. 
 
 UUi>b
 
 LETTERS AND MEMORANDA 
 
 OF 
 
 Elwood Dean. 
 
 Published by direction of the Meeting for 
 
 Sufferings of 
 Ohio Yearly Meeting 
 
 19O9
 
 MINUTE 
 
 AT a meeting for Sufferings of Ohio 
 Yearly Meeting, Held Ninth Month, 24th, 1909. 
 
 The Committee entrusted with the care of 
 the letters and memoranda of our late friend, 
 Elwood Dean, were now directed to have them 
 printed and deposited with the Book Commit- 
 tee for distribution. 
 
 Taken from the minutes. 
 
 WILLIAM L. ASHTON, Clerk
 
 ELWOOD DEAN 
 
 Although there are many narratives of the 
 lives and labors of departed worthies, for the 
 encouragement of those who are endeavoring 
 to walk in the straight and narrow way, the 
 hope has arisen that some account of the up- 
 right life of our late friend, Elwood Dean, and 
 his obedience to manifest duty, might stimu- 
 late others to persevere in the work of right- 
 eousness. 
 
 The books containing the early records of 
 Elwood Dean's family having been destroyed 
 by fire, there seems to be but few dates and 
 facts relative to his early history obtainable, 
 and such was the low esteem with which he 
 regarded himself, that he left no record of his 
 long and useful life, except that contained in 
 letters, most of which were written while on 
 religious visits. An attempt has been made to 
 collect a part of this correspondence, and 
 some of the memoranda that have been pre- 
 served concerning him, to which is added let- 
 ters of concerned friends addressed to him. 
 
 He was born Sixth Month llth, 1816, being 
 the seventh in a family of nine children born 
 to Jonathan R. and Hannah Tuthill Dean. 
 His parents were members of the Society of
 
 ELWOOD DEAN 
 
 Friends, and Elwood was reared under that 
 influence. At the setting up of Plymouth 
 Monthly Meeting, in Washington County, 
 Ohio, in 1850, he and his wife Elizabeth ap- 
 pear as members of that meeting. Four years 
 later she was appointed to the station of Elder, 
 and in Seventh Month, 1855, Elwood was ac- 
 knowledged as a Minister by the Monthly 
 Meeting. For more than thirty-five years he 
 was enabled through Divine mercy to pro- 
 claim the glad tidings of the Gospel. During 
 almost this entire period, the Society was dis- 
 turbed by those seeking to introduce a modi- 
 fied Quakerism. Given a clear insight into 
 these things Elwood strove, as ability was 
 given him, to incite his Friends to faithfulness 
 to ancient principles, being willing to leave 
 his home many times to visit his brethren in 
 different parts of the country, spending and 
 being spent in that service, the reward of 
 which is peace. 
 
 He obtained his first minute for religious 
 service in Twelfth Month, 1857, liberating him 
 to attend some of the Quarterly Meetings be- 
 longing to Ohio Yearly Meeting. After this 
 he was similarly engaged at various times, but 
 until the year, 1875, there is no connected 
 record. In the Eleventh Month of that year 
 he was again liberated, " To visit all the meet- 
 ings belonging to Ohio Yearly Meeting, and 
 to appoint some meetings amongst those not 
 of our Society." 
 
 On setting out on this journey, accom- 
 panied by his wife, Elizabeth, the following
 
 ELWOOD DEAN 5 
 
 memoranda appear in her handwriting: 
 
 "Twelfth Month 26th. To-day we attend- 
 ed our own meeting. D. and H. Mott were 
 there. Soon after the meeting was settled, H. 
 appeared in a lively testimony, exhorting us 
 to more earnestness and diligence to make our 
 calling and election sure. My dear Elwood 
 followed, saying that, although he felt himself 
 a child, comparatively speaking, in religious 
 experience, he could adopt the language of 
 one formerly, who said that he had gone 
 amongst them preaching the Gospel according 
 to his measure for nearly thirty years. He 
 had coveted no man's silver or gold or ap- 
 parel ' Yea, ye yourselves know that these 
 hands have ministered unto my necessities,' 
 and to those that were dependent upon me, 
 and I have sought not yours but you, adding, 
 that now he felt that he was going to be separ- 
 ated from them in person, but not in spirit, 
 then quoted the language : ' For Zion's sake 
 will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's 
 sake I will not rest until the righteousness 
 thereof go forth as brightness, and the salva- 
 tion thereof as a lamp that burneth.' He said 
 he would be willing to go to the ends of the 
 earth to publish the glad tidings of the gospel. 
 D. M. then appeared in solemn supplication. 
 It was a remarkably favored meeting, for 
 which I trust we felt truly thankful not ex- 
 pecting soon to have another opportunity of 
 mingling with our home friends. 
 
 " 29th. Attended Pennsville meeting
 
 ELWOOD DEAN 
 
 which proved a very relieving season to my 
 dear Elwood. A part of what he said was as 
 follows : ' Woe to them that are at ease in 
 Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria, 
 resting in carnal security in an empty profes- 
 sion of religion. The good seed has been sown 
 in every heart, yet the cares of this world, the 
 deceitfulness of riches and the lust of other 
 things, entering in, choke the word so that 
 fruit is not brought to perfection.' A search- 
 ing testimony then followed to those who are 
 buried in the earth, trusting in a name to live, 
 whilst they are dead in trespasses and sins, 
 carelessly floating along the stream of time, 
 and if they did not become aroused to a sense 
 of danger would be lost. All were exhorted to 
 consider the shortness and uncertainty of time 
 and to double their diligence to make their 
 calling and election sure, before being called 
 hence to be seen of men no more. 
 
 " 30th. Attended Hopewell meeting, pub- 
 lic notice having been given. The meeting 
 was silent, and afterwards D. H. said he was 
 glad we had been with them, as it would settle 
 a matter that had been in dispute, some hav- 
 ing said that ' Elwood Dean could preach 
 whenever he pleased ' and added, he did not 
 wonder the Master gave him nothing to say. 
 
 "Fifth Month 21st, 1876. This morning 
 we were a little refreshed by the evidence be- 
 ing renewed that we were not forsaken, but 
 are still under the watchful care and protec- 
 tion of the unslumbering Shepherd of Israel.
 
 ELWOOD DEAN 
 
 After a chapter was read, E. remarked that it 
 was a practice he always rejoiced to find in 
 any family, that of sitting down at least once 
 in the day to read a chapter in the Bible; to 
 have our minds retired before the Lord, that 
 our spiritual strength may be renewed and 
 that we may journey forward toward the land 
 of rest and peace. He said he was not a man 
 of war, but a man of peace, and lived as such 
 amongst his neighbors. He never had a law- 
 suit and never had an arbitration or trouble in 
 that way, but in the year, 1847, was brought 
 low by sickness, near to the gates of death, 
 and when brought face to face with eternity 
 saw that it was an awful thing to die, and to 
 be launched into eternity, prepared or unpre- 
 pared. He was then made willing to enter 
 into covenant with the Lord, to serve Him 
 and obey Him and endeavor to do His will, 
 if He would be pleased to spare him a little 
 longer here below. Since that time he had 
 endeavored to keep this covenant, and to walk 
 in His counsel in the main, yet, at times, 
 through disobedience to manifest duty, he had 
 been brought into deep suffering, and had 
 thereby learned obedience, regardless of the 
 opinions of men ; for, saith the Apostle, ' If I 
 yet pleased men, I should not be the servant 
 of Christ.' 
 
 " Sixth Month 14th. Attended Coal Creek 
 meeting, wherein E. was favored to speak re- 
 lievingly to his own mind, commencing with 
 the text, 'Train up a child in the way he should 
 go; and when he is old, he will not depart
 
 8 ELWOOD DEAN 
 
 from it.' He then proceeded to set forth the 
 necessity of parents themselves coming under 
 the leavening influence of the Holy Spirit in 
 their own minds, whereby they would be en- 
 abled to train up the dear childen in the nur- 
 ture and admonition of the Lord, believing 
 that if parents were thus concerned, they 
 would feel it a duty to collect their families at 
 least once in the day, and read a portion of 
 the Holy Scriptures, with their minds retired 
 before the Lord, and as they were concerned 
 to dwell low and humble before Him, they 
 would at times be enabled to hand forth a 
 word of counsel or encouragement to the dear 
 children. And in order that the children 
 should be trained up in the right way, he 
 looked upon it as a matter of importance that 
 Friends should keep up their own schools un- 
 der the care of religiously concerned teachers 
 and committees, whereby the children might 
 receive a guarded education which could not 
 be expected in the public schools. This con- 
 cern had its rise at an early period of the So- 
 ciety, and was one that he had felt a deep in- 
 terest in. He had attended all the meetings 
 within the limits of the Yearly Meeting, and 
 wherever this concern prevailed there were 
 hopeful young people growing up, and he 
 much desired that Friends would not pass 
 lightly over these things. 
 
 " 30th, First Day. The meeting was large, 
 the house being well filled. E. brought to 
 view the language of the Holy Redeemer, 
 where he said, ' The kingdom of Heaven is 
 like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid
 
 ELWOOD DEAN 
 
 in three measures of meal, till the whole was 
 leavened.' Thus it is with the measure of Di- 
 vine grace given to each and every individual 
 to profit withal. When this is allowed to have 
 its full place, and perfect work in the heart, it 
 entirely changes our nature, as the leaven 
 does the meal, and brings forth the new birth 
 unto righteousness, without which no man 
 can see the kingdom of God, and of course 
 cannot be saved. But as we submit to this 
 transforming power we become changed from 
 a state of nature to a state of grace; from 
 hardness and depravity of heart, to tenderness 
 and contrition; from the state of the ravening 
 wolf or the destroying lion, to that of the 
 little child; from that of the law to that of 
 the Gospel; from that of loving our neighbor 
 and hating our enemy, to that of loving even 
 our enemies according to the doctrine of 
 Christ, who said, ' Love your enemies, bless 
 them that curse you, do good to them that 
 hate you, and pray for them which despitefully 
 use you and persecute you; that ye may be 
 the children of your Father which is in 
 Heaven; for he maketh his sun to rise on the 
 evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the 
 just and on the unjust.' This leads us to be 
 kind one unto another, tender hearted, loving 
 one another and forgiving one another even 
 as God, for Christ's sake, hath forgiven us. 
 ' Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear 
 children ; and walk in love, as Christ also hath 
 loved us, and hath given Himself for us.'
 
 10 ELWOOD DEAN 
 
 Now, my beloved young Friends, although 
 you may have formed good resolutions, and 
 entered into covenant again and again, and 
 still have broken them, yet I have felt the 
 desire for you that you might lift up your 
 heads in hope and let the times past suffice 
 and seek to renew your covenants with your 
 Heavenly Father, for we have a merciful High 
 Priest, who was touched with a feeling of 
 our infirmities, being tempted in all points as 
 we are, yet without sin. 
 
 " Attended meeting, of good size, but 
 
 much departed from the plainness and sim- 
 plicity of our holy profession, and gone into 
 the fashions, customs and ways of the world; 
 no doubt the result of the spread of unsound 
 doctrines, and the letting in of a worldly 
 spirit which seems to be laying waste the tes- 
 timonies of Truth as held by our ancient 
 worthies. We met with some in all the meet- 
 ings we attended who seem like right-spirited 
 Friends; who expressed their satisfaction 
 with our being among them, and seemed to 
 regret the state of things, speaking freely of 
 the many departures from our principles and 
 
 practices. 
 
 " 29th. In a family collection Elwood was 
 
 much favored in testimony and supplication. 
 He brought to view his long sojourn amongst 
 them, and that he had been with them in 
 weakness and in fear, and in much trembling. 
 He said that his speech had not been with the 
 enticing words of man's wisdom, but he be- 
 lieved he had been enabled to declare unto
 
 ELWOOD DEAN 
 
 them the whole counsel of God, as it had been 
 manifested unto him, and that he felt peace 
 of mind in having thus discharged his duty. 
 
 " 21st. Started for our home in Ohio with 
 easy minds and, I trust, thankful hearts, that 
 we had been favored to accomplish what our 
 Divine Master required, and that He had 
 been pleased to be with us and enable us to 
 perform His will, and we felt that we could 
 adopt the language, ' The Lord hath done 
 great things for us, whereof we are glad.' 
 
 " Tenth Month 3rd. After attending Ohio 
 Yearly Meeting we came to our own home, 
 where we found things in such order as might 
 be expected after an absence of nine months. 
 We have passed through much conflict and 
 exercise of mind and feel it to be cause for 
 rejoicing that we have been permitted to re- 
 turn home at last. Indeed, we were detained 
 much longer than we had expected, but we 
 can in truth say it was not in pursuit of tem- 
 poral gratification, for of this we partook very 
 little during our absence. It was in religious 
 engagements, and often in deep exercise and 
 close trial of spirit to my dear E. even to the 
 affecting of his health and strength, that our 
 time was filled up. Nevertheless we may ac- 
 knowledge that it is to our interest as well 
 as our duty to be at the Divine disposal, and 
 although this journey cost us much in every 
 way we find the retrospect produces peace of 
 mind, which is worth obtaining, at whatever 
 cost." 
 
 The following is an Address to New Gar-
 
 12 EL WOOD DEAN 
 
 den Monthly Meeting, written near this time : 
 "Dear Friends: My mind has often been 
 turned towards you with feelings of love, and 
 desires for your encouragement and preserva- 
 tion, and growth in the truih. I have remem- 
 bered the trials and afflictions you are brought 
 into by the intrusion of those who have separ- 
 ated from you, which seemed long continued 
 and from which you are now delivered. In 
 the consideration of these things, the language 
 of one formerly has been brought to the view 
 of my mind : ' They got not the land in pos- 
 session by their own sword, neither did their 
 own arm save them,' and I believe we might 
 add, it was the Lord's doing, and marvelous 
 in our eyes, that you were delivered from the 
 trials you were under, and in the manner you 
 were. All the praise should be given to Him 
 to whom it is due, and our faithfulness should 
 be manifested by endeavoring diligently to 
 serve Him. Neither is it because of our righte- 
 ousness, but of His abundant mercies and be- 
 cause His love is still extended towards our 
 Society, as the descendants of a faithful and 
 worthy people who were, by a mighty hand 
 and an outstretched arm, gathered, in the be- 
 ginning, to stand as witnesses for the ever 
 blessed Truth; as witnesses to the spiritual 
 nature of the Gospel dispensation. While they 
 stood faithful the Divine blessing rested richly 
 upon them, and now, dear Friends, we are all 
 deeply concerned in the matter. The welfare 
 of our own souls, and of our beloved Society,
 
 ELWOOD DEAN 13 
 
 and the advancement of the cause of truth and 
 righteousness in the earth, depends upon our 
 faithfulness and our obedience to the Divine 
 will and requiring : and if we prove unfaithful 
 others may be called in, as from the highways 
 and hedges, to take our places and to wear 
 our crowns. 
 
 " So let us all be livingly concerned to be 
 found walking in the Divine counsel, filling up 
 our measure of suffering and of service, not 
 only for the purification of our own souls but 
 for the body's sake which is the Church; not 
 sitting at ease in our ceiled houses while the 
 Lord's house lies waste, nor looking to others 
 to do our work, but be diligently engaged to 
 build first over against our own houses, then 
 we should be instructed how to proceed fur- 
 ther in the work. Each one would be in- 
 structed by the great Master Builder in the 
 portion of work required of him. The lan- 
 guage sometimes arises, ' Our holy and our 
 beautiful house, where our fathers' praised 
 Thee is burned up with fire, and all our pleas- 
 ant things are laid waste.' This may, in some 
 measure, apply to our religious Society, fa- 
 vored as it was in its earlier days. And I be- 
 lieve the Lord's mercies are over all his works, 
 and that he is still watching over us for good, 
 still waiting to be gracious unto us, and if we, 
 as individuals, are faithful unto Him, He will, 
 in His abundant mercy, enable us to lay aside 
 every weight and the sin that doth so easily 
 beset us, and to run with patience the race that 
 is set before us; and also will enable the
 
 14 ELWOOD DEAN 
 
 Church to arise and shake herself from the 
 dust of the earth, and to put on her beautiful 
 garments, even the garments of salvation, and 
 come forth from the wilderness leaning upon 
 the arm of her Beloved, fair as the moon, clear 
 as the sun, and terrible to the man of sin, as 
 an army with banners. 
 
 " I have also felt a salutation of love to 
 flow towards the dear young people, fully be- 
 lieving there are those amongst them on whom 
 the Lord, in His mercy, has laid His hand, and 
 who are sensible of the visitation of Heavenly 
 love to their souls, calling them away from the 
 vanities and follies of this fading world, to 
 seek after durable riches and righteousness. 
 Oh ! that you might be prevailed upon to close 
 in with the offers of redeeming love and mercy, 
 in this your day of visitation, remembering 
 your Creator in the days of your youth, 'While 
 the evil days come not, nor the years draw 
 nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure 
 in them.' If the day of our visitation is neg- 
 lected, our hearts will become more and more 
 hardened in sin until the things that belong 
 to our peace will be hidden from our eyes, but 
 if you embrace the offers of Heavenly love and 
 walk in the fear of the Lord, you will find it to 
 be a fountain of life which will preserve from 
 the snares of death. It is said also that, ' The 
 fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, 
 and to depart from evil, is understanding.' ' I 
 love them that love me; and those that 
 seek me early shall find me. Riches and 
 honor are with me;, yea, durable riches
 
 ELWOOD DEAN 15 
 
 and righteousness. My fruit is better than 
 gold, yea, than fine gold ; and my revenue than 
 choice silver. I lead in the way of righteous- 
 ness, in the midst of the paths of judgment; 
 that I may cause those that love me to inherit 
 substance ; and I will fill their treasuries. The 
 Lord possessed me in the beginning of His 
 way, before His works of old. * * * And 
 I was daily His delight, rejoicing always be- 
 fore Him : rejoicing in the habitable part of 
 His earth ; and my delights were with the sons 
 of men. Now,therefore, hearken unto me, O 
 ye children ; for blessed are they that keep my 
 ways. Hear instruction, and be wise, and re- 
 fuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth 
 me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at 
 the posts of my doors. For whoso findeth 
 me findeth life, and shall obtain favor of the 
 Lord. But he that sinneth against me wrong- 
 eth his own soul: all they that hate me love 
 death.' Spiritual death, not being willing their 
 deeds should be brought to the light, lest they 
 be reproved. But he that abideth in this Di- 
 vine wisdom, will bring all his deeds to the 
 light, that they may be made manifest that 
 they are wrought in God. 
 
 "Now, my dear young friends, this word of 
 Divine wisdom is nigh you, in your mouth and 
 in your heart, that you may hear it and do it, 
 and as you are willing to listen to its voice, 
 you will indeed be brought to inherit salvation, 
 and be made partakers of the peace which 
 passeth the understanding of the natural man, 
 even that peace which the world cannot give,
 
 ELWOOD DEAN 
 
 neither can it take away. And being thus 
 made willing to take up your daily cross, and 
 live a self-denying life, taking His yoke upon 
 you, and learning of Him who is meek and 
 lowly of heart, you will find rest to your souls ; 
 and to the renewed nature, His yoke will be- 
 come easy and His burden light. Thus wait- 
 ing and watching at wisdom's gate, having 
 your spiritual senses exercised to discern both 
 good and evil, you will be enabled to discern 
 the voice of the true Shepherd from that of 
 the stranger ; and as obedience keeps pace with 
 knowledge, you will grow in grace, and in the 
 knowledge of the Truth, and become qualified 
 to fill your allotted places in the Church, faith- 
 fully bearing the testimonies committed to us, 
 and displaying a banner for the Truth before 
 the world. Oh! that you may be faithful, so 
 that you may be found standing in your allot- 
 ments at the end of the days, and prepared to 
 receive the answer, 'Well done, good and faith- 
 ful servant: * * * enter thou into the joy 
 of thy Lord.' ' Come, ye blessed of my Father, 
 inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the 
 foundation of the world.' 
 
 " With a salutation of love, I remain your 
 friend, 
 
 ELWOOD DEAN. 
 
 During the course of a religious visit with- 
 in the limits of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, 
 in the year 1881, he writes to his wife: 
 
 " My minute is too short. I shall have to 
 write to the Monthly Meeting for more liberty,
 
 ELWOOD DEAN 17 
 
 or come home without finishing the work. 
 That Heavenly influence and Almighty power 
 has been with me in a remarkable manner, so 
 that my strength has been renewed like the 
 eagle's. My health is better now than when I 
 left home, and I feel that I have much to be 
 thankful for, and I hope the same Almighty 
 power will be with thee, to sustain thee. 
 Truly, I can say, we have a very tender, kind 
 and merciful High Priest, who has been touch- 
 ed with a feeling of our infirmities, who re- 
 members our frame, and knows that we are 
 dust. As we look unto Him, He will merci- 
 fully preserve our souls, and keep us alive in 
 famine. I do not know any better way than to 
 endeavor to attend to the dear Master's busi- 
 ness, and leave home affairs." 
 
 Phebe W. Roberts writes: 
 
 " My dear friend, Elizabeth Dean : We 
 have had a very acceptable visit from thy dear 
 husband and companion, both at our meetings 
 and our homes, and knowing the time must 
 seem long since he left thee, and being likely 
 to remain some time longer in these parts, I 
 felt it would be right to inform thee that we 
 believe he is in his place amongst us. All the 
 meetings I have attended with him have been 
 seasons of renewed favor, wherein the wing 
 of Ancient Goodness has been spread over us, 
 and ability given to labor and to divide the 
 word aright: and we have been made to feel 
 thankful that the dear Master has sent him 
 amongst us, and no doubt his reward will be
 
 ]8 ELWOOD DEAN 
 
 sure, and them, my dear friend, will be support- 
 ed by the Everlasting Arm, that continues to 
 be underneath to sustain in low seasons, even 
 He who remains to be, ' As the shadow of a 
 great rock in a weary land.' * * * I am 
 thankful that we still have a living gospel min- 
 istry preserved amongst us. * * , * 
 Affectionately, thy friend, 
 
 PHEBE W. ROBERTS." 
 From E. H. to Elwood Dean: 
 
 " Having had the privilege, at different 
 times, of hearing from thee through letters to 
 thy dear E. by which we learn that thou hast 
 been moving on in the work appointed thee, 
 comfortably and satisfactorily, which was 
 cheering to hear; I thought I would sit down 
 this morning and tell thee that thy last letter, 
 particularly, seemed to do me good, animating, 
 I trust, with a little fresh courage to cleave 
 closer and closer to the unconquered Captain 
 of salvation. When we see those who have 
 been long engaged in the warfare, with their 
 armor closely girt about them, pressing for- 
 ward in faith and patience in the race set be- 
 fore them, evidencing to others that ' They 
 have not followed cunningly devised fables ' 
 but a precious reality, and are thereby made 
 partakers of that hope which is as an anchor to 
 the soul both sure and steadfast ; surely this is 
 encouraging to others to enlist under the ban- 
 ner of the same dear Master and manifest 
 their allegiance by their obedience to Him in
 
 ELWOOD DEAN 19 
 
 all things, that thus they may be enabled to 
 fight the good fight of faith, that they may 
 have the same animating hope set before them 
 at the end of the journey, even eternal life. 
 * * * I am thinking some about Quarterly 
 Meeting and if I should be favored to attend 
 it will remind me that I have gained in 
 strength during the past three months, and 
 whether I attend or not, I may gratefully ac- 
 knowledge that such has been the case. When 
 I reflect a little on my long seasons of affliction 
 and weakness, and the circumstances attend- 
 ing them, how different has the way been from 
 what the human understanding would have 
 thought expedient, impressively reminding, 
 ' My thoughts are not your thoughts neither 
 are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.' 
 
 " If such a child may hand forth a word 
 unto thee, it would be that the dear Master 
 may enable thee to accomplish all that is well 
 pleasing in His holy eyesight, and prosper thee 
 in the work whereunto He has sent thee. ' Ye 
 shall go out with joy, and be led forth with 
 peace : the mountains and the hills shall break 
 forth before you into singing, and all the trees 
 of the field shall clap their hands.' " 
 
 The following extracts are here inserted 
 without regard to due order of time: 
 
 To J. S. E. " Alas ! what are the brightest 
 talents worth if we let self get uppermost in 
 religious matters, and do not humbly abide in 
 submission to the Divine will. Self righteous- 
 ness is the hardest of all to be reached unto 
 or convinced, so that there is no place of safety
 
 20 ELWOOD DEAN 
 
 for us, but in humbly endeavoring to maintain 
 the watch and remembering that of ourselves 
 we can do nothing: that all our ability for 
 every good word and work must be received 
 from Him who is 'Strength in weakness, riches 
 in poverty, and a present helper in the needful 
 time.' This, no doubt, all His humble follow- 
 ers will find, and that He will enable them to 
 perform every work required of them. This 
 I may say from a degree of experience in my 
 sojourning in the West the past summer, as 
 also in some other little journeyings since. 
 Unworthy as I feel myself to be, I well know 
 all the praise is due to Him whose the work is, 
 and whose the cause is, and who gives the 
 ability; for we can only say, after endeavoring 
 to do our duty, 'We are unprofitable servants: 
 we have done that which was our duty to do.' 
 We claim neither merit nor reward, and yet, 
 out of His bountiful treasury the Master richly 
 rewards those who endeavor faithfully to serve 
 Him." 
 
 To his wife : " I feel rather low but quiet 
 and peaceful, neither abounding nor suffering 
 need above what I feel able to bear. I cannot 
 see how the journey may terminate, but hope 
 it may be peaceful. I feel love flow toward 
 thee, dear Elizabeth, and to little Mary, earn- 
 estly desiring your preservation, and that thy 
 prayers may be for my preservation and right 
 getting along, which feels to me like a weighty 
 matter in looking to attending meetings in the 
 capacity in which I am now traveling. I often
 
 ELWOOD DEAN 21 
 
 feel ready to exclaim, ' Who is sufficient for 
 these things?' Yet I see no better way than 
 patiently to abide in my allotment and humbly 
 trust in Him who is strength in weakness and 
 a present help in the needful time. J. has 
 proved himself a kind and sympathizing com- 
 panion and agreeable company. I believe the 
 lot fell in the right place for this journey. I 
 hope his dear companion will be enabled to get 
 along with her many cares while he is absent, 
 being helped by Best help. Give my love to 
 her and her family." 
 
 To the same : " Today we expect to attend 
 Short Creek Quarter, and not feeling clear of 
 Columbiana county, we have concluded to re- 
 turn there and attend a few more meetings 
 that seeming the way to peace. I hope thou 
 wilt feel resigned and be supported, although I 
 doubt not it will feel like a trial and disappoint- 
 ment. I feel much for thee and A. M., but see 
 no better way than to commit you to the care 
 of Israel's Shepherd who neither slumbers nor 
 sleeps. I have believed that if we were faithful 
 in endeavoring to follow and serve Him, He 
 would care for us every way. * * * We 
 are now at Asa Branson's. They are all well 
 except Ann Branson, who has been confined to 
 her bed most of the time for the last six months 
 with heart disease, yet she certainly seems to 
 dwell the nearest to the heavenly kingdom of 
 any person I ever met with. She seems filled 
 with thankfulness for the many favors and 
 blessings which she enjoys and a song of praise
 
 22 ELWOOD DEAN 
 
 is almost constantly in her mouth, together 
 with exhortation to those about her and to 
 many visitors calling to see her." 
 
 From J. S. S. to Elwood Dean : " Dear 
 Friend: Though I feel very little if any 
 ability for letter writing, I think it may be al- 
 lowable at least to acknowledge the receipt of 
 thy truly acceptable and edifying letter of the 
 17th inst., the reading of which did some of 
 our hearts good and we believe it might have 
 a further service and usefulness, and we hope 
 thou dost not feel uneasy or dissatisfied with 
 the course we have pursued in relation to it. 
 Feelings of tenderness and love were awakened 
 and you were brought near to us in spirit with 
 a desire for your encouragement in every good 
 work and word. It is great comfort and con- 
 solation to have the evidence that there are 
 still preserved, here and there, up and down 
 within the pale of our Religious Society those 
 who are of ten. brought under silent, patient, re- 
 ligious exercise and travail of spirit, not only 
 for their own eternal welfare, but for the spir- 
 itual welfare of one another, and the promotion 
 of blessed cause of Truth and Righteousness 
 in the earth : and as this living, harmonious ex- 
 ercise is held to and dwelt under, it will, as I 
 believe, in the Lord's own time avail much, 
 not only to ourselves, but to the Church of 
 Christ. I often crave that there may be more 
 of this heartfelt religious exercise and concern 
 among us as a people, for it seems to me it 
 never was more important than now, for those
 
 ELWOOD DEAN 23 
 
 who profess to uphold and promulgate the doc- 
 trines and testimonies and principles of our 
 Religious Society, to dig deep; to lay their 
 foundations low ; to draw near to each other in 
 spirit, thereby strengthening and encouraging 
 one another. 
 
 "I can fully and freely respond to what thou 
 sayest upon this subject. I have long believed 
 that if there were more intercourse by writing 
 or otherwise, we should understand each other 
 better and love each other more. I am often 
 made sensible that we are surrounded by many 
 trials, tribulations and perplexities, so that at 
 times our hands are ready to hang down, and 
 the feeble knees to smite together from very 
 weakness: but it is good for us to remember, 
 and to be brought to feel the Lord's power to 
 be above every other power, and that He will 
 never leave nor forsake those who put their 
 whole trust in Him. Whatever the trials or 
 discouragements may be, as faithfulness and 
 obedience are abode in, such will be brought to 
 experience the Almighty Arm of power made 
 bare round about and underneath them, streng- 
 thening and supporting under their various 
 trials, so that they will be enabled to adopt this 
 language : ' As the mountains are round about 
 Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about His 
 people from henceforth even forever.' May 
 we, my dear friend, in our low and stripped 
 seasons, be enabled to lay hold in living faith, 
 of the precious promises recorded in the Scrip-
 
 24 ELWOOD DEAN 
 
 tures of Truth for our instruction and encour- 
 agement. 
 
 "There are many who go mourning on their 
 way because of the desolations of our Zion and 
 the signs of the times. We truly have cause to 
 mourn over these things, yet there are times 
 and seasons when we are enabled to believe 
 that the power of God is the same as ever it 
 was, and He is as near His humble, dependent, 
 dedicated children in the present day, as He 
 has been in any age or generation of the world. 
 Let us then, my dear friend, under a fresh 
 sense of the Lord's goodness, mercy and al- 
 mighty power, put on a little fresh courage and 
 strength in His name, leaving the things that 
 are behind, and pressing forward toward the 
 mark, for the prize of the high calling of God 
 in Christ Jesus our Lord: so that when the 
 trials and conflicts of time are drawing to a 
 close we may be enabled, by the mercy of God, 
 through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to 
 adopt the language of the Apostle when he 
 said : ' For I am now ready to be offered and 
 the time of my departure is at hand. I have 
 fought a good fight, I have finished my course, 
 I have kept the faith- Henceforth there is laid 
 up for me a crown of righteousness which the 
 Lord, the righeteous Judge, shall give me at 
 that day, and not to me only, but unto all them 
 also that love His appearing.' 
 
 " In much love to thee and thine, and enquir- 
 ing friends, I am thy friend." 
 
 J. S. S. again writes : . " Thy long looked
 
 ELWOOD DEAN 25 
 
 for letter arrived on Fifth day, the 31st, which 
 was in due time after mailing. We some- 
 times say ' Better late than never,' and so it 
 seems to me in this case. I am very glad to 
 hear from thee, and trust I fully appreciate 
 thy kind, good and interesting letter. . . I often 
 feel it to be a great favor, that time or distance 
 does not prevent our entering into sympathy 
 and fellow feeling with one another in our 
 trials, religious exercises, and the discourage- 
 ments by which we may be surrounded in the 
 present day. I believe it good for us to be 
 made willing to bear each other's burdens, and 
 so fulfill the law of Christ. Thou hadst the 
 opportunity of seeing and feeling some of our 
 various burdens, when thou wast here min- 
 gling with us, and I trust thou hast had no 
 cause to regret making the sacrifice thou didst 
 in order to be with us. 
 
 " The Yearly Meeting's committee is en- 
 gaged from, time to time, in going up and 
 down visiting meetings under a deep sense, I 
 trust, of the great importance of the objects 
 of these appointments. And under the feel- 
 ing that of ourselves we can do nothing, and 
 in view of the low state of things as to reli- 
 gious exercise and travail of spirit, in many 
 places, we are often brought very low before 
 the Lord, with our hands ready to hang down 
 and our feeble knees to smite together from 
 very weakness. .Notwithstanding all this, and 
 more than this, the Lord is still round about 
 His people, even as the mountains are round
 
 26 ELWOOD DEAN 
 
 about Jerusalem. Some of the committee are 
 at times enabled to preach the way of life and 
 salvation, by and through our Lord and Sa- 
 vior, Jesus Christ, we trust, in good authority. 
 But how often are we made sensible that Paul 
 may plant, and Apollos water, but it is God 
 alone can give the increase. 
 
 " If it could be done upon the right 
 ground, in the unity and fellowship of the gos- 
 pel of Christ, I would rejoice to see a renewal 
 of epistolary correspondence between our 
 Yearly Meetings, believing, with thee, that it 
 might be beneficial and strengthening both to 
 you and us. Some are prepared for it now, 
 others think the time is not yet. We must be 
 patient. I can fully and freely respond to 
 what thou sayest, in relation to our Religious 
 Society. The longer I live, the more con- 
 vinced I am that we, as a people, have great 
 need to get down below the surface to dig 
 deep and lay our foundation low, even upon 
 the eternal Rock of Ages, our Lord, Christ 
 Jesus being willing to be led and guided by 
 His holy spirit, who teaches as never man 
 taught, nor can teach. I know of no other 
 way to the kingdom of Heaven than by the 
 Cross of Christ, our crucified and risen Lord; 
 'For there is no other name under Heaven, 
 given among men, whereby we must be 
 saved,' but by the name of Jesus. Oh that we, 
 the members of our Religious Society, might 
 live more and more under the governmnt and 
 influence of the spirit of Christ; then there
 
 ELWOOD DEAN 27 
 
 would be no strife or division amongst us, but 
 we should see eye to eye, and walk by the 
 same rule, minding the same things and thus 
 becoming prepared to labor harmoniously for 
 the honor of Truth." 
 
 "Barnesville, 9th Mo., 5th. Dear Eliza- 
 beth: My heart warms with love and sympa- 
 thy whenever my thoughts have turned to- 
 wards thee, which has been very often indeed 
 since leaving thee. Tears now fill my eyes 
 whilst penning these lines to thee, as thy lov- 
 ing care comes before my view, not only in 
 so freely giving me up to apprehended duty, 
 but also in almost wearing thyself out in 
 trying lo fix me up nicely and comfortably 
 and in taking all the burden of the home care 
 whilst I am away. I hope and have earnestly 
 desired that a blessing might rest upon thee, 
 and dear Mary. Dear child, try to make dear 
 Auntie's way as easy as thou canst, and I do 
 believe the good Master's presence will be 
 with thee and His blessing will attend." 
 
 To the same "llth Mo., 25th. I feel 
 somewhat disappointed in not getting off 
 home yesterday. Last Seventh day was 
 Quarterly Meeting and it was largely attend- 
 ed. R. E. P. and A. V. were both acceptably 
 engaged in the ministry. Silence appeared to 
 be my proper place. On First day the meet- 
 ing house was filled to its utmost capacity not- 
 withstanding that it was a snowy, stormy day. 
 The meeting sat long in silence. . . I had almost
 
 28 ELWOOD DEAN 
 
 concluded that it would close in silence, but 
 the way finally opened to address the people, 
 and to endeavor to impress their minds, with 
 the necessity of silent waiting upon the Lord, 
 if we would know an advancement in the 
 Truth, and an establishment on the unchange- 
 able Foundation. Finally one thing after an- 
 other presented, until way seemed to open to 
 speak of many things pertaining to life and 
 salvation and the wellspring of life seemed 
 to arise and flow until it not only reached to 
 the ankles or to the knees, but became as a 
 river to swim in. There seemed a solemn 
 covering over the meeting and we were all 
 comforted and edified together. 
 
 "I had expected to go on my way rejoic- 
 ing, with a free and easy mind, toward my 
 dear home, but on Second day morning, in 
 looking towards the cars, no light seemed to 
 shine on my pathway. I made a few calls, 
 and the way opened for us to be comforted 
 together, but now I do not feel that I can 
 leave until after meeting tomorrow. I do 
 not know what will be then, but I feel 
 doubts as to whether the time of release is 
 at hand yet. It seems as though bonds and 
 afflictions may still await me. I desire to 
 be able to say with Paul that, 'None of these 
 things move me, neither count I my life dear 
 unto myself, so that I might finish my course 
 with joy, and the ministry, which I have re- 
 ceived of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel
 
 ELWOOD DEAN 29 
 
 of the grace of God.' I hope you may be pre- 
 served in patience, and remember you are 
 under the protecting care of Him, without 
 whose notice not a sparrow falls to the 
 ground. I have been preserved in health, 
 through all sorts of weather in a remarkable 
 manner. We have had some beautiful weath- 
 er and some very stormy." 
 
 From J. W. to Elwood Dean. "Dear 
 Friend: An interesting and acceptable letter 
 received from thee last summer, has laid by 
 me unanswered. There has been much in the 
 interval to claim my care and attention, and 
 often little ability to write, so that way 
 has not opened to acknowledge its reception, 
 though often remembered. The desire thou 
 seemed to feel, that some friends from these 
 parts might be drawn to attend your last 
 Yearly Meeting was answered. I hope the 
 company and labors of our friends Clarkson 
 Sheppard and Joseph Scattergood were ac- 
 ceptable and useful to their western breth- 
 ren. I esteem them as valuable .Friends .in 
 their respective stations. It has been inter- 
 esting to me to hear of so many of your own 
 ministers being sent about, to visit the flock 
 in different parts of your land. Is it not the 
 case that the Head of the Church is doing 
 with you, through His moving on the hearts 
 of individual servants, what in our limits He 
 has laid on the Church collectively: to culti- 
 vate the vineyard more thoroughly than has
 
 30 ELWOOD DEAN 
 
 been done for some time before: to search out 
 the waste places, and strengthen the living 
 plants? I have noticed, with interest, thy 
 share in this work. I suppose, as every heart 
 knows its own bitterness, so every yearly 
 meeting has its own peculiar trials and diffi- 
 culties, its weak spots and suffering cases. 
 The committee of our Yearly Meeting is in- 
 dustriously employed, in visiting meetings, 
 and has indeed labored abundantly, and the 
 meetings have often been owned by the Di- 
 vine presence. In thy letter thou asks .re- 
 specting E. R., who spoke in Moorestown 
 meeting when thou wast here. She has since 
 appeared in that way, I think, three times. I 
 believe such sacrifices are sometimes called 
 for, when it is not the design of the Head of 
 the Church permanently to employ such per- 
 sons in that line of service. How it may be 
 with E. I do not know. I have felt much in- 
 terest in her case and, if it is the Divine will, 
 should be glad to see her commissioned and 
 sent into the harvest field. Lydia desires her 
 love to thy wife and thyself in which I join, 
 and am thy sincere friend. J. W." 
 
 Letter from Soren Oleson, LeGrande, 
 Iowa. 
 
 Often remembered friend , Elwood 
 Dean: I have felt since thou wast here that 
 it would be right for me to send thee a few 
 lines, in order to express that love, and ten- 
 der regard I felt toward thee and companions,
 
 ELWOOD DEAN 31 
 
 although far separated, and strangers as to 
 the outward; and nothing but a feeling of 
 this kind would induce me to take up my 
 pen and address a stranger, and one that is 
 far above myself, both in gifts and experience; 
 but 'Charity,' says the Apostle, 'beareth all 
 things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, 
 endureth all things.' It is good to love one 
 another, as we have also an evidence of thy 
 love to usward, in sending us an acceptable 
 letter, which was more than we could expect. 
 It is a great comfort to know that we have 
 friends who can feel and sympathize with us, 
 when we are tried and proved. It has been 
 and still is my lot to be tried and proved, on 
 account of the still increasing decline or di- 
 lapidation in our Society. This is a great 
 sorrow to me, so much so that I believe my 
 natural strength is wearing away with it, for 
 I view it and feel it, in a two-fold respect. In 
 the first place the great majority seem in- 
 clined to go back to that which our early 
 Friends came out of, and which they faith- 
 fully testified against, and suffered for their 
 testimony seem inclined to mix up and bring 
 in innovations. On the other hand, such as 
 I would consider the standard-bearers, and 
 foremost rank of the army, are so split and 
 divided, that we have cause to query: what 
 is the true body of Friends? These are sor- 
 rowful facts. ... In viewing our part of 
 the Society, I am ready to exclaim: "The tes- 
 timonies of the Lord are trodden down! The
 
 32 ELWOOD DEAN 
 
 ark of the covenant is taken, how shall we re- 
 gain it? Who is sufficient for these things? 
 I did not know anything of the doctrine and 
 practice of the Society of Friends before I 
 was 'convinced,' which was at about the age 
 of eighteen years; and as the doctrines and 
 testimonies of Friends were dear to me then, 
 so they have been ever since, and therefore it 
 goes hard with me to see them violated or 
 disregarded, and it is my earnest desire to 
 support them, although I am quite sensible 
 it is under many weaknesses and frailties of 
 the flesh. When I was twenty years old, it 
 was my lot to suffer about five months im- 
 prisonment, for refusing to work in the mili- 
 tary service in 1848 in my native land. 
 
 "My friend, I use freedom. I do not 
 know if this looks like a letter or something 
 else; but I write as things come up before my 
 mind, hoping thou wilt bear with me. . . . 
 So I conclude, with much love to thee, for I 
 feel that to be the covering of my mind, as I 
 am penning these lines. I should be glad to 
 meet with thee again, or any of the Lord's 
 servants whose feet should be turned this 
 way. I am comforted in the belief that there 
 are many within our borders who are earn- 
 estly concerned to uphold and support the doc- 
 trines and ensigns of our Society. As I was 
 reading, this morning, the seventh chapter of 
 Jeremiah, I thought how very instructive, and 
 how many warning lessons. May we be wise
 
 ELWOOD DEAN 33 
 
 while it is called today! Affectionately, thy 
 friend, Soren Oleson." 
 
 Clarkson Sheppard to Elwood Dean. 
 "My Dear Friend: Being in Philadelphia re- 
 cently and having a letter of thine, to our 
 friend, John S. Stokes, handed me to read, I 
 was encouraged and helped by what it com- 
 municated respecting any little service, I 
 might have been strengthened to render while 
 amongst you in Ohio and Iowa. Thou, per- 
 haps, does not know, and perhaps may not 
 thyself have such feelings but it is often my 
 lot to feel that I never did any good, Godward 
 in my life. About the time thy letter was 
 handed to me I felt a good deal as the poor 
 widow of Sarepta did, who, when the prophet 
 was sent to her was just gathering a few 
 sticks in order to bake the last cake, that she 
 and her son might eat thereof and die, so sore 
 was the drought and famine in the land. .But 
 how true, as we'l as often verified, is that 
 scripture, 'The mercy of the Lord is from 
 everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear 
 Him,' etc., for thus was the widow sustained 
 and her son and Elijah too, by the handful of 
 meal and the little oil in the cruse, until the 
 Lord sent rain upon the earth. I thought, dear 
 friend, thou also might derive some encour- 
 agement in these poor times, from the fact of 
 having helped a poor friend and brother, in a 
 time of great need, by inserting just what thou 
 did in that letter. Not tending to exalt the
 
 34 ELWOOD DEAN 
 
 creature or set up, no, no! but encouraging 
 to faithfulness and to the committing of our- 
 selves and all that we have and are, unto 
 the 'I Am' of His dependent children. Thy 
 record is another evidence that, by giving way 
 to small impressions brought to the mind, we 
 may sometimes be made the instruments of 
 help and comfort to one another without 
 knowing it, yea, become indeed one another's 
 helpers and joy in the Lord. 
 
 "Our Yearly Meeting of 1887 has passed 
 into history. Thou wilt see an account of it 
 prepared for 'The Friend.' While there were 
 some encouraging features, and especially 
 precious evidences, at times, that the Lord, in 
 His mercy, condescends to our low estate yet 
 it was, to some, a season of suffering. The 
 trials of our day are so great. The spirit that 
 has been permitted to set in upon us is a de- 
 lusive one. Its Plausibility, its adaptative- 
 ness to our carnal propensities, in seeking 
 some easier way to the kingdom; its glitter 
 and show are captivating, and will, perhaps, 
 try the foundations of everyone. But there is 
 an ark of safety: 'The foundation of God 
 standeth sure, having this seal .the Lord 
 knoweth them that are his.' Dear friend, does 
 not the day call for suffering? 'Fill ye up, 
 therefore, your measure of the cup of suffering 
 for His body's sake, which is the Church.' 
 If we suffer (with Christ) we shall also reign 
 with Him.' It seems to me that it is those
 
 ELWOOD DEAN 35 
 
 who are willing to suffer with and for a suf- 
 fering Savior, in this day of treading down, of 
 removing the landmark, and of trial, that 
 shall, at seasons reign with Him, and know 
 their best life given them for a prey. With 
 love to thee and thy dear wife, I remain affec- 
 tionately, thy sincere friend, Clarkson Shep- 
 pard." 
 
 From J. S. to Elwood Dean. "Dear 
 Friend: Thou hast been the companion of my 
 thoughts for some time past and I should 
 have written to thee ere this, but we have been 
 looking for thee here. This morning I saw A. 
 B. who told me they had had a letter from 
 thee, saying thou did not know when thou 
 would be here, and also thou sent love to us, 
 which is very acceptable. We also got a 
 very interesting letter from our mutual 
 friend, J. S. E., giving a pretty full account of 
 your movements, which was a satisfaction to 
 us. We feel entire unity with thee and thy 
 concern, and hope and believe that thou and 
 J. S. E. will be strengthened with might by the 
 spirit of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, 
 in the inner man, to do the work he calls for 
 at your hands, in meekness and fear. Yes, I 
 believe He has bestowed on thee as well as 
 J. S. E. and others, a gift in the ministry, for 
 the edification of the churches, as well as to 
 strengthen the weak hands of many, that may 
 seem ready to hang down from discourage- 
 ments, and to confirm the feeble knees, and
 
 36 ELWOOD DEAN 
 
 that a right knowledge of our principles may 
 be held up to view, to those sincere enquirers 
 who are tired of the various forms and cere- 
 monies of the different professions of religion, 
 and are seeking the substance. Oh! may the 
 coming of that day be hastened when, 'The 
 earth shall be full of know'edge of the Lord 
 as the waters cover the sea.' Amen, saith my 
 soul. Although there are many discouraging 
 things around us in our once highly favored 
 Society, still favored with the presence of the 
 Lord, I believe there is a better day in store for 
 us, if we are only faithful to Him who hath 
 called us to glory and to virtue. The cause is 
 His. He can and will carry on His own work, 
 and qualify instruments for every service in 
 His Church, and will raise up judges as at the 
 fit st, and counsellors as at the beginning.' I do 
 not forget myself, while writing to one who is 
 much farther advanced in the heavenly journey 
 than poor me, if happily I have taken some 
 steps Zionward. Oh! Lord, make us sensible, 
 (make me) that of ourselves we ran do noth- 
 ing that will advance thy cause in the earth, 
 but that all good cometh from thee, the inex- 
 haustible fountain of light and strength, God 
 over all blessed forever, who is worthy to be 
 praised by His creature man whom he has 
 created. Thy true friend. J. S." 
 
 "5th Mo. 27, 1881. My Dear Elizabeth: 
 My mind is turned towards thee every day, 
 and many times each day, hoping and desir- 
 ing that thou art, and will be sustained by that
 
 ELWOOD DEAN 37 
 
 Almighty Arm of power which created the 
 universe and sustains it, and who also con- 
 descends to listen to, and answer the cry and 
 the prayer of the lowly and humble, even 
 those who may often feel poor in spirit and 
 unworthy of His holy regard and notice. Yet 
 although He inhabits eternity, and dwells in 
 the high and holy place, He condescends also 
 to visit the lowly, the humble and the con- 
 trite ones, to revive the spirits of such from 
 time to time so they may not give out by the 
 way. 'Like as a father pitieth his children, 
 so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him. For 
 He knoweth our frame; He remembereth that 
 we are dust,' and will not suffer us to be tried 
 or tempted, or so long destitute of spiritual 
 food and nourishment, that we will perish in 
 the wilderness; though at times He may, for 
 the trial of our faith suffer us to go long 
 fasting; yet He will enable us to live by that 
 little grain of faith, and the remembrance of 
 His mercies past, having, as it were partaken 
 of a little of that soul sustaining food com- 
 parable to the little cake of which the prophet 
 partook and was sustained forty days. That 
 same power can and will sustain the Lord's 
 humble dependent children now, even as then, 
 and although we may often feel poor in spirit, 
 we may remember that a blessing is pro- 
 nounced on such by our holy and compassion- 
 ate Redeemer. 
 
 "Now I will try to post thee a little as to 
 our movements since I last wrote. On Sev-
 
 38 ELWOOD DEAN 
 
 enth day evening we took our departure from 
 the City, and went by rail to Reading, a city 
 of forty thousand inhabitants, sixty miles up 
 the Schuylkill river, where we found a small 
 meeting of Friends. As notice had been 
 given, the meeting was larger than usual, a 
 number of others besides regular attenders 
 being present. It proved a time of favor 
 wherein our strength was renewed. In the 
 afternoon attended a meeting appointed by J. S. 
 Elkinton, in a Hicksite meeting house in the 
 City. It proved a relieving time to my mind. 
 I often feel unworthy of the least of the Lord's 
 mercies, and am very sensible I can do nothing 
 of myself, either for the relief of my 
 own mind, or for the advancement of the good 
 cause, and have abundant reason to bless and 
 praise His holy name, for enabling so poor and 
 unworthy an instrument to relieve an often 
 deeply exercised mind, I believe, so far, without 
 hurting the cause of truth. . Friends seem very 
 kind, and do what they can to make our way 
 easy. The door seems open to receive us and 
 our testimony. After we attended the last 
 named meeting we went to a place called Robe- 
 son about seven miles distant. There was 
 only one family of Friends there. It was a 
 place where a meeting had gone down, but 
 public notice being given, quite a number as- 
 sembled and it proved a good meeting. .One 
 man laid hold of my hand as I left the meeting, 
 saying, 'God bless you.' They all seemed glad 
 of the meeting. Then we went to a small set-
 
 ELWOOD DEAN 39 
 
 tlement of Friends nine or ten miles further up 
 the river, and attended a meeting in a Hicksite 
 meeting house. There was but one of their 
 members left there. He attended, and quite a 
 company gathered; it proved an open, favored 
 time. . ...... 
 
 "After Bucks Quarterly Meeting I could 
 say, 'Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the 
 Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee.' Indeed 
 it has seemed remarkable how the current of 
 life has continued with me from time to time, 
 so that I have had to rejoice in the Divine 
 mercy and goodness to so poor a creature 
 Praise to the Lord's ever worthy name! . . 
 Elwood Dean. 
 
 "6th Mo. 25th. Dear Elizabeth : We sent 
 word to West Chester that we intended to be 
 there on First day. Phebe W. Roberts had a 
 minute to visit all the meetings in the Quarter, 
 and said she felt as though she hardly knew 
 how or when to commence, and was hoping the 
 good Master would send some one to help her, 
 and now it seemed as if the time had come, and 
 the way was open to go, if I was prepared to 
 accompany her. It seemed a relief to my mind, 
 and a confirmation that I was in the line of 
 Divine appointment, so next morning we went 
 to West Chester where we had a large and 
 and highly favored meeting. We dined with 
 Jane Gibbons, an eminent minister. In the 
 afternoon went to Westtown and attended 
 meeting there at four o'clock. Next Iday at- 
 tended an appointed meeting at Birmingham
 
 40 ELWOQD DEAN 
 
 one at Chester on Third day, and one at Go- 
 shen on Fourth day, Middletown on Fifth day, 
 at Chester on Sixth day in the forenoon, and at 
 Darby in the afternoon and are now resting 
 at George Garrett's. 
 
 " . . . I think it likely I shall at- 
 tend the Monthly Meetings with P. W. R. as 
 they occur, the coming week. I cannot see the 
 end yet, but think it likely I shall have to at- 
 tend a large proportion of the meetings com- 
 posing the Yearly Meeting. Our dear friend 
 Rachel Roberts is deceased and is to be 
 buried tomorrow. She was in her ninetieth 
 year. Friends here send love to thee, they do 
 almost wherever I go, so there is no need to 
 be discouraged for want of love, and I hope 
 and trust the dear Master's love is to thee, and 
 round about thee for thy help and support 
 through this lonely time. I still hope to be 
 permitted to return in peace in the good Mas- 
 ters time. 
 
 "J. is a very good and kind companion. 
 He seems to enjoy good health, except that he 
 has had a severe cold, but is much better now. 
 He does all he can for my relief and help, 
 which is very satisfactory, for I often feel very 
 v/eary and need rest. I have frequently stood 
 long on my feet in meeting, for one no better 
 qualified for the work. I feel that I have much 
 to be thankful for, and above all that the dear 
 Master has been with me in a remarkable man-
 
 ELWOOD DEAN 41 
 
 ner from day to day, qualifying for the service 
 which He requires, and is strength in weak- 
 ness, riches in poverty and a present helper in 
 the needful time, strengthening for every good 
 word and work. My dear Elizabeth, let us 
 bow in humility and thankfulness at His holy 
 foot stool, for He richly rewards those who 
 diligently seek Him. Glory to His ever worthy 
 name! I would like my love given to dear E. 
 H. Hope she will not give out by the way, but 
 be strengthened to do the Lord's holy will, be- 
 ing faithful to the pointings of duty that she 
 may occupy the precious gift committed to 
 her trust, so that she mav receive the answer, 
 'Well done, eood and faithful servant: 
 enter into the joy of thy Lord.' 
 
 With much love to thee, dear E., Elwood 
 Dean. 
 
 "7th Mo. 1st. My Dear Elizabeth: I re- 
 ceived thine today and was very glad to hear 
 from thee. I sympathize with thee in thy lone- 
 liness, but I believe it is better thou did not 
 come, as thou could not have traveled right 
 on, all the hundreds of miles I have, and thy 
 faith and strength have held out, without a 
 miracle. It would often have been very incon- 
 venient getting from station to station. I can 
 walk a little without hurting myself, (farther 
 than' thou could) which is a great accommoda- 
 tion sometimes. Phebe W. Roberts and I 
 traveled in great harmony and unity. We at- 
 tended ten meetings in seven days, all favored
 
 42 ELWOOD DEAN 
 
 seasons, some of them particularly so. One of 
 them where Joseph Rhoades lives, at Spring- 
 field, was very large and remarkably favored. 
 I think I have never known the power of Truth 
 to prevail more, through such a feeble instru- 
 ment as I am. P. W. R. is a very sweet spirited 
 minister and has been much favored. .She is 
 much beloved by Friends here, and has great 
 place with them generally. We have got 
 through with Concord Quarter, but Phebe 
 wishes to hold a meeting on First day at her 
 own meeting house and wishes me to attend, 
 which I feel like doing. 
 
 "Last Second day attended the Monthly 
 Meeting at Media, and the usual meeting the 
 day previous, a large favored meeting. On 
 Third day went to Salem Monthly Meeting, 
 New Jersey. Phebe's mission being about ac- 
 complished she did not go, but J. S. E. did. 
 
 . . . Last evening we had a large meeting 
 in the city with the colored Methodists. The 
 congregation appeared to be a well educated 
 class of people. The bishop and Minister were 
 both present. It was a solemn meeting and an 
 interesting time. 'One nicely behaved colored 
 woman came here this morning to see us. 
 There had been allusion made to the good 
 Shepherd's voice, which touched her heart and 
 she came to have some conversation with us on 
 that subject. She said she had long been con- 
 vinced that it was her duty to preach. She 
 knew there was a prejudice against woman's
 
 ELWOOD DEAN 43 
 
 preaching and she had suffered much before 
 she gave up had been brought very low, and 
 covenanted to be faithful if raised up again, 
 and, when she got well, thought it her duty to 
 go South to Virginia, etc., where she had 
 preached to both white and colored people, and 
 had experienced great peace in endeavoring to 
 follow the good Shepherd, and much success 
 had crowned her labors. It was a very inter- 
 esting interview. We were all edified together 
 and she went on her way rejoicing. 
 
 "I received a good letter from John Brant- 
 ingham encouraging me to hold on to the 
 work, until I see the right time for a release. 
 I want thee, too, to depend on the heavenly 
 Master, our tender and merciful Father who 
 cares for the lonely sparrows, and will care 
 for thee while he calls for my services abroad. 
 I could not expect to have peace if I did not 
 follow Him faithfully. That is the way to 
 work out my soul's salvation, that I may re- 
 ceive the reward of 'Well done, thou good and 
 faithful servant: . . . enter thou into the 
 joy of thy Lord.' If I am only favored to 
 finish my course in peace, it is more than all 
 worldly enjoyment. 'Pray one for another; 
 . . . the effectual fervent prayer of a right- 
 eous man availeth much.' With love, fare- 
 well. Elwood Dean. 
 
 Phebe W. Roberts to Elwood Dean. 
 
 "Elwood Dean, Dear Friend: Our dear 
 daughter was much gratified by receiving a let-
 
 44 ELWOOD DEAN 
 
 ter from thee this morning. We were very 
 glad to hear from you, and thy account of the 
 meetings you visited was interesting, as I have 
 been amongst the Friends at Muncy Monthly 
 Meeting some years ago. Suppose by this 
 time you are on your way to Ohio, where a 
 warm welcome awaits you, and the rich reward 
 of peace will be granted an hundred fold in this 
 life, and in one to come everlasting life, is the 
 precious promise to those who leave all for the 
 dear Master's sake and the Gospel's; and thy 
 dear E. will partake of the 'spoil' and nothing 
 short of the Everlasting Arms could have sup- 
 ported her in thy absence. .No doubt many 
 anxious moments she has had, as thy health 
 was not good when thou first came amongst 
 us, but that improved as thou journey 
 around. Cannot we adopt the language, 
 'Hitherto hath the Lord helped us?' The 
 comfort and strength thy visit was to some of 
 the little ones, will be remembered, and I doubt 
 not a blessing will rest upon thy labors, and 
 some who are wandering from the fold be 
 awakened to a more serious consideration of 
 their latter end. The feeling of thy mind may 
 be 'I have done no more than was my duty 
 to do', attended with the feeling of being an 
 unprofitable servant, but though we are not to 
 rejoice when the spirits are made subject to us, 
 yet it is said, 'Rather rejoice because your 
 names are written in heaven.' 
 
 The visit to the meetings in our Quarterly 
 Meeting, for which I was liberated before
 
 ELWOOD DEAN 45 
 
 knowing thee was coming amongst us was to 
 me a fresh evidence of the tender regard and 
 compassion of our Heavenly Father, making a 
 way where no way was seen. My heart was 
 humbled under a fresh sense of His goodness 
 and mercy, which has followed me all the days 
 of my life. The visit to those meetings with 
 thee and thy dear companion, the Friends 
 houses where we were together and, at some 
 of them, the little heavenly showers that de- 
 scended to the refreshing of the weary, trav- 
 eler Zionward, are seasons to be remembered. 
 
 "Your Yearly Meeting is drawing on. I 
 shall be with you in mind, and may Israel's 
 unslumbering Shepherd agains overshadow 
 you with His holy presence, enabling you to 
 transact the weighty concerns of the Church. 
 I was comforted in being with you last year, 
 and Friends of that Yearly Meeting feel as 
 'bone of my bone' and would that way might 
 open to renew correspondence. Please give 
 my love to those who inquire for thy poor 
 friend. We shall be glad to hear from thee at 
 any time. Tell Jesse a letter from him will 
 be acceptable. Jacob joins in love to you both 
 and dear E. I remain thy friend. Phebe W. 
 Roberts." 
 
 Letter from George J. Scatergood to Eliz- 
 abeth Dean. 
 
 "Dear Friend: Believing it would be 
 agreeable to thee to hear from some of those
 
 46 ELWOOD DEAN 
 
 amongst whom thy valued husband has lately 
 been engaged in religious labors, I write, partly 
 at his suggestion, to give thee some information 
 respecting him, not doubting, however, that by 
 his own pen thou hast frequently been made 
 acquainted with his movements and some of his 
 exercises. The day before yesterday he left 
 Philadelphia for Reading not expecting to re- 
 turn to these parts; and in retrospect of the 
 visit which he had paid us here, I fully believe 
 he will feel a sweet reward of peace. His labors 
 have been very earnest and diligent and his 
 ministry has been accompanied with convinc- 
 ing power and with that refreshment, at times, 
 to the well concerned which animates the soul, 
 and which proves the validity of his commis- 
 sion as minister of the Gospel, while his conver- 
 sation out of meeting has been attended fre- 
 quently with an innocent cheerfulness, which 
 has rendered his company very satisfactory and 
 instructive. 
 
 In reviewing his visit here, atended, as it 
 has been, with a cordial reception from various 
 classes amongst us, and accompanied with the 
 evidences which Truth furnishes, it has been 
 a subject of sincere satisfaction that his steps 
 have been turned this way, and I trust the 
 fruits of his labors, consistent example and de- 
 dication, may appear both in individuals and in 
 our collective capacity, tending, as I believe it 
 will, to draw more nearly together the mem- 
 bers of our respective Yearly Meetings, and
 
 ELWOOD DEAN 47 
 
 removing doubts and prejudices in the minds 
 of some which have acted as obstacles to that 
 fellowship which should, I believe, more con- 
 spicuously appear between these two bodies. 
 My wife desires her love to thee. I am thy sin- 
 cere friend, G. J. Scattergood." 
 
 Elwood Dean to a friend under affliction: 
 "It would be very pleasant to know how thou 
 art getting along whether thy health im: 
 proves or not. There seems no other way for 
 such as thou, and indeed for any of us, than 
 to endeavor to 'let patience have her perfect 
 v. ork, that we may be perfect and entire, want- 
 ing nothing.' If fully resigned, the language 
 will sometimes come to us, 'My grace is suffi- 
 cient for thee.' And indeed the time is short 
 for any of us. 'Our life is but a vapor that ap- 
 peareth for a little time and then vanisheth 
 away.' I still remember at times that beauti- 
 ful psalm, 'The Lord is my shepherd; I shall 
 not want. He maketh me to lie down in green 
 pastures ; He leadeth me beside the still waters. 
 He restoreth my soul; He leadeth me in the 
 paths of righteousness for His name's sake. 
 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the 
 shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou 
 art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they com- 
 fort me.' 
 
 "My dear friend, neither think the time 
 long nor hard when the Bridegroom is pleased 
 to withdraw His holy presence from us for a 
 time. We may feel to exclaim as the Psalmist
 
 48 ELWOOD DEAN 
 
 did, 'Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and 
 why art thou disquieted within me?' but let us 
 be encouraged as he was to say, 'Hope thou in 
 God; for I shall yet praise Him, who is the 
 health of my countenance and my God.' In 
 quietness and confidence is thy strength at 
 these times, and then the encouraging lan- 
 guage, 'He that endureth to the end shall be 
 saved,' and shall pass through the valley of the 
 shadow of death and fear no evil." 
 
 From Elizabeth Dean's diary: "Called to 
 see Amelia Maerkt and daughters. They seem 
 to feel their loss (the death of F. M.) very 
 much. Amelia, on being asked her maiden 
 name, said it was Steinhofer, and that it was 
 her grandfather of whom we have read the ac- 
 count that as he was going to visit a sick man, 
 one First day afternoon, he was waylaid by a 
 man who intended to shoot him, but thought he 
 saw two men walking with him, by which he 
 was deterred from doing so. 
 
 4th Mo. 27th We have now attended all 
 the meetings belonging to Ohio Yearly Meet- 
 ing except those in Iowa. We have passed 
 through much exercise of mind, and find things 
 low in many places, yet the Lord in His un- 
 bounded goodness and mercy is still watching 
 over our poor stripped and peeled Society for 
 good, warning, calling, and inviting us to all 
 turn to Him, to cleave unto Him, that we may 
 be with Him, and then He will be with us, to 
 our comfort and peace, and will build us up.
 
 ELWOOD DEAN 49 
 
 We found a living remnant among those who 
 appeared to be mourning over the desolation 
 cf Zion. Some in every meeting with whom 
 we could freely mingle and take sweet counsel 
 
 together, and had many sweet and precious 
 seasons of meetings, when the overshadowing 
 of heavenly good was experienced and the 
 
 descendings as of the early and the latter rain, 
 much to the refreshment of our souls. For 
 these precious seasons we ought to give thanks 
 unto the Lord's ever worthy name. 
 
 "6th Mo. 25th Visited the State Prison 
 at Animosa, and were kindly and cordially 
 received by the officers in charge. We were 
 invited into their meeting room where they 
 were assembled for scripture reading and in- 
 struction, after which their meeting was held. 
 After they had gone through with their ser- 
 vice the way was opened for E. to address 
 them. He spoke at considerable ^"ojth, open- 
 ing unto them the way of life and salvation 
 and encouraging them to lay hold of the hope 
 set before them, whereby they might, through 
 true repentance, receive the remission of their 
 sins and experience a preparation for a happy 
 eternity. There was a stranger present by 
 the name of Henry C. Parson, who addressed 
 them in a very touching manner, saying that 
 he had in his early life, been a prisoner just as 
 they were now. He seemed to enter into feel- 
 ing with them, and gave them very good advice 
 for both the present and the future, particularly
 
 50 ELWOOD DEAN 
 
 when the time came for them to leave there. 
 He spoke highly of the Society of Friends, as 
 a class of people to whom they might look for 
 help and encouragement in the right way. 
 Many of the prisoners shed tears. I believe 
 there were about one hundred and seventy in- 
 mates, many of whom were young or middle 
 aged." 
 
 Letter from Elwood Dean to Joseph S. 
 Elkinton. 
 
 "Dear Friend: It seems like I have been 
 very neglectful in regard to answering letters, 
 but my situation and condition has been such 
 that I could not write much. I have passed 
 through many exercises and perils, within and 
 without. No perils by sea, but some by land 
 and perils among all sorts of things, added to 
 which my health has been poor and remains 
 so. I am sitting now with my foot up on a 
 chair on account of my limb being swollen 
 and painful. Thou may remember our meet- 
 ing at T. Patterson's near Stillwater, many 
 years ago. I was then suffering with a swol- 
 len and painful limb which gradually grew 
 better and has never troubled me much since. 
 My suffering now is from a similar attack on 
 the other limb, so taking all things into con- 
 sideration, I believe we may say, 'This is not 
 the place of our rest,' but we must look for 
 that perfect rest only in the home above 
 where 'The wicked cease from troubling and 
 the weary be at rest.'
 
 ELWOOD DEAN 51 
 
 "We have been among the scattered rem- 
 nants both in Indiana and Kansas, but we 
 have not visited those in Iowa yet, and do not 
 know whether we shall. Time will determine. 
 We have visited the meeting in Linn County, 
 Iowa and Hickory Grove and West Branch 
 in Cedar County. I do not see when we 
 shall leave this neighborhood, nor do I feel 
 sure that we are clear of some of the other 
 meetings in Iowa yet. That I must leave for 
 the present, and try to live a day at a time. 
 We have met with some honest-hearted 
 goodly Friends in the different neighborhoods 
 amongst those scattered remnants that have 
 withdrawn from the larger bodies. We have 
 met with some things in Cedar County, I sup- 
 pose, very similar to what thou met with 
 here. In all our travels the effect of the fall 
 seems manifest, and I am often reminded of 
 the language of an Apostle, 'For this purpose 
 the Son of God was manifested, that He 
 might destroy the works of the Devil.' He 
 was, in great mercy, manifested for this pur- 
 pose, but the subtlety of the Enemy is so 
 great, and the allurements of sin so prevalent 
 that many choose what, to them, seems pleas- 
 ure, the blinding, fascinating pleasures for a 
 season, rather than hear the voice of Him who 
 said, 'If any man will come after Me, let him 
 deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and 
 follow me,' so that the work goes on slowly 
 and many seem in danger of taking up a 
 rest short of the true rest; yet I believe there
 
 52 ELWOOD DEAN 
 
 are many scattered up and down who are 
 enquiring the way to Zion, with their faces 
 thitherward. May these 'Be strengthened 
 with might by His spirit in the inner man' and 
 enabled to hold on their way, for those who 
 continue faithful to the end shall be saved, 
 shall receive the crown of life which fadeth 
 not away; and surely, to these, the trials and 
 afflictions of the present time are not to be 
 compared to the glory which shall be re- 
 vealed. 
 
 "Amidst my many probations, I have this 
 one comfort and evidence of life, that I still 
 feel that I love the brethren and desire the 
 prosperity of Truth and the advancement of 
 the good cause. .As to those fearfully de- 
 structive cyclones, I have not heard of any 
 Friends suffering the loss of life or property, 
 but when we are surounded with so many 
 perils and imminent dangers, ought not our 
 hearts to be humbled, and the solmen lan- 
 guage to come home to us all 'Be ye there- 
 fore ready also for the Son of Man cometh at 
 an hour when ye think not, and ye may be 
 called from time to eternity.' E. Dean." 
 
 Letter from R. E. Patterson to E. Dean. 
 
 "2nd Mo. 21st 1882. Dear Friend El- 
 wood Dean: I do prize the privilege of fol- 
 lowing up in feeling for, and with the laborers 
 in the work of the gospel, and would bid those 
 now on this embassy in the West God-speed 
 on their journey, earnestly desiring that a
 
 ELWOOD DEAN 53 
 
 blessing may rest upon the labor that I believe 
 is called for, in gathering those that have 
 been scattered in a cloudy and dark day; as 
 well as to minister to the needs of the sheep 
 and lambs of the Flock, under the fresh an- 
 nointing and putting forth of the good Shep- 
 herd, who sees need even in this day to equip 
 and send forth those whom He will, with the 
 command 'Feed my sheep feed my lambs.' 
 And if the call should seem to be often re- 
 peated, how good it is to feel that He who 
 putteth forth goeth before and not only mak- 
 eth the way in the hearts of the people, but is 
 mouth and wisdom, tongue and utterance, in 
 all that He requireth, and a rich rewarder of 
 all those that willingly serve Him. Even the 
 good of the land is in store for those who dili- 
 gently serve the great Lord of the harvest, as 
 thou, dear friend, can bear testimony to, 
 though thou may and will realize the varied 
 baptisms that are needful by the way. Sum- 
 mer and winter, seed time and harvest, were 
 to continue unto the very end. And what son 
 is there whom the Father chasteneth not, and 
 who would not rather bear the chastening rod 
 than slide into an easier path which leads to 
 destruction. R. E. Paterson." 
 
 In a letter to J. Walton, dated 8th Mo. 29th 
 Elwood Dean says: 
 
 "Notice was given for next day, being 
 First day. The house was well filled and it 
 proved a relieving time to my mind, and the
 
 54 ELWOOD DEAN 
 
 people seemed satisfied. I think we had com- 
 plete evidence that there are many people in 
 different parts of the country who are glad of 
 the privilege of attending meetings held after 
 the ancient order and practice of Friends, and 
 that the doctrines of the gospel should be 
 again held forth, as they were believed in, and 
 practiced by those sons of the morning, who 
 were instrumental in gathering our beloved 
 Society in the beginning, viz., Geo. Fox, Wm. 
 Penn, Robert Barclay and a host of others in 
 that day. The power that gathered them re- 
 mains the same. The gospel light life and 
 power changeth not, and therefore the sons 
 of Jacob are not consumed, the foundations 
 are not destroyed, and after man has wearied 
 himself in bringing in changes and innova- 
 tions in principle and practice, endeavoring 
 to find an easier path to walk in, an easier way 
 to climb up to heaven, than the way of the 
 cross. It will be found that 'The foundation 
 of God standeth sure, having this seal, the 
 Lord knoweth them that are His,' and that, 
 Other foundation can no man lay than that 
 is laid which is Jesus Christ,' and that to 
 build on this foundation the carnal mind must 
 be siain, the old man with his deeds put off, 
 and the new man, created anew in Christ 
 Jesus, put on which is not an imaginary work 
 but a real work, an experimental, heart cleans- 
 ing work, through the powerful operation of 
 the holy Spirit, purifying and sanctifying the 
 soul; not only fitting and preparing it for the
 
 ELWOOD DEAN 55 
 
 mansions of eternal rest and peace, but also 
 for an habitation for his holy Spirit to dwell 
 in. Whilst we, as strangers and pilgrims, are 
 journeying through this wilderness world, the 
 blessed Spirit is as a light to our feet, and a 
 lantern to our paths, and is the true Com- 
 forter whom Christ said the Father would 
 send in His name, '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.' . . . 
 
 'My faith remains firm that there will 
 be again, a time of gathering, a time when the 
 voice of the true Shepherd will be more and 
 more heard in the land, for there shall be one 
 fold and one Shepherd. The gospel truths 
 proclaimed by our worthy predecessors in 
 the beginning, are as unchangeable as their 
 Author, and however they may be despised 
 and rejected and trampled under foot for a 
 time, yet they will arise again in greater 
 brightness and beauty and must gradually 
 spread over the whole earth until 'The king- 
 doms of this world are become the kingdoms 
 of our Lord, and of His Christ.' This hope is 
 animating and should encourage everyone to 
 faithfulness, watchfulness and diligence, that 
 we may be found in our allotments at the end 
 of the day. Having fought the good fight, fin- 
 ished our course and kept the faith, there will 
 be laid up for us a crown of eternal life in the 
 world to come."
 
 56 ELWOOD DEAN 
 
 "Joseph Walton, My Dear Friend: Thy 
 acceptable letter of the 5th inst. was duly re- 
 ceived, and we were glad to hear from thee, 
 as we always are. I think the matters alluded 
 to, in relation to our Yearly Meeting, are 
 worthy of consideration. There is balm in 
 Gilead and there is a physician there, who is 
 able to heal all our maladies, to forgive upon 
 true repentence, all our sins, and to love us 
 freely. If all were truly humbled and 
 brought to see the necessity of having the 
 beam cast out of our own eyes, before en- 
 deavoring to cast the mote from a brother's 
 eye, there would be more humility, more 
 charity, more love, more forbearance one 
 towards another and thus feeling the love of 
 God shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy 
 Ghost, there would be more prosperity, more 
 joy and rejoicing in the camp, more breaking 
 of bread from house to house heavenly 
 bread by which our souls would be nourished, 
 and more eating of our meat with glad- 
 ness and singleness of heart. Did we all ear- 
 nestly seek for this,and to be baptised by the 
 one Spirit into the one body of which Christ 
 Jesus is the head, there might still be added 
 to the church daily, such as should be saved. 
 
 " .... I think it was well that the 
 Meeting for Sufferings issued the minute in 
 regard to missionary work. . I believe it is 
 right for the Church to pursue a straightfor- 
 ward course whether all will hear or not. 
 'Watchman, what of the night?' It seems
 
 ELWOOD DEAN 57 
 
 necessary for the Church to give warning of 
 the approach of danger whether the people 
 will hear or forbear. Our eyes should not be 
 closed to the dangers that surround us. ... 
 Elwood Dean." 
 
 From Barclay Stratton to Elwood Dean. 
 
 "Barnesville, Ohio, 4th Mo. 2nd, 1886. I 
 should hardly intrude myself on thee in this 
 way just now, had not my wife volunteered 
 her advice to me to write thee and tell thee 
 to come this way and stop awhile with us. 
 Now, although thou certainly knows thy own 
 business best, and we should all feel to com- 
 mend and recommend thee to the unerring 
 Guide in all thy movements, yet is it not 
 allowable to feel and to sympathize in so good 
 a work, and even, shall I say, to mingle per- 
 sonally together, thus strengthening and be- 
 ing strengthened, each to journey forward in 
 the work before us, whether it be in active 
 service or in patient endurance. While we 
 heard with satisfaction of thy prospect to at- 
 tend Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, we were 
 glad that coupled with it, was a concern also 
 to visit our own flock. Weak as we are indi- 
 vidually, and consequently collectively as an 
 organization or Yearly Meeting, we occupy a 
 most important position in the ranks of those 
 who are especially called to raise and support 
 a standard for the truth, the unchanging 
 truth as it is in Jesus, and as professed by all 
 true Friends.
 
 58 ELWOOD DEAN 
 
 "The strange confession of 'Non-Belief 
 published by the 'Select Meeting' of the Binns 
 body has awakened an honest enquiry, 
 which together with departures in the same 
 direction, throughout the Society, more or less 
 apparrent, has raised in many a curiosity, and 
 I trust in a goodly number (what if seven 
 thousand) a concern to know where we are, 
 where the old Yearly Meeting now stands as 
 regards its support of the fundamental prin- 
 ciples of the gospel, and of the precious testi- 
 monies inseparable therefrom. The eyes, there- 
 fore, not only of organized bodies, but of indi- 
 viduals throughout the Society, are now fixed 
 upon us. Therefore, not only for our own 
 sakes, but that we may not be a stumbling 
 block to others, we are loudly called upon at 
 this time to show to those around, even the 
 curious multitude, what is our faith by our 
 works. I feel that language is feeble to ex- 
 press the concern we should feel, to be found 
 inquiring for the 'Old paths' and concerned 
 to walk therein. That, amidst weak- 
 nesses, there remains a goodly number of 
 such, I cannot but hope, and that they may be 
 strengthened is my sincere desire. * * * * 
 My dear wife joins in love, Barclay Stratton." 
 
 In the spring of 1886, having been liberated 
 to attend Philadelphia Yearly Meeting and 
 some of the meetings belonging thereto, also 
 some meetings within the limits of Ohio Year- 
 ly Meeting, and appoint some meetings 
 amongst those not members of our Society, he,
 
 ELWOOD DEAN 59 
 
 accompanied by his wife, was in attendance at 
 the opening session, of which he writes: 
 
 "Second day morning the Yearly Meeting- 
 for business commenced. It was an interesting 
 and instructive occasion. The minutes of the 
 Meeting for Sufferings were read and much 
 unity was expressed with its proceedings. A 
 few objected to the minute of advice on mis- 
 sion work wishing Friends left at liberty, but 
 the large body of the meeting stood firm and 
 united on the ancient ground, many of the 
 younger part uniting with their elder brethren 
 in support of the ancient testimony, which was 
 comforting to witness. 
 
 "On Sixth day, the 23rd, the Yearly Meet- 
 ing closed, and I was reminded of the language 
 of George Fox, where he said, 'Let all your 
 men's and women's meetings be held in the 
 power of the Lord, for the power of the Lord 
 God is the authority for all your men's and 
 women's meetings.' I believe this was the 
 concern of many Friends, and it felt to me that 
 the overshadowing and solemnizing presence 
 of the great Head of the Church was vouch- 
 safed from sitting to sitting, even to the close 
 which was a great mercy and cause for humble 
 and heartfelt gratitude for His goodness and 
 merciful kindness to the children of men. 
 
 "5th Mo. 24th : Attended North Meeting 
 in the city, it being the day of their Monthly 
 Meeting. Was silent in the meeting for wor- 
 ship, but had a relieving testimony in the busi- 
 ness meeting, to the tenderly visited ones, who
 
 60 ELWOOD DEAN 
 
 might apprehend themselves called to the min- 
 istry, to be very careful to attend to their open- 
 ings, neither to go before their Guide nor to lag 
 behind lest they lose their way, but through 
 faithfulness they might be preserved in the 
 current of life and keep in the unity of the 
 Spirit to the edification of the body and com- 
 fort of their own souls. 
 
 "6th Mo. 11, 1886: This is my birthday 
 and completes my seventieth year. Three 
 score and ten! The time appointed unto men. 
 Goodness and mercy have followed me all the 
 days of my life. Oh that I might 'Praise the 
 Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful 
 works to the children of men! For He satis- 
 fieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry 
 soul with goodness.' 
 
 "7th Mo. 2nd: Attended meeting. 
 
 Many meetings are small, but the merciful 
 kindness of our heavenly Father is still mani- 
 fested in vouchsafing His holy presence, and 
 He is still wait ing to be gracious unto all, call- 
 ing unto more faithfulness and dedication unto 
 Him. If all who were called were faithful to 
 the call, there would be judges raised up as at 
 the first and counsellors as at the beginning. 
 There would be standard bearers for the truth, 
 and a gathering to the true fold. Many would 
 flock to the banner displayed for the truth, as 
 doves to the windows; but 'The cares of this 
 world, and the deceitfulness of riches and the 
 lust of other things entering in, choke the
 
 ELWOOD DEAN 
 
 word, and it becometh unfruitful' in many 
 in very many, so that the ways of Zion mourn, 
 because so few come to her solemn feasts. So 
 few are gathered into the fold of rest and peace 
 under the government and guidance of the 
 good Shepherd, who said, 'I know my sheep 
 and am known of mine. They know my voice 
 and follow me, and a stranger will they not 
 follow, but will flee from him for they know 
 not the voice of strangers.' 
 
 "7th Mo. 16th : Divers Friends came in to 
 bid us farewell. Way opened for a comfor- 
 table parting season, the language presenting, 
 'Be still and know that I am God.' More fol- 
 lowed, and our hearts were solemnized to- 
 gether. We had a sweet and solmen parting 
 with the family in the morning, some others 
 coming in besides J. E.'s family at reading 
 time. Exhortation and supplication closed the 
 opportunity. 
 
 "Arrived at the home of B. L.'s in the 
 evening, lodged there and on the 18th sat down 
 with them and a number of neighbors who 
 came in to sit with us at their usual meeting. 
 And He who had promised to be with the two 
 or three who were met in His name, deigned 
 to be present with us, and we were comforted 
 together and testimony was borne to His un- 
 failing goodness and mercies, to those who de- 
 sire to worship Him in humilty and Godly fear. 
 Thanksgiving and praise be unto Him who sit- 
 teth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, who
 
 62 ELWOOD DEAN 
 
 are worthy forever and forever, amen. 
 
 "Came to Salem, Ohio, on the 19th, and 
 visited the meetings composing that Quarter, 
 many of the sittings being times of favor. Vis- 
 ited our old home at Augusta. Went into all 
 the different rooms of the house we used to oc- 
 cupy. It was uninhabited and looked desolate. 
 I walked over the farm, and it brought to my 
 remembrance the days of my childhood and 
 youth, and the many happy days spent there 
 when the family was unbroken, but tears were 
 ready to flow when I was afresh reminded that 
 so many loved ones had gone to that place 
 whence no traveler returns. 
 
 '8th Mo. 23rd: We arrived at home in 
 time for our Monthly Meeting. I returned my 
 minute with the information that I had ac- 
 complished the service for which I was liber- 
 ated to the peace and relief of my own mind, 
 so far as way opened at the present time. At 
 home, sweet home once more, and our hearts 
 are filled with thankfulness, for the kindness of 
 our dear friends wherever we came, or where- 
 ever our lot was cast, and above all for the mer- 
 ciful kindness of our heavenly Father whose 
 tender mercies are over all His works." 
 
 This was the last trip that Elizabeth Dean 
 made with her beloved husband, with whom 
 she was closely united in Christian fellowship. 
 The infirmities of age made rapid progress, and 
 in the Third Month, 1887, her helpful and devot-
 
 ELWOOD DEAN 63 
 
 ed spirit was released from its earthly taberna- 
 cle to join, we reverently trust, with the spirits 
 of just men made perfect, in celebrating the 
 name of Him whom it was her desire to serve. 
 
 Under date of 4th Mo. 6th, 1887, Elwood 
 writes to his friend J. W. 
 
 "Chesterhill, Ohio. Dear Friend: I re- 
 ceived thy kind and sympathizing letters a few 
 days since, which I must appreciate, as I felt 
 and do feel the separation and bereavement 
 much. We have lived together in much har- 
 mony for nearly fifty years the 30th 
 of next Eleventh Month would have completed 
 that term. But the hope and belief that her 
 work was accomplished and her peace made, 
 brings me to where I desire to feel resignation 
 and could not wish her again to have to en- 
 counter the trials, the conflicts and tribulations 
 of this probationary state, believing that my 
 great loss is her eternal gain. And Oh, for 
 preservation the few remaining days allotted 
 me here on earth! .My pilgrimage must be 
 well nigh ended. A few more years at most 
 must close the scene, and if I am saved, it will 
 be all of mercy and no merit of mine. The 
 dear departed one was an excellent counsellor, 
 a loving and sympathizing friend and cheerful 
 companion, a great comfort and true helpmeet 
 to me. I believe I might adopt the language of 
 Job, 'The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken 
 away; blessed be the name of the Lord.' She 
 was a firm believer in the doctrines and testi-
 
 64 ELWOOD DEAN 
 
 monies held by faithful Friends from the be- 
 ginning, and earnestly desired their support, 
 believing it was simply primative Christianity 
 revived. With love to thee and thy dear wife, 
 E. D." 
 
 Letter from P. W. R. 
 
 "Elwood Dean, Dear Friend: We have 
 been introduced into near and tender sympa- 
 thy with thee, hearing of the removal by death 
 of thy beloved companion. We have heard 
 but little of the particulars. Glad to hear that 
 thee was at home, and I thought of Daniel 
 Wheeler and what he said in a letter to his 
 children when his dear wife was taken to her 
 eternal rest: 'The beloved and precious part- 
 ner of all my joys and sorrows has passed not 
 from life to death but from death unto life 
 eternal.' And I trust, dear friend, thou can 
 adopt a similar language and that the ever- 
 lasting Arms of love and mercy are underneath 
 for thy support, and will enable thee to finish 
 the work thou mayest yet have to do, and when 
 a few more conflicts are endured will gather 
 thee also into His kingdom of rest and peace 
 where we believe she has been safely gathered 
 as a shock of corn fully ripe for the heavenly 
 garner. * * * *" 
 
 From Elwood Dean to J. S. E. 
 
 "9th Mo. 4th, 1887. Dear Friend: I re- 
 ceived thy kind and welcome letter in due time, 
 enquiring after my welfare, etc., and it should
 
 ELWOOD DEAN 65 
 
 have been answered long ere this, but my 
 apology must be inability, (so little of inter- 
 est) to write, often feeling very poor, and un- 
 worthy of the least of the Lord's mercies, and 
 my health poor, often feeble and discouraged, 
 feeling lonely and bereft of my greatest earthly 
 stay and comfort. Yet I do not wish to mur- 
 mur nor complain, for I am blessed with far 
 more than I am worthy of. Yet that lonely 
 feeling, and my great loss and bereavement 
 often comes over me with almost overwhelming 
 force, yet not so but that I am at times favored 
 to feel that the Lord's mercies are over all His 
 works, and that 'He doth not afflict willingly, 
 nor grieve the children of men.' And the com- 
 forting presence of His love is at times felt to 
 renew the spiritual strength, faith, hope and 
 courage to press forward toward the mark, 
 still hoping, though mercy, to be enabled to 
 obtain the prize in the end. What would be- 
 come of such poor mortals if it were not for 
 our strength and faith being renewed from time 
 to time, by the love of God shed abroad in our 
 hearts by the Holy Ghost? We would indeed 
 sink into despondency if it were not that His 
 mercies are renewed from season to season, 
 with the evidence of forgiveness and accept- 
 ance.. This, with His love flowing toward 
 Southland enabled me to propose holding a 
 meeting there recently, for the few Friends 
 there, with an invitation to those not members. 
 It was well attended and proved a satisfactory 
 and relieving opportunity to my mind. That
 
 66 ELWOOD DEAN 
 
 is the only public meeting I have held this 
 summer, but have frequently had a word for 
 other meetings of our Quarter, but have felt 
 excused from going much abroad. 
 
 "I have often remembered your affection- 
 ate kindness to my dear departed companion 
 and my self, when sojourning amongst you. 
 His 'loving kindness is better than life,' and 
 may He reward you with His love and protect- 
 ing care, and preserve our souls alive in time 
 of famine, spiritual famine, when we feel to be 
 poor and needy, our souls ready to faint by the 
 way. Then let us remember His precious 
 promise: 'When the poor and needy seek 
 water, and there is none, and their tongue fail- 
 eth for thirst, I the Lord will hear them, I the 
 God of Israel will not forsake them. I will open 
 rivers in high places and fountains in the midst 
 of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a 
 pool of water, and the dry land springs of 
 water.' These things will He do for his hum- 
 ble, dependent children, and those who feel that 
 they have none in heaven but Him, and none 
 in the earth that they desire in comparison with 
 Him. He will never leave nor forsake these, 
 but will keep them as the apple of His eye, 
 feed them with the bread of life, guide and 
 protect them even unto the end, and crown 
 them with eternal life. Elwood Dean." 
 
 "4th Mo. 18th. Joseph Walton, Dear 
 Friend : I have been expecting to write to thee 
 all winter, but other things have intervened
 
 ELWOOD DEAN 67 
 
 and crowded it out until now. I have done but 
 very little writing, and have spent most of the 
 time at home. I took a journey to the meetings 
 of Salem and Stillwater Quarters, and appoint- 
 ed one meeting a few miles south of Chester- 
 field, among those not of our Society, all of 
 which was attended with the reward of peace. 
 I felt richly rewarded for what seemed like an 
 evening sacrifice. I have missed my dear 
 companion more than words can tell. My 
 heart so fully trusted in her, when she was re- 
 moved it seemed almost as though the staff and 
 stay of my life were gone from me. But no 
 doubt all was done in best wisdom, and for a 
 wise purpose. * * * * 
 
 He was surrounded by kind relatives and 
 friends who offered him a home, but the ties 
 that bound him to his own were strong, and he 
 says, "I have felt so much of a desire to oc- 
 cupy my own dear little home that I have made 
 arrangements to go to housekeping after 
 Yearly Meeting. Brother B's widow, Ann 
 Dean, will come and take the management, if 
 all is well." She proved to be a helpful com- 
 panion to him, trying to animate and enliven 
 his lonely life. His health became more feeble 
 and he was not much from home in religious 
 service, though his communications in his own 
 meeting were lively and acceptable 
 
 Ann Dean writes : "5th Mo. 6th, 1888. 
 Brother Elwood's health is somewhat im- 
 proved since the weather has become more
 
 68 ELWOOD DEAN 
 
 settled, though he frequently has dizzy spells, 
 more especially when he undertakes to write, 
 which is the main cause of his not answering 
 his letters more promptly, but it is a great 
 pleasure to him to receive letters from his 
 friends: so write often if they do not get an- 
 swered promptly." 
 
 In the Eighth Month of 1888 he was mar- 
 ried to Edna Peebles, whose loving and tender 
 care of him was much appreciated, and very 
 consoling to him during the last two years of 
 his life. In speaking of her in a letter dated 
 4th Month 1st, 1889, he says, "My dear com- 
 panion is very affectionate and sympathizing, 
 and is a great comfort to me, doing all that a 
 loving companion can for my relief and com- 
 fort in this time of affliction." 
 
 In the Second Month, 1889, he was stricken 
 with paralysis, losing almost entirely the use 
 of his left side. He bore his affliction with 
 Christian patience, expressing a feeling that he 
 had done but little to advance that cause which 
 was nearest his heart, viz., "That cause which 
 is dignified by immortality and crowned with 
 eternal life." He said at one time that his life 
 had been to little purpose, expressing the 
 thought that he might yet become a castaway, 
 that we have no power of ourselves to appro- 
 priate the promises unless they are opened to us 
 thus relying entirely on the mercies of a cruci- 
 fied, risen and glorified Lord.
 
 ELWOOD DEAN 69 
 
 His disease gradually increasing, weak- 
 ened the body, but we reverently believe the 
 Everlasting Arms were underneath, sustain- 
 ing his exercised spirit, which was released 
 from its tenement of clay on the 6th of Sev- 
 enth Month, 1890, to join the "spirits of just 
 men made perfect," leaving to his friends the 
 earnest legacy, "Follow me as I have endeav- 
 ored to follow Christ." 
 
 TESTIMONY OF ROBERT MILHOUSE 
 CONCERNING ELWOOD DEAN. 
 
 I was intimately acquainted with Elwood 
 Dean, we being members of the same Quarterly 
 Meeting. I may say I loved him and believe 
 he was truly a humble follower of his Divine 
 Master. It was his lot to travel much from 
 home in the service of the ministry, and I be- 
 lieve he was careful on all occasions to wait 
 for the fresh anointing from on High, which 
 is the source of all true gospel ministry. In 
 the latter years of his useful life he was de- 
 prived of the privilege for a considerable 
 length of time by a disorder of a paralytic na- 
 ture, of assembling with his Friends in a meet- 
 ing capacity, a privilege he highly prized when 
 of ability to do so. 
 
 Through his last illness he was often much 
 tried with feelings of desertion and poverty of 
 spirit, feeling at seasons as though the Divine 
 favor was withdrawn from him, which seemed
 
 70 ELWOOD DEAN 
 
 for a length of time to prevail. I was frequently 
 with him through his afflictions and I believe 
 there remained through all a precious evidence 
 to the contrary, and that he was under the im- 
 mediate care and protection of Isreal's un- 
 slumbering Shepherd whose favor remained un- 
 broken. Through all his trials and deep prov- 
 ings his interest in the welfare and prosperity 
 of our beloved Society seemed unabated, as he 
 frequently expressed to me when in his com- 
 pany. 
 
 I had not the opportunity of being present 
 with him in his last moments, but the testi- 
 mony I have received is that he passed away 
 very quietly, and we believe peacefully, and 
 has been gathered, as we humbly trust, as a 
 shock of corn in its season into the heavenly 
 garner. "Blessed are the dead that die in the 
 Lord from henceforth; yea, sayeth the spirit, 
 that they may rest from their labors ; and their 
 works do follow them." I attended his fu- 
 neral which was a solemn and instructive sea- 
 son, and I believe was favored with the over- 
 shadowing of the Father's love, bearing evi- 
 dence, we humbly believe, that all is well with 
 the dear departed. I was much comforted in 
 witnessing the plainness and simplicity of the 
 coffin and all appertaining thereto. 
 
 Since our dear friend has been taken from 
 us, although I do not presume to undertake 
 to fathom the works of infinite Wisdom, this 
 solemn impression seem to rest upon my mind :
 
 ELWOOD DEAN 71 
 
 That we may accept the suffering he passed 
 through and the seeming desertion, as an ex- 
 ample to show us all that we truly have noth- 
 ing to glory in, except it be our infirmities; 
 and that however favored we may have been 
 through our pilgrimage, it is all of the mercies 
 of God in Christ Jesus, and my desire is that 
 this feeling may more and more prevail 
 throughout the whole heritage of the Lord, for 
 all good emanates from Him. 
 
 ROBERT MILHOUSE. 
 Pennsville, Morgan Co., Ohio.
 
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