THE LIBRARY
OF
THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
PRESENTED BY
PROF. CHARLES A. KOFOID AND MRS. PRUDENCE W. KOFOID
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A
JOURNAL
OF
THE LIFE,
GOSPEL LABOURS, AND CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCES
OF THAT FAITHFUL
of iessuss Cfcrisst, JOHN W O O L M A N,
LATE OF MOUNT HOLLY, IN THE PROVINCE OF NEW JERSEY, NORTH AMERICA.
TO WHICH ARE ADDED
II IS WORKS,
A NEW EDITION.
" The leorfr of righteousness shall be. peace ; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever." — ISAIAH \xxiii. 17.
LONDON:
PRINTED AND SOLD BY WILLIAM PHILLIPS, GEORGE-YARD, LOMBARD-STREET.
1824.
TESTIMONY of Friends in Yorkshire, at their Quarterly -meeting held at York, the ^Ath and 2bth of the third month, 1773, concerning JOHN WOOLMAN, of Mount Holly, in the Province of New Jersey, in America, who departed this life at the hous? of our friend Thomas Priestman, in the suburbs of this City, the 1th of the \0th month, 1772, and was interred in the burial-ground of friends the 9th of the same, aged about fifty-two years.
THIS our valuable friend, having been under a religious engagement for some time, to visit friends in this nation, and more especially us in the north ern parts, undertook the same in full concurrence and near sympathy with his friends and brethren at home ; as appeared by certificates from the monthly and quarterly meetings to which he belonged, and from the spring meeting of ministers and elders, held at Philadelphia, for Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
He arrived in the city of London the beginning of the last yearly meeting,, and after attending that meeting, travelled northward,, visiting the quar terly meetings of Hertfordshire,, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, and Worcester shire, and divers particular meetings in his way.
He visited many meetings on the west side of this county, also some in Lancashire and West moreland, from whence he came to our quarterly meeting- in the last ninth month, and, though much out of health, yet was enabled to attend all the sittings of that meeting except the last.
His disorder then, which proved the small-pox, increased speedily upon him, and was very afflict ing ; under which he was supported in much meek ness, patience, and Christian fortitude. To those who attended him in his illness, his mind appeared to be centered in divine love ; under the precious influence whereof we believe he finished his course, and entered into the mansions of everlasting rest
In the early part of his illness he requested a friend to write, and he broke forth thus.
ff O Lord my God ! the amazing horrors of darkness were gathered around me and covered me all over, and I saw no way to go forth ; I felt the misery of my fellow creatures separated from the divine harmony, and it was heavier than I could bear, and I was crushed down under it; I lifted up my hand, and stretched out my arm, but there was none to help me. I looked round about, and was amazed : in the depth of misery, O Lord ! I remembered that thou art omnipotent, that I had called thee father, and I felt that I loved thee, and I was made quiet in thy will, and I waited for deliverance from thee ; thou hadst pity upon me, when no man could help me ; I saw that meekness under suffering was shewed to us in the most affect ing example of thy Son, and thou wast teaching me
5
to follow him ; and I said, thy Will, O Father, be done/'
Many more of his weighty expressions might have been inserted here ; I nit it was deemed un necessary, they being already published in print.
He was a man endued with a large natural ca pacity ; arid, being obedient to the manifestations of Divine Grace, having in patience and humility endured many deep baptisms, he became thereby sanctified and fitted for the Lord's work, and was truly serviceable in his Church. Dwelling in awful fear and watchfulness, he was careful in his public appearances to feel the putting forth of the Divine Hand ; so that the spring of the gospel ministry often flowed through him with great sweetness and purity, as a refreshing stream to the weary travel lers towards the city of God. Skilful in dividing the word, he was furnished by Him in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, to communicate freely to the several states of the people where his lot was cast. His conduct at other times was seasoned with like watchful circum spection and attention to the guidance of Divine wisdom, which rendered his whole conversation uniformly edifying.
He was fully persuaded that, as the life of Christ comes to reign in the earth, all abuse and unne cessary oppression, both of the human and brute creation, will coins to an end ; but under the sense of a deep revolt, and an overflowing stream of unrighteousness, his life has been often a life of mourning.
He was deeply concerned on account of that inhuman and iniquitous practice of making slaves of the people of Africa, or holding them in that state ; and on that account, we understand he hath not only written some books, but travelled much on the continent of America, in order to make the negro-masters (especially those in profession with us) sensible of the evil of such a practice ; and, though in this journey to England, he was far removed from the outward sign of their sufferings, yet his deep exercise of mind remained ; as appears by a short treatise he wrote in this journey, and frequent concern to open the miserable state of this deeply injured people. His testimony in the last meeting he attended was on this subject, where in he remarked, that, as we as a society, when under outward sufferings, had often fonnd it our concern to lay them before those in authority, and thereby, in the Lord's time, had obtained relief, so he recommended this oppressed part of the cre ation to our notice ; that we may, as way may open, represent their sufferings in an individual, if not a society capacity to those in authority.
Deeply sensible that the desire to gratify people's inclinations in luxury and superfluities is the prin cipal ground of oppression, arid the occasion of many unnecessary wants, he believed it to be his duty to be a pattern of great self-denial, with re spect to the things of this life, and earnestly to labour with friends in the meekness of wisdom, to impress on their minds the great importance of our testimony in these things, recommending to the
guidance of the blessed Truth in this and all other concerns, and cautioning such as are experienced therein, against contenting themselves with acting up to the standard of others, but to be careful to make the standard of Truth,, manifested to them, the measure of their obedience. <f For/' said he, ee that purity of life which proceeds from faithfulness in following the Spirit of Truth, that state where our minds are devoted to serve God, and all our wants are bounded by his wisdom : this habitation has often been opened before me as a place of retire ment for the children of the light, where they may stand separated from that which disordereth arid confuseth the affairs of society, and where we have a testimony of our innocence in the hearts of those who behold us."
We conclude with fervent desires, that we as a people may thus, by our example, promote the Lord's work in the earth; and, our hearts being prepared, may unite in prayer to the great Lord of the harvest, that, as in his infinite wisdom he hath greatly stripped the church, by removing of late divers faithful ministers and elders, he may be pleased to send forth many more faithful labourers into his harvest.
A TESTIMONY of the Monthly Meeting of Friends, held in Burlington, the first day of the eighth month, in the year of our Lord, 1774, concerning our esteemed friend, JOHN WOOL MAN, deceased.
HE was born in Northampton, in the county of Burlington, and province of West New Jersey, in the eighth month, 1720, of religious parents, who instructed him very early in the principles of the Christian religion, as professed by the people called Quakers ; which he esteemed a blessing to him, even in his younger years, tending to preserve him from the infection of wicked children : but through the workings of the enemy, and levity incident to youth, he frequently deviated from those parental precepts ; by which he laid a renewed foundation for repentance, that was finally succeeded by a godly sorrow not to be repented of; and so became acquainted with that sanctifying power which qua lifies for true gospel ministry, into which he was called about the twenty-second year of his age ; and, by a faithful use of the talents committed to him, he experienced an increase, until he arrived at the state of a father, capable of dividing the word aright to the different states he ministered unto ; dispensing milk to babes, and meat to those of
riper years. Thus he found the efficacy of that power to arise,, which in his own expressions, "pre pares the creature to stand like a trumpet through which the Lord speaks to his people/' — He was a loving husband, a tender father, and very humane to every part of the creation under his care.
His concern for the poor and those in affliction •was evident by his visits to them, whom he fre quently relieved by his assistance and charity. He was for many years deeply exercised on account of the poor enslaved Africans, whose cause, as he some times mentioned, lay almost continually upon him; and to obtain liberty to those captives, belaboured both in public and in private, and was favoured to see his endeavours crowned with considerable suc cess. He was particularly desirous that friends should not be instrumental to lay burdens on this oppressed people, but remember the days of suffer ing from which they had been providentially deli vered ; that, if times of trouble should return, no injustice dealt to those in slavery might rise in judg ment against us, but being clear, we might on such occasions address the Almighty with a degree of confidence for his interposition and relief; being particularly careful as to himself, not to counte nance slavery even by the use of those conveniences of life which were furnished by their labour.
He was desirous to have his own, and the minds of others, redeemed from the pleasures and immo derate profits of this world, and to fix them on those joys which fade not away ; his principal care being after a life of purity, endeavouring to avoid
10
not only the grosser pollutions) but those also which, appearing in a more refined dress, are not sufficiently guarded against by some well-disposed people. In the latter part of his life he was remark able for the plainness and simplicity of his dress, and as much as possible, avoided the use of plate, costly furniture and feasting ; thereby endeavouring to become an example of temperance and self-de nial, which he believed himself called unto ; and was favoured with peace therein, although it carried the appearance of great austerity in the view of some. He was very moderate in his charges in the way of business, and in his desires after gain ; and, though a man of industry, avoided, and strove much to lead others out of extreme labour and anxious- ness after perishable things ; being desirous that the strength of our bodies might not be spent in pro curing things unprofitable, and that we might use moderation and kindness to the brute animals un der our care, to prize the use of them as a great favour, and by no means abuse them ; that the gifts of Providence should be thankfully received and applied to the uses they were designed for.
He several times opened a school at Mount Holly, for the instruction of poor friends' children and others; being concerned for their help and
improvement therein. His love and care for the
rising youth among us was truly great, recommend ing to parents and those who have the charge of them, to chuse conscientious and pious tutors ; say ing, " It is a lovely sight to behold innocent chil dren/' and that, l<- to labour for their help against
II
that which would mar the beauty of their minds., is a debt we owe them/'
His ministry was sound, very deep and penetra ting, sometimes pointing out the dangerous situation which indulgence and custom lead into ; frequently exhorting others, especially the youth, not to be discouraged at the difficulties which occur, but to press after purity. He often expressed an earnest engagement that pure wisdom should be attended to, which would lead into lowliness of mind and resignation to the divine will, in which state small possessions here would be sufficient.
In transacting the affairs of discipline, his judg ment was sound and clear^. and he was very useful in treating with those who had done amiss ; he vi sited such in a private way in that plainness which truth dictates, showing great tenderness and Chris tian forbearance. He was a constant attender of our yearly-meeting, in which he was a good exam ple., and particularly useful ; assisting in the business thereof with great weight and attention. He seve ral times visited most of the meetings of friends in this and the neighbouring provinces, with the con currence of the monthly-meeting to which he be longed, and we have reason to believe had good service therein ; generally or always expressing at his return how it had fared with him, and the evi dence of peace in his rnind for thus performing his duty. He was often concerned with other friends in the important service of visiting families, which he was enabled to go through to satisfaction.
In the minutes of the meeting of ministers and
12
elders for this quarter, at the foot of a Jist of the members of that meeting, made about five years before his death, we find in his hand-writing the following observation and reflections. Cf As looking over the minutes made by persons who have put off this body, hath sometimes revived in me a thought how ages pass away ; so this list may probably re vive a like thought in some, when 1, and the rest of the persons above-named,, are centered in another state of being. —The Lord, who was the guide of my youth, hath in tender mercies helped me hi therto ; he hath healed me of wounds, he hath help ed me out of grievous entanglements ; he remains to be the strength of my life ; to whom I desire to devote myself in time, and in eternity."
(Signed,) JOHN WOOLMAN.
In the twelfth month, 1771, he acquainted this meeting that he found his mind drawn towards a religious visit to friends in some parts of England, particularly in Yorkshire. In the first month, 1772, he obtained our certificate, which was approved and indorsed by our quarterly meeting, and by the half year's meeting of ministers and elders at Phila delphia. He embarked on his voyage in the fifth, and arrived in London in the sixth month follow ing, at the time of their annual meeting in that city. During his short visit to friends in that king dom, we are informed that his services were accept able and edifying In his last illness he uttered many lively and comfortable expressions, being, f. perfectly resigned, having no will cither to live or
13
die/* as appears by the testimony of friends at York in Great Britain, in the suburbs whereof, at the house of our friend T homas Priestman, he died of the small pox, on the seventh day of the tenth month, 1772, and was buried in friends burial ground in that city, on the ninth of the same, after a solid meeting, held on the occasion, at their great meeting-house, He was aged near fifty-two, a minister upwards of thirty years, during which time he belonged to Mount Holly particular meeting, which he diligently attended when at home and in health of body, and his labours of love and pious care for the prosperity of friends in the blesssed Truth, we hope, may not be forgotten, but that his good works may be re membered to edification.
Signed in, and by order of the said meeting, by
SAMUEL ALLISON, Clerk.
Read and approved at our quarterly-meeting, held at Burlington, the 29th of the 8th month, 1774.
Signed by order of said meeting,
DANIEL SMITH, Clerk.
A
JOURNAL <•
OF THE
LIFE AND TRAVELS
OF
JOHN WOOLMAN,
IN THE SERVICE OF THE GOSPEL.
CHAP. I.
His birth and parentage, with some account of the operations of divine grace on his mind in his youth — His first appearance in the ministry — and his considerations, white young, on the keeping of slaves.
I HAVE often felt a motion of love to leave some hints in writing of my experience of the goodness of God ; and now, in the thirty-sixth year of my age, I begin this work.
I was born in Northampton, in Burlington coun ty, West Jersey, in the year 1720; and before I was seven years old I began to be acquainted with the operations of divine love. Through the care of
1C
my parents, I was taught to read near as soon as I was capable of it ; and as I went from school one seventh day, I remember, while my companions went to play by the way, I went forward out of sight, and sitting down I read the 22nd chapter of the Revelations. " He showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb, &c." and in reading- it, my mind was drawn to seek after that pure habi tation, which, I then believed, God had prepared for his servants. The place where I sat, and the sweet ness that attended my mind, remains fresh in my memory.
This, and the like gracious visitations, had that effect upon me, that when boys used ill language, it troubled me ; and, through the continued mercies of God, I was preserved from if.
The pious instructions of my parents were often fresh in my mind when 1 happened to be among wicked children, and were of use to me. My pa rents, having a large family of children, used fre quently, on first-days after meeting, to put us to read in the holy scriptures, or some religious books, one after another, the rest sitting by without much conversation ; which, I have since often thought, was a good practice. From what I had read and heard, I believed there had been, in past ages, peo ple who walked in uprightness before God, in a de gree exceeding any that I knew or heard of, now living : and the apprehension of there being less steadiness and firmness amongst people in this age than in past ages, often troubled me while I was a child.
/ 17
Jr™*£ tiling remarkable in my childhood was, that / once going to a neighbour's house,, 1 saw on the / \vay a robin sitting on her nest, and as I came near she went off, but having young ones,, flew about, and with many cries expressed her concern for them ; I stood and threw stones at her, until one striking her, she fell down dead. At first I was pleased with the exploit, but after a few minutes was seized with horror, as having, in a sportive way, killed an innocent creature while she was careful for her young. 1 beheld her lying dead, and thought those young ones, for which she was so careful, must now perish for want of their dam to nourish them ; and after some painful considerations on the subject, I climbed up the tree, took ail the young birds, and killed them ; supposing that bet ter than to leave them to pine away and die mise rably : arid believed, in this case, that scripture proverb was ful filled, fc The tender mercies of the wicked are cruel." I then went on my errand, but, for some hours, could think of little else but the cruelties I had committed, and was much troubled. Thus He, whose tender mercies are over all his
•*•"•««•«»*,«, •MW,,^:n.t,f"-''x-~ -«•'• •''•" ^^•'~'^:*>l*U->-'nw:*^<^
works, hath placed a principle in the human mind,
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which incites to exercise goodness towards ever^,
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living creature; and this being singly attende44^ jM>ople become tender-hearted and sympathizing • but EeThffTrequenTT^^ reiect.qdJPKe mind
^^A^.^^^.^.^^^i^^ • - . • . '" ta*a
becomes shut up in a contrary disposition.
About tE'e'Twelftri ^eair^oT^Sfiy'age, my fathe being abroad, my mother reproved me for some misconduct, to which I made an undutiful reply ;
B
18
and the next first clay, as I was with my father re turning from meeting, he told me he understood I had behaved amiss to my mother, and advised me to be more careful in future. I knew myself blame- able, and in shame and confusion remained silent. Being thus awakened to a sense of my wickedness, I felt remorse in my mind, and getting home I re tired and prayed to the Lord to forgive me ; and do not remember that I ever, after that, spoke unhandsomely to either of my parents, however foolish in some other things.
Having attained the age of sixteen years, I began to love wanton company; and though I was pre served from profane language, or scandalous con duct, still I perceived a plant in me which produced much wild grapes : yet my merciful Father forsook me not utterly, but at times, through his grace, I was brought seriously to consider my ways ; and the sight of my backslidings affected me with sorrow ; but for want of rightly attending to the reproofs of instruction, vanity was added to vanity, and repent ance to repentance. Upon the whole, my mind was more and more alienated from the truth, and I has tened toward destruction. While I meditate on the gulf towards which I travelled, and reflect on my youthful disobedience, for these things I weep, mine eye runneth down with water.
Advancing in age, the number of my acquaint ance increased, and thereby my way grew more dif ficult. Though I had found comfort in reading the holy scriptures, and thinking on heavenly things, I was now estranged therefrom : I knew I was going
19
from the flock of Christ, and had no resolution to return ; hence serious reflections were uneasy to me, and youthful vanities and diversions my great est pleasure. Running in this road I found many like myself; and we associated in that which is re verse to true friendship.
But in this swift race it pleased God to visit me with sickness, so that I doubted of recovering; and then did darkness, horror, and amazement, with full force, seize me, even when my pain and distress of body were very great. I thought it would have been better for me never to have had a being, than to see the day which I now saw. I was filled with confusion ; and in great affliction, both of mind and body, I lay and bewailed myself. I had not confidence to lift up my cries to God, whom I had thus offended ; but, in a deep sense of my great folly, I was humbled before him. At length, that word which is as a fire and a hammer, broke and dissolved my rebellious heart, and then my cries were put up in contrition ; and in the multitude of his mercies I found inward relief, and felt a close engagement, that if he was pleased to restore my health, I might walk humbly before him.
After my recovery, this exercise remained with me a considerable time ; but, by degrees, giving way to youthful vanities, they gained strength, and getting with wanton young people, I lost ground. The Lord had been very gracious, and spoke peace to me in the time of my distress ; and I now most ungratefully turned again to folly ; on which ac count, at times, I felt sharp reproof, but I did not
B2
20
get low enough to cry for help, I was not. so hardy as to commit things scandalous ; but to exceed in vanity,, and to promote mirth, was my chief study. Still I retained a love and esteem for pious people ; and their company brought an awe upon me. My dear parents several times admonished me in the fear of the Lord, and their admonition entered into my heart, and had a good effect for a season ; but not getting deep enough to pray rightly, the tempter, when he came, found entrance. I remem ber, once having spent a part of the day in wanton ness ; as Iwent to bed at night there lay in a window, near my bed, a bible, which I opened, and first cast my eye on the text, " We lie down in our shame, and our confusion covers us ;" this I knew to be my case : and meeting with so unexpected a re proof, I was somewhat affected with it, and went to bed under remorse of conscience ; which I soon cast off again.
Thus time past on ; my heart was replenished with mirth and wantonness, while pleasing scenes of vanity were presented to my imagination, till I attained the age of eighteen years ; near which time I felt the judgments of God, in my soul, like a con suming tire; and looking over my past life, the prospect was moving — I was often sad, and lunged to be delivered from those vanities ; then again, my heart was strongly inclined to them, and there was in me a sore conflict. At times I turned to folly ; and then again, sorrow and confusion took hold of me. In a while I resolved totally to leave off some of my vanities; but there was a secret reserve in
21
my heart, of the more refined part of them, and I was not low enough to find true peace. Thus, for some months,, I had "Teat troubles ; there remain ing in me an unsu! jected will, which rendered my labours fruitless., till at length, through the merciful continuance of heavenly visitations, I was made to bow down in spirit before the Lord. 1 remember one evening I had spent some time in reading a pious author ; and walking out alone, I humbly prayed to the Lord for his help, that I might be delivered from all those vanities which so ensnared me. Thus being brought low, he helped me ; and as I learned to bear the cross, I felt refreshment to come from his presence ; but not keeping in that strength which gave victory, I lost ground again ; the sense of which greatly affected me : and I sought deserts and lonely places, and there with tears did con fess my sins to God, and humbly craved help of him. And I may say with reverence, he was near to me in my troubles, and in those times of humi liation opened my ear to discipline. 1 was now led to look seriously at the means by which I was drawn from the pure truth, and learned this, that if ; 1 would live in the life which the faithful servants of God lived in, I must not go into company as I heretofore in my own will ; but all the cravings of f sense must be governed by a divine principle. In \ times of sorrow and abasement these instructions were sealed upon me, and I felt the power of Christ prevail over selfish desires, so that I was preserved in a good degree of steadiness; arid be ing young, and believing, at that time, that a single
life was best for me, I was strengthened to keep from such company as had often been a snare to me.
I kept steadily to meetings ; spent first days af ternoon chiefly in reading the scriptures and other good books ; and was early convinced in my mind,, that true religion consisted in an inward life, where in the heart doth love and reverence God the Crea tor, and learns to exercise true justice and good ness, not only toward all men, but also toward the brute creatures — that as the mind was moved, by an inward principle, to love God as an invisible, in comprehensible Being ; by the same principle it was moved to love him in all his manifestations in the visible world — thai, as by his breath, the flame of life was kindled in all animal sensible creatures, to say we love God as unseen, and at the same time exercise cruelty toward the least creature moving by his life, or by life derived from him, was a con tradiction in itself.
I found no narrowness respecting sects and opi nions ; but believed, that sincere upright hearted people, in every society, who truly love God, were accepted of him.
As I lived under the cross, and simply followed the openings of truth, my mind, from day to day, was more enlightened ; my former acquaintance were left to judge of me as they would, for I found it safest for me to live in private, and keep these things sealed up in my own breast. While I silently ponder on that change wrought in me, I find no lan guage equal to it, nor any means to convey to an other a clear idea of it. I looked upon the works of
23
God in this visible creation, and an aw fulness co vered me. My heart was tender and often contrite,, and universal love to rny fellow-creatures increased in me; this will be understood by such who have trodden in the same path. Some glances of real beauty may be seen in their faces,, who dwell in true meekness.
There is a harmony in the sound of that voice to which divine love gives utterance,, and some appear ance of right order in their temper and conduct,, whose passions are regulated ; yet all these do not fully shew forth that inward life to such who have not felt it ; but this white stone and new name is known rightly to such only who have it.
Now., though 1 had been thus strengthened to bear the cross, I still found myself in great danger,, having many weaknesses attending me, and strong temptations to wrestle with ; in the feeling whereof I frequently withdrew into private places, and often with tears besought the Lord to help me., whose gracious ear was open to my cry.
All this time I lived with my parents, and wrought on the plantation ; and having had schooling pretty well for a planter, 1 used to improve it in winter evenings, and other leisure times ; and being now in the twenty-first year of my age, a man, in much business at shop-keeping and baking, asked me, if I would hire with him to tend shop and keep books. I acquainted my father with the proposal ; and, after some deliberation, it was agreed for me logo.
At home I had lived retired ; and now having a
prospect of being' much in the way of company, I felt frequent and fervent cries in my heart to God, the Father of mercies, that he would preserve ine from all taint and corruption ; that, in this more public employment, I might serve Him, my gra cious Redeemer, in that humility and self-denial, with which I had been, in a small degree, exercised in a more private life. The man, who employed me, furnished a shop in Mount Holly, about five miles from my father's house, and six from his own ; and there I lived alone and tended his shop. Short ly after my settlement here, I was visited by several young people my former acquaintance, who knew not but vanities would be as agreeable to me now as ever ; and, at these times, 1 cried to the Lord in secret for wisdom and strength ; for I felt myself encompassed with difficulties, and had fresh occa sion to bewail the follies of time past, in contract ing a familiarity with libertine people : and as I had now left my father's house outwardly, I found my heavenly Father to be merciful to me beyond what I can express.
By day I was much amongst people, and had many trials to go .through ; but in the evenings, I was mostly alone, and may with thankfulness ac knowledge, that in those times the spirit of suppli cation was often poured upon me ; under which I was frequently exercised, and felt my strength renewed.
In a few months after I came here, my master bought several Scotchmen servants, from on board
25
a vessel, and brought them to Mount Holly to sell ; one of whom was taken sick and died.
In the latter] part of his sickness, he, being deli rious., used to curse and swear most sorrowfully ; and the next night after his burial, I was left to sleep alone in the same chamber where he died. I perceived in me a tirnorousness ; I knew, however, I had not injured the man, but assisted in taking care of him according to my capacity ; and was not free to ask any one, on that occasion, to sleep with me. Nature was feeble ; but every trial was a fresh incitement to give myself up wholly to the service of God, for I found no helper like him in times of trouble.
After a while, my former acquaintance gave over expecting me as one of their company ; and I be wail to be known to some whose conversation was
o
helpful to me. And now, as I had experienced the love of God, through Jesus Christ, to redeem me from many pollutions, and to be a succour to ine through a sea of conflicts, with which no person was fully acquainted ; and as my heart was often en larged in this heavenly principle, I felt a tender compassion for the youth, who remained entangled in snares like those which had entangled me, from one time to another, This love and tenderness in creased ; and my mind was more strongly engaged for the good of my fellow-creatures. 1 went to meetings in an awful frame of mind, and endea voured to be inwardly acquainted with the language of the true Shepherd ; and one day being under a strong exercise of spirit, 1 stood up, and »aid some
words in a meeting ; but not keeping close to the divine opening, I said more than was required of me ; and being soon sensible of rny error, I was afflicted in mind some weeks, without any light or comfort, even to that degree that I could not take satisfaction in any thing. I remembered God, and was troubled ; and, in the depth of my distress, he had pity upon me, and sent the Comforter. I then felt forgiveness for my offence, and my mind became calm and quiet, being truly thankful to my gracious Redeemer for his mercies ; and after this,, feeling the spring of divine love opened, and a concern to speak, I said a few words in a meet ing, in which I found peace. This, I believe, was about six weeks from the first time : and as 1 was thus humbled and disciplined under the cross, rny understanding became more strengthened to distin guish the pure spirit which inwardly moves upon the heart, and taught me to wait in silence some times many weeks together, until I felt that rise which prepares the creature to stand like a trumpet through which the Lord speaks to his flock.
From an inward purifying, and stedfast abiding under it, springs a lively operative desire for the good of others. All the faithful are not called to the public ministry ; but whoever are, are called to minister of that which they have tasted and han dled spiritually. The outward modes of worship are various ; but wherever any are true ministers of Jesus Christ, it is from the operation of his spirit upon their hearts, first purifying them, and thus giving them a just sense of the conditions of others.
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This truth was early fixed in my mind ; and I was taught to watch the pure opening, and to take heed, lest, while I was standing to speak, my own will should get uppermost, and cause me to utter words from worldly wisdom, and depart from the channel of the true gospel ministry. In the ma nagement of my outward affairs, I may say with thankfulness, I found truth to be rny support ; and I was respected in my master's family, who came to live in Mount Holly within two years after my going there.
About the twenty-third year of my age, I had many fresh and heavenly openings, in respect to the care and providence of the Almighty over his crea tures in general, and over man as the most noble amongst those which are visible. And being clear-
o o
ly convinced in my judgment, that to place my whole trust in God was best for me, I felt renewed engagements, that in all things I might act on an inward principle of virtue, and pursue worldly business no further, than as truth opened my way therein.
About the time called Christmas, I observed many people from the country, and dwellers in town, who, resorting to public-houses, spent their time in drinking and vain sports, tending to cor rupt one another ; on which account I was much troubled. At one house in particular there was much disorder ; and I believed it was a duty incum bent on me to go and speak to the master of that house. I considered 1 was young, and that several elderly friends in town had opportunity to see these
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things ; but though 1 would gladly have been ex cused, yet I could not feel my mind clear.
The exercise was heavy ; and as I was reading what the Almighty said to Ezekiel, respecting his duty as a watchman,, the matter was set home more clearly ; and then with prayers and tears, I besought the Lord for his assistance, who in loving-kindness, gave me a resigned heart. Then, at a suitable op portunity, I went to the public-house ; and seeing the man amongst much company, I went to him, and told him, I wanted to speak with him ; so we went aside, and there, in the fear and dread of the Almighty, I expressed to him what rested on my mind ; which he took kindly, and afterward shewed more regard to me than before. In a few years afterwards, he died, middle-aged ; and I often thought, that had I neglected my duty in that case, it would have given me great trouble ; and I was humbly thankful to my gracious Father, who had supported me herein.
My employer having a negro woman, sold her, and desired me to write a bill of sale, the man being waiting who bought her. The thing was sudden ; and though the thoughts of writing an instrument of slavery for one of my fellow-creatures felt uneasy, yet I remembered I was hired by the year, that it was my master who directed me to do it, and that it was an elderly man, a member of our society, who bought her; so, through weakness, I gave way, and wrote it ; but, at the executing it, I was so afflicted in my mind, that I said, before my mas-
29
ter and the friend,, that I believed slave- keeping to be a practice inconsistent with the Christian reli gion. This, in some degree,, abated my uneasiness ; yet as often as 1 reflected seriously upon it, I thought I should have been clearer,, if I had desired to be excused from it, as a thing against my con science ; for such it was. And some time after this, a young man, of our society, spoke to me to write a conveyance of a slave to him ; he having lately taken a negro into his house. I told him, I was not easy to write it ; for, though many of our meeting and in other places kept slaves, I still believed the practice was not right ; and desired to be excused from the writing. I spoke to him in good will ; and he told me, that keeping slaves was not alto gether agreeable to his mind ; but that the slave being a gift made to his wife, he had accepted of her.
CHAP. II.
His first journey, on a religious visit, into East Jersey, in company with Abraham Farrington.— His thoughts on merchandizing, and his learning a trade. — His second journey, with Isaac Andrews into Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina. — His third journey with Peter Andrews, through part of the West and East Jersey. — Some account of his sister Elizabeth, and her death. — His fourth journey with Peter An drews, through New York and Long Island, to New England. — And his Jifth journey, with John Sykes, to the Eastern shore of Maryland, and the lower Counties on Delaware.
MY esteemed friend Abraham Farrington, being about to make a visit to friends on the eastern side of this province,, and having no companion he pro posed to me to go with him ; and after a conference with some elderly friends, I agreed to go. So we set out the fifth day of the ninth month, in the year 1743; had an evening meeting at a tavern in Brunswick, a town in which none of our society dwelt ; the room was full, and the people quiet. Thence to Amboy, and had an evening meeting in the court-house ; to which came many people, amongst whom were several members of assembly, they being in town on the public affairs of the pro vince. In both these meetings my ancient com-
31
panion was enlarged to preach,, in the love of the gospel. Thence we went to Woodbridge, Raway, and Plainfield ; and had six or seven meetings in places where friends meetings are not usually held., being made up chiefly of Presbyterians,, arid rny beloved companion was frequently strengthened to publish the word of life amongst them. As for me,, I was often silent through the meetings ; and when I spake, it was with much care, that I might speak only what truth opened; my mind was often tender, and I learned some profitable lessons. We were out about two weeks.
Near this time,, being on some outward business in which several families were concerned, and which was attended with difficulties, some things relating thereto not being clearly stated, nor rightly understood by all, there arose some heat in the minds of the parties, and one valuable friend got off his watch. I had a great regard for him, and felt a strong inclination, after matters were settled, to speak to him concerning his conduct in that case; but I being a youth, and he far advanced in age and experience, my way appeared difficult ; but after some days deliberation, and inward seeking to the Lord for assistance, I was made subject; so that I exprest what lay upon me, in a way which be came my youth and his years ; and though it w as a hard task to me, it was well taken, and, I believe, was useful to us both.
Having now been several years with my em ployer, and he doing less at merchandize than heretofore, I was thoughtful of some other way of
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business ; perceiving merchandize to be attended with much cumber in the way of trading- in these parts.
My mind through the power of truth, was in a good degree weaned from the desire of outward greatness, and I was learning to be content with real conveniences, that were not costly ; so that a way of life, free from much entanglements, appeared best for me, though the income might be small. I had several offers of business that appeared profit able, but did not see my way clear to accept of them ; as believing the business proposed would be attended with more outward care and cumber than was required of me to engage in.
I saw that an humble man, with the blessing of the Lord, might live on a little ; and that where the heart was set on greatness, success in business did not satisfy the craving ; but that commonly with an increase of wealth, the desire of wealth in creased. There was a care on my mind so to pass my time, that nothing might hinder me from the most steady attention to the voice of the true Shep herd.
My employer, though now a retailer of goods, was by trade a taylor, and kept a servant man at that business; and I began to think about learning the trade, expecting, that if I should settle, I might, by this trade, and a little retailing of goods, get a living in a plain way, without the load of great business. 1 mentioned it to my employer, and we soon agreed on terms; and then when I had leisure from the affairs of merchandize, I worked with his
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man. I believed the hand of Providence pointed out this business for me ; and was taught to be con tent with it, though I felt at times, a disposition that would have sought for something greater; but, through the revelation of Jesus Christ,, I had seen the happiness of humility, and there was an earnest desire in me to enter deep into it; and at times this desire arose to a degree of fervent supplication, wherein my soul was so environed with heavenly light and consolation, that things were made easy to me which had been otherwise.
After some time, my employer's wife died ; she was a virtuous woman, and generally beloved of her neighbours : and soon after this, he left shop - keeping; and we parted. I then wrought at my trade, as a tailor ; carefully attended meetings for worship and discipline ; and found an enlargement of gospel love in my mind, and therein a concern to visit friends in some of the back settlements of Pennsylvania and Virginia ; and being thoughtful about a companion, I expressed it to my beloved friend Isaac Andrews, who then told me that he had drawings to the same places ; and also to go through Maryland, Virginia, and Carolina. After considerable time past, and several conferences with him, I felt easy to accompany him throughout; if way opened for it. I opened the case in our monthly-meeting, and friends expressing their unity therewith, we obtained certificates to travel as companions ; his from Haddonfield, and mine from Burlington.
We left our province on the twelfth day of the
c
Si
third month, in the year 1746, and had several meetings in the upper part of Chester county, and near Lancaster ; in some of which the love of Christ prevailed, uniting us together in his service. Then we crossed the river Susquehannah, and had several meetings in a new settlement, called the Red Lands ;. the oldest of which, as I was informed, did not exceed ten years. It is the poorer sort of people that commonly begin to improve remote deserts : with a small stock they have houses to build, lands to clear and fence, corn to raise, clothes to pro vide, and children to educate ; that friends, who visit such, may well sympathise with them in their hardships in the wilderness ; and though the best entertainment that such can give, may seem coarse to some who are used to cities, or old settled places, it becomes the disciples of Christ to be content with it. Our hearts were sometimes en larged in the love of our heavenly Father amongst these people ; and the sweet influence of his spirit supported us through some difficulties : to Him be the praise.
We passed on to Manoquacy, Fairfax, Hopewell, and Shanando, and had meetings ; some of which were comfortable and edifying. From Shanando we set off in the afternoon for the old settlements of friends in Virginia ; and the first night we, with our guide, lodged in the woods; our horses feeding near us; but he being poorly provided with a horse, and we young, and having good horses, were free the next day to part with him ; and did so. In two days after,, we reached our friend John
35
Cheagle's, in Virginia; so we took the meetings in our way through Virginia ; were in some degree,, baptized into a feeling sense of the conditions of the people ; and our exercise in general was more painful in these old settlements, than it had been amongst the back inhabitants : but through the goodness of our heavenly Father, the well of living waters was., at times,, opened to our encouragement, and the refreshment of the sincere-hearted. We went on to Perquimons, in North Carolina ; had several meetings, which were large ; and found some openness in those parts,, and a hopeful ap pearance amongst the young people. So we turned again to Virginia, and attended most of the meet ings which we had not been at before, labouring amongst friends in the love of Jesus Christ,, as ability was given : and thence went to the moun tains, up James's river to a new settlement ; and had several meetings amongst the people, some of whom had lately joined in membership with our society.
In our journeying to and fro, we found some ho nest-hearted friends, who appeared to be concerned for the cause of truth among a backsliding people.
From Virginia, we crossed over the river Pato- mac, at Hoe's ferry, and made a general visit to the meetings of friends on the western shore of Maryland; and were at their quarterly meeting. We had some hard labour amongst them, endea vouring to discharge our duty honestly as way opened, in the love of truth : and thence taking sundry meetings in our way, we passed homewards;
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where, through the favour of Divine Providence, we reached the sixteenth day of the sixth month, in the year 1746; and I may say, that through the assistance of the Holy Spirit, which mortifies seltish desires, my companion and I travelled in harmony, and parted in the nearness of true bro therly love.
Two things were remarkable to me in this jour ney: First, in regard to my entertainment ; when I ate, drank, and lodged free-cost with people, who lived in ease on the hard labour of their slaves, I felt uneasy ; and as my mind was inward to the Lord, I found, from place to place, this uneasiness return upon me, at times, through the whole visit. Where the masters bore a good share of the bur then, and lived frugally, so that their servants were well provided for, and their labour moderate, I felt more easy ; but where they lived in a costly way, and laid heavy burthens on their slaves, my exer cise was often great, and I frequently had conver sation with them, in private, concerning it. Se condly : this trade of importing slaves from their native country being much encouraged amongst them, and the white people arid their children so generally living without much labour, was fre quently the subject of my serious thoughts. And I saw in these southern provinces so many vices and corruptions, increased by this trade and this way of life, that it appeared to me as a dark gloominess hanging over the land ; and though now many willingly run into it, yet in future the consequence will be grievous to posterity; 1 express it as it hath
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appeared to mo, not at once, nor twice,, but as a matter fixed on my mind.
Soon after my return home, I felt an increas ing concern for friends on our sea-coast ; and on the eighth day of the eighth month, in the year 1746, with the unity of friends, and in company with my beloved friend and neighbour Peter An drews, brother to my companion before-mentioned, \ve set forward and visited meetings generally about Salem, Cape May, Great and Little Egg Harbour ; and had meetings at Barnagat, Manahockin, and Mane Squan, and so to the yearly meeting at Shrewsbury. Through the goodness of the Lord way was opened, and the strength of divine love was sometimes felt in our assemblies, to the com fort and help of those who were rightly concerned before Him. We were out twenty-two days, and rode, by computation, three hundred and forty miles. At Shrewsbury yearly meeting, we met with our dear friends Michael Lightfoot and Abra ham Farrington, who had good service there.
The winter following died my eldest sister, Elizabeth Wool man, jun. of the srnall-pox, aged thirty-one years. She was, from her youth, of a thoughtful disposition ; and very compassionate to her acquaintance in their sickness or distress, being ready to help as far as she could. She was dutiful to her parents ; one instance whereof follows :— r It happened that she, and two of her sisters, being then near the estate of young women, had an in clination one first-day after meeting to go on a visit to some other young women at some distance off,
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whose company, I believe, would have done them no good . They expressed their desire to our parents, who were dissatisfied with the proposal, and stopped them. The same day, as my sisters and I were together, and they talking about their disappoint ment, Elizabeth expressed her contentment under it, signifying she believed it might be for their good.
A few years after she attained to mature age, through the gracious visitations of God's love, she was strengthened to live a self-denying exemplary life, giving herself much to reading and meditation.
The following letter may show, in some degree, her disposition :
Haddonfidd, Ist-day, llth month^ 1743.
Beloved brother John Woolman,
In that love which desires the welfare of all men, I write unto thee. I received thine, dated second- day of the tenth month last, with which I was com forted. My spirit is bowed with thankfulness that I should be remembered, who am unworthy ; but the Lord is full of mercy, and his goodness is ex tended to the meanest of his creation ; therefore, in his infinite love, he hath pitied and spared and showed mercy, that I have not been cut off nor quite lost; but, at times, I am refreshed and com forted as with the glimpse of his presence, which is more to the immortal part, than all which this world can afford : so, with desires for thy preser vation with my own, I remain
thy affectionate sister,
ELIZ. WOOLMAN, jun.
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The fore part of her illness she was in great sad ness and dejection of mind, of which she told one of her intimate friends,, and said,, when 1 was a young girl I was wanton and airy,, but I thought I had thoroughly repented for it ; and added,, I have of late had great satisfaction in meetings. Though she was thus disconsolate,, still she retained a hope,, which was as an anchor to her : and some time after, the same friend came again to see her, to whom she mentioned her former expressions,, and said, " It is otherwise now, for the Lord hath rewarded me seven-fold ; and I am unable to express the great ness of his love manifested to me/' Her disorder appearing dangerous, and our mother being sor rowful, she took notice of it, and said, ' ' Dear mo ther, weep not for me ; I go to my God :" and many times, with an audible voice, uttered praise to her Redeemer.
A friend coming some miles to see her the morn*- ing before she died, asked her how s^ie did ? she answered " I have had a hard night, but shall not have another such, for I shall die, and it will be well with my soul ;)a and accordingly died the next evening.
The following ejaculations were found amongst her writings ; written, I believe, at four times.
1. Oh! that my head were as waters, and mine eyes as a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night, until acquainted with my God.
2. O Lord, that I may enjoy thy presence ; or else my time is lost, and my life a snare to my soul
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3. O Lord, that I may receive bread from thy table, and that thy grace may abound in me.
4. O Lord, that I may be acquainted with thy presence, that I may be seasoned with thy salt, that thy grace may abound in me.
Of late I found drawings in my mind to visit friends in New England, and having an opportunity of joining in company with my beloved friend Peter Andrews; we, having obtained certificates from our monthly meeting, set forward on the sixteenth day of the third month, in the year 1747, and reached the yearly meeting at Long Island ; at which were our friends Samuel Nottingham from England, John Griffith, Jane Hoskins, and Elizabeth Hudson from Pennsylvania, and Jacob Andrews from Ches terfield. Several of whom were favoured in their public exercise ; and, through the goodness of the Lord, we had some edifying meetings. After this, my companion and I visited friends on Long- Island ; and, through the mercies of God, we were helped in the work.
Besides going to the settled meetings of friends, \ve were at a general meeting at Setawket, chiefly made up of other societies : and had a meeting at Oyster Bay, in a dwelling-house, at which were many people ; at the first of which there was not much said by way of testimony, but it was, I believe, a good meeting : at the latter, through the spring ing up of living waters, it was a day to be thank fully remembered. Having visited the island, we went over to the main, taking meetings in our way, to Oblong, Nine-partners, and New Milford. In
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these back settlements we met with several people, who,, through the immediate workings of the spirit of Christ on their minds, were drawn from the vanities of the world, to an inward acquaintance with him : they were educated in the way of the Presbyterians. A considerable number of the youth, members of that society, were used to spend their time often together in merriment, but some of the principal young men of that company being visited by the powerful workings of the spirit of Christ, and thereby led humbly to take up his cross, could no longer join in those vanities; and as these stood stedfast to that inward convin cement, they were made a blessing to some of their former com panions ; so that, through the power of truth, se veral were brought into a close exercise concern ing the eternal well-being of their souls. These young people continued for a time to frequent their public worship ; and besides that, had meetings of their own ; which meetings were a while allowed by their preacher, who sometimes met with them : but, in time, their judgment in matters of religion dis agreeing with some of the articles of the Presby terians, their meetings were disapproved by that society ; and such of them who stood firm to their duty, as it was inwardly manifested, had many difficulties to go through : and their meetings were in a while dropped ; some of them returning to the Presbyterians, and others of them, after a time, joined to our religious society.
I had conversation with some of the latter, to my help and edification; and believe several of them
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are acquainted with the nature of that worship, which is performed in spirit and in truth. From hence accompanied by Amos Powel, a friend from Long Island, we rode through Connecticut,, chiefly inhabited by Presbyterians ; who were generally civil to us, so far as I saw : and after three days riding, we came amongst friends in the colony of Rhode Island. We visited friends in and about Newport and Dartmouth, and generally in those parts ; and then to Boston ; and proceeded east ward as far as Dover ; and then returned to New port, and not far from thence, we met our friend Thomas Gawthorp from England ; who was then on a visit to these provinces. From Newport we sailed to Nantucket ; were there near a week ; and from thence came over to Dartmouth : and having finished our visit in these parts, we crossed the Sound from New London to Long Island ; and taking some meetings on the island, proceeded homeward ; where we reached the thirteenth day of the seventh month, in the year 1747, having rode about fifteen hundred miles, and sailed about one hundred and fifty.
In this journey, I may say in general, we were sometimes in much weakness, and laboured under discouragements ; and at other times, through the renewed manifestations of divine love, we had sea sons of refreshment, wherein the power of truth prevailed.
We were taught, by renewed experience, to labour for an inward stillness : at no time to seek for \yords, but to live in the spirit of truth, and utter
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that to the people which truth opened in us. My beloved companion and I belonged both to one meeting, came forth in the ministry near the same time, and were inwardly united in the work. He was about thirteen years older than I,, bore the heaviest burthen, and was an instrument of the greatest use.
Finding a concern to visit friends in the lower counties of Delaware, and on the eastern shore of Maryland, and having an opportunity to join with my well-beloved ancient friend John Sykes, we ob tained certificates, and set off the seventh day of the eighth month, in the year 1748, were at the meet ings of friends in the lower counties, attended the yearly meeting at Little Creek, and made a visit to most of the meetings on the eastern shore ; and so home by the way of Nottingham : were abroad about six weeks ; and rode, by computation, about five hundred and fifty miles.
Our exercise at times was heavy ; but through the goodness of the Lord, we were often refreshed : and 1 may say, by experience, " He is a strong hold in the day of trouble." Though our society, in these parts, appeared to me to be in a declining condition; yet, I believe, the Lord hath a people amongst them, who labour to serve him uprightly, but have many difficulties to encounter.
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CHAP. III.
His marriage. — The death of his father. — His jour- nies into the upper part of New Jersey, and after wards into Pennsylvania. — Considerations on keeping slaves, and his visits to the families of friends at several times and places. — An epistle from the general meeting. — His journey to Long Island. — Considerations on trading and on the use of spirituous liquors and costly apparel. — And his letter to a friend.
ABOUT this time believing it good for me to set tle,, and thinking seriously about a companion, my heart was turned to the Lord with desires that he would give me wisdom to proceed therein agree able to his will ; and he was pleased to give me a well-inclined damsel, Sarah Ellis ; to whom I was married the eighteenth day of the eighth month, in the year 1749.
In the fall of the year 1750 died my father, Samuel Wool man, with a fever, aged about sixty years.
In his life-time he manifested much care for us his children, that in our youth we might learn to fear the Lord ; often endeavouring to imprint in our minds the true principles of virtue, and parti cularly to cherish in us a spirit of tenderness, not only towards poor people, but also towards all creatures of which we had the command.
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After my return from Carolina in the year 1746, I made some observations on keeping slaves, which sometime before his decease I showed him ; and he perused the manuscript,, proposed a few al terations,, and appeared well satisfied that I found a concern on that account. In his last sickness, as I was watching with him one night, he being so far spent that there was no expectation of his reco very, but had the perfect use of his understanding, he asked me concerning the manuscript,, whether I expected soon to proceed to take the advice of friends in publishing it ? and, after some conversa tion thereon, said, I have all along been deeply affected with the oppression of the poor negroes ; and now, at last, my concern for them is as great as ever.
By his direction I had written his will in a time of health, and that night he desired rne to read it to him, which I did ; and he said it was agreeable to his mind. He then made mention of his end, which he believed was now near ; and signified, that though he was sensible of many imperfections in the course of his life, yet his experience of the power of truth, and of the love and goodness of God from time to time, even till now, was such, that he had no doubt but that in leaving this life he should enter into one more happy.
The next day, his sister Elizabeth carne to see him, and told him of the decease of their sister Anne, who died a few days before ; he then said, I reckon sister Anne was free to leave this world ? Elizabeth said she was. He then said, I also am free to leave
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it : and being in great weakness of body said, I hope I shall shortly go to rest. He continued in a weighty frame of mind, and was sensible till near the last.
On the second day of the ninth month, in the year 1751, feeling drawings in my mind to visit friends at the Great Meadows, in the upper part of West Jersey, with the unity of our monthly meet ing, I went there, and had some searching laborious exercise amongst friends in those parts, and found inward peace therein.
In the ninth month of the year 1753, in company with my well-esteemed friend JohnSykes, and with the unity of friends, we travelled about two weeks, visiting friends in Buck's County. We laboured in the love of the gospel, according to the measure received ; and, through the mercies of Him, who is strength to the poor who trust in Him, we found satisfaction in our visit. In the next winter, way opening to visit friends' families within the compass of our monthly-meeting, partly by the labours of two friends from Pennsylvania, I joined in some part of the work, having had a desire some time that it might go forward amongst us.
About this time, a person at some distance lying sick, his brother came to me to write his will. I knew he had slaves ; and, asking his brother, was told he intended to leave them as slaves to his children. As writing is a profitable employ, and as offending sober people was disagreeable to my in clination, I was straitened in my mind ; but as I looked to the Lord, he inclined my heart to his
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testimony; and I told the man, that I believed the practice of continuing slavery to this people was not right, and had a scruple in my mind against doing writings of that kind ; that though many in our society kept them as slaves, still I was not easy to be concerned in it, and desired to be excused from going to write the will. I spake to him in the fear of the Lord ; and he made no reply to what I said, but went away : he, also, had some concerns in the practice ; and I thought he was displeased with me. In this case I had fresh confirmation, that acting contrary to present outward interest, from a motive of divine love, and in regard to truth and righteousness, and thereby incurring the resentments of people, opens the way to a treasure better than silver, and to a friendship exceeding the friendship of men.
The manuscript before-mentioned having laid by me several years, the publication of it rested weightily upon me ; and this year I offered it to the revisal of friends, who, having examined and made some small alterations in it, directed a number of copies thereof to be published and dispersed amongst friends.
In the year 1754, I found my mind drawn to join in a visit to friends' families belonging to Ches terfield monthly meeting ; and having the approba tion of our own, I went to their monthly-meeting in order to confer with friends, and see if way opened for it. I had conference with some of their members, the proposal having been opened before in their meeting, and one friend agreed to
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join with me as a companion for a beginning ; bat when meeting was ended, I felt great distress of mind, and doubted what way to take, or whether to go home and wait for greater clearness, I kept my distress secret ; and going with a friend to his house, my desires were to the great Shepherd for his heavenly instruction ; and in the morning I felt easy to proceed on the visit, being very low in my mind. As mine eye was turned to the Lord, waiting in families in deep reverence before Him, He was pleased graciously to afford help ; so that we had many comfortable opportunities, and it ap peared as a fresh visitation to some young people. I spent several weeks this winter in the service ; part of which time was employed near home. And again in the following winter I was several weeks in the same service ; some part of the time at Shrewsbury, in company with my beloved friend John Sykes : arid have cause humbly to acknow ledge, that through the goodness of the Lord, our hearts were, at times., enlarged in his love; and strength was given to go through the trials which, in the course of our visit, attended us.
From a disagreement between the powers of England and Prance, it was now a time of trouble on this continent; and an epistle to friends went forth from our general spring meeting, which I thought good to give a place in this journal.
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An EPISTLE from our general spring meeting of ministers and elders for Pennsylvania and New Jersey, held at Philadelphia, from the twenty- ninth of the third month, to the first of the fourth month, inclusive, 1755.
To Friends on the Continent of America.
Dear Friends,
IN an humble sense of divine goodness, and the gracious continuation of God's love to his people, we tenderly salute you ; and are at this lime there in engaged in mind, that all of us who profess the truth, as held forth and published by our worthy predecessors in this latter age of the world, may keep near to that life which is the light of men, and be strengthened to hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering, that our trust may not be in man, but in the Lord alone, who ruleth in the army of heaven, and in the kingdoms of men, before whom the earth is (< as the dust of the balance, and her inhabitants as grasshoppers." Isa. xl. 22.
We, being convinced that the gracious design of the Almighty in sending his Son into the world, was to repair the breach made by disobedience, to finish sin and transgression, that his kingdom might come, and his will be done on earth as it is in hea ven, have found it to be our duty to cease from those national contests productive of misery and bloodshed, and submit our cause to Him, the Most
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r
High,, whose tender love to his children exceeds "the most warm affections of natural parents, and who hath promised to his seed throughout the earth, as to one individual, (C I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." Heb. xiii. 5. And we, through the gracious dealings of the Lord our God, have had experience of that work which is carried on, ff not by earthly might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts:" Zech. iv. 6. By which operation, that spiritual kingdom is set up, which is to subdue and break in pieces all king doms that oppose it, and shall stand for ever. In a deep sense thereof, and of the safely, stability, and peace there is in it, we are desirous that all who profess the truth, may be inwardly acquainted with it, and thereby be qualified to conduct in all parts of our life as becomes our peaceable profession : and we trust, as there is a faithful continuance to depend wholly upon the almighty arm, from one generation to another, the peaceable kingdom will gradually be extended " from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth/' Zech. ix. 10. to the com pletion of those prophecies already begun, that ff nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, nor learn war any more." Isa. ii. 4. Micah. iv. 3. And, dearly beloved friends, seeing we have these promises, and believe that God is beginning to ful fil them, let us constantly endeavour to have our minds sufficiently disentangled from the surfeiting cares of this life, and redeemed from the love of the world, that no earthly possessions nor enjoyments may bias our judgments, or turn us from that resig-
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nation and entire trust in God, to which his blessing is most surely annexed ; then may we say, sf Our redeemer is mighty, he will plead our cause for us." Jer. 1. 34. And if, for the further promoting his most gracious purposes in the earth, he should give us to taste of that bitter cup which his faithful ones have often partaken of; O that we may be rightly prepared to receive it !
And now, dear friends, with respect to the com motions and stirrings of the powers of the earth at, this time near us, we are desirous that none of us may be moved thereat ; but repose ourselves in the munition of that rock that all these shakings shall not move, even in the knowledge and feeling of the eternal power of God, keeping us subjectly given up to his heavenly will, and feel it daily to mortify that which remains in any of us which is of this world ; for the worldly part in any, is the changeable part, and that is up and down, full and empty, joyful and sorrowful, as things go well or ill in this world. For as the truth is but one, and many are made partakers of its spirit, so the world is but one, and many are made partakers of the spirit of it ; and so many as do partake of it, so many will be straightened and perplexed with it. But they who are single to the truth, waiting daily to feel the life and virtue of it in their hearts, these shall re joice in the midst of adversity, and have to ex perience with the prophet, that. Although the fig- tree shall riot blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines ; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat ; the flock shall be cut
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off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls; yet will they rejoice in the Lord., and joy in the God of their salvation. Hab. iii. 17, 18.
If, contrary to this, we profess the truth., and not living under the power and influence of it, are pro ducing fruits disagreeable to the purity thereof, and trust to the strength of man to support ourselves, therein our confidence will be vain. For he who removed the hedge from his vineyard, and gave it to be trodden under foot, by reason of the wild grapes it produced, (Isa. v. 6.) remains unchange able : and if, for the chastisement of wickedness, and the further promoting his own glory, he doth arise, even to shake terribly the earth, who then may op pose him, and prosper !
We remain, in the love of the gospel, your friends and brethren.
Signed by fourteen friends.
Scrupling to do writings relative to keeping slaves, having been a means of sundry small trials to me, in which I have so evidently felt my own will set aside, I think it good to mention a few of them. Tradesmen and retailers of goods, who depend on their business for a living, are naturally inclined to keep the good-will of their customers ; nor is it a pleasant thing for young men to be under any necessity to question the judgment or honesty of elderly men, and more especially of such who have a fair reputation. Deep-rooted customs, though wrong, are not easily altered ; but it is the duty of all to be firm in that which they
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certainly know is right for them. A charitable,, benevolent man, well acquainted with a negro, may, 1 believe, under some circumstances, keep him in his family as a servant, on no other motives than the negro's good ; but man, as man, knows not what shall be after him, nor hath he any assurance that his children will attain to that perfection in wisdom and goodness, necessary rightly to exercise such power : hence it is clear to me, that I ought not to be the scribe where wills are drawn, in which some children are made absolute masters over others during life.
About this time, an ancient man of good esteem in the neighbourhood, came to my house to get his will written ; he had young negroes ; and 1 asked him privately how he purposed to dispose of them. He told me : 1 then said, I cannot write thy will without breaking my own peace ; and respectfully gave him rny reasons for it. He signitied that he had a choice that 1 should have written it; but as 1 could not, consistently with my conscience, he did not de sire it; and so he got it written by some other person. And a few years after, there being great alterations in his family, he came again to get me to write his will. His negroes were yet young ; and his son. to whom he intended to give them, was, since he first spoke to me, from a libertine, become a sober young man ; and he supposed, that I would have been free, on that account, to write it. We had much friendly talk on the subject, and then deferred it : and a few days after, he came again, and directed their freedom ; and so I wrote his will.
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Near the time the last mentioned friend first spoke to me, a neighbour received a bad bruise in his body, and sent for me to bleed him ; which being done, he desired me to write his will. 1 took notes; and amongst other things, he told me to which of his children he gave his young negro. I considered the pain and distress he was in, and knew not how it would end ; so I wrote his will, save only that part concerning his slave, and carrying it to his bed-side, read it to him : and then told him in a friendly way, that I could not write any instruments by which my fellow-creatures were made slaves, without bringing trouble on my own mind. I let him know that I charged nothing for what I had done, and desired to be excused from doing the other part in the way he proposed. We then had a serious conference on the subject; at length, he agreeing to set her free, I finished his will.
Having found drawings in my mind to visit friends on Long Island, after obtaining a certificate from our monthly-meeting, I set off on the twelfth-day of the fifth month, in the year 1756. When I reached the island, I lodged the first night at the house of my dear friend Richard Mallet. The next day, being the first of the week, I was at the meeting in New Town ; in which we experienced the renewed manifestations of the love of Jesus Christ, to the comfort of the honest-hearted. I went that night to Flushing; and the next day, in com pany with my beloved friend Matthew Franklin, we crossed the ferry at White Stone ; were at three meetings on the main, and then returned to the
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sland ; where I spent the remainder of the Week in visiting meetings. The Lord, I believe,, hath a people in those parts., who are honestly inclined to serve him ; but many, I fear, are too much clogged with the things of this life, and do not come for ward bearing the cross in such faithfulness as He calls for.
My mind was deeply engaged in this visit, both in public and private ; and, at several places where I was, on observing that they had slaves, I found myself under a necessity, in a friendly way, to labour with them on that subject ; expressing, as way opened, the inconsistency of that practice with the purity of the Christian religion, and the ill effects of it manifested amongst us.
The latter end of the week, their yearly meeting began; at which were our friends John Scarbo rough, Jane Hoskins, and Susannah Brown, from Pennsylvania. The public meetings were large, and measurably favoured with divine goodness.
The exercise of my mind, at this meeting, was chiefly on account of those who were considered as the foremost rank in the society : and in a meeting of ministers and elders, way opened, that I ex pressed in some measure what lay upon me ; and at a time when friends were met for transacting the affairs of the church, having sat a while silent, I felt a weight on my mind, and stood up ; and, through the gracious regard of our heavenly Fa ther, strength was given fully to clear myself of a burden, which for some days had been increasing upon me.
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Through the humbling dispensations of Divine Providence, men are sometimes fitted for his ser vice. The messages of the prophet Jeremiah were so disagreeable to the people, and so reverse to the spirit they lived in, that he became the object of their reproach : and in the weakness of nature, thought of desisting from his prophetic office ; but saith he, ff His word was in my heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones ; and I was weary with forbearing, and could not stay." I saw at this time, that if I was honest in declaring that which truth opened in me, I could not please ail men ; and laboured to be content in the way of my duty, how ever disagreeable to my own inclination. After this I went homeward, taking Woodbridge and Plainfield in my way ; in both which meetings, the pure influence of divine love was manifested; in an humbling sense whereof I went home: having been out about twenty-four days, and rode about three hundred arid sixteen miles.
While I was out on this journey, my heart was much affected with a senseof the state of the churches in our southern provinces; and believing the Lord was calling me to some further labour amongst them, I was bowed in reverence before Hi in, with fervent desires that I might find strength to resign myself up to his heavenly will.
Until this year, 1756, I continued to retail goods, besides following my trade as a tailor: about which time, I grew uneasy on account of my business growing too cumbersome. I had begun with sell ing trimmings for garments, and from thence pro-
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ceeded to sell cloths and linens; and, at length, having got a considerable shop of goods,, my trade increased every year, and the road to large business appeared open ; but I felt a stop in my rnind.
Through the mercies of the Almighty, I had, in a good degree, learned to be content with a plain way of living. I had but a small family ; and on serious consideration, I believed truth did not re quire me to engage in much cumbering affairs. It had been my general practice to buy and sell things really useful. Things that served chiefly to please the vain mind in people, I was not easy to trade in ; seldom did it ; and whenever I did, I found it weaken me as a Christian.
The increase of business became my burden ; for though my natural inclination was toward mer chandize, yet I believed truth required me to live more free from outward cumbers : arid there was now a strife in my mind between the two; and in this exercise my prayers were put up to the Lord, who graciously heard me, and gave me a heart re signed to his holy will. Then I lessened my outward business; and as I had opportunity, told iny cus tomers of my intentions, that they might consider what shop to turn to : and in a while wholly laid down merchandize, following my trade as a tailor; myself only, ha'ving no apprentice. I also had a nursery of apple-trees ; in which I employed some of my time in hoeing, grafting, trimming, arid ino culating. In merchandize it is the custom, where I lived, to'1 sell chiefly on credit, and poor people often get iuxlebt ; and when payment is expected,
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not having wherewith to pay, their creditors often sue for it at law. Having often observed occur rences of this kind,, I found it good for me to advise poor people, to take such goods as Vvere most use ful, and not costly.
In the time of trading, I had an opportunity of seeing, that the too liberal use of spirituous liquors, and the custom of wearing too costly apparel, led some people into great inconveniences; and these two things appear to be often connected one with the other; for by riot attending to that use of things, which is consistent with universal righteousness, there is an increase of labour which extends beyond what our heavenly Father intends for us. And by great labour, and often by much sweating, there is even among such who are not drunkards, a craving of some liquors to revive the spirits ; that partly by the luxurious drinking of some, and partly by the drinking of others, (led to it through immoderate labour) very great quantities of rum are every year expended in our colonies; the greater part of which we should have no need of, did we steadily attend to pure wisdom.
Where men take pleasure in feeling their minds elevated with strong drink, and so indulge their appetite as to disorder their understandings, neglect their duty as members in a family or civil society, and cast off all regard to religion, thfcir case is much to be pitied. And where such whose lives are for the most part regular, and whose examples have a strong influence on the minds of others, adhere to some customs which powerfully draw to the use of
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more strong liquor than pure wisdom allows ; this also,, as it hinders the spreading of the spirit of meekness, and strengthens the hands of the more excessive drinkers., is a case to be lamented.
As every degree of luxury hath some connexion with evil ; for those who profess to be disciples of Christ, and are looked upon as leaders of the people, to have that mind in them, which was also in Christ, and so stand separate from every wrong way, is a means of help to the weaker. As I have sometimes been much spent in the heat, arid taken spirits to revive me, I have found by experience, that in such circumstances the mind is not so cairn, nor so fitly disposed for divine meditation, as when all such extremes are avoided ; and I have felt an increasing care to attend to that holy Spirit which sets right bounds to our desires ; and leads those who faith fully follow it, to apply all the gifts of Divine Providence to the purposes for which they were in tended. Did such who have the care of great es tates, attend with singleness of heart to this heaven ly Instructor, which so opens and enlarges the mind, that men love their neighbours as themselves, they would have wisdom given them to manage, without finding occasion to employ some people in the luxuries of life, or to make it necessary for others ta labour too hard ; but for want of steadily re garding this principle of divine love, a selfish spirit takes place in the minds of people, which is ak- tended with durkness, and manifold confusions iij the world.
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Though trading in things useful is an honest employ : yet,, through the great number of super fluities which are bought and sold, and through the corruption of the times, they who apply to mer chandize for a living, have great need to be well experienced in that precept which the prophet Jere- iniah laid down for his scribe: " Seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not."
In the winter, this year, I was engaged with friends in visiting families ; and through the good ness of the Lord,, we had often times experience of his heart-tendering presence amongst us.
A copy of a Letter written to a friend.
" IN this thy late affliction I have found a deep fellow-feeling with thee ; and had a secret hope throughout, that it might please the Father of mer cies to raise thee up, and sanctify thy troubles to thee ; that thou being more fully acquainted with that way which the world esteems foolish, may feel the clothing of divine fortitude, and be strength ened to resist that spirit, which leads from the sim plicity of the everlasting truth.
We may see ourselves crippled and halting, and from a strong bias to things pleasant and easy, find an impossibility to advance forward ; but things impossible with men are possible with God ; and our wills being made subject to his, all temptations are surmountable.
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This work of subjecting the will, is compared to the mineral in the furnace ; which, through fervent heat, is reduced from its first principle : " He re fines them as silver is refined — he shall sit as a re finer, and purifier of silver/' By these comparisons, we are instructed in the necessity of the melting operation of the hand of God upon us, to prepare our hearts truly to adore Him, and manifest that adoration, by inwardly turning away from that spirit in all its workings, which is not of Him. To forward this work, the all-wise God is sometimes pleased, through outward distress, to bring us near the gates of death ; that life being painful and afflicting, and the prospect of eternity open before us, all earthly bonds may be loosened, and the mind prepared for that deep and sacred instruction, which otherwise would not be received. If kind parents love their children, and delight in their hap piness, then He, who is perfect goodness^ in sending abroad mortal contagions, doth assuredly direct their use — Are the righteous removed by it, their change is happy ; are the wicked taken away in their wickedness, the Almighty is clear: do we pass through with anguish and great bitterness, and yet recover, He intends that we should be purged from dross, and our ear opened to discipline.
And now, on thy part, after thy sore affliction and doubts of recovery, thou art again restored, forget not Him who hath helped thee ; but in humble gratitude hold fast his instructions, thereby to shun those bye-paths which lead from the firm foundation. I am sensible of that variety of company, to which
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one in thy business must be exposed : I have painful ly felt the force of conversation proceeding from men deeply rooted in an earthly mind, and can sympa thize with others in such conflicts, in that much weakness still attends me.
I find that to be a fool as to worldly wisdom, and commit my cause to God, not fearing to offend men, who take offence at the simplicity of truth, is the only way to remain unmoved at the sentiments of others.
The fear of man brings a snare. By halting in our duty, and giving back in the time of trial, our hands grow weaker, our spirits get mingled with the peo ple, our ears grow dull as to hearing the language of the true Shepherd : that when we look at the way of the righteous, it seems as though it was not for us to follow them.
There is a love clothes my mind while I write, which is superior to all expressions ; and I find my heart open to encourage to a holy emulation, to advance forward in Christian firmness, Deep humi lity is a strong bulwark ; and as we enter into it, we find safety and true exaltation : the foolishness of God is wiser than man, and the weakness of God is stronger than man. Being unclothed of our own wisdom, and knowing the abasement of the crea ture, therein we find that power to arise, which gives health and vigour to us."
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CHAP, IV.
His visiting the families of friends at Burlington. — His journey to Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina. — Considerations on the state of friends there ; and the exercise he was under in travelling among those so generally concerned in keeping slaves: with some observations in conver sation, at several times, on this subject. — His epis tle to friends at New Garden and Crane Creek. — His thoughts on the neglect of a religious care in the education of the negroes.
THE thirteenth day of the second month, in the year 1757, being then in good health, and abroad with friends visiting families, I lodged at a friend's house in Burlington ; and going to bed about the time usual with me, I awoke in the night, arid my meditations, as I lay, were on the goodness and mercy of the Lord ; in a sense whereof my heart was contrite. After this, I went to sleep again ; and sleeping a short time, I awoke ; it was yet daik, and no appearance of day nor moonshine ; and as I opened mine eyes, I saw a light in my chamber, at the apparent distance of five feet, about nine inches diameter, of a clear easy brightness, and near its center the most radiant. As I lay still, without any surprize looking upon it, words were spoken to my inward ear, which filled my whole inward man. They were not the effect of thought, nor any con-
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elusion in relation to the appearance,, but as the language of the Holy One, spoken in my mind. The words were, CERTAIN EVIDENCE of DIVINE TRUTH : and were again repeated exactly in the same man ner,, whereupon the light disappeared.
Feeling the exercise in relation to a visit to the Southern Provinces to increase upon me, I ac quainted our monthly meeting therewith, and ob tained their certificate. Expecting to go alone, one of my brothers who lived in Philadelphia, having some business in North Carolina, proposed going with me part of the way ; but as he had a view of some outward affairs, to accept of him as a com panion, seemed some difficulty with me, whereupon I had conversation with him at sundry times ; and, at length, feeling easy in my mind, I had conver sation with several elderly friends of Philadelphia on the subject ; and he obtaining a certificate suit able to the occasion, we set off in the fifth month of the year J757; and coming to Nottingham week day meeting, lodged at John Churchman's, and here I met with our friend Benjamin Buffington, from New England, who was returning from a visit to the Southern Provinces. Thence we crossed the river Susquehannah, and lodged at William Cox's in Maryland ; and soon after I entered this province, a deep and painful exercise came upon me, which I often had some feeling of, since my mind was drawn toward these parts, and with which I had acquainted my brother before we agreed to join as companions.
As the people in this and the Southern Provinces
live much on the labour of slaves, many of whom are used hardly, my concern was, that 1 might at tend with singleness of heart to the voice of the true Shepherd, and be so supported as to remain un moved at the faces of men.
As it is common for friends on such a visit to have entertainment free of cost, a difficulty arose in my mind with respect to saving my money by kindness received, which to me appeared to be the gain of oppression .
Receiving a gift, considered as a gift, brings the receiver under obligations to the benefactor, and has a natural tendency to draw the obliged into a party with the giver. To prevent difficulties of this kind, and to preserve the minds of judges from any bias, was that divine prohibition : cc Thou shalt not receive any gift ; for a gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous/5 Exod. xxiii. 8. As the disciples were sent forth without any provision for their journey, and our Lord said the workman is worthy of his meat, their labour in the gospel was considered as a reward for their entertainment, and therefore not received as a gift; yet, in regard to my present journey, I could not see my way clear in that respect. The difference appeared thus : the entertainment the disciples met with, was from such whose hearts God had opened to receive them, from a love to them, and the truth they published ; but we, considered as members of the same religious society, look upon it as a piece of civility to receive each other in such visits ; and such reception, at times, is partly in regard to
reputation, and not from an inward unity of heart and spirit. Conduct is more convincing than lan guage ; and where people., by their actions, manifest that the slave-trade is not so disagreeable to their principles but that it may be encouraged, there is not a sound uniting with some friends who visit them.
The prospect of so weighty a work, and being so distinguished from many whom I esteemed before myself, brought me very low ; and such \vere the conflicts of my soul, that I had a near sympathy with the prophet, in the time of his weakness, when he said, " If thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, if I have found favour in thy sight;" Num. xi. 15. but I soon saw that this proceeded from the want of a full resignation to the divine will. Many were the afflictions which attended me; and in great abasement, with many tears, my cries were to the Almighty, for his gracious and fatherly assistance ; and then, after a time of deep trial, 1 was favoured to understand the state mentioned by the psalmist, more clearly than ever I had before ; to wit : " My soul is even as a weaned child." Psalrn cxxxi. 2. Being thus helped to sink down into resignation, I felt a deliverance from that tempest in which I had been sorely exercised, and in calmness of mind went forward, trusting that the Lord Jesus Christ, as I faithfully attended to him, would be a counsel lor to me in all difficulties; and that by his strength I should be enabled, even to leave money with the members of society where I had entertainment, when I found that omitting it, would obstruct
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that work to which I believed he had called me : and as I copy this after my return,, I may here add, that oftentimes I did so, under a sense of duty. The way in which I did it was thus : when I expected soon to leave a friend's house where I had enter tainment, if I believed that I should not keep clear from the gain of oppression without leaving money, T spoke to one of the heads of the family privately, and desired them to accept of those pieces of silver, and give them to such of their negroes as they believed would make the best use of them ; arid at other times, I gave them to the negroes myself, as the way looked clearest to me. As I expected this before I came out, I had provided a large number of small pieces ; and thus offering them to some who appeared to be wealthy people, was a trial both to me and them ; but the fear of the Lord so covered me at times, that my way was made easier than I expected ; and few, if any, manifested any resentment at the offer, and most of them, after some talk, accepted of them.
The seventh day of the fifth month, in the year 1757, lodged at a friend's house ; and the next day, being the first of the week, was at Poiapsco meet ing ; then crossed Patuxent river, and lodged at a public-house.
On the ninth, breakfasted at a friend's house; who afterwards, putting us a little on our way, I had conversation with him, in the fear of the Lord, con cerning his slaves ; in which my heart was tender, and I used much plainness of speech with him, which he appeared to take kindly. We pursued pur
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journey without appointing meetings, being pressed in my mind to be at the yearly meeting in Virginia ; and in my travelling on the road, I often felt a cry rise from the centre of my mind, thus: ff O Lord, I am a stranger on the earth, hide not thy face from me." On the eleventh day of the fifth month, we crossed the rivers Patowmack and Rapahannock, and lodged at Port Royal ; and on the way we happening in company with a colonel of the militia, who appeared to be a thoughtful man ; I took oc casion to remark on the difference in general be twixt a people used to labour moderately for their living, training up their children in frugality and business, and those who live on the labour of slaves; the former, in my view, being the most happy life : with which he concurred, and mentioned the trouble arising from the untoward, slothful, disposition of the negroes ; adding, that one of our labourers would do as much in a day as two of their slaves. I replied, that free men, whose minds were properly on their business, found a satisfaction in improving, cultivating, and providing for their families ; but negroes, labouring to support others who claim them as their property, and expecting nothing but slavery during life, had not the like inducement to be industrious.
After some further conversation, I said, that men having power, too often misapplied it ; that though we made slaves of the negroes, and the Turks made slaves of the Christians, I however believed that liberty was the natural right of all men equally : which he did not deny; but said, the lives of the
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negroes were so wretched in their own country, that many of them lived better here than there. I only said, there is great odds in regard to us, on what principle we act ; and so the conversation on that subject ended : and I may here add, that another person, some time afterwards, mentioned the wretch edness of the negroes, occasioned by their intestine wars, as an argument in favour of our fetching them away for slaves. To which I then replied, if compas sion on the Africans, in regard to their domestic troubles, were the real motives of our purchasing them, that spirit of tenderness being attended to, would incite us to use them kindly ; that as strang ers brought out of affliction, their lives might be happy among us ; and as they are human creatures, whose souls are as precious as ours, and .who may receive the same help and comfort from the holy scriptures as we do, we could not omit suitable en deavours to instruct them therein ; but while we manifest by our conduct, that our views in pur chasing them are to advance ourselves ; and while our buying captives taken in war, animates those parties to push on the war, and increase desolation amongst them ; to say they live unhappy in Africa, is far from being an argument in our favour. I further said, the present circumstances of these pro-*- vinces to me appear difficult ; that the slaves look like a burthensome stone to such \vho burthen themselves with them; and that if the white people retain a resolution to prefer their outward prospects of gain to all other considerations, and do not act conscientiously toward them as fellow-creatures., I
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believe that burden will grow heavier and heavier* until times change in a way disagreeable to us : at which the person appeared very serious; and owned, that in considering their condition, and the manner of their treatment in these provinces, he had some times thought it might be just in the Almighty so to order it.
Having thus travelled through Maryland, we came amongst friends at Cedar Creek in Virginia, on the twelfth day of the fifth month ; and the next day rode, in company with several friends, a day's journey to Camp Creek. As I was riding along in the morning, my mind was deeply affected in a sense I had of the want of divine aid to support me, in the various difficulties which attended me ; and in an uncommon distress of mind, I cried in secret to the Most High, ff O Lord be merciful, I beseech thee to thy poor afflicted creature/' After some time, 1 felt inward relief; and soon after, a friend in company began to talk in support of the slave-trade, and said, the negroes were understood to be the offspring of Cain, their blackness being the mark God set upon him, after he murdered Abel his brother; that it was the design of Pro vidence they should be slaves, as a condition pro per to the race of so wicked a man as Cain was: then another spake in support of what had been said. To all which, I replied in substance as follows : that Noah and his family were all who survived the flood, according to scripture ; and as Noah was of Seth's race, the family of Cain was wholly destroyed. One of them said, that after
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the flood Ham went to the land of Nod, and took a wife ; that Nod was a land far distant,, inhabited by Cain's race,, and that the flood did not reach it ; and as Ham was sentenced to be a servant of ser vants to his brethren, these two families being thus joined,, were undoubtedly fit only for slaves. I re plied, the flood was a judgment upon the world for their abominations ; and it was granted, that Cain's stock was the most wicked, and therefore unreasonable to suppose they were spared : as to Ham's going to the land of Nod for a wife, no time being fixed, Nod might be inhabited by some of Noah's family, before Ham married a second time : moreover the text saith, " That all flesh died that moved upon the earth/' Gen. vii, 21. I further re minded them, how the prophets repeatedly declare, " that the son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father : but every one be answerable for his own sins." I was troubled to perceive the darkness of their imaginations ; and in some pressure of spirit said, the love of ease arid gain are the motives in general of keeping slaves, and men are wont to take hold of weak arguments to support a cause which is unreasonable ; and added, I have no in terest on either side, save only the interest which I desire to have in the truth : and as I believe liberty is their right, and see they are not only deprived of it, but treated in other respects with inhumanity in many places, I believe He, who is a refuge for the oppressed, will, in his own time, plead their cause ; and happy will it be for such, who walk in up-
Tightness before Him : and thus our conversation ended.
On the fourteenth day of the fifth month I was at Camp Creek monthly-meeting, and then rode to the mountains up James' River, and had a meeting at a friend's house ; in both which I felt sqrrow of heart, and my tears were poured out before the Lord, who was pleased to afford a degree of strength, by which way was opened to clear my mind amongst friends in those places. From thence I went to Fork Creek, and so to Cedar Creek again ; at which place I now had a meeting. Here I found a tender seed ; and as I was preserved in the ministry to keep low with the Truth ; the same truth in their hearts an swered it, that it was a time of mutual refreshment from the presence of the Lord. I lodged at James Standley's, father of William Standley, one of the young men who suffered imprisonment at Win chester last summer, on account of their testimony against fighting ; and I had some satisfactory con versation with him concerning it. Hence I went to the Swamp-meeting, and to Wayanoke-meeting ; and then crossed James' River, and lodged near Burleigh. From the time of my entering Maryland I have been much under sorrow, which of late so increased upon me that my mind was almost over whelmed; and I may say with the psalmist, <f In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried to my God ;" who, in infinite goodness, looked upon my affliction, and in iny private retirement sent the Comforter for my relief; for which I humbly bless holv name.
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The sense I had of the state of the churches, brought a weight of distress upon me. The gold to me appeared dim, and the fine gold changed ; and though this is the case too generally, yet the sense of it in these parts hath, in a particular man ner,, borne heavy upon me. It appeared to me, that through the prevailing of the spirit of this world, the minds of many were brought to an inward de solation ; and instead of the spirit of meekness, gentleness, and heavenly wisdom, which are the necessary companions of the true sheep of Christ, a spirit of fierceness, and the love of dominion, too generally prevailed. From small beginnings in errors, great buildings, by degrees, are raised; and from one age to anothec are more and more strength ened by the general concurrence of the people ; and as men obtain reputation by their profession of the truth, their virtues are mentioned as arguments in favour of general error ; and those of less note, to justify themselves, say such and such and good men did the like. By what other steps could the people of Judah arise to that height in wickedness, as to give just ground for the prophet Isaiah to declare in the name of the Lord, " that none calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth/' Isaiah lix. 4; or for the Almighty to call upon the great city of Jerusalem, just before the Babylonish captivity, f( If ye can find a man, if there be any who execu- teth judgment, that seeketh the truth, and I will pardon it." Jer. v. 1. The prospect of a road lying open to the same degeneracy, in some parts of this newly settled land of America^ in respect to our
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conduct towards the negroes, hath deeply bowed my mind in this journey ; and though to briefly relate how these people are treated is no agreeable work ; yet,, after often reading over the notes I made as I travelled, I find my mind engaged to preserve them. Many of the white people in those provinces take little or no care of negro marriages ; and when negroes marry after their own way, some make so little account of those marriages, that with views of outward interest, they often part men from their wives by selling them far asunder; which is common when estates are sold by execu tors at vendue. Many whose labour is heavy, being followed,, at their business in the field, by a man with a whip, hired for that purpose, have in com mon little else allowed but one peck of Indian corn and some salt for one week, with a few potatoes ; the potatoes they commonly raise by their labour on the first day of the week.
The correction ensuing on their disobedience to overseers, or slothfulness in business, is often very severe, and sometimes desperate.
Men and women have many times scarce clothes enough to hide their nakedness, and boys and girls, ten and twelve years old, are often quite naked amongst their master's children. Some of our society, and some of the society called new-lights, use some endeavours to instruct those they have in reading ; but in common this is not only neglected, but disapproved. These are the people by whose labour the other inhabitants are in a great measure supported, and many of them in the luxuries of
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life. These are the people who have made no agree ment to serve us, and who have not forfeited their liberty that we know of. These are the souls for whom Christ died ; and for our conduct towards them, we must answer before Him who is no re specter of persons.
They who know the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom He hath sent, and are thus acquainted with the merciful, benevolent, gospel spirit,, will therein perceive that the indignation of God is kindled against oppression and cruelty ; and in be holding the great distress of so numerous a people, will tind cause for mourning.
From my lodgings I went to Burleigh-meeting, where I felt my mind drawn into a quiet resigned state ; and after long silence, I felt an engagement to stand up ; and through the powerful operation of divine love, we were favoured with an edifying meeting. The next meeting we had was at Black Water ; and so to the yearly-meeting at the Wes tern Branch. When business began, some queries were considered, by some of their members, to be now produced ; and if approved, to be answered hereafter by their respective monthly-meetings. They were the Pennsylvania queries, which had been examined by a committee of Virginia yearly- meeting appointed the last year, who made some alterations in them ; one of which alterations was made in favour of a custom which troubled rne. The query was, <f Are there any concerned in the importation of negroes, or buying them after im ported ?" which they altered thus : " Are there any
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concerned in the importation of negroes,, or buying them to trade in ?" As one query admitted with unanimity was, " Are any concerned in buying or vending goods unlawfully imported, or prize goods?" I found my rnind engaged to say, that as we profess the truth, and were there assembled to support the testimony of it, it was necessary for us to dwell deep, and act in that wisdom which is pure ; or otherwise we could not prosper. I then mentioned their alteration ; and, referring to the last mentioned query, added, as purchasing any merchandize taken by the sword, was always al lowed to be inconsistent with our principles ; ne groes being captives of war, or taken by stealth, those circumstances make it inconsistent with our testimony to buy them ; and their being our fellow- creatures, who are sold as slaves, adds greatly to the iniquity Friends appeared attentive to what was said ; some expressed a care and concern about their negroes; none made any objection, by way of reply to what I said ; but the query was ad mitted as they had altered it. As some of their members have heretofore traded in negroes, as in other merchandize, this query being admitted, will be one step further than they have hitherto gone ; and I did not see it my duty to press for an altera tion ; but felt easy to leave it all to Him, who alone is able to turn the hearts of the mighty, and make \vay for the spreading of truth on the earth, by means agreeable to his infinite wisdom. But in regard to those they already had, I felt my mind engaged to labour with them ; and said^ that, as
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we believe the scriptures were given forth by holy men, as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, and many of us know by experience that they are often helpful and comfortable, and believe ourselves bound in duty to teach our children to read them ; I believe, that if we were divested of all selfish views, the same good spirit that gave them forth, would engage us to teach the negroes to read, that they might have the benefit of them. Some there were amongst them, who at this time, manifested a concern in regard to taking more care in the educa tion of their negroes.
On the twenty-ninth day of the fifth month, at the house where I lodged, was a meeting of ministers y and elders, at the ninth hour in the morning ; at ' which time I found an engagement to speak freely and plainly to them concerning their slaves ; men tioning, how they, as the first rank in the society, whose conduct in that case was much noticed by others, were under the stronger obligations to look carefully to themselves. Expressing how need ful it was for them in that situation, to be thoroughly divested of all selfish views ; that living in the pure truth, and acting conscientiously toward those people in their education and otherwise, they might be instrumental in helping forward a work so exceed ingly necessary, and so much neglected amongst them. At the twelfth hour the meeting of worship began ; which was a solid meeting.
On the thirtieth day, about the tenth hour, friends met to finish their business, and then the meeting for worship ensued, which to me was a
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laborious time ; but through the goodness of the Lord, Truth, I believe, gained some ground ; and it was a strengthening opportunity to the honest- hearted .
About this time I wrote an epistle to friends in the back settlements of North Carolina, as follows :
To Friends at their monthly -meeting at New Garden and Cane Creek, in North Carolina,
Dear Friends,
IT having pleased the Lord to draw me forth on a visit to some parts of Virginia and Carolina, you have often been in my mind ; and though my way is not clear to come in person to visit you, yet I feel it in my heart to communicate a few things, as they arise in the love of truth. First, my dear friends, dwell in humility; and take heed that no views of outward gain get too deep hold of you, that so your eyes being single to the Lord, you may be preserved in the way of safety. Where people let loose their minds after the love of out ward things, and are more engaged in pursuing the profits, and seeking the friendships of this world, than to be inwardly acquainted with the way of true peace ; such walk in a vain shadow, while the true comfort of life is wanting. Their examples are often hurtful to others; and their treasures thus collected, do many times prove dangerous snares to their children.
But where people are sincerely devoted to follow Christ, and dwell under the influence of his Holy
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Spirit, their stability and firmness, through a divine blessing, is at times like dew on the tender plants round about them, and the weightiness of their spirits secretly works on the minds of others ; and in this condition, through the spreading influence of divine love, they feel a care over the flock ; and way is opened for maintaining good order in the society. And though we meet with opposition from another spirit, yet, as there is a dwelling in meekness, feeling our spirits subject, and moving- only in the gentle peaceable wisdom, the inward reward of quietness will be greater than all our difficulties. Where the pure life is kept to, and meetings of discipline are held in the authority of it, we find by experience that they are comfortable, and tend to the health of the body.
While I write, the youth come fresh in my way. Dear young people, choose God for your portion ; love his truth, and be not ashamed of it ; choose for your company such who serve Him in upright ness ; mid shun, as most dangerous, the conversa tion of those whose lives are of an ill savour; for by frequenting such company, some hopeful young people have come to great loss, and been drawn from less evils to greater, to their utter ruin. In the bloom of youth no ornament is so lovely as that of virtue, nor any enjoyments equal to those which we partake of, in fully resigning ourselves to the divine will. These enjoyments add sweetness to all other comforts, and give true satisfaction in company and conversation, where people are mu tually acquainted with it ; and as your minds are
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thus seasoned with the truth, you will find strength to abide stedfast to the testimony of it, and be pre pared for services in the church.
And now,, dear friends arid brethren, as you are improving a wilderness, and may be numbered amongst the first planters in one part of a province, I beseech you, in the love of Jesus Christ, to wisely consider the force of your examples, and think how much your successors may be thereby affected. It is a help in a country; yea, and a great favour and a blessing, when customs first settled, are agreeable to sound wisdom ; so when they are otherwise, the effect of them is grievous ; and children feel themselves encompassed with difficulties prepared for them by their predecessors.
As moderate care and exercise, under the direc tion of true wisdom, are useful both to mind and body; so, by these means in general, the real wants of life are easily supplied. Our gracious Father having so proportioned one to the other, that keep ing in the medium we may pass on quietly. Where slaves are purchased to do our labour, numerous difficulties attend it. To rational creatures bond age is uneasy, and frequently occasions sourness and discontent in them ; which affects the family, and such who claim the mastery over them. And ihus people and their children are many times en compassed with vexations, which arise from their applying to wrong methods to get a living.
1 have been informed that there are a large num ber of friends in your parts, who have no slaves; and in tender and most affectionate love, I beseech
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you to keep clear from purchasing any. Look, my dear friends, to Divine Providence ; and follow in simplicity that exercise of body, that plainness and frugality,, which true wisdom leads to ; so may you be preserved from those dangers which attend such who are aiming at outward ease and greatness.
Treasures, though small, attained on a true prin ciple of virtue, are sweet in the possession ; and while we walk in the light of the Lord, there is true comfort and satisfaction. Here, neither the murmurs of an oppressed people, nor throbbing uneasy conscience, nor anxious thoughts about the events of things, hinder the enjoyment of it.
When we look towards the end of life, arid think on the division of our substance among our suc cessors ; if we know that it was collected in the fear of the Lord, in honesty, in equity, and in up rightness of heart before Him, we may consider it as his gift to us ; and with a single eye to his bles sing, bestow it on those we leave behind us. Such is the happiness of the plain ways of true virtue. " The work of righteousness shall be peace ; and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance for ever." Isa. xxxii. 17.
Dwell here, my dear friends; and then in remote and solitary deserts, you may find true peace and satisfaction. If the Lord be our God, in truth and reality, there is safety for us ; for He is a strong hold in the day of trouble, and knoweth them that trust in Him.
Isle of Wight County, in Virginia, 29th of the bth month, 1757.
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From the yearly meeting in Virginia, I went to Carolina ; and on the first day of the sixth month, was at Wells monthly meeting-, where the spring of the gospel ministry was opened, arid the love of Jesus Christ experienced amongst us: to his name be the praise.
Here my brother joined with some friends from New Garden, who were going homeward ; and I went next to Simons Creek monthly meeting, where I was silent during the meeting for worship ; and when business came on, my rnind was exercised concerning the poor slaves ; but did not feel my way clear to speak. In this condition I was bowed in spirit before the Lord ; and with tears and in ward supplication besought Him,, so to open my understanding, that I might know his will concern ing me; and, at length, my mind was settled in silence. Near the end of their business, a member of their meeting expressed a concern, that had some time lain upon him, on account of friends so much neglecting their duty in the education of their slaves ; and proposed having meetings sometimes appointed for them on a week day, to be only at tended by some friends to be named in their monthly meetings ; many present appeared to unite with the proposal. One said, he had often won dered that they, being our fellow-creatures and capable of religious understanding, had been so exceedingly neglected : another expressed the like concern, and appeared zealous, that friends, in future, might more closely consider it. At length a minute was made ; and the further consideration
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of it referred to then- next monthly meeting. The friend who made this proposal hath negroes : he told me, that he was at New Garden ; about two hundred and fifty miles from home,, and came back alone; and that in this solitary journey, this exer cise, in regard to the education of their negroes, was, from time to time., renewed in his mind. A friend of some note in Virginia, who hath slaves, told me, that he being far from home on a lonesome journey, had many serious thoughts about them ; and that his mind was so impressed therewith, that he believed that he saw a time coming, when Divine Providence would alter the circumstance of these people, respecting their condition as slaves.
From hence I went to Newbegun Creek, and sat a considerable time in much weakness ; then I felt truth open the way to speak a little in much plain ness and simplicity, till, at length, through the increase of divine love amongst us, we had a sea soning opportunity. From thence to the head of Little River, on a first day, where was a crowded meeting; and, I believe, was through divine good ness, made profitable to some. Thence to the Old Neck ; where I was led into a careful searching out of the secret workings of the mystery of iniquity, which, under a cover of religion, exalts itself against that pure spirit, which leads in the way of meekness and self-denial. From thence to Piney woods : this was the last meeting I was at in Carolina, and was large ; and my heart being deeply engaged, I was drawn forth into a fervent labour amongst them.
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When I was at Newbcgun Creek, a friend was there who laboured for his living, having no ne groes, and had been a minister many years. He came to me the next day ; and as we rode together, he signified that he wanted to talk with me con cerning a difficulty he had been under, and related it nearly as follows : to wit, that as monies had of late years been raised by a tax to carry on the wars, he had a scruple in his mind in regard to pay ing it ; and chose rather to suffer distraint of his goods than pay it ; and as he was the only person who refused it in those parts, and knew not that any one else was in the like circumstances, he signified that it had been a heavy trial to him ; and more so, for that some of his brethren had been uneasy with his conduct in that case. He added, that from a sympathy he felt with me yesterday in meeting, he found freedom thus to open the matter, in the way of querying concerning friends in our parts : whereupon I told him the state of friends amongst us, as well as I was able ; and also, that I had, for some time, been under the like scruple. I believed him to be one who was concerned to walk up rightly before the Lord ; and esteemed it my duty to preserve this note concerning him, Samuel Newby.
From hence I went back into Virginia, and had a meeting near James Cowpknd's ; it was a time of inward suffering; but, through the goodness of the Lord, I was made content; then to another meeting; where, through the renewings of pure love, we had a very comfortable season.
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Travel ling- "up and down of late, I have had re newed evidences, that to be faithful to the Lord, and content with his will concerning me/ is a most necessary and useful lesson for me to be learning ; looking less at the effects of my labour,, than at the pure motion and reality of the concern, as it arises from heavenly love. In the Lord Jehovah is ever lasting strength ; and as the mind,, by a humble resignation,, is united to Him,, and we utter words from an inward knowledge that they arise from the heavenly spring, though our way may be difficult., and require close attention to keep in it; and though the manner in which we may be led, may tend to our own abasement; yet, if we continue in patience and meekness, heavenly peace is the re ward of our labours.
From thence I went to Curies meeting; which, though small, was reviving to the honest-hearted. Thence to Black Creek and Caroline meetings ; from whence, accompanied by William Standley, before mentioned, we rode to Goose Creek, being- much through the woods, and about one hundred miles. We lodged, the first night, at a public- house ; the second, in the woods ; and the next day, we reached a friend's house, at Goose Creek. In the woods we lay under some disadvantage, having no fire-works nor bells for our horses ; but we stopped a little before night, and let them feed on the wild grass which was plentiful ; in the mean time cuttin"' with our knives a store against iiiirfH.
O O o *
and then tied them ; and gathering some bushes under an oak, we lay down ; but the musquetoes
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being numerous and the ground damp, I slept but little. Thus lying in the wilderness,, and looking at the stars, I was led to contemplate on the con dition of our first parents,, when they were sent forth from the garden ; but the Almighty, though they had been disobedient, continued to be a father to them; and showed them what tended to their felicity as intelligent creatures, and was acceptable to Him. To provide things relative to our outward living, in the way of true wisdom, is good ; and the gift of improving in things useful, is a good gift, and comes from the Father of lights. Many have had this gift ; and, from age to age, there have been improvements of this kind made in the world, But some not keeping to the pure gift, have, in the creaturely cunning and self-exaltation, sought out many inventions; which inventions of men, as dis tinct from that uprightness in which man was cre ated, as the first motion to them was evil, so the effects have been and are evil. At this day, it is as necessary for us constantly to attend ou the heavenly gift, to be qualified to use rightly the good things in this life amidst great improvements, as it was for our first parents, when they were with out any improvements, without any friend or father but God only.
I was at a meeting at Goose Creek ; and next at a monthly meeting at Fairfax ; where, through the gracious dealing of the Almighty with us, his power prevailed over many hearts. Thence to Mono- quacy and Pipe Creek., in Maryland ; at both which places I had cause humbly to adore Him, who sup-
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ported me through many exercises., and by whose help I was enabled to reach the true witness in the hearts of others. There were some hopeful young people in those parts. Thence I had meetings at John Event's in Monalen, and at Huntingdon ; and I was made humbly thankful to the Lord, who opened my heart amongst the people in these new settlements, so that it was a time of encouragement to the honest-minded.
At Monalen, a friend gave me some account of a religious society among the Dutch, called Men- nonists; and, amongst other things, related a pas sage in substance as follows : — One of the Men- nonists having acquaintance with a man of another society at a considerable distance,, and being with his waggon on business near the house of his said acquaintance, and night coining on, he had thoughts of putting up with him ; but passing by his fields, and observing the distressed appearance of his slaves, he kindled a fire in the woods hard by, and lay there that night. His said acquaintance hearing where he lodged, and, afterwards meeting the Mennonist, told him of it; adding, he should have been heartily welcome at his house; and from their acquaintance in former time, wondered at his con duct in that case: the Mennonist replied, ever since I lodged by thy field, I have wanted an opportunity to speak with thee. The matter was ; I intended to have come to thy house for entertainment, but seeing thy slaves at their work, and observing the manner of their dress, I had no liking to corne to partake with thee ; then admonished him to use
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them with more humanity ; and added, as I lay by the fire that night., I thought that as I was a man of substance, thon wonldst have received me freely ; but if 1 had been as poor as one of thy slaves, and had no power to help myself, 1 should have received from thy hand no kinder usage than they.
Hence 1 was at three meetings in my way ; and so I went home, under a humbling sense of the gracious dealings of the Lord with me, in preserving me through many trials and afflictions in my jour ney. I was out about two mouths,, and travelled about eleven hundred and iifty miles.
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CHAP- V.
Considerations on the payment of a tax, laid for carrying on the war against the Indians. — Some notes on Thomas a Kempis and John Huss. — Meetings of the committee of the yearly meeting at Philadelphia. — The present circumstances of
friends in Pennsylvania and New Jersey very different from those of our predecessors. — The draughting of the militia in New Jersey to serve in the army ; with some observations on the state of the members of our society at that time. — His visit to friends in Pennsylvania, accompanied by Ben-
jamin Jones. — Proceedings at the monthly, quar terly, and yearly ?neetings3 in Philadelphia, re specting those who keep slaves.
A FEW years past,, money being made current in our province for carrying on wars,, arid to be called in again by taxes laid on the inhabitants, my mind was often affected with the thoughts of paying such taxes; and I believe it right for me to preserve a memorandum concerning it. I was told,, that friends in England frequently paid taxes., when the money was applied to such purposes. I had conversation with several noted friends on the subject, who all favoured the payment of such taxes; some of whom I preferred before myself, and this made me easier for a time, yet there was in the deeps of my- mind,
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a scruple which I never could get over; and, at certain times,, I was greatly distressed on that ac count.
I all along believed that there were some upright- hearted men., who paid such taxes ; but could not see that their example was a sufficient reason for me to do so,, while I believed that the spirit of truth required of me., as an individual, to suffer patiently the distress of goods, rather than pay actively.
I have been informed that Thomas a Kempis lived and died in the profession of the Roman Catholic religion ; and in reading his writings, I have be lieved him to be a man of a true Christian spirit ; as fully so, as many who died martyrs because they could not join with some superstitions in that church.
All true Christians are of the same spirit, but their gifts are diverse; Jesus Christ appointing to each one his peculiar office, agreeable to his infi nite wisdom.
John Huss contended against the errors crept into the church, in opposition to the council of Constance; which the historian reports to have consisted of some thousand persons. He modestly vindicated the cause which he believed was right; and though his language and conduct towards his judges appear to have been respectful, yet he never could be moved from the principles settled in his mind. To use his own words; " This I most humbly require and desire of you all, even for his sake who is the God of us all, that I be not com pelled to the thing which my conscience doth re-
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pugn or strive against." And again, in his answer to the emperor ; " I refuse nothing, most noble em peror, whatsoever the council shall decree or deter mine upon me, only this one thing I except, that I do not offend God and my conscience/' Fox's Acts and Monuments,, page 233. At length, rather than act contrary to that which he believed the Lord required of him, he chose to suffer death by fire. Thomas a Keinpis, without disputing against the articles then generally agreed to, appears to have laboured, by a pious example as well as by preach ing and writing, to promote virtue, and the inward spiritual religion : and I believe they were both sincere-hearted followers of Christ.
True charity is an excellent virtue ; and sincerely to labour for their good, whose belief, in all points, doth not agree with ours, is a happy state. To refuse the active payment of a tax which our society generally paid was exceedingly disagreeable ; but to do a thing contrary to my conscience, appeared yet more dreadful. When this exercise came upon me, I knew of none under the like difficulty ; and, in my distress, I besought the Lord to enable me to give up all, that so I might follow Him wheresoever He was pleased to lead rne. And under this exer cise I went to our yearly meeting at Philadelphia, in the year 1755; at which a committee was ap pointed of some from each quarter, to correspond with the meeting for sufferings in London ; and another to visit our monthly and quarterly meetings ; and after their appointment, before the last adjourn-, meat of the meeting, it was agreed in the meeting,
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that these two committees should meet together in friends school-house in the city,, at a time then con cluded on, to consider some things in which the cause of truth was concerned ; and these committees meeting together,, had a weighty conference in the fear of the Lord ; at which time, I perceived,, there were many friends under a scruple like that before- mentioned.*
As scrupling to pay a tax on account of the appli cation,, hath seldom been heard of heretofore, even amongst men of integrity, who have steadily borne their testimony against outward wars in their time ; I may here note some things which have occurred to my mind, as I have been inwardly exercised on that account. From the steady opposition which faithful friends, in early times, made to wrong things then approved of, they were hated and persecuted by men living in the spirit of this world ; and suf fering with firmness, they were made a blessing to the church, and the work prospered. It equally concerns men, in every age, to take heed to their own spirit : and in comparing their situation with ours, it looks to me there was less danger of their being infected with the spirit of this world, in pay ing such taxes, than there is of us now. They had little or no share in civil government; and many or' them declared they were, through the power of God, separated from the spirit in which wars were ; and being afflicted by the rulers on account of their
* Christians refused to pay taxes to support heathen temples. See Primitive Christianity, part III, page 327.
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testimony., there was less likelihood of uniting in spirit with them in things inconsistent with the purity of truth. We, from the first settlement of this land,, have known little or no troubles of that sort. Their profession, for a time, was accounted reproachful ; hut, at length,, the uprightness of our predecessors being understood by the rulers, and their innocent sufferings moving them, our way of worship was tolerated ; and many of our members in these colonies became active in civil government. Being thus tried with favour and prosperity, this world hath appeared inviting; our minds have been turned to the improvement of our country, to mer chandize and sciences, amongst which are many things useful, being followed in pure wisdom ; but in our present condition, that a carnal mind is gaining upon us, I believe will not be denied. Some of our members, who are officers in civil government, are, in one case or other, called upon in their respective stations to assist in things rela tive to the wars. Such being in doubt whether to act, or crave to be excused from their office, seeing their brethren united in the payment of a tax to carry on the said wars, might think their case not much different, and so quench the tender movings of the Holy Spirit in their minds ; and thus, by small degrees, there might be an approach towards that of fighting, till we came so near it, as that the distinction would be little else, but the name of a peaceable people.
It requires great self-denial and resignation of ourselves to God, to attain that state wherein we
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can freely cease from fighting1 when wrongfully in vaded ; if, by our fighting, there were a probability of overcoming the invaders. Whoever rightly attains to it, does in some degree feel that, spirit, in which our Redeemer gave his life for us ; and through divine goodness, many of our predecessors,, and many now living, have learned this blessed lesson ; but many others, having their religion chiefly by education, and riot being enough acquainted with that cross which crucifies to the world, do manifest a temper distinguishable from that of an entire trust in God. In calmly considering these things, it hath not appeared strange to me, that an exercise hath now fallen upon some, which, as to the outward means of it, is different from what was known to many of those who went before us.
Some time after the yearly meeting, a clay being appointed, and letters written to distant members, the said committees met at Philadelphia ; and, by adjournments, continued several days. The calami ties of war were now increasing ; the frontier in habitants of Pennsylvania were frequently sur prised, some slain, and many taken captive by the Indians ; and while these committees sat, the corpse of one so slain was brought in a waggon, and taken through the streets of the city, in his bloody garments, to alarm the people, and rouse them up to war.
Friends thus met were not all of one mind in relation to the tax ; which, to such who scrupled it, made the way more difficult. To refuse an active payment at such a time, might be construed an act
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of disloyalty, and appeared likely to displease the rulers, not only here but in England; still there was a scruple so fastened upon the rninds of many friends, that nothing moved it. It was a conference the most weighty that ever I was at ; and the hearts of many were bowed in reverence before the Most High. Some friends of the said committees who appeared easy to pay the tax, after several adjournments, withdrew; others of them continued till the last ; at length, an epistle of tender love and caution, to friends in Pennsylvania, was drawn up by some friends concerned, on that subject; and being read several times and corrected, was then signed by such of them as were free to sign it, and after ward sent to the monthly and quarterly meetings.
On the ninth day of the eighth month, in the year 1757, at night, orders came to the military officers in our county (Burlington), directing them to draft the militia, and prepare a number of men to go off as soldiers, to the relief of the English at fort William Henry, in New York government ; a few days after which, there was a general review of the militia at Mount Holly, and a number of men chosen and sent off under some officers. Shortly after, there came orders to draught three times as many, to hold themselves in readiness to march when fresh orders came. And, on the seventeenth day of the eighth month, there was a meeting of the military officers at Mount Holly, who agreed on a draught ; and orders were sent to the men so chosen, to meet their respective captains at set times and places ; those in our township to meet at
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Mount Holly; amongst whom were a considerable number of our society. My mind being* affected herewith, I had fresh opportunity to see and con sider the advantage of living in the real substance of religion,, where practice doth harmonize with principle. Amongst the officers are men of under standing, who have some regard to sincerity where they see it ; and in the execution of their office, when they have men to deal with whom they be lieve to be upright hearted, to put them to trouble on account of scruples of conscience, is a painful task, and likely to be avoided as much as easily maybe. But where men profess to be so meek and heavenly-minded, and to have their trust so firmly settled in God, that they cannot join in wars; and yet, by their spirit and conduct in common life, manifest a contrary disposition, their difficulties are great at such a time.
Officers in great anxiety endeavouring to get troops to answer the demands of their superiors, seeing men, who are insincere, pretend scruple of conscience, in hopes of being excused from a dan gerous employment, they are likely to be roughly handled. In this time of commotion some of our young men left the parts, and tarried abroad till it was over ; some came, and proposed to go as sol diers ; others appeared to have a real tender scruple in their minds against joining in wars, and were much humbled under the apprehension of a trial so near. I had conversation with several of them to my satisfaction. At the set time when the captain came to town, some of those last mentioned
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went and told him in substance as follows : — That they could not bear arms for conscience sake ; nor could they hire any to go in their places,, being re signed as to the event of it. At length the captain acquainted them all, that they might return home for the present, and required them to provide them selves as soldiers, and to be in readiness to march \vhen called upo«'> This was such a time as I had not seen before ; and yet I may say, with thank fulness to the Lord, that I believed this trial was intended for our good ; and I was favoured with resignation to Him. The French army taking the fort they were besieging, destroyed it and went away ; the company of men first draughted, after some days march, had orders to return home ; and those on the second draught, were no more called upon on that occasion.
On the fourth day of the fourth month, in the year 1758, orders came to some officers,, in Mount Holly, to prepare quarters, a short time, for about one hundred soldiers. And an officer arid two other men, all inhabitants of our town, came to my house ; and the officer told me, that he came to speak with me, to provide lodging and entertain ment for two soldiers, there being six shillings a week per man allowed as pay for it. The case being new and unexpected, I made no answer suddenly ; but sat a time silent, my mind being inward. I was fully convinced, that the proceed ings in wars are inconsistent with the purity of the Christian religion ; and to be hired to entertain, men, who were then under pay as soldiers, was a
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difficulty with me. I expected they had legal authority for what they did ; and, after a short time, I said to the officer,, if the men are sent here for entertainment,, I believe I shall not refuse to admit them into my house; but the nature of the case is such, that I expect I cannot keep them on hire : one of the men intimated, that he thought I might do it consistent with my religious principles. To which I made no reply ; as believing silence, at that time, best for me. Though they spake of two, there came only one, who tarried at my house about two weeks, and behaved himself civilly ; and when the officer came to pay me, I told him I could not take pay for it, having admitted him into my house in a passive obedience to authority. I was on horseback when he spake to me ; and as I turned from him, he said, he was obliged to me ; to which I said nothing: but thinking on the ex pression, I grew uneasy ; and, afterwards, being near where he lived, I went and told him on what grounds I refused taking pay for keeping the soldier.
Near the beginning of the year 1758, I went one evening, in company with a friend, to visit a sick person ; and before our return, we were told of a woman living near, who of late, had several days been disconsolate, occasioned by a dream; wherein death, and the judgments of the Almighty after death, were represented to her mind in a moving manner. Her sadness on that account, being worn off; the friend, with whom I was in company, wew.t to see her, and had some religious conversation
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with her and her husband. With this visit they were somewhat affected ; and the man, with many tears., expressed his satisfaction ; arid, in a short time after,, the poor man being on the river in a storm of wind, he, with one more, was drowned.
In the eighth month of the year 1758, having had drawings in my mind to be at the quarterly meet ing in Chester county, and at some meetings in the county of Philadelphia, I went first to said quarterly meeting, which was large ; and several weighty matters came under consideration and debate ; and the Lord was pleased to qualify some
of his servants with strength and firmness, to bear
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the burden of the day. Though I said but little, my mind was deeply exercised ; and, under a sense of God's love, in the anointing and fitting some young men for his work, I was comforted, and my heart was tendered before Him. From hence I went to the youth's meeting at Darby, where my be loved friend and brother Benjamin Jones met me, by an appointment before I left home, to join in the visit. And we were at Radnor, Merion, Richland, North Wales, Plymouth, and Abington meetings ; and had cause to bow iri reverence before the Lord, our gracious God, by whose help way was opened for us from day to day. I was out about two weeks, and rode about two hundred miles.
The monthly meeting of Philadelphia having been under a concern, on account of some friends, who this summer (1758) had bought negro slaves :
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the said meeting moved it to their quarterly meet ing, to have their minute reconsidered in the yearly meeting, which was made last on that sub ject ; and the said quarterly meeting appointed a committee to consider it,, and to report to their next : which committee having met once and ad journed., and I going to Philadelphia to meet, a committee of the yearly meeting, was in town the evening on which the quarterly meeting's com mittee met the second time; and finding an in clination to sit with them, was, with some others, admitted ; and friends had a weighty conference on the subject. Soon after their next quarterly meeting, I heard that the case was coming to our yearly meeting ; which brought a weighty exer cise upon me,, and under a sense of my own in firmities, and the great danger I felt of turning aside from perfect purity., my mind was often drawn to retire alone, and put up rny prayers to* the Lord, that He would be graciously pleased to strengthen rne ; that setting aside all views of self-interest and the friendship of this world, I might stand fully re signed to his holy will.
In this yearly meeting, several weighty matters were considered ; and toward the last, that in re lation to dealing with persons who purchase slaves. During the several sittings of the said meeting, my mind was frequently covered with inward prayer; and I could say with David, <f that tears were rny meat day and night/' The case of slave-keeping lay heavy upon rne; nor did I find any engagement
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to speak directly to any other matter before the meeting. Now when this case was opened, several faithful friends spake weightily thereto, with which I was comforted ; and feeling- a concern to cast in my mite,, I said,, in substance,, as follows :
" In the difficulties attending us in this life, nothing is more precious than the mind of truth inwardly manifested; and it is my earnest desire, that in this weighty matter, we may be so truly humbled as to be favoured with a clear understand ing of the mind of truth,, and follow it; this would be of more advantage to the society, than any medium not in the clearness of divine wisdom. The case is difficult to some who have them ; but if such set aside all self-interest, and come to be Aveaned from the desire of getting estates, or even from holding them together, when truth requires the contrary, I believe way will open that they will know how to steer through those difficulties."
Many friends appeared to be deeply bowed under the weight of the work ; and manifested much firmness in their love to the cause of truth, and universal righteousness on the earth. And though none did openly justify the practice of slave-keeping in general, yet some appeared con cerned, lest the meeting should go into such mea sures, as might give uneasiness to many brethren ; alledging, that if friends patiently continued under the exercise, the Lord, in time to come, might open a way for the deliverance of these people ; and I finding an engagement to speak, said, " My mind
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is often led to consider the purity of the Divine Being, and the justice of his judgments ; and herein my soul is covered with awfulness. I can not omit to hint of some cases, where people have not been treated with the purity of justice, and the event hath been lamentable. Many slaves on this continent are oppressed, and their cries have reached the ears of the Most High. Such are the purity and certainty of his judgments, that He can not be partial in our favour. In infinite love and goodness, He hath opened our understandings from one time to another, concerning our duty towards this people; and it is not a time for delay. Should we now be sensible of what He requires of us, and through a respect to the private interest of some persons, or through a regard to some friendships which do not stand on an immutable foundation, neglect to do our duty in firmness and constancy, still waiting for some extraordinary means to bring about their deliverance ; it may be by terrible things in righteousness, God may answer us in this matter/'
Many faithful brethren laboured with great firmness ; and the love of truth, in a good degree, prevailed. Several friends, who had negroes, ex pressed their desire that a rule might be made, to deal with such friends as oilenders who bought slaves in future. To this it was answered, that the root of this evil would never be effectually struck at, until a thorough search was made into the circumstances of such friends as kept negroes,
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with respect to the righteousness of their motives in keeping them, that impartial justice might be administered throughout. Several friends expressed their desire, that a visit might be made to such friends as kept slaves : and many friends said, that they believed liberty was the negroes right ; to which,, at length,, no opposition was made publicly. A minute was made more full on that subject, than any heretofore ; and the names of several friends entered, who were free to join in a visit to such as kept slaves.
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CHAP. VI.
His visiting the quarterly meetings in Chester county; and afterwards joining with Daniel Stanton and John Scarborough, in a visit to such as kept slaves there. — Some observations on the conduct such should maintain who are concerned to speak in meetings for discipline. — Several more visits to such as kept slaves ; and to friends near Salem. — Some account of the yearly meeting in the year 1759,, and of the increasing concern in divers provinces, to labour against buying and keeping slaves. — The yearly meeting epistle. — His thoughts on the small-pox spreading — and on inoculation.
ON the eleventh day of the eleventh month, in the year 1758, I set out for Concord ; the quarterly meeting heretofore held there, was now,, by reason of a great increase of members, divided into two by the agreement of friends, at our last yearly meeting. Here I met with our beloved friends Samuel Spavold and Mary Kirby from England, and with Joseph White from Bucks county, who had taken leave of his family in order to go on a religious visit to friends in England ; and, through divine goodness, we were favoured with a strengthening opportunity together.
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After this meeting,, 1 joined with my friends Daniel Stanton and John Scarborough, in visiting friends who had slaves ; and at night we had a family meeting at William Trimble's, many young people being there ; and it was a precious, reviving oppor- tuaity. Next morning we had a comfortable sitting with a sick neighbour ; and thence to the burial of the corpse of a friend at Uwchland meeting, at which were many people, and it was a time of divine favour, after which, we visited some who had slaves; and, at night, had a family meeting at a friend's house, where the channel of gospel love was opened, and my mind was comforted after a hard day's labour. The next day we were at Goshen monthly meeting; and thence, on the eighteenth day of the eleventh month, in the year 1758, attended the quarterly meeting at London Grove, it being the first held at that place. Here we met again with all the before-mentioned friends, and had some edifying meetings. And near the conclusion of the meeting for business, friends were incited to con stancy in supporting the testimony of truth, and re minded of the necessity which the disciples of Christ are under to attend principally to his business, as he is pleased to open it to us ; and to be particularly careful to have our minds redeemed from the love of wealth; to have our outward affairs in as little room as may be ; that no temporal concerns may entangle our affections, or hinder us from diligently following the dictates of truth, in labouring to pro mote the pure spirit of meekness and heaven ly- mindedness amongst the children of men, in these
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days of calamity arid distress, wherein God is visit ing our land with his just judgments.
Each of these quarterly meetings was large, and sat near eight hours. Here I had occasion to con sider, that it is a weighty thing to speak much in large meetings for business : for, except our minds are rightly prepared,, and we clearly understand the case we speak to, instead of forwarding, we hinder business, and make more labour for those on whom the burden of the work is laid.
If selfish views, or a partial spirit, have any room in our minds, we are unfit for the Lord's work ; if we have a clear prospect of the business, and proper weight on our minds to speak, it behoves us to avoid useless apologies and repetitions. Where people are gathered from far, arid adjourning a meeting of business is attended with great difficulty, it behoves all to be cautious how they detain a meeting ; especially when they have sat six or seven hours, and have a great distance to ride home. After this meeting I rode home.
In the beginning of the twelfth month of the year 1758, I joined in company with my friends John Sykes and Daniel Stan ton in visiting such as had slaves. Some, whose hearts were rightly exercised about them, appeared to be glad of our visit; but in some places our way was more difficult ; and I often saw the necessity of keeping down to that root from whence our concern proceeded ; and have cause, in reverent thankfulness, humbly to bow down before the Lord, who was near to me, and preserved my mind in calmness under some sharp
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conflicts, and begat a spirit of sympathy and tender ness in me, towards some who were grievously en tangled by the spirit of this world.
In the first month of the year 1759, having found my mind drawn to visit some of the more active members in our society at Philadelphia, who had slaves, I met my friend John Churchman there by an agreement ; and we continued about a week in the city. We visited some that were sick, and some widows and their families ; and the other part of our time was mostly employed in visiting such who had slaves. It was a time of deep exercise, looking often to the Lord for his assistance ; who, in unspeakable kindness, favoured us with the in fluence of that spirit, which crucifies to the great ness and splendour of this world, and enabled us to go through some heavy labours, in which we found peace.
On the twenty-fourth day of the third month, of this year, I was at our general spring meeting at Philadelphia. After which, I again joined with John Churchman on a visit to some more, who had slaves in Philadelphia ; and, with thankfulness to our heavenly Father, 1 may say, that divine love and a true sympathizing tenderness of heart, pre vailed at times iri this service.
Having, at times, perceived a shyness in some friends of considerable note, towards me, I found an engagement in gospel love to pay a visit to one of them ; and as I dwelt under the exercise, I felt a, resignedness in my mind to go. So I went, ancj told him in private, I hud a desire to 1m ve an
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opportunity with him alone ; to which he readily agreed : and then, in the fear of the Lord, thing's relating to that shyness were searched to the bot tom ; and we had a large conference,, which, I be lieve,, was of use to both of us; and am thankful that way was opened for it.
On the fourteenth day of the sixth month, in the same year, having felt drawings in my mind to visit friends about Salem, and having the approbation of our monthly meeting therein, I attended their quar terly meeting, and was out seven days, and at seven meetings ; in some of which I was chiefly silent, and in others, through the baptizing power of truth, my heart was enlarged in heavenly love, and found a near fellowship with the brethren and sisters, in the manifold trials attending their Christian progress through this world.
In the seventh month, I found an increasing con cern on my mind to visit some active members in our society who had slaves ; and having no oppor tunity of the company of such as were named in the minutes of the yearly meeting, I went alone to their houses, and, in the fear of the Lord, acquainted them with the exercise I was under : and thus, sometimes, by a few words, I found myself dis charged from a heavy burden.
After this, our friend John Churchman coming into our province with a view to be at some meet ings, and to join again in the visit to those who had slaves ; I bore him company in the said visit to some active members, and found inward satis faction.
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At our yearly meeting hi the year J759, we had some weighty seasons ; where the power of truth was largely extended, to the strengthening of the honest-minded. As friends read over the epistles, to be sent to the yearly meetings along this conti nent,, I observed in most of them, both this year and last, it was recommended to friends to labour against buying and keeping slaves ; and in some of them closely treated upon. As this practice hath long been a heavy exercise to me, and I have often waded through mortifying labours on that account ; and, at times, in some meetings been almost alone therein ; now observing the increasing concern in our religious society, and seeing how the Lord was raising up and qualifying servants for his work, not only in this respect, but for promoting the cause of truth in general, I was humbly bowed in thankful ness before Him. This meeting continued near a week : and, for several days, in the forepart of it, my rnind was drawn into a deep, inward stillness ; and being, at times, covered with the spirit of supplication, my heart was secretly poured out be fore the Lord. And near the conclusion of the meeting for business, way openeu, that, in the pure flowings of divine love, 1 expressed what lay upon me; which, as it then arose in my mind, was ef first to show how deep answers to deep in the hearts of the sincere and upright; though, in their different growths, they may not all have attained to the same clearness in some points relating to our testimony. And I was led to mention the integrity and constancy of many martyrs, who gave their
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lives for the testimony of Jesus: and yet, in some points, held doctrines distinguishable from some which we hold ; and that, in all ages where people were faithful to the light and understanding which the Most High afforded them, they found acceptance with Him ; and that now, though there are different ways of thinking amongst us in some particulars, yet, if we mutually kept to that spirit and power which crucifies to the world, which teaches us to be content with things really needful and to avoid all super fluities, giving up our hearts to fear and serve the Lord, true unity may still be preserved amongst us. And that if such,- who were, at times, under suffer ings on account of some scruples of conscience, kept low and humble, and in their conduct in life manifested a spirit of true charity ; it would be more likely to reach the witness in others, and be of more service in the church, than if their sufferings were attended with a contrary spirit and conduct/' In which exercise I was drawn into a sympathizing tenderness with the sheep of Christ, however distin guished one from another in this world ; and the like disposition appeared to spread over others in the meeting. Great is the goodness of the Lord to wards his poor creatures.
An epistle went forth from this yearly-meeting, which I think good to give a place in this journal ; being as follows :
Ill
From the yearly meeting held at Philadelphia, for Pennsylvania and New Jersey, from the twenty- second day of the ninth month, to the twenty- eighth day of the same, inclusive, 1759.
To the quarterly and monthly meetings of friends belonging to the said yearly meeting.
Dearly beloved friends and brethren,
ec IN an awful sense of the wisdom and goodness of the Lord our God, whose tender mercies have long been continued to us in this land, we affectionately salute you, with sincere and ferv7ent desires, that we may reverently regard the dispensations of his providence, and improve under them.
" The empires and kingdoms of the earth are subject to his Almighty power. He is the God of the spirits of all flesh ; and deals with his people agreeable to that wisdom, the depth whereof is to us unsearchable. We, in these provinces may say, He hath, as a gracious and tender parent, dealt bountifully with us, even from the days of our fa thers. It was lie who strengthened them to labour through the difficulties attending the improvement of a wilderness, and made way for them in the hearts of the natives ; so that by them they were comforted in times of want and distress. It was by the gracious influences of his Holy Spirit, that they were disposed to work righteousness, and walk uprightly one towards another, and towards the natives, and in life and conversation to manifest
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the excellency of the principles and doctrines of the Christian religion ; and thereby they retain their esteem and friendship. Whilst they were la bouring for the necessaries of life, many of them were fervently engaged to promote piety and virtue in the earth, and educate their children in the fear of the Lord.
ff If we carefully consider the peaceable measures pursued in the first settlement of the land, and that freedom from the desolations of wars, which for a longtime we enjoyed, we shall find ourselves under strong obligations to the Almighty, who, when the earth is so generally polluted with wickedness, gave us a being in a part so signally favoured with tran quillity and plenty, and in which the glad tidings of the gospel of Christ are so freely published, that we may justly say with the psalmist, fc What shall we render unto the Lord for all his benefits ?"
" Our own real good, and the good of our pos terity in some measure depends on the part we act ; and it nearly concerns us to try our foundations impartially. Such are the different rewards of the just and unjust in a future state, that to attend diligently to the dictates of the spirit of Christ, to devote ourselves to his service, and engage fer vently in his cause, during our short stay in this world, is a choice well becoming a free intelligent creature. We shall thus clearly see and consider that the dealings of God with mankind in a na tional capacity, as recorded in holy writ, do suffi ciently evidence the truth of that saying, " It is righteousness which exalteth a nation ;" and though
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he cloth not at all times suddenly execute his judg ments on a sinful people in this life., yet we see by many instances, that where Cf men follow lying vanities,, they forsake their own mercies ;" and as a proud selfish spirit prevails and spreads among a people,, so partial judgment, oppression, discord, envy and confusions increase., and provinces and kingdoms are made to drink the cup of adversity as a reward of their own doings. Thus the in spired prophet, reasoning with the degenerated Jews, saith, c< Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslid ings shall reprove thee : know therefore, that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God, and that my fear is not in thee., saith the Lord God of Hosts." Jer. ii. 19.
" The God of our fathers who hath bestowed on us many benefits, furnished a table for us in the wilderness, and made the deserts and solitary places to rejoice ; He doth now mercifully call upon us to serve Him more faithfully — We may truly say with the prophet, " It is his voice which crieth to the city, and men of wisdom see his name. They regard the rod, and Him who hath appointed it." People who look chiefly at things outward, too little consider the original cause of the present troubles ; but such who fear the Lord, and think often upon his name, they see and feel that a wrong spirit is spreading amongst the inhabitants of our country ; that the hearts of many are waxed fat, and their ears dull of hearing; that the Most High, in his visitations to us, instead of calling, lifteth
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up his voice and crieth ; He crieth to our country, and his voice waxeth louder and louder. In former wars between the English and other nations, since the settlement of our provinces, the calamities at tending- them have fallen chiefly on other places, but now of late they have reached to our borders ; many of our fellow subjects have suffered on and near our frontiers, some have been slain in battle, some killed in their houses, and some in their fields, some wounded and left in great misery, and others separated from their wives and little children, who have been carried captives among the Indians. We have seen men and women who have been witnesses of these scenes of sorrow, arid being reduced to want, have come to our houses asking relief. — It is not long since it was the case of many young men in one of these provinces to be draughted, in order to be taken as soldiers ; some were at that time in great distress, and had occasion to consider that their lives had been too little conformable to the purity and spirituality of that religion which we profess, and found themselves too little acquainted with that inward humility, in which true fortitude to endure hardness for the truth's sake is experien ced. — Many parents were concerned for their chil dren, and in that time of trial were led to consider that their care to get outward treasure for them, had been greater than their care for their settle ment in that religion which crucifieth to the world, and enableth to bear a clear testimony to the peace able government of the Messiah. These troubles are removed, and for a time we are released from them.
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" Let us not forget that ' The Most High hath his way in the deep, in clouds arid in thick dark ness' — that it is his voice which crieth to the city and to the country ; and oh ! that these loud and awakening cries, may have a proper effect upon us, that heavier chastisement may not become neces sary ! For, though things, as to the outward, may for a short time, afford a pleasing prospect ; yet, while a selfish spirit, that is not subject to the cross of Christ, continueth to spread and prevail, there can be no long continuance in outward peace and tranquillity. If we desire an inheritance incorrup tible, and to be at rest in that state of peace and happiness, which ever continues ; if we desire in this life to dwell under the favour and protection of that Almighty Being, whose habitation is in holi ness, whose ways are all equal, and whose anger is now kindled, because of our backslidings ; let us then awfully regard these beginnings of his sore judgments, and with abasement and humiliation turn to Him, whom we have offended.
" Contending with one equal in strength, is an uneasy exercise ; but if the Lord is become our enemy, if we persist to contend with Him who is Omnipotent, our overthrow will be unavoidable.
<c Do we feel an affectionate regard to posterity; and are we employed to promote their happiness? Do our minds, in things outward, look beyond our own dissolution ; and are we contriving for the prosperity of our children after us? Let us then, like wise builders, lay the foundation deep ; and by our constant uniform regard to an inward piety
and virtue, let them see that we really value it. Let us labour in the fear of the Lord, that their innocent minds, while young and tender, may be preserved from corruptions ; that as they advance in age, they may rightly understand their true in terest, may consider the uncertainty of temporal things, and, above all, have their hope and confi dence firmly settled in the blessing of that Al mighty Being, who inhabits eternity, and preserves and supports the world.
" In all our cares about worldly treasures, let us steadily bear in mind, that riches possessed by children, who do not truly serve God, are likely to prove snares that may more grievously entangle them in that spirit of selfishness and exaltation, which stands in opposition to real peace and hap piness ; and renders those, enemies to the cross of Christ, who submit to the influence of it.
cc To keep a watchful eye towards real objects of charity, to visit the poor in their lonesome dwelling- places, to comfort them who, through the dispensa tions of Divine Providence, are in strait and pain ful circumstances in this life, and steadily to en deavour to honour God with our substance, from a real sense of the love of Christ influencing our minds thereto, is more likely to bring a blessing to our children, arid will afford more satisfaction to a Christian favoured with plenty, than an earnest desire to collect much wealth to leave behind us, for, fc here we have no continuing city ;" may we therefore diligently cc seek one that is to come., whose builder and maker is God."
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(( Finally, brethren, whatsoever thing's arc true, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report ; if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think on these things and do them, and the God of peace shall be with you/'
Signed by appointment, and on behalf of our said. meeting, by seven friends.
On the twenty-eighth day of the eleventh month, in the year 1759, I was at the quarterly-meeting in Bucks county. This day being the meeting of ministers and elders, my heart was enlarged in the love of Jesus Christ ; and the favour of the Most High was extended to us in that and the ensuing meeting.
I had conversation, at my lodging, with my be loved friend Samuel Eastburn ; who expressed a concern to join in a visit to some friends, in that county, who had negroes ; and as I had felt a draught in my mind to that work in the said county, I came home and put things in order. On the eleventh day of the twelfth month following I went over the river ; and on the next day was at Buckingham meeting; where, through the descend- ings of heavenly dew, my mind was comforted, and drawn into a near unity with the flock of Jesus Christ.
Entering upon this visit appeared weighty : and before I left home my mind \vas often sad ; under which exercise I felt, at times, the Holy Spirit which helps our infirmities ; through which, in private,
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my prayers were, at times, put up to God, that He would be pleased to purge me from all selfishness, that I might be strengthened to discharge my duty faithfully, how hard soever to the natural part. We proceeded on the visit in a weighty frame of spirit, and went to the houses of the most active members, throughout the county, who had negroes ; and, through the goodness of the Lord, my mind was preserved in resignation in times of trial, and though the work was hard to nature, yet through the strength of that love which is stronger than death,, tenderness of heart was often felt amongst us in our visits, and we parted from several families with greater satisfaction than we expected.
We visited Joseph White's family, he being in England ; had also a family-sitting at the house of an elder who bore us company, and was at Make- field on a first day. At all which times, my heart was truly thankful to the Lord, who was graciously pleased to renew his loving kindness to us, his poor servants, uniting us together in his work.
In the winter of this year, the small-pox being in our town, and many being inoculated, of whom a few died, some things were opened in my mind, which I wrote as follow :
The more fully our lives are conformable to the will of God, the better it is for us — I have looked on the small-pox as a messenger from the Almighty, to be an assistant in the cause of virtue, and to in cite us to consider whether we employ our time only in such things as are consistent with perfect wisdom and goodness.
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Building houses suitable to dwell in, for ourselves and our creatures ; preparing clothing suitable for the climate and season,, and food convenient, are all duties incumbent on us. And under these ge neral heads, are many branches of business, in which we may venture health and life, as necessity may require.
This disease being in a house, and my business calling me to go near it, it incites me to think, whether this business is a real, indispensable, duty ; whether it is not in conformity to some custom, which would be better laid aside ; or, whether it does not proceed from too eager a pursuit after some outward treasure. If the business before me springs not from a clear understanding, and a re gard to that use of things which perfect wisdom approves; to be brought to a sense of it, and stop ped in my pursuit, is a kindness ; for when I pro ceed to business without some evidence of duty, I have found, by experience, that it tends to weak ness.
If I am so situated that there appears no pro bability of missing the infection, it tends to make me think, whether my manner of life, in things out ward, has nothing in it which may unfit my body to receive this messenger in a way the most favour able to me. Do I use food and drink in no other sort, and in no other degree, than was designed by Him, who gave these creatures for our sustenance ? Do I never abuse my body by inordinate labour, striving to accomplish some end which I have un wisely proposed? Do I use action enough in some
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useful employ I Or, do I sit too much idle, while some persons,, who labour to support me, have too great a share of it? If, in any of these things, I am deficient,, to be incited to consider it, is a favour to me.
There is employ necessary in social life ; and this infection, which often proves mortal, incites me to think, whether these social acts of mine are real duties. If I go on a visit to the widows and father less, do I go purely on a principle of charity, free from any selfish views ? If I go to a religious meet ing, it puts me on thinking, whether I go in sin cerity and in a clear sense of duty ; or whether it is not partly in conformity to custom, or partly from a sensible delight which my animal spirits feel in the company of other people ; and whether to sup port my reputation as a religious man, has no share in it.
Do affairs, relating to civil society, call me near this infection? If I go, it is at the hazard of my health and life ; and it becomes me to think se riously, whether love to truth, and righteousness is the motive of my attending ; whether the manner of proceeding, is altogether equitable; or whether aught of narrowness, party interest, respect to out ward dignities, names, or distinctions among men, do not stain the beauty of those assemblies, and render it doubtful, in point of duty, whether a dis ciple of Christ ought to attend as a member united to the body or not.
Whenever there are blemishes, wrhich, for a series of time, remain such; that which is a means of
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stirring us up to look attentively on these blemishes,, and to labour according to our capacities, to have health and soundness restored in our country, we may justly account a kindness from our gracious Father, who appointed that means.
The care of a wise and good man for his only son, is inferior to the regard of the great Parent of the universe for his creatures. He hath the com mand of all the powers and operations in nature; and " doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men." Chastisement is intended for in struction, and instruction being received- by gentle chastisement, greater calamities are prevented.
By an earthquake, hundreds of houses are some times shaken down in a few minutes, and multitudes of people perish suddenly; and many more being crushed and bruised in the ruins of the buildings, pine away and die in great misery.
By the breaking in of enraged merciless armies, flourishing countries have been laid waste, and great numbers of people perished in a short time, and many more pressed with poverty and grief.
By the pestilence, people have died so fast in a city, that through fear, grief, and confusion, those in health have found great difficulty in burying the dead, even without coffins.
By famine, great numbers of people in some places, have been brought to the utmost distress, and pined away for want of the necessaries of life. Thus, where the kind invitations,, and gentle chas tisements, of a gracious God hath not been attended
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to, his sore judgments have, at times, been poured out upon people.
While some rules, approved in civil society, and conformable to human policy, so called, are distin guishable from the purity of truth and righteous ness; while many professing truth are declining from that ardent love and heavenly-rnindedness, \vhich was amongst the primitive followers of Jesus Christ ; it is a time for us to attend diligently to the intent of every chastisement, and consider the most deep and inward design of them.
The most High doth not often speak with an out- Avard voice to our outward ears; but, if we humbly meditate on his perfections, consider that He is per fect wisdom and goodness, and to afflict his crea tures to no purpose,, would be utterly reverse to his nature, we shall hear and understand his language, both in his gentle arid more heavy chastisements ; and take heed that we do not, in the wisdom of this world, endeavour to escape his hand by means too powerful for us.
Had He endowed men with understanding to hinder the force of this disease, by innocent means^ which had never proved mortal nor hurtful to our bodies, such discovery might be considered as the period of chastisement by this distemper, where that knowledge extended. But as life and health are his gifts, and not to be disposed of in our own wills, to take upon us, when in health, a distemper, of which some die, requires great clearness of knowledge, that it is our duty to do so.
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CHAP. VII.
His visit, in company with Samuel Eastburn, to Long Island, Rhode Island, Boston, fyc. in New England. — Remarks on the slave trade at New port, and his exercise on that account; also on lotteries. — Some observations on the island of Nantucket.
HAVING, for some time past, felt a sympathy in my mind with friends eastward, I opened my con cern in our monthly meeting; and, obtaining a certificate, set forward on the seventeenth day of the fourth month, in the year 1760, joining in company, by a previous agreement, with my beloved friend Samuel Eastburn. We had meetings at Wood- bridge, Rahaway, and Plain field ; and were at their monthly meeting of ministers and elders in Rah away. We laboured under some discouragement ; but, through the invisible power of truth, our visit was made reviving to the lowly-minded, with whom I felt a near unity of spirit, being much reduced in my mind. We passed on, and visiled chief of the meetings on Long Island. It was my concern, from day to day, to say no more nor less than what the spirit of truth opened in me, being jealous over myself, lest I should speak any thing to make my testimony look agreeable to that mind in peo~-
pie, which is not in pure obedience to the cross of Christ.
The spring of the ministry was often low ; and,, through the subjecting power of truth, we were kept low with it ; and from place to place, such whose hearts were truly concerned for the cause of Christ, appeared to be comforted in our labours ; and, though it was in general a time of abasement of the creature, yet, through his goodness, who is a helper of the poor, we had some truly edifying seasons both in meetings, and in families where we tarried ; and sometimes found strength to labour earnestly with the unfaithful, especially with those, whose station in families, or in the society was such, that their example had a powerful tendency to open the way for others to go aside from the purity and soundness of the blessed truth. At Jericho, on Long Island, I wrote home as follows :
24*/z of the kth month, 1760.
" Dearly beloved wife,
" WE are favoured with health ; have been at sundry meetings in East Jersey, and on this island. My mind hath been much in an inward, watchful frame, since I left thee, greatly desiring that our proceedings may be singly in the will of our hea venly Father.
ff As the present appearance of things is not joyous, I have been much shut up from outward chearfulness, remembering that promise, fc Then shalt Ihou delight thyself in the Lord :"— as this,
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from day to day, has been revived in my memory,, I have considered that his internal presence on our minds,, is a delight of all ethers the most pure ; and that the honest-hearted not only delight in this, but in the effect of it upon them. He who regards the helpless and distressed., and reveals his love to his children under affliction, they delight in beholding his benevolence,, and feeling divine charity moving upon them. Of this I may speak a little; for though since I left you, I have often found an en gaging love and affection towards thee and my daughter., and friends about home,, that going out at this time, when sickness is so great amongst you, is a trial upon me ; yet 1 often remember there are many widows and fatherless, many who have poor tutors, many who have evil examples before them, and many whose minds are in captivity, for whose sake my heart is, at times, moved with compassion; that 1 feel my mind resigned to leave you for a sea son, to exercise that gift which the Lord hath be stowed on me ; which, though small, compared with some, yet in this I rejoice, that I feel love un feigned towards my fellow creatures. I recommend you to the Almighty, who I trust cares for you; and under a sense of his heavenly love, remain,
ff Thy loving husband,
i( J. W. We crossed from the east end of Long Island to New London, about thirty miles, in a large open boat ; while we were out, the wind rising high, the waves several times beat over us, that to me it
appeared dangerous; but my mind was, at that time, turned to Him, who made and governs the deep, and my life was resigned to Him : and as He was mercifully pleased to preserve us, I had fresh occasion to consider every day, as a day lent to me ; and felt a renewed engagement to devote my time, and all I had, to Him who gave it.
We had five meetings in Narraganset ; and went thence to Newport on Rhode Island. Our gracious Father preserved us in an humble dependence on him through deep exercises, that were mortifying to the creaturely will. In several families in the country, where we lodged, I felt an engagement on my mind to have a conference with them in private, concerning their slaves ; and, through divine aid, I was favoured to give up thereto. Though in this concern, I appear singular from many, whose ser vice in travelling, i believe, is greater than mine ; I do not think hard of them for omitting it; I do not repine at having so unpleasant a task assigned me, but look with awfulness to Him, who appoints to his servants their respective employments, and is good to all who serve Him sincerely.
We got to Newport in the evening ; and on the next day visited two sick persons, and had comfort able sittings with them ; and in the afternoon at tended the burial of a friend.
The next day we were at meetings at Newport, in the forenoon and afternoon ; where the spring of the ministry was opened, and strength given to declare the Word of Life to the people.
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The next day we went on our journey ; but the great number of slaves in these parts, and the con tinuance of that trade from thence to Guinea., made deep impression on me ; and my cries were often put up to my heavenly Father in secret, that He would enable me to discharge my duty faithfully, in such way as He might be pleased to point out to me.
We took Swansea, Freetown,, and Tanton, in our way to Boston ; where also we had a meeting ; our exercise was deep, and the love of truth prevailed, for which I bless the Lord.
We went eastward about eighty miles beyond Boston, taking meetings, and were in a good degree preserved in an humble dependence on that arm which drew us out ; and, though we had some hard labour with the disobedient, laying things home and close to such as were stout against the truth ; yet, through the goodness of God, we had, at times, to partake of heavenly comfort with those who were meek, and were often favoured to part with friends in the nearness of true gospel fellowship. We re turned to Boston, and had another comfortable op portunity with friends there ; and thence rode back a day's journey eastward of Boston. Our guide being a heavy man, and the weather hot, and ray companion and I considering it, expressed our free dom to go on without him, to which he consented, and we respectfully took our leave of him ; this we did, as believing the journey would have been hard to him and his horse.
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We visited the meetings iu those parts, and were ^measurably baptized into a feeling- of the state of the society ; and in bowedness of spirit went to the yearly meeting at Newport ; where I understood that a large number of slaves was imported from Africa into that town, and then on sale by a mem ber of our society. At this meeting we met with John Storer from England, Elizabeth Shipley, Ann Gaunt, Hannah Foster, and Mercy Redman, from our parts, all ministers of the gospel, of whose com pany I was glad.
At this time my appetite failed, and I grew out wardly weak, and had a feeling of the condition of Habakkuk, as there expressed. tf When I heard, my belly trembled, my lips quivered, I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble:" I had many cogitations, and was sorely distressed. And was desirous that friends might petition the legislature, to use their endeavours to discourage the future importation of slaves ; for I saw that this trade was a great evil, and tended to multiply troubles, and bring distresses on the people in those parts, for whose welfare my heart was deeply con cerned.
But I perceived several difficulties in regard to petitioning; and such was the exercise of my mind, that I had thought of endeavouring to get an op portunity to speak a few words in the House of As sembly, then sitting in town.
This exercise came upon me in the afternoon, on the second day of the yearly meeting, and going to
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bed, I got no sleep till my mind was wholly resigned therein; and in the morning I enquired of a friend how long the Assembly was likely to continue sitting; who told me, it was expected to be pro rogued that day or the next.
As I was desirous to attend the business of the meeting, and perceived the Assembly were likely to depart before the business was over ; after con siderable exercise, humbly seeking to the Lord for instruction, my mind settled to attend on the busi ness of the meeting ; on the last day of which, I had prepared a short essay of a petition to be pre sented to the legislature, if way opened. And being informed that there were some appointed, by that yearly meeting, to speak with those in authority, in cases relating to the society, I opened my mind to several of them, and shewed them the essay I had made ; and afterwards opened the case in the meet ing for business, in substance as follows :
(C I have been under a concern for some time, on account of the great number of slaves which are imported into this colony ; I am aware that it is a tender point to speak to, but apprehend I am not clear in the sight of heaven, without speaking to it. I have prepared an essay of a petition, if way open, to be presented to the legislature ; and what I have to propose to this meeting is, that some friends may be named to withdraw and look over it, and report whether they believe it suitable to be read in the meeting. If they should think well of reading it, it will remain for the meeting, after hearing it, to consider, whether to take any further notice of it,
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as a meeting or not." After a short conference some friends went out, and looking over it, ex^ pressed their willingness to have it read ; which being done, many expressed their unity with the proposal ; and some signified, that to have the subjects of the petition enlarged upon,, and to be signed out of meeting by such as were free, would be more suitable than to do it there. Though I expected at first, that if it was done it would be in that way ; yet such was the exercise of my mind,, that to move it in the hearing of friends when as sembled, appeared to me as a duty ; for my heart yearned towards the inhabitants of these parts ; believing that by this trade there had been an in crease of incjuietude amongst them, and a way made easy for the spreading of a spirit opposite to that meekness and humility, which is a sure resting place for the soul. And that the continuance of this trade, would not only render their healing more difficult, but increase their malady.
Having thus far proceeded, I felt easy to leave the essay amongst friends, for them to proceed in it as they believed best. And now an exercise revived on my mind in relation to lotteries, which were common in those parts. I had once moved it in a former sitting of this meeting, when argu ments were used in favour of friends being held excused, who were only concerned in such lotteries as wrere agreeable to law. And now on moving it again, it was opposed as before ; but the hearts of some solid friends appeared to be united to discourage the practice amongst their members;
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and the matter was zealously handled by some on both sides. In this debate it appeared very clear to me, that the spirit of lotteries was a spirit of selfishness, which tended to confusion and dark ness of understanding ; and that pleading for it in our meetings, set apart for the Lord's work, was not right ; and in the heat of zeal, I once made reply to what an ancient friend said, which when I sat down, I saw that my words were not enough seasoned with charity ; and after this, I spoke no more on the subject. At length a minute was made ; a copy of which was agreed to be sent to their several quarterly meetings, inciting friends to labour to discourage the practice amongst all pro fessing with us.
Some time after this minute was made, I re maining uneasy with the manner of my speaking to the ancient friend, could not see my way clear to conceal my uneasiness, but was concerned that I might say nothing to weaken the cause in which I had laboured ; and then, after some close exercise and hearty repentance, for that I had not attended closely to the safe guide, I stood up, arid reciting the passage, acquainted friends, that though 1 dare not go from what I had said as to the matter, yet I was uneasy with the manner of my speaking, as believing milder language would have been better. As this was uttered in some degree of creaturely abasement, it ap peared to have a good savor amongst us, after a warm debate.
isa
The yearly meeting being now over, there yet remained on my mind a secret, though heavy exercise, in regard to some leading active members about Newport, being in the practice of slave- keeping. This I mentioned to two ancient friends, who came out of the country, and proposed to them, if way opened, to have some conversation with those friends. And thereupon, one of those country friends and I, consulted one of the most noted elders who had slaves ; arid he, in a respect ful manner, encouraged me to proceed to clear myself of what lay upon me. Now I had, near the beginning of the yearly meeting, a private con ference with this said elder and his wife, concerning theirs ; so that the way seemed clear to me, to advise with him about the manner of proceeding. I told him, I was free to have a conference with them all together in a private house ; or if he thought they would take it unkind to be asked to come together, and to be spoken with in the hear ing of one another, I was free to spend some time among them, and visit them all in their own houses, lie expressed his liking to the first proposal, not doubting their willingness to come together; and as I proposed a visit to only ministers, elders, and overseers ; he named some others, whom he de sired might be present also. And as a careful messenger was wanted to acquaint them in a pro per manner, he offered to go to all their houses to open the matter to them ; and did so. About the eighth hour the next morning, we met in the
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meeting-house chamber, and the last-mentioned country friend, also my companion, and John Storer, with us, when, after a short time of retire ment, 1 acquainted them with the steps I had taken in procuring that meeting, and opened the concern I was under, and so we proceeded to a free con ference upon the subject. My exercise was heavy, and I was deeply bowed in spirit before the Lord> who was pleased to favour with the seasoning virtue of truth, which wrought a tenderness amongst us ; and the subject was mutually handled in a calm and peaceable spirit. And, at length, feel ing my mind released from that burden which I had been under, I took my leave of them, in a good degree of satisfaction ; and by the tender ness they manifested in regard to the practice, and the concern several of them expressed in relation to the manner of disposing of their negroes after their decease, I believed that a good exer cise was spreading amongst them ; and I am humbly thankful to God, who supported my mind, and preserved rne in a good degree of resignation through these trials.
Thou, who sometimes travellest in the work of the ministry, and art made very welcome by thy friends, seest many tokens of their satisfaction, in having thee for their guest. It is good for thee to dwe