
 scale, as a shop-keeper. It is the testimony of those 
 who were then acquainted with him, and who had 
 the opportunity of marking his subsequent walk in 
 life, that in conducting his concerns in trade, in his 
 deportment in private life, and in his intercourse 
 with the world, it appeared to be his earnest and 
 unremitting exercise, to have a conscience void of 
 offence toward God and tov^ard men. He was scru- 
 pulously upright in all his transactions; and, though 
 far from indifferent to the importance of obtaining 
 a comfortable independence in life, as well as to the 
 means of contributing to the relief of the wants of 
 others, it was evident that his affections were set 
 upon things above rather tlian on things on the 
 earth; this was remarkably exemplified not only by 
 his constant attendance of meetings for Divine wor- 
 ship, but by his concern that the different members 
 of his family might enjoy the same privilege: with 
 this view he thought it right, even, when in very 
 limited circumstances, to shut up his shop during 
 the time of the week-day meeting. This, he re- 
 marks, in a memorandum made about that time, was 
 when he did not know it to be the practice of any 
 
34 
 
 other Friend in the nation. After having been a 
 few years in trade, in grateful record of the goodness 
 of Divine Providence, he notices the blessing which 
 had rested upon his honest endeavours: <*Very 
 little," says he, '^had I to begin with in business 
 something less than four years since, in which time 
 I have gained, I believe, at least five times the sum 
 with which I began." 
 
 The Holy Scriptures were precious to him, and 
 he was at that time punctual in collecting his family 
 every evening for the reading of them; and it was 
 observed that he regularly set apart a portion of the 
 day for private religious retirement, a practice in 
 which he continued to old age. As he grew in grace, 
 and became increasingly subjected to the government 
 of the Holy Spirit, he was gradually prepared for use- 
 fulness in the Church; and in the thirty-fifth year of 
 his age he came forwards as a Minister amongst us. 
 He appears to have entered upon the service in fear 
 and much trembling; and he was frequent in awful 
 and reverent waiting upon God, in a watchful and 
 teachable spirit, that he might be instructed to the 
 knowledge of his will in this great duty, and be 
 preserved under the safe leading of the Heavenly 
 Shepherd. He was sound in doctrine, and his 
 ministry was exercised in simplicity, and in de- 
 monstration of the Spirit and of power. He sought 
 not the praise of men; but in the exercise of the 
 gift that had been bestowed upon him, he humbly 
 and honestly endeavoured to approve himself faith- 
 ful to his great Lord and Master in the work to 
 which he had been pleased to appoint him. 
 
 In the year 1800, he was married to our friend 
 Rebecca Young, of Shrewsbury. In her, he found 
 a companion well prepared to unite with him in a 
 self-denying course of Christian dedication: and, 
 we believe, it is not too much to say, respecting our 
 
S5 
 
 beloved friends, that it was their daily concern, like 
 Zecharias and Elizabeth, to walk together in all the 
 commandments and ordinances of the Lord blame- 
 less; and having, each of them, received a dispensa- 
 tion of the gospel, they sought to adorn the doctrine 
 of God our Saviour in all things. They were ex- 
 amples amongst us of a cheerful contentment, in 
 the plainness of the furniture of their house, in the 
 simplicity of their mode of life, and in the modera- 
 tion of their expenses. Their means were at no 
 time abundant, but they were kind and liberal to 
 the poor, generous in their hospitality, and espe- 
 cially engaged to help and succour those who came 
 amongst us in the work of the ministry. They had, 
 both of them., been brought into much religious con- 
 cern on account of the continuance of the African 
 Slave Trade, and the subsequent slavery of its vic- 
 tims. From early life they had individually thought 
 it laid upon them, as a testimony against that un- 
 righteous gain of oppression, to abstain from the use 
 of the produce of West India Slavery; and our 
 friend, William Byrd, almost from the first of his 
 going into business, and at a considerable loss of pro- 
 fit, refused to deal in articles of that description. 
 They took a deep interest in those measures which, 
 under the blessing of the Lord, tended to the aboli- 
 tion of the Slave Trade; and after many years of sor- 
 row and suffering, in sympathy with this afilicted por- 
 tion of our fellow-creatures, they lived to rejoice in 
 the act of our legislature, by which slavery was de- 
 clared to be illegal throughout the British dominions; 
 and though at that time far advanced in age and much 
 worn by sickness and infirmity, their sympathies 
 were still alive to the degradation and oppressive 
 servitude which a large proportion of the Negroes 
 continued to suffer in our colonial possessions. 
 For several years the ministry of our dear friend 
 
36 
 
 was much confined within the limits of this county 
 and parts adjacent. On his marriage he was not 
 only concerned to encourage his wife in her de- 
 votedness to the cause of our Holy Redeemer, but 
 frequently accompanied her in her travels, and for 
 many years they were extensively engaged in the 
 work of the Gospel, in various parts of this nation, 
 and in Ireland, and he bore her company in her 
 second visit to the Orkney Islands. They laboured 
 diligently both among Friends and the people at 
 large, and we have reason to believe that his service 
 on these occasions, and his humble, simple, watch- 
 ful deportment were acceptable and instructive. 
 He highly valued the various Christian Testimonies 
 of our religious society, and was zealously concerned 
 that they might be faithfully and uprightly sup- 
 ported by Friends everywhere. He was frequently 
 at the Yearly Meeting, and thought it a privilege 
 to be allowed to unite with his brethren for the in- 
 crease of vital Christianity amongst us; and, though 
 a man of good understanding, and deep experience, 
 he was not forward in giving his judgment; but 
 when he offered an opinion, it was with weight and 
 to the purpose. He was a lover of good men of 
 every denomination, and of enlarged charity, and 
 liberal views; tender towards such as had been 
 overtaken in a fault; never seeming to forget that 
 he himself was liable to temptation; and patient in 
 labour for the restoration of transgressors. In the 
 general exercise of the discipline in our Monthly 
 Meetings, of which he was constant in his attend- 
 ance for nearly fifty years, he was religiously con- 
 cerned that it might be administered in the meek- 
 ness of wisdom, without partiality, and to the honour 
 of the cause of Truth: that this was the exercise of 
 his mind to the close of life, is apparent by the fol- 
 
37 
 
 lowing remarks which he dictated after he became 
 confined to his bed. 
 
 26th Twelfth Month, 1833. ^Sometime after 
 awaking this morning, I had sweetly to recollect 
 some expressions of Jonah Thompson, when near 
 the close of life, which I thought might, in mea- 
 sure, be applicable to myself; that he had in posses- 
 sion, "a quiet, easy mind, and no accuser there;" 
 but, alas, different thoughts occurred: I remember- 
 ed, that in transacting the discipline of the church, 
 I had but too often engaged therein without waiting 
 for a proper qualification. Under these different 
 cogitations, I recollected the following expressions 
 of John Griffiths: "The true labourer must in every 
 meeting, and upon all occasions that offer for ser- 
 vice, receive supernatural aid, and a renewed un- 
 derstanding by the immediate descending of Hea- 
 venly power and wisdom, or he dare not meddle:" 
 although I am not without hope, (that) I shall be 
 forgiven in the day of account for this, and other 
 deviations, yet I am persuaded, had I thus steered 
 my course, my engagements in that line would have 
 been attended with more peace to my mind, and 
 been more to the promotion of the cause of Truth.' 
 
 As he advanced in life, our beloved friend did 
 not lose sight of his own infirmity, and we believe 
 that, through the help of the Lord, he did not cease 
 to press toward the mark that had been set before 
 him. Christ was precious to his soul, and he gave 
 satisfactory evidence, even in old age, that in a 
 broken and contrite spirit he rested on his Saviour 
 alone for the forgiveness of his sins, and his final 
 acceptance. The following extracts from his pa- 
 pers, as they are descriptive of his religious exer- 
 cise, are, we think, worthy of preservation. 
 
 nth First Month, 1811. <What watchfulness 
 and prayer are necessary, in order to our meeting 
 4 
 
38 
 
 every event, whether prosperous or adverse, with 
 that humility and dependence, that patience, meek- 
 ness, and calm resignation which become the pro- 
 fessed followers, and more especially the Ministers 
 of the Captain of our Salvation, (of Him) who took 
 upon himself the form of a servant, — made himself 
 of no reputation — was meek and lowly in heart — 
 "endured the cross and despised the shame; and 
 left us an example that we should follow his steps." 
 
 2'lth Tenth Month, 1820. *In our week-day 
 meeting, the query revived in my mind, '^What 
 lack I yet?" and the answer of my heart seemed to 
 be — more reverent watchfulness, more meekness, 
 more patience, more faith, and more of that charity 
 **which beareth all things, believeth all things, 
 hopeth all things, endureth all things, and never 
 faileth." 
 
 30th Fourth Month, 1824. <0h! saith my soul, 
 may the watch be so maintained in reverential fear, 
 (and in the) meekness and patience of Jesus, that 
 preparation and a growth in the Truth may be my 
 continued experience, to the end of my days.' 
 
 For the last four years of his life, the health of 
 our dear friend was much impaired, and it repeat- 
 edly appeared to those around him, that his end was 
 fast approaching. During this long confinement 
 his mental powers occasionally failed him, but his 
 recollection was often clear; and he was able to take 
 enjoyment in the society of his friends and near 
 connexions. He was kept in a lowly, watchful, 
 and dependent mind, often numbering his blessings, 
 and with much tenderness of spirit acknowledging 
 to the kindness and love of our Heavenly Father. 
 He had been accustomed to look upon himself but 
 as a steward over the bounty of a gracious Provi- 
 dence towards him; and when after his own wants, 
 which were few, had been supplied, he could not 
 
39 
 
 rest satisfied till the surplus was distributed among 
 his poor neighbours. On one of these occasions, 
 not long before his death, on its being observed that 
 he might need it for himself, he replied with earnest- 
 ness, "We must spend it, or it will be a burthen 
 greater than I can bear." 
 
 Long after he was unable to read, he derived 
 much eomfort from having the Holy Scriptures 
 read to him; and in those times which were de- 
 voted to retirement before the Lord, and they were 
 frequent, it was observed by his niece that he often 
 appeared to be engaged in prayer and thanksgiving. 
 On one occasion, in the early part of his illness, he 
 told those who were attending upon him, that he 
 had been much comforted, and thought he had never 
 been nearer the Lord. One of his relations some- 
 time afterwards going into the room and enquiring 
 how he was, he answered, ^*Pretty much the same; — 
 feeble. I have had a tendering season, and thought 
 all my sins were forgiven me." The next morning 
 he seemed to be much favoured with a sense of the 
 presence of his Saviour, and said he thought he was 
 (drawing) nearer his desired haven, that he was in 
 peace with all men, and had nothing to do but to 
 die. After having been in a very low state of mind 
 for several days, on being asked how he was, he 
 said, **More comfortable;" and added that he did 
 >not expect such comfort before he went hence; and 
 in much brokenness of spirit, he added; ^'Oh, what 
 shall I render to the Lord for all his mercies?" On 
 another occasion, in grateful retrospect of the good- 
 ness of God towards him, he observed; ^'Great have 
 been the mercies of my Heavenly Father from my^ 
 youth up: had he not placed his fear in my heart, 
 I had long since been a cast-away." On being in- 
 formed that it was First Day, he said, '^0 that it 
 may be well spent." A little afterwards, ^*I can- 
 
40 
 
 not keep up the exercise I could wish; I have great 
 weakness both in body and mind." On being helped 
 up in bed, he remarked, *^A posture for dying: see 
 with what peace a Christian can die — there is no- 
 thing in my way:" and having spoken in testimony 
 to the truth as it is in Jesus, he concluded with the 
 language of praise, **Bless the Lord, my soul; 
 and all that is within me bless his Holy Name." 
 Such expressions as the following, uttered at dif- 
 ferent times, indicate that his mind was still stayed 
 on God: ''Oh, the sweet peaceful feeling I have this 
 evening, I would not exchange it for all the king- 
 doms of this world." At another time: ''A calm 
 and peaceful mind: how precious!" and again: 
 "Lord, now let thy servant depart in peace, for 
 mine eyes have seen thy salvation." Thus it was 
 evident, to use his own words, that ''death had no 
 terrors for him." He continued in the same ten- 
 der, submissive, hopeful, and child-like state to the 
 end; and at length suddenly and unexpectedly 
 passed away, with very little apparent suflfering. 
 
 Our dear departed friend having loved and ho- 
 noured his Lord and Saviour upon earth, and it hav- 
 ing been his chief concern in life to watch and to keep 
 his garments, we reverently trust that, through the 
 riches of redeeming grace, it has been given to him 
 to join the spirits of just men made perfect in the 
 presence of God and of the Lamb. 
 
 Read, approved, and signed in our Monthly 
 Meeting, held at Shaftesbury, the 5th of 4th month, 
 1836. [Here follow the signatures of men and wo- 
 men Friends.] 
 
 Jit a General Meeting for Dorset and Hants, 
 held at Poole, the 1th of Ath month, 1836, 
 
 The foregoing; Testimony respecting our dear de- 
 ceased friend, William Byrd, has been read, with 
 
41 
 
 which this Meeting fully unites, and desires that 
 the example of our dear friend in his Christian life 
 and conversation, and in his peaceful end, may con- 
 tinue to live in our remembrance. 
 
 Signed in and on behalf of the General Meeting. 
 
 Samuel Hannam, Clerk, 
 
42 
 
 Ji Testimony of Kingston Monthly Meeting, in 
 the County of Surrey, concerning Ann Brew- 
 ster, of Clapham, deceased. 
 
 [The following Testimony was appended to the preceding 
 concerning William Byrd.] 
 
 In the remembrance of the humility and dedica- 
 tion to the cause of truth and righteousness which 
 characterized this our beloved friend, evidenced by 
 yielding obedience to the restraining and tendering 
 operations of Divine grace, we feel engaged to give 
 forth a testimony concerning her, in the hope that 
 her example may have an animating influence on 
 survivors, holding forth this language, Follow me 
 as I have endeavoured to follow Christ. 
 
 She was the daughter of Edward and Sarah 
 Shewell, and was born in London in the year 
 1762. The religious care exercised by her parents 
 over the minds of their tender offspring appears, as 
 she expresses it, to have been ^'so far blessed to 
 some of them that it proved as a nail fastened in a 
 sure place." We cannot more appropriately set 
 forth the experience of our dear friend, than by 
 some extracts from her own memoranda. In these 
 she remarks, "I could say with thankfulness of 
 heart the Lord was my morning Light; for I well 
 remember to have been favoured with that light in 
 very early life as a reprover for sin, even in childish 
 transgressions and disobedience to parental injunc- 
 tions. Thus it was with me," she adds, **vvhen 
 very young, that I was made renewedly sensible of 
 the love of Him who first loved us; and I often shed 
 tears of joy under a sense of the power of Divine 
 love covering my mind in a remarkable manner, so 
 
43 
 
 that I loved to get alone to enjoy the inexpressible 
 comfort I derived from it, and this brought a great 
 fear and dread over my mind, lest I should offend 
 Him whom I loved and fervently desired would 
 not overlook such a poor little child. When I com- 
 mitted a fault, how keenly have I felt reproof. I 
 am certain that if the necessity of attending to the 
 inward monitor were impressed upon children, they 
 would not so often grow up in hardness of heart." 
 When about seven years of age she was sent to a 
 boarding-school, where, in endeavouring to main- 
 tain her consistency as a Friend, by using the plain 
 language, (being the only Friend's child there,) she 
 became subject to ridicule from some of her com- 
 panions; but, she remarks, * 'there were other dear 
 children to whom I was affectionately attached and 
 united, whose minds were remarkably visited by 
 the influences of the Holy Spirit, by which we were 
 drawn to read the Holy Scriptures together, and 
 converse upon them with great interest." 
 
 Although love to her Heavenly Father thus pre- 
 vailed in her heart, yet as she grew older, though 
 drawing back from His restraining power, she 
 wished for more liberty in dress and some other 
 things; but, she observes, "loving-kindness fol- 
 lowed me, so that I found a place of prayer in se- 
 cret; and I can now say that I loved the Lord my 
 God, and Jesus Christ his beloved Son, my Re- 
 deemer; for I have been sensible of the inshinings 
 of heavenly love at times, throughout my life." In 
 another place she says, "I remember one of my 
 school-fellows describing some places of amuse- 
 ment, which raised something like a regret that I 
 could not go, when the words arose in my mind, 
 *They that love anything more than me, are not 
 worthy of me,' filling me with sweet peace, so that 
 I never afterwards felt even a desire after anything 
 
44 
 
 of this kind: and now I can say I am thankful for 
 having been brought up amongst Friends, a people 
 whose principles are pure, and though they bring 
 into the narrow way, yet is that way quite broad 
 enough to walk in and enjoy the blessings of life.'* 
 
 Our dear friend was united in marriage with 
 Thomas Brewster in the year 1784, and came to 
 reside within the limits of this Monthly Meeting 
 in 1800. Her disposition was remarkably tender 
 and humane, and evinced much sympathy with 
 those under suffering. She was ever ready to re- 
 lieve the wants of the poor, and she discharged the 
 various relative duties of life with much affectionate 
 kindness. 
 
 From 1812 to 1828, she continued at times to 
 record in her diary her various trials and religious 
 exercises, particularly relating to her being called 
 to the work of the ministry, which laid weightily 
 on her mind for many years. At length, believing 
 the time to be arrived, the natural timidity of her 
 disposition gave way to apprehended duty, and she 
 expressed a few words in the Meeting at Wands- 
 worth in the 12th month, 1818, and it appears to 
 have afforded her sweet peace in thus submitting 
 her will to that of her Divine Master. On this oc- 
 casion she writes, "I hope I shall be strengthened 
 to praise His holy name on a dying bed for all his 
 mercies towards me, an unworthy creature." 
 
 In 1821, she was acknowledged as a minister, 
 and in the same year paid a religious visit to the 
 families of Friends of Wandsworth particular Meet- 
 ing; in yielding to which service, heavenly peace 
 appears to have been her portion. She was subse- 
 quently engaged in several visits to her own and 
 some of the neighbouring Quarterly Meetings, from 
 which labours of love she also experienced much 
 comfort, saying, on one occasion, "I have great 
 
45 
 
 cause to commemorate the Lord^s favours." In the 
 course of a visit she paid in 1825 to the families of 
 Friends in one of the Monthly Meetings in Suffolk, 
 she mentions, ^^She had times of discouragement 
 and suffering, from a sense of great weakness, cry- 
 ing, ^Lord increase my faith, and arise for my help; 
 preserve me that so thy precious cause may never 
 suffer through me a poor worm.'" Her commu- 
 nications in the exercise of her gift, though short, 
 were lively and marked by much simplicity and 
 sweetness; the love of our Heavenly Father ap- 
 peared to be the constant clothing of her mind. 
 
 In the 4th month, 1828, she was attacked with 
 chronic rheumatism, which produced great suffer- 
 ing for the remainder of her life, during which 
 much patience and resignation were manifest. 
 
 She was a diligent attender of our religious meet- 
 ings, and in them was often favoured with a renewal 
 of her strength; she continued in the performance 
 of this duty even when her bodily infirmities ren- 
 dered her unable to move without assistance; and 
 when wholly prevented from thus meeting with her 
 friends, she considered this to be the greatest pri- 
 vation it was her lot to experience. During this 
 latter period the Monthly Meetings for Ministers 
 and Elders were chiefly held in her chamber, a pri- 
 vilege she highly valued; the remembrance thereof 
 by those who met on these occasions is sweet, so 
 remarkably did they appear to be times of the over- 
 shadowing of Divine love. 
 
 The bodily sufferings of this our dear friend 
 during the last year of her life were very great; 
 but she was enabled to bear them with Christian 
 patience, and in humble resignation to wait the 
 Lord's time, whilst the earnest desire of her heart 
 was to be permitted at last to reach a place of rest 
 and peace, <*where," she adds, '*I shall meet my 
 
46 
 
 dear Lord, and live forever with him! then shall I 
 attain unto the consummate wishes and breathings 
 of my soul through life, having had an earnest de- 
 sire to be found worthy to be admitted an inhabitant 
 in the kingdom of Heaven, when time shall termi- 
 nate my existence here. 
 
 Thus our beloved friend was preserved in faith 
 and patience to the end: and when He whose ten- 
 der love had followed her all her life, and through 
 whose strength she had been enabled to occupy the 
 talent received, was pleased to say, It is enough! 
 and to remove her from this state of probation and 
 suffering, we reverently believe the ardent prayer 
 of her soul was answered, and that, through redeem- 
 ing love and mercy, she is admitted into the joy of 
 her Lord. 
 
 Our dear friend died on the 21st of 4th month, 
 1835, and her remains were interred at Croydon, 
 on the 29th of the same; aged seventy-three years. 
 A Minister about sixteen years. 
 
 Signed in Kingston Monthly Meeting, held at 
 Wandsworth, the" 19th of the Uth month, 1835. 
 [Here follow the signatures of men and women 
 Friends.] 
 
 Read and approved in our Quarterly Meeting for 
 London and Middlesex, held this 29th day of the 
 12th month, 1835; and in and on behalf thereof 
 signed, by 
 
 George Stagey, Clerk. 
 
 Signed in and on behalf of the Women's Meet- 
 ing, by 
 
 Rachel Stagey, Chrk, 
 
47 
 
 Prom the Annual Monitor. 
 MARY PRIOR. 
 
 Mary Prior, wife of John Prior of Hertford, in 
 England, deceased the 17th of 2nd month, 1815, 
 aged 77 years. Her pious and innocent life, joined 
 to an affectionate and cheerful disposition, rendered 
 her company truly acceptable, both to Friends and 
 others. She filled up the various stations of life 
 with propriety, and we trust her end is blest with 
 peace. In her last illness she said she had been 
 enabled to rely with confidence on the merits and 
 intercessions of her Redeemer; adding, "to sit at 
 the feet of my beloved Lord, in his kingdom, is 
 more than I deserve, but not more than I covet; I 
 know that it is by grace we are saved, through 
 faith, and that not of ourselves; it is the gift of God: 
 that it may be continued to the end.'^ At another 
 time, "I feel that I have nothing more to do than 
 to wait for an admission into the promised rest." 
 And then said, "What a favour to have nothing to 
 do but to wait for the last summons. O, Lord Jesus, 
 my Saviour, be pleased to deal mercifully with thy 
 poor handmaid who has nothing to depend on but 
 thy mercy." She was a minister 52 years. 
 
48 
 
 Ji Memorial concerning my beloved wife, Sarah 
 Fisher. 
 
 She was daughter of Thomas and Sarah Rowland, 
 born at Lewes, in the county of Sussex, Delaware, 
 6th of the 12th month, in the year 1716. Her 
 father dying when she was very young, the care of 
 her education fell on her mother, who was a steady 
 pious woman and a worthy Elder, and frequently 
 appeared in a short and lively testimony in the pub- 
 lic assemblies of our Society for Divine Worship 
 for several years before her decease; thereby clearly 
 evidencing, that that power which in her youth had 
 been her stay, was in old age become her staff. She 
 has been deceased but a few years, at which time 
 
 her name was Clayton, and she was a member 
 
 of Little Creek Meeting, in Kent County, Dela- 
 ware. 
 
 Under the care of so pious a parent, she, through 
 Divine Grace, was in a good degree preserved from 
 the vanities incident to youth. In 1733, the 17th 
 year of her age, we were married and lived at 
 Lewes aforesaid till the year 1746, when, with the 
 approbation of Friends there, we removed to this 
 city with four children. From that time we resided 
 here, having many children — seven of them are now 
 living. This occasioned her being much at home 
 with her family, where, by her awful and solemn 
 sitting with them, administering suitable advice and 
 counsel to their several states and capacities, I have 
 good reason to believe she has left lasting impres- 
 sions on most of their minds. 
 
 While she had ability of body, she frequently at- 
 tended religious meetings and those for discipline. 
 
49 
 
 where in reverent awfulness she waited for the re- 
 newal of strength. In conversation, she was solid 
 and weighty, yet cheerful and pleasant; in counsel, 
 prudent and instructive; in her family, circumspect 
 and exemplary, rarely spending an hour unemployed 
 in some useful service or necessary duty. In her 
 eating and drinking, temperate and rather abstemious. 
 She studied to be quiet and mind her own business, 
 not meddling with the concerns of others, further 
 than to administer counsel or relief when applied to, 
 and was respected and esteemed by all who were inti- 
 mately acquainted with her; nor do I remember she 
 ever had any difference with any person during her 
 life, but was favoured with such a sweetness of tem- 
 per, that when anything of that kind was like to get 
 in, she soared as on the wings of love either to over- 
 come or get out of its reach. She was a most affec- 
 tionate wife, parent and mistress; charitable to the 
 poor, a kind and obliging neighbour, and her heart 
 and house open to receive her friends; but above 
 every qualification was her inward and retired life 
 persevering with innocent cheerfulness through her 
 whole course; and during her last indisposition, 
 which continued upwards of five weeks, she con- 
 tinued in a sweet, retired, inward frame of mind, 
 often in fervent prayer, saying, -'^Make me, Lord, 
 what thou wouldst have me to be; preserve me, for 
 in the Lord Jehovah there is everlasting strength.'^ 
 When I have asked how she was, she frequently 
 answered me, "My way- is where no galley with 
 oars nor gallant ship can pass. The glorious Lord 
 is unto me a place of broad rivers and streams;" at 
 other times she would say, "Come, let us go to the 
 mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of 
 Jacob, he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk 
 in his paths; the Lord is my Shepherd, and I shall 
 not want." These her expressions were frequent, 
 5 
 
50 
 
 with many others of the like nature which cannot 
 well be remembered. 
 
 She was favoured with ability to set up in her 
 room frequently the greatest part of the day without 
 much pain, in a great degree abstracted from every 
 temporal prospect, like a wise virgin waiting for 
 the Heavenly bridegroom, having oil in her vessel, 
 her lamp trimmed and light burning — thus she con- 
 tinued. Myself and children, hoping she might re- 
 cover till the 4th day of the first month last, when 
 an intimate friend sat with her several hours, till 
 near 6 o'clock in the evening, about which time the 
 disorder increased, and she lay down, desiring all 
 to be still that she might go to rest, and departed 
 quietly away about 8 o'clock, without either sigh or 
 groan, as going into a sweet sleep, aged 55 years; 
 and was decently interred in Friends' burial ground 
 in Arch street the 7th day of said month. 
 
 Her humility, wisdom and prudence were con- 
 spicuous, though she had not opportunity of much 
 learning; her reading was much confined to the 
 Holy Scriptures, and such other books as treated of 
 an inward communion with the beloved of her soul, 
 and I doubt not but her removal is from works to 
 rewards, to join the church triumphant in heaven, 
 there to sing praises to the Lord God and the Lamb, 
 who alone are worthy. 
 
 Joshua Fisher. 
 
 Philadelphia, 2nd month 8/A, 1772. 
 
51 
 
 SARAH STEPHENSON. 
 
 [Some accountof Sarah Stephenson, who visited 
 this country in 1801. She was very acceptably 
 attended as a companion in this religious engage- 
 ment by her friend, Mary Jefferys, who afterwards 
 became the wife of William Powell, of Nurstead, 
 Devizes. 
 
 I had a late letter from this dear friend, now a 
 widow, residing at Milksham in England. Sarah 
 Stephenson departed this life under the roof of my 
 uncle, S. R. Fisher. A memoir of her life and 
 travels in the service of the Gospel was printed in 
 1807, and closed with an abstract of the Testimony 
 of the Monthly Meeting of Wiltshire, of which the 
 following is a copy.] 
 
 Our much beloved friend Sarah Stephenson, a 
 member of this meeting for upwards of thirty years, 
 having been one whose example preached sweet in- 
 struction, we desire the remembrance of it may have 
 the same influence, and be a further incitement to 
 follow her, as she followed Christ. 
 
 She was entrusted with a gift in the ministry 
 about the twenty-eighth year of her age. In the 
 exercise of this weighty calling she was often en- 
 gaged, under the persuasive influence of gospel-love 
 to labour with the youth: for whose preservation in 
 true simplicity, she felt strong and afiectionate soli- 
 citude, that they might dedicate all to Him who 
 loveth an early sacrifice, of which she was a great 
 example. Her ministry was sound, tending much 
 to raise into dominion the hidden life. For her 
 path was often in the deep; and by such baptisms, 
 
S2 
 
 she was enabled to minister to the states of the peo- 
 ple in the power and efficacy of the Gospel. Lean- 
 ing on the arm of All-sufficiency, she was made an 
 eminently useful instrument. 
 
 To adopt the expressions of a testimony we have 
 received from New York, we can say, *She w^as pe- 
 culiarly qualified to move with propriety in that 
 great work of going from house to house: a meek 
 and quiet deportment, a mind clothed with a spirit 
 of love, and affectionate solicitude that all might be 
 gathered within the Divine inclosure, being conspi- 
 cuous traits in the character and conduct of our be- 
 loved friend.' 
 
 With the afflicted, whether in body or mind, who 
 came under her notice, she was a true sympathizer. 
 She frequently said she wished not to out-live this 
 tender sensibility; and she manifested it to the last. 
 Near her close, she said, she had great satisfaction 
 as she passed along, in having imparted of her little 
 to those that had less. 
 
 In the sixty-third year of her age, she opened to 
 Friends a prospect which she had long kept secret, 
 of paying a religious visit to Friends in America. 
 This undertaking seemed arduous; more especially 
 as her natural strength at that time had much de- 
 clined; but, as she observed, it seemed of no conse- 
 quence to her where her life might close, so that 
 when the solemn period came, she was but where 
 and what she ought to be. 
 
 She was much satisfied with having come to that 
 land, which [among other means], appears by a 
 message, which, a few days before her close, she 
 seemed desirous to be conveyed to Friends in her 
 native land, and [she accordingly] commissioned a 
 friend with the following: I feel a salutation of 
 Gospel love flow towards them; and have thank- 
 fully to acknowledge that I have met with those 
 
53 
 
 among faithful Friends here, who have felt as fa- 
 thers and mothers, brethren and sisters; that I find 
 the Lord's tenderly concerned baptized travailing 
 children to be the same every where; and, though 
 from my present weak state, it is rather unlikely I 
 shall ever see them again in mutability, I am per- 
 fectly satisfied with being with Friends in this land; 
 and quite easy as to the issue of this my present in- 
 disposition: desiring the Lord's will may be done. 
 
 During her illness she said that, though it was 
 desirable to her to go, yet if it were the Divine will 
 that she should again be raised up, and introduced 
 to her arduous line of service,* she had felt sweet 
 submission to it. But her work was mercifully cut 
 short in righteousness; and the sacrifice of a willing 
 mind accepted by Him who thus manifested his 
 love unto the end. 
 
 She breathed her last the 26th of the Fourth 
 Month, 1802, aged sixty-three years, a Minister 
 about thirty-six years. Her remains were interred 
 in Friends' burial ground in Philadelphia, the 29th 
 of the Fourth-month. As there is cause to believe 
 she answered to the description in the inquiry, 
 *^Who is that faithful and good servant, whom the 
 Lord shall make ruler over his household, to give 
 them their portion of meat in due season;" we 
 have [also] the consoling belief that the annexed 
 blessing was her reward: ' 'Blessed, I say unto you, 
 is that servant, whom his Lord, when he cometh, 
 shall find so doing." 
 
 Signed in and on behalf of the aforesaid Meeting 
 held at Melksham, the 14th of the Twelfth-month, 
 1802. 
 
 The Monthly Meeting of New York, the Quar- 
 
 * The reader may remember she had begun a family-visit in 
 Pine street Meeting, Philadelphia. 
 
 5* 
 
54 
 
 terly Meetings of Westbury, and Purchase, the 
 Southern Monthly Meeting of Philadelphia, also 
 issued testimonies respecting this beloved Friend, 
 and the latter testimony was confirmed by the 
 Quarterly Meeting at Philadelphia. To insert all 
 these testimonies might occasion more prolixity 
 than service; and as the foregoing compilation is 
 not only a tribute to the memory of Sarah Ste- 
 phenson, but is principally intended to animate its 
 readers, by her example, to love the Lord, to fol- 
 low on to know him, and to press towards the mark 
 for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ 
 Jesus, it may be terminated not unsuitably by an 
 extract of a letter to a friend in England, written 
 by the deceased, from the city of New York. 
 
 '^Although, my dear, we are very far outwardly 
 separated, this is not able to prevent sweet union of 
 spirit, and humble intercession for strength to ad- 
 vance on, towards the holy city, where the saints' 
 solemnities are kept. O, the joy that will there be 
 revealed, and for ever to remain, without alloy! 
 That our poor feeble spirits may be daily engaged 
 in this humble fervent travail, is the desire of my 
 soul: that so, through adorable mercy, we may be 
 favoured to meet, never to part; and, with the just 
 of all generations, unite in the glorious song of 
 Moses and the Lamb!'' 
 
55 
 
 *^n Epistle to Thomas Fisher, my late beloved 
 father. 
 
 [He was taken prisoner and carried into Spain the 
 time of the old French war, in 1762 or 3, when a 
 young man of twenty-one years of age; and after 
 being released, and arriving safe in England, the 
 kindness of Friends made a lasting impression on 
 his mind, and had he not felt it most prudent to re- 
 turn, marry and settle in his own country, which, 
 if he had not thought it right to do, he felt attrac- 
 tion sufficient to have formed a connection for life 
 there. This I have heard him relate, and the friend- 
 ship thus formed towards his friends in England, 
 remained steadfast with him.] 
 
 Whether thou ply'st it with the assiduous throng, 
 Whom power, or fame, or interest urge along, 
 Or sitt'st recluse within the hickory grove. 
 Pierced with the pleasing pangs of generous love, 
 Or roam'st alert the various herbaged ground, 
 And mazy fields and wide savannah's round, 
 Or tread'st the thundering rivers trembling mound, 
 Where rocks repulsive propagate the sound; 
 Or, from the cedar'd heights thy view pervades 
 A golden scene, late rescued from the shades. 
 There hear'st the mimic-bird his lays prolong 
 In sweet succession all the woodland song; 
 Whether Linnean tribes thy search delight. 
 Or glittering flies (a friend's caprice) excite; 
 Whate'er the object now thy thoughts explore, 
 Or ruminates on scenes thou sees't no more, 
 May conscious peace and temperate joy attend, 
 And virtue smile thy everlasting friend. 
 Not prude-like virtue, forward to declaim, 
 Which hugs those follies it affects to blame; 
 
56 
 
 But what directs our passions to their end, 
 
 And points out every good they must intend. 
 
 While their excessive powers are learnt control, 
 
 And she still holds the balance of the soul, 
 
 May she, my friend, o'er all thy acts preside. 
 
 And call thy passions still on reason's side; 
 
 Or, should their saddening glooms obscure thy way, 
 
 May she, bright power, ethereal gleams display. 
 
 Or check the tides of pleasure as they roll, 
 
 When joys tumultuous rush upon the soul; 
 
 When fancy paints the ever verdant scene. 
 
 Nor dreary waste, nor sterile rock between, 
 
 Elysian airs from ever temperate skies. 
 
 Where lightning never glares, nor whirlwind flies. 
 
 Nor peevish blast, nor blighting dews molest. 
 
 The eternal spring with halcyon joys imprest; 
 
 She'll show thee through the world's capacious round 
 
 Not one bright scene in gay succession found. 
 
 Nor yet one son whom passions ne'er annoy. 
 
 Whom in glad series flow perpetual joy. 
 
 Blest as thou art with afiluence, health and ease, 
 
 A mind, at once disposed, and formed to please, 
 
 A manly freedom which decorum bounds, 
 
 A pleasing poignancy which never wounds. 
 
 What tho' our sex their ready praise combine. 
 
 And the impartial their plaudits join, 
 
 Doth not some meddling passion still molest 
 
 And break the easy tenor of the rest? 
 
 In minds most amiable, some passions strong, 
 
 With powers impetuous urge the rest along; 
 
 Just in its end; yet thousands fall its prey. 
 
 Its irresistless impulse who obey; 
 
 Though hard to subject, yet its powers restrained, 
 
 Yields all a victor's joy for conquest gained. 
 
 Whilst Reason thus maintains her proper sway. 
 
 And calls the imperious prompters to obey. 
 
 Virtue and they pursue no several aim. 
 
 The same in action and their end the same; 
 
 But Virtue lost, eccentric tracks they find. 
 
 And leave ungained the glory meant mankind. 
 
 Now, whilst each strong pulsation fills thy veins, 
 
 O, hold! determined hold, the unloosened reins; 
 
 Check nature's ardour, stop her fervent speed, 
 
 A time will come to justify the deed: 
 
 When slow, though regular, the pulses beat. 
 
 And cool reflection tempers vital heat. 
 
57 
 
 The mind then joys beneath the wished release 
 
 And finds her pains repaid with lasting peace. 
 
 The Voyager, thus when every peril's o'er, 
 
 Received with pleasure what he feared before, 
 
 Recalls the shelving rocks and leeward strand, 
 
 The helmless bark and vicinage of land. 
 
 Or crashing masts, rent hull and scattered shrouds, 
 
 When the scourged billows mingled with the clouds; 
 
 Where rove my thoughts, and why this serious strain 
 
 To thee whose ordered life has made it vain; 
 
 But while the umbrageous copse absorbed I roam,. 
 
 Lost to myself and friends, and social home, 
 
 Some train of thought suspended sense invades, 
 
 Till evening drops around her twilight shades. 
 
 In vain for me these woodland roses blow 
 
 And pendant woodbines down the hawthorn flow; 
 
 Recruited sweets the late hushed zephyrs leave. 
 
 And latent warblers hail the crimson eve. 
 
 E'en now my restless fancy wings away 
 
 In other climes, in other shades to stray, 
 
 Through the deep gloom of your primeval woods, 
 
 And by the cataract's ever-foaming flood; 
 
 Strange foliage mark of trees before unknown. 
 
 And plots of flowers in bright confusion thrown; 
 
 And nameless tribes of hidden life explore 
 
 Till my nerves tremble at the savage roar. 
 
 Instant I fly to where your domes appear, 
 
 New strung my nerves, and banished every fear; 
 
 Hang o'er the peerless plain and tillaged scene 
 
 Your mart, your commerce, nor thyself unseen. 
 
 Forward I spring, my pleasure to declare. 
 
 When, lo! the aerial vision melts in air; 
 
 And nought but well known groves attract my eyes 
 
 While night's dusk mantle saddens o'er the skies; 
 
 Reason stepe in and warns me to retire, 
 
 And will no more the etherial maids inspire. 
 
 In time perhaps they'll strike the sprightly string, 
 
 And wake to joy, thy hymeneals sing. 
 
 Beauty, young loves their golden shafts displayed,. 
 
 Wave their bright plumes and point the myrtle shade, 
 
 While laughing Hymen bears his torch along. 
 
 And choral Virgins chaunt the bridal song. 
 
 J. W. 
 
58 
 
 Prom Poulson's American Daily Advertiser. 
 
 JAMES LOGAN FISHER. 
 
 It is a mournful fact, that peculiar excellencies of 
 character are apt to be associated with a fragility of 
 constitution, which but too frequently deprives so- 
 ciety, by an untimely death, of the advantages which 
 might result from their full developement, and prac- 
 tical application to the various offices of life. Within 
 a limited sphere, however, these excellencies must 
 be known and appreciated; and when the brief 
 course of their possessor is ended, it becomes the 
 duty of those who may have enjoyed his intimacy, 
 to lay before the public a picture of his character, 
 in order that at least the benefit of his example may 
 not be entirely lost. Nothing affords a more pow- 
 erful stimulus to the young, than the contemplation 
 of an exemplary life brought prematurely to its 
 close. No envious feelings here mingle with ad- 
 miration; and the pattern does not seem beyond 
 the scope of youthful powers, nor without the 
 sphere of youthful sympathies, as when it is pre- 
 sented with the accumulated attainments and ho- 
 nours of long years of toil. From considerations 
 such as these, one who was intimately acquainted 
 with the late James Logan Fisher, and, in com- 
 mon with all who knew him well, deeply regrets 
 his loss, feels it a duty, as it is a melancholy satis- 
 faction, to offer to the public a sketch of his lamented 
 friend, though he despairs of being able to present 
 it with that sweetness, beauty, and nobleness of fea- 
 ture, with which it is indelibly impressed on his 
 own heart. 
 
59 
 
 The person of this fine youth, though slender, as 
 became his age, was of good height and well pro- 
 portioned, exhibiting, however, to an observant and 
 experienced eye, a certain conformation, which 
 evinced delicacy of constitution, and a predisposi- 
 tion to pulmonary disease. His features were finely 
 formed, and when flushed, as they sometimes were, 
 with the fulness and bloom ojf apparent health, 
 might be said to have been even beautiful; but the 
 chief interest of his countenance lay in its expres- 
 sion. This was usually of a pensive cast, sometimes 
 sad, or even suffering from the influence of bodily 
 uneasiness or pain; but there was, at the same time, 
 a softness blended with dignity in his aspect; and 
 his smile had in it something inexpressibly charm- 
 ing, in part, perhaps, from its contrast with his ha- 
 bitual seriousness, but chiefly from the mixed in- 
 telligence and goodness of heart which beamed from 
 every feature. With these recommendations of per- 
 son and face, he possessed a composed, correct, and 
 gentlemanly manner, without obtrusiveness on the 
 one hand, or bashfulness on the other, and belong- 
 ing to that happy medium, which, escaping observa- 
 tion either for negligence or excessive refinement, 
 allows fair scope to the influence of the intellectual 
 and moral qualities. His address was, on all occa- 
 sions, appropriate, manly and dignified, yet gentle: 
 not the result of any studied efibrt, but obviously 
 flowing from the tenor of his thoughts and feelings. 
 Loftiness of sentiment and spirit was, even from 
 boyhood, a prominent trait in his character. Inca- 
 pable of a meanness in any shape, he seemed raised 
 above the ordinary motives which actuate the youth- 
 ful mind. The frivolities and vicious pleasures which 
 carry away so many youth of the fairest promise, 
 had no charms for him. In dignity of feeling, he 
 was a man in his early years. The leisure usually 
 
60 
 
 consumed in idle and fruitless pursuits, was devoted 
 by him to tiie cultivation of a taste for the fine arts, 
 particularly those of music and painting, for which 
 he had a decided genius, and to which he resorted 
 for relaxation from occupations of a graver charac- 
 ter. This sobriety of conduct and purity of morals 
 were not the results of a calculating spirit. Sordid 
 feelings found no place in his breast, and his charac- 
 ter was free from the least stain of hypocrisy or 
 affectation. They flowed spontaneously from an 
 elevation of thought and feeling, which was the gift 
 of nature, and which placed him almost beyond the 
 reach of ordinary temptation; yet no coldness of 
 heart accompanied this elevation. On the contrary, 
 his feelings were soft, and his affections warm. It 
 is true that the circle of his friendships was not 
 very extensive. The delicacy of his moral taste 
 rendered him sensitive to those faults which were 
 associated with hardened selfishness, or the least 
 trait of meanness. But even here, though he evinced 
 a certain reserve which precluded all approach to 
 intimacy, the kindness of his heart prevented any 
 act or expression offensive to the self-love of others. 
 The same susceptibility which made him shrink 
 from uncongenial characters, rendered him exqui- 
 sitely sensible to traits which he approved; and his 
 attachments, when once formed, were warm and 
 durable. His admiration of virtues or attainments 
 which he perceived, or thought that he perceived in 
 others, was uncontaminated with the slightest tinc- 
 ture of envy. His heart was therefore prepared to 
 flow out, in such instances, with warm affection; 
 and the interest which he felt he hesitated not to 
 manifest on all occasions. It was not enough that 
 he himself loved or esteemed; he was not satisfied 
 unless the object of his affection and respect stood 
 equally well in the feelings and opinions of others. 
 
61 
 
 His commendation was open and unrestrained, and 
 made the stronger impression because it came ob- 
 viously from the heart. His elevation of sentiment, 
 vtrhile thus accompanied with warmth of feeling to- 
 wards others, was not marked by any inordinate 
 self-esteem. He was ever ready to perceive, and 
 even exaggerate his own faults; and the touching 
 candour and ingenuousness with which he acknow- 
 ledged them, and took blame to himself much be- 
 yond his desert, were among the most engaging 
 traits of his amiable character. 
 
 To moral qualities, such as have beejj imperfectly 
 described, he united talents of a high order. His 
 taste for music and painting, and for the fine arts in 
 general, has been alluded to. As a painter, espe- 
 cially, he might have attained high eminence, had 
 his views in relation to his future course of life al- 
 lowed him to cultivate his genius for this art. As 
 it was, though attending to it only as a relaxation 
 and amusement, he has left evidences of his skill in 
 numerous excellent portraits of his friends, and of 
 others whose peculiarities of feature, or of condition 
 in life, attracted his notice. Of his intellect, the 
 most marked features were readiness of apprehen- 
 sion and justness of conception; and these, united 
 with a love of truth and a thirst for knowledge, 
 would have distinguished him in the fields of sci- 
 ence, had time and health been granted him for the 
 full developement and exercise of his faculties. 
 Notwithstanding, however, the delicacy of consti- 
 tution, which precluded intense and long continued 
 application to study, by the ravages which it inva- 
 riably produced in his health, such was his perse- 
 verance and his facility of acquiring knowledge, 
 that none of his competitors of the same age, in the 
 profession to which he devoted himself, either held 
 6 
 
6S 
 
 or deserved to hold a higher place in the estimation 
 of those competent to judge. 
 
 The grand aim of his life appeared to be the at- 
 tainment of a merited and honourable distinction; 
 and the course which he pursued was selected with 
 judgment, and adhered to with perseverance till the 
 close of his career. Justly believing that health 
 was essential to great and successful efforts, he united 
 with all his other pursuits a constant attention to 
 counteract the morbid tenderness of his frame. 
 With this view, as much as to increase his profes- 
 sional knowledge, to gratify a liberal curiosity, or 
 to cultivate his taste for the fine arts among the 
 finished models of the old world, he determined to 
 undertake a voyage to Europe, upon the comple- 
 tion of his medical studies in the schools of Phila- 
 delphia. After having made the tour of Great Bri- 
 tain, of which several hundred miles were travelled 
 on foot among the romantic scenes of Wales and the 
 West of England, he proceeded to Paris, with the 
 view of passing the winter in a course of attendance 
 upon the lectures and hospitals of that great metro- 
 polis. With health improved, and brightened pros- 
 pects, he was preparing to engage in his professional 
 pursuits, when he was seized with that disease, so 
 fatal to persons of feeble constitution, the scarlet 
 fever, which carried him off after a short illness of 
 three days. The attention which he paid to his 
 health, was with the elevated motive of preparing 
 himself for greater subsequent usefulness and dis- 
 tinction, not for the mere purpose of preserving a 
 life which he held of little value. Death he never 
 feared, and when it came, it did not find an unpre- 
 pared victim. To himself, indeed, the event was 
 no loss; as so much physical uneasiness had been 
 mingled for him in the cup of life, that its exhaustion 
 must have been rather a desirable relief than a dread- 
 
63 
 
 ful evil. It is highly probable that, by the short 
 struggle which terminated his life, he was spared 
 the lingering, painful, and not less fatal ravages of 
 that worst physical enemy of the human race, con- 
 sumption of the lungs. His friends, however, have 
 met with a loss which they will not easily supply. 
 At present, they feel the deprivation too acutely to 
 admit the full force of topics of consolation; but 
 when the keen edge of their sorrow is blunted, and 
 the selfishness of grief is passed, they will be able 
 to look upon his brief life with real satisfaction. 
 They will treasure up in their hearts the image of 
 his pure and noble nature, and amid future cares, 
 disappointments, and sorrows, will look upon it 
 with refreshment and gratification, as the repre- 
 sentative of one of the most beautiful of those green 
 spots which are but too sparingly scattered over the 
 desert of human nature. W. 
 
64 
 
 An n^ddress to the Inhabitants of Pennsylvania, 
 by those Freemen of the City of Philadelphia 
 who are now confined in the Mason^s Lodge, 
 by virtue of a general warrant. Signed in 
 Council by the Vice President of the Council 
 of Pennsylvania. 
 
 The political liberty of the subject is a tranquillity 
 of mind arising from the opinion each person has of 
 his safety. In order to have this liberty, it is re- 
 quisite the government be so constituted as one man 
 need not be afraid of another. When the legislative 
 and executive powers are united in the same per- 
 son, or in the same body of magistrates, there can 
 be no liberty; because apprehensions may arise lest 
 the same monarch or senate enact tyrannical laws 
 to execute them in a tyrannical manner. — Montes- 
 quieu^ s Spirit of Laws, Book IX. Chap. vi. 
 
 Having in the course of the present week laid be- 
 fore the public some remonstrances, which our pre- 
 sent situation called on us to make to the president 
 and council, and in which we conceived you were 
 equally, though not so immediately, concerned with 
 ourselves, and perceiving that advantage is taken of 
 our situation, to represent us to you, as men dan- 
 gerous to the community; we think ourselves bound, 
 by the duty we owe to our country, to our families, 
 to those who have heretofore held us in esteem, and 
 to the general welfare of society, to address you, 
 and lay before you a particular state of a most dan- 
 gerous attack, which has been made upon the cause 
 of civil and religious freedom, by confining and at- 
 
65 
 
 tempting to banish from their tenderest connections, 
 a number of men, who can, without boasting, claim 
 to themselves the characters of upright and good 
 citizens. 
 
 For some time past it has been a subject of pub- 
 lic conversation, that lists were made out of great 
 numbers of the citizens of Philadelphia, who were 
 to be confined for offences supposed to have been 
 committed against the interests of America. These 
 reports were generally presumed to arise from in- 
 temperate zeal and personal animosities; and, until 
 the attempt which creates the necessity of calling 
 your attention to us, little regard seemed to be paid 
 to them. 
 
 But a few days since the scene opened, and we 
 the subscribers were called upon by persons not 
 known as public officers of justice, to put our names 
 to a paper, '^promising not to depart from our dwell- 
 ing-houses, and to be ready to appear on the de- 
 mand of the president and council of the state of 
 Pennsylvania, and to refrain from doing any thing 
 injurious to the United Free States of North Ame- 
 rica, by speaking, writing, or otherwise; and from 
 giving intelligence to the commander of the British 
 forces, or any other person whatever, concerning 
 public affairs." 
 
 Conscious of our innocence in respect to the 
 charges insinuated in this paper against us, and un- 
 willing to part with the liberty of breathing the free 
 air and following our lawful business beyond the 
 narrow limits of our houses, disdaining to be con- 
 sidered in so odious a light, as men who by crimes 
 had forfeited our common and inherent rights, we 
 refused to become voluntary prisoners, and rejected 
 the proposal. We demanded with that boldness 
 which is inseparable from innocence, to know by 
 what authority they acted, of what crimes we were 
 6* 
 
66 
 
 accused meriting such treatment; and though to 
 some of us the small satisfaction was given of ac- 
 quainting us they acted in pursuance of a recom- 
 mendation of Congress; and to others was read part 
 of a warrant from the president and council; yet 
 not one of us was allowed the indisputable right of 
 either reading or copying it. Although the great 
 number of messengers employed in the execution of 
 this warrant, and of the persons who were the ob- 
 jects of it, varied some of the circumstances attend- 
 ing it, yet the general tenor of their conduct was 
 uniform, and marks the spirit which actuated them. 
 We were all, upon our refusal to subscribe, either 
 immediately or in some short time, conducted to 
 this place, where we remained in close confinement 
 under a military guard for twenty-four hours, ex- 
 pecting to be informed of the cause of our being 
 taken, and to have an opportunity of defending our- 
 selves; but finding no notice taken of us by our 
 persecutors, we at length unitedly demanded of one 
 of the principal messengers a copy of the warrant, 
 by virtue of which we were seized, in order that 
 we might know from thence what heinous crimes 
 were charged on us to justify such rigorous treat- 
 ment. After consulting his employers, and causing 
 some delay, he thought proper to grant our de- 
 mand; but how were we astonished to find a gene- 
 ral warrant, specifying no manner of offence against 
 us, appointing no authority to hear and judge whe- 
 ther we were guilty or innocent, nor limiting any 
 duration to our confinement! Nor was this extra- 
 ordinary warrant more exceptionable in these re- 
 spects than in the powers given to the messengers to 
 break, and search not only our own, but all the 
 houses their heated imaginations might lead them 
 to suspect. It would be tedious to remark all the 
 gross enormities contained in this engine of modern 
 
67 
 
 despotism: we therefore present you with a copy, 
 from the bare perusal of which, you will form a bet- 
 ter idea of the arbitrary spirit it breathes, than from 
 any description we could possibly give it. 
 
 IN COUNCIL. 
 
 Philadelphia, Jiugust 31, 1777. 
 
 ** Whereas the Congress of the United States of 
 North America have, by their resolve of the 28th 
 instant, (August), recommended to the executive 
 powers of the several states to apprehend and se- 
 cure all persons who have in their general conduct 
 and conversation evidenced a disposition inimical 
 to the cause of America; particularly Joshua Fisher, 
 Abel James, James Pemberton, Henry Drinker, 
 Israel Pemberton, John Pemberton, John James, 
 Samuel Pleasants, Thomas Wharton, Sr., Thomas 
 Fisher, (son of Joshua,) and Samuel Fisher, (son of 
 Joshua,) together with all such papers in their pos- 
 session as may be of a political nature, and that the 
 persons so seized, be confined in such places, and 
 treated in such manner, as shall be consistent with 
 their respective characters and the security of their 
 persons; and that the records and papers of the 
 Meeting of Sufferings of the society of the people 
 called Quakers, in the several states, be forthwith 
 secured, and that such parts of them as may be of a 
 political nature, be forthwith transmitted to Con- 
 gress. 
 
 '<And whereas it is necessary for the public safety 
 at this time, when a British army has landed in Ma- 
 ryland, with a professed design of enslaving this 
 free country, and is now advancing towards this 
 city, as a principal object of hostility, that such dan- 
 gerous persons be accordingly secured. Therefore 
 
 ^^Resolved, That a suitable number of the friends 
 
68 
 
 to the public cause be authorized, forthwith, to seize 
 and secure the persons of the said 
 
 "Joshua Fisher, 
 **Abel James, 
 "James Pemberton, 
 '*John Pemberton, 
 *'Henry Drinker, 
 "Israel Pemberton, 
 "Samuel Pleasants, 
 
 "Thomas Wharton, Sr. 
 "Thomas Fisher, (son of 
 
 Joshua,) 
 "Samuel Fisher, (son of 
 
 Joshua,) 
 John James, 
 
 AND ALSO, 
 
 "Owen Jones, Jr. 
 "Jeremiah Warder, 
 William Lenox, 
 "Edward Penington, 
 "Caleb Emlen, 
 William Smith, (Broker,) 
 "Samuel Murdoch, 
 Alexander Stedman, 
 Charles Stedman, Jr. 
 "Thomas Asheton, (Mer- 
 chant,) 
 William Imlay, 
 "Thomas Gilpin, 
 "Samuel Jackson, and 
 "Thomas Affleck. 
 
 "Miers Fisher, 
 Elijah Brown, 
 "Hugh Roberts, 
 "George Roberts, 
 "Joseph Fox, 
 "John Hunt, 
 "Samuel Emlen, Jr. 
 "Adam Kuhn, M. D. 
 "Phineas Bond, 
 "William Smith, D. D. 
 "Rev. Thomas Coombe, 
 "Samuel Shoemaker, 
 "Charles Jervis, 
 William Drewet Smith, 
 "Charles Eddy, 
 "Thomas Pike, 
 
 ^'Resolved, That the following instructions be also 
 given: 
 
 "Early attention should be given to John Hunt, 
 who lives on the Germantown road, about five miles 
 off the city, and to John Pemberton, Samuel Emlen, 
 and other leaders in the Society of Quakers, con- 
 cerning books and papers. As to the rest, your own 
 prudence must direct. 
 
 "Congress recommend it, and we wish to treat 
 men of reputation with as much tenderness as the 
 security of their persons and papers will admit. We 
 
desire, therefore, that if the persons whose names 
 in the list are marked with turned commas, thus*** 
 offer to you by a promise in writing to remain in 
 their dwelling-houses, ready to appear on demand 
 of Council, and meanwhile to refrain from doing any 
 thing injurious to the United Free States of North 
 America, by speaking, writing, or otherwise, and 
 from giving intelligence to the commander-in-chief 
 of the British forces, or any other person whatever, 
 concerning public affairs, you dismiss them from 
 further confinement of their persons; but if such 
 engagement, or a promise equivalent thereto cannot 
 be obtained, we desire that in such case you confine 
 the refusers, together with the others to whose 
 names the said mark is not prefixed, in some con- 
 venient place, under a guard, with which the town 
 major. Colonel Nicola, will supply you. The Free- 
 mason's Lodge may be perhaps procured; it would 
 serve as well as any other place for this purpose. 
 You may perceive that Council would not, without 
 necessity, commit many of the persons to the com> 
 mon jail, nor even to the state prison. 
 
 ^^ Resolved, That the following persons be appoint- 
 ed and authorized to carry into execution the re- 
 solves of yesterday, respecting the arresting such 
 persons as are deemed inimical to the cause of Ame- 
 rican liberty, viz. 
 
 William Bradford, William Hardy, 
 
 Sbarpe Delany, Charles Wilson Peale, 
 
 James Claypole, Captain M'Culloch, 
 
 William Heysham, Nathaniel Donnell, 
 
 John Purviance, Robert Smith, 
 
 Joseph Blewer, William Carson, 
 
 Paul Cox, Lazarus Pine, 
 
 Adam Kemmel, Captain Birney, 
 
 William Graham, John Downey, 
 
 ♦ The original is marked with a cross. 
 
70 
 
 John Galloway, James Kerr, 
 
 John Li le, William Tharpe, and 
 
 James Loughead, Thomas Bradford, 
 James Cannon, 
 
 Together with such other persons as they shall 
 call to their assistance. 
 
 George Bryan, Vice President. 
 
 The power to search must necessarily extend to 
 the opening of locks. 
 
 George Bryan, Vice President. 
 (A true copy) William Bradford." 
 
 You will observe that the president and council, 
 who know our characters, and to whom (but for 
 their prejudice and want of candour in this instance), 
 we could have appealed for the innocence of our 
 conduct and conversation, have not undertaken to 
 charge us with any offence, but rely as a foundation 
 for their proceedings on the information contained 
 in a recommendation of Congress, to whom the 
 greatest part of us are scarcely known but by name, 
 and who must have formed the hard judgment 
 they pronounced against us unheard, from reports 
 whispered by our enemies. 
 
 Can any thing more decisively evidence the want 
 of proof against us, and the injustice of the insinua- 
 tions, than this stubborn incontrovertible fact. We 
 have demanded as a matter of right, to be heard be- 
 fore both those bodies, who have hitherto declined 
 it — a demand, reasonable in itself, founded on the 
 immutable principles of equity, and warranted by 
 the constitution under which the council derive 
 every power they claim. 
 
 The powers granted by this warrant are such as 
 in any free country, where the laws, and not the 
 will of the governors, are the standard of justice. 
 
71 
 
 would be reprobated, as over-turning every security 
 that men can rely on. Your houses, which, by the 
 law of the land, are your castles against invaders, 
 your chambers, your closets, your desks, the reposi- 
 tories of your deeds, your securities, your letters of 
 business, or friendship, and other domestic con- 
 cerns, which every man naturally wishes to keep 
 within the circle of his own family, are permitted 
 to be broken, searched, exposed to the prying eye 
 of malignant curiosity, and all this without any well 
 founded cause of suspicion. This is not declama- 
 tion, nor an idle apprehension of imaginary griev- 
 ances, but a true representation of what some of us 
 have experienced in the execution of this unprece- 
 dented commission. Nor can any man think hiVn- 
 self safe, from the like, or perhaps more mischiev- 
 ous effects, if a precedent of so extraordinary a 
 nature be established by a tame acquiescence with 
 the present wrong. 
 
 By perusing the following remonstrance made to 
 the Council by three of us, you will find that appli- 
 cation was made for relief from our oppressions. 
 
 A Remonstrance this day presented to the Presi- 
 dent and Council, by the hands of their Secre- 
 tary. 
 
 To the President and Council of Pennsylvania. 
 The Remonstrance of Israel Pemberton, John 
 Hunt, and Samuel Pleasants, sheweth. 
 
 That Lewis Nicola is about to deprive us of our 
 liberty, by an order from you, of which the follow- 
 ing is a copy, viz. 
 
 In Council, September 3, 1777. 
 
 Ordered, **That Colonel Nicola, town major, do 
 take a proper guard and seize Israel Pemberton, 
 
72 
 
 John Hunt and Samuel Pleasants, and conduct them 
 to the Freemason's Lodge, and there confine them 
 under guard till further orders." 
 
 We are advised, and from our own knowledge of 
 our rights and privilege as freemen, are assured, 
 that your issuing this order is arbitrary, unjust and 
 illegal, and we therefore believe it is our duty, in 
 clear and express terms, to remonstrate against it. 
 
 The order appears to be arbitrary, as you have 
 assumed an authority, not founded on law or rea- 
 son, to deprive us, who are peaceable men, and 
 have never borne arms, of our liberty, by a military 
 force, when you might have directed a legal course 
 of proceeding — unjust, as we have not attempted, 
 nor are charged with any act inconsistent with the 
 character we have steadily maintained, of good citi- 
 zens, solicitous to promote the real interest and 
 prosperity of our country, and that it is illegal, is 
 evident from the perusal and consideration of the 
 constitution of the government, from which you 
 derive all your authority and power. 
 
 We therefore claim our undoubted right as free- 
 men, having a just sense of the inestimable value of 
 religious and civil liberty, to be heard before we are 
 confined, in the manner directed by the said order; 
 and we have the more urgent cause for insisting on 
 this our right, as several of our fellow citizens have 
 been some days, and now are confined by your 
 order, and no opportunity is given them to be 
 heard; and we have been informed that it is your 
 purpose to send them and us into a distant part of 
 the country, even beyond the limits of the jurisdic- 
 tion you claim, and where the recourse we are 
 justly and lawfully entitled to, of being heard, and 
 of clearing ourselves from any charge or suspicions 
 you may entertain of us, will be impracticable. 
 We fervently desire you may be so wise as to 
 
 I 
 
73 
 
 attend to the dictates of truth and justice in your 
 own minds, and observe the precepts of our Lord 
 Jesus Christ, whom you profess to believe in — "All 
 things whatsoever ye would that men should do to 
 you, do ye even so to them," Matthew vii. 12, and 
 then we have no doubt you will comply with this 
 just claim we make, which will be duly acknow- 
 ledged by your real friends and well-wishers, 
 
 Israel Pemberton, 
 John Hunt, 
 Samuel Pleasants. 
 Philadelphia, Ath 9th mo., 1777. 
 
 We, the said subscribers, attended at the door 
 of the Council-chamber, and made application by 
 the Secretary to be admitted, in order to deliver 
 our remonstrance, to which we could, after repeat- 
 ed applications, obtain no other answer than that 
 ^'Council had issued the arrest, in consequence of a 
 resolve of Congress, and cannot now admit you to 
 be heard." 
 
 We therefore delivered our remonstrance to the 
 Secretary, and waited until he came out on another 
 occasion, and told us '*it had been read to the 
 Council, and they afterwards proceeded to the other 
 business which was before them." Immediately 
 after which we were conducted by Lewis Nicola, 
 to the Free-Masons' Lodge, where we are now con- 
 fined, with a number of our fellow-citizens, with 
 whom we have joined in a more full remonstrance 
 to the President and Council; and this evening Wil- 
 liam Bradford came to us and read to us a letter, of 
 which the following is a copy, viz: 
 
 Sir, 
 
 Council have resolved to send the prisoners, now 
 confined at the Free-Masons' Lodge, to Stanton, in 
 the county of Augusta, in the state of Virginia, 
 7 
 
74 
 
 there to be secured and treated in such manner as 
 shall be consistent with their respective characters, 
 and the security of their persons, which you are 
 requested to communicate to them, and inform 
 them that carriages will be provided for their ac- 
 commodation in the journey, unless they choose to 
 provide themselves therewith. It is proposed that 
 they go off Saturday morning next. 
 I am, with great respect. 
 
 Your humble servant, 
 
 T. Matlack, Secretary. 
 Thursday^ Sep. 4, 1777. 
 
 To Colonel W. Bradford. 
 
 (Copy.) 
 
 The above is a true copy of the letter I received 
 this evening from 
 
 T. Matlack, 
 W. Bradford. 
 
 By the letter published at the foot of it, you will 
 see what are the ideas of justice entertained by the 
 Council. Instead of the required hearing, to avoid 
 such application, they resolved to banish us, un- 
 heard, into an obscure corner of a country, near 
 three hundred miles distant from our parents, our 
 wives, our children, our dear and tender connec- 
 tions, friends and acquaintance, to whom we owe, 
 and from whom we expect protection, assistance, 
 comfort, and every endearing office, to a country 
 where the President and Council have no pretence 
 of jurisdiction, from whence we may be liable to be 
 further banished. 
 
 Before the receipt of that letter, we had prepared 
 and sent the following remonstrance: 
 
75 
 
 To the President and Council of Pennsylvania. 
 The Remonstrance of the Subscribers, Free- 
 men, and Inhabitants of the City of Philadel- 
 phia, now confined in the Free-Masons^ Lodge, 
 sheweth: 
 
 That the subscribers have been, by virtue of a 
 warrant signed in Council by George Bryan, vice 
 president, arrested in our houses, and on our lawful 
 occasions, and conducted to this place, where we 
 have been kept in close confinement, under a strong 
 military guard, two or more days: that although 
 divers of us demanded of the messengers who ar- 
 rested us, and insisted on having copies of the said 
 warrant, yet we were not able to procure the same, 
 till this present time, but have remained here unac- 
 cused and unheard. We now take the earliest op-> 
 portunity of laying our grievances before your 
 body, from whom we apprehend they proceed, and 
 of claiming to ourselves the liberties and privileges 
 to which we are entitled by the fundamental rules 
 of justice, by our birthright and inheritance, the 
 laws of the land, and by the express provision of 
 the present constitution, under which your board 
 derive their power. 
 
 We apprehend that no man can lawfully be de- 
 prived of his liberty without a warrant from some 
 persons having competent authority, specifying an 
 offence against the laws of the land, supported by 
 oath or affirmation of the accuser, and limiting the 
 time of his imprisonment until he is heard, or legal- 
 ly discharged, unless the party be found in the 
 actual perpetration of a crime. Natural justice, 
 equally with law, declares that the party accused 
 should know what he is to answer to, and have an 
 opportunity of showing his innocence. These prin- 
 
76 
 
 ciples are strongly enforced in the ninth and tenth 
 sections of the declaration of rights, which form a 
 fundamental and inviolable part of the constitution, 
 from which you derive your power, and wherein it 
 is declared, 
 
 IX. "That in all prosecutions for criminal of- 
 fences a man hath a right to be heard by himself 
 and his counsel, to demand the cause and nature of 
 his accusation, to be confronted with the witnesses, 
 to call for evidence in his favour, and a speedy pub- 
 lic trial by an impartial jury of the country; with- 
 out the unanimous consent of which jury, he cannot 
 be found guilty; nor can he be compelled to give 
 evidence against himself; nor can any man be justly 
 deprived of his liberty, except by the laws of the 
 land, or the judgment of his peers. 
 
 X. "That the people have a right to hold them- 
 selves, their houses, papers and possessions free 
 from search or seizure, and therefore warrants, 
 without oaths or affirmations first made, affording a 
 sufficient foundation for them, and whereby any 
 officer or messenger may be commanded or re- 
 quired to search suspected places, or to seize any 
 person or persons, his or their property not particu- 
 larly described, are contrary to that right, and ought 
 not to be granted." 
 
 How far these principles have been adhered to 
 in the course of this business we shall go on to show. 
 
 Upon the examination of the said warrant, we 
 find it is, in all respects, inadequate to these de- 
 scriptions; altogether unprecedented in this or any 
 free country, both in its substance, and the latitude 
 given to the messengers who were to execute it, 
 and wholly subversive of the very constitution you 
 profess to support. The only charge on which it 
 is founded, is a recommendation of Congress to ap- 
 prehend and secure all persons who in their general 
 
77 
 
 conduct and conversation have evidenced a disposi- 
 tion inimical to the cause of America, and particu- 
 larly naming some of us — but not suggesting the 
 least offence to have been committed by us. 
 
 It authorizes the messengers to search all papers 
 belonging to us, upon a bare possibility that some- 
 thing political may be found, but without the least 
 ground for a suspicion of the kind. 
 
 It requires papers, relative to the sufferings of the 
 people called Quakers, to be seized, without limit- 
 ing the search to any house, or number of houses; 
 under colour of which every house in this city 
 might be broke open. 
 
 To the persons whom the Congress have thought 
 proper to select, the warrant adds a number of the 
 inhabitants of the city, of whom some of us are part, 
 without the least insinuation that they are within 
 the description given by the Congress in their re- 
 commendation. 
 
 It directs all these matters to be executed, (though 
 of the highest importance to the liberties of the peo- 
 ple,) at the discretion of a set of men who are under 
 no qualification for the due execution of the office, 
 and are unaccustomed to the forms of executing civil 
 process, from whence probably have proceeded the 
 excesses and irregularities committed by some of 
 them, in divers instances, by refusing to give copies 
 of the process to the parties arrested, by denying to 
 some of us a reasonable time to consider of answers 
 and prepare for confinement. In the absence of 
 others, by breaking our desks and other private re- 
 positories — and by ransacking and carrying off do- 
 mestic papers, printed books, and other matters not 
 within the terms of the warrant. 
 
 It limits no time for the duration of our imprison- 
 ment, nor points at any hearing, which is an abso- 
 lute requisite to make a legal warrant; but con- 
 7* 
 
78 
 
 founds in one warrant, the power to apprehend, and 
 the authority to commit, without interposing a ju- 
 dicial officer between the parties and the messenger. 
 
 Upon the whole, we conceive this warrant and 
 the proceedings thereupon, to be far more danger- 
 ous in its tendency, and a more flagrant violation of 
 every right which is dear to freemen, than any that 
 can be found in the records of the English consti- 
 tution. 
 
 But when we consider the use to which this ge- 
 neral warrant has been applied, and the persons upon 
 whom it has been executed, {who challenge the 
 world to charge them with offence), it becomes of 
 too great magnitude to be considered as the cause of 
 a few. It is the cause of every inhabitant, and 
 may, if permitted to pass into a precedent, establish 
 a system of arbitrary power unknown but in the in- 
 quisition or the despotic courts of the east. 
 
 What adds further to this alarming stretch of 
 power is that we are informed the Vice President 
 of the Council has declared to one of the magistrates 
 of the city, who called on him to enquire into the 
 cause of our confinement, that we were to be sent 
 to Virginia unheard. 
 
 Scarcely could we believe such a declaration could 
 have been made by a person who fills the second 
 place in the government, till we were this day con- 
 firmed in the melancholy truth by three of the sub- 
 scribers, whom you absolutely refused to hear in 
 person or by counsel. We would remind you of 
 the complaints urged by numbers of yourselves 
 against the parliament of Great Britain, for con- 
 demning the town of Boston unheard, and we call 
 upon you to reconcile your present conduct with 
 your then professions, or your repeated declarations 
 in favour of general liberty. 
 
 In the name, therefore, of the whole body of the 
 
79 
 
 freemen of Pennsylvania, whose liberties are radi- 
 cally struck at in this arbitrary imprisonment of us, 
 their unoffending fellow citizens, we demand an 
 audience, that so our innocence may appear, and 
 persecution give place to justice. But if, regard- 
 less of every sacred obligation by which men are 
 bound to each other in society, and of that constitu- 
 tion by which you profess to govern, which you 
 have so loudly magnified for the free spirit it 
 breathes, you are still determined to proceed, be 
 the appeal to the Righteous Judge of all the earth 
 for the integrity of our hearts, and the unparalleled 
 tyranny of your measures. 
 
 James Pemberton, Thomas Affleck, 
 
 Thomas Wharton, Charles Jervis, 
 
 Thomas Coombe, William Smith, (broker,) 
 
 Edward Pennington, William Drewet Smith, 
 
 Henry Drinker, Thomas Fisher, 
 
 Phineas Bond, Miers Fisher, 
 
 Thomas Gilpin, Charles Eddy, 
 
 John Pemberton, Israel Pemberton, 
 
 Thomas Pike, John Hunt, 
 
 Owen Jones, Jr. Samuel Pleasants. 
 
 Masons^ Lodge, Philadelphia, 1 
 September Ath, \111. \ 
 
 N. B. The three last subscribers were first at- 
 tended by some of those who executed the general 
 warrant; but after their remonstrance to the Presi- 
 dent and Council, were arrested by Lewis Nicola, 
 and conducted to the Lodge by a special order to 
 him. 
 
 The foregoing remonstrance was delivered to 
 Thomas Wharton, Jr., President, &c. last evening, 
 who promised to lay it before Council, and send an 
 
80 
 
 answer to one of the gentlemen, who delivered it to 
 him this morning, but no answer has yet been re- 
 ceived. 
 
 September bth, half past two o'clock, P. M. 
 
 Thus the matter rested till about seven o'clock 
 yesterday evening, when instead of returning an 
 answer to our repeated demand of a hearing, which 
 we still adhere to as our undoubted right, the secre- 
 tary of the Council inclosed to William Bradford a 
 copy of a new resolve, desiring him to acquaint us 
 with it; wherein, without the least mention of sup- 
 porting their insinuations against us, they shift the 
 ground on which they set out, and propose a test to 
 be taken by us, in full satisfaction of all their sus- 
 picions. 
 
 To this resolve we are preparing an answer, 
 which we intend soon to lay before them: and in 
 the mean time we beg you will avoid the being in- 
 fluenced by any anonymous publications which our 
 adversaries, to draw our attention from the imme- 
 diate object before us, may utter against us, filled 
 with falsehoods and misrepresentations, which they 
 may be encouraged to publish from an assurance 
 that the printers would conceal their names. 
 
 Our attention is now engaged in a most important 
 struggle for civil and religious liberty; we therefore 
 hope you will not expect us to waste that time in 
 refuting such anonymous performances, which is 
 wholly requisite for bringing this grand point to a 
 proper conclusion. We cannot however wholly 
 pass by a publication in the last Evening Post, cal- 
 culated to throw an odium on tiie just cause in 
 which we are suffering. It is represented in that 
 piece, that the Quakers are the principal objects of 
 resentment, and the cause assigned is the issuing 
 "seditious publications styled Testimonies, one of 
 
81 
 
 which they assert has been unseasonably published 
 at two critical periods. 
 
 A single ray of christian charity would be suffi- 
 cient to show the uncandid construction put by that 
 writer upon the exercise of those religious rights se- 
 cured by the constitution to every religious society 
 of warning and admonishing their members to avoid 
 every thing inconsistent with the principles they 
 hold. It is well known that at both the times 
 hinted at, contending armies were endeavouring, 
 within the circle of their yearly meeting, to pro- 
 cure all persons that should come in their way to 
 join them in military preparations. 
 
 The testimony of the Quakers is against all wars 
 and fighting, and against entering into military en- 
 gagements of any kind; surely, then, it was the 
 right of the representatives of that society to cau- 
 tion their members from engaging in any thing con- 
 trary to their religious principles. But if it be an 
 offence in those who were active in that publica- 
 tion, what have those of us done who are not mem- 
 bers of that society, who are of the church of Eng- 
 land, (which two denominations comprehend all the 
 subscribers), and who have published no testimo- 
 nies. 
 
 But this cannot be considered by the writer as a 
 dangerous publication, or why does he republish it 
 in the present critical situation of public aff'airs; 
 surely this charge is a mere pretence to vilify a 
 respectable body of the inhabitants. 
 
 Thus we have furnished you with a calm and 
 dispassionate account of our present circumstances, 
 and we wish to have it considered as a vindication 
 of our own characters, and a peaceable, though firm 
 assertion of the unalienable rights of freemen. 
 
 Difficulties may perhaps await us, but relying on 
 the assistance of that Almighty Being, who is the 
 
82 
 
 guardian of the innocent, we prepare to meet them 
 rather than endanger public happiness and freedom 
 by a voluntary surrender of those rights which we 
 have never forfeited. 
 
 Mason's LodgCy September 6th, 1777. 
 Israel Pemberton, Miers Fisher, 
 
 John Hunt, Thomas Fisher, 
 
 James Pemberton, Samuel R. Fisher, 
 
 Thomas Wharton, Thomas Affleck, 
 
 John Pemberton, Charles Jervis, 
 
 Thomas Coombe, William Smith, (broker,) 
 
 Edward Pennington, Thomas Pike, 
 Henry Drinker, William Drewet Smith, 
 
 Samuel Pleasants, Elijah Brown, 
 
 Thomas Gilpin, Charles Eddy, 
 
 Phineas Bond, Owen Jones, Jr. 
 
 September 8th, 1777. 
 P. S. The foregoing address was prepared and 
 intended for publication in the Evening Post of the 
 6th instant; but before we thought proper to deli- 
 ver it to the printer, we chose to have some con- 
 versation with him; he was sent for and attended 
 us, we told him we had a paper to publish in our 
 vindication, with our names signed; that as we were 
 confined upon some suspicions unknown to us, it 
 was hard we should be attacked by anonymous 
 writers in the papers, our characters aspersed, and 
 prejudices excited against us, when we were de- 
 manding a hearing, which ought to be unbiassed and 
 impartial. We therefore required of him, as what 
 we thought a matter of right, according to the rules 
 of every impartial free press, that he would refrain 
 from publishing hereafter any anonymous papers 
 reflecting upon us, and that he would acquaint us 
 with the name of the writer of two paragraphs, in 
 the then last Post, highly injurious to our charac- 
 
83 
 
 ters. To the former he gave us an absolute pro- 
 mise to adhere; to the latter, he said, that he could 
 not give up the name without the writer's consent; 
 that he would go to him and return with his answer 
 as soon as he could, at the same time promising that 
 if we desired it he would insert our address in the 
 Post of that evening, though it would delay its ap- 
 pearance till some time the next day. He went 
 away and we have not since heard from him. 
 Hence we conclude the writer is ashamed to avow 
 the performance. 
 
 We now lay before you a remonstrance presented 
 to Congress by eight of us, who were selected by 
 them, and recommended to the Council as dangerous 
 men, who ought to be secured, the rest of us being 
 named by the Council themselves, and included to- 
 gether with them in the general warrant. 
 
 TO THE CONGRESS. 
 
 The Remonstrance of the Subscribers, Citizens of 
 Philadelphia, sheweth: 
 
 That we are now confined by a military guard, 
 having been arrested and deprived of our liberty by 
 order of the President and Council of Pennsylvania, 
 in consequence of a resolve made by you, on the 
 28th day of the last month, '^recommending to the 
 executive powers of the several states, to apprehend 
 and secure all persons, who have, in their general 
 conduct and conversation, evidenced a disposition 
 inimical to the cause of America," and particularly 
 naming us, the subscribers, 'together with all such 
 papers in our possession as may be of a political na- 
 ture;" the copy of which resolve we could not ob- 
 tain till yesterday afternoon. 
 
 Conscious of our innocence, and that we have 
 ministered no just occasion to have our characters 
 
64 
 
 thus traduced and injuriously treated, we have re- 
 monstrated to the said President and Council against 
 their arbitrary, unjust and illegal proceedings against 
 us, and demanded our undoubted right of being 
 heard by them; knowing we can manifest the false- 
 hood and injustice of any injurious charge or suspi- 
 cions they or you may entertain concerning us; 
 but we are denied the opportunity of such a hearing, 
 and were last evening informed, by their order, that 
 they have resolved to send us to Stanton, in the 
 county of Augusta, in Virginia, to be secured there; 
 and we are now told that place is appointed by you 
 for our confinement. 
 
 We therefore, by our love to our country, whose 
 true interest and prosperity we have steadily pur- 
 sued, through the course of our conduct and con- 
 versations, and in justice to our characters as free- 
 men and christians, with that freedom and resolution 
 which influences men, conscious of being void of 
 just cause of ojffence, are bound to remonstrate 
 against your arbitrary, unjust, and cruel treatment 
 of us, our characters, and families, and against the 
 course of proceeding you have chose and prescribed; 
 by which the liberty, property, and character of 
 every freeman in America is, or may be endan- 
 gered. Most of you are not personally known to 
 us, nor are we to you; and few of you have had the 
 opportunity of conversing with any of us, or of 
 knowing any thing more of our conduct and con- 
 versation than what you have received from others, 
 and thus we are subjected to the unjust suspicions 
 you have entertained from the uncertain reports of 
 our adversaries, and are condemned unheard, to be 
 deprived of our most endearing connections and 
 temporal enjoyments, when our personal care of 
 them is most immediately necessary. 
 
 We are therefore engaged in the most solemn 
 
85 
 
 manner, to call upon and entreat you to reconsider 
 the course of your proceedings respecting us; and 
 either by yourselves, or the said President and 
 Council, to give us the opportunity of hearing and 
 answering to every matter suggested to, and enter- 
 tained by you or them against us — being assured we 
 shall appear to be true friends to, and anxiously so- 
 licitous for the prosperity of America, on the prin- 
 ciples of justice and liberty — and though we are 
 clearly convinced, from the precepts of Christ, the 
 doctrine of his apostles, and the example of his fol- 
 lowers in the primitive ages of Christianity, that all 
 outward wars and fightings are unlawful, and there- 
 fore cannot join therein, for any cause whatever — 
 we cannot but remind you, that we are by the same 
 principles restrained from pursuing any measures 
 inconsistent with the apostolic advice, '*To live 
 peaceably with all men," under whatever powers it 
 is our lot to live, which rule of conduct we are de- 
 termined to observe, whatever you or any others 
 may determine concerning us. 
 
 Your characters in the conspicuous station you 
 stand, and the regard due to the liberties, proper- 
 ties, and even the lives of those who are, and may 
 be affected by the course of your proceedings, so 
 loudly proclaim the justice of our demand of a 
 hearing, that if more time remained for it, we judge 
 farther reasoning unnecessary, beseeching you to 
 remember that we are all to appear before the tri- 
 bunal of Divine Justice, there to render an account 
 of our actions, and to receive a reward according as 
 our works have been. And we sincerely desire 
 for you, as we do for ourselves, that we may all so 
 direct our course that we may at that tribunal re- 
 ceive the answer <'of well done," and enjoy the re- 
 ward of eternal peace and happiness. 
 
 We are your real friends, 
 Israel Pemberton, James Pemberton, 
 
 8 
 
86 
 
 John Pemberton, Thomas Fisher, 
 
 Thomas Wharton, Samuel Pleasants, 
 
 Henry Drinker, Samuel R. Fisher. 
 
 Philadelphia, 5th 9lh mo. 1777, 
 Lodge-Mley. 
 
 We have seen the resolves of Congress published 
 in the Evening Post, of which we shall take due 
 notice; and also the papers published by order of 
 Congress in a supplement to the Pennsylvania 
 Packet; as they are particularly pointed at a reli- 
 gious society, who are capable of answering for 
 their own conduct, we shall leave it to them to con- 
 fute the insinuations contained in some parts of that 
 publication, which some of us know they are able 
 to do. 
 
 We also think it our duty to acquaint you, that 
 Alexander Stedman and Charles Stedman, Jr., who 
 are included in the general warrant, were appre- 
 hended and brought here with us, but in a few 
 hours they were carried under guard to the new 
 prison, where we are informed they yet remain as 
 much neglected by their accusers as we have been. 
 
 N. B. Seven o'clock, P. M. We presented 
 another remonstrance to the President and Council 
 this day, to which we have received an answer, 
 both which we shall endeavour to hand to the pub- 
 lic to-morrow. 
 
 Masons' Lodge, September 9, 1777. 
 We now lay before you the papers referred to in 
 our note of last evening, together with a copy of a 
 letter received by Dr. Hutchinson, informing us of 
 the result of Council upon the last remonstrance. 
 
 Copy of a letter from Timothy Matlack to Wil- 
 liam Bradford. 
 
 Philadelphia, September 5, 1777. 
 Sir, — A remonstrance signed by the gentlemen 
 
87 
 
 confined at the Masons* Lodge, having been pre- 
 sented to Council and read, the Council took the 
 same into consideration and asked the advice of 
 Congress thereupon, which being received, Council 
 thereupon passed the following resolve, which they 
 beg the favour of you to communicate to the afore- 
 said gentlemen. 
 
 IN COUNCIL, 
 
 Philadelphia, September 5, 1777. 
 Resolved, That such of the persons now confined 
 in the Lodge, as shall take and subscribe the oath 
 or affirmation required by law in this common- 
 wealth; or that shall take and subscribe the follow- 
 ing oath or affirmation, to wit: 
 
 **I do swear, (or affirm,) that I will be faithful 
 and bear true allegiance to the commonwealth of 
 Pennsylvania as a free and independent state/' shall 
 be discharged. 
 
 I am, respectfully, your very humble servant, 
 
 T. Matlack, Secretary. 
 To Col. W. Bradford. 
 
 N. B. This letter was delivered to Mr. Bradford 
 as the answer of Council to the second remon- 
 strance. 
 
 Copy of a third remonstrance presented to the 
 President and Council yesterday by the hands of 
 Samuel Rhoads and Dr. Hutchinson. 
 
 TO THE PRESIDENT AND COUNCIL OF PENNTSLVANIA. 
 
 The remonstrance of the subscribers, freemen and 
 inhabitants of the city of Philadelphia, now 
 confined in the Masons^ Lodge, sheweth: 
 
 That it is with pain we find ourselves under the 
 disagreeable necessity of again remonstrating against 
 
88 
 
 your extraordinary mode of treating us; when our 
 last remonstrance was delivered to your President, 
 he gave expectation to our fellow citizens who wait- 
 ed on him, that he would lay it before you and re- 
 turn an answer; notwithstanding which, we have as 
 yet received no answer whatsoever to it, but in- 
 stead thereof, a paper signed by your Secretary was 
 delivered to us by William Bradford, the contents 
 of which we shall have occasion to remark on. 
 
 But we must not omit another letter received 
 through the same channel, by which we are con- 
 firmed in the truth of what we had before heard, 
 that on the very day you were addressed by three of 
 us to be heard, and before we were furnished with 
 a copy of the general warrant, you had resolved to 
 banish us to Stanton, in the county of Augusta, in 
 Virginia, a place where you claim no jurisdiction, 
 and to which we are utter strangers; this resolution 
 formed against a body of innocent freemen, while 
 demanding to be heard, is, wc believe, the first in- 
 stance of the kind to be found in the history of our 
 country: and, besides the violent infringement of 
 the laws and constitution which you have engaged 
 to govern by, the hardship is heightened by the par- 
 ticular situation of that country at this time; as it is 
 publicly asserted, that the Indians have alread}*^ com- 
 menced hostilities upon the frontiers of Virginia,not 
 very far distant from the place of our intended ba- 
 nishment, as though you could find no place of se- 
 curity without endangering our lives. 
 
 From the professions you have repeatedly made 
 of your love of liberty and justice, and the manner 
 in which we have demanded our undoubted rights, 
 we had reason to expect to have heard from you on 
 the subject of our last remonstrance; but we find we 
 were mistaken, and the complaints of injured free- 
 men still remain unanswered. 
 
89 
 
 Whether you imaorine we are of too little conse- 
 quence to be regarded, or expect that confinement 
 will reduce us to a tame acquiescence with your ar- 
 bitrary proceedings, we shall not determine — it will 
 not divert our attention from the important object 
 we have in view in behalf of ourselves and our 
 country; nor will subtle proposals, fit only to cap- 
 tivate the unwary, decoy us from the sure ground 
 on which we stand into a measure as illegal and un- 
 constitutional as your general warrant, and our op- 
 pressive treatment under it. 
 
 The proposition contained in your resolve of the 
 5th instant to discharge us upon taking the test '^re- 
 quired by law," or the new test framed by your- 
 selves, now demands our notice. 
 
 And first we would observe that if you had a right 
 to make such a proposition, we think it very improper 
 to be made to men in our situation. You have first 
 deprived us of our liberty on one pretence, which, 
 finding you are not able to justify, you wave, and 
 require as a condition of our enlargement, that we 
 should confess ourselves men of suspicious charac- 
 ters by doing what ought not to be expected from 
 innocent men. This kind of procedure is not new 
 in history; for though the great patriots of the revo- 
 lution found better expedients for the security of 
 their government than what arises from oaths of ab- 
 juration, yet the annals both of Old and New Eng- 
 land are stained with accounts of men, in circum- 
 stances similar to our own, dragged before magis- 
 trates on the bare suspicion of crimes; of whom 
 tests, which they conscientiously scrupled to take, 
 have been afterwards demanded as the condition of 
 their enlargement. But such examples we should 
 hope would not have found patrons among men 
 professing to be reformers upon all the plans of civil 
 8* 
 
90 
 
 and religious liberty adopted by the free nations of 
 Europe. 
 
 It is strange to us that men entrusted with su- 
 preme executive powers should be so regardless of 
 the laws you have so solemnly engaged to execute, 
 as to require us to do more than those very laws 
 enjoin. By the test act every inhabitant may take 
 the test and enjoy all the rights of freemen, or de- 
 cline it, and sul^mit to a deprivation of some of 
 them of which are expressed in that act; but no 
 power is given to any officer of justice whatsoever 
 to tender it to any person except in particular 
 circumstances, and as the charge against us is 
 not founded on a breach of that law, it is evident 
 you exceeded your authority in putting it to us. 
 But if, after what is past, we could be surprised at 
 any thing you do, we should have been astonished 
 at the rapid progress of your usurpation in assuming 
 legislative powers to yourselves while the assembly 
 was sitting under the same roof. You have over- 
 turned the only security the constitution has given 
 the people against absolute despotism, by attempt- 
 ing to exercise the authority of framing a resolve 
 operating as a law at the same time, the powers of 
 executing it. 
 
 Your duty as one branch of the constitution is 
 confined to the executing the laws as you find them, 
 and does not extend to the making new ones to salve 
 your own irregular conduct. You have undertaken 
 all this by proposing a new test of your own enact- 
 ing, unknovvn to the laws and constitution of the 
 government which you are to execute, unsupported 
 by any authority under which you act; and this an 
 ex post facto \diW made to criminate by a refusal 
 those who before were innocent. And if we were, 
 in your opinion, such dangerous persons as you, un- 
 der the sanction of the Congress have endeavoured 
 
91 
 
 to represent us, and could not be secured without 
 sending us to so remote and dangerous a part of the 
 country, beyond the limits of your jurisdiction, how 
 will the public be secured by our taking either of 
 the tests you have proposed; that men of bad prin- 
 ciples will submit to any tests to cover their dan- 
 gerous and wicked purposes is evident to all who 
 have been conversant in public affairs. 
 
 The great Lord Halifax, who, in the name of the 
 people of England, presented the crown to King 
 William and Queen Mary at the revolution, has 
 expressed himself on this subject in the following 
 nervous terms: "As there is no real security to any 
 state by oaths, so no private person, much less 
 statesman, would ever order his affairs as relying on 
 it; for no man would ever sleep with open doors or 
 unlocked-up-treasure, or plate, should all the town 
 be sworn not to rob." 
 
 Another most extraordinary proceeding we find 
 in your Secretary's letter, where he says that you 
 asked and received the advice of Congress, upon our 
 remonstrance, before you determined upon it. What! 
 shall unaccused citizens, demanding their inherent 
 rights, be delayed or refused a hearing until Con- 
 gress can be consulted? A body who have engaged 
 not to interfere in the internal police of the govern- 
 ment. Perhaps you thought the authority of a re- 
 commendation from Congress would render your 
 arbitrary designs effectual, and countenance you in 
 the eyes of the people. We trust you will be mis- 
 taken, and that neither Congress nor the people will 
 approve your measures. 
 
 Having thus remarked on your proposal, protest- 
 ing our innocence, we again repeat our pressing de- 
 mand, to be informed of the cause of our commit- 
 ment, and to have a hearing in the face of our 
 
92 
 
 country, before whom we shall either stand ac- 
 quitted or condemned. 
 
 Israel Pemberton, William Drewet Smith, 
 
 James Pemberton, Samuel Pleasants, 
 
 John Hunt, William Smith, (broker,) 
 
 Thomas Wharton, Charles Jervis, 
 
 Thomas Coombe, Thomas Pike, 
 
 Edward Pennington, Thomas Gilpin, 
 
 John Pemberton, Samuel R. Fisher, 
 
 Henry Drinker, Thomas Fisher, 
 
 Phineas Bond, Elijah Brown, 
 
 Thomas Affleck, Miers Fisher, 
 
 Owen Jones, Jr. Charles Eddy, 
 
 Philadelphia^ September 8, 1777. 
 Sir, — The remonstrance delivered by you and 
 Samuel Rhoads, Esq. to me, has been read in Coun- 
 cil, and I am directed to acquaint you, that the bu- 
 siness to which this remonstrance relates, is referred 
 to Congress. 
 
 I am, with great respect. 
 
 Your humble servant, 
 
 T. Matlack, Secretary. 
 To Dr. Hutchinson. (Present.) 
 
 Mason's Lodge^ September 9, 1777, 10 o'clock, P. M. 
 TO THE INHABITANTS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 The following is a copy of a paper we received at 
 half past four o^ clock this ofternoon, and we 
 have since received orders to prepare for our 
 banishment to-morrow. 
 
 IN COUNCIL. 
 
 Philadelphia,, September 9, 1777. 
 Besotved, That James Pemberton, Henry Drink- 
 er, Israel Pemberton, John Pemberton, Samuel 
 
93 
 
 Pleasants, Thomas Wharton, Sr., Thomas Fisher, 
 (son of Joshua,) Samuel Fisher, (Son of Joshua,) 
 Miers Fisher, Elijah Brown, John Hunt, Phineas 
 Bond, Rev. Thomas Coombe, Charles Jervis, Wil- 
 liam Drewet Smith, Charles Eddy, Thomas Pike, 
 Owen Jones, Jr., Edward Pennington, William 
 Smith, Thomas Gilpin, and Thomas Affleck, ap- 
 prehended by Council, as persons who have uni- 
 formly manifested by their general conduct and 
 conversation, a disposition highly inimical to the 
 cause of America, and now imprisoned in the Free- 
 masons' Lodge in this city, they refusing to confine 
 themselves to their several dwellings, and thereby 
 making the restraint of their persons in another 
 manner necessary; and having refused to promise 
 to refrain from corresponding with the enemy, and 
 also declined giving any assurance of allegiance to 
 this state, as of right they ought, do thereby re- 
 nounce all the privileges of citizenship; and that it 
 appears they consider themselves as subjects of the 
 King of Great Britain, the enemy of this and the 
 other United States of America; and that they ought 
 to be proceeded with accordingly. 
 
 Resolved, That persons of like characters, and in 
 emergencies equal to the present, when the enemy 
 is at our doors, have, in the other states, been ar- 
 rested and secured upon suspicions arising from their 
 general behaviour and refusal to acknowledge their 
 allegiance to the states, of which they were the pro- 
 per subjects; and that such proceedings may be 
 abundantly justified by the conduct of the freest na- 
 tions, and the authority of the most judicious civi- 
 lians. Therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That the persons whose names are 
 mentioned above, be, without further delay, re- 
 moved to Stanton, in Virginia, there to be treated 
 according to their characters and stations, as far as 
 
d4 
 
 may be consistent with the securing of their persons. 
 Also, 
 
 Resolved, That William Imlay, said to be a sub- 
 ject of the state of New York, having behaved in 
 like manner as the persons above mentioned, and in 
 particular declined to give assurance of allegiance 
 to the state of New York, be removed and secured 
 with the rest. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Nicola, the town major, se- 
 cure the prisoners above named now in the Masons' 
 Lodge, and assist in removing them out of the city. 
 
 Extract from the minutes. 
 
 T. Matlack, Secretary. 
 
 As we consider this to be the highest act of ty- 
 ranny that has been exercised in any age or country, 
 where the shadow of liberty was left, we have, in 
 the following manner, entered our protest against 
 their proceedings. 
 
 TO THE PRESIDENT AND COUNCIL OP PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 The remonstrance and protest of the subscribers, 
 sheweth: 
 
 That your resolve of this day was this afternoon 
 delivered to us; which is the more unexpected, as 
 last evening your Secretary informed us you had 
 referred our business to Congress, to whom we were 
 about further to apply. 
 
 In this resolve, contrary to the inherent rights of 
 mankind, you condemn us to banishment unheard. 
 
 You determine matters concerning us, which we 
 could have disapproved had our right to a hearing 
 been granted. 
 
 The charge against us of refusing "to promise to 
 refrain from corresponding with the enemy," insi- 
 nuates that we have already held such correspond- 
 ence, which we utterly and solemnly deny. 
 
95 
 
 The tests you proposed we were by no law bound 
 to subscribe; and notwithstanding our refusing them 
 we are still justly and lawfully entitled to all the 
 rights of citizenship, of which you are attempting 
 to deprive us. 
 
 We have never been suffered to come before you 
 to evince our innocence, and remove suspicions 
 which you have laboured to instil into the minds of 
 others, and at the same time knew to be groundless, 
 although Congress recommended it to you to give 
 us a hearing, and your President this morning as- 
 sured two of our friends we should have it. 
 
 In vindication of our characters, we who are of 
 the people called Quakers, are free to declare, that, 
 
 Although at the time many of our forefathers 
 were convinced of the truth which we, their de- 
 scendants now profess, great fluctuations and various 
 changes and turnings happened in government, and 
 they were greatly vilified and persecuted for a firm 
 and steady adherence to their peaceable and inoffen- 
 sive principles, yet they were preserved from any 
 thing tending to promote insurrections, conspira- 
 cies, or the shedding of blood; and during the trou- 
 bles which by permission of Divine Providence 
 have latterly prevailed, we have steadily maintained 
 our religious principles in these respects, and have 
 not held any correspondence with the contending 
 parties, as is unjustly insinuated, but are withheld 
 and restrained from being concerned in such mat- 
 ters by that divine principle of grace and truth 
 which we profess to be our guide and rule through 
 life. This is of more force and obligation than all 
 the tests and declarations devised by men. 
 
 And we, who are of the church of England, are 
 free to declare to you and to the world, that we 
 never have at any time during the present contro- 
 versy, either directly or indirectly, "communicated 
 any intelligence whatever to the commander of the 
 
96 
 
 British forces, or any other person concerned in 
 public affairs.'^ And with the same cheerfulness 
 we would have engaged not to hold any such cor- 
 respondence in future, had not the requisition been 
 coupled with ignominious and illegal restrictions, 
 subjecting us to become prisoners within the walls 
 of our own dwellings, and to surrender ourselves 
 to the President and Council on demand. This the 
 clear consciousness of our own innocence absolutely 
 forbade us to accede to. 
 
 Upon the whole, your proceedings have been so 
 arbitrary that words are wanting to express our 
 sense of them. We do, therefore, as the last office 
 we expect you will now suffer us to perform for the 
 benefit of our country, in behalf of ourselves and 
 those freemen of Pennsylvania who still have any 
 regard for liberty, solemnly remonstrate and pro- 
 test against your whole conduct in this unreasonable 
 excess of power exercised by you. 
 
 That the evil and destructive spirit of pride, am- 
 bition and arbitrary power, with which you have 
 been actuated, may cease and be no more; and that 
 peace on earth and good will to men may happily 
 take the place thereof in your and all men's minds, 
 is the sincere desire of your oppressed and injured 
 fellow citizens. 
 
 Israel Pemberton, Owen Jones, Jr. 
 
 John Hunt, Thomas Gilpin, 
 
 James Pemberton, Charles Jervis, 
 
 John Pemberton, Phineas Bond, 
 
 Thomas Wharton, Thomas Affleck, 
 
 Edward Pennington, William Drewet Smith, 
 
 Thomas Coombe, Thomas Pike, 
 
 Henry Drinker, William Smith, (broker,) 
 
 Thomas Fisher, Elijah Brown, 
 
 Samuel Pleasants. Charles Eddy, 
 
 Samuel R. Fisher, Miers Fisher. 
 
97 
 
 Note. These individuals were banished to Winchester, in 
 Virginia, in the autumn of 1777, on account of the unfounded 
 jealousies of some persons then in rule. During this exile, two 
 of them died — Thomas Gilpin on 3d mo. 1, 1778, and John 
 Hunt, who was seized with a mortification in one of his legs, 
 and sunk under its amputation on 3d mo. 31, 1778. 
 
 To the Memories of Thomas Gilpin and John 
 Hunt, who died exiles in Virginia, \11S. 
 
 The feeling bosom mourns the widow's woe. 
 And shares your anguish in the afflictive blow: 
 Nature and friendship with united powers. 
 Would taste the bitter cup to sweeten yours; 
 But ah! this stroke too deep, and must demand 
 Superior strength to nature's feeble hand; 
 And may this strength sufficient be display'd. 
 Support in suffering, and your weakness aid; 
 Thro' the dark vale of woes its care extend. 
 The orphan's father and the widow's friend: 
 But, tho' deprived of what your soul held dear. 
 The kind companion and the friend sincere; 
 Though thus deprived (whose aggravated blow 
 Points the keen shaft, and swells the cup of woe,) 
 His name shall live in undecaying bloom. 
 Beyond the dreary winter of the tomb; 
 Beyond the oppressor's power shall victor rise, 
 "Who fell, to injured rights, a sacrifice;" 
 Stood for that freedom ancient patriots plann'd, 
 "The friends of law, and fathers of the land." 
 Thus firm, like them, (tho' sufferings interposed,) 
 He lived the patriot, and the christian closed. 
 And thou, dear friend of venerable name. 
 From friendship must the warm memorial claim; 
 Whose pious labours with a christian care. 
 To virtue call'd, and traced the insidious snare. 
 That led the unwary traveller's steps astray, 
 A kind director of the well known way. 
 How oft with holy zeal his spirit glow'd. 
 How from his lips th' instructive precepts flow'd. 
 And wing'd the preacher, as he soar'd sublime 
 Above the clouds that circle nature's clime; 
 9 
 
98 
 
 "Drew back the veil, the mystic truths display, 
 And on deep darkness shed the dawning day; 
 Explor'd the lost amidst each dangerous snare; 
 Confirm'd the feeble and the mourners cheer; 
 Explained the types, and from their shadows draw 
 The healing doctrine of Messiah's law; 
 Messiah's law, the christian's strength divine, 
 The living substance of the legal sign;" 
 Till warm with sacred love we view him rise, 
 An ardent claimant for his native skies; 
 Unfold in vision Heaven's immortal day, 
 And hail the dawn that broke the bands of clay. 
 Ah, favour'd soul! 'tis selfish here to mourn. 
 Shall tears defile thy venerable urn"? 
 No, rather join the chorus of the blest, 
 "And hail the pilgrim to his holy rest," 
 Where all the conflicts of probation cease, 
 And painful labours close in sacred peace. 
 Now safe from each envenom'd shaft of time. 
 No more sad exiles from your native clime; 
 With God's acceptance blest, you stand secure 
 From base oppression, and the tyrant's power; 
 Enraptur'd join your kindred race above, 
 In peaceful climes of liberty and love. 
 But why thus wrench'd from all the social ties. 
 Nature's soft claims, and friendship's" sympathies; 
 Why left the cruel bondage to deplore, 
 "And fall your victims on an exiled shorel" 
 So yours to answer at Heaven's awful bar. 
 When the swift witness, conscience, shall appear; 
 Where the mean subterfuge cannot avail. 
 And all your subtle sophistry will fail; 
 Where righteous retribution shall decide. 
 And you shall share the justice you denied. 
 
 Fidelia. 
 
99 
 
 Mary Shackleton to Sarah G. Dillwyn, wife 
 of George Dillwyn. 
 
 While now fair London's turrets rise. 
 
 With pomp majestic to thy view, 
 While joyful friends salute thine eyes, 
 
 Accept thy Mary's fond adieu; 
 
 For thou will kindly condescend. 
 
 Thy gentle spirit well I know, 
 To let thy Mary call thee friend, 
 
 Nor will she the lov'd claim forego. 
 
 O! thou, who left thy native bowers. 
 
 By nature deck'd profusely gay. 
 Where suns of brighter beam than ours, 
 
 Diffuse the golden flood of day; 
 
 Who, with thy virtuous partner dear, 
 To distant lands did'st dare to move. 
 
 His dangers and distress to cheer, 
 Fair pattern of connubial love. 
 
 Oh! when th' allotted hour shall come, 
 May he who helps in time of need. 
 
 Conduct you to your longing home. 
 
 And crown with peace that blessed meed. 
 
 Far distant then from every scene. 
 
 On poor Hibernia's humble shore, 
 The vast Atlantic rolls between. 
 
 And I must never see thee more. 
 
 When on those blooming banks reclin'd. 
 Where Delaware's broad surges roll. 
 
 Ah! think where Gricuse's waters wind, 
 Let absent friends engage thy souL 
 
 Still view that vale with partial eyes. 
 
 Where waves the academic shade; 
 And still that humble dwelling prize. 
 
 Beside the quiet river laid. 
 For here are hearts with truth sincere, 
 
 Thy social friendship fond to own, 
 The spark of love is cherish'd here, 
 
 Which floods of ocean cannot drown. 
 
100 
 
 Testimony from the Monthly Meeting of Phila- 
 delphia for the Southern Districts, concerning 
 Hannah Fisher. 
 
 Believing that a commemoration of the useful 
 lives and peaceful deaths of those who have endea- 
 voured faithfully to follow the Redeemer, in the 
 path of humility and self-denial, has often been be- 
 neficial to survivors, and tended to encourage the 
 youthful mind to yield to the precious visitations of 
 Divine love, — we are engaged to give forth a me- 
 morial concerning our beloved friend, Hannah 
 Fisher. 
 
 She was the daughter of Thomas and Mary Rod- 
 man, and was born in Newport, Rhode Island, in 
 the 4th month, 1764. Her father dying when she 
 was very young, the care of a large family devolved 
 upon her mother, to whose exemplary and judicious 
 deportment, our dear friend has often made grateful 
 acknowledgment. This maternal care, co-operating 
 with the tendering impressions of Divine love with 
 which her mind was early visited, became the 
 means of her preservation in much innocence. In 
 the year 1793, she was married to our friend Sa- 
 muel R. Fisher, and became a member of this 
 Monthly Meeting, and through the renewed and 
 humbling baptisms of the Divine Spirit, was quali- 
 fied for usefulness therein. In the year 1800, after 
 a season of deep exercise, she came forth in the mi- 
 nistry, and being faithful in the little, experienced 
 an enlargement in the gift, to the com.fort and re- 
 freshment of many. From the general tenor of her 
 conversation, and the savour of her spirit, it was 
 evident, that having received with meekness the 
 
lOL 
 
 engrafted word, and abiding patiently under its in- 
 fluence, she was enabled to bring forth good fruits: 
 hence flowed, as streams from their proper fountain, 
 her exemplary deportment; her care in frequently 
 reading the Holy Scriptures in the family; and the 
 faithful testimony which she bore, by her consistent 
 example, to that plainness and simplicity which our 
 christian principles lead into; frequently expressing 
 her thankfulness that she had been enabled to be 
 faithful herein; adding, <'I have often felt the cross 
 in it, but it has been to me a great means of pre- 
 servation/' 
 
 In her social intercourse, she evinced a mind train- 
 ed in the discipline of that charity which thinketh no 
 evil, and was ready to do unto others as she would 
 that others should do unto her. Her sympathizing 
 spirit was often drawn to visit the afflicted, and she 
 was qualified to speak a word in season to the weary. 
 To the poor she was a liberal, judicious, and feeling 
 friend. Thus, through obedience to the manifesta- 
 tions of the spirit of truth in her own mind, she was 
 enabled to do her day's work in the day time. Her 
 illness was short, but the result was not alarming to 
 her; it was evident she was in readiness. For se- 
 veral days previous to the solemn close, she was at 
 various times engaged in expressing to the different 
 members of her family and other friends, lively ex- 
 hortation, tender acknowledgment, and pertinent 
 remarks on the necessity of being prepared for the 
 final scene. To a friend sitting by her, she said, "I 
 have desired that my children may give up in the 
 morning of their day, and join hand in hand with 
 the faithful labourers in the Lord's vineyard;" add- 
 ing, **I feel nothing in my way. I feel thankful 
 in my bed of sickness, that I have given up much 
 in the cross to my natural inclination, and that I 
 have been favoured to keep the furniture of the 
 
102 
 
 house and my clothing plain and simple." At an- 
 other time, addressing her children, she said, "Live 
 in love, my dear children, may you all live in love; 
 it will sweeten every bitter cup; there is no comfort 
 without it." Again, ^'All is done, all is done. It 
 would be a pity for me to recover, I feel so re- 
 signed, so sweet, I feel as if I were already in hea- 
 v-en.'^ At another time she said, her illness had 
 been a time of suffering to the body, but not to the 
 mind; that all was comfortable there; adding, "What 
 a mercy! that when the poor body is in suffering, 
 the mind should be preserved in such tranquillity." 
 Her affliction of body appeared to be great; and she 
 once expressed, she thought a part of it might be on 
 account of survivors, that they might see it would 
 not do to put off the day's work until the evening; 
 that it was enough then to have bodily suffering. 
 In the night previous to her close, she said, *'Lord 
 I love thee; Lord thou art with me: I love thee 
 because thou hast heard my supplication. Bless the 
 Lord, my soul!" About an hour before she 
 ceased to breathe, she sweetly expressed, ^*The 
 Lord is with me; I bless his hand. I bless his 
 arm." Which, at that solemn season, clearly con- 
 veyed to the minds of those present, her resigna- 
 tion to this allotment of unerring wisdom, and her 
 thankful sense of the supporting Arm under it. 
 Near the close, she said, 'Hhe work is finished." 
 
 Thus, we believe, through the efficacy of that 
 grace to which she bore impressive testimony in 
 our meeting a few days before her removal, she has 
 been enabled to ''fight a good fight, to keep the 
 faith, and to enter into that rest which is prepared 
 for the righteous." 
 
 She died the 12th of the 9th month, 1819, in the 
 fifty-sixth year of her age. 
 
103 
 
 BENJAMIN RIDGWAY SMITH. 
 
 Obituary. Second-month 28th, 1809. 
 
 Died, yesterday morning, after a painful and lin- 
 gering illness, which he bore with the patience and 
 fortitude of a Christian, Benjamin R. Smith, son 
 of James Smith, merchant of this city, in the 22nd 
 year of his age. 
 
 Few instances of death, apparently so untimely 
 and premature, as this occur. Just entering the ca- 
 reer of busy life, with as flattering prospects, and 
 as pleasing hopes of success and respectability, as 
 any one ever commenced it with; and having every 
 tie to endear him to the world, whose troubles he 
 had not yet felt, and whose disappointments had 
 not yet wrung his youthful bosom with anguish, 
 he received the awful summons, which I doubt not 
 called him to ^'another and a better world. ^' 
 
 Nature seemed to have formed him in one of her 
 happiest moods, not indeed for a life of brilliant ex- 
 ploits, or extraordinary achievements, but for a 
 course of peaceful serenity and rational felicity, 
 under the auspices of innocence, and direction of 
 virtue. A residence of several years in Europe 
 had enabled him to collect a stock of information 
 uncommon for his years, and highly useful to him 
 as a merchant. He read and spoke the French and 
 German languages with the greatest facility, and was 
 well acquainted with the commercial regulations, 
 customs, and literature of those countries. But 
 nought did those advantages avail. In "the day 
 spring of youth," the bright morning of his life has 
 been suddenly clouded, and his sun has set to rise 
 no more." 
 
104 
 
 NICHOLAS WALN. 
 
 As the biography of some eminent men, in an- 
 cient and modern history, is little more or less than 
 the history of their own times, their country or na- 
 tions; — so it would be difficult to write the life of 
 Nicholas Waln, without allusion to the history of 
 the religious Society of Friends, during his time, 
 both in Europe and America. And yet, though he 
 had by birth, a right of membership among Friends, 
 he appears to have kept as far from them as any mo- 
 ral man could, both in profession and practice, until 
 he was about thirty years of age. The pursuit of 
 popularity and wealth then engrossed his attention; 
 and that he attained both in a remarkable degree, 
 for so young a man, was the opinion and admiration 
 of his contemporaries. 
 
 He was the son of Nicholas and Mary Wain, and 
 was born the 19th of 9th month, 1742, at Fair Hill, 
 a country place near Philadelphia, and situate be- 
 tween Germantown and Frankford. He was de- 
 prived of a father's care, before he knew the value 
 of it; or, when he was about eight years of age; but 
 was tenderly and affectionately cared for by his mo- 
 ther, who brought him up, aided by the guardian- 
 ship of her brother, the late Jacob Shoemaker. 
 
 Soon after his father's decease, he was placed at 
 a school, under the care of Friends; an institution 
 founded by charter, granted by William Penn. The 
 name of the Society of Friends, is not mentioned in 
 the charter, the seminary being called *Hhe public 
 school," in that instrument; — but, as it was founded 
 by William Penn and his contemporaries, and as 
 the incorporation was granted to overseers, chosen 
 
105 
 
 or named to him by the Monthly Meeting of Friends 
 of Philadelphia, with power to elect their own mem- 
 bers forever thereafter, it is emphatically ^'a school 
 under the care of Friends," though not under the 
 direction of the Society, nor subject to the control 
 of any Monthly or other meeting. 
 
 In this institution, under a board of overseers, at 
 that time the most eminent members of the Society, 
 Nicholas Waln received his education; not mere- 
 ly that he passed through the English departments, 
 studied the mathematics, and afterwards became a 
 good Latin scholar — but what had infinitely more 
 influence upon his after life, he was educated in the 
 principles and doctrines of the christian religion, and 
 in faith in Jesus Christ, as a living vivifying, go- 
 verning principle in the souls of men; according 
 with the doctrine of the apostle, **Examine your- 
 selves whether ye be in the faith; prove yourselves; 
 know ye not your own selves, that Jesus Christ is 
 in you, except ye be reprobates." 
 
 '<Train up a child in the way he should go, and 
 when he is old he will not depart from it." He may 
 depart from it while he \s young, — while the world 
 allures, and its vanities entice; and it is obvious that 
 many do so depart, who never return; — but when 
 young people have cherished and kept alive their 
 faith in God, thus inwardly revealed, and have suf- 
 fered him, through the power of the cross, to re- 
 strain, and, in any degree, to govern their minds, 
 though they may afterwards appear, sometimes to 
 be afar off, — and may be esteemed by their friends 
 as aliens, or even as libertines, — but they are, ne- 
 vertheless, very often brought to judgment, when 
 no human eye seeth them; and in the agony of their 
 souls, may wish to renew the covenants of youth, 
 and regain the innocence of childhood; but being 
 unstable, undecided, and, consequently, weak in the 
 
106 
 
 purpose of reform, the influence of company may 
 carry them, again and again, far and farther from 
 the path of rectitude and peace. The history of the 
 early life of Nicholas Waln, as he used to relate 
 it to his friends, and sometimes publicly, is like the 
 history of many others in these respects; but though 
 light, gay, and vain, it is evident he never wholly 
 lost the early impressions of pure religion. He 
 would not go with his companions into many vices 
 and follies, incident to such youth, — he would pe- 
 remptorily refuse; — and when they would rally him 
 for his parsimony, alleging that sordidnesss and love 
 of money was the cause of his refusal, he was will- 
 ing to be accounted mean in this respect, rather 
 than confess to them, as he ought, his regard for a 
 governing principle in his own mind, that secretly 
 restrained him from gross evils, and mercifully kept 
 him from *«many foolish and hurtful lusts, which 
 drown men in destruction and perdition.'' 
 
 Immediately after leaving school, and while yet 
 a mere lad, he commenced the study of the law, un- 
 der Joseph Galloway; devoting a part of his time in 
 acquiring the German language. In his close appli- 
 cation to study, an important habit of industry was 
 acquired; he was freed from the train of temptations 
 and evils that wait upon idleness, and, in great mea- 
 sure, freed from the company and solicitations of idle 
 young men. About this time also, he read the His- 
 tory of England, as preparatory to the study of her 
 laws, — and with a view to trace the gradual progress 
 that mankind has made in rational liberty. This is 
 commonly prescribed to law-Mudents, as a sound, 
 incipient step. Nicholas Waln read with that 
 view, and may be supposed to have attained his ob- 
 ject, — but he also attained to a knowledge, which 
 he esteemed ever after, of far greater value, — a know- 
 ledge of the unbending, inflexible, and unconquer- 
 
107 
 
 able nature of pure religion, and the christian princi- 
 ple. Many years afterwards, or when he had become 
 an eminent minister of the gospel, he described Wil- 
 liam Penn and William Mead, at their famous trial 
 at the Old Bailey, as instruments raised up to break 
 the yoke of oppression and tyranny, and to open 
 the eyes of people to their natural rights. He al- 
 leged that through their means, and the patient suf- 
 ferings of other faithful Friends, these objects have 
 been, in great measure, effected : he stated that they 
 had suffered for us, for posterity, and the good of 
 mankind; — that they had laboured, and we have 
 "entered into their labours.'^ 
 
 The broad ground of civil and religious liberty, 
 the equal and unalienable rights of men, secured to 
 the people of Pennsylvania, by the charter and le- 
 gislative acts of William Penn, he always afterwards 
 ascribed to the principles of Friends, — or in other 
 words, to the spirit of the gospel; that living, non- 
 resisting, unconquerable spirit, that is always victo- 
 rious through suffering. And, it is very reasonable 
 to suppose, his law reading had made him so inti- 
 mately acquainted with the early history of the So- 
 ciety of Friends, that it inspired a warmth or glow 
 of feeling, bordering on enthusiasm, whenever he 
 spoke of William Penn. 
 
 But to return to him, as a student. There is no 
 evidence of his religious feelings, or secret convic- 
 tions of truth, during this period of his life, but in 
 his own allusions to them, long after he had relin- 
 quished the practice of the law. He was naturally 
 vivacious, witty, and sarcastic; he delighted in gay- 
 ety and merriment, but suffered nothing to interfere 
 with his studies; and, while yet a minor, was ad- 
 mitted to practice in the courts, and it is said, ^'he 
 met with great encouragement.^^ There is no doubt 
 this was the case; he had talents and energy enough; 
 
108 
 
 but good judges of these first efforts at the bar, deem- 
 ed them premature. ''I remember," says one, "stop- 
 ping at the old court-house, corner of Second and 
 Market streets, and hearing him speak, in a cause 
 then trying. According to my impression at the 
 moment, Mr. Waln spoke with more point and 
 fervour than gracefulness." 
 
 There is a tradition, that on one occasion, he ap- 
 peared at Chester, in the stead of Joseph Galloway 
 his preceptor, without his knowledge, and gained 
 his cause. This is deemed, at least, doubtful; and 
 yet a member of the bar, well acquainted with the 
 old records, says, '*! have frequently heard the an- 
 ecdote respecting young Waln at the bar, previous 
 to his admission as an attorney, in a case in which 
 his teacher, Galloway, was concerned; and do not 
 doubt the truth of it; — though such a circumstance 
 could scarcely occur in these days." 
 
 Upon adverting to the records of Chester county, 
 it appears, he was entered, for the first time, on the 
 record of the court of common pleas, in 1763, in a 
 case, "February term," in which he was defend- 
 ant; — and that "he was employed in seven other 
 cases to the same term. In the record of the suits, 
 brought to the succeeding May term, his name oc- 
 curs three times, and a single case was all that he 
 had to the August term." In all this time he was 
 under twenty-one years of age. 
 
 Whatever might have been the opinions of others 
 of his abilities at this time, he certainly was not sa- 
 tisfied himself; and he resolved further to prosecute 
 his studies. With this view, he embarked at Ches- 
 ter, for Bristol, Great Britain, the 10th of 10th mo. 
 1763, a few weeks after he had entered the twenty- 
 second year of his age; — and, upon his arrival in 
 England, proceeded to London, where he immured 
 himself in the Temple, and entered upon his studies 
 anew. 
 
109 
 
 His early habit of attention to the object of pur- 
 suit, had here also a tendency to preserve him from 
 the idle pastimes, diversions, and dissipations of a 
 great city; and the absence of his old associates, in 
 whose company he had at home delighted to spend 
 the part of his time allotted to relaxation, in gayety 
 and frolic, — gave him leisure for reflection and re- 
 tirement. He reviewed his past life, — recurred to 
 early religious impressions, — renewed the cove- 
 nants of his youth, — and seemed resolved to begin 
 life anew. To show the state of his mind, while 
 living in this comparative retirement, the following 
 letter to his aunt Shoemaker, widow of his guardian, 
 may suffice. 
 
 London^ 20th of 1st mo. 1764. 
 
 Dear Aunt, — I have entertained an opinion that 
 it is my duty by this opportunity to write to thee, 
 for whom I have a very great regard. I am sensi- 
 ble thou hast undergone a great deal of affliction, 
 and hast been wounded with the most piercing sor- 
 row, — which has rendered it highly necessary for 
 thee to sum up all thy fortitude and patience to bear 
 up under them. There is something implanted 
 within us by our Heavenly Father, which excites 
 our grief for the death of our friends and relations, 
 and that in proportion to the affection and esteem 
 we have for them. This is a natural principle, and 
 by no means inconsistent with Christianity. But, 
 as the dispensations of Providence are always found- 
 ed upon the highest wisdom, it is undoubtedly our 
 duty to submit to them with patience and resigna- 
 tion, and to say, "Thy will be done, Father," 
 without murmuring. I am confident, dear aunt, it 
 is a hard task for flesh and blood; but, nevertheless, 
 if every thing is duly considered, as, first, that we 
 are born to know trouble, that we are placed here 
 in a state of probation, and must necessarily expect 
 10 
 
110 
 
 to meet with trials — we shall then plainly perceive 
 that we suffer nothing more, than that we fall heirs 
 to, as men, and of course, ought to be satisfied with 
 our lot. But, this is not all. Let us consider the 
 gracious promise of our Lord, the blessed Redeemer 
 of mankind, who says, "Come unto me, all ye that 
 are heavy laden, and labour, and I will give you 
 rest;" and again, "Blessed are they that mourn, for 
 they shall be comforted." These are gracious pro- 
 mises, for which we can never be enough thankful, 
 and which ought to cheer up the drooping spirits of 
 the afflicted Christian; who, by applying to the 
 great Physician of souls, will find relief and comfort 
 in the most fiery trials. Let us then not despair, 
 but place an implicit faith in Him, who is Truth 
 itself, and can never have deviated from his blessed 
 promise, but will always be with his children and 
 people. 
 
 I thank God, the Father of all mercies, that he 
 has been pleased to visit my poor soul, and convince 
 me of the errors of my conduct; and I hope I shall 
 be enabled, by his blessed assistance, to experience 
 a redemption from the things of this wicked world; 
 for really, the more I see of its vanities, the more 
 empty they appear to me, and altogether incapable 
 of affording any solid satisfaction. Cheer up, and 
 rejoice, for the time is drawing nigh, when everlast- 
 ing joy will be assigned to those who have fought 
 the good battle of faith, and have worn the cross 
 with resignation and patience. Amen. 
 I am, &c. 
 
 Nicholas Waln. 
 
 From other letters there is evidence that his stay 
 in London was a time of religious impressions, 
 though not a season of much religious improvement. 
 It does not appear, however, that he had any idea 
 
Ill 
 
 of relinquishing the law; on the contrary, there is 
 reason to believe, that when he looked towards the 
 institutions and laws of William Penn, he regarded 
 the province of Pennsylvania, as little less than a 
 Canaan, in comparison with Great Britain. In his 
 ardent temperament of mind, a friend who knew 
 him well, supposes, <nhat about this time his bril- 
 liant imagination opened to his view a field of use- 
 fulness, not merely religious, in which, like another 
 William Penn, he might become a statesman, attain 
 to wealth and great honours, and benefit mankind 
 extensively." Whether this opinion be correct or 
 not, we must leave; but when he had passed through 
 his new course of studies, and become a member of 
 the Temple society, he returned to Philadelphia, 
 after an absence of little more than a year, and re- 
 sumed the practice of the law. 
 
 The fluency with which he spoke the German 
 language, his cheerful, pleasing, and amiable man- 
 ners, together with their confidence in his integrity, 
 soon made him a favourite with the Germans, and 
 opened, in addition to his Philadelphia business, an 
 extensive and profitable practice in the county courts, 
 particularly at Lancaster and Easton; and, during 
 a period of nearly seven years, he seems to have 
 devoted every faculty of his mind to his profession, 
 and apparently with a view to make money. 
 
 A distinguished law character, having taken the 
 pains to examine the records of Lancaster, writes 
 thus: "His name first appears to a suit brought in 
 August term, 1765; and it very frequently occurs 
 after that, until he declined practice. The only one 
 living here (Lancaster) who was a fellow practition- 
 er with him, is Mr. George Ross, the son of him who 
 signed the declaration of independence. He remem- 
 bers Mr. Waln well, and speaks of his character 
 and standing at the bar, as highly respectable. 
 
112 
 
 Those who generally attended with him from the 
 city, were Alexander Wilcocks, Edward Biddle, 
 Richard (late judge) Peters, and sometimes John 
 Dickinson. From York, came James Smith, an- 
 other signer of the Declaration of Independence. 
 Mr. Waln was more in demand than any of them. 
 He was remarkably diligent and attentive to busi- 
 ness, was of a very cheerful disposition, of social 
 manners, and spoke the German fluently. All this 
 rendered him very popular, and gave him abundance 
 of business. He (Mr. Ross) mentioned one thing, 
 that is, perhaps, worth repeating. On some occa- 
 sion Mr. Ross acted with more candour and libe- 
 rality than was then usual with attorneys, — and Mr. 
 Waln told him *he was not roguish enough for a 
 lawyer.'" 
 
 From another letter the following information is 
 derived: "When he first came to the Chester coun- 
 ty bar, M^Kean, Chew, Galloway, Ross, Dickinson, 
 Read, and Price were in full practice. Johnson also 
 had some business. During his absence abroad, 
 Tilghman, Morris, and Shippen appear to have been 
 admitted. From 1765, to the time of his quitting 
 the profession, his practice continually increased, 
 notwithstanding the crowded state of the bar, and 
 the great ability of his competitors." 
 
 The late Miers Fisher, of Philadelphia, speaking 
 of Nicholas Waln, with great veneration and re- 
 spect, said, "I knew him well when he was a prac- 
 tising attorney, and after he became a religious man, 
 and a minister, and I can attest to the sacrifices he 
 made in retiring from the bar. I was much with 
 him in that period of his life, when he was in the 
 receipt of large sums from his profession, and when 
 he was remarkable for penuriousness; — and, I can 
 testify that he afterwards witnessed such a change 
 of heart, effected by the influence of religion, as en* 
 
113 
 
 abled him fully to overcome the inordinate love of 
 applause and of money." 
 
 But whether, at this period of his life, he was in- 
 ordinately fond of money or not, he was in the high 
 road of obtaining it in abundance, by a most lucra- 
 tive and successful practice; as appears from the 
 notes of one of his most intimate and confidential 
 friends; from which the following is extracted: 
 "And to crown his brilliant career at the bar, he 
 married Sarah Richardson, an only child of Joseph 
 Richardson, of Philadelphia, of large fortune; — and 
 what was infinitely of more value, possessed of every 
 endowment that could render the married life agree- 
 able and happy." Their marriage was at Friends' 
 meeting-house, on Pine street, in Philadelphia, the 
 22nd of 5th month, 1771. That she was, through 
 life, a true help-meet to him, he many times bore 
 ample testimony. 
 
 About this time, also, it appears from the records 
 of the courts, that his business, as an attorney, was 
 greatly increased, particularly in the country; but 
 the strong convictions in his own mind, that he al- 
 ludes to, in his letter from London to his aunt Shoe- 
 maker, secretly followed him, and also greatly in- 
 creased. His friend, Thomas Austin, who resided 
 near Pennepack, on the middle road from Philadel- 
 phia to Newtown, informed a friend that Nicholas 
 called at his house on his way to Newtown, where 
 the courts for Bucks county were then held, and in 
 the course of conversation told Thomas, "that he 
 was engaged in an important case, that was to come 
 before the court, relative to property." Austin re- 
 quested him to stop at his house on his return — 
 Nicholas did so; when Austin asked him how the 
 case he had spoken of was issued? Nicholas re- 
 plied, "I did the best I could for my client, gained 
 the cause for him, and thereby defrauded an honest 
 IQ* 
 
114 
 
 man out of his just due." This account was given 
 by Joshua Comly, of Mooreland, lately deceased — 
 and he related further, as from his own knowledge, 
 that ^'Nicholas Waln relinquished the practice of 
 the law at that time, and would never plead a cause 
 after the circumstance related by Austin." 
 
 In the course of a year after his marriage, he was 
 mercifully favoured with a renewed visitation. That 
 good hand that had been with him from his child- 
 hood, — that had led him and fed him all his life 
 long, now seemed to lay hold on judgment, and 
 bring all his sins into remembrance. He, by whom 
 '*God shall judge the secrets of men," even Jesus 
 Christ, who, according to the apostle, is in all men, 
 sat upon the judgment seat in his soul. The book 
 was opened, and he was judged out of those things 
 that were written in the book. His whole life, 
 even every day of his life, as he long afterward used 
 to describe the "judgment day," seemed to be ripped 
 open. Every thing that was covered, or past, was 
 revealed; — and, through the power of conviction, he 
 experienced judgment to pass upon the transgressing 
 nature. He had many times consulted with flesh 
 and blood, and reasoned himself from under strong 
 convictions; but now, through the power of con- 
 straining grace, he gave up to the heavenly visita- 
 tion. He was overwhelmed with sorrow and con- 
 trition. He was utterly disqualified for attending 
 to business, or for seeing and conversing with busi- 
 ness men. In this unsettled condition he remain- 
 ed, until he felt an impression of duty to go to the 
 Youth's meeting, held for Divine worship, on the 
 third day of the week, at the Market street house, 
 the 4th of 2nd month, 1772. 
 
 In this meeting he was constrained to kneel, in 
 public prayer to Almighty God. It was evidently 
 an unexpected thing to the whole assembly; — but 
 
115 
 
 his prayer, which seemed to be altogether on his 
 own account, and was delivered with great delibe- 
 ration, appeared to have a wonderful effect upon all 
 present; — and the effect upon the minds of his ac- 
 quaintances, as they heard of it, and indeed upon 
 the citizens generally, (for he was known to almost 
 every one,) was scarcely less humbling and remark- 
 able. 
 
 Several attempts were made to commit his prayer 
 to writing from memory, and many copies were 
 taken and circulated, — and some of them printed. 
 From a careful examination of several of them, they 
 are found slightly to disagree. The following, how- 
 ever, is believed to be substantially correct, and is 
 inserted as descriptive of the state of his mind at 
 the time.* 
 
 "Oh Lord God! arise, and let thine enemies be 
 scattered! Baptise me, — dip me, — yet deeper in 
 Jordan. Wash me in the laver of regeneration. 
 
 <'Thou hast done much for me, and hast a right 
 to expect much; — therefore, in the presence of this 
 congregation, I resign myself and all that I have, to 
 thee, Oh Lord! — it is thine: and I pray thee, Oh 
 Lord! to give me grace to enable me to continue 
 firm in this resolution. 
 
 '^Wherever thou leadest me, Oh Lord! I will fol- 
 low thee; if through persecution, or even to mar- 
 tyrdom. If my life is required, I will freely sacri- 
 fice it. Now I know that my Redeemer liveth, 
 and the mountains of difficulty are removed. Hal- 
 lelujah ! 
 
 *'Teach me to despise the shame, and the opinions 
 
 * I have frequently heard this prayer spoken of as a memora- 
 ble, striking circumstance, connected with the change produced 
 in this respected friend and relative, with whom and my dear 
 parents there was an intimacy, friendship and attachment, which 
 continued whilst they were sojourners here. My grandfather, 
 W. Logan, I find, notices it in a letter. H. L; S. 
 
116 
 
 of the people of the world. Thou knowest, Oh 
 Lord ! my deep baptisms. I acknowledge my mani- 
 fold sins and transgressions. I know my unwor- 
 thiness of the many favours I have received; and I 
 thank thee, Oh Father! that thou hast hid thy mys- 
 teries from the wise and prudent, and revealed them 
 to babes and sucklings. Amen.'^ 
 
 When the meeting ended, he hastily returned 
 home; where, being constitutionally of a nervous 
 temperament, he became quite ill. For several 
 weeks he was confined to the house, except going 
 put to meetings as they came in course; which, 
 though very feeble, he generally attended, and his 
 solid reverential deportment therein was remark- 
 able. 
 
 The following extract of a letter from William 
 Logan, of Philadelphia, to Samuel Clarke, of Lon- 
 don, has relation to this period. 
 
 Philadelphia, Sd mo. {March) 2nd, 1772. 
 
 *'It may be new to thee, perhaps, to be inform- 
 ed, that thy friend, my relation, Nicholas Waln, 
 has, from being almost at the head of the law with 
 us, in high esteem and great practice, from a very 
 sudden and unexpected change, and under a close 
 exercising visitation from an Almighty power, left 
 the calling, and is likely to become a public Friend. 
 He has yet appeared but once, and that in prayer, 
 in a large meeting for worship, — when he stepped 
 from the middle of the meeting, when full gathered, 
 into the gallery, kneeled down, and after remaining 
 some minutes in silence, he began to address the 
 Almighty; and at considerable distance of time be- 
 tween each expression, though well connected, he 
 was favoured, though under great agitation, to go 
 through, and ended to satisfaction. This happened 
 about three weeks past; since which, he has closely 
 
117 
 
 attended all our meetings (and no courts); has been 
 quite silent, but very solid and steady in his whole 
 conduct. How it may terminate, it is as yet impos- 
 sible to form any judgment. If he is rightly called 
 into the Lord's service, I make no doubt of his be- 
 ing as serviceable in the gallery, and in the society, 
 as at the bar." 
 
 For several weeks, he appeared to take no inte- 
 rest nor concern in any thing but the state of his 
 own mind, and his new views and feelings. But 
 when his health and strength were so far recovered, 
 as to admit of attending to business, his first act was, 
 deliberately to disengage himself from the care and 
 instruction of several law-students, — retaining one 
 only (the late William Lewis), that he might have 
 his assistance in closing his extensive business. But 
 this, with the attending memorable circumstances, 
 can, perhaps, in no way be better related, than by 
 inserting the following extract of a letter from 
 Frances, widow of the abovenamed Wm. Lewis. 
 
 "The worthy Mr. Waln, was always considered 
 by my deceased husband, as one of his earliest and 
 most sincere friends, — for whose memory he ever 
 retained the most exalted respect, arising from his 
 great kindness. He retained him with him, to finish 
 all the business which he was unavoidably required 
 to have ended in his own name, at the time the pious 
 change took place in his mind, that led him to leave 
 the bar, although he was the youngest and last stu- 
 dent, amongst a number of young gentlemen who 
 were at tfie same time in his office; letting them 
 know that a change in his sentiments, with regard 
 to his professional pursuits, obliged him to decline 
 their finishing their studies with him. And, at the 
 same time, he returned to each person, as an honest 
 and just man, the difierent sums of money he had 
 received from them as their law preceptor." 
 
118 
 
 Another letter from a friend of Nicholas Walk, 
 who knew all the parties and the circumstances he 
 describes, after speaking of his illness as above, says, 
 '*When he recovered, he relinquished the practice 
 of the law, and returned fees that he had received. 
 When the business had not been finished, Mr. Lewis, 
 one of his students, was sent to the county courts in 
 which he had practiced, with clients' papers and 
 money, for this purpose.'' 
 
 The letter also from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 
 from which an extract has already been given, on 
 this subject further states, '^Mr. Ross well recol- 
 lects the circumstance of his (Nicholas Waln's,) 
 sending a person to Lancaster with the papers of his 
 clients, and the fees he had received, in cases not 
 settled or decided." 
 
 What becomes now of tlie charge of sordidness, 
 or money-loving, which his industry in his profes- 
 sion, and his moderation and temperance, had fixed 
 upon him among his young associates? Those that 
 knew him best, were exceedingly surprised, and 
 wholly unable to account for the sudden and won- 
 derful change, without ascribing it to the power of 
 religion. A member of the Philadelphia bar, in a 
 letter to his friend, concludes his account of the event 
 in the following words: "In the youthful prime of 
 life, surrounded by affluence and gayety, he relin- 
 quished, seemingly, his existence in the world, — ex- 
 changed a civil for a religious life, and has become, 
 really, as well as nominally, a distinguished mem- 
 ber of the Society of Friends. Had he continued at 
 the bar, he might, probably, in the course of events, 
 have reached the first honours of his country. He 
 should not, however, without those honours, be re- 
 garded as much the less a patriot." 
 
 For several years, he led a very retired life, most- 
 ly at home, and diligently attended meetings, as 
 
119 
 
 they came in course; — and, during this period of 
 his religious childhood, his appearances, as a minis- 
 ter, were seldom, and his sermons very short and 
 weighty. 
 
 As a companion to James Thornton, in the 5th 
 and 6th months, 1774, he visited some meetings in 
 Philadelphia, Chester, Lancaster, and York coun- 
 ties. And afterwards, meeting with John Church- 
 man at a Quarterly Meeting, held at Cecil, in Ma- 
 ryland, he accompanied him to some meetings in 
 Delaware, in the 11th and 12th months of the same 
 year. But for several years, he was mostly at home 
 or near home, and grew in his gift, and in religious 
 usefulness. He attended the Yearly Meeting, held 
 at Newport for New England, — and also New York 
 and Baltimore Yearly Meetings; and the two latter, 
 many times in the course of his useful life; but it 
 was at home, and near home, in the Youth's meet- 
 ings, held quarterly, and in those large general 
 meetings, that, in those days, were held circular, 
 once a year, at suitable places through the country, 
 in which his service as a minister of the gospel was 
 best known. He seldom made general visits, never 
 apprehending it was right for him to remain from 
 home, and away from his home friends, long at a 
 time. He used to say, it was ^'better to go again, 
 twice or thrice, than overstay one's time; — for then 
 we are liable to become bewildered, and not know 
 when to return.'' 
 
 In the years 1783, 4 and 5, he visited most of the 
 meetings in England, to his own, and greatly to the 
 satisfaction of Friends. He embarked on this jour- 
 ney the 5th of 6th month, 1783, and returned home 
 the 5th of 9th month, 1785; being absent tvvo years 
 and three months. John Townsend, John Storer, 
 and Thomas Colley, on a religious visit to Friends 
 in America, came over sea with him on his return. 
 
120 
 
 Ten years afterwards, accompanied by David Ba- 
 con, of Philadelphia, an elder, he visited Friends in 
 Ireland, and thence, passing through some parts of 
 England, again returned home in the 10th month, 
 1796, after an absence of one year and four months. 
 
 As a minister of the gospel, he would be described, 
 or classed, very differently, at different periods of 
 his life. From about the year 1780, until some time 
 after his return from his second religious visit in 
 Great Britain, (1796,) he was a great preacher, very 
 popular among Friends, and greatly admired and 
 followed by those who were not Friends. From 
 about 1796 to 1S13, when he died, his preaching 
 was mostly of a different character; his communica- 
 tions being generally in few words, but weighty, 
 and adapted to particular states, rather than doctri- 
 nal. A man of observation and good judgment, who 
 knew him intimately all his life, in a letter to his 
 friend, writes thus: "As a public speaker among 
 Friends, his eminent talents are well known. His 
 discourses were liberal, practical, and comprehen- 
 sive; and, I believe, much admired by all classes." 
 A more correct description of him as a preacher at 
 home, and at all times, could not be given. 
 
 He bore an upright and faithful testimony against 
 an hireling ministry, — and his preaching was so 
 searching, that on this, and other subjects, it was 
 not unusual for people to call on him, to inquire 
 whether he had allusion to them. "Put me, I pray 
 thee, into the priest's office, that I may eat a piece 
 of bread." On this text he preached a memorable 
 sermon at the Market street house, in Philadelphia, 
 when several young ministers, (Friends,) were so 
 touched that they waited on Nicholas to inquire if 
 he had allusion to them., or any of them? He satis- 
 fied them that he had not, but, on the contrary, they 
 had his near sympathy and unity. Not long after- 
 
121 
 
 wards it became known, that a stranger, a young 
 student of divinity (so called) was present, who, be- 
 ing convinced by what he heard, relinquished his 
 prospect of preaching, and returned home. 
 
 In a large public meeting in London, he arose 
 with these words: "The lawyers, the priests, and 
 the doctors, these are the deceivers of men." 
 
 At a Youth's meeting, held at Abington, the day 
 succeeding one of their Quarterly meetings, James 
 Simpson having first appeared in a short, lively tes- 
 timony, Nicholas rose, and preached a most power- 
 ful and impressive sermon; — standing about an hour, 
 and then kneeled in supplication. The whole as- 
 sembly seemed to be baptized together, and so co- 
 vered with solemnity, that when Friends shook 
 hands to break up the meeting, no one would rise! 
 After a pause, Nicholas said, "Under the solemn 
 covering we are favoured with, perhaps Friends had 
 better separate;" when a few young men near the 
 door rose upon their feet; — but, observing the meet- 
 ing had not broken up, they again took their seats, 
 and the assembly continued to sit in silence some 
 time longer. Richard Jordan then rose and said 
 aloud, "Hosanna! blessed is he that cometh in the 
 name of the Lord." He said a few sentences more 
 to define the blessedness of such seasons of favour; 
 after which Friends again taking one another by the 
 hand, the meeting ended; — and a friend who was 
 present and preserved this account, remarked, that 
 <^it seemed to him no one wished to enter into con- 
 versation w^ith another." 
 
 Many such descriptions of his meetings might be 
 given: — to those that remember him as a preacher 
 they are not necessary — a memorial of him lives in 
 their remembrance — and yet, as the following ex- 
 tract from a friend's letter, has relation to Philadel- 
 phia, and is in itself a memorial of the evening meet- 
 11 
 
122 
 
 ings, formerly held in the Market street house, it will 
 be acceptable to every one. After announcing the 
 time of Nicholas Waln's decease, he says, "His 
 ministry was so remarkable and profound, that I 
 yet remember with peculiar satisfaction the savour 
 of many communications at the evening meetings, 
 at the Market street house, which appeared to bap- 
 tize those favoured congregations in the living 
 streams of consolation." 
 
 Perhaps few meetings held by Friends were more 
 remarkable, or more generally useful, than those 
 evening meetings. They were always large, often 
 attended by foreigners, and strangers from every 
 part of the Union, particularly while congress held 
 their sessions in Philadelphia. And here, Nicholas 
 Waln, and other eminent ministers of his day, were 
 often lead to preach the gospel, in the demonstration 
 of the spirit and with power; — opening with clear- 
 ness the primary and fundamental ground of the 
 faith and doctrines of the Christian religion, as held 
 by the Society of Friends, — showing that they are 
 in accordance with the scriptures, and emanate im- 
 mediately from Christ himself, the great minister of 
 the sanctuary, and the teacher sent from God into 
 the hearts of all men; — that faith in him, and obe- 
 dience to him, makes men whole; — that he cleanses, 
 by his baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost, from 
 every defilement of flesh and spirit, washes in the 
 laver of regeneration, and makes clean and white 
 the souls of them that believe in him — not tradition- 
 ally and historically, but practically in his living, in- 
 ward, spiritual appearance; and, therefore, **he is 
 the Saviour of all men who believe;" saving them 
 from the guilt and consequence of sin, and making 
 them meet for an entrance in the kingdom of heaven. 
 In those days, we heard little of the charge of in- 
 
123 
 
 fidelity and deism, as malignantly urged against 
 Friends, in the beginning, by hireling priests, and 
 ministers of the letter. The people would not hear 
 it; — they could not bear it; as they heard and felt, 
 that no people on earth could more firmly and un- 
 equivocally believe in Jesus Christ, as their alone 
 Almighty Saviour, than the Society of Friends! The 
 people, again, would not listen to the charge, that 
 Friends denied the divinity of Christ, — for they 
 heard and they understood their doctrine and testi- 
 mony, that he is God; that is, that the '^gospel spi- 
 rit," or "the spirit of Truth,'' Friends preach as 
 the universal and Almighty Saviour, is one forever 
 with the spirit of God, according with the. testimony 
 of Jesus Christ, '*I and my Father are one." 
 
 But, though so popular as a minister, Nicholas 
 Waln was humble as a little child. Oliver Paxson, 
 speaking of him, expressed his opinion in the fol- 
 lowing words: ^^As a great man, as a wise man, as 
 a learned man, and as a rich man, I know none 
 possessed of as much childlike humility and simpli- 
 city, as Nicholas Waln. '' Great he certainly was, 
 in many respects; — he was great as a disciplinarian, 
 and his "childlike humility and simplicity" made 
 him such. 
 
 In this character, his example and influence could 
 only be known in the society; for all their meetings 
 of discipline are held select. The following ex- 
 tracts from the letters of several Friends, express 
 the estimation in which he was held, and particular- 
 ly as a disciplinarian. 
 
 "In reference to our dear deceased friend, Nicho- 
 las Waln, I feel entirely prepared to agree with 
 thee in the opinion that he was *good and great.' 
 Although singular, he was one who had submitted, 
 in an extraordinary degree, to the cross of Christ; 
 and, as a consequence, I believe, had fewer faults, 
 
124 
 
 and more virtues, than most of us; and as such an 
 one, I always highly appreciated his character. I 
 can well remember some of his powerful sermons, 
 replete with gospel truths, and delivered in strains 
 of the most persuasive eloquence, and christian fer- 
 vour; and which made impressions of the best and 
 most edifying kind. I retain also pleasing recollec- 
 tions of his example, in meetings of business, as a 
 firm supporter of the salutary rules of the discip- 
 line, — also as a consistent member, whose conduct 
 in those meetings furnished indubitable evidence of 
 a benevolent heart, accompanied by humility and 
 condescension." 
 
 "Although he was a man of no ordinary talents, 
 and had great influence in society, he was remark- 
 able for condescension, preferring the unity of his 
 friends, to carrying any measure, however desira* 
 ble." 
 
 <<He was an original, being no man's copy, and 
 remarkable for independence of mind. He feared 
 no one, in doing what he believed to be his duty, 
 and sought not the applause of men. Faithful friends, 
 and even children, loved him, but hypocrites feared 
 him. He possessed much of this world's goods, but 
 was abstemious, and lived a life of self-denial." 
 
 In the preparative, Monthly, and Quarterly Meet- 
 ings, his ^'condescension" was indeed remarkable: 
 he seemed to keep on the back ground, giving eve- 
 ry member, even the least, full opportunity to speak; 
 and, as correct judgment was arrived at, he seemed 
 rather to follow than to make any feel that he led 
 them; and thus his fellow members had opportunity 
 allowed, to exercise their own gifts, individually. 
 
 In Yearly Meetings, and in the Meeting for Suf- 
 ferings, though still remarkable for condescension, 
 he was more prompt and active. It was in these 
 superior meetings, more particularly, that superfi- 
 
125 
 
 cial or disorderly members feared him. He loved 
 simplicity, — he loved modesty and innocent bold- 
 ness, in Friends who were active in meetings for 
 discipline; — but every thing like affected sanctity, 
 or an attempt to make fine speeches, he would put 
 down, and sometimes by irony the most cutting and 
 severe, in a manner altogether peculiar to himself, 
 and which no one would attempt to imitate. If it 
 could not always be said of him, as William Penn 
 said of George Fox, that "he was a discerner of 
 other men's spirits, and master of his own;" it was, 
 nevertheless, most true of him, at times. But as his 
 natural vivacity and pungent wit remained with him 
 to the last, his own spirit might, on some occasions, 
 have got the dominion over him through them — but 
 it was only momentary, for his natural disposition 
 was, in a wonderful manner, subjected to the go- 
 vernment of Truth, — and therefore it would be diffi- 
 cult to conceive an instance, wherein vivacity and 
 wit were so little out of place, and so consistent with 
 a religious character. But if, on account of this ex- 
 ception, he was not always, and at all times, master 
 of his own spirit, he had a remarkable faculty, or 
 gift, in discerning that of other men; and hence it 
 was that hypocrites feared him; — aspiring spirits 
 feared him; — and all who were enemies of the cross 
 of Christ in themselves, but great advocates for it in 
 other men, also feared him. 
 
 Whenever a forward, unsanctified spirit, was ap- 
 parent in an}^, through creaturely activity, or zeal 
 without knowledge, in meetings for discipline, he 
 would withstand such an one to the face, and in the 
 face of the meeting; because they were to be blamed, 
 and not tolerated — esteeming all such, as meddlers 
 and busy-bodies. And hence, at one Yearly Meet- 
 ing in particular, it was a time of close exercise and 
 suffering to him, throughout, occasioned mostly by 
 11* 
 
126 
 
 strangers, from other parts: he thought their minis- 
 try was superficial, — that they run into the expres- 
 sion of many words, without life and power, in- 
 stead of keeping in their gifts, or, as he used to 
 express it, *'in the cool, deliberate life of the prin- 
 ciple" — but truth seemed to be over all, at the last, 
 and the meeting was favoured to end well. 
 
 But a new trial awaited his sensitive and exer- 
 cised mind from another quarter. As friends were 
 taking one another by the hand, to separate until 
 another year, a Friend, who was an elder and over- 
 seer, said to Nicholas, **Thou hadst better now go 
 out of town, to thy country place !^' — meaning, as 
 he afterwards explained, no more than to recom- 
 mend the country as a favourable place for relaxa- 
 tion and rest, which he so much needed. But, he had 
 made a most unhappy choice of time and place, — 
 he spoke to him under the observation of many other 
 friends, — and his manner appeared to be dictatorial, 
 ungracious, and unfeeling, and seemed to mean more 
 than was expressed; — implying censure, if not re- 
 proof, for his steady and firm opposition to those 
 "aspiring spirits.^' 
 
 Nicholas made no reply, — seemed scarcely to 
 notice or hear what was said, and presently went 
 home; but in the afternoon he called on the Friend 
 for an explanation. 
 
 When he entered the house he found himself, 
 unexpectedly, in the midst of a large company of 
 Friends. He looked around the circle, as he stood 
 at the parlour door, and said aloud, "What! what! 
 what! What does all this mean?" The Friend ex- 
 plained. The}'^ are the overseers of our monthly 
 
 meeting. J. H- , having a complaint of debt 
 
 against J. W. , who has removed from the city, 
 
 J. H has objected to his having a certificate of 
 
 membership until the debt is paid; and as J. W 
 
127 
 
 is now in the city attending the Yearly Meeting, the 
 overseers have taken this opportunity to have the 
 parties together. 
 
 "Well/' said Nicholas, *<If that is all, you may 
 
 go. H , call at my office to-morrow morning, 
 
 at nine o'clock, and I will give thee thy money. — 
 Now you may go, — you may all go;" — waving his 
 hand towards the door, and immediately the room 
 was cleared. 
 
 A chair having been placed for Nicholas, and 
 he kindly invited to be seated, the parties were now 
 alone; as they ought to have been, when the admo- 
 nition was given in the morning. A profound si- 
 lence continued for some time; — when Nicholas, 
 changing his position in his chair, looked steadfastly 
 at the Friend for some time, and then said, with 
 great deliberation and emphasis, "Thou art a young 
 man!" '^I know it, Nicholas," said the Friend. 
 "I know it: — and I always esteemed thee as a fa- 
 ther. I had no intention to wound thy feelings, by 
 what I said to thee this morning, after meeting; — 
 or to express any censure or disapprobation; — far 
 from it — and if I have hurt thee, I am sorry for it." 
 Another interval of silence ensued, when Nicholas 
 arose, kindly took leave, and returned home. 
 
 Thus, by "dwelling in love, and keeping low in 
 the feeling state," which was Nicholas Waln's 
 continual recommendation to all his friends, in cases 
 of trial or difficulty, the elder could acknowledge 
 his fault, and Nicholas could forgive it; and a deep 
 wound that had been given unnecessarily, and un- 
 deservedly, was healed. 
 
 This is the true ground of reconciliation upon 
 christian principles, according with the discipline 
 and practice of Friends; — and as long as they keep 
 to gospel order herein, "dwelling in love, and keep- 
 ing low in the feeling state,'' unity can be maintain- 
 
128 
 
 ed; for no case can arise that is too hard, or too diffi- 
 cult for the members of the church of Christ. "No- 
 thing is impossible unto them." They can cast out 
 devils, even legions of devils, — they can cure all 
 manner of diseases, even the most inveterate; they 
 can take up serpents, wherever they make their ap- 
 pearance, and if they drink any deadly thing, it 
 shall not hurt them. 
 
 But the reverse of all this is most true, as it re- 
 lates to them who lose the christian spirit, and judge 
 and act as mere men: — they can no longer '*keep 
 low" in their condition; it is impossible unto them; 
 and hence they become wise and lifted up; — strong 
 and unrelenting, and they always demand the utter- 
 most farthing; — and with good reason, as they be- 
 lieve: — having justice on their side, as they imagine, 
 they take an offending brother by the throat, not 
 knowing or regarding it, that they have a Master in 
 heaven ! "If ye forgive not men their trespasses, 
 neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." 
 
 He had a most exalted idea of the unity and har- 
 mony of religious society, as inseparable from its 
 strength, — and considered it as an evidence of Di- 
 vine approbation. From the unity of the spirit in 
 the bond of peace, the church, according to his doc- 
 trine, derived all its authority and power, which he 
 regarded as the power of God: — and with this un- 
 derstanding, he would sometimes preach the scrip- 
 ture doctrine with awful authority; * ^Whatsoever 
 ye shall bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven; — 
 and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth, shall be 
 loosed in heaven;" producing conviction on the 
 minds of the auditory, that was absolutely irresist- 
 ible. 
 
 In all cases, where this unity was attained and 
 defined, he considered himself bound by it, what- 
 ever his previous views and apprehensions might 
 
129 
 
 have been. And whenever disunity, or opposition 
 to it, manifested itself in any, he considered them 
 on dangerous ground. Those that remember Nicho- 
 las Waln, in meetings for discipline, will remem- 
 ber his views of the sin of "rebellion against the 
 mind and judgment of Truth, ^' and his impressive 
 manner of describing its effects and certain conse- 
 quences. 
 
 When the residue of an Indian tribe, set up a 
 claim to some lands in an adjacent state, on which, 
 among others, several families of Friends were set- 
 tled, — the claim was resisted as illegal; the present 
 owners having derived their titles from others, and 
 fully paid for their lands. Those Friends were at 
 that time, members of a Monthly and Quarterly 
 Meeting which belonged to the Yearly Meeting held 
 in Philadelphia, and the subject was brought up, as 
 involving a case of difficulty, for its advice and 
 judgment. It was considered by the Yearly Meet- 
 ing to be a matter of great importance, nearly affect- 
 ing a considerable number of the members of socie- 
 ty; and was referred by the Yearly Meeting to the 
 careful investigation of the Meeting for Sufferings, 
 with direction to report their sense and judgment. 
 Nicholas Waln was a member of that meeting, — 
 the subject was duly considered in all its parts, and 
 their decision, waiving all considerations of law, or 
 legal possession through lapse of time, was based 
 upon the principle of justice, and required that full 
 and ample remuneration be made to those Indians, 
 who were regarded as the rightful owners — and the 
 Yearly Meeting adopted their report, with entire 
 unanimity, and forwarded it as their judgment to 
 the proper Quarterly Meeting. 
 
 Soon after this the subject was brought before the 
 Yearly Meeting a second time, but now, as a matter 
 of charge against the Monthly Meeting in question. 
 
130 
 
 they having refused to comply with the advice of 
 the Yearly Meeting! Nicholas Waln was at the 
 table as clerk; — the meeting regarded the position 
 that the Monthly Meeting had taken, as unjustifia- 
 ble. Upon the opening of the afternoon sitting, 
 Nicholas rose, and said, — **Pride goeth before de- 
 struction, and an aspiring spirit before a fall. I wish 
 we may all experience that state, wherein we can 
 say. Thy will be done. As for this business, I have 
 travelled in it, as much as any Friend; — and if the 
 authority of the Meeting for Sufferings, and the au- 
 thority of this Meeting, is to be trampled upon by 
 a Monthly Meeting of insurgents, (for I consider 
 them to be in the same spirit with the insurgents 
 against government) — I wish to give up every office 
 I hold in society!" 
 
 But though he would thus sometimes exalt the 
 standard of Truth, with relation to church power, it 
 was in order to set it over wrong things, and over 
 imaginations, and evil spirits made manifest in 
 them, — but not over the consciences or religious 
 feelings of his brethren. No friend could be more 
 tender and tolerant, or had more regard to the civil 
 and religious rights of men. 
 
 In the city of Bristol, in England, Friends had 
 been in the practice of holding a two weeks' meet- 
 ing, in the nature of a Monthly Meeting; — that is, it 
 was their executive meeting, dealing with offenders 
 and otherwise administeringthe discipline, asMonth- 
 ly Meetings, elsewhere. This had been of long stand- 
 ing, and Friends there were attached to it, as suit- 
 ing, in their apprehension, their own circumstances. 
 They also held a meeting once in three months, in 
 the character of a Quarterly Meeting, composed of 
 the same members, to which their two weeks' meet- 
 ing was amenable. That is, Bristol Friends were 
 
131 
 
 as judge and jury in all cases relating to themselves, 
 in church aflfairs. 
 
 When Nicholas was first in England on a reli- 
 gious visit, he was at Bristol, and became acquainted 
 with this singular circumstance, and with the un- 
 easiness of the Yearly Meeting, held in London, with 
 regard to it. But, according to the practice of 
 Friends, they had a right to hold such meetings as 
 best suited themselves; — and, besides, those meet- 
 ings were of long standing, and Friends were at- 
 tached to their institutions because they were an- 
 cient. The evil was apparent, but there was no 
 remedy without the consent of Bristol Friends 
 themselves. 
 
 Nicholas Waln met a committee of their Yearly 
 Meeting at Bristol, and was instrumental in bring- 
 ing about a salutary change. The following extract 
 from a letter which he wrote to James Pemberton, 
 of Philadelphia, will show that he did not consider 
 Bristol Friends as "insurgents." Their case was 
 a matter of religious freedom, and of right. It will 
 also show the practice of society in relation to lay- 
 ing down meetings. 
 
 Bristol, \st o/lOfh month, 1783. 
 
 "Dear Friend, — I received thy favour of 26th 
 of 7th month, 1783, by John Elliott, who, with 
 some other Friends, a committee of the Yearly 
 Meeting, came here on a visit to Friends of Bristol. 
 
 In this city they hold a two weeks^ meeting, in na- 
 ture of a Monthly Meeting, and a Quarterly Meet- 
 ing which is made up of the same Friends: so that 
 on appeals, &c. it is ab eadem; ad eundem. Some 
 reasons induced the Yearly Meeting to promote 
 their being joined to some county, and instead of a 
 two weeks' meeting, to hold a monthly meeting. 
 This met with opposition from those who are at- 
 
132 
 
 tached to old usages; but through some close labour, 
 they have agreed to become a branch of Somerset 
 Quarterly Meeting. This alteration, I hope, will 
 be beneficial. 
 
 John Pemberton and William Matthews, I be- 
 lieve, are in Ireland, and Robert Valentine in the 
 north of England. 
 
 Thy loving friend, 
 
 Nicholas Waln." 
 
 "This alteration, '' says he, "I hope will be bene- 
 ficial. '^ It has been brought about through '^some 
 close labour;" not to coerce Friends of Bristol, but 
 to convince and gain them; — and they accordingly 
 "agreed to become a branch of Somerset Quarterly 
 Meeting." 
 
 Several years after his return from this visit, and 
 before he went to Europe the second time, two 
 monthly meetings in a neighbouring city, disagreed 
 exceedingly about their property, and mostly about 
 ownership in a valuable lot, partly appropriated as 
 a burying-ground. The case was the more trying, 
 and difficult of satisfactory adjustment, because all 
 the Friends concerned had, at one time, been mem- 
 bers of one Monthly Meeting. But both meetings 
 believed they were contending only for their rights, 
 and each considered the other's views, and their 
 practices accordingly, as wrong: both of them were 
 anxious for a settlement and termination of strife 
 and contention, but desirous also of victory. 
 
 In this situation it was natural for concerned 
 members to look towards Nicholas Waln. Pie 
 was a good judge of legal questions, and was known 
 to be a peace-maker; — and though not a member 
 even of the Yearly Meeting, within which the diffi- 
 culty existed, the whole case was submitted for his 
 consideration and judgment by a Friend who, like 
 
133 
 
 Nicholas Waln, loved peace and harmony in re- 
 ligious society, and who suggested the propriety of 
 his attending their monthly meeting. The follow- 
 ing is an extract from his answer. 
 
 **The subject of thy last letter has claimed and 
 obtained my attention; — but I should hope, that if 
 patience is abode in, wisdom may be vouchsafed to 
 conduct the business to a right conclusion, which I 
 trust is the desire of Friends generally. And though 
 there may be variety of prospects, and difference of 
 sentiment, yet as we dwell in love, and keep low in 
 the feeling state, we are sometimes favoured with a 
 sense of what is proper to be done, and so unite with 
 the judgment of Truth ; and which, when known, we 
 dare not oppose. It is not very probable that I shall 
 attend your monthly meeting, knowing, of myself, 
 I can do nothing; and unless 1 am sent, I shall not 
 profit the people. 
 
 I am thine, &c. 
 
 Nicholas Waln." 
 
 The nature of that government in religious socie- 
 ty, which we profess to be Divine, cannot perhaps 
 be better described. "To dwell in love, and keep 
 low in the feeling state," are among the means 
 through which we arrive at "the judgment of Truth," 
 which is the judgment of Christ, — and "when this 
 is known, we dare not oppose." No difficulty can 
 arise among Friends, until the unity is broken, and 
 love is lost; and wherever this unhappily takes place 
 in any, there is an end of "keeping low in the feel- 
 ing state,'^ — "the judgment of truth" cannot be 
 known, though it may be professed; and without it, 
 our own judgments soon carry us beyond the bounds 
 of charity and brotherly kindness! "Hereby shall 
 all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have 
 love one unto another!" 
 12 
 
1S4 
 
 The following extract from a letter to a particu- 
 lar friend in Baltimore, dated 5th month, 1799, ex- 
 hibits the sympathetic feelings of the mind of Nicho- 
 las Waln; and, while it manifests his concern for 
 the future welfare and preservation of his friend, 
 it shows a sound, discriminating judgment in the 
 writer. 
 
 **Dear Friend, — Although I have not taken an 
 opportunity of expressing my sympathy with thee 
 and thy children, under your great and afflicting 
 loss, yet I think I was strongly impressed with cor- 
 dial sorrow; which was much alleviated by the hope 
 of her being gone to the peaceful abodes of the 
 righteous. She was one, for whom I had great love 
 and esteem: and although it may appear early to 
 give a caution, in respect to a future matrimonial 
 connexion, yet I have seen so many mistakes made 
 in this respect, that I feel a liberty to express a wish, 
 that if such a prospect should open, thou would care- 
 fully examine, solidly deliberate, and deeply search 
 after the mind of Truth." 
 
 That kind of admonition and advice, which is 
 generally considered as more in place in meetings of 
 discipline, Nicholas Waln would sometimes give 
 very impressively at the close of meetings for wor- 
 ship. 
 
 On one occasion, in a time of severe, cold weather, 
 at the close of a large meeting on first-day evening, 
 in the Market street house, he rose and said — 
 **There are two cautions which I wish to prevail in 
 our society. I wish we may give no factitious 
 notes. I wish we may be punctual in our promises 
 and just in the payment of our debts, — and when 
 we have paid every body, be kind to the poor!" 
 
 The practice of banking, in Philadelphia, had its 
 origin in his time; and the number of banks had in- 
 creased, from one, which was at first thought suffi- 
 
135 
 
 cient, to ten or twelve, and occasioned an entire 
 change in money transactions, from what he had 
 been accustomed to. Nicholas Waln highly dis- 
 approved of their multiplication, and predicted that 
 in times of difficulty, failures of banking companies 
 would take place, or that their notes would depre- 
 ciate in value, and the community suffer loss. Be- 
 sides, he wholly disapproved of factitious notes, and 
 the practice of endorsements upon them to raise mo- 
 ney; and often laboured faithfully, in meetings for 
 discipline, that Friends might conduct their busi- 
 ness as much as possible, without dependance upon 
 banks for accommodation. In these respects he had 
 many fellow-labourers; several of whom, and per- 
 haps the most distinguished, resided in Philadel- 
 phia; but within the Yearly Meeting, particularly 
 before the incorporation of country banks, they were 
 found among the representatives, more or less, of 
 every Quarterly Meeting. And whenever the great 
 question of trade and business, or Friends' conduct 
 and practices therein, was considered, (which takes 
 place once a year,) 'Hhe judgment of truth'^ was de- 
 cidedly opposed to the common maxims, and com- 
 mon practices of the times, and in accordance with 
 Friends' ancient testimonies, that led them through 
 the paths of self-denial, into moderation, and made 
 them way-marks unto others. And as the Yearly 
 Meeting sometimes committed to writing their sense 
 and judgment on this important subject, the follow- 
 ing minutes are given as in accordance with the 
 'Hwo cautions,'^ and the religious principles of 
 Nicholas Waln. 
 
 <*We warn our members against a pernicious 
 practice amongst the trading part of the communi- 
 ty, which has often issued in the ruin of those con- 
 cerned therein, viz: that of raising and circulating a 
 kind of paper credit, with endorsements, to give it 
 
136 
 
 an appearance of value, without an intrinsic reality; 
 a practice which, as it appears to be inconsistent 
 with the truth we profess, we declare our disappro- 
 bation of, and entreat every member of our society 
 to avoid and discourage." 
 
 **We also caution all in membership with us, to 
 avoid entering into joint securities with others, un- 
 der the specious plea of rendering acts of kindness; 
 many by so doing, having been suddenly ruined, 
 and their innocent wives and children reduced to 
 deplorable circumstances. *Be not thou (said the 
 wise man) one of them that strike hands; or of them 
 that are sureties for debt. If thou hast nothing to 
 pay, why should he take away thy bed from under 
 thee.'" 
 
 <*We affectionately desire, that Friends may wait 
 for Divine counsel in all their engagements, and not 
 suffer their minds to be hurried away, by an inor- 
 dinate desire of worldly riches; remembering the 
 observation of the apostle in his day, and so often 
 sorrowfully verified in ours; 'they who will be rich 
 fall into temptation and a snare,' and erring from 
 the faith, 'pierce themselves through with many 
 sorrows.' Even when riches to any extraordinary 
 degree have been amassed, by the successful indus- 
 try of parents, how often have they proved like 
 wings to their children, carrying them beyond the 
 limitations of Truth into liberties repugnant to our 
 religious testimonies, and sometimes into enterprises 
 which have terminated in irreparable damage to 
 their temporal affairs, if not an entire forgetfulness 
 of the great work of the soul's salvation." 
 
 In the sequel it will be seen that * 'factitious 
 notes," endorsed ''under the specious plea of ren- 
 dering acts of kindness," made his widow poor, and 
 deprived two of his sons who had no agency in the 
 transaction, of a fair inheritance, and that too with- 
 out benefiting the other, as his affectionate and ex- 
 
1S7 
 
 cellent mother intended, when she put all, without 
 fully knowing, perhaps, what she did, to the hazard 
 of the often deceptive probabilities of mercantile 
 speculation and trade, — in which she had no neces- 
 sary concern. But as this disastrous event occurred 
 after his decease, we will return to Nicholas 
 Waln, and consider him as a member of the school 
 corporation. 
 
 He was many years an '^overseer of the public 
 schools, founded by charter in the town and county 
 of Philadelphia," the institution in which he had 
 received his education. Under the care of these 
 overseers, there are twelve or fourteen different 
 schools, and sometimes more, situated in different 
 parts of the city and districts, in which many of the 
 children of Friends, and many more that are not 
 members, receive their school-learning. 
 
 In one of these seminaries, the Latin and Greek 
 languages are taught, — in another, the mathematics 
 generally, and the higher branches of an English 
 education, — while in the others, reading, writing, 
 arithmetic, English grammar, geography, and the 
 introductory branches of mathematical science — and 
 of these latter, several are for female children. 
 
 From the foundation of this institution, by the 
 Friends of Philadelphia, to whom William Penn 
 granted the charter, as aforesaid, to the present time, 
 many orphans and other poor children, some of them 
 Friends, but far the greater number in his time, not 
 members, have received their school-learning free of 
 any charge or expense to their friends, or the pub- 
 lic; and, besides, all their books and necessary ap- 
 paratus are furnished gratis, and, in the winter sea- 
 son, they are comfortably clothed. They wear no 
 badge, or uniform, to distinguish them from the 
 other children; they are not known in the schools 
 as charity scholars, and indeed, in many cases, do 
 12* 
 
138 
 
 not know they are such, themselves. As there has 
 been from fifty to a hundred of this description of 
 children in the schools at one time, — it is believed 
 that thousands have, in this way, freely acquired an 
 education to fit them for business, without the know- 
 ledge of the public through any channel whatever. 
 "Let not thy left hand know what thy right hand 
 doeth." 
 
 For the superintendence of the education of so 
 large a number of children, the overseers, dividing 
 themselves into committees and sub-committees, 
 visit the schools quarterly, and sometimes monthly; 
 and even oftener, on occasions. Nicholas Waln 
 was one of the committee having charge of the Latin 
 schools — but this did not prevent his visits, which 
 were often memorable, to the others. These visits 
 were not considered official; — it would appear from 
 his manner, at first, that they were mere calls, — 
 that he had no particular object; but the counte- 
 nances of the children would brighten at his plea- 
 santry, or smile at his remarks, as he would walk 
 through the passages towards the teacher's seat. On 
 one occasion, particularly, a class was reading, and 
 he took a book in hand '<to look over." After 
 hearing them all, he began to read himself; — but he 
 ,had not proceeded far, when his voice began to fail, 
 as though he was affected with his subject; — when, 
 closing the book, he preached a most thrilling, im- 
 pressive, and instructive sermon, in such simple 
 terms, that little children could understand, and 
 many of them well remembered when they became 
 men. 
 
 From what has been said, it will be apparent, that 
 the duties of overseers, were not considered by them 
 merely of a literary nature — they felt a religious, 
 and almost a parental care over the the children; — 
 and therefore required by their printed rules, that 
 
139 
 
 were placed in a conspicuous place in every room, 
 that the scriptures should be read daily in every 
 school, and that their teachers should bring the 
 scholars with them to the meetings for worship, in 
 the district of the city, where they were kept — and 
 hence, overseers saw the children that were placed 
 under their care once a week, in some one of the 
 several meetings. 
 
 Nicholas Waln was a member of the southern 
 district, or Pine street meeting, and generally at- 
 tended some others, as they came in course; and 
 that kind of feeling in them, as described in the let- 
 ter of a friend, on another occasion, was often expe- 
 rienced; **which seemed to baptise those favoured 
 congregations, in the living streams of consolation," 
 of which there are many who were made partakers, 
 when among the school children, and who, at this 
 distant period of time, are living witnesses. 
 
 It is a great mistake to suppose that children are 
 not capable of religious understanding. Nicholas 
 Waln, from his own testimony, received impres- 
 sions in his childhood that he never wholly lost; to 
 w^hich afterwards he adverted, as the means, under 
 a divine and merciful providence, of his redemption 
 and salvation. He could not feel indifferent, there- 
 fore, to the religious, guarded education of children. 
 That this care and his preaching were blessed to 
 many of them, the following instance in one family, 
 may suffice to show. 
 
 A man of some note and distinction in the city, 
 had married his wife abroad, and brought her from 
 among her friends, the Moravians, and away from 
 the religious institutions in which she had been edu- 
 cated, to reside in Philadelphia, a stranger — and a 
 stranger she seemed inclined to be, living very re- 
 tired, or making very few acquaintances, out of her 
 husband's family circle. She was the mother of 
 
140 
 
 several children; one of which she lost while an 
 infant, and for which she sorrowed exceedingly. 
 After several years had elapsed, she felt inclined to 
 seek consolation, or at least, alleviation of her own 
 feelings, by attending at some place of public wor- 
 ship; — and she went alternately to several, and 
 heard several popular preachers; but as her distress 
 was greatly increased by what she heard and read 
 of the doctrines of religious professors, she con- 
 cluded again to resume her state of seclusion from 
 the world; which she did for some time. But hear- 
 ing afterwards a good account of the Methodists, 
 she concluded to go and hear them: she did so, se- 
 veral times a week, for several weeks; and though 
 she believed they placed less reliance upon water 
 baptism, and other outward ordinances and ceremo- 
 nies than others, yet their manner of worship did 
 not suit the state of her exercised mind, and she 
 concluded to look no further. She saw nothing for 
 herself but retirement; and thought no human being 
 had ever been in her condition; which admitted, as 
 she supposed, of no happiness or enjoyment in this 
 life. 
 
 During this time of close trial and religious exer- 
 cises, her eldest son, a boy of eight or nine years of 
 age, was placed at Friends' school, in the southern 
 district, and had gone, with the scholars, on fourth- 
 days, to Pine street meeting. Returning home one 
 day, he found his mother in her room, alone, in 
 great distress, and her tears flowing freely: he went 
 to her, held her affectionately by the hand, and 
 wept aloud. After some time, he addressed her 
 thus: '^Ma', what ails you? What makes you cry 
 so much? Ma', I wish you would come to one of 
 the meetings our school goes to; I am sure it would 
 do you good." Long afterwards, when relating her 
 religious experience to a friend, she mentioned this 
 
141 
 
 circumstance; the affectionate invitation of her own 
 child to go to meeting, determined her to make the 
 trial, and her soul was satisfied: she was indeed 
 baptised, — not in water, but <^in the living streams 
 of consolation." She became convinced of the 
 reality of a principle of grace, light, or truth, in her 
 own mind; diligently attended the meetings of 
 Friends the remainder of her life, and died in 
 peace, and full of the Christian's hope. 
 
 One other institution, having relation to the reli- 
 gious and parental care of the '^overseers of the pub- 
 lic schools,^' deserves to be mentioned, and that is, 
 "the scholars' quarterly meeting." On the first 
 sixth day, in the 1st, 4th, 7th, and 10th months, the 
 children of all their schools were collected in "the 
 children's meeting." The overseers met with them, 
 and several of the ministers and elders in the city, 
 and some other Friends. The design must be ap- 
 parent; — such counsel and advice — such religious 
 information and instruction as might be proper for 
 children, could here be communicated. They were 
 meetings, in which children were much interested; 
 as was evident from the cheerfulness and punctuality 
 with which they would be, by times, at the school, 
 to go to "children's meeting," as they called it. 
 Nicholas Waln always attended these meetings, 
 when at home, and his health permitted, and often 
 preached to the '^lads and lasses," in such simple 
 and familiar language, as children could well under- 
 stand; and which greatly endears his memory to 
 many men and women that are now far advanced in 
 life. 
 
 With one observation more, the institutions under 
 the care of the **overseers of the public schools," in 
 which Nicholas Waln took so deep an interest, 
 may be dismissed. It has been already said, that 
 the larger number of the children in their schools 
 
142 
 
 in those days, were not Friends: but the guardian- 
 ship over them, and the religious care exercised, 
 were not with any design to make converts, but to 
 imbue their tender minds with a deep impression 
 of the great fundamental doctrines of the christian 
 religion, as distinct from all sectarian notions and 
 opinions. And hence, they were taught 'Ho re- 
 member their Creator in the days of their youth, — 
 to honour and obey their parents, — and to love one 
 another." No institution could be less ostentatious, 
 and it is believed few could have done more good, 
 than the schools under the care of these overseers, 
 in the life time of Nicholas Waln and his co- 
 temporaries. 
 
 In 1811 and 12, he had become quite feeble, but 
 continued diligently to attend all the meetings of 
 Friends at Pine street, and sometimes others, though 
 unable many times to reach them, without several 
 calls at friends' houses on the way, to rest himself: 
 and, at last, when too weak to walk, he would ride, 
 although it was with difficulty he could get in or 
 out of his carriage. To a friend, who told him he 
 was not well enough to go to meeting, he said, 
 "That he would as lieve die there, as any where 
 else." At another time, he said to a friend who was 
 assisting him out of his carriage at the meeting house 
 door, *'I am weary of this poor frail body of mine;" 
 yet he continued to attend meetings regularly until 
 the summer of 1813, when he removed with his 
 family to his country place, near Frankford. In a 
 few weeks, it was observable that his remaining 
 strength was declining very fast, — and he was 
 brought back again to the city, and soon after was 
 confined to his bed. As the end approached, a 
 friend remarked, "that a season of deep conflict was 
 permitted to assail his mind, and prove his faith in 
 the sufficiency of divine and saving help." But a 
 
143 
 
 short time before his lamp was extinguished, he 
 said, with much emphasis, "To die is gain." 
 
 He deceased the 29th of the 9th- month, 1813, 
 aged seventy-one years and ten days — and his burial 
 was an occasion that brought a very large concourse 
 of people together. K. 
 
 Letters from Nicholas Waln, to his friend in 
 Baltimore. 
 
 Such parts of these letters as were on pecuniary business are 
 omitted. 
 
 Philadelphia, 30thof9ih mo. 1787. 
 
 Dear Friend, — Our Yearly Meeting closed last 
 evening. It was large and solemn, and ended well. 
 Thy letter, some time ago, enclosing the Epistle for 
 London, did not come to hand till after John Town- 
 send had embarked; but it has been forwarded. En- 
 closed are our select Queries, agreeable to thy de- 
 sire. Our Yearly Meeting have agreed to have a 
 revision of our Discipline, and the Book of Advices, 
 in order for the press. This will be a work of time 
 and labour. 
 
 William Matthews, Zachariah Dicks, Rebekah 
 Wright, Ann Jessop, and Patience Brayton, at- 
 tended our meeting. 
 
 I remain, with love to thy dear wife, and David 
 Brown and wife, thy affectionate friend, 
 
 Nicholas Waln. 
 
 Philadelphia, QlthoflUh month, 1789. 
 
 By this opportunity, I mean to send our Epistle 
 
 to your Yearly Meeting, with some copies of our 
 
 Address, and the president's answer. I attended, 
 
 with some other friends, at New York, at its pre- 
 
144 
 
 sentation. We were well received. I mean, also, 
 to send some copies of recommendations respecting 
 schools. I seem to hope, and be confirmed that the 
 new arrangement will tend to religious advantage, 
 and am desirous that Friends may endeavour to re- 
 concile their minds thereto. My wife and children 
 are well. With love to thy wife, and D. Brown 
 and wife, I remain thy loving friend. 
 
 The two Friends from Ireland are on a visit to 
 families in this city. 
 
 Philadelphia^ 6th of Uh month, 1795. 
 
 It is probable thou hast heard I have obtained the 
 usual certificates to pay a religious visit to some 
 parts of Europe. Since which, our friend, David 
 Bacon, has opened to his Monthly Meeting a reli- 
 gious engagement to go with me; with which 
 Friends concurring, a certificate was directed to be 
 prepared accordingly. Being thus provided with 
 a suitable companion, it will not be necessary for 
 thee to go on my account. 
 
 With love to thy wife and children, thy assured 
 friend. 
 
 Liverpool, I2ih of I2th month, 1795. 
 Having visited the meetings, and performed the 
 tour of Ireland, I left Dublin last second-day even- 
 ing, and in about sixteen hours, landed at Holy- 
 head, on the isle of Anglesey; from whence, over 
 three ferries, and by land, we came to this town, in 
 middling health. And, hearing a vessel is about 
 sailing for your port, I have written a letter to my 
 wife; and, remembering that a friend of mine, J. T. 
 by name, lives in the town of Baltimore, I con- 
 cluded to write to him also. Thomas Scattergood is 
 in the north of Ireland. Sarah Harrison, I believe, 
 is in Yorkshire. David Sands not far from hence; I 
 
145 
 
 expect to meet him at the Monthly Meeting of War- 
 rington, next second or third-day. I purpose stay- 
 ing first-day meeting here, to-morrow. A ship is 
 lately arrived from your port, loaded with Indian 
 corn; which, it is apprehended, will not be easily 
 sold, — the people here being prejudiced against the 
 use of it. How long I shall continue in this land, 
 is at present uncertain; my chief concern seemed to 
 be for Ireland. My love to thy wife and family, — 
 to the Browns and M'Kims, and their families. 
 With desires for thy preservation, and establishment 
 in the Truth, I remain thy loving friend. 
 
 Philadelphia, 28th of 3d month, 1798. 
 
 Our Spring Meeting has been large, and I hope, 
 solid and profitable. Ann Mifilin, wife of Warner, 
 laid before us her concern and certificates to accom- 
 pany Mary Berry on a religious visit to Barbadoes, 
 which obtained concurrence; but, considering the 
 advanced age and infirmities of M. B., it is as yet 
 doubtful, whether she may not be excused. 
 
 It is probable you may have heard of the arrival 
 of an ancient woman Friend, Mary Pryor, from 
 England, under a concern to visit this city and 
 neighbourhood. It seems, after being on board the 
 ship Fame, eleven weeks, the pumps continually 
 going, they were taken on board of a schooner from 
 Halifax to Philadelphia. They saved nothing but 
 a few trifles, except the clothes on their backs. 
 Mary had not her clothes off" for nearly two weeks. 
 While on board the schooner, the captain, Macey, 
 behaved very kind to the people. Mary lodges at 
 James Pemberton's; and a subscription has been 
 made for the poor passengers, many of whom lost 
 their all. My wife and sons are well. With love 
 to thy wife and children, I remain thy assured 
 friend. 
 
 13 
 
146 
 
 Near Frankford, 23rf of Idth month, 1798. 
 
 Dear Friend, — We arrived at the ferry and 
 crossed over, the evening of the day we left Balti- 
 more, and on seventh-day got to our aunt Richard- 
 son's, in good time. Here we stayed on first-day, 
 attended the morning meeting at Wilmington, at 
 which there were near one hundred people; — that 
 in the afternoon, not so large. On second-day 
 morning, we proceeded, and got safe home to our 
 country habitation near Frankford; I found my 
 family all well. My letter from Baltimore had been 
 received, which led me to the inquiry after thine, 
 at the post-office, which was obtained. I expect to 
 attend our Monthly Meeting to-morrow in the city; 
 where new cases of the yellow fever, or pestilence, 
 still occur. 
 
 It is probable you are informed, ere this, of the 
 arrival of William Savery at New York. Where 
 he now is, I have not heard. A hope is entertained 
 that the present north-west wind will tend to the 
 diminution of the contagion. When my family will 
 return to the city, is not determined; — it probably 
 will depend upon the state of the malady. Although 
 many doubts and fears attend my mind, in the course 
 of my pilgrimage, yet I am not left without some 
 hope, that my journey and visit to your town was 
 in the ordering of best wisdom. 
 
 I have letters from London, which mention that 
 the family and connexions of our friend, Mary Pryor, 
 were well. David Sands and a few Friends from 
 Dublin, attended a meeting at Enniscorthy, where 
 many dead bodies lay in their way; but the meeting 
 was held quietly. I had some reasonings about leav- 
 ing Mary Pryor and Elizabeth Foulke; but as they 
 were in good hands, I hope they will be suitably 
 provided for every way. My love to thy wife, 
 children and family, to whom I feel myself obliged 
 
147 
 
 for their kind attention to us. When an opportu- 
 nity offers, I shall promote our book of discipline 
 being forwarded to thee. I have not heard of the 
 death of any of our friends. 
 
 Philad. 24th. Meeting was held by about twenty 
 women, and as many men; — the Queries were an- 
 swered. Thy loving friend, N. Waln. 
 
 Philadelphia^ 29ih of 4th months 1801. 
 Our Yearly Meeting has been large and solid, 
 and ended on seventh-day, about one o'clock. Mar- 
 garet Elgar and Mary Brooke attended it, and are 
 yet in this city. John Hall is going to the eastward, 
 and takes up Stephen Grellett at New York. 
 
 Philadelphia, 26th of llth month, 180L 
 Agreeably to what was expressed by your humble 
 servant, in your Yearly Meeting, our Meeting for 
 Sufferings have been solidly engaged in deliberation, 
 respecting an Address to the legislature of Mary- 
 land; and after mature consideration have united in 
 such Address, and have nominated our friends, John 
 Parrish, John Wistar,and Joseph Whitall, to attend 
 the presentation thereof; — desiring the co-operation 
 of your Meeting for Sufferings therein. They pro- 
 pose being in Baltimore time enough to attend a 
 meeting on sixth day, the 4th of next month, in the 
 forenoon. I have, therefore, to request, on behalf 
 of our Meeting and those Friends, that you would 
 use proper exertions and diligence to collect the 
 members of the meeting together, at that time. 
 With love to your families, and particularly to 
 Evan Thomas and consort, I remain yours affec- 
 tionately. 
 
 Philadelphia, lOth of lOth month, 1804. 
 
 My wife and cousin Ann Mifflin contemplate set- 
 
148 
 
 ting oflf to-morrow morning for Baltimore. They 
 intend, if convenient, to take up their abode at thy 
 house. I recommend them to thy christian care and 
 regard, with desires for their preservation and growth 
 in the truth. 
 
 I feel my spirit, in degree, united to the faithful 
 among you, and hope you will be strengthened, and 
 so directed in your deliberations, that the cause of 
 truth and righteousness will be sustained and ad- 
 vanced. With sentiments of respect, I am thy 
 friend, 
 
 Nicholas Waln. 
 
i4d 
 
 To the Memory of my dear relative and friend^ 
 Mary Dickinson, who deceased at Wilmington 
 the 23d day of the 1th month, 1803. 
 
 ''It is sown in dishonour, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weak- 
 ness, it is raised in power."— 1 Corinthians, c. 15, v. 43. 
 
 Amidst the waste of years, whose awful shade 
 
 Points feeble nature to its evening rest, 
 Another breach on social comforts made, 
 
 With sorrow wounds afresh a wounded breast. 
 
 The dear relation and the friend belov'd, 
 (By nature and by friendship near allied,) 
 
 Swells the dread list of bosom joys remov'd, 
 Who once the human balm of life supplied: 
 
 But, oh! forbear, nor fruitless thus lament, 
 While hope surveys her spirit with the blest, 
 
 Death's to the Christian but a message sent, 
 Kindly to call the labourer home to rest. 
 
 Then take, lov'd friend, this solemn, short adieu, 
 (For few the steps of my remaining way,) 
 
 Till favour'd we the holy bond renew, 
 In the full light of God's eternal day. 
 
 Ah, bliss beyond our highest ideas here. 
 
 Alone enjoy 'd on life's immortal shore. 
 Where from each eye is wip'd the sorrowing tear. 
 
 And scenes of trembling conflict are no more. 
 
 Oh, then to heaven thy best of gifts resign, 
 'Till boundless love shall set the prisoner free. 
 
 Where being centres to its source Divine, 
 And mortal puts on immortality. 
 
 And thus the Christian, here in exile held. 
 
 Smiles victor over desolation's hour. 
 In glory finds the promises fulfill'd, 
 
 "Though sown in weakness, it is raised in power." 
 
 Hannah Griffitts. 
 
 13* 
 
1^ 
 
 From the Salem Gazette, March 12, 1822. 
 
 LYDIA DEAN. 
 
 Died, in this town, on Sunday last, universally 
 lamented, Mrs. Lydia Dean, wife of William 
 Dean, and daughter of Mr. William Rotch, of New 
 Bedford, aged 51, a highly distinguished and be- 
 loved member of the Society of Friends. She was 
 a minister in that Society. 
 
 When on the departure of an individual we every 
 where hear, as in the instance of this lady, excla- 
 mations of deep regret and sympathy, it seems al- 
 most a degradation of the character, to descend to a 
 description of the particular virtues by which it was 
 adorned. Yet who that hath felt the sunshine of that 
 cheerfulness her benevolent heart constantly diffused 
 around her — who that hath been delighted with the 
 charms of her cultivated mind and polished man- 
 ners — who that hath known the purity of her prin- 
 ciples, her unaffected modesty, her generous and 
 affectionate spirit — who that hath witnessed the 
 open, and discovered the secret, operations of her 
 extended charities — that hath observed her ardent 
 piety to God, and good will to man — that hath seen 
 her constantly fulfilling, as the easy habit of her life, 
 that difficult command to love our neighbour as 
 ourselves — who, that hath been so privileged, can 
 refrain from speaking minutely of those virtues 
 which formed so delightful, so elevated a character? 
 Yet we forbear. We feel how inadequate we are 
 to exhibit them, as they shone in her life; while 
 
151 
 
 we reflect, that they must at once be the cause of 
 grief and consolation to her husband, and her nu- 
 merous relatives and friends, and especially to her 
 venerable parents now in the 88th year of their 
 lives; for their loss is beyond calculation, though 
 her gain is most certain. 
 
 From the N&w England Palladium. 
 To the blameless simplicity of deportment usually 
 characteristic of her sect, Mrs. Dean added a libe- 
 rality of understanding and an enlightened estimate 
 of human nature, derived from the peculiar oppor- 
 tunities she had enjoyed for extensive surveys of it 
 both here and in Europe. Thus blending the wis- 
 dom of the serpent with the harmlessness of the 
 dove, she became so eminently qualified for a judi- 
 cious exercise of the diffusive influence her situation 
 afforded, that we dwell on her death, with its con- 
 sequent privations — to the weak, whom she forti- 
 fied by her energy — the wayward, whom she re- 
 strained by her tenderness and discretion — the sor- 
 rowful, who looked to her for consolation — the per- 
 plexed, who were directed by her unclouded judg- 
 ment — and the destitute, who were relieved by her 
 unsparing charity: — when we think of these things, 
 we feel how difficult the lesson of submission and 
 acquiescence, which our friend would have been 
 the first to inculcate and exemplify. We are grte- 
 ful, however, that such a character has existed, 
 and that we have known her; believing few were 
 ever privileged to be in her presence, who would 
 not concur with us, that there was something hal- 
 lowing in its influences. The elevation and purity 
 of her sentiments imparted a dignity to her figure, 
 and a noble serenity to her aspect, of which every 
 one was conscious — except their possessor; but the 
 awe they might else have imposed, softened into 
 
152 
 
 affection, upon witnessing the genuine and touching 
 humility with which she communicated the result 
 of her abilities and acquirements; while the cor- 
 diality that gave a value to her most trivial courte- 
 sy, and the benignity that shone over her whole 
 manner, made her altogether appear like a being 
 from a better state — so that an enthusiast in the 
 faith of a pre-existence might have found confirma- 
 tion of his opinion in a cultivation of her society. 
 Yet with this impress from a higher world, Mrs. 
 Dean was not abstracted from the duties or the in- 
 terests of this; but, rational in her practice as de- 
 vout in her aspirations, no scheme, however hum- 
 ble, no details, however minute, the object of which 
 was probable utility, but she would patiently ana- 
 lyze, and generously encourage. Thus consecrating 
 her high powers to the purposes for which they 
 were bestowed, she fulfilled her trust; having loved 
 her own which were in the world, she loved them 
 unto the end; and, consistent to the last, died as she 
 had lived, in meek and reverential imitation of the 
 Author of her faith — for the cause of peace on earth 
 and good will amongst men. 
 
 "Her flight Narcissa took — her upward flight, 
 If ever soul ascended." 
 
 She was very acceptably the companion of our 
 friend, Martha Routh, when on a religious visit to 
 Friends in this country, more than forty years since: 
 they crossed the ocean together, where she had been 
 with her parents and sister Mary. Our worthy 
 friend, John Wigham, from Scotland, bound also 
 on a religious errand, came over at the same time — 
 I think in 1794. Two of this dear friend's bro- 
 thers, W. and T. Rotch, being united in marriage 
 
153 
 
 to the sisters of my beloved aunt, H. Fisher, and 
 her eldest sister to Samuel Rodman, her only bro- 
 ther; there was a close alliance and friendship, (they 
 staid, when in this city, under their hospitable 
 roof,) which it is very precious and proper to cul- 
 tivate at all times, and on all occasions, bearing in 
 mind the injunction *^of this shall all men know 
 that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one unto 
 another/' 
 
154 
 
 HANNAH POWELL. 
 
 [This Obituary was written by Elizabeth Arnold, and is so 
 true and appropriate, that Anna wished it printed thus. — From 
 a letter sheet received from Joseph Botch.'] 
 
 Died, on Friday evening, October 23d, 1835, at 
 the residence of Joseph Rotch, Esq. Miss Hannah 
 Powell, of Burlington, New Jersey, aged 40. 
 
 When the bright lights have gone out from 
 among us, their remembrance should be cherished, 
 though their places know them no more. We are 
 now to look back upon a life of usefulness, passing 
 quietly on, seeking no admiration from others, yet 
 beaming with the elements of virtue, and tending 
 to the noblest moral issues. 
 
 Our lamented friend was superior to all situation, 
 though placed in one of dependence; during a resi- 
 dence of twenty years in the same family, her opi- 
 nions were respected and valued, while her pecu- 
 liar refinement and dignity of character rendered 
 propriety of thought and feeling so natural to her, 
 that no confidence was misplaced and no kindness 
 ever lost upon her. She shared a mother's coun- 
 sels, and wrapped the freshness of the young spirit 
 in a mantle of love, lest the cold world should 
 breathe harshly upon it. Alike the temporal and 
 spiritual guardian of infancy, there was no mistaken 
 tenderness in her fond care. 
 
 There was the energy of principle about her, and 
 the nobility of conscious rectitude, faithful and firm 
 amid trial and temptation, patient in sufiering of no 
 common kind or degree, the guiding star of her life 
 was truth, radiant with moral beauty, and her path 
 grew brighter and brighter to the end. 
 
155 
 
 We rejoice that her example was before us, and 
 was not lost upon us; that from a sphere like hers 
 have gone forth such emanations of the beautiful 
 and good. She has passed from the semblance to 
 the reality — from the uncertain to the certain — from 
 faith to sight — from works to reward — from hope, 
 and fear, and doubt, and eflfort, to that presence 
 which is life eternal. 
 
 New Bedford, Mass, 
 
156 
 
 PETER YARNALL. 
 
 To the Memory of the late pious Peter Yarnal, 
 an eminent preacher of the religious Society 
 called Quakers. 
 
 When those, whom flatterers call the great, have died, 
 
 The sons of folly, wealth, ambition, pride, 
 
 What mourning throngs have crowded round their grave, 
 
 With solemn songs their name from death to save: 
 
 But when the truly great, the pious, die, 
 
 How few the breasts that swell with sorrow's sigh! 
 
 Yet there are minds, O Yarnal! where thy name 
 Shall be embalmed with honourable fame! 
 Minds that delight in virtue, and disdain 
 To stoop to soothing adulation's strain. 
 Such souls sincerely give melodious praise 
 To those who fairly win th' immortal lays. 
 
 If aught, earth-born, can give the laurel crown. 
 Those spirits whom their God and Saviour own. 
 Who nobly forfeit wealth, and ease, and life, 
 To wage with vice a more than mortal strife; 
 Who climb the steps where heaven and virtue lead, 
 May humbly claim the unperishable meed. 
 
 Such is the high and honourable claim. 
 That virtue boldly pleads for Yarnal's name; 
 His private sphere e'en clouded eyes shall find. 
 By deeds of light, an image of his mind: 
 A cordial love, where love was due, alone, 
 Express'd in nature's unaffected tone; 
 Stamping each heart that tenderness could feel, 
 Deep with sincerity's undoubled seal: 
 But if reproof were due, reproof was heard, 
 With Angel meekness gracing every word: 
 'Twas music of the soul that won esteem. 
 E'en from the guilty heart it would redeem. 
 
 His friends were numerous; friends to whom his heart 
 Could freely the full flood of love impart; 
 But by no friends, and by no sect confined, 
 Were the warm wishes of his ardent mind: 
 Taught in the school of wisdom's heaven sent law, 
 He felt fraternal love of all he saw; 
 
157 
 
 The rich and poor with equal favour lov'd, 
 Superior merit only more approv'd, 
 Like those of old, whose strong affections flow'd 
 From their own kindred, till they spread abroad 
 O'er the wide earth where'er mankind was found; 
 Such was his heart, it knew no other bound. 
 And like those two commissioned from above. 
 He journey 'd full of meekness as of love. 
 To teach wild erring mortals how to find. 
 Amidst the storms of life, true peace of mind. 
 By Truth Eternal on this errand sent. 
 He ne'er forgot his Master's deep intent. 
 But as the unerring spirit led the way. 
 He taught us how to act and how to pray. 
 
 Strange as some new philosophers may deem 
 The mighty wonders of the gospel theme. 
 His hopes were founded on the sacred book; 
 And none with mitred head has ever strove 
 With purer zeal to show his Master's love; 
 To justify the wisdom of his ways. 
 And waft on wings of truth his name to praise; 
 No mere lip-service did he dare impart 
 To him whose right is an unsullied heart; 
 His soul was with such reverence impress'd. 
 That on his countenance it stood confess'd. 
 
 Ye who have seen him rise to plead the cause 
 Of heaven, and advocate his Saviour's laws; 
 Ye know that language is too poor to trace 
 His unaffected dignity and grace; 
 And when the music of his voice was heard 
 Ye felt the power of every burning word, 
 And by the workings of your heart confess'd, 
 That something more than human touch'd your breast. 
 
 Yes, sainted spirit! thy commission came 
 From him whom mortal tongues Jehovah name! 
 Thy thoughts and life were placed within his hand. 
 Thy lips were sealed, or free at his command; 
 And when he bade thee speak, his spirit own'd 
 Thy words were truth, and thy bless'd labours crown'd. 
 'Twas his deep wisdom taught thee to descry 
 Thoughts that lay hidden from each human eye. 
 To see beneath religion's fair outside, 
 The selfish heart of vanity and pride; 
 And in thy warning voice his spirit spoke, 
 While the dark breast with awful terrors shook. 
 14 
 
158 
 
 But when Heaven's mercy dwelt upon thy tongue, 
 Deep strains of holy rapture pour'd along; 
 For thy mild spirit lov'd to sound abroad 
 The wondrous mercies of th' eternal God. 
 Oft has it drawn in living hues of thought, 
 The touching parable thy Saviour taught; 
 Show'd when the prodigal returning came 
 To seek his father full of grief and shame; 
 Repentant bow'd his face upon the earth, 
 And own'd himself unworthy of his birth; 
 Thrill'd by parental love, overcome with joy, 
 The father threw his arms around the boy — 
 Forgave his crimes, prepared the gladsome feast, 
 And mingled tears of rapture with his guest. 
 'Twas here the beaming eloquence of soul 
 Shed a transparent glory round the whole. 
 
 Thine was a zeal like Paul's, above all fear, 
 Tho' meek, yet bold, tho' cautious, yet sincere; 
 A zeal obedient to thy God's command. 
 Whose value Christians only understand; 
 But now, alas! (if man may dare to sigh 
 O'er those whom Heaven calls to their native sky,) 
 Alas! no more my all attentive ear. 
 The inspirations of thy soul shall hear; 
 My heart no longer vibrate to thy voice. 
 Mourn with thy spirit, or with that rejoice. 
 
159 
 
 WIFE OP ROBERT BARCLAY. 
 
 [Sent to Miers Fisher from one of the family. Printed from 
 the Times of 4th January, 1794.] 
 
 Early on Thursday morning, the 2nd of January, 
 1794, died, at Clapham Terrace, after a short ill- 
 ness, Mrs. Barclay, wife of Mr. Robert Barclay, 
 of Thrale's Brewhouse, in Southwark. To those 
 who enjoyed the happiness of an intercourse with 
 the numerous and well ordered family, over which 
 she presided with equal elegance and decorum, it 
 cannot be necessary to describe the excellencies 
 which distinguished her character as a wife, a mo- 
 ther, a mistress, and a friend; amiable, affectionate, 
 upright, and humane. Born to affluence, and en- 
 deared to her nearest connections in early life, by 
 an uncommon sweetness of disposition, and a person 
 singularly lovely: instead of launching into the com- 
 mon amusements and dissipation of the age, her mind 
 was early impressed with sentiments that regarded 
 the serious and important duties of life; her con- 
 duct, regulated by these sentiments, gave a distinc- 
 tion to her character, as well in the care and educa- 
 tion of her children, twelve of whom survive her, 
 as in the discharge of the social and domestic duties, 
 which were marked with acts of tenderness and be- 
 nevolence. Such excellence departs not without 
 the tear of friendship: what then must be the feel- 
 ings of her tender but mournful offspring, of an af- 
 fectionate, but afflicted husband! to whom the de- 
 ceased was endeared by every consideration that a 
 constant attachment and a continued scene of do- 
 mestic felicity can suggest. 
 
160 
 
 JOHN ESTAUGH. 
 
 Elizabeth Estaugh^s Testimony to the Memory 
 of her beloved Husband, John Estaugh, de- 
 ceased. 
 
 Since it pleased Divine Providence so highly to 
 favour me, with being the near companion of this 
 dear worthy, I cannot be altogether silent, but must 
 give some small account of the early beginning of the 
 working of truth in him. He was born in Kelde- 
 von, in Essex, in Great Britain, on the 23d of 2nd 
 month, 1776, of religious parents; but he grew 
 uneasy with the religious professions of both father 
 and mother, (they being of different persuasions,) 
 and being a seeker, fell in with the Baptists, and 
 liked them so well he was near joining them; but a 
 Friend, a neighbour, being dead, it so happened that 
 he was invited to the burial, where that worthy 
 minister of the gospel, Francis Stamper, of London, 
 being led to speak with life and power directly to 
 his state, it made such deep impressions on his ten- 
 der mind, that put him upon search into the princi- 
 ples of Friends, and being fully satisfied, joined with 
 them in the seventeenth year of his age. 
 
 About the eighteenth year of his age, he came 
 forth in the ministry, and being faithful he grew in 
 his gift, so that in some time he travelled to visit 
 Friends in the north of England and Scotland; after 
 which he was concerned to visit Friends in Ame- 
 rica, and having the unity of the brethren, em- 
 barked in the year 1700, and was enabled by the 
 great hand that drew him forth, to perform that ser- 
 
161 
 
 vice to the great satisfaction of Friends, and the re- 
 ward of peace in himself. 
 
 Being then, and for some time after, freed from 
 any concern to travel in the service of Truth, we 
 were married to each other, viz: on the first day of 
 the Tenth-month, 1702, and settled at Haddonfield, 
 in the county of Gloucester, and western division 
 of the province of New Jersey. In the fore part of 
 his time he travelled pretty much; but in the latter 
 part he was troubled with an infirmity in his head, 
 which rendered him unfit for the service; and his 
 good master, that requires no impossibilities of his 
 servants, favoured him with being very easy at 
 home; where, through mercy, we lived very com- 
 fortably: for I will venture to say, few, if any, in 
 a married state, ever lived in sweeter harmony than 
 we did. Oh! he was a sweet companion, indeed! 
 a loving tender husband; an humble exemplary 
 man; a pattern of moderation in all things; not lifted 
 up with any enjoyments, nor cast down at disap- 
 pointments. Oh, what shall I say of him, but that 
 he was a man endowed with many good gifts, which 
 rendered him very agreeable to his friends, and 
 much more to me, his wife. My loss is as far be- 
 yond my expressing, as is his worth. 
 
 Now after some years, (as before is observed,) of 
 indisposition, it pleased the Lord to restore him to 
 a state of health, and soon after he had a concern to 
 visit Friends at Tortola. This brought on him a 
 deep exercise, but when he was confirmed it was 
 really required of hini so to do, he gave up to it; 
 home, and the company there, which used to be so 
 pleasant to him, he was then weaned from. He 
 first wrote to them, but finding this would not ex- 
 cuse him, he durst no longer delay, but go he must. 
 So on the 13th of the 8th Month, 1742, we parted 
 14* 
 
162 
 
 in the aboundings of love and affection on that oc- 
 casion. 
 
 And now, the most acceptable account I can give 
 the reader of his service in Tortola, is extracted 
 from two letters which I received from a friend of 
 that place, directed to me, and to the effect follow- 
 ing, viz: That on the 8th of the 9th ^onth, 1732, 
 he arrived at the house of John Pickering, with his 
 companion John Cadwalader, where they were re- 
 ceived with much love and great joy, being made to 
 rejoice together in the tender mercies and love of 
 God, which was greatly manifested that day, to the 
 honour and praise of his great name, and also to the 
 comforting of his poor people. The testimonies of 
 these servants of the Lord were with life and power, 
 and were as clouds filled with rain upon a thirsty 
 land. 
 
 But to be more particular concerning thy dear 
 husband, whose memory is dear and precious to me, 
 and many more whose hearts were open to receive 
 the glad tidings which he brought. His godly life 
 and conversation spoke him to be a true follower of 
 the Lamb and minister of Jesus Christ, whom he 
 freely preached, and by the effectual power of whose 
 divine love, was called forth to our assistance, for 
 which we bless, praise, and magnify the God of all 
 our mercies; and as a faithful messenger, with much 
 love, in a tender frame of spirit, would he invite all 
 to the fountain which had healed him. 0! the deep 
 humility that appeared in him in the time of his 
 public testimony; and when in private conversation 
 with his near and dear friends, as he often said we 
 were to him, how cheerful and pleasant would he 
 be in that blessed freedom wherein Christ had made 
 him free. Innocent, harmless, of a cheerful coun- 
 tenance, yet not without a christian gravity well 
 becoming the doctrine he preached. He was va- 
 
163 
 
 liant for the truth to the last, and though he is gone 
 to his grave, his memory is sweet and precious. 
 
 He had his health very well until the death of 
 his dear companion; but going to his burial, we were 
 caught in a shower of rain, which we, and he, be- 
 lieved was the occasion of his illness. However, he 
 was mightily favoured with the divine presence, 
 which enabled him to answer the service of that 
 day; and the next, being the first day of the week, 
 we had a blessed meeting, the Lord's presence ac- 
 companying us; and though thy dear husband was 
 so near his end, his candle shined as bright as ever, 
 and many that beheld it, were made to glorify God 
 on his behalf. This was the last opportunity on 
 this island, save his farewell upon his dying bed, 
 where he both preached and prayed, a little before 
 his departure^ 
 
 On the next day, being the second of the week, 
 he went to a little island called Jos Vandicks,- ac- 
 companied with several friends; but on the 3d day 
 in the morning he complained very much, yet was 
 enabled to go to meeting, where were a pretty many 
 people waiting to hear the word of life declared, and 
 a blessed opportunity we had together, to the ten- 
 dering and melting our hearts into a heavenly 
 frame. 
 
 But he, who never spared his labour whilst 
 amongst us, extending his voice as a trumpet of the 
 Lord's own sounding, was so inwardly spent he 
 was ready to faint. However, he went on board 
 the sloop that afternoon, and next morning came 
 ashore at our house; where he had not been long, 
 before a shivering fit seized him, and a fever soon 
 followed, which kept its constant course every day. 
 This being the 1st day of the 10th month, he took 
 great notice that it ended forty years since his mar- 
 riage with thee; that during that time you had lived 
 
164 
 
 in much love, and parted in the same; and that thou 
 wast his greatest concern of all outward enjoyments. 
 And though the last two days he was in much pain, 
 yet he was preserved under it in much patience and 
 resignation, and had his perfect senses to the last, 
 exhorting Friends to faithfulness, &c. And on the 
 6th day of the 10th month, about 6 o'clock at night, 
 he went away like a lamb, with praises and thanks- 
 givings in his lips but about two minutes before. 
 — Thus far from the said letters. 
 
 And thus finished this dear worthy in the 67th 
 year of his age, at the house of William Thomas, 
 on the island of Tortola; highly favoured by his 
 great and good God in the very extreme moments; 
 the consideration whereof, and the account given of 
 his service, afibrd me, at times, some relief; but, 
 alas! my wound is so deep, nothing but the healing 
 balm from above can effect my cure. My loss is in- 
 expressible; yet, since it is the will of the Almighty, 
 it becomes me to submit, though it be hard so to do. 
 
 Oh! a sweet and blessed end, indeed! to go away 
 as in raptures of life, gathered by the Almighty as 
 a choice flower, in full perfection and fragrancy! 
 For sure, few, if any man, ever left a sweeter 
 savour, both at home and abroad, than he has done. 
 Having lived beloved, is gone lamented in general; 
 and therefore it is no wonder that I, who am so 
 much the greatest loser, lament and bemoan my 
 great, m}' great loss! And yet, in the midst of all, 
 I have a secret satisfaction in that I was enabled to 
 give him up (though so dear to me), unto the ser- 
 vice into which he was called. This is but just a 
 hint for those who may be under the like exercise 
 and trial, that they may not hold back, but submit, 
 and freely give up their all, leaving the consequence 
 to the wise disposing hand, who knows for what 
 cause it is He is pleased so nearly to try his people, 
 
165 
 
 some with life itself, others near it, and the cause 
 yet hid. 
 
 Elizabeth Estaugh. 
 
 Haddonjield^ in New Jersey^ 
 the bth of Uh mo. 1743. 
 
 The Testimony of Friends of the Monthly Meet- 
 ing at Haddonfield, concerning our dear Friend, 
 John Estaugh, deceased. 
 
 Our worthy friend having been a faithful labourer 
 in the work of the gospel amongst us great part of 
 forty years; and many of us knowing by good ex- 
 perience the effects of his service, we find ourselves 
 engaged to give in this testimony on his behalf, viz: 
 that by and through the divine virtue and power by 
 which he was first reached and wrought upon, he 
 was early called to the work of the ministry, and 
 made a chosen vessel fitted to hold the heavenly 
 treasure which dwelt plentifully in him. A true 
 gospel minister, dividing the word aright; his doc- 
 trine at times having dropped as dew, and his speech 
 distilled as the small rain upon the tender plants, 
 Deut. c. xxxii. v. 2. A man of great humility and 
 compassion, sympathising with the afflicted in body 
 or mind; being sometimes enabled, as with healing 
 oil, to comfort the sorrowful, the heavy-hearted and 
 sincere seekers of Christ Jesus. In this he had an 
 extraordinary talent; and yet, on the other hand, 
 was close in his reproofs and exhortations to the 
 careless and disobedient, of which the following 
 sheets are a specimen. 
 
 He was zealous for preserving good order in the 
 church, and for maintaining love and unity, that 
 badge of true discipleship. 
 
 Oh ! we are sensibly and sorrowfully affected with 
 
166 
 
 our loss; and yet we must not repine; nor dare we 
 say to the Almighty, What doest thou? 
 
 Since his first settlement among us, he visited 
 England, Ireland, and New-England, and the West 
 India Islands several times. And when at home, 
 as he had some skill in chemistry and physic, he 
 freely bestowed much labour and time therein, for 
 the good of the people of the neighbourhood where 
 he dwelt; and especially on the poor, for whom he 
 was much concerned; so that it may justly be said, 
 the blessing of those who were ready to perish came 
 upon him, Job c. xxix. v. 13. 
 
 The last visit that he made was to the island of 
 Tortola, where, after his service was over, he was 
 taken sick, and departed this life. And we make 
 no doubt but that he is in the fruition of that glory 
 and happiness which will never have an end. Al- 
 mighty God, if it be consistent with his divine will, 
 raise up, spirit and employ more such faithful la- 
 bourers in his harvest, {Mat. c. ix. v. 38,) to the 
 gathering of many to himself; and that praise and 
 honour may be ascribed to his great name, who is 
 worthy both now and forever. 
 
 Haddonfield, the 9th day of the 11th month, 1743. 
 Signed in and on behalf, and by directions of the 
 said meeting, by 
 
 Joshua Lord, Timothy Matlack, 
 
 Josiah Foster, Thomas Redman, 
 
 Samuel Lippincott, Ephraim Tomlinson, 
 
 John Hollingshead, John Wood, 
 
 Joseph Heritage, Joseph Kaighn, 
 
 Joseph Cooper, Ebenezer Hopkins. 
 
167 
 
 In memory q/" Sarah F. Corlies, deceased. 
 
 Ah! what avails my pen to tell, 
 
 The living worth that used to dwell 
 In this fair tenement of clay, 
 Whose brighter part has soared away, 
 
 In endless bliss to dwell? 
 
 Though earth this beauteous frame confine, 
 Still shall her memory ever shine — 
 Sweet records of her deeds divine, 
 
 In many a heart shall glow. 
 The poor within their lone recess, 
 The widow'd heart shall weep, and bless 
 
 The friend of want and woe. 
 And many an orphan tear shall shine 
 Dear saint! as they remember thine. 
 
 Still the wide earth is all the Lord's, 
 And he each bounteous gift affords; 
 
 His blessings o'er the world distils; 
 His the rich bounties of the flood. 
 The air, the mountain, and the wood, 
 
 And cattle of a thousand hills. 
 
 And though thy stewardship is o'er, 
 And thou hast gain'd the rich reward; 
 
 Yet He, whose influence fill'd thy breast, 
 
 With feeling for the poor distress'd. 
 
 May by another, make them bless'd. 
 For He alone is Lord. 
 
 Oh! may He make thy child his care. 
 May he his mother's mantle wear! 
 And thy lov'd partner, left behind, 
 A portion of thy spirit bear. 
 
 Sarah F. Corlies was a daughter of Samuel R. Fisher, of 
 Philadelphia, and the wife of Jacob W. Corlies. She left an 
 infant son, named Samuel Fisher Corlies, after having en- 
 joyed the marriage connection with her "loved partner," about 
 seventeen months. 
 
168- 
 
 %^ Memorial concerning my beloved wife^ Hannah 
 Smith. 
 
 Besides the motive of preserving some sketches 
 of the life and death of a dear companion for the 
 benefit of our offspring, I am induced to attempt 
 this description for the instruction of others who 
 were not acquainted with the living pattern; and 
 those few who were intimately so, will, I trust, ac- 
 knowledge that it is short of what might have been 
 justly said on the subject. 
 
 She was the daughter of James and Sarah Logan, 
 and born at Philadelphia on the 21st of 12th month, 
 1719-20. By the care of her parents, she was in 
 a great measure preserved from the common levi- 
 ties incident to early youth, and by the opportuni- 
 ties of improvement afterwards, she acquired such 
 qualifications as gained her much respect and esteem ; 
 and though the affluent circumstances in which her 
 parents were placed, yielded flattering prospects of 
 the ease and gayety of the world, the durable riches 
 of true religion appeared to her a treasure of much 
 more consequence, and as such of too great value to 
 be relinquished for the pride of shadows and delights 
 that die in the enjoyment. Thus at a period when 
 the slippery paths of vanity in a succession of in- 
 creasing allurements are apt to ensnare youthful 
 minds, it pleased the Divine Being to bless her en- 
 deavours against the temptation of vain and unpro- 
 fitable company, though of the politer sort, and to 
 strengthen her love to inward retirement and recol- 
 lection; and having tasted the visitations of divine 
 love to her soul, she saw it was the pearl of great 
 
price, and that her all must go to purchase the field 
 in which it lay; and from this time forward I have 
 reason to think this purchase became the principal 
 business of her life, and that she endeavoured to 
 stick to the terms with great sincerity and ardour, 
 carefully avoiding occasions of interruption, and 
 studying much to have all those disquieting affec- 
 tions silenced which arise from temporal objects, 
 and are too apt to mingle with, and sometimes mis- 
 lead, good intentions; and as she was helped to keep 
 here, she at times knew the breathing of heart an- 
 swered; the blessed Jesus broke the bread of life 
 unto her, and satisfied her soul with the joys of his 
 salvation, which increased her care over her words 
 and deportment, that nothing might cancel her in- 
 terest in the great object of her love and hope, or 
 incapacitate her from rendering back in some de- 
 gree the fruits of his own planting. Such was the 
 situation in which I found her. When our nearer 
 acquaintance commenced, she was uncommonly 
 scrupulous respecting any proposals which might 
 be likely to engage her in the hurries of a family, 
 lest she might be led into a neglect of her inward 
 pursuits. She paused with a religious solicitude, 
 and waited for clearness in her own mind as to a 
 marriage engagement, until her doubts were re- 
 moved. 
 
 We were happily married at Germantown meet- 
 ing on the 7th of the 10th month, 1748, from that 
 time she always continued to take suitable oppor- 
 tunities of retirement, and to read the Holy Scrip- 
 tures; but without lessening the proper concern 
 about family affairs, in the prudent direction of 
 which few could exceed her; and in the duties of 
 friendship and good neighbourhood. In the relations 
 of child, wife, and mother, she was tenderly and 
 anxiously careful to fill up her place; and having 
 15 
 
170 
 
 herself had the benefit of an excellent mother's ex- 
 ample, she tried to follow her as well in her general 
 conduct as in the more private endearments of fa- 
 mily order and harmony. She was a candid inter- 
 preter of the conduct of her acquaintance; she did 
 not indulge a curiosity to know, much less to med- 
 dle with, other people's concerns, and possessed a 
 painful sensibility at any conversation introduced at 
 the expense of the reputation of absent persons, and 
 often wished that the ingenuities sometimes be- 
 stowed that way might be employed in the improve- 
 ment rather than the faults of mankind. 
 
 In the beginning of 1756, she became apprehen- 
 sive that it was required of her to speak in our pub- 
 lic meetings, this occasioned much inward conflict, 
 having been always fearful of discrediting religion 
 by appearing more in show than in substance. At 
 length, however, she gave up to what she believed 
 duty; and I am well assured that both her engaging 
 and continuing in that service was in much simpli- 
 city of heart, and in godly sincerity. Her first ap- 
 pearance in that way was at Burlington, and while 
 we lived there she joined with other Friends in 
 visiting families in several parts of that Monthly 
 Meeting, and divers times accompanied some of her 
 own sex of greater experience in the ministry, in 
 visiting several Yearly Meetings in the adjacent 
 provinces; and after our return to Philadelphia, 
 which was about half a year before her departure, 
 she continued to attend religious meetings with as 
 much diligence as the weakness of her constitution 
 would admit, and when there to clear herself of 
 what she thought required of her. During the 
 time of her last illness, she told me several times 
 she believed she should not recover; and though her 
 bodily pain was at times very sharp, she was fa- 
 voured with an entire confidence in the mercy of 
 
171 
 
 God through Jesus Christ, whom she found to be a 
 refuge in the day of distress. Once acquainting me 
 with great sweetness of spirit of the state of her 
 mind, she said, "Notwithstanding the close trials I 
 undergo, my foundation remains sure, and I have a 
 hope, yea, an unshaken hope, that there is a place of 
 rest prepared for me." At another time she men- 
 tioned, that the prospect of her change being near, 
 continued and begged me to strive for resignation 
 to the Divine will respecting her; for, said she, I 
 am easy. I feel no guilt. A few evenings before 
 her decease, as I sat by her bed side, she desired that 
 our own children, and all that w^ere about her, might 
 keep as still as possible, when she expired, then 
 mentioned several other things relative thereto, and 
 told me that all anxiety respecting the nearest en- 
 joyments of this life, was removed from her; that 
 she felt pardon and forgiveness for all omissions of 
 duty, and concluded this very affecting conversation 
 in these words: '*0h, the infinite, loving kindness, 
 of a merciful God, who has made such a poor crea- 
 ture as I am so rich in faith, and firm hope that I 
 shall be accepted of him." 
 
 She departed this life on the 18th, and was de- 
 cently interred on the 23d of the 12th month, 1761 ; 
 and as it was the chief desire of her heart to live in 
 the power and name of Jesus Christ, and did con- 
 fess him by an humble, meek, and pious conduct, I 
 have a reverent confidence that she now enjoys his 
 blessed promise of being owned by him before his 
 Father and the Holy Angels. 
 
 John Smith. 
 
172 
 
 Some account o/" John Smith, towards the close of 
 his life, by his daughter, H. Smith, who after- 
 wards became the wife of John Cox, of Bur- 
 lington, now living, a respected, valued minis- 
 ter of Christ. 
 
 the actions of the just 
 
 Smell sweet, and blossom in the dust." 
 
 Memorandum taken by Hannah Smith, two days 
 after the decease of her loved and beloved father, 
 vrhose death was of a sweet savour, and we had the 
 company of others who had a sight and sense of a 
 happy state into which the immortal soul was en- 
 tered. 
 
 After a lingering illness of about seven months, 
 my dear father departed this life on the 26th of the 
 3d month, 1771, on the 3d day of the week, about 
 5 o'clock in the afternoon. Being full of love and 
 sweetness in his dying hours. The same patience 
 and christian resignation in which he had lived at- 
 tending him to the close of life. Though through 
 pain and sickness he was much worn, and had, for 
 some days before this awful change, taken but little 
 nourishment. Yet we thought he might have held 
 it for some time; but on first day he was suddenly 
 seized by a fainting fit, from which he recovered 
 and survived about 48 hours. After this fit, I be- 
 lieve he thought the hour was near when we should 
 take our last farewell, and told me to fortify my 
 mind. And the next day said, he thought he was 
 going. Seeing me afiected, he said, be not too much 
 oppressed, thou art very near my heart. He called 
 his youngest son, also, and said, this boy behaved 
 
17a 
 
 to him satisfactorily — my boy behaves pretty to me — 
 the eldest then in Barbadoes. There is a short, 
 lively testimony concerning him from Burlington 
 Monthly Meeting. He told us, that Divine Mercy 
 was near him, and expressed the ease of his mind, 
 telling us, he had nothing to say, but that he left us 
 in love, and wished the divine blessing upon us. 
 He spoke sweetly soothing this day to several, and 
 in the evening expressed his belief that his time was 
 short, and that he had expected to have gone last 
 tide, but added, he did not know how it might be 
 the next. As I was sitting near him by the bed- 
 side, he looked up and said. Who's this? my child; 
 and took a very affectionate notice of me, which 
 was the last. He lived till the next day, when it 
 pleased Divine Providence to give him an easy 
 passage out of this world; and I believe his spirit is 
 now arrived at the blissful mansions prepared by 
 our great Creator for those who do his will in this 
 state of probation. On the 29th we followed our 
 dear parent's remains to the grave, where they were 
 decently interred in Friends' burying ground at 
 Burlington. He was aged 48 years and about two 
 months. 
 
 My dear father was a man universally beloved; 
 humble, affable, kind, and courteous. He was a 
 most tender, affectionate parent, earnestly desiring 
 that his children might seek for the blessing of 
 Providence, by walking humbly before him, and 
 making a proper use of the blessings he was pleased 
 to favour them with — preferring religion and vir- 
 tue to all things. Sweet, happy spirit! now fled to 
 the regions of immortal joy and felicity. that 
 we that are left may so live, as that when it shall 
 please Divine Wisdom to summons us also, we may 
 be ready to meet our beloved parents in the man- 
 sions of bliss. 
 15* 
 
174 
 
 James Logan to his son William, on his voyage 
 to Bristol. Sent to him at Chester, 
 
 Philadelphia, 4th of 5th mo. 1730. 
 
 Dear Child, — Thy parents, who have always 
 shown a tender regard over thee for thy good, have 
 now sent thee abroad to a great distance for thy 
 greater good; and thou art going to an affectionate 
 uncle and a tender master, who will take so much 
 care of thee, that we hope thou wilt find no loss in 
 being thus parted for a time from us; we desire 
 thee, therefore, to bear this remove manfully and 
 with courage, knowing that nothing but thy real 
 good is designed by it; and if thou follow the ad- 
 vice that has been repeatedly given thee, thou wilt, 
 with God's blessing, reap great advantage from the 
 present voyage. 
 
 But to obtain this blessing, thou must carefully 
 discharge thy duty, the heads of which I shall here 
 briefly sum up to thee, which I desire thee to read 
 so constantly, that it may forever be deeply fixed 
 in thy memory, and that these precepts may always 
 be in thy mind and before thee. 
 
 Remember, first, that thou art formed by the Al- 
 mighty power that created all things, that thou art 
 daily supported by his providence, thou must there- 
 fore, evening and morning, constantly pray to him 
 in thy heart to preserve thee, to guide and direct 
 thee, and enable thee to perform his will at all 
 times. At thy book, and at thy diversion, so be- 
 have thyself as to show thou art sensible that thou 
 
175 
 
 art never out of his sight, and duly frequent meet- 
 ings. Be dutiful and olDedient to thy uncle and 
 aunt, and to thy master or masters, honestly doing 
 every thing that thou know they expect and desire 
 from thee. Be careful not to offend in thy speech, 
 speak evil of no person, tell tales of nobody, except 
 where it is thy duty to make an ill thing known. 
 Be obliging to all, avoid a lie as death, and neither 
 let fear or advantage ever tempt thee to be guilty 
 of that scandalous and horrible sin. Keep no com- 
 pany but such as are sober; if thou fall at any time 
 amongst rude boys, leave them as soon as thou canst. 
 Quarrel with none, but if any abuse thee without 
 cause, suffer not thyself, if thou canst prevent it, to be 
 too much imposed upon; yet, as far as possible, avoid 
 all contention. Be neat and cleanly in thy clothes 
 and person, neither proud nor a sloven. Be modest 
 in thy behaviour, mannerly and respectful to all, 
 but especially to thy elders and superiors. Be very 
 diligent at thy book, endeavour to understand what 
 thou reads or art taught, and strive to remember it 
 ever after. Think it a shame not to understand and 
 speak Latin; after thou hast taken so much pains 
 for it, improve thy hand in writing, and endeavour 
 at proper times hereafter, to be perfect in arithme- 
 tic as far as Division, before thou art fifteen; and 
 afterwards thou may learn all the rest. Pick out 
 all the finest sayings thou meet with in authors, 
 and write them down in a handsome book, then 
 commit them carefully to thy memory, that thou 
 may'st keep them all thy life long. Do the same 
 when thou hears any thing told that is useful and 
 pleasant, for this will be a great help to thee here- 
 after. Remember and observe carefully these few 
 precepts, and then God thy Heavenly Father, I 
 hope, will bless thee with true peace and comfort in 
 thyself, with the love and esteem of good people. 
 
176 
 
 and with everlasting happiness. That thou may'st 
 attain this, dear child, and that the Lord may pre- 
 serve thee now and for ever, is the earnest desire 
 and prayer of 
 
 Thy affectionate father, 
 
 James LoaAN. 
 
177 
 
 To the memory of the late Joseph Brown, 
 
 Of Sotherdal, England, one of the people called 
 Quakers, who had suffered a long confinement in 
 the Castle of York, with the loss of all his worldly- 
 property, for conscience-sake. 
 
 By one who had been his fellow prisoner,* 
 
 "Spirit, leave thine house of clay, 
 
 Lingering dust, resign thy breath! 
 Spirit, cast thy chains away. 
 
 Dust, be thou dissolved in death!" 
 
 Thus thy guardian angel spoke. 
 
 As he watch'd thy dying bed; 
 As the bonds of life he broke, 
 
 And the ransom'd captive fled. 
 
 "Prisoner, long detained below! 
 
 Prisoner, now with freedom bless'd! 
 Welcome, from a world of woe — 
 
 Welcome to a land of rest." 
 
 Thus thy guardian angel sung. 
 
 As he bore thy soul on high; 
 While with Hallelujahs rang, 
 
 All the region of the sky. 
 
 Ye that mourn a father's loss; 
 
 Ye that weep a friend no more! 
 Call to mind the christian cross. 
 
 Which your friend, your father bore. 
 
 Grief, and penury, and pain. 
 
 Still attended on his way. 
 And oppression's scourge, and chain, 
 
 More unmerciful than they. 
 
 * "A Printer at Sheffield, who was in the Castle at the same 
 time, though not a member of the said Society." 
 
178 
 
 '^et, while travelling in distress, 
 ('Twas the eldest curse of sin,) 
 
 Through the world's waste wilderness. 
 He had a Paradise within. 
 
 And along that vale of tears, 
 
 Which his humble footsteps trod, 
 
 Still the shining path appears, 
 Where the mourner walk'd with God; 
 
 Till his Master from above. 
 
 When the promis'd hour was come, 
 
 Sent the chariot of his love. 
 To conduct the wanderer home. 
 
 Saw ye not the wheels of fire. 
 And the steeds that cleft the wind] 
 
 Saw ye not his soul aspire. 
 
 When his mantle dropp'd behind? 
 
 Ye that caught it, as it fell, 
 
 Bind that mantle on your breast. 
 
 So in you his meekness dwell. 
 So on you his spirit rest. 
 
 Yet rejoicing in his lot. 
 
 Still shall memory love to weep. 
 
 O'er the venerable spot, 
 Where his dear cold relics sleep. 
 
 Grave, the guardian of his dust! 
 
 Grave, the treasury of the skies! 
 Every atom of thy trust. 
 
 Rest in hope, again to rise. 
 
 Hark! the judgment trumpet calls, 
 "Soul rebuild thy house of clay;" 
 
 And immortal be thy walls. 
 And eternal be thy day. 
 
 Sheffield, July 11, 1803. 
 
179 
 
 Parson Peters to Anthony Benezet. 
 
 The following lines were written by Parson Pe- 
 ters to Anthony Benezet, who lent him Bar- 
 clay's Apology, (who before had entertained a mean 
 opinion of the Quakers and their principles,) re- 
 turned it with these lines. 
 
 For Barclay's learned Apology is due 
 My hearty thanks and gratitude to you. 
 The more I read, the more my wonders rais'd, 
 I view'd him often, and as often prais'd. 
 Commanding reason through the whole design, 
 And thoughts sublime appear in every line; 
 Sure some benignant spirit did inspire, 
 His pregnant genius with celestial fire. 
 In what he writes seems more than man to be, 
 Throughout the whole of his divinity. 
 Long had I censur'd with contemptuous rage, 
 And curs'd your tenets with the foolish age; 
 Thought nothing could appear in your defence, 
 Till Barclay shone with all the rays of sense; 
 His works at least shall make me moderate prove, 
 And those who practice what he teaches, love. 
 With the censorious world no more I'll sin. 
 In damning those who own the light within; 
 If they can see with Barclay's piercing eyes, 
 The world may deem them fools, but I shall think them 
 wise. 
 
180 
 
 Samuel Fothergill. 
 
 The substance of a few expressions delivered hy 
 Samuel Fothergill to some of his relations, 
 when they took leave of him, previous to their 
 setting out for the Yearly Meetiiig in London, 
 1772. 
 
 Our health is no more at our command, than 
 length of days. Mine seems drawing fast towards 
 a conclusion, I think; but I am content with every 
 allotment of Providence, for they are all in wisdom 
 — unerring wisdom. 
 
 There is one thing, w^hich, as an arm underneath, 
 bears up and supports; and though the rolling tem- 
 pestuous billows surround, yet my head is kept 
 above them, and my feet are firmly established. Oh ! 
 seek it, — press after it, — lay fast hold of it. 
 
 Though painful my nights, and wearisome my 
 days, yet I am preserved in patience and resigna- 
 tion. Death has no terrors, nor will the grave have 
 any victory. My soul triumphs over death, hell, 
 and the grave. 
 
 Husbands and wives, parents and children, health, 
 and riches, must all go. Disappointment is another 
 name for them. 
 
 I should have been thankful had I been able to 
 have got to the ensuing Yearly Meeting in London, 
 which you are now going to attend, where I have 
 been so often refreshed with my brethren; but it is 
 otherwise allotted. I shall remember them, and some 
 of them will remember me. The Lord knows best 
 what is best for us; I am content, and resigned to 
 his will. 
 
181 
 
 I feel a foretaste of the joy that is to come; and 
 who would wish to change such a state of mind? 
 
 I should be glad if an easy channel could be found 
 to inform the yearly Meeting, that as I have lived, 
 so I shall close, with the most unshaken assurance 
 that we have not followed cunningly devised fables, 
 but the pure, living, eternal, substance. 
 
 Let the aged be strong; let the middle-aged be 
 animated, and the youth encouraged; for the Lord 
 is still with Sion — the Lord will bless Sion! 
 
 If I be now removed out of his church militant, 
 where I have endeavoured in some measure to fill 
 up my duty, I have an evidence that I shall gain an 
 admittance into his glorious church triumphant, far 
 above the heavens. 
 
 My dear love is to all them that love the Lord 
 Jesus. 
 
 16 
 
182 
 
 On Faithfulness in Little Things. 
 
 Translated from the French into German, and thence into 
 English. 
 
 The opportunities for displaying great deeds of 
 goodness are rare, and when they do present them- 
 selves, there are many powerful stimulants to kindle 
 magnanimity and perseverance. But the little oc- 
 casions to stand firm in the cause of truth come upon 
 us inadvertently; and almost every moment they 
 render it necessary for us without ceasing to main- 
 tain a warfare against pride, slothfulness, and a do- 
 mineering lordly disposition; against precipitancy, 
 impatience, &c. opposing our corrupt wills every 
 where, and in all things. If we will be faithful 
 herein, our fallen nature will have no spare time to 
 draw breath, but must die to all its propensities. 
 
 Supporting a life of godliness, is like unto suc- 
 cessful management and economy in outw^ard and 
 domestic affairs. If attention is not paid to minute 
 matters, frugally to save, and avoid unnecessary ex- 
 penses, there is a greater probability, step by step, 
 of a declension in point of property, than by large 
 undertakings which naturally excite caution. He 
 who learns, by Divine assistance, to make a right 
 application in small matters of a spiritual nature, 
 will not fail to accumulate much treasure as well as 
 he w^ho is attentive in temporal concerns. Great 
 things are only great because many small materials 
 are brought and combined together — he who is care- 
 ful to lose nothing, will generally increase his 
 wealth. It is well for us to consider that it is not 
 
183 
 
 so much what we do, as the motives of love in 
 which our actions originate, and surrendering our 
 own wills; this it is alone which renders our good 
 works acceptable in the Divine sight. People judge 
 of our actions according to outward observation, but 
 with God those things are nothing, which in the 
 eyes of men shine with great lustre, for he requires 
 a sincere intention, a will ready to bend to his will 
 on all occasions, and an upright entire forsaking 
 ourselves. 
 
 Our faith is tried more powerfully in common 
 occurrences, and less exposed to a mixture of pride, 
 than in uncommon and remarkable concerns. We 
 also find that we are many times more attached to 
 certain little things than to matters of moment — for 
 instance, some would find it much easier to give 
 generous alms, than to deny themselves a favourite 
 diversion. Man is very liable to become beguiled 
 by little things, because he looks on them as matters 
 of indifierence, and imagines himself free from any 
 powerful attachment to them; but when God com- 
 mands him to forsake them, he finds by painful ex- 
 perience how inordinate and unwarrantable his at- 
 tachment to and practice of them was; besides, 
 through our inattention to small duties, we fre- 
 quently give offence and stumble our families, and 
 those about us; for people cannot believe that we 
 fear God with uprightness, when our conduct in 
 small concerns is immoderate and careless; for how 
 can an observer reconcile the idea of our being strong 
 and scrupulous observers of important duties that 
 require the greatest sacrifices, when matters of small 
 account have an undue ascendency over us; but the 
 greatest danger herein is, that the soul through care- 
 less indifference in lesser things, becomes gradually 
 accustomed to unfaithfulness, grieves the Holy Spi- 
 rit, and by degrees learns to account it a matter of 
 
184 
 
 small consequence to go counter to the will of God ; 
 on the contrary, true love esteems nothing indif- 
 ferent; every thing capable of pleasing or displeas- 
 ing God appearing great; not that true love drives 
 the soul into a slavish fearful scrupulousness, but it 
 allows of no particular set bounds to faithfulness; it 
 moves the mind in simplicity to pass by those things 
 that God doth not require, but does not hesitate a 
 moment about those things he does require, be they 
 great or small; so that our obedience in small mat- 
 ters does not originate from a forcible terror on the 
 mind; it all arises in and by a continual current and 
 power of love, free from those slavish fears and con- 
 sultations, accompanying restless, anxious, and dis- 
 tressed souls. Man is drawn into the way of his 
 duty through love to God; for even in the time of 
 greatest trial, when the spirit of truth unceasingly 
 urges the submissive soul step by step in the ob- 
 servance of small duties, and seems about to divest 
 it of all freedom, behold, it fmds itself on a wide 
 plain, and enjoys the depth of peace and freedom in 
 him. Oh! how happy is that soul. 
 
 Finally, it is particularly necessary for those who 
 are naturally of an inadvertent and unwatchful dis- 
 position to be mindful. Man, by paying little re- 
 gard to small duties, becomes accustomed to make 
 no account of them; he does not enough consider 
 the lead and tendency thereof; he does not enough 
 view the almost imperceptible ascendency and assi- 
 milation of these things in and with his fallen pro- 
 pensities — he forgets the compunction and remorse 
 these things have heretofore occasioned: he had ra- 
 ther indulge an imaginary idea of his establishment, 
 and depend on his own judgment, (which has, how- 
 ever, ofttimes deceived him,) than to settle down 
 into a constant, diligent, attentive watchfulness. We 
 are apt to say it is a little thing, it is nothing, yea, 
 
185 
 
 it is nothing! — but it is such a nothing on which 
 thy all depends — such a nothing as thou so inordi- 
 nately lovest as to cleave to it in preference to the 
 will of God — such a nothing, which thou wilt de- 
 spise in words, in order to frame an excuse for thy 
 non-observance of it; but in the ground it is such a 
 nothing which thou boldest fast, against the will of 
 God, and which, if continued in, will bring thee to 
 ruin. 
 
 Despising small things does not, as some assert, 
 arise from greatness of mind, but far otherwise, 
 from a shortsightedness, esteeming things small 
 which in their tendency and consequences have a 
 very extensive reach and effect. The more we dis- 
 cover ourselves inclined to indifference in small 
 things, and the more we find it a trial to us to pay 
 attention herein, the more we ought to fear and be- 
 come jealous, yea, and to cast up bulwarks against 
 a spirit of indifference and carnal security — he that 
 despises little things, will certainly fall by little and 
 little. Be not afraid of a constant watchfulness of 
 mind in small things: a godly resolution is neces- 
 sary in the beginning, and the exercise and suffer- 
 ing thou endurest, thou hast well deserved, it being 
 very necessary for the perfecting thy peace and se- 
 curity, out of which there is nothing but disquiet 
 and backsliding. God will render this path more 
 and more sweet and pleasant. True love is watch- 
 ful and attentive without great and painful restraint 
 of spirit. 
 
 Augustine saith, 
 
 " Quod minimum est, minimum est, sed in minimofidelem esse 
 magnum est.'''' 
 
 " Little things are little things, but to be faithful in little 
 things is something great." 
 16* 
 
186 
 
 Thoughts on the Importance of Religion, 
 
 Embarked on the stream of time, and carried for- 
 ward with uniform and irresistible force, how many 
 thousands do we see amusing themselves in the pur- 
 suit of shadows, or gliding along in stupid uncon- 
 cern, notwithstanding their surrounding companions 
 daily disappear and are gone, they know not whi- 
 ther. We also, fellow-traveller, are making rapid 
 progress in our course, and it will surely be wise to 
 devote a few moments to reflect upon the most im- 
 portant of all subjects which can possibly occupy 
 our attention; — the purpose of our existence, and 
 the end of our voyage. 
 
 If we consider our animal frame composed of 
 parts essential to the well being of the whole, and 
 put together with inimitable skill, or survey the 
 means that have been appointed to sustain this fa- 
 bric during the limited period of its existence; if 
 we look upon the inferior animals, or study the 
 structure of the vegetable tribes; if, by means of 
 the faculties we possess, we endeavour to under- 
 stand a little of the laws which appear to regulate 
 the operations incessantly taking place in this lower 
 world; or, if we lift our eyes to those luminous bo- 
 dies scattered through the immensity of space, all 
 proceeding harmoniously in the paths prescribed to 
 them, should not our souls be filled with awe and 
 reverence? Nothing short of infinite wisdom could 
 have effected this — nothing short of infinite power 
 could sustain it for a moment. 
 
 This wisdom and this power, fellow-traveller, 
 is Godf even thy God. He has condescended to 
 
187 
 
 create thee what thou art. Kind and benevolent, a» 
 unlimited in power, He has provided for thy ac- 
 commodation, thy pleasure, even here. He has 
 furnished thee with suitable food, has enamelled the 
 fields with flowers, and instructed every warbler of 
 the grove in his peculiar song. He has endowed 
 thee with reason, whereby thou mayest understand 
 a little portion of his wonders; and, to crown the 
 whole, has given thee a capacity to acquaint thyself 
 with Him, the Author of them all. Everything 
 proclaims that the object of the Creator is the hap- 
 piness of his creatures; and if thou be not happy, 
 the fault is in thyself. Do not suppose that thou 
 art placed in this transitory scene, merely to eat, to 
 drink, and to sleep, and after a few years to vanish 
 away like a dream or a vision of the night. No: 
 thy great Creator has called thee into existence, at 
 that period which was consistent with his supreme 
 will; and though thy frame shall go to decay when 
 it may please him to call for the spirit which ani- 
 mates it, yet be assured that this spirit shall exist 
 forever. When the present life ceases, thou must 
 enter upon eternity, which will be either miserable 
 beyond description, or unspeakably happy. The 
 few and uncertain moments of thy present state are 
 all that are allowed thee to prepare for it. Be 
 aroused then to a just consideration of thy condi- 
 tion; venture not to sleep on the brink of a preci- 
 pice, but apply thyself in earnest to the great work, 
 before that awful proclamation is made, '^He that is 
 filthy, let him be filthy still. '^ Rev. xxii. 11. 
 
 The only means of becoming happy here and 
 hereafter, is by earnestly endeavouring to know and 
 to perform the will of God. This, we cannot do 
 of ourselves; but He is graciously pleased to enable 
 us, by giving to every one of his rational creatures, 
 a portion of his good spirit, (^Titus, ii. 11,) which 
 
188 
 
 is secretly operating upon the soul. This it is which 
 makes us uneasy when we do wrong, and which 
 fills the mind with comfort and joy when we do 
 right. Thus the Divine Being communicates with 
 his creatures; thus He is constantly endeavouring 
 to draw them to himself; and in proportion as they 
 attend to these secret impulses, He manifests him- 
 self more and more clearly to them, and they be- 
 come more closely united to him. In this way the 
 holy men of old were inspired, {Pet. i. 21,) and 
 were employed as mediums to convey the most im- 
 portant truths to the rest of mankind. Their writ- 
 ings collected together are called the Holy Scrip- 
 tures, and clearly point out that conduct which will 
 be acceptable to God. 2 Tim. iii. 15. But above all, 
 they inform us, that in the fulness of time, our merci- 
 ful Creator {Gal. iv. 4,) displayed his love to his ra- 
 tional creatures in a more conspicuous manner than 
 he had done in preceding dispensations, by sending 
 among them his beloved Son our Lord Jesus Christ, 
 as a pattern and example to the end of time, and as 
 the Redeemer of men. In him was seen what the 
 world never beheld before, a person with all the 
 feelings of human nature, and yet without sin: by 
 Him, the means of reconciliation and union with 
 God were most clearly and aflfectingly displayed; 
 and through Him, those who feel the weight of 
 their transgressions must seek for reconciliation. 
 He is the mediator between sinful man and the 
 source of purity; and though, having accomplished 
 his mission in the flesh, and ojQfered up his life on 
 the cross as a propitiation for the sins of mankind, 
 he is no longer beheld with the outward eye; yet 
 he is present in the hearts of all those who are 
 striving to know and perform the Divine will; he is 
 influencing them to good thoughts and good actions, 
 enabling them to overcome their perverse natural 
 
189 
 
 inclinations, and to subdue their wills; and thus he 
 is purifying, and rendering them acceptable, through 
 Himself, to his Heavenly Father. "Behold, I stand 
 at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, 
 and open the door, I will come in unto him, and 
 sup with him, and he with me." And again, ''If a 
 man love me, he will keep my w^ords, and my Fa- 
 ther will love him, and we will come unto him, and 
 make our abode with him." Infinite condescen- 
 sion! Unutterable love! His knocks are the mo- 
 nitions of his grace and good spirit in the heart; 
 and to attend to these and follow them, is to open 
 unto him. This leads to our purification and con- 
 sequent fitness for a closer communion with him. 
 The heavenly visiter will now be no longer *'as a 
 wayfaring man who tarrieth only for a night," but 
 "we will make our abode with him." This is the 
 essence of true religion; and, let our denominations 
 in this world be what they may, if this be our 
 happy experience, we shall belong to "the general 
 assembly and church of the first-born, whose names 
 are written in heaven." Heb. xii. 23. 
 
 But this Divine Spirit, which strives with man 
 for his good, if neglected or resisted, will be gradu- 
 ally withdrawn; we may harden our hearts against 
 it, despise its reproofs, and silence its voice, for a 
 time. We "shall then be left to ourselves and per- 
 mitted to follow our own evil propensities: our 
 souls will be in a state of defilement, and alienation 
 from the source of true happiness, and if we die in 
 this state, dreadful indeed will be our portion. That 
 witness for God which we have refused to hear, will 
 then speak out in a voice not to be silenced, and 
 from which we shall be no longer able to escape. 
 
 Now is the acceptable time: now, while we have 
 health and strength, let us use all diligence to ac- 
 quaint ourselves with God, that we may be at peace; 
 
190 
 
 for t\iough he desires the salvation of all, he will be 
 sought unto, and he has graciously promised to be 
 found of those who seek him aright. 
 
 Our attempts will be much promoted by occa- 
 sional and frequent retirement from the hurry and 
 bustle of life, if it were only for one quarter of an 
 hour at a time; that we may pour out our souls unto 
 our Heavenly Father in prayer, beseeching that he 
 would manifest unto us his will, help us to subdue 
 our own, and bring it into conformity with his. A 
 diligent perusal of the Holy Scriptures is also an ex- 
 cellent means of strengthening our good desires, and 
 comforting us under trial, if we entreat the divine 
 blessing upon it; for this only can open our under- 
 standings to receive those eternal truths which are 
 indeed hid from the wise and prudent of this world, 
 but revealed to the babes in Christ. Matt. xi. 25. 
 
 True prayer is by no means so difficult as some 
 have imagined; every secret aspiration to God, even 
 if no words be uttered, is prayer; and we may be in 
 the exercise of it, even when our hands are engaged 
 in our lawful occupations. This is the prayer which 
 our Lord enjoined to his disciples, that they might 
 not enter into temptation. Matt. xxvi. 41. Many 
 awakened souls have suffered great loss, and made 
 for themselves a long wilderness, by consulting 
 with those who were as much at a loss as them- 
 selves, and going from one learned man to another, 
 to seek that without, which can only be found 
 within. The kingdom of God, said Christ, {Luke 
 xvii. 21,) is within you; his constant reference was 
 to this: his constant aim, to turn men from a de- 
 pendence upon the ceremonies of religion to the 
 essence of it. When we are so far convinced of 
 these great truths as to give up ourselves wholly to 
 God, and can say with sincerity, '^Thy will, and 
 not mine, be done,^' then we shall enjoy that hea- 
 
191 
 
 venly communion which constitutes the happiness 
 of the blessed above. Narrow prejudices will no 
 longer exist, our souls will expand with love to our 
 fellow-creatures, and we shall consider all mankind 
 as branches of the same family, having one common 
 Father. We shall feel a real interest in the happi- 
 ness of all within our influence, and endeavour to 
 promote it to the utmost of our power. These are 
 the effects which would be produced by submitting 
 to the operation of divine grace in the heart.* "We 
 shall then experimentally know that God is good. 
 We shall be qualified to taste and see how gracious 
 he is, by his influence upon our minds, by those 
 virtuous thoughts which he awakens in us, by those 
 secret comforts and refreshments which he conveys 
 into our souls, and by those ravishing joys and in- 
 ward satisfactions which are perpetually springing 
 up and diffusing themselves among all the thoughts 
 of good men. He is lodged in our very essence, 
 and is as a soul within the soul to irradiate its un- 
 derstanding, rectify its will, purify its passions, and 
 enliven all the powers of man. How happy is an 
 intellectual being, who by prayer and meditation, 
 by virtue and good works, opens this communica- 
 tion between God and his own soul! Though the 
 whole creation frown upon him, and all nature look 
 black about him, he has his light and support within 
 him that are able to cheer his mind and bear him 
 up in the midst of all those horrors which encom- 
 pass him. He knows that his Helper is at hand, 
 and is always nearer to him than any thing else can 
 be, which is capable of annoying or terrifying him. 
 In the midst of calumny or contempt, he attends to 
 that Being who whispers better things within his 
 soul, and whom he looks upon as his defender, his 
 
 * Collection of papers from the Spectator, page 100. 
 
192 
 
 glory, and the lifter up of his head. In his deepest 
 solitude and retirement he knows that he is in com- 
 pany with the greatest of beings; and perceives 
 within himself such real sensations of his presence, 
 as are more delightful than any thing that can be 
 met with in the conversation of his creatures. Even 
 in the hour of death, he considers the pains of his 
 dissolution to be nothing else but the breaking down 
 of that partition, which stands betwixt his soul and 
 the sight of that Being who is always present with 
 him; and is about to manifest himself to him in ful- 
 ness of joy.'^ If we duly ponder these things, fel- 
 low-traveller, and give up our hearts to the guidance 
 of the Holy Spirit, the end of our journey will be 
 the beginning of a new existence, inconceivably 
 glorious, and eternally happy! 
 
193 
 
 ON PASSING MEETING. 
 
 1*^ Mo. 30, 1838. 
 
 I felt my mind exercised for a considerable time 
 past relative to the established order amongst 
 Friends of passing meeting, with the proposed in- 
 tention of marriage, so much so that I named some- 
 thing of it at our late Monthly Meeting, without 
 wishing in any degree to take off the weight, im- 
 portance, and solemnity thereof — having no view 
 whatever to innovation or change, but which may 
 tend to the real and general benefit of society at 
 large. This being my only motive and inducement, 
 I hope to find relief in thus opening a little further 
 my feelings, by saying, that if Friends were easy 
 to dispense with the public declaration in men's and 
 women's meeting, and as a substitute thereof for the 
 proposed marriage to be opened by a minute, the 
 parties to be present, with a suitable appointment to 
 be gone into to make inquiry and report accordingly 
 at the ensuing Monthly Meeting, I believe it would 
 be an improvement, and an encouragement to many 
 of the different ranks and classes, to accomplish it 
 in the beautiful, comely order established amongst 
 Friends; for it is sorrowfully to be observed how 
 many and frequent are the instances of out-going, 
 even when both parties have a right of membership, 
 that I feel desirous that Friends may be clear, and 
 the way, the good old way, of our forefathers not 
 so much departed from. 
 
 I feel for many who are so situated in life, 
 amongst their immediate connections, as to derive 
 very little strength or help in a religious line; so 
 17 
 
194 
 
 that in many instances it seems as though the testi- 
 mony would fall to the ground. 
 
 If there was more of a bowing to the simplicity 
 of the truth, and a willingness to take up the cross, 
 under the blessed government of the Prince of 
 Peace, our beloved young people would feel more 
 interested in our meetings of discipline, which are 
 deeply interesting to the truly disciplined mind. 
 The longer I live, the more I feel of the value of 
 them, and of the plan, and I believe an infinite wis- 
 dom laid the foundation of those wholesome rules 
 that our society believe it right to be governed by. 
 But for want of yielding to this, too many are apt 
 at a distance not to know as they ought to do, the 
 things that belong to their present and everlasting 
 peace and well-being. 
 
195 
 
 Extracts from an Essay on the Habitual Exer- 
 cise of Love to God, Considered as a Prepara- 
 tion for Heaven. By Joseph John Gurney, 
 now on a religious visit in this country. 
 
 *'Much of the happiness which is here permitted 
 to man arises from the exercise of kindly feelings. 
 When benevolence leads us to seek the welfare of 
 others, and our hearts are enlarged in good will and 
 charity, our condition of mind is unquestionably one 
 of pleasure to ourselves. Again, when the objects 
 of our purest and warmest affections are granted to 
 us — when we enjoy their company and conversa- 
 tion, and when our kindness towards them is met 
 by an equal return — this is a source of unrivalled 
 temporal joy. Nor can it be denied, that the purity 
 and height of this joy are just in proportion to the 
 tnoral excellence of the objects of our love." 
 
 "Man by nature is the child of wrath; he has in- 
 herited from his first parents, in the fall, a prone- 
 ness to sin; and his distinguishing characteristic is 
 the absence of that love to God, which is absolutely 
 indispensable to true virtue and happiness, both here 
 and hereafter. Hence it follows, beyond all doubt 
 or question, that we must be *born again' — that we 
 must undergo a radical and inward change — before 
 we can live to the glory of God in this world, or be 
 fitted for the enjoyment of his presence in the world 
 to come. ^Except a man be born again, he cannot 
 
 see the kingdom of God Except a man 
 
 be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter 
 into the kingdom of God.' John iii. 3, 5." 
 
 <'If then we would attain to a capacity for those 
 
196 
 
 jjleasures which are at the right-hand of our God for 
 ever, we must yield up our souls in ready obedience 
 to the visitations of the Holy Spirit; that his en- 
 lightening and enlivening influence may assimilate 
 all within us to its own nature. Now this divine 
 influence — this free gift of God through our Lord 
 Jesus Christ — springs from love, and leads to it. 
 By teaching and enabling us to love God with all 
 our heart, and all our soul, it will prepare us for 
 that kingdom of which love is the joy for ever." 
 
 *'In effecting this blessed change in the affections 
 of fallen man, the Holy Spirit makes use of the gos- 
 pel of our Lord Jesus Christ, as his grand, appointed 
 instrument. That gospel, written in the Holy Scrip- 
 tures, and preached by the Lord's messengers, is a 
 spiritual weapon of heavenly mould; and, when 
 wielded by a divine hand, it penetrates the heart, 
 and becomes 'the power of God unto salvation.' 
 Convinced of sin, humbled under a feeling of its 
 malignity, and broken down into repentance, the 
 sinner often passes through a long and painful sea- 
 son of inward conflict; but at length he finds rest 
 for his soul in the Lord Jesus Christ.'^ 
 
 *'Himself the object of divine compassion, he 
 loves God in return; and, under the impulse of grati- 
 tude for all his mercies, and especially for the un- 
 speakable gift oi such a Saviour, he devotes himself 
 without reserve to the service of his Creator." 
 
 <'Well, indeed, is the Christian aware that he can 
 contribute nothing to these purposes, in his own 
 strength; but he lives by *faith in the Son of God,* 
 and follows the guidance of the Holy Spirit: — *it is 
 'God,^ that «worketh' in him, 'to will and to do of 
 his good pleasure.' Phil. ii. 12, 13. Thus it is 
 that he gradually attains to the experience of the 
 apostolic doctrine, that 'if any man be in Christ, it 
 is a new creation; (icxm zria-ic, 2 Cor. v. 17,) old 
 
197 
 
 things are passed away; behold all things are be- 
 come new — the 'wilderness and the solitary place' 
 are glad for him — the 'desert' rejoices and blossoms 
 *as the rose!' Isa. xxxv. 1. 
 
 "The circumstances in which we are placed, the 
 opportunity afforded of duty or improvement, our 
 own capacities and faculties, the incitements to vir- 
 tue and checks upon vice, with which we are fur- 
 nished in the moral government of God, our plea- 
 sures and our sorrows, the very taunts and tempta- 
 tions of this wicked world, must all be applied, with 
 watchfulness and prayer, to the great object of our 
 being. In constant dependence on divine grace, we 
 must use them diligently as so many talents com- 
 mitted to our stewardship — God is ever ready to 
 sanctify them to his faithful and believing children. 
 
 '•'It is of especial importance to observe, that, 
 while the believer in Jesus is graciously delivered 
 from the dominion of sin, he continues to be sub- 
 ject, like other men, to those natural laws which 
 regulate the movements, and form the constitution, 
 of the human mind. Since these laws belong to the 
 nature which God has given us, and cannot cease to 
 operate — at least in our present state of being — the 
 christian must not disregard them. On the contrary, 
 he ought to be ever on the watch to maintain their 
 right balance, and to direct their native influence to 
 wise and holy purposes." 
 
 "To contemplate God in his works, under the 
 beaming light of the religion of the Bible, is one of 
 the most profitable exercises of the human mind; it 
 cannot fail to imbue us v/ith filial love and gratitude 
 towards the Author of our being. 
 
 "If we would love God sincerely and fervently, 
 let us first contemplate him as our Father by crea- 
 tion; let us call to mind, that a few years since we 
 were not, but now are — that wq possess not only 
 17* 
 
198 
 
 animal life, but a rational and imperishable soul — 
 and that both are his gift — the spontaneous results 
 of his wisdom, power, and love." 
 
 *'^I will praise thee,' said David, *for I am fear- 
 fully and wonderfully made; marvellous are thy 
 works, and that my soul knoweth right well.' Fs. 
 cxxxix. 14 — 16. 
 
 <«These words of inspired thanksgiving are in 
 full agreement with the wonders of modern anato- 
 my. What christian, who knows any thing of these 
 wonders, can consider his own bodily frame, with- 
 out being astonished at the wisdom and goodness of 
 God? The complexity and nicety of the machine; 
 the perfect ease with which it works, — every part 
 being made for use and comfort, and no part for 
 pain; the various joints, each of that peculiar me- 
 chanism which suits it to its place; the muscles, 
 with their power of contraction for the purpose of 
 motion, and pulling against each other, to keep the 
 body even; the heart, a forcing pump, beating a 
 hundred thousand times in a day, but never grow- 
 ing weary; the blood, for ever circulating, fed with 
 chyle in one part of its passage, and enlivened with 
 pure air in another; the conversion of that blood, 
 by some mysterious action, into all the other fluids 
 of the body; the chemistry of the stomach; the 
 sensibility and sightliness of the skin; the organs 
 of sense, each furnished with its own class of nerves, 
 and fitted with the most consummate skill to its pe- 
 culiar object; the scientifically formed cavities and 
 tight drum of the ear; the refracting lenses, the di- 
 recting muscles, the cleansing tears, the protecting 
 lids and lashes, and the pictured retina of the eye — 
 all these, and a multitude of other particulars, are 
 worthy of our grateful meditation, and ought surely 
 to excite our wonder and our praise. 
 
 <'But how much more admirable is the constitu- 
 
199 
 
 tion of the mind, with all its subtle powers of sensa- 
 tion, consciousness, reflection, reasoning, memory, 
 invention, and imagination! Shall we mark these 
 powers and enjoy their action — shall we delight 
 ourselves in the facility with which our thoughts 
 range the universe — and not learn to love that 
 bounteous Being who made us what we are? 
 
 But our capacities would be of little worth with- 
 out corresponding objects; and we must contemplate 
 the Deity, not only as our Creator, but as the gra- 
 cious Author of those provisions by which our fa- 
 culties are excited to action, and all our wants sup- 
 plied. External nature teems with such provisions; 
 and the exactness of their suitability to us, affords 
 sufficient evidence, that if a man is made for the 
 world, the world is also made for man. Here we 
 may freely mingle the m.ost obvious and familiar 
 observations, with the discoveries of modern sci- 
 ence; all combine to multiply our proofs of the 
 benevolence of our heavenly Father. It seems al- 
 most needless to advert to particulars; but the reli- 
 gious man will find abundant cause for gratitude 
 towards his Creator, when he meditates on the ex- 
 istence and properties of light and heat; on the al- 
 ternations of day and night; on the arrangement of 
 the seasons; on the nature of the atmosphere; on 
 the magnetic influence, directing the mariner's com- 
 pass; on the even and moderate temperature of the 
 earth's surface; on the universal law of gravitation; 
 on the endless supplies, and multiplied uses, of wa- 
 ter; on the ocean, with its faculty of evaporation; 
 on the mighty agency of steam; on the gradual de- 
 trition of rocks into fertile soils; on the vast provi- 
 sions of animal and vegetable food, each zone of the 
 earth producing the kind of aliment which its inha- 
 bitants require; on the green carpeting of nature; 
 on the profusion of her flowers; on all her glorious 
 scenery!" 
 
200 
 
 "The gift to man of the inferior animals, for other 
 uses besides food, is another point which ought to 
 excite our gratitude. How great are the benefits 
 which he drives from the camel, the elephant, the 
 dog, the ox, and the horse! What cause has he to 
 be thankful for the hide, the fleece, and the furs of 
 the north, just suited to its frosts! Who can ob- 
 serve a multitude of silk worms, burying them- 
 selves in their own exquisite manufacture; and thus 
 administering to us abundant material, not merely 
 for soft clothing, but for the wealth of nations, — 
 without admiring the kindness of divine Provi- 
 dence? 
 
 ^ 'There is a fitness in the outward creation to the 
 mental, as well as to the bodily, capacities of man. 
 It is by his mind that he detects the secrets of na- 
 ture, unfolds her beauties, and, through many an 
 ingenious process, applies her materials to his use. 
 This fact has no tendency to weaken the evidence 
 afibrded, hy the supplies of nature, of the goodness 
 of God. On the contrary, it adds another link, of 
 immense value, to the chain of that evidence. The 
 more we dive into the hidden capabilities of the 
 world in which we dwell, and multiply, by science 
 or art, our own means of comfort and happiness — 
 the larger will be our proof of the goodness of God; 
 the stronger his claim upon ourselves, for gratitude 
 and love.^' 
 
 "While the christian accepts with gratitude the 
 satisfactions afibrded him by visible things, he can 
 be thankful even for those checks mid interruptions 
 which remind him that his present life is but a va- 
 pour — that he is only a pilgrim on his journey to 
 another world, where sorrow, suffering, sin, and 
 death, are no more. 
 
 <'Yet it ought not to be forgotten, that in the 
 gifts which she bestows, and the deprivations or 
 
201 
 
 dangers which she inflicts, nature maintains a sys- 
 tem of balance and compensation — a system which 
 plainly evinces both the wisdom and kindness of 
 her Almighty Author. 
 
 '^Again, there is every reason to believe, that 
 God governs his material universe hy general laws; 
 and, although these laws may, in particular cases, 
 be the occasion of suffering, there can be no doubt 
 that they are, on the whole, productive of enjoy- 
 ment to his living creatures, as well as of his own 
 glory. We may indeed conclude, that no other 
 laws could be equally efficacious for these purposes. 
 While, therefore, the christian is taught to trace all 
 suffering oi sin, as its original cause, he can admire 
 the wisdom and loving-kindness of God, in esta- 
 blishing a method of government over nature, of 
 which the main tendency is still unquestionably 
 found to be happy and beneficial. 
 
 "Among the choicest blessings of the God of na- 
 ture must be reckoned our social affections, consi- 
 dered in connection with their appropriate objects — 
 the social relations. The two, together, are pro- 
 ductive of a vast amount of comfort and happiness, 
 even in this uncertain and sorrowful w^orld; and they 
 afford a clear evidence of the loving-kindness of Je- 
 hovah, towards his rational creature, man. How 
 often do they alleviate the miseries of the wretched, 
 and check the cruelties of the depraved: and how 
 sweet are the pleasures which they impart to the 
 more amiable and virtuous among mankind! Yet 
 even these, the fairest flowers which earth produces, 
 bloom but to die; and nothing can supply the void 
 which the loss of them occasions, but the elevated 
 hopes of the christian believer. To him, the proof 
 which the social affections present of the benevo- 
 lence of our Creator, is wonderfully enhanced and 
 strengthened; because, when they are sanctified. 
 
202 
 
 they produce a tenfold happiness. Being brought 
 into subordination to the love of God, they now oc- 
 cupy their right province; they are at once con- 
 firmed and refined; above all, they act in harmony 
 with higher things, and are blended with that fel- 
 lowship in the gospel of Christ, which shall endure 
 for ever.'' 
 
 ''The christian can study the page of history, and 
 observe the events which are rapidly passing in this 
 dark world of change, with instruction to his own 
 mind, and thankfulness to God. There is a light 
 upon his mind, which often reveals to him the 
 traces of the righteousness of Jehovah, in the rise 
 and fall of empires, in the changes of their political 
 relations, in public prosperity or adversity, in the 
 infliction of barrenness on one part of the earth, or 
 in the gift of fertility to another.* Yet if those 
 traces are hidden, it is enough for him to remember 
 that God, who sets up one, and puts down another, 
 and disposes of all the nations of the earth as he 
 pleases, is a being of infinite wisdom and goodness, 
 and doeth all things w^ell.'' 
 
 ''The goodness of an ever-present, ever-ruling 
 God, is joyfully traced by the believer, in little cir- 
 cumstances, as well as in great events. How often, 
 during the course of our pilgrimage, have we rea- 
 
 '**How remarkably is the retributive justice of Providence 
 displayed in that curse of barrenness and exhaustion, which so 
 often overtakes those countries where the labourers are slaves; 
 and in the comparative fertility and prosperity of other lands, 
 where labour is free! The comparison of the free and slave- 
 holdin;? states of North America is, in this point of view, pecu- 
 liarly ihstructive. 'What was the cause of these abundant har- 
 vests'?' (asks Pliny, speaking of the early periods of the republic 
 of Rome) — 'It is that, at that time, men of consular dignity de- 
 voted themselves to the cultivation of their fields; which are now 
 abandoned to wretches, loaded with chains, and bearing on their 
 forehead the brand of their degraded condition. — Hodson's Letter 
 to Say on Free-labour, page 5." 
 
203 
 
 son to bless him for that especial providence, by 
 which our sufferings aje alleviated, and our wants 
 supplied! How many are the minute turning points 
 in our lives — the mere accidents as some persons 
 would call them — which are afterwards found to 
 have been fraught with important consequences both 
 for our temporal and spiritual welfare!" 
 
 "Nor can christians forget, that the roughest dis- 
 cipline to which they are here subjected, is ordained 
 in mercy for their highest good — ^Whom the Lord 
 loveth he chasteneth.' They are taught of him to 
 welcome sorrow as the means of their purification; 
 and they are not left to suffer from it without sup- 
 port; the Comforter is with them; the celestial city 
 is in their view, and the sunshine of Christianity 
 illuminates their darkest hours. Religion alone can 
 enable us to *count it all joy' when we fall into divers 
 temptations (i. e. afflictions). James i. 2. *We glory 
 in tribulations also;' said a much afflicted apostle, 
 ^knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and 
 patience, experience; and experience, hope.'" 
 
 ^'The gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, as it is re- 
 vealed in the Holy Scriptures, is intended for the 
 benefit of the whole world. It is adapted to men 
 of every condition, clime, and character; all are in- 
 vited to avail themselves of its benefits; all who will 
 come may come, ^and take the water of life freely.' " 
 
 '^When we contemplate God our Father, in the 
 redemption of the world — if the Spirit bless our 
 meditations — the affection excited in our hearts will 
 be that of love tempered with awe; our gratitude 
 will flow in a stream at once deep and undefiled; 
 and while we rejoice in his compassions, we shall 
 listen to his high behest; *Be ye holy, for I am 
 Holy.'" 
 
 '^But, in loving God, we must love him as he is 
 — a Being of infinite purity and righteousness. His 
 
204 
 
 moral attributes must all be dear to us; and we must 
 not only love him^ but love his law, which is at 
 once the rule of our lives, and the transcript oi his 
 character. A hatred of sin, and an ardent desire 
 after holiness, must ever mark the disposition and 
 conduct of the Lord's children. If David could 
 say — 'Oh how love I thy law! it is my meditation 
 all the day; . . . thy testimonies have I taken as an 
 heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my 
 heart' — {Ps. cxix. 97, 111) — the follower of Jesus, 
 in every age, ought surely to breathe in the same 
 spirit, and to burn with the same ardour. If the 
 ancient Israelites were commanded to talk of the 
 Lord's precepts when they sat in their houses, or 
 walked by the way, and when they lay down, and 
 when they rose up; to teach them diligently to their 
 children; to bind them for a sign upon their hand, 
 and for frontlets between their eyes; to write them 
 on their door-posts and on their gates — {Deut. vi. 
 6, 7,) — much more is the christian bound, by every 
 tie of gratitude, to love and obey them — to guard 
 and cherish them as his dearest treasure." 
 
 <^It is an instructive circumstance, that the suffer- 
 ings which Jesus underwent during the course of his 
 life and ministry, were endured with long -continued 
 patience. Aggravated as they were by a perfectly 
 defined anticipation of yet deeper woe, he refrained 
 from exerting his power for his own deliverance, 
 and even from rushing into the arm.s of his enemies; 
 he quietly awaited his appointed hour. 
 
 **At length, however, that hour arrived. Let us 
 then follow him to the garden of Gethsemane, and 
 mark his agony and bloody sweat, when he poured 
 forth his soul, with^strong crying and tears,' unto 
 God; let us listen to his prayer, <If it be possible, 
 let this cup pass from me;' and again, <If this cup 
 
205 
 
 may not pass from me except I drink it, thy will be 
 done.'" 
 
 "The contrast which we have now been consi- 
 dering, affords us a measure, by which we may es- 
 timate the greatness of redeeming mercy. Let our 
 thoughts ascend to the original majesty and blessed- 
 ness of Christ; let them go down to the opposite 
 extreme of his humiliation and suffering; let us con- 
 nect and compare the two states; let us add the un- 
 fathomable depth to the glorious elevation — and we 
 shall not be left without some just apprehensions of 
 that amazing love, which brought Emmanuel from 
 his throne, to live and die for sinners." 
 
 '^Christ is the ever-present sovereign and all-wise 
 ruler of his church; his is the master-mind which 
 pervades and regulates the whole body. By the in- 
 fluence of his Spirit, he guides the movements of all 
 his living members; he conducts them into truth, 
 holiness, and peace; he instructs them by his ^anoint- 
 ing' which cannot lie; his will is made manifest to 
 them, not only in the page of Scripture, but in the 
 secret of the heart; and nothing is required on their 
 parts, for the purposes either of safety or duty, but 
 the obedience oi faith. If their souls are sound in 
 the truth, they cannot disobey him." 
 
 "True indeed it is, that at the solemn hour which 
 terminates their present life, Jesus visits his people 
 individually — 'precious in the sight of the Lord is 
 the death of his saints.' Ps. cxvi. 15. In the 'val- 
 ley of the shadow of death' he is their friend and 
 companion." 
 
 "We therefore acknowledge him to be a righteous 
 Redeemer, 'the Holy-one of Israel;' we depend on 
 his merits, as well as on his mercies; we admire and 
 adore him for his boundless love, and for his eternal 
 worthiness.^ ^Worthy is the Lamb that was slain 
 to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and 
 18 
 
206 
 
 strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing,' 
 'Blessing and honour, and glory and power, be unto 
 him that sitteth on the throne, and unto the Lamb 
 for ever and ever.' Rev. v. 12, 13." 
 
 '* *The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,' says 
 the Messiah, ^because the Lord hath anointed me 
 to preach good tidings unto the meek.' Isa. Ixi. 1; 
 conip, ch. xi. 2, and John iii. 34. Again, the 
 psalmist, worshipping him, says, 'Thy throne, 
 God, is for ever and ever; the sceptre of thy king- 
 dom is a right sceptre; thou lovest righteousness 
 and hatest wickedness.' " 
 
 «<We are to conceive of the Holy Spirit, however, 
 not merely as the agent of divine revelation, but as 
 a wise and benevolent 7?rece/?/or, who gradually un- 
 folds his lessons to our understanding, as ive are 
 able to bear them; and at the same time impresses 
 them upon our hearts. 'Howbeit when he, the 
 Spirit of truth, is come, he shall guide you into all 
 truth; for he shall not speak of himself; but what- 
 soever he shall hear, that shall he speak he 
 
 shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you."' 
 
 ''Although, for a time, these doctrines may be 
 obscure to us, the j»rece;?/5 of religion always clear; 
 and it is only as we humbly endeavour to add vir- 
 tue to our faith, that the Spirit will enable us to add 
 knowledge to our virtue. Again, when we have 
 made some little proficiency in the school of Christ, 
 the Spirit teaches us to apply our knowledge to its 
 practical uses. He points out, with clearness to our 
 souls, our peculiar lines of duty; he prompts and 
 directs our respective services in the church; he 
 opens our path before us, and shows us how to walk 
 in it. We need not that any man teach us, because 
 Hhe anointing'' teaches us *of all things, and is truth 
 and no lie.' John ii. 27." 
 
 <*When we have exchanged the love of the world 
 
207 
 
 for the love of God, and have experienced the hap- 
 piness of this blessed change — when, 'instead of the 
 thorn' has sprung up the *fir-tree/ and 'instead of 
 the brier/ the 'myrtle tree,' — we cannot refrain 
 from declaring the praises of Him who is the imme- 
 diate Author, in the economy of grace, of this new 
 creation. " 
 
 "Finally, the Spirit is our Comforter. ^If ye 
 love me, keep my commandments; and I will pray 
 the Father and he will give you another Comforter, 
 that he may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit 
 of truth whom the world cannot receive, because it 
 seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know 
 him, for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.' 
 John xiv. 15 — 17. 'It is expedient for you that I 
 go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will 
 not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him 
 unto you,' " 
 
 "On a deliberate view of that glorious scheme of 
 mercy, which we have now been endeavouring to 
 unfold, our hearts may well be filled with admira- 
 tion and astonishment, while they are humbled in 
 the dust, and melted into love. What do we not 
 owe of affection, gratitude, and allegiance, to the 
 Father who loved us from eternity, and sent his 
 Son into the world to save us; to the Son who bore 
 the bitter penalty of our sins on the cross, and who 
 ever lives to make intercession for us; and to the 
 Spirit who applies these mercies, and prepares us 
 for heavenly joy? Yet, while we contemplate these 
 distinctive operations of divine mercy, as demand- 
 ing corresponding exertions, on our own part, of 
 faith, love, and obedience, we must never, for a 
 moment, forget that God is one, and that his es- 
 sence cannot be divided. His love does indeed flow 
 forth for the redemption of mankind, in the repec- 
 tive offices of the Father, the Son, and the Spirit; 
 
208 
 
 but it is the love of a single, infinite, and incompre- 
 hensible Being, who is the author, the medium, and 
 the end of all things. 
 
 "When Jehovah had laid the foundations of the 
 earth, and had called into being his creature man, 
 his love was celebrated by the harmony of the 
 spheres and the applause of angels — Hlie morning 
 stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted 
 for joy.' Job xxxviii. 7." 
 
 ^*When both the majesty and mercy of God were 
 made manifest to mankind in the face of Jesus — the 
 melody of heaven again became audible. 'And sud- 
 denly there was with the shepherds a multitude of 
 the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, glory 
 to God in the highest, and on earth peace, and good 
 will to man.' " 
 
 "Finally, when time shall be no longer — when 
 the whole mediatorial scheme shall have been ac- 
 complished, and the elect of God gathered into hea- 
 venly places — one harmonious anthem will for ever 
 ascend from that ransomed and glorified assembly 
 which no man can number. In perfect accordance 
 with cherubim and seraphim, will they sing the 
 song of Moses and the song of the Lamb — 'Great 
 and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; 
 just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints;' and 
 again, 'Alleluia, for the Lord God omnipotent 
 reigneth!' Rev. xv. 3, 4; xix. 6. 
 
 ''May we reflect, with humble reverence and 
 holy joy, on the creating, renovating, and crown- 
 ing, mercies of our God; may a sense of those mer- 
 cies be in us an ever-flowing well-spring of love and 
 gratitude; may we bear our part, individually, in 
 the universal melody of thanksgiving; and under 
 an unutterable feeling of our obligations to God, 
 may we surrender our whole hearts to his Spirit—- 
 our whole lives to his service!" 
 
209 
 
 '*The habit of fixing our minds on God, as the 
 subject of our thoughts and meditations, is one of 
 which, in heaven, we shall find the full value.'' 
 
 '^Let us, then, in dependence on the grace of God, 
 accustom ourselves, even here, to this divine em- 
 ployment. Amidst our many calls to active duty, 
 let us still give due place to the contemplative part 
 of the religious life. Let us frequently endeavour 
 to lift up our souls above this present busy sphere, 
 and to meditate on the glory of Jehovah. Thus 
 shall we be the better prepared, not only to love 
 God perfectly, in that world of which love is the 
 element, but to unite with saints and angels in the 
 highest of all applications of the mental faculty. 
 ^Now we see through a glass darkly, but then face 
 to face; now we know in part, but then shall we 
 know, even as we are known.' " 
 
 "Repentance and reconciliation are steps which 
 must be trodden by every man, before he can pos- 
 sibly enjoy an effective communion with the Author 
 of all good." 
 
 "We cannot perform this sacred duty in our own 
 strength; we must seek the influence of that Holy 
 Spirit, who can alone impart a living energy to our 
 praises and our prayers." 
 
 ^'The chain of friendship — to- adopt the simple 
 metaphor of the North American Indians — is kept 
 bright by the converse of friends. If we truly love 
 our friend, and are on good terms with him, we 
 naturally seek his society; and the more we enjoy of 
 it — mind communing with mind — the more does 
 our love for him abound." 
 
 '^When a cessation of intercourse between friends 
 is occasioned by circumstances over which they have 
 no control, there does indeed arise a certain effort 
 of the mind, which counteracts the efiect of absence, 
 and overleaps the greatest distance." 
 18* 
 
210 
 
 ^^Although true religion abounds in social feel- 
 ings and duties, there is in its work on the indivi- 
 dual soul, a depth of solitude with which none can 
 interfere." 
 
 ''Hence we may perceive the importance of that 
 solitary devotion, in which the christian, separated 
 for a season from his fellow men, can say with the 
 Psalmist, *Whom have I in heaven but thee; and 
 there is none upon earth tliat I desire besides thee.^ 
 Ps. Ixxiii. 25. Our Lord's precept on the subject 
 is clear and decisive — 'Butthou when thou prayest, 
 enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy 
 door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy 
 Father which seeth in secret, shall reward thee 
 openly.' Matt. vi. 6." 
 
 "To retire occasionally during the day, and espe- 
 cially at the beginning and end of it, from all hu- 
 man society, for the purpose of self-examination and 
 prayer, is a practice which Christianity may be said 
 to enjoin, and which affords an important aid to 
 every other duty. Such times of solitary religious 
 exercise, are evidentl}^ useful for the deepening of 
 our humility, and for the strengthening of our faith, 
 our hope, and our virtue. The more diligent we 
 are in private communion with God, the more con- 
 spicuously shall we bear the mark of his Spirit upon 
 us, in our whole demeanour and conversation among 
 men. 
 
 ^*Many are the significant hints given to us in 
 Scripture, on the subject oi family religion. The 
 Lord knew that Abraham would 'command his 
 children and his household after him' to 'keep the 
 way of the Lord.' Gen. xviii. 9. Joshua said, 'As for 
 me and my house, wq will serve the Lord.' Josh. 
 xxiv. 15. The Israelites were commanded to teach 
 the Lord's precepts to their children, and to speak 
 of them, as they sat in their houses; and the passover 
 
211 
 
 was celebrated among them separately, in every 
 family?' Beut. vi. 7; Exod,:^\\. 21. David said, *I 
 will walk within my house with a perfect heart.' 
 Ps. ci. 2. Cornelius *feared God with all his house.' 
 Jlcts X. 2. 'There was a church in the house of 
 Nymphas; and another in that of Philemon.' Col. 
 iv. 15; Philem. 2. Their respective families, doubt- 
 less, being united in the fellowship of the gospel, and 
 in the daily worship of God. There can indeed be 
 no doubt, that nearness of natural connection ought 
 ever to be accompanied, among christians, by a cor- 
 responding intimacy in matters of religion. Hus- 
 bands and wives, parents and children, brothers and 
 sisters, should be helpers of each other's faith and 
 joy; and should account it a privilege of no trifling 
 value, to frequent the throne of grace in each other's 
 company. With respect to our children, more par- 
 ticularly, it is surely our duty, by watchful instruc- 
 tion, and sometimes by uniting with them in their 
 private religious exercises, to train them in the habit 
 of daily prayer — just as we see the parent bird, by 
 frequent example and experiment, teaching and in- 
 ducing her young ones to use the wings which God 
 has given them. 
 
 "Nor ought we to neglect to extend a religious 
 care over our servants. Our whole household should 
 be united, at least once in a day, in the reading of 
 the Holy Scriptures, and in drawing near, in spirit, 
 to that Gracious Being from whom we derive all 
 our blessings, both temporal and spiritual." 
 
 ''How desirable then is it, that in dependence on 
 the grace of God, which can alone turn the heart of 
 man, we should make the best use of this facility in 
 our nature, and cultivate both in ourselves and 
 others, a taste for devotion ! The christian must be 
 careful not to cast a gloom over religion. He is 
 brought into the sunshine of truth; and under its 
 
212 
 
 gladdening influence, he must himself learn, that he 
 must endeavour to teach his children, to take delight 
 in religious pursuits; and, above all, in the worship 
 of the Creator/' 
 
 ''For this, as well as other reasons, it may be re- 
 garded as a christian duty, to set apart an hour or 
 two during the week, besides the Sabbath day, for 
 the solemn and happy purpose of public worship. 
 The temporary exchange of our usual pursuits for 
 this holy employment — while the world at large is 
 engrossed in its own concerns — can scarcely fail to 
 be profitable to our souls, and acceptable to our God 
 and Saviour. But how precious to every one who 
 is serious in the pursuit of heavenly things, is the 
 Sabbath itself! What cause for thankfulness is it, 
 that God has ordained the cessation of worldly la- 
 bours on every recurring seventh day, that his chil- 
 dren may enjoy a wholesome rest; and that in the 
 quietness of this rest, they may devote their undi- 
 vided faculties to communion with himself!" 
 
 ''Although Christianity is not a religion of forms 
 and ceremonies, it claims the assistance of many ex- 
 ternal observances; such, for example, as retirement 
 from society for the purpose of private devotion, the 
 appointment of stated times for reading the Scrip- 
 tures in our families, the orderly keeping of the 
 Sabbath day, and the regular attendance of our places 
 of public worship. Yet all these things are useless, 
 and may even be a means of the further hardening 
 of our hearts, unless we maintain, in connection 
 with them, the life of true worship. 'God is a Spi- 
 rit, and they that worship him must worship him in 
 spirit and in truth.' To frequent the house of prayer; 
 to bow the knee before him; to draw near to him 
 with the lip — while our hearts are far from him — 
 can be regarded only as a mocker}^ and offence." 
 
 "Although the outward offices of religion^ serve 
 
-213 
 
 a highly important purpose in promoting its practi- 
 cal operation, we are not to forget, that, under di- 
 vine influence, the soul is capable of communion 
 with God, when these offices are withdrawn. The 
 christian may retire into the solitude of his own 
 heart, and hold communion with his Maker, even 
 while he is in the midst of a multitude; nor will his 
 worship of that Supreme Object of his regard and 
 aflfections, be confined to any stated periods set apart 
 for the purpose. He is taught to realise the per- 
 petual presence of his God; and on every passing oc- 
 casion of life, to lift up his heart to him as to a Fa- 
 ther and a Friend. Certainly it ought to be the 
 habit of our souls, as the hours of each day pass over 
 us, frequently to bring our ignorance and weakness 
 to the Fountain of light and strength — our poverty 
 and emptiness, to \\\^ fulness which is in Christ, 
 
 'Prayer is the soul's sincere desire, 
 
 Uttered, or unexpress'd; 
 The motion of a hidden fire, 
 
 That trembles in the breast. 
 
 'Prayer is the breathing of a sigh, 
 
 The falling of a tear. 
 The upward glancing of an eye. 
 
 When none but God is near. 
 
 ' Montgomery.' 
 
 "It is chiefly through this hidden exercise of a 
 devotional mind, that the christian walks with God; 
 and the more we are thus brought into contact with 
 his goodness and power, the greater will be our de- 
 light in such a walk. The proneness of the regene- 
 rate soul to ascend in living aspirations after him, 
 will constantly increase; and every act of secret 
 communion with the Lord, will assist in confirming 
 that love towards him, from which it springs. Nor 
 are these acts confined to prayer — often are they the 
 movements of a spirit filled with praise. If it is our 
 
214 
 
 duty and privilege to 'pray without ceasing,' it 
 equally becomes us, in ^every thing,' to 'give 
 thanks.' 1 Thess. v. 17, 18. 
 
 ''It appears, then, that in order to be fitted for 
 communion with God, fallen man must first repent 
 and be reconciled to his Creator — that the steadfast 
 maintenance of that communion in the christian be- 
 liever, is a principal means, in the order of divine 
 grace, for the increase and confirmation of his love 
 — that he is therefore bound to exercise diligence in 
 the devotional duties of the closet, of the family cir- 
 cle, and of the church — that the outward part of 
 these duties is salutary and even needful, as an aid 
 to inward worship; but that without life, it is use- 
 less, and may even be injurious — finally, that the 
 secret intercourse of the soul with God, is the vital 
 breath of the christian, and ought to pervade the 
 whole course of his conversation and experience." 
 
 "Communion is in its nature reciprocal. Not 
 only are we to pour out our souls in prayer to the 
 Lord; but we are to receive his mind, or counsel, 
 in return. It is on this ground, as I conceive, that 
 the reading of the Holy Scriptures forms an essen- 
 tial part of our private and family devotional duties; 
 for in that sacred volume, God condescends to 
 speak to us — to develope his mind for our instruc- 
 tion, guidance, and consolation. And, on the same 
 principle, we recognise a connection between public 
 worship and the ministry of the gospel, which um- 
 iovmXy p7'ofesses to be an expression of the mind of 
 God. And such undoubtedly it ever will be, so 
 long as it is scriptural in its character, and is offered 
 under the influence and teaching of the Holy Spirit. 
 But our Heavenly Father is graciously pleased to 
 communicate his will to man, by a voice which 
 speaks within, and which will ever direct us in the 
 way of holiness. As long as his reconciled children 
 
215 
 
 obey that voice, and lead a life of righteousness, so 
 long are they the children of light, and enjoy a free 
 communion with him in whom there is no dark- 
 ness. But no sooner do they disobey their divine 
 Monitor, and follow the devices of their own hearts, 
 than their communion with God is interrupted. 
 Even an angry feeling, or a polluting thought, will 
 hinder the breathing of the soul towards the eternal 
 Source of peace and purity. The spiritual man is 
 gifted with a knowledge of 4he mind of Christy 
 (1 Cor. ii. 19,) and just in the degree in which he 
 is conformed to it, in his own disposition and con- 
 duct, he is capable of communing with God, in that 
 pure love which sin alone can separate." 
 
 "It has been fully proved that all particles of mat- 
 ter attract one another; and that the force of that 
 attraction (until they come into apparent contact,) 
 is in the inverse proportion of the squares of their 
 distances. Philosophers have ascertained not only 
 the existence, but as far as the scope of their inves- 
 tigation extends, the ubiquity of this law; which in- 
 deed appears to be God's chosen instrument for pre- 
 serving the material universe in its present order. 
 But of its origin it is utterly out of their power to 
 give any account but one — God said, Let it be, and 
 it was. Whatsoever, indeed, may be the triumphs 
 of inductive philosophy, in classifying and general- 
 izing the operations of nature, and in reducing the 
 apparent number of the laws by which she is go- 
 verned, our ultimate resort — the final rest for the 
 inquisitiveness of man's mind — can be found only 
 in the^«/ of omnipotence. 
 
 *^Now it is impossible for the christian to doubt 
 that the will of God, even in the government of the 
 material world, is moved by a spring of infinite 
 wisdom and benevolence; and that all the laws of 
 nature are what they are, because it is best that they 
 
216 
 
 should be so — best for the ultimate happiness of his 
 rational creatures, and best for his own glory. 
 
 '^Between the course of nature and that oi provi- 
 dence, there is an obvious, and in this world, a ne- 
 cessary connection. But the latter assumes a dis- 
 tinct character, when regarded as the order in which 
 the Supreme Governor of the world, deals w^ith his 
 rational creature, man. The laws by which these 
 dealings are regulated, are by no means so clearly 
 inscribed on the annals of man's history, in this 
 lower world, as are the laws of nature on the face 
 of the material universe. Yet we are not left with- 
 out some perceptible indications, that they are gene- 
 ral and permanent; above all, that they are moral, 
 exactly adapted to the holiness and benevolence of 
 the Deity. These indications are amply confirmed 
 in scripture, which teaches us that God is holy — 
 that he is also love — and that he deals with man- 
 kind, under every variety of time, place, and cir- 
 cumstances, on principles of perfect righteousness, 
 which can never change. If ^clouds and darkness,^ 
 are ^round about him, justice and judgment are the 
 habitations of his throne.' 
 
 ^'Experience affords sufficient evidence that the 
 main law by which the course of divine providence 
 towards man is regulated, is that virtue should pro- 
 duce happiness, and vice misery. But this law is 
 checked and modified by two provisions of vast 
 practical importance. The first is, that man is here 
 placed in a state of trial, involving many dangers 
 and temptations; in order that his character may be 
 put to the proof, and finally developed as a ground 
 of judgment to come. The second is, that this state 
 of trial is appointed to serve the purpose of moral 
 discipline, that by an experimental process, (often 
 of a rough and mysterious nature) we may, under 
 grace, be weaned from our iniquities, and trained to 
 
217 
 
 those dispositions which are alone suited to the hea- 
 venly state. We have no reason, therefore, to be 
 astonished at that trial of the saint's faith, to which 
 the sacred writers so frequently allude; namely, 
 that in this lower scene of action, vice is often tri- 
 umphant, and virtue as often depressed and per- 
 secuted. Look at some fragment of an animal — 
 some broken pieces of a claw or a bone — how un- 
 sightly it appears; how unworthy of the hand of 
 infinite skill and wisdom! But let it be seen in 
 connection with its corresponding parts. Let the 
 animal stand before us in his native beauty and 
 vigour. How perfect is the living machinery! how 
 well it works! how seemly are its proportions! how 
 unexceptionable the whole creature! Just so the 
 apparent interruptions of God's righteous govern- 
 ment, in this world of darkness, may be to us 
 very strange and unsightly; yet there can be no 
 question, that in their connection with the univer- 
 sal scope of that government, they will, in the end, 
 be found to form part of a perfectly harmonious and 
 glorious whole. 
 
 '*In considering the manifestations of the will of 
 God, in nature and providence, we advert to laws 
 with which no creature can intermeddle; for he has 
 not only ordained them, but by the unceasing exer- 
 tions of an omnipresent power, himself carries them 
 into execution. But there is another branch of the 
 subject, with which we have a still more immediate 
 and pressing concern — The will of God respecting 
 our own conduct. Here he sees fit to deal with us 
 as free and responsible agents; he permits us to 
 choose between good and evil; he gives us a timely 
 notice of their respective consequences; he offers 
 his gracious aid, to enable us to walk in the way of 
 righteousness; he wills, without compelling, our 
 holiness. 
 19 
 
218 
 
 '^The will of God, as it relates to the conduct of 
 his rational creatures, is manifested in certain per- 
 manent rules, which constitute his moral law; and 
 it is one of the chief triumphs of the religion of the 
 Bible, that it overthrows all fallacious standards of 
 morals — such as the ^fitness' of the Stoics, and the 
 ^utility' of the Epicureans — and settles every ques- 
 tion of right and wrong, by a simple reference to the 
 will of Omnipotence. Yet this will is itself deter- 
 mined by unchangeable principles of holiness, jus- 
 tice, benevolence and truth. These attributes are 
 essential to the nature of our Heavenly Father; and 
 they are the ultimate foundation of his law. 
 
 **The moral laws of God, as they relate to our- 
 selves, are the expression of his righteous will; and 
 both the will and the expression of it are necessary, 
 in order to render us responsible for our actions to 
 the Author of our being. For in the absence of 
 either, there can, to us, be no law; and ^ where 
 no law is, there is no transgression.' How then is 
 the moral will of God expressed to his creature 
 man? 
 
 ''In the first place, it is revealed in the heart; so 
 that by intuitive perception, every man knows that 
 virtue is right, and vice is wrong. Whatsoever may 
 be the perversions of our conscience in the fall, 
 there is a light which so far illuminates it, that we 
 cannot but approve of justice, honesty and benevo- 
 lence, and condemn the contrary, both in our ac- 
 tions and in those of others; and the more this light 
 is followed in practice, the more bright does it shine; 
 the more tender and effective does the conscience 
 become. There are three elements in this matter; 
 first, the natural percipient power, which is con- 
 science; secondly, the eternal moral truth, which is 
 the object perceived; and thirdly, the light by which 
 that moral truth is revealed, and through which. 
 
219 
 
 therefore, it becomes law to ourselves. Now I con- 
 ceive that this light — whether more or less faint — 
 is of far too pure a character to be ascribed to cor- 
 rupt human nature; and that it must rather be re- 
 garded as the universal visitation of a divine influ- 
 ence, bestowed on mankind through the redemption 
 which is in Christ. 
 
 "How unspeakably would it promote our happi- 
 ness, were we more obedient to the law of God, as 
 it is written on the tablets of the heart! In the 
 meantime, however, the same law is unfolded in 
 the Holy Scriptures. It was confirmed, by revela- 
 tion to the patriarchs and prophets of old; it formed 
 an essential part of the Mosaic dispensation; and as 
 the tables of stone on which it was written, were 
 safely kept in the ark of the Covenant, so is the law 
 itself inclosed and preserved inviolate, in the bosom 
 of Christianity.^' 
 
 '*Nor are we left to conjecture what are the par- 
 ticular characteristics of that life of holiness, into 
 which the faith of the christian is intended to con- 
 duct him. Every separate fruit of the Spirit is dis- 
 tinctly set before us; and is pressed upon our atten- 
 tion for its own sake, and as it were, on its own 
 merits — love and loyalty to God, reliance on his 
 goodness, devotion to the service of Christ, the 
 fixing of the soul on heaven, watchfulness, perse- 
 verance in prayer, purity of heart, integrity, tem- 
 perance, fortitude, patience, meekness, forbearance, 
 long-suffering, the return of good for evil, gentle- 
 ness, lowliness of mind, and that universal charity 
 which is the bond of perfectness." 
 
 "From the view which has now been taken of the 
 manifestations of the will of God, in nature, in pro- 
 vidence, and in grace, some conception may be 
 formed of the comprehensiveness of that short peti- 
 tion — so often used, but so little understood — *7%y 
 
220 
 
 will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.'* In 
 heaven the will of God is done perfectly. No mur- 
 murs against his laws, either natural or moral, find 
 their way into the breasts of angels and glorified 
 spirits; no weakness of the flesh, no lingering cor- 
 ruption, interrupts their obedience to the King of 
 kings. Such then is the mark, at which it is our 
 duty constantly to aim. A perfect submission to 
 the will of our Heavenly Father, is the only prac- 
 tical standard proposed to us by Christianity. 
 
 "Now submission to the divine will consists of 
 two parts — first, resignation in suffering; and 
 secondly, obedience in acting.^^ 
 
 <<There is nothing more distasteful to the natural 
 man, than the piercing spirituality, the comprehen- 
 sive grasp, and the binding authority, of God's pre- 
 cepts. The child of darkness prefers his own de- 
 vices — he is a rebel to the core. But Christianity 
 requires an uncompromising compliance with the 
 whole counsel of God, as it relates to our conduct. 
 Our whole life must be regulated by the directions 
 of his perfect law. No rebellious feeling, no cor- 
 rupt motive or thought, must be harboured; no fa- 
 vourite sin spared; no unwelcome duty omitted. 
 We must 'walk in the light, as [God] is in the 
 light,' — implicitly following the dictates of the Holy 
 Spirit, who guides into all righteousness." 
 
 ^'Having repented of all his transgressions, and 
 having cast the burthen of them on the Lord, the 
 believer is no longer oppressed with the slavish fears 
 of a condemned criminal. He enjoys the privilege 
 of filial freedom. Delivered by a hand of infinite 
 mercy from guilt and condemnation, he is at liberty 
 to run, with all diligence, in the way of God's com- 
 mandments; while the humble yet settled hope of 
 a glorious immortality animates his zeal, and quick- 
 ens his footsteps in the race of virtue." 
 
221 
 
 "But no sooner is a man's heart made tender, 
 than he begins to form a just estimate of christian 
 truth. He no longer denies either its authority or 
 its importance. He embraces it readily, as his hope 
 and his salvation; and, proving his faith by his obe- 
 dience, he is soon rewarded with an increase of his 
 knowledge. The Spirit takes of the things of Christ, 
 and unfolds them to his soul. 
 
 "Now as love makes way for faith, and faith 
 works by love, so it is unquestionably true, that the 
 exercise of faith — the fixing of the heart and under- 
 standing on Christ as the way, the truth, and the 
 life — has a mighty efficacy in increasing and con- 
 firming our love to God. It brings him near to us 
 in the perfection of his holiness, and in the fulness 
 of his mercy; it presents him to us in Christ Jesus, 
 as the worthy object of profound adoration and un- 
 bounded gratitude. The stronger and more simple 
 our faith therefore in the truth and promises of 
 Scripture — the more cordial and complete our re- 
 ception of the gospel of Jesus Christ — the more fer- 
 vent will be our love to that holy and glorious Be- 
 ing who is the Author of all our mercies. 
 
 "Vain, however, will be our belief in the glad 
 tidings of salvation through the crucified Immanuel, 
 unless it be followed by a holy decision of mind in 
 giving up ourselves to God. The want of this holy 
 decision may be regarded as the second grand cause 
 of the imperfections which so often interrupt our 
 conformity to the divine will." 
 
 '^ '1 beseech you, therefore, brethren, by the 
 mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a liv- 
 ing sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is 
 your reasonable service; and be not conformed to 
 this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing 
 of your mind, that you may prove which is that 
 19* 
 
222 
 
 good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God/ 
 Bom. xii. 1, 2." 
 
 "Our true wisdom will be found in a close at- 
 tention to the duty of the day — the hour — the mo- 
 ment. Every touch of the rod of God's providence 
 which brings us into suffering, must be met by a 
 corresponding readiness to submit to the infliction. 
 Every little pointing of the divine finger, to the 
 sacrifice of a wrong desire, or to the performance of 
 an act of duty, must be watched with an observant 
 eye, and followed with implicit obedience. Thus 
 will our love to God put forth its energy on a mul- 
 titude of small occasions; it will gain new strength 
 by its success in every step of the process; and when 
 our divine master sees fit to ordain some greater 
 trial of our allegiance, we shall find, to our inex- 
 pressible advantage, that we are his own — resigned 
 to his disposal, and ready for his service. ^Who- 
 ever shall do the will of God,' said Jesus to his fol- 
 lowers, Hhe same is tjii/ brother, and my sister, 
 and m,y mother.^ Mark iii. 35." 
 
 *^A perfect subjection to the will of God, is the 
 only practical standard of Christianity — that this 
 subjection consists of resignation in suffering, and 
 obedience in acting — that these must be grounded, 
 first, on living faith in the gospel of our Redeemer; 
 secondly, on a holy decision in surrendering our- 
 selves to God — that such a surrender is prompted 
 by love, and adds vast force to it — that the chris- 
 tian is thus prepared for his whole course of virtue 
 and piety, and that by every step which he takes 
 in that course, his love to God is brightened and 
 confirmed." 
 
 <^We now advert to a second principle of much 
 practical importance — that the love which good 
 characters excite in the minds of men, who have 
 'any spark of goodness' in themselves, is always 
 
223 
 
 accompanied by a desire to imitate the pattern 
 which they admire and approve. What ingenuous 
 person can find his best afiections drawn forth by 
 noble and generous characters in the history of his 
 country, without feeling some ardent wishes to act 
 on the same principles of virtue and charity? The 
 force of example is felt even in large communities; 
 and goodness, under the divine blessing, is often 
 diflfused in society, through the tendency, so com- 
 mon amongst men, to imitate those of their neigh- 
 bours who are the objects of their regard. The 
 same principle applies with redoubled force to the 
 domestic circle. When we are instructed and com- 
 forted from day to day by the good conduct of our 
 dearest friends, it is impossible for us (if our minds 
 be in any degree under a right influence) not to de- 
 sire — and almost impossible not to endeavour — to 
 be of the same mind, the same character." 
 
 "It appears, then, first, that when there is any 
 spark of goodness in men, their love and regard is 
 naturally attracted by virtuous characters; and that 
 although this principle, as it respects God, is griev- 
 ously hindered by the weakness and corruption of 
 our nature, it is, nevertheless, verified by the ex- 
 perience of every true christian — secondly, that one 
 attachment to persons distinguished by moral excel- 
 lence, is inseparably connected with some desire to 
 imitate their example — that the christian is inspired 
 with an earnest solicitude to be a follower of God 
 himself." 
 
 <*The more any community of men is set free 
 from degrading and vicious practices, the greater 
 will be their esteem for their virtuous members. 
 The more the child is strengthened in his moral 
 principles, the more he will love the parent in 
 whose conduct those principles are displayed. 
 
 "From these premises, it plainly follows, that 
 
224 
 
 precisely in proportion to the christian's improve- 
 ment in holiness, will be the increase of his love to 
 a holy God and Saviour. Let the work of sanctifi- 
 cation go forward in our souls, and what will be the 
 blessed consequence? Our sense of the glory and 
 excellence of the divine character will be refined 
 and exalted; our hatred for sin, and our reverence 
 for righteousness, will become determined; and the 
 love which leads us to imitate the Saviour, will 
 grow stronger and stronger as the process of assimi- 
 lation advances. The more we resemble him and 
 partake of his mind and character, the warmer will 
 be our regard for him, and the closer that bond of 
 union, in which we can say, with the church of old, 
 ^my beloved is mine, and I am his.' Cant. ii. 16. 
 And in being thus brought nearer to the Son, we 
 are brought nearer to the Father also. Every ele- 
 ment of discord and separation between God and his 
 children, is gradually removed; and as sin disap- 
 pears, love triumphs over all.'' 
 
 "Experience afibrds many proofs that men, being 
 evil, 'know how to give good gifts' unto their 'chil- 
 dren.' The father of a family provides food for his 
 wife and little ones, by the labour of his hands; and 
 is constrained to do so by the gentle yet constant 
 impulse of natural affection. The mother watches 
 with ceaseless care over the couch of her sick infant, 
 and is urged by feelings of a most tender character 
 to soothe its sufferings, even at the cost of her own 
 ease and comfort. Brothers and sisters, relations 
 and friends, are perpetually seen enjoying each 
 other's company, and assisting one another by a 
 thousand little offices of kindness. In some of these 
 instances, especially in that of the watchful mother, 
 something may be placed to the account of natural 
 instinct; yet we cannot deny, that benevolence has 
 its share of influence in producing these effects; and 
 
225 
 
 this quality becomes still more conspicuous when 
 men are found to be willing, as they very generally 
 are, to relieve the distresses of their fellow-men, 
 with whom they have little or no connection, but 
 that of a common nature." 
 
 "It is impossible to deny the existence of these 
 kindly dispositions in man; and it would be ungrate- 
 ful to our gracious Creator, to underrate their va- 
 lue.'^ 
 
 "The plain fact is, that the affection of love, in 
 the breast of man, will never be regulated on prin- 
 ciples of true morality, or be found of a pure and 
 stable character, until it be directed, in the first 
 place, to that glorious Being who is its proper and 
 supreme object. It is when our love has been taught 
 to flow, in an undivided stream, towards God, that 
 it pursues its course — or rather, that it is sent back 
 from him — with a force unknown before, towards 
 all who stand in the same relation to him as our- 
 selves; for we are children of one Father. 
 
 <*Let us picture to ourselves some large family 
 of sons and daughters, who have been cherished, 
 with an impartial regard, by their earthly parents. 
 Should these children make no return for parental 
 kindness but indifference and neglect, it is morally 
 impossible that there should be any stable principle 
 in their friendship for each other; the bond subsist- 
 ing among them must be loose and uncertain in the 
 extreme. But should they, on the contrary, be vir- 
 tuous, the love of every child in the fireside group, 
 would flow without restriction, in the first place, 
 towards his parents; and, in the next place, towards 
 his brothers and sisters, those equal sharers with 
 himself of a father's tenderness and a mother's 
 care." 
 
 "The claims of our Heavenly Father on our love 
 and gratitude, are incomparably superior to those of 
 
226 
 
 any earthly parent; and when these claims are ac- 
 knowledged and felt, our love to our fellow-men, 
 the common objects with ourselves of his goodness, 
 both in creation and providence, rests on a secure 
 basis; it becomes what it never was before, a hea- 
 ven-born affection. But what vast additional force 
 is imparted to this affection, through the gospel of 
 our Redeemer! When the great truth is impressed 
 on our hearts, that God sent his own Son into the 
 world to save us." 
 
 '^We have seen that those who truly love God, 
 are distinguished by a cordial desire and endeavour 
 to resemble the object of their regard. But there 
 is not one of his moral attributes more clearly placed 
 within the scope of our perception and imitation, 
 than his love to man.^' 
 
 *<When the lawyer questioned Jesus, saying, 
 'Master, which is the great commandment of the 
 law? Jesus said unto him. Thou shalt love the Lord 
 thy God with all th}^ heart, and with all thy soul, 
 and with all thy mind. This is the first and great 
 commandment. And the second is like unto it, 
 
 THOU SHALT LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR AS THYSELF." 
 
 "Hence it appears, that under the gospel of our 
 Lord Jesus Christ, all men of every colour and 
 country who fall under our notice, or are within the 
 reach of our influence, must be regarded as our 
 neighbours; and that it is our duty to love them as 
 we love ourselves. Nor does the mere distance of 
 the party from us, deprive him of this character; for 
 Christianity is a diffusive religion. Under its influ- 
 ence, we have to do with millions whom we have 
 never seen; and while it in no degree weakens the 
 pre-eminent claims upon us, of our own country- 
 men, it supplies us with neighbours, whom it is our 
 duty to serve, in the remotest part of the habitable 
 globe. When the apostles were commanded to go 
 
227 
 
 forth and to proclaim the glad tidings of salvation 
 to every creature under heaven, they were taught, 
 by the very command itself, to regard every crea- 
 ture under heaven^ as their neighbour and their 
 friend.^' 
 
 "It appears then, that the enmity of any persons, 
 or of any nations of men, against ourselves, has no 
 effect in removing them from the class of our neigh- 
 hours; we must still love them, and treat them as 
 our friends. In short, the term ^neighbour,' in this 
 comprehensive law, extends, under the gospel, with- 
 out any kind of exception, to the whole family of 
 our fellow nien.^' 
 
 "The measure of the love which the christian is 
 required to bear towards his neighbour, is the love 
 which he lawfully entertains for himself — *Thou 
 shalt love thy neighbour as thyself^ Although the 
 love of self is miserably perverted and exaggerated 
 in the fall, so that, in point of fact, it has become 
 self-worship, there can be no doubt that this affec- 
 tion, within its true limits, belongs to man's origi- 
 nal nature, and forms an important part of his mental 
 constitution. It is the affection which leads us, by 
 a never failing impulse, to seek our own safety and 
 happiness; and, when rectified by divine grace, and 
 applied in a right direction.^ it becomes a powerful 
 instrument for our good. Now the christian's love 
 for his neighbour ought to be precisely the same in 
 character as his love for himself — strong, constant, 
 well-principled, and effective. It ought also to be 
 the same in degree; so far as to lead us to do unto 
 others, as we would have them, under the same cir- 
 cumstances, do unto ourselves." 
 
 "If this love had always prevailed among profess- 
 ing christians, where would have been the sword of 
 the crusader?" 
 
 ^'Love, indeed, imparts both eyes and wings to 
 
228 
 
 justice. It is when our depraved aflfections are rec- 
 tified, that we take an enlightened view of the rela- 
 tions of our fellow men towards ourselves, and of the 
 claims on our justice, which those relations involve. 
 Again, it is love which makes us swifl to shun the 
 evil which justice forbids, and to do the good which 
 she demands. At the same time, it cannot be de- 
 nied, that under the softening touches of religion, 
 charity and mercy are sometimes found to be easier 
 to frail man than the hardier virtue of strict in- 
 tegrity. This is a point of danger which requires 
 a peculiar guard, and which is too often neglected, 
 to the great loss and injury of the cause of Christ. 
 Let it ever be remembered, that the unbending 
 maintenance of the rule of right towards our fellow 
 men, is the first and most indispensable result of 
 that holy law — ^Thou shalt love thy neighbour as 
 thyself.' 
 
 **When we are conscious that we have fulfilled 
 the claims of justice, our charity has free scope; and 
 if we abide under the influence of divine grace, it 
 will soon be found exerting itself in every direc- 
 tion." 
 
 '^The law of love to our neighbour, and its cor- 
 responding ^golden rule,' are far indeed from being 
 restricted, as to their object, to the poor and distress- 
 ed among men. They teach us to fulfil our chris- 
 tian duties towards the king upon his throne; towards 
 ^magistrates who are sent by him;' towards all who 
 have a just authority over us; towards our equals 
 and associates; towards those who are placed under 
 our care, or are engaged in our service — in fact, 
 through the whole train of our relations iyi life. 
 Under the blessed influence of love, it is the office 
 oi justice, to ^render unto all their dues,' and to re- 
 frain from injuring any man in word, thought, or 
 deed; and it is that of charity, to impart to others 
 
229 
 
 as much happiness as it is in our power to bestow. 
 Bitterness, wrath, envy and detraction, must all 
 disappear under the melting ray of the law of love; 
 and in their place must spring up kindness, universal 
 good will, tenderness of spirit, forbearance, the wil- 
 ling preference of others, and Christian courtesy." 
 
 <<Were we to inquire of the Christian, which of 
 all his privileges he most dearly prizes, he would 
 not fail to answer — the knowledge of divine truth; 
 and the blessed hope of everlasting life, through 
 Jesus Christ our Saviour. How, then, can he love 
 his neighbour as himself — how can he do to others 
 as he would that others (under like circumstances) 
 should do to him — without endeavouring to com- 
 municate to his fellow men these dearest of blessings? 
 If Christian charity constrains him to be ever on 
 the watch for the temporal benefit of his fellow men, 
 how much more for their spiritual and eternal wel- 
 fare! 
 
 ^*The ministry of the gospel of Christ is pre- 
 eminently a work of love. Under the influence of 
 this pure affection towards God and man, the first 
 preachers of Christianity were brought into sym- 
 pathy with the condition of the people; and they 
 were made willing to undergo every description 
 of privation and suffering, and even to offer up their 
 lives, in order to make known to sinners, the cru- 
 cified and risen Saviour. ''Neither count I my life 
 dear unto myself," said the apostle Paul, '*so that I 
 might finish my course with joy, and the ministry 
 which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify 
 the gospel of the grace of God." (t/^c^^xx. 24.) There 
 can be no doubt that the same blessed motive was 
 powerfully at work in the mind of an Eliot, a Brain- 
 erd, a Schwartz, and a Martin; and can never fail to 
 characterize every true-hearted minister of the gos- 
 pel, both at home and abroad. Would that an in- 
 20 
 
230 
 
 creasing multitude of servants, actuated by no other 
 motive than that of love, and depending on no other 
 influence than that of the Holy Spirit, might be 
 raised up to publish the truth of God, in every part 
 of this dark and degenerate world! Would that 
 there were a response, in the hearts of tens of thou- 
 sands, to the call of Jesus and his Spirit, *Go ye into 
 all the world, and preach the gospel to every crea- 
 ture.' Mark xvi. 15. 
 
 "Yet it must not be forgotten that while this call 
 is in its nature select and specific, the work of dif- 
 fusing a knowledge of the truth is by no means re- 
 stricted to the ministers of the gospel. The harvest 
 field of the world is large and various; giving scope 
 for labour of many difierent kinds; and there is not a 
 Christian upon earth who ought not, in some way or 
 other, to promote the common cause. The distri- 
 bution of the Bible, the scriptural education of the 
 poor, the diffusion of religious tracts, are means of 
 extending the kingdom of Christ, to which no man 
 can fairly object, and which most men have some 
 opportunity of promoting." 
 
 **In addition to efforts of this description, ser- 
 vices of a more directly personal nature, are fre- 
 quently required of us, for the benefit of our fellow- 
 men. For every Christian has his own circle of 
 influence, and ought to be a centre for the diffusion 
 of light to all whom that circle comprises. Were 
 we more strongly actuated by divine love, more 
 willing to take up our cross and confess the Lord 
 who bought us, how often would the words of 
 friendly admonition, of timely warning, or of warm 
 encouragement, flow from our lips! While a holy 
 discretion would still be carefully cherished, how 
 conspicuously would our zeal for the salvation of 
 souls overcome the withering influence of the fear 
 of man! Above all, how watchful should we be 
 
231 
 
 that our example might always tell on the side of 
 truth and righteousness — that our whole demeanour 
 and conduct might utter the language — come and 
 have fellowship with us, 'because our fellowship is 
 with the Father, and with his Son, Jesus Christ.' " 
 
 *'The precepts of our Saviour and his apostles on 
 this subject are numerous and clear. — 'A new com- 
 mandment I give unto you, that ye love one an- 
 other .... By this shall all men know that ye 
 are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.' 
 John xiii. 34, 35." 
 
 "It is a remarkable circumstance that, acts of kind- 
 ness to the brethren of Christ — that is, to the living 
 members of his church — are mentioned as the test 
 of that love to Christ himself, by which we must 
 all be appreciated in the day of judgment — *Verily 
 I say unto you. Inasmuch as ye have done it unto 
 one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done 
 it UNTO ME.' Matt. 25, 40." 
 
 ''How often are the disciples of Jesus cheered on 
 their way, by the help and encouragement which 
 they derive from each other; how often do they 
 find, to their joy and comfort, that as 'iron sharp- 
 eneth iron, so a man sharpeneth the countenance of 
 his friend!' Prov. xxvii. 17." 
 
 "May we not therefore adopt, as our motto, an 
 old and wise saying — 'In essentials, unity; in non- 
 essentials, liberty; in all things, charity?^ "* 
 
 ♦ "The celebrated John Locke, thus addressed himself to two 
 female friends, who were of a diiferent religious denomination 
 from himself, but in whose society he had felt 'the unity of the 
 Spirit in the bond of peace.' 'The more there is of this (unity) 
 in the life^ the less we need inquire of what nation, country, 
 party, or persuasion our friends are, for our own knowledge is 
 more sure to us than another's. Now the God of all grace grant 
 that you may hold fast that rare grace of charity , and choose that 
 unbiassed and unbouiided law, which if it decay not, will spring 
 up mightily as the waters of the sanctuary, higher and higher, 
 until you, with the universal church, swim together in the ocean 
 of divine love. ^—Manuscript Letter.^' 
 
232 
 
 ''When the temple of Solomon was to be erected, 
 all the materials were in the first instance hewn into 
 shape and polished for their uses; and when after- 
 wards they had been put together, without a sound 
 in the house of any tool of iron, beautiful was the 
 harmony which resulted from their fitness. So 
 would it be with Christians were they fully subject 
 to that Divine power which would level their pride, 
 abate their prejudice, and polish down their rough- 
 ness. Their junction with Him, on whom depends 
 the security of the whole building and their union 
 with each other, would be more complete than it is 
 at present. The holy temple would arise and 
 spread in its true beauty and harmony; and the in- 
 extinguishable flame of love, would diffuse a gene- 
 rous glow of warmth and brightness, through the 
 whole sacred edifice. 
 
 '*It appears, then, first, that the benevolence of 
 man towards man, can never assume a stable cha- 
 racter until his love is primarily fixed on God; and 
 that, therefore, in the two commandments, 'Thou 
 shalt love God,' 'Thou shalt love thy neighbour,* 
 there is not only succession, hut sequence — that the 
 extent of this commandment comprehends all man- 
 kind." 
 
 "Thus it appears that obedience to the second 
 great commandment, is one chosen means of con- 
 firming that pure love to God, without which our 
 souls can never truly incline towards heaven, or to 
 be fitted for a participation in its pleasures. Yet 
 there can be no doubt that the habit of benevolence 
 and brotherly love forms in itself ^n essential con- 
 stituent of the joys of eternity. ^Charity never 
 faileth: " 
 
 "Heaven is a place of rest from sin, labour, and 
 sorrow; but we can find no authority in Scripture 
 for picturing it to ourselves as a region of indolent 
 
238 
 
 repose. On the contrary, we have every reason to 
 believe that the more our faculties are improved 
 the more it will be our delight to employ them. 
 Since the angels who never fell are 'ministering 
 spirits sent forth to minister for those who shall be 
 heirs of salvation,' (Heh. i. 14,) may we not believe 
 that many an errand and office of mercy awaits the 
 ^spirits of the just made perfect?' " 
 
 ''But whatever may be the truth on this subject, 
 it is certain, that as the condition of God's people is 
 social on earth, so also it is social in heaven." 
 
 ''The rending asunder of those tender ties which 
 here bind us together in many a happy relationship, 
 is the most sorrowful accompaniment of death; but 
 let us not be discouraged, for our Redeemer has 
 secured for us a perfect victory over this 'last ene- 
 my.' For those who follow him, death will be 
 abolished, and all its bitter consequences reversed; 
 every sorrow which it now occasions then will be 
 turned into joy ! Christians, therefore, as the apos- 
 tle assures us, must not sorrow for the loss of their 
 friends as others do 'which have no hope; for if we 
 believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them 
 which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.' 
 {Thess. iv. 13, 14.) For a season, indeed, we are 
 deprived of their cherished society; but we shall 
 see them again, we shall behold their faces in glory 
 — unspeakably blessed will be our reunion with 
 them in that region of light and love, where friends 
 are no more parted! 
 
 "Nor will our love, in that better world, be re- 
 stricted to those whom we have known on earth. 
 It will extend, as we have every reason to believe, 
 to the wise, the just, and the good of every gene- 
 ration; and even to the several ranks and orders of 
 angelic beings; for all these belong to the same 
 community; they are all inhabitants of the same 
 
234 
 
 celestial city. While the varied members of that 
 blessed and holy family maintain a perfect harmony 
 of design and feeling, and are all employed in wor- 
 shipping their God and Saviour, they cannot but 
 gloriously realise their one-ness in the Lord; and 
 they will be one in Him, to all eternity." 
 
 *'It may possibly serve a useful purpose, if we 
 concentrate the whole subject which we have now 
 been discussing, in a few succinct propositions. 
 
 ^*The main characteristic of those happy be- 
 ings, who dwell in heaven under the immediate 
 government of God our Saviour, is love towards 
 the Supreme Being; and this love is absolutely 
 essential, both to their employments and their joys. 
 On the contrary, the principal feature in the cha- 
 racter of fallen man, is the absence of this love. 
 Hence it follows, that before he can enter heaven, 
 the affections of man must be changed — he must be 
 born again of the Spirit. 
 
 **The grand appointed instrument through which 
 this change is effected, is the gospel of our Lord 
 Jesus Christ, in which are revealed to us the mer- 
 cies of God, for the restoration and final happiness 
 of man. The gospel is Hhe power of God unto sal- 
 vation.' 
 
 ^'The principal of them is the contemplation of 
 the Supreme Being. We ought to contemplate 
 him, with humble gaatitude, as our Father by crea- 
 tion; as the bounteous Giver of all our faculties on 
 the one hand, and of the various provisions of nature 
 on the other, by which those faculties are suited; as 
 the Supreme conductor of the chain of events, for 
 the ultimate good and happiness of his obedient 
 children; and, above all, as the Author of redemp- 
 tion. 
 
 *'As Christians, we are bound to love God, not 
 merely because of the benefits bestowed upon our- 
 
235 
 
 selves, but because of his intrinsic moral perfec- 
 tions, so clearly displayed to us in the gospel; and 
 if our love for him be sincere, it will excite in us 
 an ardent desire to become liJee him in character. 
 The restoration of fallen man to the image of his 
 Creator, is the great practical purpose of the religion 
 of Jesus — a purpose which can be accomplished 
 only as we follow the example of Jesus himself. 
 Now the greater advances we make in holiness, the 
 livelier will be our sense of the 'beauty' of Jeho- 
 vah; the more we are assimilated to Christ, the 
 nearer will be our union with the Father and with 
 the Son. 
 
 "The love of our neighbour follows the love of 
 God as a necessary consequence, and it is itself 
 essential to a right performance of all our duties 
 towards our fellow-men. It dictates justice and 
 charity towards all, and pre-eminent fervency of 
 affection towards our fellow-Christians. Obedience 
 to this commandment has a peculiar tendency to 
 soften and enlarge the heart, and thus to improve 
 our capacity for loving God himself — the supreme 
 object of every pure affection." 
 
237 
 
 In arranging the following memoir of a very ex- 
 tensive family connexion, various detached memo- 
 randums and traditions are brought into a condensed 
 form, in which it is probable there are some omis- 
 sions that would be material to a correct genealogical 
 table; but nothing has been stated but upon good 
 authority; there is in such a sketch a great deal of 
 tautology, and no individual can feel particularly 
 interested in every part of the following pages, but 
 there are probably some, to whom severally a re- 
 ference to each branch, as endeavoured to be here 
 traced, will have some interest, and to such only is 
 this little work of respect for the virtues of those of 
 my predecessors, whom I have only known from 
 the report of their cotemporaries; and of affection 
 for those whom I have known and loved, is dedi- 
 cated; under a full conviction that nothing can truly 
 elevate any one but individual worth; taking correct 
 principle, undeviating integrity, as the basis of every 
 action. 
 
 I have been indebted for these details to my 
 brother W. L. Fisher. 
 
 Hannah L. Smith. 
 
 21 
 
238 
 
 My ancestors on both my father's and mother's 
 side, who first emigrated to America, were Quakers. 
 Considerations of a conscientious character induced 
 the removal. John Fisher, my ancestor, appears to 
 have been subjected in his native country. Great 
 Britain, to various persecutions for his religious 
 opinions, of which there is an account in a work 
 entitled Sufferings of the Quakers. And James 
 Logan, my maternal ancestor, was, when a young 
 man, induced by William Penn to accompany him 
 to this country as his secretary, as will be more fully 
 adverted to hereafter. 
 
 John Fisher, my great great grandfather, accom- 
 panied William Penn on his first voyage to Ame- 
 rica, October 1682, bringing with him his family, 
 consisting of three sons, Thomas, John, and James, 
 and several daughters. They arrived late in the 
 autumn, and the tradition in the family is, that 
 houses there -were none, and they were obliged with 
 a number of other emigrants, to shelter themselves 
 in temporary huts during the first winter; and being 
 unaccustomed to, and unprepared for so rigorous a 
 climate, they suffered much from the cold, being 
 obliged to unwind the cordage, and take the sails of 
 vessels, to assist in protecting them. 
 
 The following I copy from a manuscript in my 
 grandfather Joshua Fisher's writing. 
 
 "My grandfather, John Fisher, removed from 
 Clithero, in Lancashire, Old England, in the year 
 16S2, w^ith all his children, to Philadelphia, was in 
 good esteem among Friends, and of competent 
 worldly substance; he had three sons, Thomas, 
 John, and James, and several daughters; all ex- 
 cept Thomas, who was my father, and John, died 
 young. John left four children, three sons and one 
 daughter, which daughter married Enoch Cum- 
 mings, and left three daughters, to wit: Jane, Mary, 
 
289 
 
 and Hannah; and three sons, John, James, and 
 William; the two last named, moved many years 
 ago into the back country, and there died; whether 
 they left issue I cannot tell. John married, and 
 lived at his father's seat, left several children, and 
 a competent estate for that country. 
 
 <<My grandfather by my mother's side, Joshua 
 Maud of Wakefield, Yorkshire, Old England, was 
 married to Elizabeth Parr, of the family of Catha- 
 rine Parr, and descended from the Puritans. 
 
 '^John Bradshaw, noted for being Lord President 
 at King Charles' trial, was her mother's brother, as 
 I have been informed. 
 
 "My said grandfather had one son, named Joshua, 
 who inherited his estate; and two daughters, named 
 Jane, and Margery. Jane died without issue; her 
 husband's name was Willbank. 
 
 "Margery married Thomas Fisher, my father, 
 they left seven children, three sons and four daugh- 
 ters. 
 
 "The sons were Jabez Maud, Joshua, and James; 
 the daughters, Margaret, Elizabeth, Margery, and 
 Esther. 
 
 "Margaret married Joseph Booth, Jr., who died 
 young; left one son, who died in his minority. 
 
 ''Elizabeth married Daniel Eyre, of Virginia, a 
 brother of the old widow Mifflin; died young, and 
 left no issue. 
 
 •'Margery married to JamesMiers, of Lewistown; 
 left four daughters, Elizabeth, Sarah, Mary, and 
 Esther. 
 
 "Jabez Maud left two sons and two daughters, 
 named Margaret, Edward, Fenwick, and Elizabeth. 
 Margaret was married to Jonathan Molleston, and 
 is deceased: she left issue one son, named William; 
 the three latter are living, being married, and all 
 have children. 
 
240 
 
 ^^Esther married Abraham Wynkoop, and left 
 four children, of whom Phebe and Benjamin are yet 
 alive. 
 
 *^James left onedaughter, married to D. Dingee. 
 
 ''I have in a *memorial given an account of my 
 dear wife; I need say nothing of my family." 
 
 "Joshua Fisher has, in the above narrative, enu- 
 merated six of the children of Thomas Fisher; he 
 himself made the seventh: and in another memoran- 
 dum, dated 1762, gives the following additional 
 particulars of his mother's family. 
 
 ''Joshua Maud, of Wakefield, died near about the 
 year 1675; left issue, Joshua, Jane, and Margery 
 Maud. Doctor Thomas Wynne, of North Wales, 
 married the widow of said Joshua, and came over 
 into this country in the year 1682, with his wife 
 and two daughters, Jane and Margery; Joshua, the 
 son, remained at Wakefield. 
 
 "Jane left no issue. Margery was married to my 
 father, Thomas Fisher, and was my mother. 
 
 "My grandfather, after whom I am called, had, 
 as I am informed, a country seat called the Clifts, 
 near Wakefield." 
 
 John Fisher, the emigrant, finally settled on the 
 south side of the Broadkill, near Lewistown; had 
 three sons, Thomas, John, and James — the latter 
 died young. 
 
 Of Thomas, my great-grandfather, I shall speak 
 hereafter. John, the son of the progenitor, left three 
 sons, John, James, and William, and one daughter, 
 who married Enoch Cummings, and left three 
 daughters, Jane Bezor, Mary, and Hannah Cum- 
 mings. They lived at Chester, on the banks of the 
 Delaware, till the close of the revolutionary war. 
 
 James and William removed and settled west of 
 
 * Page, 48. 
 
241 
 
 the Susquehanna, in Pennsylvania, not far from the 
 present Harrisburg, then called the back woods, 
 where it is said there are many respectable descen- 
 dants. 
 
 To John (the grandson of him who sought a home 
 in this then wilderness land) descended the name 
 and the estate. His grandson, the present Thomas 
 Fisher of Camden, Kent county, says, he was a 
 very strict and exemplary Friend, a very good man, 
 and by some esteemed almost a prophet. He mar- 
 ried Elizabeth Light; they had a number of chil- 
 dren, John, William, Sarah, Jabez Maud, James, 
 Elizabeth, Hannah, and Thomas. 
 
 Jabez Maud married Elizabeth Purnell, whose 
 children were (Thomas, who in 1831 was Sheriff of 
 Kent county,) Esther, Elizabeth, Ann, and John. 
 John is married to his cousin, Lavinia Rodney. 
 
 In this branch of the family, the seat at the Broad- 
 kill descended, and still remains, at this time, owned 
 and occupied by Charles Fisher. 
 
 Thomas Fisher, my great-grandfather, was born 
 in 1669, and was thirteen years of age when he came 
 with his father to this country. In the same ship 
 with them came Dr. Thomas Wynne, with his wife 
 and her two daughters, Jane and Margery Maud, 
 mentioned above. Margery was born in 1671, and 
 was eleven years old Avhen she came to America. 
 She, as stated in the narrative of my grandfather, 
 became the wife of Thomas Fisher, his father. 
 
 One of the children of Thomas Wynne was the 
 ancestor of the Jones family, and of the present 
 John and Charles Wister. 
 
 Joshua Maud, as before remarked, remained in 
 England, and inherited his father's estate, called the 
 Clifts, near Wakefield, and from him have descended 
 various respectable English families, among whom 
 are Daniel Maud, of Sunderland, Timothy Maud 
 21* 
 
242 
 
 and his son William, near Bradford; and in the fe- 
 male line, Abiah, who married Abraham Darby, of 
 Colebrookdale; the wives of Richard Reynolds, and 
 William Rathbone, the latter of Liverpool. 
 
 His seat, as I am informed, remains to the pre- 
 sent day; and was, in 1784, in the tenure of Sir 
 James Lowther. From it, my grandfather, who in- 
 herited the name of Joshua from his grandfather 
 Joshua Maud, named his own country place on the 
 Schuylkill, lately owned by my uncle, Samuel R. 
 Fisher; and hence the name of Joshua, which yet 
 remains in our family. 
 
 Thomas Fisher was Secretary to the Governor of 
 the then Lower Counties, now the State of Dela- 
 ware, and otherwise much employed by William 
 Penn and his sons in the settlement of the province. 
 His marriage with Margery Maud took place at 
 Lewistown in 1692. 
 
 Their children have been already enumerated in 
 the copy of the manuscript of his son Joshua, my 
 grandfather. They were — 
 
 First. Margaret, married Joseph Booth, died 
 young, and left one son, who died in his minority. 
 Second. Elizabeth, married Daniel Elyre, of Vir- 
 ginia, died young, and left no issue. 
 
 Third. Margery, married James Miers, of Lewis- 
 town, and left four daughters, Elizabeth, Sarah, 
 Mary, and Esther; the last named was married to 
 Charles Draper. 
 
 Fourth. Jabez Maud, he left four children, to wit: 
 Margaret, Edward, Fenwick and Esther. Margaret 
 married Jonathan Molleslon, and left one son named 
 William, who married Catharine Jordan; he died 
 about 1790, without issue. Edward left two sons, 
 named Thomas and Fenwick. It is believed there 
 are some of the descendants of Thomas living, but I 
 am unacquainted with them. Fenwick became a 
 
243 
 
 physician, and removed to Accomack, in Virginia. 
 Fenwick, the second son of Jabez, married Mary 
 Halliday. He was one of the founders of the town 
 of Smyrna; a sensible, judicious man; he died about 
 the year 1806. His children were — 1st. Joshua, 
 who was educated to the law, a man of considerable 
 talent; he died without issue, aged thirty. 2nd. 
 Sarah, who married William Corbit, and left two 
 children, namely, William Fisher Corbit, and 
 Mary, the wife of Pressly Spruance, the present 
 Speaker of the Senate of Delaware. 3d. Susanna^ 
 who married George Mitchell, member of Con- 
 gress. She had one child; they are all now de- 
 ceased. 4th. Esther, who died unmarried, at the 
 age of eighteen. 5th. James, who became a physi- 
 cian, and married the daughter of George Truit, 
 Governor of Delaware, and died a few years since, 
 leaving two children, George Truit Fisher and 
 Mary, who married J. M. Clayton, the present 
 Senator for the State of Delaware. Esther, the 
 fourth child of Jabez, married Thomas Rodney, af- 
 terwards one of the Federal Judges at Natchez, 
 where he died in 1810, leaving two children, Caesar 
 Augustus and Lavinia. Caesar married Susan Hunn, 
 was member of Congress, and Attorney General of 
 the United States; he died at Buenos Ayres, where 
 he went^as Minister Plenipotentiary, leaving twelve 
 children. Lavinia, his sister, married John Fisher, 
 her third cousin, son of Jabez, and grandson of John, 
 whom I have spoken of as an exemplary Friend, and 
 esteemed almost a prophet. He was successively 
 Secretary of the State of Delaware and District 
 Judge of the United States. He died in 1820, 
 leaving two children, Rodney Fisher, merchant in 
 Philadelphia, and Mary. 
 
 Fifth. Joshua Fisher, my grandfather; of him I 
 shall speak more particularly hereafter. 
 
 Sixth. Esther, who married Abraham Wynkoop, 
 
244 
 
 of Delaware, originally from New York; they had 
 two children, Benjamin and Phebe: Benjamin mar- 
 ried Sarah Sims, sister of the present Joseph Sims, 
 and left a son and daughter, who are now living, to 
 wit: Abraham Wynkoop, who has several children, 
 and Nancy, unmarried. Phebe married John Vin- 
 ing of Delaware, a gentleman of distinction under 
 the proprietary government; she left two children, 
 Mary, possessed of more than ordinary wit and 
 beauty, a celebrated belle of the last century, who 
 died unmarried in 1821, and John, for many years 
 a member of Congress; he married Mary, the daugh- 
 ter of William Seaton, of New York, and died from 
 taking laudanum by mistake, leaving four sons, who 
 all died young. 
 
 Seventh. James, the seventh and youngest child 
 of Thomas Fisher, left one daughter, who married 
 Daniel Dingee, a farmer of Sussex, who was driven 
 ashore on Rehoboth Beach, something more than 
 fifty years ago, in a large sloop which he command- 
 ed, and died shortly after. 
 
 Joshua Fisher, my grandfather, first settled at 
 Lewistown, and from his frequent intercourse with 
 Philadelphia, became familiar with the Delaware 
 Bay, and being a good mathematician, he construct- 
 ed a chart of it, still extant; and, at the instance of 
 my great-grandfather, James Logan, was the first to 
 take to sea and experiment upon the quadrant, then 
 recently invented by Godfrey, but now bearing the 
 name of Hadley.^ 
 
 He removed to Philadelphia in the year 1745. 
 At this period my father was five years old. He 
 stated that his object in removing was to further the 
 education of his children, and he was presented with 
 a written address by his townsmen on his departure 
 from Lewistown, expresssive of their great regard 
 
 ♦ See Watson's Annals. 
 
245 
 
 for him. His first residence in the City was in 
 Walnut street, between Front and Second streets, 
 still owned by one of his descendants. 
 
 On his removal he commenced business as an im- 
 porting merchant. His first store was on the bank 
 below Walnut street; and in the year 1757 he built 
 the house in Front street (where my uncle, S. R. 
 Fisher, lately closed his life,) with the store and 
 warehouse back, and for many years, in company 
 with his sons, after they arrived at maturity, carried 
 on an extensive importing and foreign trade. His 
 wife was Sarah, the daughter of Thomas Rowland, 
 and granddaughter of Samuel Rowland, the first 
 of the Rowland family who emigrated to this coun- 
 try. Thomas Rowland's wife, my great-grand- 
 mother, was Sarah Miers, of the same family, I pre- 
 sume, of James Miers, who married Margery Fisher, 
 before mentioned. Thomas Rowland's children 
 were — my grandmother, and a son named Samuel, 
 who married Tabitha Brock, and whose children 
 were John, James, Isaiah, and Ralph. 
 
 My grand parents were married in the year 1733. 
 
 My grandmother died in the year 1772, aged fifty 
 seven, and my grandfather in 17S3, aged seventy- 
 five. Memorials were preserved of each of them 
 by their children. Their lives were marked by sim- 
 plicity and virtue, and their close was tranquil and 
 serene.* 
 
 The above mentioned Joshua and Sarah Fisher 
 had seven children, Esther, Lydia, Thomas, and 
 Samuel, born at Lewistown; Miers, Jabez Maud, 
 and Sarah, in Philadelphia. 
 
 First. Esther married late in life to Samuel Lewis; 
 he died suddenly in the year 1793, about three 
 months after his marriage, and she deceased in 1795, 
 aged about sixty, t 
 
 * Appendix, A. t Appendix, B. 
 
S46 
 
 Second. Lydia married Thomas Gilpin, who died 
 in Virginia in the year 1778, leaving issue, Joshua, 
 Sarah, and Thomas. Joshua married Mary Dil- 
 vvorth, of Lancaster, England; they have now living 
 seven children; Sarah died in the year 1796, un- 
 married, and Thomas is still unmarried. 
 
 Third. Thomas Fisher, my father, married Sarah 
 Logan; she deceased in the year 1796, and my father 
 in 1810. Their children were, Joshua, Hannah, 
 William Logan, James, and Esther, of whom I shall 
 speak hereafter. 
 
 Fourth. Samuel married, in the year 1793, Han- 
 nah Rodman,* of Newport, Rhode Island; their 
 children were, Sarah, who married Jacob Corlies; she 
 died several years since, leaving one son; Deborah 
 married William Wharton; they have nine children; 
 and Thomas, yet unmarried. 
 
 Fifth. Miers married, about the year 1776, Sarah 
 Redwood, late of Newport; their children were, 
 Thomas, who died of yellow fever in 1798; Jabez 
 Maud, who died of the same disorder in 1793; Red- 
 wood, who married, first, Mary Griffitts, and subse- 
 quently Rebecca Wells, by which marriages he now 
 has eight children; Miers, who married in Russia 
 Helen Gregorosky ; he died three days after his mar- 
 riage. His widow afterwards came to this country, 
 and died at Cincinnati; Lydia, who married Benja- 
 min Warner; he has deceased, leaving three chil- 
 dren; Samuel, who died in Kentucky; Sarah, who 
 married Samuel Longstreth; he died in New Or- 
 leans, having seven children — she has since de- 
 ceased; Hannah, married to Dr. Price, and living at 
 Cincinnati; Jabez, the youngest, married to Nancy 
 Andrews. 
 
 ♦ Appendix, C. 
 
247 
 
 Jabez Maud, my grandfather's sixth child, died 
 in England in the year 1778, unmarried. 
 
 Sarah, the youngest of my grandfather's children, 
 married Abijah Dawes, and died a few years after 
 her marriage, leaving two children, Samuel and Ed- 
 ward, both deceased. The former married Martha 
 Crawford, and left issue, Sarah, Mary, Crawford, 
 and Samuel Fisher, 
 
 The children of Joshua Fisher all had practical 
 common sense, and some of them were marked by 
 considerable strength of mind and understanding — 
 performing with correctness, as far as I have known, 
 the plain, upright duties of private life. My father 
 was naturally kind and gentlemanly in his manners. 
 He travelled in younger life generally through Eng- 
 land and on the continent of Europe, and his subse- 
 quent European trade introduced him to many 
 foreigners who visited this country. With steady 
 judgment and consistency of purpose, he sustained 
 the character of an upright man. His demeanor to 
 his children, throughout his family, and among his 
 connexions, was kind and considerate. He lived in 
 the house in Second street, below Walnut, now 
 owned by his daughter, H. L. Smith; and he built, 
 in the year 1800, the house in which his son, Wil- 
 liam Logan, now resides, called Wakefield. 
 
 Of my uncle, Samuel R. Fisher, who died seve- 
 ral years since, at the age of eighty-nine, it may be 
 sufficient to say that he always exercised the privi- 
 lege of thinking and acting for himself. 
 
 My uncle Miers was educated for the law, and 
 practised it for near twenty years with considerable 
 success. He was a man of much acuteness and re- 
 search, had a store of information upon philosophical 
 and other subjects, and was the legal counsellor for 
 the family.* 
 
 * Appendix, D. 
 
248 
 
 My uncle Jabez died before I was born. He has 
 been represented as a man of great natural endow- 
 ments. William Rotch stated that at the period of 
 the revolution, Avhen the present rapidity of report- 
 ing and publishing debates was unknown, he was 
 waited for with eagerness at the American Coffee 
 House, London, because he could report, almost 
 verbatim, all the speeches of the preceding night in 
 Parliament upon the all-engrossing subject of Ameri- 
 can affairs, and which, it was added, but one other 
 man had ever been able to do. 
 
 Jabez went to England from feelings inimical to 
 American independence; and it may be added, that 
 all the family, as far as I know, partook in his feel- 
 ings. Though they united in condemning the acts 
 of the British ministry, and their names are found 
 among the signatures to the non-importation and 
 other agreements, yet, like most others of their 
 sect, they shrunk from resistance! Jabez went to 
 England, and his three brothers, in the course of a 
 year or two, were, with many other Quakers, and 
 some who were not of that society, banished to 
 Winchester, in Virginia, and it was there that their 
 brother-in-law, Thomas Gilpin, died. 
 
 Having thus given the details of my connexions 
 on my father's side, I proceed to those of my mother 
 Sarah Logan. 
 
 The Logans were, according to Scottish History, 
 for many years distinguished in Scotland, and con- 
 nected by marriage with some of its noble families, 
 of which many particulars are related. 
 
 My mother's direct ancestor in the fifth ascend- 
 ing generation was Robert Logan, Baron of Restalrig; 
 he owned Fast Castle on the confines of the German 
 Ocean. His estate was confiscated for an alleged 
 participation in that most mysterious of all Scottish 
 affairs, the Gowrie conspiracy. This banished the 
 
249 
 
 family to Ireland; yet his son Robert returned to 
 Scotland, and there my great great grandfather, 
 Patrick Logan, was born. He was educated for a 
 clergyman, and married Isabel Hume, a lady dis- 
 tinguished by birth and connexions, and settled in 
 Lurgan in Ireland. 
 
 Patrick Logan became a Quaker, and this changed 
 the destinies of the family; he had two sons, William 
 and James; the former, whose portrait remains at 
 Stenton, married a lady named Parsons, settled at 
 Bristol, England, and became a physician of much 
 eminence. He died at Bath, where he had gone 
 for the benefit of his health in 1757, at an advanced 
 age, without issue, deeply regretted by those who 
 knew him best, and was interred in the vault of his 
 wife's family, leaving his domicile to his wife's 
 sisters, and the bulk of his estate to my grandfather, 
 William Logan, who bore his name. 
 
 James, my great grandfather, at the solicitation 
 of William Penn, came to this country with him, 
 onhissecond voyage, in the year 1701; he came, as he 
 says, to hide himself from the cares of life, and with 
 no wish or expectation of advancing his fortunes; 
 and he adds, he never had a wish to leave any large 
 possessions to his posterity, from a belief that mode- 
 rate fortunes were more beneficial legacies than 
 large ones. On Penn's return to England the next 
 year, though then a young man of six and twenty, 
 he became his principal agent, and received a gene- 
 ral charge of both the government and property, and 
 ever after was the devoted and confidential friend 
 of the Penn family. He was long chief justice of 
 the state; as president of the council, acted as 
 governor of the state for one or two years, and was 
 solicited by the family to assume the same office at 
 a later period. His public munificence — the con- 
 tentions in which he was involved with the differ- 
 22 
 
250 
 
 ent Assemblies, by espousing the cause of i William 
 Penn — his unyielding integrity — his erudition and 
 patriotism, are matters of history, and need not be 
 more than adverted to here. He was born at Lur- 
 gan in Ireland, in 1675, and died at Stenton 1751, 
 aged 77 years. He married several years after his resi- 
 dence in this country, Sarah Reed, of her family I 
 know but little. She was sister to the wife of the 
 elder Israel Pemberton, and thus our family became 
 connected with the Pembertons. 
 
 The issue of this marriage was four children: 
 William, my grandfather, Hannah, Sarah, and James. 
 Hannah Logan married John Smith, who is spoken 
 of by Proud, in his History of Pennsylvania, as a 
 man of extensive abilities, and rare excellence of 
 character. The issue of this marriage were James 
 and John, and two daughters. James Smith's chil- 
 dren were Hannah married to Henry Drinker, Sarah 
 married to Hugh Roberts, John married to Mary 
 Roberts, Abigail married to John Drinker, Eliza- 
 beth married to Mordecai Lewis, and Susan married 
 to Samuel Allison. John Smith married Gulielma 
 Morris, their children were Richard, John, Jr., 
 Rachel married to George Stewardson, and Marga- 
 ret married to Samuel Hilles. The two daughters 
 of John Smith the elder, married John Cox and 
 William Dilwyn, they each left one daughter; the 
 late Susannah Dilwyn* married Samuel Emlen, and 
 Hannah Cox married to Dr. Davis. 
 
 Sarah Logan, the third child of James Logan, 
 married Isaac Norris, and died before her father, 
 leaving two daughters — Sarah, who died young, and 
 Mary who married John Dickinson; their children 
 are Sarah N. Dickinson, unmarried, and Maria 
 married to Albanus Logan, her second cousin, on 
 
 ♦ Appendix E. 
 
251 
 
 both his father's and mother's side, who have two 
 sons and two daughters. 
 
 James Logan, the fourth child, married late in life, 
 and left no issue; he died in the year 1803, aged 77 
 years; with him I was acquainted. He lived in the 
 large double house at the corner of Bank alley and 
 second street. He lived long a widower, and his 
 family consisted of only himself and servants. For 
 some years he was quite blind, and was led through 
 the streets by a black man. He was a man of fair 
 education, probably always more fond of light read- 
 ing, than of deep research, and with all his eccen- 
 tricities, was a kind and affectionate relation. 
 
 William Logan, my grandfather, married Hannah 
 the daughter of George and Mary Emlen. Mary 
 was the daughter of Robert and Susannah Heath, 
 who came to this country from England in 1701, 
 bringing with them one son and five daughters, 
 Ann, Susannah, Elizabeth, Hannah, and Mary. 
 Four of these daughters were preachers, and memo- 
 rials of them were published. 
 
 I have the following account of the Heath descent. 
 Ann married Richard Wain; their children were 
 Nicholas, the father of Richard and Nicholas; Joseph, 
 who died without issue; Robert, the father of the pre- 
 sent Robert Wain, of Susan the wife of Pattison 
 Hartshorne, of the wife of Gideon Wells, of Rebecca, 
 wife of Ezra Jones, and of Ann the wife of Thomas 
 Morgan, and of Richard, the father of Jesse Wain. 
 
 Susannah Heath married Morris Morris of Abing- 
 ton; their children were Samuel, who never mar- 
 ried, Joshua, who was grandfather to Samuel Long- 
 streth, (whom I mentioned as marrying a daughter 
 of my uncle Miers Fisher,) Daniel, father of Ann 
 Humphreys, Morris, father to Susannah Morris and 
 of the late Governor Mifflin's wife, and David, who 
 died a young man, and several daughters, one of 
 whom was mother to the Fletchers of Abington. 
 
252 
 
 Elizabeth married Thomas Livezey, of Lower Dub- 
 lin; their children were Susanna, married to 
 
 Thomas, Rachel married to Thomas Roberts of Bris- 
 tol, Martha married to Joseph James of Philadelphia, 
 Mary married to Joseph Paul of Spring Mill, 
 Thomas Livezey of Wissahickon, and Elizabeth 
 married to John Shoemaker of Cheltenham. Han- 
 nah married first to Worrel, second to 
 
 Sermon, lastly to Hurford. 
 
 Mary, my great grandmother, married George 
 Emlen of Philadelphia; their children were George, 
 whose descendants are numerous, and Hannah my 
 grandmother who married William Logan. 
 
 William Logan and Hannah Emlen were married 
 in 1741; their children were William, who married 
 in England, Sarah, a daughter of Dr. Portsmouth; 
 Sarah who married my father, Thomas Fisher; 
 George who married Deborah N orris; and Charles 
 who married in Virginia Mary Pleasants. 
 
 Of my grandfather and grandmother Logan,! know 
 but little, they both died some years before I was 
 born. My grandfather was a gentleman, respect- 
 able in his character, and for many years connected 
 with government. All of these sons were sent to 
 England to be educated; William studied physic, 
 under the care of Dr. Fothergill, and graduated at 
 Edinburgh. His youthful career was marked by 
 eccentricities, high passions, ungovernable temper, 
 and yet by an amiability, which, when exerted to 
 accomplish its own purposes, won its way in de- 
 spite of all opposition; intreaty was urged in vain 
 by the parents on both sides to prevent his mar- 
 riage. He was forbidden Dr. Portsmouth's house, I 
 think mostly at the instance of my grandfather, yet 
 he still visited his daughter under the garb of a 
 livery servant, and they had at last a stolen mar- 
 riage. He was a man of high education, yet Dr. 
 
253 
 
 Fothergill writes of him to his father, when he was 
 coming to Philadelphia to settle, principally with a 
 view to surgery, "that with great sensibility he was 
 too presumptuous, thought himself equal to any dif- 
 ficulties, and required still to be managed with great 
 prudence and with parental authority." His life, 
 however, was short, he died within a year after his 
 arrival, leaving one son, William Portsmouth Logan. 
 His widow soon returned to England, and her son 
 was sent to her some years after, where he died 
 soon after his majority. 
 
 My uncles, George and Charles Logan, were both 
 placed at a school in Worcester, England, and my 
 grandfather wished them to remain in England at 
 some business, during their minority, alleging in the 
 }^ear 1760 in a letter to David Barclay, "to come 
 where there is so much liberty allowed to almost 
 all youth, and where there are more avenues to 
 every kind of vice than in any other city in the 
 King's dominions, numbers excepted, will, I greatly 
 fear, end in their ruin." They however came and 
 both were placed to the mercantile business; George 
 with a great predilection for medicine, revisited 
 England, and graduated at Edinburgh, and on his re- 
 turn married, and finally settled at Stenton, relin- 
 quishing the practice of j)hysic. He was a man of 
 excellent education, and of much reading, of high 
 honour and integrity, wrote well, and had seen 
 much of the world. He took an active interest in 
 the political concerns of his country, with a disin- 
 terested view to what he considered her best inter- 
 ests.* His widow still lives deservedly beloved and 
 respected. Their children were Albanus, now liv- 
 ing, married to Maria Dickinson, (they have four 
 children,) Gustavus, who died young, and Algernon 
 
 * Appendix F. 
 
254 
 
 Sidney Logan who died unmarried within a few 
 years. * 
 
 Charles Logan married and settled in Virginia, 
 he died under middle age, leaving six children; his 
 eldest James was lost at sea; four daughters, Sarah, 
 Maria, Harriet, and Julia; all married and are settled 
 in Virginia; Charles, the youngest, married Sarah 
 Robeson. 
 
 With my uncle, Charles Logan, I was little ac- 
 quainted, and find no data on which to sketch his 
 character. He was brought up in the counting- 
 house of my father and uncle, and no doubt was 
 respectable in his youth. His wife was rich in land 
 and slaves, and he was introduced into that southern 
 mode of life, which, together with an unfortunate 
 connexion in business, ended in great losses. His 
 children who yet had respectable inheritance, have 
 lived to experience distress and difficulty. 
 
 My mother, Sarah Logan, died in the year 1795. 
 During several of the latter years of her life, her 
 health was feeble. She was a tender and devoted 
 wife and mother. 
 
 jMy parents married in the year 1771; their chil- 
 dren were Joshua, Hannah, William, James, Esther, 
 and two others who died in infancy. Joshua mar- 
 ried Elizabeth P. Francis; he deceased in 1806, 
 aged 30 years. The present Joshua F. Fisher is 
 the only issue of their marriage. 
 
 Hannah married James Smith,f and has three 
 children, Sarah, Rebecca, and Esther. 
 
 James| married Ann Eliza George, and deceased 
 in 1814, aged 31. His widow died in 1821 ;§ they 
 left three children, Sidney George, James Logan,^ 
 who graduated as a physician in Philadelphia, and 
 
 ♦ Appendix, G. t Appendix, H. 
 
 t Appendix, I. § Appendix, K. 
 
 IT Appendix, L. 
 
255 
 
 died in Paris, where he went to attend medical 
 lectures, and Charles Henry, married to Sarah Ann 
 Atherton. 
 
 Esther remains unmarried. 
 
 William Logan Fisher was married on the 25th 
 of the 11th month 1802, at New Bedford, to Mary, 
 daughter of Samuel Rodman, and niece to his uncle 
 Samuel R. Fisher's wife, who died on the 4th of the 
 6th month 1813, aged 31,* leaving three children, 
 Thomas Rodman and Sarah Logan, born at New 
 Bedford, and Elizabeth Rodman at Wakefield. He 
 was married subsequently on the 20th of the 3d 
 month, 1817, to Sarah the daughter of Jacob Lind- 
 ley of New Garden, Chester county; his younger 
 children are, Lindley, Charles William, and Mary 
 Rodman, all born at Wakefield. His wives, the 
 one in New England, and the other in Chester 
 county, Pennsylvania, were descended from the 
 early and respectable emigrants from Europe to this 
 country. 
 
 * Appendix, M, 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 (A.) 
 
 There is an account preserved of many particu- 
 lars of the last illness of Joshua Fisher, to which 
 those particularly interested have access. It is suf- 
 ficient here to note that it was of several months 
 continuance, and was marked by a patient and re- 
 signed frame of mind, much affection for his family 
 and friends, and of kindness and sympathy for his 
 fellow-men generally, as the following extract 
 evinces. 
 
 He frequently asked those who came to see him 
 the following questions: "Are friends generally well? 
 Do the people at large appear kind and friendly to- 
 ward each other? Is there employment for the poor; 
 can they get a comfortable subsistence for their 
 families?^' &c. &c. 
 
 The closing scene is thus described: 
 
 "Sixth day morning his daughter asked him how 
 he had passed the night; he replied, but indifferently, 
 I have had a good deal of pain, but am somewhat 
 relieved. She proposed his taking some nourish- 
 ment, he said no, I do not want anything. She sat 
 down pretty near him without having any appre- 
 hension of a change. About half past nine o'clock 
 he said, Hetty, my dear, come here. She went im- 
 mediately to the bedside; he looked at her with 
 
257 
 
 great calmness and said, I want to tell thee I am 
 going to leave you — I feel all nature giving way — 
 and death approaching at every avenue. Is any of 
 thy brothers or sisters in the room? She told him 
 no. He said send for them all, and tell them to 
 set down by me, and see me close. I shall be but 
 a few hours with you. Seeing her affected, he said, 
 it is the Lord's time, and I am resigned. His son 
 Samuel coming in, he said, lay my body straight, and 
 my legs likewise; the rest of his children coming 
 he repeated what he had said before, adding, 1 have 
 not much to say to you — you all know my mind in 
 all things. Live in love. Several friends coming 
 in, he spoke to them all. He was about an hour 
 restless and uneasy, frequently desiring his posture 
 to be changed. After that he said, let me be raised 
 up; when that was done, he asked for something to 
 take, saying, if it brings up the phlegm, I shall go off 
 much easier. This not having the effect desired, 
 he thought of something else, and said to his daugh- 
 ter, if thou will give it me, perhaps it may relieve 
 nature, and then I shall go off easy. He gave proofs 
 of a clear understanding and of a mind undismayed 
 by the fear of death. About two o'clock he asked 
 for a little water to drink — about three he said, now 
 set down near me and let me go to rest. These 
 were the last words he uttered — breathed with very 
 little difficulty till near five o'clock, at which time 
 he quietly closed, without sigh or groan, on the 31st 
 of the second month, aged 15 years and 3 months." 
 
 (B.) 
 
 Esther Lewis's last illness commenced in the lat- 
 ter part of the year 1794, and continued for several 
 
258 
 
 months, which she sustained with exemplary pa- 
 tience and resignation, evincing unshaken confidence 
 in the mercy of her Heavenly Father, often exhort- 
 ing her near relatives to be faithful to what they felt 
 to be required of them. 
 
 The following is the conclusion of a detailed ac- 
 count of the last two months of her life: 
 
 *'She had repeatedly requested that her body might 
 remain a few hours before it was laid out, which 
 was accordingly complied with, and the coffin being 
 provided according to her directions, as well as the 
 manner of her being laid out, being exactly attend- 
 ed to, it was removed in the evening of 2nd mo. 4, 
 to her brother Samuel's, in conformity to her desire, 
 and remained there till the afternoon of 2nd mo. 7; 
 when, previous to the hour appointed for moving 
 to the grave, all the near connections being seated in 
 the room, Deborah Darby remarked what a favour 
 it was, thus to be able to pay the last debt to a dear 
 departed friend without the fear of endangering our 
 own lives thereby, and with great sympathy to- 
 wards some present, had to revive the late most 
 trying dispensation in 1793. 
 
 "At the grave she was also led to revive the above 
 mentioned solemn season, when scarcely any ven- 
 tured to follow the remains of their departed friends, 
 earnestly recommending that we who had escaped 
 that day, might be diligent in improving our time, 
 that so, at our departure, as in the present case, this 
 language might be applied, "Blessed are the dead 
 which die in the Lord, from henceforth, yea saith 
 the spirit, that they may rest from their labours, 
 and their works do follow them.'' 
 
 "After the interment, nearly all the near relatives 
 and divers others returned to the house, when we 
 had a precious memorable opportunity, wherein 
 lively testimonies were born by Deborah Darby, 
 
259 
 
 Rebecca Young, Rebecca Jones, and Samuel Smith, 
 much adapted to the states of those present, earnestly 
 pressing an attention to the advice of the dear de- 
 ceased, greatly encouraging all to pursue with in- 
 creasing diligence those things which make for 
 peace, also cautioning and warning not to neglect 
 the present opportunity/' 
 
 (C.) 
 
 Testimony from the m,onthly rneeting of Phila- 
 delphia for the Southern Districts, concerning 
 Hannah Fisher. 
 
 Believing that a commemoration of the useful 
 lives and peaceful deaths of those who have endeav- 
 oured faithfully to follow the Redeemer in the 
 path of humility and self-denial, has often been bene- 
 ficial to survivors, and tended to encourage the 
 youthful mind to yield to the precious visitations of 
 divine love, — we are engaged to give forth a memo- 
 rial concerning our beloved friend, Hannah Fisher. 
 
 She was the daughter of Thomas and Mary Rod- 
 man, and was born in Newport, Rhode Island, in 
 the 4th month, 1764. Her father dying when she 
 was very young, the care of a large family devolved 
 upon her mother, to whose exemplary and judicious 
 deportment, our dear friend has often made grateful 
 acknowledgment. This maternal care, co-operating 
 with the tendering impressions of divine love with 
 which her mind was early visited, became the means 
 of her preservation in much innocence. In the year 
 1793, she was married to our friend Samuel R. 
 Fisher, and became a member of this monthly 
 
260 
 
 meeting, and through the renewed and humbling 
 baptisms of the divine spirit, was qualified for use- 
 fulness therein. In the year 1800, after a season of 
 deep exercise, she came forth in the ministry, and 
 being faithful in the little, experienced an enlarge- 
 ment in the gift to the comfort and refreshment of 
 many. From the general tenor of her conversation, 
 and the savour of her spirit, it was evident, that 
 having received with meekness the engrafted word, 
 and abiding patiently under its influence, she was 
 enabled to bring forth good fruits: — hence flowed, 
 as streams from their proper fountain, her exempla- 
 ry deportment, her care in frequently reading the 
 Holy Scriptures in the family, and the faithful tes- 
 timony which she bore, by her consistent example, 
 to that plainness and simplicity which our christian 
 principles lead into; frequently expressing her thank- 
 fulness that she had been enabled to be faithful here- 
 in; adding, '<I have often felt the cross in it, but it 
 has been to me a great means of preservation." 
 
 In her social intercourse, she evinced a mind train- 
 ed in the discipline of that charity which thinketh no 
 evil, and was ready to do unto others as she would 
 that others should do unto her. Her sympathizing 
 spirit was often drawn to visit the afflicted, and she 
 was qualified to speak a word in season to the weary. 
 To the poor she was a liberal, judicious, and feeling 
 friend. Thus, through obedience to the manifesta- 
 tions of the spirit of truth in her own mind, she was 
 enabled to do her day's work in the day time. Her 
 illness was short, but the result was not alarming to 
 her; it was evident she was in readiness. For seve- 
 ral days previous to the solemn close, she was at 
 various times engaged in expressing to the different 
 members of her family and other friends, lively ex- 
 hortation, tender acknowledgment, and pertinent 
 remarks on the necessity of being prepared for the 
 
261 
 
 final scene. To a friend sitting by her, she said, "I 
 have desired that my children may give up in the 
 morning of their day, and join hand in hand with 
 the faithful labourers in the Lord's vineyard;" add- 
 ing, **I feel nothing in my way. I feel thankful 
 in my bed of sickness, that I have given up much 
 in the cross to my natural inclination, and that I have 
 been favoured to keep the furniture of the house and 
 my clothing plain and simple." At another time, 
 addressing her children, she said, '*Live in love, 
 my dear children, may you all live in love; it will 
 sweeten every bitter cup; there is no comfort with- 
 out it." Again, "All is done, all is done. It would 
 be a pity for me to recover, I feel so resigned, so 
 sweet, I feel as if I were already in heaven." At 
 another time she said, her illness had been a time of 
 suffering to the body, but not to the mind; that all 
 was comfortable there; adding, *'What a mercy! 
 that when the poor body is in suffering, the mind 
 should be preserved in such tranquillity." Her af- 
 fliction of body appeared to be great; and she once 
 expressed, she thought a part of it might be on ac- 
 count of survivors, that they might see it would not 
 do to put off the day's work until the evening; that 
 it was enough then to have bodily suffering. In the 
 night previous to her close, she said, "Lord I love 
 thee; Lord thou art with me: I love thee because 
 thou hast heard my supplication. Bless the Lord, 
 my soul!" About an hour before she ceased to 
 breathe, she sweetly expressed, "The Lord is with 
 me; I bless his hand. I bless his arm." Which, at 
 that solemn season, clearly conveyed to the minds 
 of those present, her resignation to this allotment of 
 unerring wisdom, and her thankful sense of the sup- 
 porting arm under it. Near the close, she said, "the 
 work is finished." 
 
 Thus, we believe, through the efficacy of that 
 23 
 
262 
 
 grace to which she bore impressive testimony in 
 our meeting a few days before her removal, she has 
 been enabled to '*fight a good fight, to keep the faith, 
 and to have entered into that rest which is prepared 
 for the righteous." 
 
 She died the 12th of the 9th month, 1819, in the 
 fifty sixth year of her age. 
 
 (D.) 
 
 THE LATE MIERS FISHER. 
 
 This learned and ingenious citizen, now no longer 
 a tenant of mortality, continued to exemplify the 
 urbanity of the true gentleman, scholar, and friend, 
 to the close of his earthly career. The writer of 
 this article listened with delight to his instructive 
 conversation on religious subjects, a few days before 
 he had to pay the mournful tribute due to departed 
 worth, by following his remains ^Ho the house ap- 
 pointed for all living." 
 
 His critical Hebrew knowledge and research, led 
 to themes which still dwell with harmonious feeling 
 on the memory. The topics of salvation, and of 
 "Abraham saw my day and was glad," have been 
 rendered more precious by the removal of this 
 valuable man to the immediate presence of Him 
 who said, "before Abraham was I am." His funeral 
 took place 3d mo. 15th, 1819, attended by a nu- 
 merous assemblage of friends, relatives, and fellow- 
 citizens. A good man's history may often be read 
 in the eyes and in the solemnity of feeling which 
 appears on the minds of those that follow him to the 
 last. In this case, the serene silence attending his 
 funeral obsequies, reminds the writer of the still- 
 
263 
 
 ness of a summer evening, after the sun has set in 
 brightness, and not a whisper can be heard amidst 
 the trees. 
 
 Miers Fisher was a man for whom General 
 Washington had a true respect — for he knew and 
 honoured his worth, and his memory will long have 
 the fragrance of the rose to all who knew him, so as 
 to improve by his instructive conversation, to esti- 
 mate his talent and appreciate his christian benevo- 
 lence. To eulogise the dead, is not the object of 
 this article — it is spontaneously written by one who 
 knew him but a short time before his decease, but 
 quite long enough to find the iron pen and diamond 
 point needless to engrave on the heart what has 
 much endeared memory. But it is written to em- 
 balm the recollection of talent and example to the 
 numerous assembly of young persons who now 
 mourn their friend ; to cheer the heart, if it should 
 meet the eye of the afflicted survivors, with the 
 language of sympathy and consolation, and to say, 
 on behalf of their late beloved friend, to the youth 
 of his family, '^Follow closely that unchangeable 
 friend who sticketh closer than a brother.'^ 
 
 His widow, Sarah Redwood Fivsher, now in the 
 eighty-fourth year of her age, is yet spared to her 
 remaining children and friends, enjoying a comfort- 
 able share of health, and possessing a fine amiable 
 temper, with a mind clear and unclouded. She was 
 a native of Rhode Island, and daughter of William 
 Redwood. Her sister H. W. was the wife of cou- 
 sin Charles Wharton. She died, I think, in 1796, 
 and her husband died recently. 
 
364 
 
 (E.) 
 
 OBITUARY. 
 
 Died on the 24th of the 11 mo., 1819, at Bur- 
 lington, New Jersey, Susanna Emlen, wife of 
 Samuel Emlen, and daughter of William Dillwyn, 
 formerly of that place, now of England, by his first 
 wife, Sarah Smith, granddaughter of James Logan, 
 Sen., of Stenton. 
 
 Possessed of all the mild and endearing virtues, 
 gentle, benevolent, good, she was the delight of 
 her friends, and a treasure of inestimable worth to 
 her husband and relatives. The spotless purity of 
 her mind, and the sweetness of her whole character 
 appeared so entirely without alloy, that she seemed 
 like an inhabitant of a more blessed world, 
 
 "Let down in cloudy throne to do the world some good." 
 
 And a bright and beautiful example she has in- 
 deed left us of patience and resignation under the 
 most severe sufferings and long protracted anguish. 
 She had a very solid judgment united to great deli- 
 cacy of taste. Her disposition was remarkably kind 
 and tender; her mind serious, but her temper cheer- 
 ful and social, and her countenance beamed united 
 intelligence and softness. 
 
 "The lightning of her angel snaile" 
 
 often occurred to me in conversing with her. But 
 she has gone, and her death is the withdrawing of 
 a most radiant and beautiful orb that gladdened and 
 enlightened the circle of her family and friends. 
 
 She was buried in Friends grave-yard in Bur- 
 lington, on the 27th. Her funeral, attended by a 
 large number of weeping relatives and friends, was 
 
265 
 
 one of the most solemn and impressive at which I 
 ever assisted. But the triumphant 'hope of glory' 
 through the blessed Redeemer, was felt over all! 
 
 (F.) 
 
 OBITUARY NOTICE BY ROBERT WALSH, 4th mO. 11th, 1821. 
 
 We announce, and with sincere sorrow, the death 
 of Dr. George Logan, who departed this life on 
 Monday evening last, 9th inst. at Stenton, his seat 
 in the neighbourhood of this city in the sixty- 
 seventh year of his age. He has left behind a cha- 
 racter, which, if his friends and family could ad- 
 mit of any other than religious solace for his loss, 
 would form a fruitful source of consolation. Dr. 
 Logan acted a distinguished part in the social and 
 political world for a number of years; making great 
 personal sacrifices for the public good, and obeying 
 the impulses of the warmest and purest patriotic and 
 philanthropic zeal. His career as the representa- 
 tive of this his native state, in the senate of the 
 union; his devotion to the cause of liberty and peace; 
 his spontaneous visits to Europe, for the purpose of 
 averting the calamities of war from his country, are 
 too generally known and vividly remembered to 
 require more than a mere indication at present. 
 Whatever diversity of opinion may exist as to the 
 merits of his political career during his official term, 
 or the efficacy of his political exertions at any 
 period, there can be but one sentiment with regard 
 to the excellence of his intentions and the elevation 
 of his views. 
 
 He had received the best education, classical and 
 professional, and travelled in Europe under the best 
 23* 
 
266 
 
 auspices. He early acquired the friendship and 
 confidence of some of the most distinguished and 
 illustrious of the patriots of our revolution. He con- 
 tinued until the close of his life to cultivate the sen- 
 timents which he partook with them, and to pursue 
 the liberal studies in which his youth had been em- 
 ployed. His mind was stored with useful and ele- 
 gant knowledge; he delighted in agricultural enqui- 
 ries and experiments, in which he was particularly 
 successful; and if any thing interfered with his en- 
 joyments and occupations as a scholar and a farmer, 
 it was his solicitude for the national weal, which, 
 in fact, had become of late, a morbid sensibility in- 
 jurious to his health and comfort. 
 
 We pay this hasty tribute to the memory of a 
 truly good man and sound American, in the hope 
 and expectation that a regular obituary notice, con- 
 taining biographical details, will be prepared from 
 authentic materials by hands better fitted than ours 
 to do justice to his worth. He was the grandson 
 of James Logan, one of the founders and greatest 
 benefactors of this commonwealth — one of the wisest 
 and most learned of the whole number of the Euro- 
 pean emigrants to the American continent. Such 
 a lineage, with a due correspondence in spirit, im- 
 provement, and effort, would alone create a title to 
 the lively esteem and regrets of the citizens of this 
 state. 
 
 My ever honoured and beloved husband, Dr. 
 George Logan, departed this life on the night of the 
 9th of the 4th mo., 1821, after a lingering illness of 
 many months, which he bore with a tranquillity 
 and resignation truly exemplary. He was born at 
 Stenton the 9th of the 9th mo., 1753, and was at a 
 very early age sent to England for his education, 
 from whence he returned to this country and served 
 an apprenticeship to a merchant in Philadelphia 
 
267 
 
 (the venerable John Reynolds), but having always 
 felt a predilection for the study of medicine, after 
 he was of age he commenced his medical education, 
 which he completed by a residence of three years 
 at Edinburgh, and qualified himself in the fullest 
 and most ample manner for its practice, which he, 
 however, never pursued; for upon his coming home 
 in 1780, he found his estate, after the desolation oc- 
 casioned by the revolutionary war, in such a situa- 
 tion as to require his undivided attention. We 
 accordingly soon after our marriage removed to 
 Stenton, where the improved state of his farm soon 
 evinced the success with which he prosecuted his 
 agricultural inquiries, his intervals of leisure being 
 filled up with such studies as served to enlarge his 
 capacities for usefulness to the public, and which 
 tended to fit his mind for the situations in which he 
 afterwards appeared. 
 
 It is not my intention here to attempt to draw his 
 character at large, but it is quite impossible for me 
 to write any memorandum respecting him without 
 paying some little tribute to his excellent qualities; 
 his benevolence, his love of justice and peace, his 
 entire disinterestedness of conduct, his sincerity and 
 truth, and that simplicity of manners which despised 
 all ostentation, were so remarkable, that they formed 
 distinguished traits in his character, and secured to 
 him the love and respect of his fellow-citizens. 
 
 And I likewise have the unspeakable consolation 
 to add, that he died in the christian faith — a sincere 
 disciple of the blessed Jesus! In his latter years 
 he had it much at heart, that, laying aside all secta- 
 rian prejudices, the good of all religious societies 
 should unite to promote the great designs of Chris- 
 tianity. 
 
 D. Logan. 
 
 Stenton J ^th of the Qth mo., 1823. 
 
268 
 
 (G.) 
 
 Died, at Stenton, on the morning of the 19th 
 of 12th month, 1835, in his forty-fifth year, Al- 
 gernon Sydney Logan. To an extensive circle of 
 friends and acquaintances he was known as possess- 
 ing talents and mental attractions of no ordinary 
 stamp; but when arrested in the full vigour of man- 
 hood by a severe disease, which baffling all the 
 efforts of human skill, though applied by the hand 
 of untiring friendship, his fine constitution gradu- 
 ally gave way; then it was the privilege of those 
 most near to him to witness the fullest develope- 
 ment of the endearing qualities which naturally be- 
 longed to his character; and while affectionate and 
 grateful to his friends, patient in the endurance of 
 suffering and privations rarely met with, his fine 
 mind, unclouded to the last moments of existence, 
 was capable of exerting all its power. 
 
 (H.) 
 
 Died, on Monday night last, in the sixty-seventh 
 year of his age, James Smith, for many years one of 
 the most eminent and successful merchants of this 
 city. He sustained the character of an upright and 
 honourable man, a public spirited and a liberal 
 member of the community, and an humble and 
 pious christian. 
 
 Of the ample fortune which he had acquired, he 
 made no selfish or sordid use. His gifts to chari- 
 table purposes were frequent and large, and his 
 liberality had the merit of being judicious as to its 
 object and delicate in its manner. The sincere grief 
 
269 
 
 of his numerous family, and the large concourse of 
 his fellow-citizens who attended his remains to the 
 grave, afforded sufficient testimony of the affection 
 with which he was regarded in the domestic circle, 
 and of the regard in which his virtues and example 
 are held by the community. 
 
 (I.) 
 
 Departed this life, on the 23d of the 8th mo., 1814, 
 at his seat near this city, James Logan Fisher, son 
 of the late Thomas Fisher. 
 
 To give his character at large, is not intended by 
 the writer of this paragraph; — yet, the recollection 
 of its varied worth will long remain with those to 
 whom it has been known — free from ostentation, by 
 him the duties of life were well performed — and 
 although called upon in the prime of manhood by a 
 long and suffering illness to yield all those earthly 
 enjoyments naturally so dear, he bowed in submis- 
 sion to the will of Heaven, bore with exemplary 
 patience his deeply trying situation, looking beyond 
 it with a mind unshaken by disease and filled with 
 the hope of a pious christian. 
 
 (K.) 
 
 Died, in this city, on the 27th of 12th mo., 
 1821, in the thirty-sixth year of her age, Ann Eliza 
 Fisher, relict of James Logan Fisher, and daughter 
 of the late Sydney George, Esq., of Maryland. 
 The character of this amiable lady is too deeply 
 portrayed on the hearts of her sorrowing friends 
 
270 
 
 to be soon lost in oblivion. All the duties of life 
 were performed by her with affectionate solicitude; 
 gracefully courteous in her demeanour, pious, pru- 
 dent, kind, and benevolent in her conduct, her 
 loss will long be felt and deplored in her own family; 
 but to herself the exchange from a life of sorrow 
 and anxiety, is, no doubt, unspeakably happy and 
 glorious. 
 
 -"tho' 'tis an awful thing to die, 
 
 'Twas e'en to her, yet the dread path once trod, 
 Heaven lifts its everlasting portals high, 
 And bids the pure in heart behold their God." 
 
 (L.) 
 
 Died, at Paris, on the morning of the 3d of Octo- 
 ber last, of scarlet fever, after an illness of eighty 
 hours, James Logan Fisher, M. D., of Philadelphia, 
 aged 22 years. 
 
 Thus was prematurely removed a young man of 
 brilliant talents and the brightest expectation; al- 
 though his death occurred in a foreign land, he was 
 surrounded by afflicted friends, who rendered him 
 every possible attention, and procured for him the 
 best medical aid. His constitution was delicate, 
 and he had scarcely ever enjoyed good health; life 
 was thus embittered to one who had every thing 
 else to make him useful and happy. With a dis- 
 criminating taste and great love for music and the 
 fine arts, he possessed in a rare degree, skill as a 
 painter and musician for one not professedly an 
 artist. He not only acquired these accomplish- 
 ments, but with genius and talents he united great 
 perseverance in his profession, and from his medi- 
 
271 
 
 cal skill he won the esteem of his associates and the 
 confidence of his friends. 
 
 Ardently devoted to the pursuit he had chosen 
 for life, he visited Europe for the purpose of adding 
 to his professional knowledge and reputation, but 
 alas! he was not destined to realize the anticipa- 
 tions of those who knew him. 
 
 (M.) 
 
 Died, on the fourth instant, 1813, Mary Fisher, 
 wife of William Logan Fisher, of Wakefield, near 
 Germantown. 
 
 Memory might here wish to retrace and dwell 
 on the character of this most amiable woman, but 
 afiection stops the ready tribute, and tells how feeble 
 must be any attempt to portray her great and many 
 excellences. 
 
 Oh lost too soon! yet why lament a fate. 
 By thousands envied, and by Heaven approv'd, 
 Rare is the boon to those of longer date, 
 To live, to die, admir'd, esteem'd, beloved! 
 
272 
 
 The first European Friends whom I remember, 
 on religious visits, when a child, were John Town- 
 send (who made his home in this city with our re- 
 latives, Nicholas and Sarah Wain,) also John Storer, 
 and Thomas Colley ; the two latter staid much at my 
 dear parents'; Robert Walker, 1773, from England, 
 made his home at my grandparents' Joshua and 
 Sarah Fisher; likewise Rachel Wilson, whom my 
 uncle Samuel Rowland Fisher crossed the ocean 
 with, after one of his visits to England in 1768. R. 
 W. was aunt to our beloved friend Deborah Darby. 
 Catharine Payton, afterwards Philips, and Mary 
 Piesly, (memoirs of these two friends are in print,) 
 and Samuel Fothergill, I have heard spoken of in 
 my youthful days with much acceptance in visiting 
 this country from Europe in the year 1755. 
 
 Mary Ridgway and Jane Watson, the latter from 
 Ireland, lodged in this city at the house of my grand- 
 father, W. Logan's cousin, John Pemberton, an 
 esteemed minister of the Gospel — they preceded 
 dear Deborah Darby, and Rebecca Young, after- 
 wards Byrd, in their visit to this country; and 
 Martha Routh was here at the time those last men- 
 tioned friends were, and made her home at my 
 valued uncle Samuel Rowland Fisher's; Lydia 
 Rotch, then a young woman, was very acceptably 
 her companion; they crossed the ocean together in 
 the same ship, I think, in 1794, where the latter had 
 been with her parents and sister Mary on a visit; 
 also John Wigham, a valued minister from Scotland, 
 very acceptably at the same time coming together 
 on a religious visit. 
 
273 
 
 Ann Alexander, Mary Prior; the latter expe- 
 rienced a remarkable preservation from shipwreck, 
 and gave thanks on her arrival at the American 
 shore. Her faith and patience encouraged those 
 who had the command of the ship, in a signal and 
 memorable manner. 
 
 Susanna Home, her companion, acceptably Mary 
 Allinson, of Burlington, New Jersey. 
 
 Jervis Johnson, Mary Naftal, Hannah Lewis, 
 now the wife of John Paul, was very acceptably her 
 companion, I believe. 
 
 William Richman, George Withy, and divers 
 other friends have latterly visited us, though they 
 may not be inserted or in order as to their following 
 each other; also John Hall and William Foster — 
 the latter a little more than twelve years since. 
 
 Sarah Stephenson, who was very acceptably on a 
 religious visit to this country, died at the house of 
 my uncle, Samuel Rowland Fisher, the 26th of 
 Third-month, 1802. Memoirs of her life and tra- 
 vels in the service of the Gospel are in print. She 
 was very affectionately attended as a companion by 
 Mary Jeffreys, who afterwards became the wife of 
 William Powell, of Nurstead Devizes. I had a late 
 letter from this dear friend, being now a widow, re- 
 siding in Melksham, England. 
 
 With those who staid under the roof of my worthy 
 grandparents particularly, as well as others, there 
 appeared a friendship that was valuable, interesting, 
 and lasting — truly a friendship founded in the truth 
 is so, under all, or any circumstances that may 
 occur. 
 
 Come what will, tribulation, inward or outward, 
 if we keep to the truth, it will keep us. 
 
 From the religious acquaintance, association, and 
 connexion I had with several dear friends who made 
 their home mostly when in this city at the house of 
 24 
 
9!M 
 
 my uncle, Samuel Rowland Fisher, whose society 
 and religious labours, 1 trust, were blest to me when 
 young in years, I have been induced to have some 
 of their testimonies preserved. 
 
 John Fothergill, a minister, in his journal speaks 
 of performing his third and last visit to America 
 from England in the year 1736, and arriving at 
 Philadelphia the sixth of the Sixth-month, "having 
 had an easy, good passage, and more especially so 
 because of the favour of the lively sense of the Di- 
 vine presence being often renewed, under which 
 my soul humbly worshipped God, who is worthy 
 for ever." He lodged at Israel Pemberton's, own 
 brother to James Pemberton, first cousin to William 
 Logan, my respected grandfather. 
 
 Samuel Fothergill, who was in Philadelphia in 
 1755, was son to John Fothergill. 
 
 Samuel Nottingham was another English Friend 
 who visited this country on a Gospel errand. 
 
 Thomas Shillitoe and Elizabeth Robeson are 
 names that I recollect on religious visits to this coun- 
 try some years since. 
 
 David Cummings, of Horsham, Pennsylvania, and 
 William Newbold, of Springfield, New Jersey, 
 were acceptably with dear Deborah Darby and 
 Rebecca Byrd, in some of their religious engage- 
 ments and travels. 
 
 I also have a recollection and remembrance of 
 many valuable Friends that have visited Europe 
 from this country on a religious account; the names 
 of them may be interesting to rehearse. Of those, 
 as far as my memory may designate, and some 
 whom 1 have read of — 
 John Churchman, Rebecca Jones, 
 
 Daniel Stanton, Sarah Harrison, 
 
 Thomas Chalkley, David Sands, 
 
 Elizabeth Drinker, John Pemberton, 
 
275 
 
 Samuel Emlen, 
 Rebecca Wright, 
 Samuel Smith, 
 Nicholas Wain, 
 Thomas Scattergood, 
 George Dillwyn, accom 
 
 panied by his wife, S 
 
 D. 
 Job Scott, 
 William Savery, 
 Jesse Kersey, 
 Joseph Cloud, 
 Elizabeth Coggshill, 
 
 Richard Jordan, 
 
 Nathan Hunt, 
 
 William Jackson, 
 
 Charity Cook, 
 
 Sarah Talbot, 
 
 Phebe Speakman, 
 
 John Woolman, 
 
 Abraham Farrington, 
 
 Susanna Lightfoot, 
 
 Sarah Morris, accompa- 
 nied by her affectionate 
 niece, Deborah Morris, 
 in 1772. 
 
 There may be others, but these are all I can re- 
 collect at this time, with accuracy, to have heard of. 
 Susanna Morris visited Europe three times, who 
 was eminent in her day for the cause of truth and 
 righteousness. An account of her, as well as divers 
 others, is in the Book of Memorials. 
 
 Susanna Morris was aunt to my grandmother, 
 Hannah Logan. 
 
 Memoirs or journals of these dear friends are 
 mostly in print, which I am induced to add, as 
 books of this description are too little read or looked 
 intof and they are truly interesting. 
 
 I have prepared, by the aid of memorandums 
 kindly lent to me by several FHends for that pur- 
 pose, lists which, I believe, are nearly or quite com- 
 plete, of Friends who have visited England from 
 this country, and of Friends who have visited us 
 from England. 
 
276 
 
 Jin Account of Friends who visited America from 
 Europe in the service of Truth, in the years 
 
 1656 — Mary Fisher and Ann Austin, from Eng- 
 land. 
 1657 — Josiah Coal, from near Bristol, England. 
 
 Mary Clark, London. 
 1659 — William Robinson, England; Marmaduke 
 Stevenson, Yorkshire; who both suffered 
 death at Boston. 
 John Taylor, Yorkshire. 
 1661 — George Wilson, England; who was perse- 
 cuted to death at Jamestown, Virginia. 
 Elizabeth Hooton, JoanBrocksop, England. 
 Catharine Chatham, London. She went 
 through many exercises to Boston, and 
 appeared in sackcloth, as a sign of the 
 Lord's judgments coming upon them. 
 1662 — John Taylor, a second time. 
 
 Oswell Heritage and Ann Robinson; both 
 
 died in Jamaica. 
 Lydia Oates, England. 
 
 Mary Tomkins and Alice Ambrose, England. 
 1665 — John Burnyeat, Cumberland. 
 1670 — John Burnyeat, a second time. 
 
 William Simpson, Lancashire. He died at 
 Barbadoes. 
 1671 — George Fox, England. 
 
 William Edmundson, Ireland. 
 Robert Widders, England. 
 John Stubbs, do. 
 
 James Lancaster, do. 
 
277 
 
 George Pattison, England. 
 
 Solomon Eccles, do. 
 
 John Cartwright, do. 
 
 Thomas Briggs, do. 
 
 John Hall, do. 
 
 John Rouse, do. 
 
 William Bayley, do. 
 
 Elizabeth Hooton, second time. She died 
 
 at Jamaica. 
 Elizabeth Myers, England. 
 1675 — William Edmundson, a second time. 
 
 Christopher Taylor. 
 1676 — Thomas Curwin and Alice his wife, England. 
 1678— Thomas Fletcher, England. 
 
 John Haydock, England. 
 1680 — Joan Vokins and Sarah Clark, England. 
 1682 — William Penn, with many Friends, sailed 
 for Pennsylvania, to take possession and 
 settle the province. He remained there 
 about two years, and in 1684 returned to 
 England. 
 James Martin. 
 1683 — William Edmundson, third time. 
 1685 — James Martin, second time. 
 1687 — John Hatton, England. 
 1691 — Thomas Wilson, James Dickenson, England. 
 1694 — Thomas Musgrave, Yorkshire. 
 1695 — Robert Barrow, Westmoreland. He was 
 shipwrecked with Jonathan Dickenson and 
 others on the coast of Florida, and after 
 passing through extreme sufferings, arrived 
 in Philadelphia, where he soon after died. 
 Robert Wardel, Durham. He died in the 
 course of his travels. 
 1696 — Henry Pay ton, England. 
 Jonathan Tyler, England. 
 James Dickenson, second time. 
 24 
 
278 
 
 Jacob Fallowfield, England. 
 1697— Thomas Chalkley, England. 
 1698— William Ellis, England. 
 Aaron Atkinson. 
 
 This year Thomas Chalkley returned to 
 England, and a short time afterwards he 
 settled in America. 
 Thomas Turner, England. 
 Mary Rogers, Elizabeth Webb, England. 
 Roger Gill, who died in Philadelphia in the 
 time of the great mortality prevailing in 
 that city in the year 1699. 
 Thomas Story, England. 
 1699 — William Penn, second time. He returned 
 
 to England in 1701. 
 1700 — John Salkield, Cumberland. 
 Thomas Thompson, England. 
 Josiah Langdale, do. 
 
 John Estaugh, do. 
 
 John Richardson, do. 
 
 Sarah Clement, do. 
 
 1703 — Samuel Bovvnas, do. 
 
 1704 — Thomas Turner, second time. 
 Joseph Glaister, England. 
 James Caster. 
 Mary Bannister, England. 
 Mary Ellerton, England. 
 1705 — John Fothergill, William Armistead, Eng- 
 land. 
 1707 — Samuel Wilkinson, England. 
 
 Patrick Henderson, do. 
 
 1709 — William Baldwin, Lancashire. 
 1714 — Thomas Wilson, second time. 
 James Dickenson, third time. 
 Josiah Langdale, second time. 
 William Armstrong, England. 
 James Graham, died at Burlington. 
 
279 
 
 1717 — Benjamin Holme, Yorkshire. 
 1719 — John Danson, England. 
 
 Isaac Hadwin, do. 
 
 John Oxley, do. 
 
 Lydia Lancaster, do. 
 
 Elizabeth Rawlinson, do. 
 
 Rebecca Turner, do. 
 
 1721 — John Appleton, Lincolnshire. 
 
 John Fothergill, second time. 
 
 Lawrence King, Yorkshire, England. 
 
 Margaret Payne, England. 
 1723 — Benjamin Kidd, Yorkshire, England. 
 1725 — Abigail Bowles, Ireland. 
 1726— William Piggot, London. 
 1727 — Joshua Fielding, do. 
 
 Joseph Taylor, do. 
 
 Rowland Wilson, do. 
 1728 — Samuel Bownas, second time. 
 1731 — Paul Johnson, Dublin. 
 
 John Richardson, second time. 
 
 Henry Frankland, Yorkshire. 
 1732— Mungo Bewly. 
 
 Samuel Stevenson, Ireland. 
 
 Alice Anderson, Yorkshire. 
 
 Margaret Cowpland, Westmoreland. 
 
 Hannah Dent, Yorkshire. 
 1734 — Joseph Gill, Ireland. 
 
 John Burton, Yorkshire. 
 
 William Backhouse, Lancashire. 
 1736 — Edward Tylee, near Bristol. 
 
 John Fothergill, third time. 
 
 -.moc. ( Ruth Courtney, Ireland. 
 
 Susanna Hudson, Ireland. 
 John Hunt, London. 
 1743 — Edmund Peckover, Norfolk. 
 John Hasland, Yorkshire. 
 
280 
 
 Samuel Hopwood, Cornwall. 
 1744 — Christopher Wilson, Cumberland. 
 
 Eliezer Sheldon, Ireland. 
 1747 — Thomas Gawthrop, Westmoreland. 
 
 Samuel Nottingham, England. 
 1751 — Jonah Thompson, do. 
 
 Mary Weston, do. 
 
 1754 — Samuel Fothergill, arrived Ninth-mo. 24th, 
 England. 
 Joshua Dixon, Durham. 
 Mary Piesley, Ireland. 
 Catherine Payton, England. 
 1756 — Thomas Gawthrop, second time. 
 
 John Hunt, second time, and Christopher 
 Wilson, second time — who were deputed 
 by friends in England to advise and assist 
 Friends in America in a time of great dif- 
 ficulty. 
 1756 — James Tasker, Oxfordshire. 
 
 William Reckett, Lincolnshire. 
 1757 — Samuel Spavold, Hertfordshire. 
 
 Mary Kirby, Norfolk. 
 1759 — John Storer, Nottingham. 
 1760 — George Mason, Susanna Hatton, (late Hud- 
 son,) Jane Crossfield, arrived 9th of Ninth- 
 month. 
 1761 — Robert Proud, John Stephenson, Hannah 
 Harris, Elizabeth Wilkinson, Alice Hall 
 — died in Philadelphia; arrived 17th of 
 Tenth-month. 
 1764 — William Reckett, second time. 
 
 Susanna Lightfoot, third time, and settled in 
 Pennsylvania. 
 1765— John Griffith, Chelmsford, 
 
 Abigail Pike. 
 1766 — Thomas Gawthrop, third time. 
 
281 
 
 176S— Rachel Wilson, arrived Tenth-month 16th, 
 Kendal. 
 
 1770 — Joseph Oxley, arrived at New York in the 
 Fifth-month, and returned in the spring of 
 1772. 
 Samuel Neal. He returned in 1772. 
 
 1773— Robert Walker, Elizabeth Robinson, Mary 
 Leaver. They returned home Fifth-month 
 1st, 1775. 
 
 1775 — Thomas Gawthrop, fourth time, returned 
 Fifth-month 1st, 1775. 
 
 1785 — John Storer, second time. 
 John Townsend, London. 
 Thomas Colley, Sheffield. 
 
 1789 — Mary Ridgway, Jane Watson, Ireland. Re- 
 turned in 1792. 
 
 1793 — Deborah Darby, Rebecca Young. Arrived 
 at New York Tenth-month 8th, and re- 
 turned to England 18th of Fifth-month, 
 1797. 
 
 1794— John Wigham, Martha Routh, Scotland. Ar- 
 rived at Boston. 
 
 1797 — Jervis Johnson, Ireland. 
 
 1798— Mary Pryor, England. 
 
 1799_John Hall, England. 
 
 1801 — Sarah Stephenson — died in Philadelphia the 
 26th of Fourth-month, 1802. 
 Mary Jeffries, her companion, returned to 
 England soon after the decease of Sarah 
 Stephenson. 
 
 1801 — Martha Routh, second time. 
 
 1803 — Ann Alexander, Yorkshire. 
 
 1804— William Crotch, England. 
 
 1810 — Susanna Home, do. 
 
 1816— Mary Naftel, do. 
 
 IS 18— William Rickman, do. 
 
282 
 
 1820 — William Forster, Dorsetshire. He returned 
 to England Fifth-month, 1825. 
 
 1822 — George Withy, England. 
 
 1823 — Isaac Stephenson. 
 Anna Braithvvaite. 
 
 1824 — Elizabeth Robson, Arrived in the Tenth- 
 month, and returned home Seventh-month 
 20th, 1828. 
 
 1825 — AnnaBraithwaite, second time, accompanied 
 by her husband, Isaac Braithwaite, from 
 Kendal. 
 
 1826 — Thomas Shilitoe. Arrived at New York 
 Ninth-month 7th, and returned Eighth- 
 month 8th, 1829. 
 George Jones and his wife 
 Ann Jones. Arrived at Philadelphia Ninth- 
 month 18th, and sailed from New York 
 as below. 
 
 1827 — Anna Braithwaite, third time, accompanied 
 by her husband. They returned home 
 from New York Sixth-month 16th, 1829. 
 
 1830 — Jonathan and Hannah Backhouse. Arrived 
 at New York in the Hibernia, Ninth- 
 month 3d, 1830. 
 
 1832 — Jacob Green, from Ireland. 
 
 1837 — Joseph John Gurney,and still here Eleventh- 
 month, 1838. 
 Daniel Wheeler and Elizabeth Robson are 
 expected. 
 
2S3 
 
 •Account of Friends who went on religious visits 
 from */imerica to Europe in the years 
 
 1693 — William Walker, from Pennsylvania. He 
 
 died while on his travels. 
 1694 — Thomas Duckett, Pennsylvania. 
 1695— Griffith Owen. 
 
 Thomas Janney — died from home. 
 1700 — Joseph Kirkbride. 
 
 1702 — William Biles and his wife, Pennsylvania. 
 1706 — Ellis Pugh, of Pennsylvania. 
 1707— Thomas Potts. 
 1708— Thomas Chalkley. 
 
 Richard Gove — died from home. 
 1710 — Elizabeth Kay, Jersey. 
 1711 — Ann Chapman, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Peter Fearon, Jr., New Jersey. 
 
 Peter Bain, Jr., Jersey. 
 1713 — John Salkield, Pennsylvania. 
 1715 — Anthony Morris, Pennsylvania. 
 1716 — Thomas Story — returned to England and 
 
 settled there. 
 1722 — Esther Clare, Pennsylvania. 
 1726 — John Estaugh, Jersey. 
 1728 — Robert Jordan, Virginia. 
 
 Jane Fenn and Eliza Whately, Pennsylvania. 
 1730 — Ann Parsons. 
 1731 — Susanna Morris, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Arthur Jones, do. 
 
 Andrew Crammer do. 
 
 1732 — John Cadwallader, do. 
 
 1733 — Mary Pennel, do. 
 
 Ann Roberts. 
 
284 
 
 1734 — Joseph Jordan, Virginia. 
 
 Susanna Morris, second time. 
 
 Elizabeth Morgan, Pennsylvania. 
 1735 — Mary Lewis, do. 
 
 Rebecca Minshall, do. 
 
 1739— Morris Aldridge, New England. 
 1740 — Michael Lightfoot, Pennsylvania. 
 1743— Elizabeth Shipley, do. 
 
 Esther White, do. 
 
 1744 — Robert Jordan, second time. 
 
 Peter Davis, New England. 
 
 Thomas Nicholson, North Carolina. 
 1747 — Ebenezer Large, Jersey. 
 1746 — Jane Hoskins, formerly Fenn, second time. 
 
 Elizabeth Hudson. 
 
 Daniel Stanton, Jersey. 
 1749 — John GriiFith, Pennsylvania. 
 1750 — John Churchman and William Brown, sailed 
 fourth-month 4th, and returned ninth- 
 month 24th, 1754. 
 
 John Pemberton. 
 1752 — Margaret Ellis, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Margaret Lewis, do. 
 1753 — Susanna Morris, third time. 
 1754 — Elizabeth Ashbridge and Sarah Worrell, 
 both died abroad. 
 
 Mary James, Pennsylvania. 
 1755 — Peter Andrews, Jersey, died at Norwich 
 
 13th of 7th month, 1756. 
 1756 — Abraham Farrington, died in England. 
 
 Samuel Emlen. 
 1758 — Joseph White, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Mordecai Yarnall, do. 
 
 1761 — James Daniel, Jersey. 
 
 Ann Moore, Maryland. 
 1763 — Thomas Goodwin, Pennsylvania. 
 
 George Mason, do. 
 
285 
 
 William Home, Pennsylvania. 
 1764 — Samuel Emlen, second time. 
 1768 — Thomas Goodwin, second time. 
 
 Thomas Carter, Pennsylvania. 
 1770— Robert Willis, Jersey. 
 
 1771 — William Hunt, North Carolina — he died in 
 England — his companion, Thomas Thorn- 
 borough, soon after returned to Carolina. 
 1772 — Sarah Morris, accompanied by her niece, 
 Deborah Morris. 
 
 Samuel Emlen, third time. 
 
 John Woolman, died in England, Jersey. 
 1775 — Thomas Carrington, Pennsylvania. 
 1781 — Robert Valentine, do. 
 
 1782 — John Pemberton, returned home in the 7th 
 mo., 1789. 
 
 William Mathews. 
 1783 — Patience Brayton and Mehitable Jenkins, 
 New England. 
 
 Rebecca Wright. 
 
 Nicholas Wain, Pennsylvania. 
 1784 — George Dillwyn and wife, returned 1791. 
 
 Rebecca Jones. 
 
 Samuel Emlen, fourth time. 
 
 Thomas Ross. 
 1785 — Zachariah Dicks and Ann Jessup, North 
 
 Carolina. 
 1788 — James Thornton, Pennsylvania. 
 1791 — Samuel Smith, do. 
 
 1792— Samuel Emlen, fifth time. 
 
 Sarah Harrison, Philadelphia. 
 
 Sarah Birkbeck, of England, was her com- 
 panion. 
 
 Job $cott, died in Ireland, New England. 
 1793 — George Dillwyn, second time. 
 
 Elizabeth Drinker, died in England. 
 1794 — Thomas Scattergood, Philadelphia. 
 
 25 
 
286 
 
 * John Pemberton, third time, died in Ger- 
 many, 31st of 1st mo., 1795. 
 1795 — Nicholas Wain, second time, accompanied by 
 
 David Bacon, an esteemed elder. 
 
 David Sands, New York. 
 1796 — William Savery, returned 10th mo., 1798. 
 
 Samuel Emlen, sixth time. 
 
 Samuel Emlen, his son, an elder and mem- 
 ber of Burlington jDarticular meeting in 
 New Jersey, deceased 1st mo. 29th, 1838. 
 
 Sarah Talbert, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Phebe Speakman, do. 
 1797 — Charity Cook, North Carolina. 
 
 Mary Swett, Jersey. 
 1798 — Hannah Barnard, New York. 
 
 Elizabeth Coggeshall, do. 
 1800 — Samuel Smith, second time, Philadelphia. 
 
 Richard Jordan, North Carolina. 
 1802 — Joseph Cloud, do. 
 
 William Jackson, Pennsylvania. 
 1804 — Jesse Kersey, do. 
 
 1807— Stephen Grellet, New York. 
 1809 — Benjamin White, Pennsylvania. 
 1811— Henry Hull, New York. 
 1813 — Elizabeth Coggeshall, second time. 
 1816 — Hannah Field, New York. 
 
 Elizabeth Barker. 
 
 * He was accompanied by our friend Alexander Wilson, who 
 remained with him during all his travels, until he closed his 
 earthly pilgrimage at Pyrmont, in Germany, in great sweetness, 
 feeling an assurance of having obtained peace with his Maker. 
 
 He was much beloved by those professing with us in that 
 J)lace, likewise by the inhabitants generally, who attended his 
 funeral, and appeared much affected at being deprived of such an 
 excellent friend; words fall short of conveying tne feeling regard 
 that was manifested by some who testified that they believed 
 him to be a true minister of the gospel of Christ, because the 
 words that he spoke to them were living words, which they felt 
 living in their hearts. 
 
287 
 
 1818 — Benjamin White, second time. 
 
 Stephen Grellet, second time. 
 1819— William Planner, Ohio. 
 1820 — Nathan Hunt, North Carolina. 
 1823— Elizabeth Walker, New York. 
 
 Huldah Sears, Virginia. 
 
 Isaac Hamer, Tennessee. 
 1828 — William Flanner, second time, sailed from 
 Philadelphia 1st mo. 20th, and returned 
 4th mo. 22nd, 1829. 
 1831 — Christopher Healy, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Stephen Grellet, third time. 
 
 Jonathan Taylor, Ohio, died in Ireland. 
 
 John Wilbur, Rhode Island. 
 1832 — Charles Osborne. 
 1833— Elisha Bates, Ohio. 
 1834— John Warren. 
 1835— Anna M. Thorne. 
 
 [As I believe that such interchanges of religious 
 visits have been remarkably blest and useful in the 
 community and religious society, so do I most sin- 
 cerely desire under the anointing of Israel's Shep- 
 herd, the leader and only sure guide and director of 
 his people, that it may continue to be blest to the 
 heritage of God, the only safe anointing, guidance, 
 teaching, and direction; under that alone, I believe 
 it vi^ill continue to be thus owned as in former days. 
 
 H. L. S.] 
 
288 
 
 In the year 1671, John Burnyeat laboured much 
 among Friends settled in Maryland and parts adja- 
 cent, and before the close of the year, appointed a 
 meeting for all the Friends in that province, &c., 
 to take his leave of them; sometime before the meet- 
 ing was held, George Fox and a number of other 
 Friends arrived from England, and attended the 
 meeting, which was held several days, in which 
 they endeavoured to establish meetings for disci- 
 pline. George Fox, John Burnyeat, with divers other 
 Friends, from thence proceeded to New England, 
 and it appears from the journals of George Fox and 
 John Burnyeat, that a regular yearly meeting had 
 been established at Rhode Island for Friends of 
 New England and colonies adjacent, which George 
 Fox and a number of other Friends from England 
 attended, in Fourth-month, 1672. 
 
 It appears from J. Gough's history, that a con- 
 siderable number of Friends had settled in New 
 Jersey, in the year 1678, four years before William 
 Penn came to Pennsylvania: the first meeting they 
 held was under a tent at Burlington, until John 
 Woolston had got his house completed, (the first 
 frame house in Burlington,) where they held meet- 
 ings for worship and discipline. Meetings were 
 continued there during his life, and that of his 
 widow, until a meeting-house was built, and soon 
 after a regular monthly meeting was established. 
 
 In the year 1681, a considerable number of 
 Friends from Dublin settled near Salem, New 
 Jersey; many Friends having previously settled 
 in that neighbourhood, and had built a meeting- 
 house there. After sometime, several of them took 
 up land and settled near Newtown creek, and held 
 
289 
 
 a meeting at the house of Mark Newby, and in two 
 years afterwards built a meeting-house at Newtown. 
 Sundry Friends having settled some by the river 
 side, some beyond Cooper's creek, and some at 
 Woodbury creek. With the concurrence of Bur- 
 lington Friends, they established a monthly meet- 
 ing for discipline; and Friends in Salem increasing 
 in num.bers, composed together one quarterly meet- 
 ing. 
 
 In the year 1681, a yearly meeting was establish- 
 ed at Burlington, which was first held at the house of 
 Thomas Gardiner, the 31st of 6th month the same 
 year. 
 
 In 1 682, William Penn, with divers other Friends, 
 arrived in Pennsylvania to take possession and settle 
 the province. 
 
 The first meeting-house in Philadelphia was 
 erected of boards, near the banks of the Delaware, 
 in 1682. The first monthly meeting in that city 
 was held the 9th of 11th month the same year. 
 The first monthly meeting in Bucks county, which 
 some Friends of New Jersey attended, was held 
 near Middleton, at the house of Nicholas Wain, 1st 
 of 11th month, 1683. See Gough's history. A 
 yearly meeting continued to be held at Burlington, 
 until the year 1685, when it was agreed to hold it 
 alternately at Philadelphia and Burlington; and in 
 the year 1760, it was concluded to hold it in Phila- 
 delphia only; and 1798, it w^as agreed to be held 
 the third Second-day in the Fourth-month; the 
 meeting of ministers and elders the Seventh-day 
 preceding, instead of the Second-day after the fourth 
 First-day in the Ninth-month, at which time it was 
 formerly held. 
 
 When the yearly meeting for Pennsylvania and 
 New Jersey was first established, it was intended to 
 consist of Friends northward as far as New Eng- 
 25* 
 
290 
 
 land, and southward as far as Carolina. Maryland 
 sent representatives for some time, but the distance 
 of their habitations rendering it inconvenient for 
 Friends of the remoter colonies, to give their at- 
 tendance, the yearly meeting was constituted of 
 the Friends of New Jersey and Pennsylvania only, 
 and so continued several years. Afterwards, a con- 
 siderable number of Friends residing in the western 
 parts of Virginia and Maryland belonged to this 
 yearly meeting. See Gough's History, Vol. III., 
 page 306. 
 
 The following abstract of a letter from William 
 Penn, to a person who had made some unmerited 
 reflections upon him, may not be unprofitably re- 
 curred to at this time. 
 
 "If Friends here (in Pennsylvania) keep to God, 
 and in the justice, mercy, equity, and fear of the 
 Lord, their enemies will be their footstool; if not, 
 their heirs, and my heirs too, will lose all, and dis- 
 solution will follow.'^ 
 
891 
 
 Testimony from New Garden Monthly Meeting, 
 in Chester County, concerning Hannah Lind- 
 
 LET. 
 
 This our beloved friend was born in New Gar- 
 den, in the Fifth-month, 1755. Her parents, James 
 5ind Rebecca Miller, were Friends in good esteem. 
 As she grew up to the state of a young woman, she 
 met with various trials; and has often been heard, 
 with thankfulness, to acknowledge the loving kind- 
 ness of her heavenly Father, in preserving her. 
 About the nineteenth year of her age she was mar- 
 ried to William Miller, of New Garden aforesaid, 
 entered into the cares of a large family, and approv- 
 ed herself well qualified for such a charge; her de- 
 portment and conversation being grave and solid, 
 yet affable and instructive. Carefully improving 
 the talents she was favoured with, she became quali- 
 fied for service in the church; and after many bap- 
 tising seasons, in much diffidence, she had to declare 
 unto others what the Lord had done for her soul. 
 
 During her widowhood she experienced various 
 trials and exercises, particularly on account of her 
 bearing a faithful testimony against war, for which 
 she suffered much in property, being stripped in so 
 extraordinary a manner, that she has been heard to 
 express, her faith was closely tried, but was merci- 
 fully sustained; relying on that arm that is invisible. 
 
 She was afterwards married to our friend Jacob 
 Lindley; was a dilligent attender of our religious 
 meetings, and careful in making way for her family 
 to attend them also: and frequently on the afternoon 
 of First-day, would collect her children and others 
 
292 
 
 under her direction, and promote the reading of the 
 holy scriptures. As she sat in meeting, the gravity 
 and composure of her countenance and becoming 
 manner of sitting, bespoke deep inward recollection 
 and divine engagement: her public testimony was 
 acceptable, being seasoned with a lively savour; in 
 supplication deep and fervent. She sympathized 
 with her fellow creatures under affliction, having at 
 times remarked, "When I have gone only to pay 
 formal visits, I have returned empty and barren; 
 but when 1 have given attention to the small inti- 
 mations presented to my view, to visit the afflicted, 
 or to administer some relief to the necessitous, I 
 have been favoured to return with a calm and peace- 
 ful mind." 
 
 In the Ninth-month last, after a time of close ex- 
 ercise, she apprehended it would conduce most to 
 her peace to attend the yearly meeting in Philadel- 
 phia, it being at that time, [1798] an awful dispen- 
 sation of sickness and mortality in the city; and in 
 the opening of the meeting of ministers and elders 
 on Seventh-day, she was favoured in solemn sup- 
 plication, to the comfort of Friends present. 
 
 During her stay in the city, she more than once 
 observed, that she had the reward of sweet peace in 
 performing what she believed was required of her; 
 having said to her husband, before they left home, 
 <*If thou and I, and many more should fall in the 
 attempt, the sacrifice is small compared with the 
 testimony. Shortly after she returned home, being 
 seized with the fever then so mortal in the city, she 
 evinced much Christian fortitude; and being queried 
 with how she felt as to the event, replied, "As to 
 life or death, I have not seen; with respect to out- 
 ward things, it might appear desirable to stay some 
 time longer, but the Lord can make it easy, and 
 enable me to resign." At another time, being asked 
 
293 
 
 how she felt, answered, ^'My mind is preserved 
 perfectly quiet and calm, which I esteem an un- 
 speakable favour.'^ Some time after, mention was 
 made of a person who had lately passed through 
 some afflictive seasons; she said, *'Poor mortals are 
 dull scholars, not willing to learn: though the Al- 
 mighty administers dispensations like judgments, 
 yet it may be in great mercy, as he leaves nothing 
 undone, in order to save the soul of his creature 
 man." 
 
 Continuing in a sweet composure of mind, after 
 about five days illness, she finished her course on 
 the 3d day of the Tenth-month, 1798, in the 44th 
 year of her age. The remembrance of her innocent 
 life and meek spirit lives with us, and her memorial 
 remains to be sweet and precious to many minds. 
 
294 
 
 Testimony of New Garden Monthly Meeting 
 cojicerning Jacob Lindley. 
 
 This our valuable friend was born in the Ninth- 
 month, 1744. He was early in life a lover of re- 
 ligious enquiry, being of an affable and communica- 
 tive disposition, not willingly giving, nor readily 
 taking offence; and as his natural endowments be- 
 came seasoned with divine grace, he was fitted to 
 fill with propriety the important station to which 
 he was afterwards called. 
 
 His first appearance in the ministry was about the 
 thirtieth year of his age: his communications were 
 lively and powerful, reaching the witness in the 
 hearts of those to whom he ministered; and by keep- 
 ing low and humble, walking in fear, and in obe- 
 dience to the manifestations of duty, he grew in his 
 gift, and became an able minister of the gospel, 
 qualified to divide the word aright to the several 
 states of the people. Being well versed in the 
 Scriptures, he was frequently enabled to open them 
 with instructive clearness. In times of internal 
 commotion and strife in our country, he was deep- 
 ly concerned; earnestly cautioning Friends, espe- 
 cially the young men, to watch against the delusive 
 spirit of war, in its various appearances, so desolat- 
 ing in its progress, and destructive to the human 
 species; and we believe his labours herein were pro- 
 ductive of salutary effects. 
 
 He was one of those who bore a faithful testimony 
 against the improper use of ardent spirits, at a time 
 when the minds of Friends in general were less 
 awakened to the magnitude of the evil, than has 
 
295 
 
 since been the case. The descendants of the African 
 race found in him a zealous advocate; their wrongs 
 and sufferings obtaining his tender sympathy. 
 
 His travels in the exercise of his gift, appear to 
 have been to the acceptance and edification of those 
 among whom he came. 
 
 We shall close this Testimony with a few re- 
 marks on the last day of his existence in mutability, 
 awfully impressive of the necessity of having our 
 accounts in readiness. He appeared in the meeting 
 at New Garden, in a lively and affecting communi- 
 cation, delivered with heart-tendering energy and 
 clearness; in the course of which, he intimated an 
 apprehension that there might be those present who 
 would not see the light of another day; and added, 
 perhaps it might be himself. 
 
 After meeting he appeared in his usual cheerful 
 disposition; when, towards evening, by a fall from a 
 chaise, he was suddenly deprived of life. 
 
 His decease was on the 12th of the Sixth-month, 
 1814; and on the 14th of the same, he was interred 
 in Friends' burying ground at New Garden, where 
 a solemn meeting was held on the occasion. 
 
296 
 
 Having but one copy left of the following memoir 
 of my dear departed husband and his endeared 
 child — am induced to insert the account with those 
 extracts and fragments that I think worth preserv- 
 ing with some mention of my immediate family and 
 connections. I am desirous in the preceding, as well 
 as in what may follow after, to show the advantage 
 of the remark of my dear friend, Rebecca Byrd, re- 
 specting her union with Deborah Darby, that their 
 ^^griefs if shared were less, and every joy increased, 
 which gave rise to the hope that their was a friend- 
 ship built on what would stand the wreck of worlds 
 — a principle divine — a unison of souls — an attain- 
 ment desirable of bearing one another's burthens, 
 and so fulfilling the law of Christ." 
 
 From motives of deep .interest in the beloved 
 children and grandchildren of my dear departed 
 husband, (of whom nineteen survive him,) and dedi- 
 cated to the memory of those that are gone, these 
 fragments are offered to you, ''with design to point 
 out the beneficial effects of a life of religion and 
 virtue, at that solemn period which mocks the 
 splendour of triumphs, and lays human honour in 
 the dust: more with a view to inspire us with a de- 
 sire of copying their virtues, than to build their 
 tombs or garnish their sepulchres." Annexed is 
 an Eulogium, by our friend Roberts Vaux, as a little 
 sketch of the life of one whose name is dear to us. 
 
 For thus "the actions of the just," 
 When memory hath enshrined them, 
 
 Ev'n from the dark and silent dust j 
 Their odour leave behind them. 
 
 Your affectionately interested Mother, 
 
 Hannah Logan Smith. 
 
 Philadelphia, FHrst-month, 1827. 
 
297 
 
 Philadelphia, 3d Mo., 1809. 
 
 Dear Brother, 
 
 Lest thou shouldest not have left Europe as soon 
 as I have looked for, have thought it proper to in- 
 form thee and thy dear w^ife of the great loss I have 
 sustained in the death of my much beloved son 
 Benjamin, who departed this life on the 27th ultimo, 
 about ten o'clock in the morning. I have acquainted 
 thee in former letters, of his having taken a violent 
 cold in Portland, on or about the 22nd of the Ninth- 
 month last, w^hich terminated, by the time he re- 
 turned to Boston, in fever and night-sweats, w^hich 
 continued on him until his death; it was about one 
 month before he returned to Burlington, when I 
 met him — was much alarmed, seeing he was so much 
 reduced. We staid in Burlington about two weeks 
 before we moved to the city, in hopes he might get 
 better by good nursing and gentle exercise. Though 
 he did not appear to get much worse, he did not get 
 better. When we came to the city, we called in 
 two physicians, and pretty soon after, another. The 
 first thing they did was to try to salivate him, which 
 was tried inwardly and outwardly, but to no effect. 
 He was bled, cupped, blistered — besides an issue 
 put in his side: all which were very afflicting, but 
 he bore them with great patience. These opera- 
 tions reduced him very much, so that in a month's 
 time he was a mere skeleton : his bones came through 
 his skin, which afterwards appeared to be the great- 
 est suffering he experienced, not being able to get 
 much rest on account of his bones paining him. 
 We had him placed in the back bow-room down 
 stairs — had a good nurse to take care of him; be- 
 sides, there were a number of his acquaintances who 
 offered their services to sit up with him — I believe 
 about sixteen, who took turns, two a night. This 
 26 
 
«9S 
 
 was continued from the time he was confined to his 
 bed in the room, which was about fifteen weeks. 
 We had a thermometer in the room, which was 
 kept night and day the same temperature. I am 
 thus particular, to show that every means that lay 
 in my power to make him comfortable, and, if pos- 
 sible, to preserve his life, were done. But the Lord 
 saw meet to remove him. 
 
 He was mercifully favoured throughout his sick- 
 ness with a quiet mind. In the forepart of his ill- 
 ness he was frequent in prayer to his heavenly 
 Father, to preserve him in patience and resignation 
 to liis divine will, either in life or death. His mind 
 was wonderfully opened to see into the christian 
 dispensation, and the beauty of the Truth as it is in 
 Christ Jesus our Lord. He had many edifying 
 communications to those around him, particularly 
 to his brother Charles, as well as myself. He truly 
 preached the gospel of his dear Redeemer, and used 
 to say, if his heavenly Father would but spare him 
 he would follow him to the ends of the world. 
 Thomas Scattergood,'* who spent much time with 
 him, had frequent communications with him. 
 Though I was often present, I did not hear much 
 of their conversation; but at the grave-yard, where 
 there was a very large concourse of people, he in 
 his public testimony said, he never knew a person 
 of his age who had a clearer sight and sense of the 
 gospel dispensation than this youth. I can truly 
 say, he preached the everlasting gospel to me when 
 sitting by his bedside, where I spent much of my 
 time, loving to be with him; my mind seemed more 
 tranquil sitting with him than any where else: in 
 fact, I never felt easy to leave him, but staid pretty 
 constant with him, so that my health is much im- 
 
 * A beloved and devoted minister. 
 
299 
 
 paired. — And the separation, though looked for, so 
 great, that I am at times scarcely able to support 
 life, though fully persuaded that my loss is his great 
 gain; believing that his soul is now at rest with his 
 dear Redeemer. I was sitting by him the morning 
 he went off, which was quite unexpected to himself 
 and me. He had always been favoured to sit up in 
 his easy chair, and eat his meals. He was in his 
 chair, when he was taken so ill — he had finished his 
 breakfast — the doctors had just left him. I was 
 conversing with him — his voice was preserved to 
 the last. He began to cough: I discovered he had 
 more difficulty to raise the phlegm than usual: ob- 
 served him to be trying to unbutton his collar. 
 Nurse came to him and opened his clothes. I open- 
 ed the windows and came to him. He desired I 
 would get a quill and run it down his throat, first 
 dipping it in sweet oil. Charles ran into the store 
 and brought one. I ran it down his throat. He 
 told me to do it again, which I did, having no effect. 
 He then asked for a drink of water, which I gave 
 him, but could not rise; he was in great distress. 
 He told nurse to lay him down, which she did, and 
 then cried out "Lord spare me this time, and I will 
 follow thee to the ends of the world,^' and imme- 
 diately after cried with a loud voice three times, 
 "Lord have mercy on my soul." I stood by him 
 in great distress of mind, and it sprang in my heart 
 to say to him, "Dear son, thou hast witnessed the 
 Lord's mercy to be near thee throughout thy sick- 
 ness, don't loose hold at this time, it will soon be 
 well with thee." This appeared to take off the 
 perturbation he was in; his countenance became 
 tranquil, and he went off in about five minutes with- 
 out sigh or groan, not even stirring hand or foot. 
 It was not more than fifteen minutes from the time 
 he began to cough till he went off. 
 
300 
 
 Dear brother, I have had a great struggle to keep 
 my mind composed in giving thee this melancholy 
 account of the end of this dear plant, which appear- 
 ed to have grown to maturity before many others. 
 His aflfection and tender behaviour to me, were very 
 endearing. His steady habits and great care to my 
 concerns, fastened him very closely to me, perhaps 
 too much so ; that it has pleased the Allwise Disposer 
 of human events to deprive me of this dear son, and 
 let me see that we should not love any thing more 
 than Him, neither houses nor lands, wife nor chil- 
 dren, but to love him above all, and then all things 
 will go well with us here as well as in the world to 
 come. I have had trials sufficient to wean me from 
 this world, and it appears now to me, though I pos- 
 sess all the comforts this life can enjoy as to worldly 
 matters, they appear to me as though I possessed 
 them not. That the desire of my heart is to seek 
 the friendship of my heavenly Father, to feel his 
 love to flow in my heart, which is more to be de- 
 sired than all the pleasures and profits of this fading 
 transitory world, that when the Lord sees meet to 
 cut the thread of my life, he may receive me into 
 his ever-blessed rest, is the desire of my soul at 
 this time. 
 
 Having met with the foregoing extract of a letter 
 from my beloved husband to his brother, Jacob 
 Ridgway, then residing in Paris, with whom dear 
 Benjamin spent nearly two years, whilst his uncle 
 lived in Antwerp, it seemed in my heart, under, I 
 trust, the tendering influence of best love, (and with 
 desire that we may not live regardless or forgetful 
 of those who oft advised and counselled us,) to have, 
 as a substitute for manuscript communication, a few 
 copies struck off* for the benefit of my younger chil- 
 
301 
 
 dren, trusting it will also prove acceptable to the 
 dear offspring of riper years; — as he was a most 
 tender parent, and they have no outward portrait of 
 him to look upon, they may bear in recollection the 
 pious concern of their dear father for them, as he 
 often impressively said, he fully believed in the 
 control of an overruling providence in the affairs of 
 men, of which he could speak from experience and 
 a knowledge thereof — frequently expressing the im- 
 portance of an adherence to simplicity and modera- 
 tion in all our views, with fervent desire that his 
 children might be preserved therein; being firmly 
 persuaded that nothing short of an attention to this 
 blessed principle, inwardly revealed in the soul, 
 which reproves for doing evil and commends for 
 doing well, would promote happiness in passing 
 along through time or at the close thereof — saying 
 in effect, 
 
 "Religion does not censure or exclude 
 Unnumbered pleasures, harmlessly pursued." 
 
 And this was his testimony concerning his dear son 
 Benjamin, of whom I have frequently heard him 
 speak in the most tender manner, and that his duti- 
 ful and engaging behaviour to him greatly endeared 
 this lovely youth, who has left a sweet memorial 
 behind him. 
 
 Although my dear husband had strong ties to life, 
 which he felt nature to bind him very closely to, 
 he was almost daily looking for and speaking of his 
 change, particularly of latter time, feeling increased 
 infirmity, when he frequently expressed he felt 
 nothing in his heart but love toward every body. 
 Seeing the beauty and purity of the christian reli- 
 gion, as early in life unfolded on his mind, he often 
 regretted his own shortcoming and unfaithfulness. 
 
 He was attacked on the night of the 8th of 5th 
 26* 
 
302 
 
 month, with a difficulty of breathing, and when the 
 physician was called in, he considered him alarm- 
 ingly ill. My dear husband remarked, that he did 
 not know that he could do much for him, but said 
 in a composed state of mind, "I am willing to go — 
 pray for me." 
 
 He said at one time, "I feel that this sickness is 
 unto death; I have no expectation of recovering 
 from it, neither do I desire it: the world and all its 
 enjoyments are stained in my view. I long to be 
 released; my hope and confidence are in the mercy 
 of God through Christ. I trust that my sins will 
 be forgiven; and my prayers are, that I may be 
 endued with patience to wait the Lord's time." 
 
 In a few days he was able to ride out several 
 times, being tenderly lifted into his carriage by his 
 sons, who were unremitting in their attentions to 
 him, and attend to some calls of duty, which he felt 
 impressive on his mind; one of which was to hand 
 some aid to a person who had been dependent upon 
 him — and when it was remarked that the fatigue 
 might be too much for him, as he had rode in the 
 morning, he replied, he might not be so well the 
 next day — which proved to be the case, insomuch 
 that he would have been unable to have attended to 
 it afterwards. On First day, the 14th, he became 
 anxious his two daughters, whom he tenderly loved, 
 should be sent for from Weston school, saying, "it 
 would be too much for them to come home and find 
 him a corpse." 
 
 He watched at his front chamber window, and 
 saw his faithful servant, Morris Hall,* set off for 
 
 * It may not be unworthy of notice, that this faithful coloured 
 man remains, unchanged in life and practice, with H. L. S. and 
 her family — and is, I confidently believe, during his leisure from 
 his services therein, fulfilling his religious duties usefully among 
 his own people, in a very exemplary manner. 
 
303 
 
 them. He had given the most careful directions to 
 him to avoid exciting any alarm in their minds. 
 On that day he spoke of his past life, ^*how signally 
 he had been led along; the many preservations he 
 had experienced by being attentive to that inward 
 monitor; he had been helped in an uncommon man- 
 ner in his outward concerns;" and concluded "that 
 his life had been a remarkable one." Yea the won- 
 derful display of divine goodness toward him in 
 early life, and the tender visitation of heavenly love 
 that he experienced was a subject he dwelt much on 
 for years past, and in the frequent recital thereof, 
 tears of contrition would flow down his cheeks, and 
 gratitude of soul caused his cup to overflow, for the 
 mercies and favours dispensed to him all his life 
 long. 
 
 During his life he was often comforted and refresh- 
 ed on the morning of the day before he went out, as 
 well as at other times, in having read to him por- 
 tions of the scriptures of truth suited to his own 
 state and condition, as well as the experience of 
 those who had been devoted in their day to the 
 cause of truth and righteousness. 
 
 On First-day, the 21st, a young person called, 
 who was invited up stairs. After she left him he 
 said, ^^I am glad she came, I felt much love to flow 
 towards her." 
 
 The last day he rode out, on the 24th, he appear- 
 ed so ill that it was doubtful his surviving; he de- 
 sired us not to hold him, saying, **weep not for me 
 but weep for yourselves; I long to be with Jesus;" 
 and frequently said to his little children, "go on 
 your knees and pray that your dear father may have 
 an easy passage." To his beloved son Joseph, who 
 was endeavouring to support him, he raised his 
 voice, and most feelingly exprest, when his mind 
 was solemnly engaged on his own account, ''he be- 
 
304 
 
 lieved a portion of the Spirit would be poured on 
 him to pray for him," almost constantly saying to 
 me "my dear, pray for me." During his indispo- 
 sition, he recounted the Lord's mercies, saying, 
 "glory, honour and praise," with fervent prayer 
 and advice for the good of his family, tenderly en- 
 joining his younger children to "live in love, and 
 be a comfort to your dear mother." He often 
 spoke of them, particularly of his youngest daughter, 
 in her eighth year, who was inexpressibly near to 
 him. Addressing his wife, he said, "My dear, keep 
 them close to thee;" and observed, that he thought 
 his connexion with his present wife had been a re- 
 markable one — that after the death of his beloved 
 son Benjamin, he thought of uniting himself in mar- 
 riage, and was much exercised, desiring to be 
 rightly directed therein — that as he sat in the North 
 meeting under discouragement, she got up and 
 spoke, and a language ran through his mind — that 
 is the person; after which he became calm. And 
 in the afflicting dispensations meted out to him, he 
 often commemorated that he had been blest in form- 
 ing several times this important connexion. 
 
 On a friend's visiting him and speaking of his 
 recovery, he said, '^Not my will, but thine be 
 done;" and remarked that the Almighty could heal 
 him of his disease, if consistent with his wisdom — 
 that he should consider it a miracle — but that if He 
 did raise him, he hoped to dedicate his life unto 
 him more than he ever had done. 
 
 On Seventh-day before his close, a near connex- 
 ion who had been absent during part of his illness, 
 called to see him; he said, "Dear brother, we have 
 been acquainted many years — I have always loved 
 thee — I have been dying these four days — the suf- 
 ferings of death are hard to bear, but there is no 
 terror." 
 
305 
 
 I have experienced close bereavement in the 
 severing; stroke of this most tender tie, which at 
 times is overwhelming to my feelings, though at- 
 tended with the balm of consolation, that the righte- 
 ous have hope in theirdeath, and thathe is removed 
 from a scene of conflict and suffering, which his 
 peculiarly feeling mind unavoidably participated in: 
 which reflection I desire may prove a stay and sup- 
 port to my mind ; that if future days should be allotted 
 to me, the resigned language of my heart may be, 
 "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away: 
 blessed be the name of the Lord." Therefore, in 
 witnessing his favoured state whilst waiting upon 
 him, I was constrained on the bed of sickness to 
 "magnify the Lord, and my spirit rejoiced in God 
 my Saviour" on his account — for he had often been 
 brought very low — was humble and diffident to a 
 fault of his own abilities; tender, kind, and compas- 
 sionate, particularly to the poor, towards whom he 
 was willing to do good and communicate, being 
 much redeemed and loosened from the love of the 
 world, not placing his affections on sublunary things. 
 
 He requested a friend who frequently visited him 
 within two or three days before his departure, to 
 write to his dear daughter, Ann S. Rotch, at New 
 Bedford, and give an account of his situation, as she 
 was unavoidably prevented being with him. And 
 in the separation which her residence there occasion- 
 ed, often caused his fond heart mentally to visit her 
 and family with desire and much solicitude, that by 
 obedience to every requisition of duty, they might 
 insure the best of blessings. 
 
 Language is inadequate to convey all that he felt 
 of the deep and lively engagement of mind, I was a 
 witness to, for our present and eternal welfare, that 
 we might act uprightly, "do justly, love mercy, and 
 walk humbly with our God." 
 
306 
 
 Thus the tribute of tender affection has led me to 
 speak and believe a mansion of rest and peace was 
 prepared for him, which was the earnest craving of 
 his soul, to be prepared to enter and find mercy. 
 For he felt he had nothing to trust in but the mercy 
 of God through an infinitely gracious Redeemer. 
 
 And here I may remark, after being happily 
 united in marriage within a few days of sixteen 
 years, that my beloved husband was removed from 
 us in a quiet and peaceful sleep, without the least 
 change in his countenance, on the night of the 29th 
 of 5th mo. 1826, in the 67th year of his age, and 
 his earthly tabernacle committed, under the feeling 
 of much serenity and solemnity, in Friends new 
 burial ground, in Philadelphia, on the evening of 
 the 1st of 6th mo. 
 
 %B.n Eulogium on the Character of Benjamin 
 Ridgivay Smith, late a member of the Ameri- 
 can Literary Jissociation: delivered by appoint- 
 ment of that Society, on the 1 3/A of March, 
 1809, by Roberts Vaux, Vice-President of the 
 Institution. 
 
 Peace to the memory of a man of worth, 
 A man of letters, and of manners too! 
 
 ******** 
 
 was honoured, loved and wept. 
 
 By more than one Cowper. 
 
 {First Printed in 1809.) 
 
 My Friends and Colleagues, 
 
 The solemnity with which this assembly is in- 
 vested, the eloquence of silent grief that has gained 
 
307 
 
 an influence in our bosoms, by awakening and in- 
 teresting the best affections and sensibilities of the 
 mind, convey more feelingly than language can 
 express, that we have met for no ordinary purpose. 
 
 It is the first occasion since the establishment of 
 our institution, on which we behold cheerfulness 
 yielding her empire to the dominion of sorrow, 
 within these walls. 
 
 Never before was our literary circle invaded by 
 tnat messenger, whose decree, when the mortal is 
 commanded "to put on immortality," is irresistible 
 and final. 
 
 But that Almighty Being who presides on high, 
 in providence and wisdom, just, incomprehensible, 
 and eternal, has permitted death to triumph over 
 the corporeal existence of a fellow member; and the 
 grave has received him, whose presence we have 
 hailed with pleasure here, but whose place amongst 
 us is now vacated for ever! 
 
 Conforming to a practice, which has the high and 
 honourable example of ancient and modern times to 
 recommend it to our adoption, we are now con- 
 vened to pay an unfeigned tribute of affection to his 
 memory. 
 
 His many virtues entitled him to our love and 
 esteem; and the influence of them on his conduct, 
 during the short period of his existence on the thea- 
 tre of this world, has afforded us a lucid example of 
 their value, at once deserving our imitation and our 
 praise. 
 
 To delineate and record the character of Ben- 
 jamin R. Smith, is the duty which your too partial 
 choice has devolved on me, and to the performance 
 of which I proceed, by no means unconscious of the 
 inferiority of my abilities to do justice to the sub- 
 ject and to you. 
 
 He was born on the 21st of September, 1787, at 
 
308 
 
 the village of Camden, in New-Jersey, and came 
 with his parents to reside in this city at an infant 
 period of his life; and here it was that he received 
 the first principles of his scholastic education. 
 
 At the early age of eight years, he was placed at 
 a boarding-school in Burlington, on his native soil, 
 under the tuition of a celebrated instructor, and soon 
 perfected himself in the higher branches of learning. 
 
 Returning to Philadelphia in the year 1801, he 
 commenced the study of the Latin language — a 
 pupil of an able preceptor in the seminary founded 
 by Penn, the honourable proprietor of Pennsylva- 
 nia; and rapidly progressed to an intimate know- 
 ledge of that sublime repository of ancient literature. 
 With equal assiduity and success, he obtained an 
 acquaintance with the rudiments and structure of 
 the French language, which afterwards received the 
 polish of fluent and elegant expression by the prac- 
 tical use of it in Europe. 
 
 Having finished his education before fifteen annual 
 revolutions had noted his existence, and being 
 naturally of a delicate and tender frame, perhaps 
 inheriting in his system the seeds of pulmonary 
 disease, added to an evident decline of youthful 
 vigour — the plan for his visiting the more mild and 
 genial climate of Europe, was suggested and deter- 
 mined on. 
 
 In the spring of 1802, he took leave of his friends 
 and his country, and embarked for Antwerp, a city 
 in Germany, on the river Scheld; which, in ages 
 past, was one of the most celebrated commercial 
 towns in that part of the world By the influence, 
 however, of contending interests and superior power, 
 the highway to its quays was interdicted, and it re- 
 mained a spectacle of deserted greatness and moul- 
 dering ruin, until within these few years past, when 
 resuscitated by the changing circumstances of Eu- 
 
309 
 
 ropean policy, the navigation of the Scheld was 
 opened; and succeeding to the rank of local and 
 national importance which it before enjoyed, Ant- 
 werp became the continental resort for the once 
 flourishing commerce of the United States. At that 
 place, an uncle of our departed friend, had some 
 time previously resided, as the principal of an ex- 
 tensive commercial establishment. 
 
 But to pursue the story of his life, we find that 
 in the month of July, immediately succeeding his 
 departure from America, he arrived in England, 
 where having remained a few days, he hastened to 
 partake of the society and friendship of his relatives 
 at Antwerp. 
 
 Connected with the hope of improving his deli- 
 cate and precarious health, by visiting another 
 hemisphere, he was anxious to acquire a thorough 
 knowledge of mercantile transactions; to cultivate 
 his mind, by inquiring into the literature, customs 
 and manners of the countries through which he de- 
 signed to travel; to expand his views with behold- 
 ing a new, interesting, and variegated page, in the 
 great volume of nature and history of man. 
 
 On his arrival at Antwerp, he directed his atten- 
 tion to the regular duties of a merchant, in the 
 counting-house of Ridgway, Mertens, and Company, 
 under the liberal auspices of his uncle, with an ex- 
 tensive opportunity for obtaining the information 
 that he desired; and in this, as in every other occu- 
 pation of his life, he was zealously and commendably 
 diligent. It was at this time also that he renewed 
 the study of the French language, of which he soon 
 became master; and in the autumn of 1803, he made 
 his first principal excursion by a visit to Paris. On 
 his journey to the metropolis of France, he passed 
 through a country which was calculated by its 
 variety, healthfulness and charms, to invigorate his 
 21 
 
310 
 
 system, and increase the store of his information. 
 He remained in Paris about a month, during which 
 time he was employed in acquiring every thing that 
 could be learned from an attentive view of the nu- 
 merous public buildings, exhibitions and reposito- 
 ries, of all that is rare or elegant in nature and in 
 art; for the display of which that mistress of cities 
 is so justly celebrated. And whilst he embraced 
 the means that were thus afforded him to gratify his 
 curiosity, he was equally attentive to seize the ad- 
 vantages which were presented to his acceptance, 
 for increasing the fund of his intellectual attain- 
 ments. He returned to Antwerp in better health 
 than he left it, and resumed his accustomed habits 
 of industry and study. 
 
 In the winter of 1803, he visited Pyrmont, a 
 town in Westphalia, famous for its mineral waters; 
 and at that time he obtained a complete knowledge 
 of the German language. 
 
 The establishment of his health being still his 
 principal object, he sought its attainment by frequent 
 journeys; and hence we find, that from Pyrmont he 
 went to Bremen, Hamburgh, and various other 
 places, previously to his return to Antwerp in the 
 summer of 1805. In February, 1806, he embarked 
 for his native country, and after a passage attended 
 with tempestuous weather, and many distressing 
 privations, in consequence of its having been pro- 
 tracted to upwards of 90 days, he arrived to the 
 bosom of his family at home, who in common with 
 his friends, had suffered the most painful anxieties 
 on account of his long delay. His health, it was 
 fondly hoped, had now become re-established; his 
 mind was actively engaged in various pursuits, par- 
 ticularly those of a literary nature; in the prosecu- 
 tion of which, he became a member of this associa- 
 tion in the month of November, 1806. 
 
311 
 
 Having arrived at the age of twenty-one years, 
 his indulgent and affectionate father made an arrange- 
 nnent for his son, to supply his place in commercial 
 concerns, and sought repose in retirement from the 
 perplexing cares of business; and this desirable 
 object he saw effected. 
 
 In consequence of the energies and enterprise of 
 our merchants being paralyzed by an embargo im- 
 posed by the national government, the general stag- 
 nation of business afforded an opportunity to our 
 friend, whose life we are reviewing, to make a tour 
 to the eastern part of the United States. In the 
 autumn of last year he left Philadelphia, and visited 
 all the sea ports, and many of the principal inland 
 towns in their vicinity, which are in New England. 
 It was during his absence at that time, that he con- 
 tracted a catarrh, which induced him to apply for 
 medical assistance; and having so much recovered 
 as to be enabled to travel, he returned to his father's 
 residence, then at Burlington, in New Jersey, in 
 the month of October. 
 
 He had not been long there before his indisposi- 
 tion was renewed with aggravated symptoms. His 
 father, alarmed at the situation of his precious child, 
 and desirous that every effort of human skill should 
 be employed fpr his recovery, immediately brought 
 him to this city. For about a week after his arrival 
 in Philadelphia, he was so well as to ride many 
 miles in the day, an exercise recommended by his 
 physician; but alas! the death-like chill and con- 
 suming fever, alternately increasing in the vigour 
 of their attacks, soon brought him to his chamber, 
 and ultimately confined him to his bed. The first 
 medical talents were now engaged to succour him, 
 and if the faithful exercise of their best judgments, 
 aided by the unremitting attentions of his family 
 around him, could have availed in opposing the 
 
312 
 
 rapid career of his disease, then he would not have 
 been its victim! But in vain were all these exer- 
 tions. After patiently yielding to every prescrip- 
 tion he was favoured to see a considerable time 
 before his death, that though 
 
 "An angel's arm could not rescue him from the grave, 
 Myriads of angels could not keep him there," 
 
 In this happy state of resignation, his mind was 
 irradiated with beams of heavenly light! He beheld 
 the glories of the kingdom that was prepared for 
 him, and seemed gradually to unloosen every tie 
 which he had on this world. Reduced at length to 
 the appearance of a shadow, having endured great 
 pain of body without murmuring, on the morning 
 of the 27th of February, in the twenty-second year 
 of his age, commending his spirit to the mercy of 
 his Creator, he peacefully departed, and 0! how 
 joyful must that end have been! 
 
 "For his last faltering accents whispered praise." 
 
 Such is the history of the most prominent events 
 in the life, such was the death of Benjamin R. 
 Smith. It is my duty now to consider his charac- 
 ter; but I am sensible, that to portray it with fidelity, 
 to place it before your view, neither heightened in 
 its colours by the ardour of afiection on the one 
 hand, nor too lightly pictured by a desire to avoid 
 the imputation of fulsome eulogy on the other, 
 would require a more discerning judgment, and still 
 more accurate pencil than mine to execute. 
 
 His natural disposition was mild, and to those 
 who were not intimately acquainted with him, it 
 might have been considered in some degree reserv- 
 ed. His judgment was sound, and in the formation 
 of his opinions, he allowed it to have that full ope- 
 ration which generally characterizes the man of 
 
313 
 
 correct sentiments. Having adopted an opinion, he 
 was zealous, though conciliatory in enforcing it; 
 attentive and respectful to the arguments of his op- 
 ponents, communicating his ideas with method and 
 perspicuity, and relinquishing them only when con- 
 vinced of their injurious tendency. 
 
 His talents, which were early developed, rose 
 above mediocrity, though perhaps they could not be 
 entitled to the character of splendid genius; but he 
 appears to us in a much more exemplary point of 
 view, when we consider how amply his mind was 
 furnished with useful information; when we reflect, 
 that his intellectual faculties were invigorated and 
 polished by studious application. 
 
 His literary acquirements were considerable; he 
 had sufficient knowledge of the Latin language to 
 correct his taste, improve his style, and cultivate 
 his powers of imagination, by feasting on the har- 
 monious strains of Horace, the majestic dignity of 
 Virgil's Epic, or the sublime and energetic elo- 
 quence of Cicero. He spoke the French and Ger- 
 man with as much fluency as his parent tongue: 
 history and natural philosophy were favourite sub- 
 jects of his contemplation, whilst miscellaneous 
 reading, the productions of the moralist, the poet, 
 and the politician, equally engaged a share of his 
 attention. As a merchant, he was intelligent and 
 respectable; his knowledge of the various subjects 
 which have relation to the commercial transactions 
 of our own country, as well as the more intricate 
 modes of procedure in foreign places, was unusual 
 for a person of his age. 
 
 His views of life, and the enjoyments of it, were 
 rational. He followed not the fickle dame of 
 fashion, in all her senseless round of inconsisten- 
 cies; nor was his inquiring mind caught by the glare 
 of splendour, which is too frequently esteemed as 
 27* 
 
814 
 
 the constituent principle of happiness, but often, 
 only a 
 
 "Gay title of the deepest misery." 
 
 He was cautious in forming his attachments, but 
 when his friendship was obtained, it wasdurable. He 
 was always gratified with the society of his friends, 
 received and entertained them with the most un- 
 affected hospitality; and although his habits were 
 domestic, he did not deny himself the pleasures 
 which are derived from innocent recreations. His 
 manners were affable and engaging, and whilst his 
 demeanour was dignified, and excited our respect, 
 he discovered none of those inflated conceits, that 
 always denote the superficial gentleman. His 
 filial duties were performed with more than usual 
 zeal and obedience; in return for which, perhaps no 
 father ever afforded an example of more confidence 
 and affection. His morality was pure; and during 
 his last illness, the principles of religious education, 
 which were early implanted in his heart, became 
 an object of his most serious consideration. His 
 thoughts were turned to investigate the awful, and 
 interesting obligations of man, in relation with his 
 Creator; and his sincere desires to be made inti- 
 mately acquainted with the important doctrines of 
 Christianity were gratified, insomuch, that a pious 
 and sympathizing friend, who frequently conversed 
 with him, expressed his opinion that his knowledge 
 of those deep subjects was uncommonly extensive; 
 emphatically pronouncing him "« preacher of 
 righteousness.^^ Indeed, had not his mind been 
 sustained by the consoling evidence, that through 
 the merits of his Saviour it would be made a par- 
 taker with the joys of its divine original, when the 
 conflict of nature was over, he could never have 
 
315 
 
 borne his long and painful indisposition with the 
 fortitude and composure that he did. 
 
 Some of you my friends, with myself, were wit- 
 nesses of his serenity, his patience, and his resigna- 
 tion; to wait at his couch, and administer to his 
 wants, was an office which we performed with emo- 
 tions of pleasing melancholy; and next to the self- 
 approving reflection, that we wer^ employed in the 
 best of social duties, it is gratifying to know, that 
 but a few days before the object of our care was 
 committed to the tomb, he expressed the grateful 
 sense he felt for those attentions. He was among 
 the number of those, who believed that a beneficent 
 Creator had not endowed his creature man, with the 
 exalted faculty of reason, merely as a distinguishing 
 mark that he is a grade superior to the ^'hrute that 
 perishesf^ but on the contrary, viewing him as a 
 being ' 'little lower than the angels ^^ an ''heir of 
 immortality;^^ and, conceiving his existence in this 
 world probationary, in order for a preparation to 
 inherit enduring felicity, he esteemed the improve- 
 ment of the mind as a great duty. Hence he de- 
 voted much of his time to expand his intellect with 
 useful knowledge; not as an essential prelude to 
 future happiness, but as a mean by which he could 
 contemplate the attributes of the Deity with more 
 delight; and by investigating those laws of nature, 
 which the human understanding is capable of com- 
 prehending more efiectually 
 
 "Vindicate the ways of God to man." 
 
 Of his literary productions we have but few speci- 
 mens; during his visit to Europe he maintained an 
 epistolary correspondence with his father, and one 
 or two of his most intimate friends. His letters are 
 written with that familiarity and ease, which is 
 peculiarly pleasing; and the information which they 
 
316 
 
 contain, exemplifies and establishes an assertion 
 previously made, that his judgment was discerning, 
 his observation accurate and attentive, his language 
 chaste, the manner of communicating his thoughts 
 perspicuous, and his opinions valuable. In a jour- 
 nal too, which he kept on his journey from Antwerp 
 to Pyrmont, as well as that on his recent tour 
 through the eastern section of his own country, we 
 have corroborating proofs of his intelligent mind. 
 
 Such is an imperfect estimate of his character; 
 and connecting it with the incidents of his life 
 originally noticed, you are furnished with some 
 data, on which to decide how great were his quali- 
 fications, how considerable the opportunities for his 
 improvement, and how well he employed those ad- 
 vantages. 
 
 With a mind enriched by a liberal education, — 
 with his knowledge of mankind enlarged by the 
 various means which foreign travel had placed in 
 his possession, — with prospects the most flattering 
 as they respected his pecuniary resources, 
 
 "To the bright shore of manhood he eagerly flew;" 
 
 but had scarcely unfurled the sails of his fragile 
 
 barque, and began to feel the influence of those 
 
 gentle gales, which promised to waft him to honour 
 
 and preferment, than alas! the tempest of disease 
 
 assailed him, and from the ocean of life, he was 
 
 suddenly driven into the gulf of eternity. Thus, 
 
 "Death's flying sickle cuts the flowers of time, 
 And Virtue's fairest friends in bloom expire." 
 
 The daily instances of mortality which we behold, 
 the removal of an individual we were accustomed 
 to see, but of whom we knew no more than that he 
 lived, seldom fails to impress the mind of sensibility 
 with melancholy reflections; but when a friend and 
 a companion, to whose worth we are not strangers. 
 
SI 7 
 
 with whom we frequently exchanged the mutual 
 offices of affection, who was joined with us as in this 
 case, in travelling the paths of literature and of 
 science, is taken away, it is indeed a fruitful source 
 of sincere mourning. That such emotions have a 
 place in our breasts on the present occasion, cannot 
 be questioned; and if the expression of our sympa- 
 thy and condolence, can assuage the grief which 
 rends the bosom of the parent, the demise of whose 
 son we now deplore, it is offered. 
 
 The loss we have sustained as individuals, as 
 members of this association, and as the constituents 
 of the more enlarged circle of society, cannot be 
 calculated. What services he might have rendered 
 to the community in which he resided, how valuable 
 he might have been to his country, in a religious or 
 civil capacity, is not for us to determine. We have 
 only now to improve by his good example, in 
 imitating those virtues which adorned him when 
 amongst us. In his life there is much to instruct us, 
 by his death we may be wisely admonished; for in 
 the language of Horace, 
 
 ■ properat cursu 
 
 vita citato 
 
 and giving to this interesting reflection its just 
 weight, let it excite us to an ardent fulfilment of 
 our various duties on earth, indulging the hope, 
 that we may become the companions of his spirit in 
 heaven ! 
 
318 
 Dear Madam, 
 
 I thank you for the opportunity you allow me of 
 adding to your memorial an acknowledgment of the 
 great kindness I received from your lamented hus- 
 band, and my early friend — Mr. James Smith. 
 
 When I was about thirteen years of age, he saw 
 some verses 1 had written, sent for me to his house, 
 and encouraged me to endeavour to improve my- 
 self. I recollect that upon the first visit to him he 
 went to the door with me on my departure, and 
 filled my hand with silver "to buy books." Some 
 months afterwards he proposed to send me to a 
 boarding school at Haddonfield, New Jersey — under 
 the care of Mr. Stephen Munsen Day— to whom he 
 afterwards sent his own son. This offer was the 
 more welcome to my mother, because a gentleman 
 had offered to give me a regular education at a Ro- 
 man Catholic college in Maryland, to which she was 
 averse. Mr. Smith's offer was preferred, and I re- 
 mained nearly a year at school at his expense. I 
 had here an opportunity of improvement in many 
 branches of learning that would otherwise have 
 been entirely beyond my means — and the prosecu- 
 tion of my studies, the kindness of my preceptor 
 and his wife, and the friendship of many estimable 
 families in that neighbourhood, made this year the 
 happiest I had ever lived. 
 
 I have always recollected this great kindness with 
 gratitude. 1 never had any means of proving it to 
 Mr. Smith — and now the opportunity has passed 
 forever — but I shall esteem it a sacred duty to him 
 (if Providence ever place it in my power) to do the 
 same kindness to some poor lad; and thus the effect 
 of your husband's beneficence may be felt for years 
 after he has ceased to exist. 
 
 I remain, dear Madam, affectionately, your friend, 
 
 E. LITTELL. 
 Mrs. Hannah L. Smith. 
 
 Philadelphia, 24th Dec. 1826. 
 
319 
 
 DEBORAH LOGAN. 
 
 The honourably distinguished and pious Deborah 
 Logan, is no longer an inhabitant of this earth. 
 She who was "the honour of her husband,''* the 
 ornament of society, and an example of the chris- 
 tian graces, departed this life at Stenton, the family 
 seat and place of her last residence, situated near Ger- 
 mantown, aged seventy-seven years, on the morn- 
 ing of the 2nd of Second-month, 1839. 
 
 She was remarkably gifted and endowed with the 
 spirit of the gospel, which breathes "Glory to God 
 in the highest, on earth peace and good will to 
 man." She was indeed a mother in Israel, and in 
 the church I have felt her to be so, having often 
 there been a witness of the solemnity and ingather- 
 ing of her spirit at the footstool of Divine mercy. 
 
 She was an example of early rising, which no 
 doubt contributed to prolong health in her originally 
 fine constitution — "looking well to the ways of her 
 household." 
 
 So recently as the 13th of 12th month last, she 
 attended meeting on the occasion of my daughter'st 
 marriage, and signed her name to the certificate, 
 which is a valuable testimony of her friendship and 
 regard. Her kindness has been indelibly printed 
 on my heart and mind from a child. She was the 
 wife of my mother's own brother, George Logan — 
 and both of my dear parents (Thomas and Sarah 
 Logan Fisher) had a feeling, high sense of her 
 worth, and a strong attachment to her. 
 
 She was a blessing in her family, among her 
 
 * Doctor George Logan, deceased. 
 
 t Esther Fisher Smith— married to Mifflin Wistar, M. D. 
 
320 
 
 friends, and the neighbourhood where she lived, has 
 emphatically left the admonition, follow me, as I 
 endeavoured to follow Christ, the meek Lamb of 
 God — ever bearing in mind, by this shall all men 
 know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one 
 unto another — in the language of Scripture — <'For. 
 she opened her mouth with w^isdom; and in her 
 tongue was the law of kindness" — and whilst use- 
 fully engaged in religious and literary pursuits, she 
 was remarkably attentive to the domestic duties of 
 life — affording comfort and assistance in a conspicu- 
 ous exemplary manner to every one around her, 
 worthy of imitation to the young and rising gene- 
 ration. Much more might be said — but, though 
 dead, she will speak — and I leave it to an abler pen 
 to delineate, more fully, her estimable character. 
 
 Her remains were entombed in the enclosure on 
 the plantation of Stenton farm, (which has been in 
 the family more than one hundred years,) with 
 much feeling and solemnity, by numerous connec- 
 tions, friends and neighbours, evincing much affec- 
 tionate regard, respect, and esteem — on the after- 
 noon of the 5th of 2nd month, 1839. 
 
 H. L. S. 
 
 Died, at Stenton, on the 2nd of 2nd month, 1839, 
 Deborah Logan, relict of the late Dr. George 
 Logan, in the 7Sth year of her age. 
 
 In the death of this estimable and extraordinary 
 woman, her friends and acquaintances have sustain- 
 ed a loss which cannot be supplied. Fitted by her 
 intellectual endowments to shine in every circle, 
 her society was sought by individuals of all parties 
 during the stormy political scenes that occurred in 
 the earlier period of her life; hence she became ac- 
 quainted with many of those whose names stand 
 conspicuous in the history of the struggle for inde- 
 
321 
 
 pendence, and her memory was stored with anec- 
 dotes relating to this interesting period. 
 
 Most of the distinguished foreigners who visited 
 Philadelphia, shared her hospitality, and perhaps 
 in no single instance did a visiter leave her mansion 
 without being favourably impressed by her genuine 
 politeness and by the suavity of her manners, which 
 sprung from a heart fraught with kind and generous 
 feelings to all. 
 
 But those only who knew her well, and who 
 witnessed in the domestic circle her fulfilment of 
 every duty, can appreciate her character in all its 
 excellence. 
 
 She was a devoted wife, an affectionate mother, 
 and a faithful friend. She did all things well — hos- 
 pitable and generous and noble in all her feelings, 
 she was in all situations the lady, and always the 
 Christian. 
 
 She was a Quaker, without sectarianism, and 
 adorned its profession by a life marked by the purest 
 principles of virtue and truth. She was dignified 
 without ostentation — humble without servility. 
 
 Many of her leisure hours were devoted to re- 
 searches into the early history of the state, for which 
 the most ample materials existed in manuscripts 
 under her own roof. 
 
 Several thousand pages of original letters relating 
 to the subject were copied by her, with remarks and 
 annotations, and it is presumed that no individual 
 now living had an equal knowledge of the character 
 of those who founded the colony, or of its early 
 history. — Her writings upon other subjects are 
 known to be extensive, and though they may involve 
 too much individual character to be seen by society 
 at large, yet they are so strongly marked by her 
 own gifted mind as to be invaluable to her own 
 friends. W. L. F. 
 
 28 
 
322 
 
 Mrs. Deborah Logan, the refined, the enlight- 
 ened, and the good, now sleeps in death! She died 
 at the family seat, at Stenton, near Germantown, on 
 the 2nd inst. in the 78th year of her age. 
 
 It is not often that a person descends to the tomb 
 leaving so wide, so deep a void. Matured and fitted 
 as she was for eternity, she is nevertheless painfully 
 missed from the circle which she adorned — a gene- 
 ral gloom afiects and saddens her numerous friends. 
 
 All ranks and classes among us knew something 
 of her peculiar excellence, — the poor and the igno- 
 rant, as well as the cultivated and refined. Her 
 manners possessed a peculiarly winning grace and 
 ease, strongly expressive of benevolence and polish- 
 ed politeness combined. Her ability to adapt her- 
 self to all circumstances and to all and every occa- 
 sion of life, shone in her actions with all the grace 
 and purity of christian love and gentleness, — for she 
 was deeply imbued with christian afiections and 
 graces. 
 
 To love such a lovely woman, was instinctive 
 in all who approached her — she was the delight of 
 the young, and the beloved of the aged. Rarely 
 indeed does it fall to the lot of humanity, in old age, 
 to possess so many points of attraction — so many 
 traits of loveliness and goodness — worthy to be ad- 
 mired in life, and fondly remembered in death. 
 
 That she was of a superior order of female excel- 
 lence and intelligence, may be inferred from her fine 
 talents, as a composuist, both in prose and verse. 
 Her modesty and unwillingness to meet the public 
 gaze, did not allow her to come before the world in 
 her proper name; but it is known to some that she 
 has received the emphatic name of "the female His- 
 
323 
 
 torian of Pennsylvania," as due to her for the large 
 manuscript collections of historical papers which she 
 had compiled and elucidated for future public in- 
 struction. She delighted to live in the memory of 
 the past, and her mind was therefore rich in the 
 imagery of other times: 
 
 You might have ask'd her, and she could have told, 
 How, step by step, her native place threw off 
 Its rude colonial vestments, for the garb 
 That cities wear. 
 
 And she could give recitals of a race, 
 Now rooted up and perish'd. Many a date 
 And legend, slumbers in that ample breast, 
 Which History coveted. 
 
 J. F. W. 
 
 At a meeting of the Historical Society of Penn- 
 sylvania, held at the Philosophical Hall, on Mon- 
 day the 4th of February, 1839, 
 
 Peter S. Du Ponceau, LL. D., President of the 
 Society, w^as called to the chair, and James J. Bar- 
 clay was appointed Secretary. 
 
 Job R. Tyson, Esq. stated that the society had 
 been convened to pay a tribute of respect to the 
 memory of Mrs. Deborah Logan, who departed 
 this life on the 2nd instant, at Stenton. 
 
 He dilated upon the claims which the venerable 
 deceased .had to the respect and regard of the people 
 of Pennsylvania, and especially to the members of 
 the Historical Society for her devotion to historical 
 researches, and the zeal she displayed in regard to 
 the fair fame of early Pennsylvania. 
 
 Mr. Tyson offered the following resolutions, 
 which were seconded by Mr. Vaughan and unani- 
 mously adopted: 
 
 Resolved, That we have learned with deep emo- 
 tion, of the death of our cherished associate, Mrs. 
 Deborah Logan, a lady whose pure virtues, mental 
 
324 
 
 endowments, and attractive gentleness of manners, 
 rendered her the ornament of this society, and the 
 pride of her numerous friends. 
 
 Resolved, That the history of Provincial Penn- 
 sylvania has lost in Mrs. Logan an enlightened and 
 able illustrator, and the beautiful simplicity of pro- 
 vincial manners one of its truest and most faithful 
 representatives. 
 
 Resolved, That a Committee be appointed to con- 
 vey a copy of these resolutions to the surviving son 
 of the deceased. 
 
 The Chair appointed Mr. Tyson, Mr. Vaughan, 
 Mr. J. F. Fisher, and Mr. Barclay, the Committee ; and 
 
 On motion of Mr. Vaughan, the President was 
 added to the Committee. 
 
 On motion, it was Resolved, That the proceed- 
 ings of this meeting be published. Adjourned. 
 
 PETER S. DU PONCEAU, Pres't. 
 
 Attest — James J. Barclay, Sec'ry. 
 
 (f^^ In consequence of the deeply lamented death 
 of Mrs. Deborah Logan, the Philadelphia and 
 Loganian Libraries will not be opened to-day. 
 
 From " The Friend:^ 
 
 DEBORAH LOGAN. 
 
 Died, at Stenton, near Germantown, Pennsyl- 
 vania, on the 2nd of 2nd month, 1839, Deborah 
 Logan, relict of the late Doctor George Logan, in 
 the 7Sth year of her age. 
 
 The pen of friendship is rarely called upon to 
 record the departure of so much excellence as this 
 extraordinary woman united in her character. Born 
 
325 
 
 a member of the religious society of Friends, and 
 cherishing its principles from a conviction of their 
 truth, her life was marked by the exercise of the 
 virtues to which they lead; and in her frequent 
 intercourse with persons of every religious profes- 
 sion, she always maintained the dignity and sim- 
 plicity of a Friend. 
 
 Endowed by nature with more than usual mental 
 powers, she used them to the advantage of her family 
 and her country; her society was sought by the old 
 for the information she could impart, and by the 
 young for her cheerfulness and suavity; the kind- 
 ness of her welcome was conspicuous to all who 
 approached her, and attested the interest which she 
 felt in the whole human race. 
 
 The eventful period of her early life found her 
 associated in the circle of those whose lives, from 
 patriotic and virtuous motives, were devoted to the 
 public good; and by these she was highly esteemed. 
 Her conversation was replete with anecdotes of the 
 most eminent amongst them, whose names will be 
 handed down to posterity, not only as the great, but 
 as the good. She employed herself for a number 
 of years in researches connected with the early his- 
 tory of Pennsylvania; and she is understood espe- 
 cially to have compiled from the papers of her 
 husband's ancestor, James Logan, the confidential 
 friend and secretary of William Penn, a curious and 
 highly interesting account of the views of that great 
 man and his colleagues regarding the settlement of 
 his infant colony, its advantages, and the prospect 
 it held out for the future exercise of liberty of con- 
 science. In this compilation will be found the cor- 
 respondence of William Penn, for a long series of 
 years, together with letters from his wife, who took 
 charge of the interests of her husband during his 
 protracted sickness, and ordered the affairs of the 
 
326 
 
 government with such soundness of judgment and 
 clearness of view, as indicated a high state of mental 
 endowments. 
 
 In speaking of the recent departure of a friend 
 so extensively known and esteemed as Deborah 
 Logan, the writer desires not to indulge in much 
 remark. Yet in justice to her well regulated mind, 
 it may also be observed, she was such a rigid econo- 
 mist of time, as to accustom herself to rise often 
 before the dawn, that her domestic duties might not 
 be infringed upon by her literary pursuits. Much 
 of the voluminous correspondence alluded to was 
 copied during those early hours too frequently given 
 to repose; thus she lived as one accountable for the 
 talent lent; and when the insidious approaches of 
 disease convinced her that the undeniable messenger 
 was near, she died in that holy confidence which 
 can alone sustain the mind at that solemn period. 
 
 G. DORSEY, PRINTER, 
 LIBRARY STREET. 
 
POSTSCRIPT. 
 
 My esteemed friend, E. Littell, who has assisted me in pre- 
 paring this book for the press, having been much taken up with 
 other business, has unintentionally omitted several matters which 
 it was very desirable to have inserted. On this account I supply 
 here a few memorandums. 
 
 Died, in 1798, at the Cliffs on the Schuylkill, at 
 the house of his uncle Samuel R. Fisher, Thomas 
 Fisher, son of Miers Fisher, about twenty-one years 
 of age. His friends and society have experienced 
 a truly great and deplorable loss in the death of this 
 amiable young man, who was of an agreeable coun- 
 tenance and person, and great brilliancy of talents. 
 He added, such an assiduity in the pursuit of literary 
 acquirements, as gave fair promises of future cele- 
 brity. Mild and unaffected in his manners, and 
 possessed of uncommon mental excellence, he lived 
 beloved and died lamented by all who knew him. 
 
 Joshua Fisher, son of Thomas, deceased 10 mo. 
 28, 1806, much and deservedly regretted. His son, 
 my esteemed nephew, Joshua Francis Fisher, 
 was recently married, as was also Charles Henry 
 Fisher, my brother James' youngest son. 
 
 Thomas Fisher, deceased 9 mo. 6, 1810, in his 
 seventieth year. Of him it may be justly said, he 
 
2 
 
 was a most amiable, affectionate relation, in every 
 sense of the word. Receiving his friends and con- 
 nections with openness and a tenderness inexpress- 
 ible, as many of them may remember, when the 
 tears of affection would flow down his cheeks that 
 rendered him incapable of utterance. It was painful 
 to him to hear the failings of others spoken of, for 
 he was desirous to embrace all. He loved the truth, 
 and was anxiously concerned for his children to 
 walk therein, as the only safe path through the 
 wilderness of this world, believing therein preser- 
 vation would attend them. Much more lives in 
 my heart respecting him who, without the least 
 partiality, I may say, was one of the best and ten- 
 derest parents that ever children were blessed with. 
 It pleased the Almighty to separate him from them 
 by a gradual failure of his strength and faculties, so 
 that he passed quietly away without suffering the 
 pain of dissolution — an event which he had looked 
 towards for some years, and was desirous more than 
 any earthly enjoyment to be found in a state of 
 acceptance. 
 
 My valued, respected uncle, Samuel Rowland 
 Fisher, a most conscientious and upright man in 
 all his dealings, deceased 5 mo. 6, 1834. 
 
 H. L. S. 
 5ih Month, 1839. 
 
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