.'■•■■,.-. / - V ^ f ^^^H HEHrauH •SB "bii NOV 26 191« fan, „v^ Division ^ w w* Section 3 / 06 ' ISIS OF DECEASED MEMBERS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS COMPILED FROM VARIOUS AUTHENTIC SOURCES. BY SUSANNA CORDER. "Blessed art- the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours: and their works do follow them:" Bey. xiv, 13. SIXTH EDITION. WITH \ CONSIDERABLE NUMBER OF ADDITIONS. LONDON: CHARLES GILPIN, 5, BISHOPSGATE STREET WITHOUT ; YORK: J. L. LINNET; BRIGHTON: A. WALLIS, BIRMINGHAM: H. NEWMAN ; CARLISLE: SCOTT AND BENSON PREFACE. Throughout the different periods of our history, as a distinct religious Society, there has been amongst us a succession of dedicated followers of the Lord Jesus Christ ; who, through the power and efficacy of divine grace, have been enabled, by a humble and circumspect walking in the fear of God, to afford convincing evidence to those around them, that their's was " the victory that overcometh the world," even that "faith which worketh by love," "purifying the heart," The following pages contain memorials of some of these. Amongst the number here selected, the reader will find notices of individuals, who were conspicuously engaged in advocating the cause of the blessed Redeemer ; and the remem- brance of them, and of their labours, is precious to many. Others, perhaps not less subjected to the sanctifying influence of the Spirit of Truth, were led in a more hidden path ; and the fulness of their light did not diffuse itself, until the day was about to close, when the brightness of the "sun of righteousness " shone around them, and gilded the dark "valley of the shadow of death." There is, in the economy of divine grace, a great diversity of operation ; yet all in harmony IV PREFACE. and infinite wisdom. And whatever may be the varied gifts, or the external circumstances which distinguish the disciples of a crucified Saviour, "it is the same God who worketh all in all." And may we ever be impressed with the deeply in- structive and encouraging truth, that this working of the Spirit produces in each the same blessed result ; that, whereas in our fallen state by nature, we are all "the servants of sin," those, in whom this transforming power is suffered effectually to operate, become "servants to God," have their ,' fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life." The object in this compilation is not to eulo- gise the dead, but to magnify the goodness and mercy of "him who loved" them, "and washed them from their sins in his own blood ; " and to excite survivors to use all diligence to make their calling and election sure, remembering the solemn injunction : "Be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh." INDEX. PAGE. ALEXANDER SAMUEL 77 ALEXANDER MARY 194 ALEXANDER EDWARD 30 ° ALLEN MARGARET 151 ATKINS ESTHER 198 BACKHOUSE ANN 135 BACKHOUSE JONATHAN ... 399 BETTLE JANE 366 BINNS JOSEPH 286 BROWN DORCAS 129 BREWSTER ANN 226 BYRD WILLIAM 213 BYRD REBECCA 220 COLLINS ELIZABETH 29 FERRIS DAVID 6 FIELD HANNAH 66 FOWLER RACHEL 188 FRY JOSEPH STORRS 242 FRY ANN * 247 FRY ELIZABETH 431 Vi INDEX. PAGE. G1LKES ARTHUR 322 GILPIN MARY ANN 349 GREEN SARAH 290 HARRIS ISABELLA 162 HARGRAVE WILLIAM 332 HUTCHINSON JONATHAN 249 JORDAN RICHARD 80 KNIGHT SARAH 114 LINNEY ELIZABETH 261 LURY ANN HARFORD 47 MARRIAGE PHEBE 230 MENNELL ISAAC 110 MOGRIDGE ROBERT 171 MOLINE ROBERT 271 MOUNSEY JOHN 173 NICHOLSON JAMES 284 PEMBERTON JOHN 22 PEASE RACHAEL 205 PIM JOHN 43 PUMPHREY RACHEL 375 PROCTER ELIZABETH 53 INDEX. Vll PAGE. RICHARDSON THOMAS 305 RICKMAN WILLIAM 395 RIDGWAY ELIZABETH 181 ROBSON ELIZABETH 415 SHILLITOE THOMAS 314 SMITH MARTHA 167 STACEY MARY 277 STANSFIELD RICHARD 327 STEPHENSON ISAAC 146 SUTTON DAVID 125 UNDERHILL SOLOMON 101 UNDERHILL ANDREW 57 WALLIS MARY ANN 343 WHITE JOSEPH 1 WILLIAMS THOMAS 185 WITHY GEORGE 388 MEMORIALS, &c. JOSEPH WHITE. In reading the memorial of JoSEPn White, of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, we have been forcibly impressed with that declaration, "The memory of the just is blessed:" Prow x, 7. And as it will probably be new to many of our readers, and is calculated to prove deeply instructive to all, we consider it desirable to give it a place in this collection. He was born at the Falls on the 28th of the eleventh month, 1713. Being young when his father died, he was brought up under the care of his relations and friends : and through the extendings of heavenly regard whilst young, and attending to the teachings of the Holy Spirit, he was preserved from many of the follies and extravagancies incident to unthinking youth, and prepared to fill the very important station of a minister of the gospel of Christ: in which character he spoke in our religious meetings, about the twentieth year of his age. And continuing, in a good degree, faithful to the measure of light and grace communicated, he grew in his gift, and was favoured with qualification to exercise it in the demonstration of the Spirit and with power. He was naturally of an open and cheerful disposition, and honestly concerned for the promotion of piety and B 2 JOSEPH WHITE. virtue, and for the support and maintenance of good order in the church ; for which service he was eminently gifted, often expressing his desire that the authority of truth might be kept up in all our meetings for disci- pline. He was exemplary in his life and conversation, a diligent and timely attender of our religious meetings, when health of body permitted ; and was often favoured therein in public testimony and supplication, much to the comfort and edification of the truly humble wor- shippers. And although he had a large gift in the ministry, he many times sat meetings in silence, waiting upon the Lord: not being hasty or forward to utter words; being careful not to minister without the heavenly life and power that first raised him up in the ministry, whereby his public service was greatly to the consolation and refreshment of many. He was, at different times, engaged in the love of the gospel, to visit his friends in his own and several of the adjacent provinces; also in Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina. And having, for some considerable time, been weightily impressed with a sense of duty to pay a similar visit to Friends in Europe, he, with the concurrence and unity of his brethren, took shipping for that purpose in the year 1758, and after a short passage, landed in England; and having pretty gene- rally visited Friends' meetings in England, and Ireland, and some parts of Wales, he returned to his beloved family, having been from home in that service nearly three years. He produced certificates of Friends' unity and good satisfaction with him, and his public labours amongst them. He was many times engaged in visiting families, being well qualified for that weighty service. He much enjoyed the company and conversation of his friends, was a loving and affectionate husband, a tender parent, and a good neighbour; generally beloved by those who knew him; being in several respects useful in the neighbourhood where he lived. •JOSEPH WHITE. 6 He was, from his youth, subject to frequent attacks of indisposition; but as he advanced further in age, intermissions of health grew short, and pains increased, which brought on other bodily infirmities, all which he bore with patience and resignation; often praying he might not be off his watch when his pains were exqui- site, nor his faith fail in the time of trial. He believed it to be through the goodness of God, that he was thus dealt with, in order more and more to wean him from all outward connections and nearest ties of nature ; that, being as the pure gold refined through the furnace, he might with triumph join the redeemed that were gone before, which he at times had a foretaste of; but the time when, as he himself sometimes expressed, he did not then see, believing it to be consistent with divine wisdom to keep it hid from him. During the latter part of his time, for several months, he slept but little in the night season, being at times engaged in reverent intercessions and divine contemplation, and appeared to be waiting for the solemn moment of dissolution. He lived in the compass of the Falls particular meeting until a few years before his death, and then removed to Makefield (a branch of the same monthly meeting) and having for a considerable time felt strong desires (if favoured with health) to go to the Falls meeting, on a monthly meeting day, he set out for that purpose ; but the weather being cold, and he in a weak state of health, he soon found himself unable to perform the journey, and returned home. But some time after, feeling his bodily health somewhat restored, and love renewed, he set out, in company with his wife, one first- day morning, and got to the meeting, where he was favoured with an open time in public testimony, much to the satisfaction of those present. After the meeting was over, and Friends gone out, a Friend being desirous of speaking to him, not seeing 2 B 4 JOSEPH WHITE. him out of doors, returned into the house, and found him sitting on a seat unable to move without help ; and he was taken to the house of a Friend. The attack, being of the paralytic kind, continued ebbing and flow- ing for some hours, in which time he uttered many weighty expressions ; some of which being taken down, are nearly as follows : — Being asked by his son how it was with him, he answered, " I do not know but that I am near my end. My desire at this time for thee is, that thou seek unto the Lord for assistance to govern thee in thy conduct in this fluctuating life ; for I have found Him to be a sure help and counsellor to me. If thou follow after Him in truth and sincerity, as I have endeavoured to do, He will be unto thee a sufficient director, a teacher that cannot be removed into a corner. I have not been anxious to gather a portion of this world, nor make to myself mammon of unrighteousness: for I think I have seen a snare that has attended many young people on these accounts. I have ever from my youth had a desire to be more in substance than in show ; let me appear as I might in the sight of men, their praise I sought not for ; but I have sought the honour of God, and there is a place, where no trouble shall annoy, prepared for me. You that stay, be more humble, and when trouble awaits you, look not upon, nor trust to, the arm of flesh for assistance, but stay yourselves upon Him who suffered for you, for me, and for all mankind ; for I have for some time believed, and lived in the hope thereof, and am now in measure confirmed, of more glorious things yet to be revealed to the church of Christ, and that further and greater discoveries will yet be made, with respect to the Christian religion, than ever yet has been since the apostacy." And after a short pause, he uttered these expressions : " The door is open, I see an innumerable company of saints, of angels, and the spirits of just men, which I JOSEPH WHITE. long to be unbodied to be with ; but not niy will, but thine be done, Oh Lord ! I cannot utter, nor my tongue express, what I feel of that light, life, and love that attends me, which the world can neither give, nor take away from me. My sins are washed away by the blood of the Lamb that was slain from the foundation of the world; all rags and filthiness are taken away, and in room thereof love and good will for all mankind. Oh, that we may become more united in the church militant, and nearer resemble the church triumphant ! Oh, that we all might make such an end as I have in prospect : for it is all light, all life, all love, and all peace. The light that I see is more glorious than the sun in the firma- ment ! Come, Lord Jesus Christ ! come when thou pleasest, thy servant is ready and willing; into thy hands I commit my spirit. Not my will, but thine be done, Oh Lord ! I am near to enter that harmony with Moses and the Lamb, where they cry, ' Holy ! holy ! holy !' I cannot express the joy I feel. If any inquire after me, after my end, let them know all is well with me." The next day, finding himself in degree relieved from his disorder, he was taken to his own house, where he remained in a weak state of health for some time, being unable to go much abroad : and a short time before his death, his pain having been sharp the fore part of the night, but abating during the latter part of it, his wife fell asleep; he as usual slept not, but after some thne called to her in these words : " My dear, I believe I must take my leave of thee. I have never seen my end till now, and now I see it is near, and [the holy angels inclose me around, waiting to receive me." He departed in much stillness as in a sleep, the 10th day of the 3rd month, 1777, and was interred in Friends' burying ground at the Falls meeting-house on the 12th of the same; his remains being attended to the grave by a large number of Friends and neigh- 6 DAVID FERRIS. bours. The Friends of the Monthly Meeting, after giving these particulars respecting him, add, " May we, under the consideration of our great loss of him, and many other faithful labourers in the Lord's vineyard, now removed from us, be incited so to follow their footsteps, that with them, we may be partakers of that incorruptible inheritance, which is reserved for the righteous when time here shall be no more." David Ferris was the son of Zachariah and Sarah Ferris, and was born in Stratford, in Connecticut govern- ment, New England, the 10th of the third month, 1707. He was a minister much esteemed in our religious society ; and, from a very interesting memoir, which he left of his life and of his Christian experience, the following instructive account is compiled. His parents were Presbyterians, and educated him in that community. In reference to his early life, he says, " My father, while I was very young, moved to a place called New Milford. It being a newly settled place, I had not the advantage of a school ; but, under the care of my mother, I soon learned to read the Bible, and understood that there was a Supreme Being, who made all things, and preserved and upheld them in their order : and that, as the workmanship of his hand, I stood accountable to him for every part of my conduct. About the eighth year of my age, I was informed that the Divine Being was self-existent, without beginning and without end ; and not being able to understand how that could be, I sometimes thought so intensely on the subject that I became much bewildered. At length it was shown me, that the proposition was too high for my comprehension, and I received something like a reproof for searching into things beyond my capacity. From that time I was fearful of prying into such deep mysteries. DAVID FERRIS. 7 " My mother, being a religious woman, and much con- cerned for the good of her offspring, both temporally and spiritually, was frequent in giving them good advice and admonition ; desiring that we might shun the paths of error ; and teaching us, by her own example, as well as by precept, to walk in the ways of virtue, which lead to peace. This was a great help to us while young, and was not easily forgotten when we came to maturity. Death was a frequent subject of my thoughts ; and, in the twelfth year of my age, I was frequently called by the Holy Spirit to forsake evil, and leave youthful vanities, which I then delighted in, and to be sober and circumspect in all my ways." By attention to the divine call, and to the reproofs of instruction, he was, it appears, in a remarkable degree preserved from evil. He thus describes his experience in these days of comparative childhood. " My mind was humbled under a sense of my daily want of divine help ; and as I abode under a religious concern, attending to the reproofs of instruction, which are the way to life, an increase of light and life was communicated to me, so that I came to delight in virtue. As my desires and care for divine things increased, the knowledge of them was unfolded. I could truly say, the Lord was my delight. And for some years, as I dwelt in his fear, his yoke was easy, his burden light, and all childish vanities were burdensome. " While I kept near the spring of life, with my mind fixed on the true object, the world and the tilings thereof lost all their lustre. But, alas ! not keeping my eye single to the light, I lost my Leader ; and then, by little and little, the world rose again with splendour to my view. Earthly delights and vanity got such hold on my affections, that I took great pleasure in airy and vain company. This was an unspeakable loss to me, and I mention it that others may take warning by my harms. It seemed almost miraculous that I was ever restored 8 DAVID FEKRIS. from this lapsed state. My mother mourned over me, and often advised and urged my return, showing me the danger of such a course of vanity. Yet I was not wholly forsaken by my inward Monitor and former Guide. At times it reproved me, at other times called me, wooing and pleading with me to return. Some- times, in the midst of my vanity, I saw that I was in the way to death ; and that it would land me in ever- lasting confusion if I did not forsake it. Sometimes my concern was so great, that I was obliged to leave my vain companions, and retire so full of trouble and distress, that I had no satisfaction until a considerable time afterward. During these seasons of affliction, I was ready to promise to forsake my vain course of life, and to covenant with the Lord that I would do so no more, provided he would be pleased to grant me his assistance. But my efforts, being too much in my own strength, proved unavailing. Vanity so prevailed that I took great delight in music, dancing, and other vain amusements. " In the twentieth year of my age, I was visited with severe illness ; so that I, and those about me, had very little hope of my recovery. Then death stared me in the face; and a dreadful scene of woe, anguish, and misery opened to my view. It appeared clear to me that if I were then taken off the stage of action, I should be unavoidably lost ; and that evil spirits were waiting around me, to convey my soul to the mansions of misery and everlasting darkness; so that my horror, anxiety, and distress were inexpressible. In the utmost anguish of mind, I cried to the Lord for help ; promising amend- ment, if more time and ability were afforded me ; and it pleased a kind Providence to be propitious to me; so that I was restored to health; and in about a month, was able to walk out. " After my recovery, I remembered the distress I had been in, and the promise I bad made, when under DAVID PEREI8. V the dreadful apprehension of everlasting misery and destruction. I saw the necessity of a faithful perform- ance of my vows. I was sensible that there was a work to be done ; and that if I did not now comply with my promise, I should have to pass through the same, or rather a worse scene of misery and distress. It appeared probable that a more convenient opportunity for repent- ance than the present would not be afforded; and I concluded that this was the time to turn from vanity ; forsake my evil ways ; and renounce all my sensual delights. But, when I had resolved to begin the neces- sary work of reformation, the adversary of all good tempted me to believe that it was too late to think of obtaining peace with my Maker ; for this plain reason, 'that, as there was a day or time, in which men might be saved; so, if they let that opportunity pass away unimproved, it would be in vain to attempt it after- ward.' He suggested that I had had such a day of visitation, and had passed it by ; that I had been un- commonly favoured with help, and for a time did not accept of it ; that I had been made a partaker of the Holy Ghost ; that I had tasted of the good word of God, and of the powers of the world to come, and had fallen from it ; so now it was impossible that I should again be renewed unto repentance ; seeing I had cruci- fied the Son of God afresh, and put him to open shame. This reasoning appeared so strong, and so consonant to the apostle's doctrine, that I gave up the point; and concluded it was too late to attempt a return, with hope of acceptance. " From that time, during the space of about two months, I never sought for mercy ; but remained in utter despair. My trouble continued and increased; so that I had no satisfaction in life. On a certain day, in this season of despair and deep distress, I concluded to leave my native land, and go into some foreign country, to spend 10 DAVID FERRIS. the residue of my days; where I purposed to remain unknown, and that none of my relations or acquaintance should know what was become of me. Being, in my own apprehension, a poor, lost, reprobate creature, I was not willing to remain at home, to be a disgrace to my relations and country people. This was a day of the deepest affliction and distress that I had known. Towards evening, as I followed the plough, my attention was arrested, as it were, by a still, small voice, saying, ' The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth from all sin.' But I put it by ; saying in my heart, ' It is too late ; there has been a day wherein I might have been cleansed ; but, alas ! I have let it pass over my head for ever.' " Some time after this, (perhaps half an hour,) while I was musing on what land I should flee to, the same words passed through my mind again, with more autho- rity than before, and commanded my attention rather more closely than they had done ; but I again put them by; concluding I had lost all right to apply them to myself. So I resumed the consideration of my flight to a foreign land. In the mean time my sorrow and anxiety of mind increased, so that I was not Avell able to support it, or go on with my business. But while I was still musing, the same words, unsought for, and unexpectedly, passed through my mind, with greater power and autho- rity than at any time before ; ' The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.' At the sound of them my soid leaped for joy. I felt that a door of hope was opened, and said in my heart, ' If all sin, why not mine ? ' Then a living hope sprang in my soul. I saw the arms of mercy open to receive me, and the way cleared before me as a road through a thicket. " I was now filled with joy unspeakable ; thanksgiving and living praise to my Redeemer, arose in my heart for the experience of so great and marvellous a deliver- ance. That my feet should be plucked out of the mire, DAVID FERRIS. 11 and set upon a rock ; that I, who had no hope just before, should now be favoured with a well-grounded assurance of pardon and acceptance, was a mercy never to be forgotten. " From this time I sought for divine assistance ; and, in infinite kindness, a hand of help was extended for my restoration, and the healing of my backslidings. Then I was enabled to sing upon the banks of deliverance, and praise the name of him who lives for ever. The Holy Spirit, that blessed teacher, whom I had formerly been favoured with, but had forsaken, was now restored, as a leader and teacher, to direct and instruct me in the way to peace and rest. "From this time my mind, after such great favour, was humbled and made subject to the cross of Christ, and heartily willing to take it up daily, and follow him, my kind leader, in the narrow way of self-denial. And as I was obedient, He led me to forsake my vain course of life, and all those youthful delights and sensual pleasures which were displeasing to my dear Lord and Master ; who, in wonderful mercy, had lifted me out of the dun- geon, and heard my prayers in a time of deep affliction. He now became my director in all things ; showing me clearly what my duties were, and enabling me to perform them in an acceptable manner. But if, at any time, I acted in my own will, I lost my strength, and found no acceptance or benefit by my performances ; by which I gradually learnt, that I could do nothing acceptably, without the immediate assistance of the Spirit of Christ the Redeemer. Thus I found a necessity to apply con- tinually to my only and all-sufficient Helper, and humbly to wait for his assistance and direction ; and as I was faithful, He led me into the path of life, which, if continued in, will terminate in everlasting peace. " Having gradually learned that nothing of a religious nature could be effectually done, without the immediate assistance of the Holy Spirit, I may humbly acknow- 12 DAVID FERRIS. ledge that I was wonderfully favoured with Divine instruction; far beyond my expectation, and infinitely above my deserts. I was led, as it were, by the hand, and helped over every difficulty that attended me. But the adversary of my soul tried every stratagem to draw me aside from the path of virtue. He strove, night and day, to deter me from walking in the narrow way ; representing the difficulties to be so great that I could never hold out to the end; and that all my attempts would be in vain. He seemed to be continually present, whether I was awake or asleep, disquieting my mind as much as possible. But my prayer was incessant for divine aid; that a stronger than he might appear for my help, and dispossess him. And, in about a year after I had been raised from the pit of despair, as before related, I received a promise that 'the God of peace would bruise Satan under my feet shortly/ Faith was given me to believe in this promise, and I hoped for a speedy deliverance. But he continued to afflict me with his assaults, with temptations, and evil suggestions, for some months afterward. Notwithstanding which, I still believed the time would come, according to the promise, and I prayed for its fulfilment in the Lord's time. At length, a stronger than he did indeed come, and cast him out, and wholly dispossessed him ; and not only bruised him under foot, but removed him far from me. " The power of the enemy to assault, or in anywise to disquiet me, was now taken away : neither was he able to lay any temptation before me. Now was my soul daily filled with thanksgiving and living praise for this deliverance : as well as for all the other manifold mercies and favours of God, from day to day bestowed upon me, 'a worm and no man.' To the honour of his great name, who hath done marvellous things for me, and to the praise of his grace, I may say, that the adversary of all good was not only thus prevented from troubling me, but the fountain of divine life was opened, and DAVID FEHKTS. 13 the water thereof flowed so freely and plentifully into my soul, that I was absorbed in it, and so enamoured thereby, that all the riches, honours, and vain pleasures of this world, had no place in my affections. In this state I longed to be with Christ ; which I was sensible, was better than to be here. I do not know that there was one moment, whilst I was awake, for the space of nearly two years, in which I could not sing living praises to Him who liveth for ever and ever. No losses, crosses, or disappointments did, in any degree, disturb me, at least not perceptibly, either to myself or others ; for my delight was in objects very different from any thing which this world can give or take away." David Ferris possessed a strong and sound under- standing, with considerable taste for literary pursuits. He had been well instructed in the Latin tongue ; and wished to acquire a more extensive knowledge, especially in the languages. In order to accomplish this object he entered as student in a college in New England. At this period of his life he thus writes : — "At my entrance into college my principles genrally corresponded with those held by the Presbyterians. But I now began to think it was time to examine for myself, and no longer trust in the judgment of my fore- fathers. I found it necessary to subject my principles and practices to a strict scrutiny, because I began to be doubtful of some of them. But I was convinced that, as a rational creature, simply considered, without a Divine Instructor, I was not competent to the under- taking. Being very desirous to know the truth in all things, I made application to Him, whom I believe to be the only Teacher of his people, and as I waited upon him for instruction, my understanding was gradually enlightened, so as to perceive many errors in my former creed, and to discover the truth in opposition to the doctrines of my education. " That which stood most in my way, and appeared to 14 DAVID FERRIS. be a grievous hardship to mankind, as well as a great dishonour to a just and righteous God, was their doctrine of unconditional election and reprobation ; which would, according to their apprehension of it, shut out the chief part of mankind from all hope of mercy, as they believed they were the Lord's only people, and that but few of others were within the pale of election. Yet I believe there were some amongst them who had a more extensive charity. I was much concerned on this subject, and being earnestly desirous to discover the truth, it pleased the Lord to open my understanding, clearly to perceive the error of this doctrine ; and I was enabled to believe that Christ, who 'gave himself a ransom for all,' would have 'all men to be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth.' "I had before this period heard of a people called Quakers, but was unacquainted with any of them. As I had never seen any of their writings, I knew not what doctrines they held, but ascribe all my knowledge in divine tilings to the inward manifestation of grace and truth, the teaching of the Holy Spirit. It was Christ, the light of the world, the life of men, who opened to me the Scriptures, and gave me a discerning of their meaning; and as I was faithful and obedient to the pointings of Truth, I was favoured with further and clearer discoveries thereof. "I continued at the college until near the time for taking my degrees; and being convinced of the errors of my education relating to the doctrines we held, and the worship we performed, I apprehended it was time to consider what was best for me to do ; and being favoured to see that a qualification or commission derived from man was not sufficient for the gospel ministry, I con- cluded not to take their degrees, nor depend upon their authority. " I still continued a member of the Presbyterian society ; attended their meetings, and partook of their DAVID FERRIS. 15 bread and wine. But I was not free to sing with them, not having been, for some time before, in a condition to sing: besides, it did not appear to me an acceptable sacrifice, or any thing like divine worship, for a mixed multitude to sing that of which they knew nothing by experience. My exercise of mind daily increased, for now the time was near at hand in which I must leave them. This was a day of trial; for, although at the commencement of my religious progress, I had forsaken all the youthful delights and vanities with which I had been diverted, and had been enabled to trample them all under my feet, expecting never again to encounter such difficulties, yet now I found that self Avas not sufficiently mortified in me. To be brought down from the pinnacle of honour — to be esteemed a fool — be trampled under foot by high and low, rich and poor, learned and un- learned, was hard to bear. As I observed before, I had been much esteemed; though, as I was sensible, more than I deserved. I knew the people had undue ex- pectations of my future usefulness, and that if I left the college, as I thought it my duty to do, my credit would sink, and my honours be laid in the dust; and then, instead of being caressed and exalted, I must be neg- lected and despised. " But I had other difficulties to encounter. My father looked forward with hope that I should be an honour to him and his family. He had promised to set me out in the world in the best manner his circumstances would admit. I knew that if I were obedient to my convic- tions of duty, he would regard it as a disgrace to my family and connexions, and would be more likely to turn me out of his house, than in any way to assist me. " Here, if I complied with my sense of duty, I must ' take up the cross,' and turn out unprovided for into the world ; for I had very little property of my own, none to expect from my father, and no salary to support me 16 DAVID FJ3RRIS. " I laboured under a lively sense of all these difficulties. Poverty and disgrace stared me in the face ; and, as I had none but the Lord to whom I could make known my distress and discouragements, nor any other of whom to ask counsel, I cried to him incessantly for wisdom, strength, and fortitude, that I might be favoured with a clear discovery of my duty, and enabled faithfully to obey Him in all things. " It is difficult to conceive, and not in my power to express, the anxiety of my mind in this proving season , for every thing valuable seemed in danger of being totally lost. Nevertheless, I cried unto the Lord for help; and covenanted with Him, that if He would be pleased to direct me in the way which would be safe for me to pursue, manifest his will therein, and afford me assistance to perform my duties, I would resign all to his disposal, obey his will, no longer reason with flesh and blood, but trust to His providence for support and credit in the world, and for every thing else He might deem best and most convenient for me. " As soon as I was satisfied on these points, I reasoned not with flesh and blood, but immediately gave up to the heavenly vision. I then went to the chief ruler of the college, and obtained his permission to go home ; but I told no one my reasons for this procedure. " After I had parted from my companions, I went on to New Milford, where my parents and relations resided. About three weeks afterwards, I went to a Yearly Meeting of the people called Quakers, on Long Island, in order to discover whether they were a living people or not, for a living people I wished to find. I had thought for several years before, that there ought to be such a people, a people who had life in them, and abounded in love to each other, as did the primitive Christians ; a people who knew they had passed from death unto life, by their love to the brethren. Here I gathered strength, and was more confirmed that I was right in DAVIT) FERRIS. 17 leaving the college ; for I found a living, humble people, full of love and good works, such a one as I had never seen before. I rejoiced to find that which I had been seeking, and soon owned them to be of the Lord's people, and of the true church of Christ, according to his own description of it, where he says, 'By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye love one another.' "At the meeting before mentioned, there were several eminent ministers from Europe, both male and female. I there heard a woman preach the gospel in the Divine authority of truth, far exceeding all the learned Rabbies I had known. This was not so strange to me as it might have been to others, for I had before seen, by the immediate manifestation of grace and truth, that women, as well as men, might be clothed with gospel power; and that daughters, as well as sons, under the gospel dispensation, were to have the Spirit poured upon them, that they might prophesy : and though I had never before heard a woman preach, yet I now rejoiced to see the prophecy fulfilled." David Ferris soon after this felt that he must separate himself from the people amongst whom he had been educated, and he embraced the views which distinguish the Society of Friends. He met with many close trials of his faith and patience. For a time his father was much displeased at the change which was manifest in his conduct and deportment : but, becoming convinced of his son's sincerity, he was at length reconciled to him. In commemoration of the help which was merci- fully vouchsafed in this time of need, he writes thus : — " I admired the boundless goodness, the infinite kind- ness, and tender mercy of a gracious God, in effecting my late deliverance ; especially when I considered how tempestuous were the seas, and how the billows rolled over me ; how the mountains of opposition raised their lofty heads to stop my passage; and again, in a short 18 DAVID FERRIS. time, how the winds and seas were hushed and still ; and how the mountains became a perfect plain ! I truly found as great cause to sing upon the banks of deliver- ance, as Israel did of old, when they had passed through the sea on dry ground ; and had turned about and seen their enemies dead on the shore. I rejoiced in the Lord, and sang praises to Him, who had done marvellous things for me ; who had made me acquainted with his blessed truth ; and at length gave me ability to trample the world, and all its riches, honours, and pleasures, under my feet ; to submit to the cross of Christ ; and be willing to be accounted a fool of all men. For which favours I felt myself under great obligations to my gracious Benefactor." In the sixth month, 1733, he removed to Philadelphia, where he joined in religious fellowship with Friends. In 1735, he married Mary, the daughter of Samuel and Sarah Massey; and in 1737 settled at Wilmington, in Newcastle county, where he lived during the remainder of his days. Whilst he resided in Philadelphia he was engaged in teaching the learned languages, and other branches of a liberal education ; but on removing to Wilmington he embarked in trade, in the pursuit of which he evinced much watchfulness and Christian self-denial. It pleased Divine Providence to bless his temporal concerns, and, as he gratefully acknowledged, to grant him plenty and peace. About a year after his admission into membership with Friends, he believed it to be his duty to speak as a minister in our religious meetings ; and, as he expresses it, "to excite the careless to a consideration of their latter end." But it appears that, although he had been enabled, by closely adhering to the power of Divine grace, to renounce the pleasures, the profits, and the friendships of this world ; and had been made willing to become as a fool and a by-word amongst his acquaintance, yet, at DAVID FERRIS. 19 this requisition of his Lord, his faith failed. He suffered a slavish fear and the reasonings of fallen nature to prevail : and notwitstanding that the Divine will was, with remarkable clearness, and in a variety of Avays, manifested to his mind, he continued to resist the impression. His disobedience caused him, he says, to be "full of sorrow, trouble, and pain of heart;" and this increased until he was on the very brink of despair. Respecting his spiritual condition at this time, he writes, " I was so ungrateful to my Heavenly Benefactor, that it is a wonder I was ever restored. And I have no doubt that thousands, through negligence, even after they have been called out of the world, and have run well for a season, have been finally lost. This I have written for a warning to others." The compassion of the Almighty was long extended to his soul, and the Holy Spirit continued to strive with him. "I then clearly saw," says he, "that if I were forsaken and left to myself, the consequences would be death and darkness for ever ! At the sight of the horrible pit that yawned for me, if I continued in disobedience, my body trembled like an aspen leaf, and my soul was humbled within me ! Then I said, ' Lord ! here am I ; make of me what Thou wouldst have me to be ; leave me not in displeasure, I beseech thee.' " After a time of great anxiety and distress of mind, the Lord was graciously pleased to look upon me with compassion, and again offered to make me a pillar in his house ; and I felt a renewed concern to appear in public for his Name, and in the cause of Truth." He first spoke as a minister in 1755, in the forty- eighth year of his age. "At that time," he remarks, "I was made a real Quaker, and was not ashamed to be seen trembling before the Lord. Under a sense of so great and merciful a deliverance, I saw and felt ample cause for it. It was with me as with Israel C 2 20 DAVID FERRIS. of old, when the Lord caused their captivity to return ; saying He would build them as at the first; and they should fear and tremble for all his goodness, and for all the prosperity He would procure for them. My soul rejoiced in the Lord, and I magnified his excellent Name, who is worthy of all honour, glory, and renown for ever. " It appeared to me wonderful, that I should thus be lifted out of this horrible pit of my own digging ; and I was so absorbed in the love and mercy of my heavenly Benefactor, that I was filled with thankfulness and praise, attended with a desire that, in future I might diligently watch and wait for the pointing of his holy finger, to every service He might be pleased to allot me : that henceforth no opportunity might be lost of manifesting my gratitude by obedience to his will." During the remainder of his life he sought to approve himself a diligent and faithful servant. He performed several extensive journeys in the service of the gospel ; and, by certificates produced on his return home it, appeared that his conduct, conversation, and labours abroad, were exemplary and edifying, tending to the advancement of truth and righteousness. He was very serviceable in meetings for discipline, which, with other meetings, he diligently attended; not suffering his out- ward affairs to obstruct the fulfilment of this duty to God. He was hospitable and liberal in entertaining Friends ; and remarkably charitable to the poor; freely adminis- tering to their necessities. Bodily weakness attended him during the last three years of his life, which he bore with much patience. A few months before his decease, he made the following very instructive memorandum : — "1779. I am now drawing towards the conclusion of life ; being, this day, seventy-two years of age. For DAVID FERRIS. 21 the encouragement of others, I will now briefly recap- itulate some of the kind dealings of Providence to- wards me. The God of my life, my Maker and Preserver, has been propitious to me, from youth to old age. The fear of the Lord, which preserves from evil, was placed in my heart when I was but eight years old; so that I was afraid to offend Him. In the twelfth year of my age, I was mercifully visited, and called out of the vanities of the world ; at which time I received a promise, that if I sought first the kingdom of God, all other necessary things should be added; and I have found the promise true, for I never have wanted any of the good tilings of this life. I have been blessed with sufficient for myself and friends, and something to spare to the poor ; and I esteem it a great favour that I received a disposition to communicate to those who stood in need. " If all men would ' seek first the kingdom of heaven, and the righteousness thereof,' and carefully attend to the leadings of the Holy Spirit, with which all might be favoured, 1 believe they would be blessed with a sufficient portion of wealth. O, that mankind were wise ! and would early seek that treasure which cometh from above; and which neither moth nor rust can corrupt, nor thieves break through and steal! And may we all beware of loving the world, and living at ease, in the enjoyment of its good and pleasant things ! Even those who have been favoured with remarkable divine visitations, and have been put in possession of ' the upper and the nether springs,' have great need to be on their guard. "When we enjoy health and plenty, and all things seem pleasant around us, we are prone to forget the Lord, and neglect those ' things that belong to our peace.' " Near the close of bis days, he was much afflicted with sickness, which he bore with patience ; often expressing his prospect of his approaching end, and his resignation 22 JOHN PEMBERTON. therein ; saying, " All is well." Several friends being- present, after a time of silence, he in a lively manner repeated the expressions of the apostle, " To me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain." He departed this life, the 5th of the twelfth month, 1779, aged upwards of seventy-two years, a minister about twenty-four years. John Pemberton was the son of Israel and Rachel Pemberton of Philadelphia, and born in the year 1727. Being mercifully favoured, in early life, with the visita- tions of a Saviour's love, and his mind being imbued with a sense of the divine fear, he was much preserved from the delusive vanities and evils, into which youth, through the force of temptation, and overlooking, or resisting the monitions of the Holy Spirit, are often seduced. When he attained his 23rd year, he came to England in the same vessel with John Churchman and William Brown, who were drawn in gospel love to visit their friends in Great Britain and Ireland; and the former in some parts of the Continent of Europe. The voyage appears to have been undertaken by John Pemberton, partly on business, and partly from the hope of becoming invigorated in his health, which had been for some time delicate. But soon after his arrival in London, feeling his mind religiously inclined to accompany John Churchman to a few meetings in the country, he was further engaged to continue with him in his travels through most parts of England, Ireland, and Holland. In the early part of this journey, at a meeting held at Penzance, in Cornwall, he said a few words in public ministry; and, as John Churchman relates, "tender and broken, accompanied with a good degree of the savour of truth." Thus, though he left home on temporal concerns, yet having received a divine JOHN PEMBERTON. 23 cull, he, like the first disciples of the same blessed Lord, left all, and followed him, in the path of obedience and dedication. His ministry was sound, instructive and edifying ; he being concerned to inculcate the necessity of great circumspection of life and purity of conversation, that thereby our religious profession might be adorned, through humility and a reverent sense of the Lord's omnipotent care over us. He was very useful in our meetings for discipline, being zealously concerned for the support of our Christian testimony, and the good order of the church: manifesting a tender regard to such as had missed their way, and become the objects of solicitude on that account. He Avas careful, in the remembrance of the apostle's exhortation, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world ; and it may be truly said of him, he was ready to do good and to communicate, and to honour the Lord with his substance, and with the first fruits of his increase. Feeling an engagement of gospel love to visit his friends in Europe, and having the concurrence of those at home, he embarked for London, at New York, in company with William Matthews, in the twelfth month, 1782. The vessel being taking on her passage, in the English Channel near the Isle of Wight, by a privateer from France, they were carried to Dunkirk ; though soon after released, and they arrived in England in the second month following. He continued in England, visiting the meetings of Friends in divers parts, until the ensuing Yearly Meet- ing held in London, which he attended ; from whence he proceeded to the northern counties, and embarked at Liverpool for DubHn, where he arrived in the seventh month. In the fifth month, 1785, he returned to England, and attended the Yearly Meeting held in London in 24 JOHN PEMBERTON. the sixth month following; he then proceeded to the western parts of this nation, and afterwards to Scotland, visiting the Orkney Islands and some other parts. He spent about two years in that country, where his religious labours appear to have been very acceptable, especially to the poor people inhabiting the Orkneys. After his return from thence, he remained in England, visiting the meetings in London and other places, till the seventh month, 1789, when he embarked on his return to Philadelphia. After continuing mostly with his family during several succeeding years, his mind was impressed with a belief that the service required of hun in the gospel of Christ in some of those nations of Europe, which he had previously visited, had not been fully accomplished. He informed his friends of this concern, and they feeling unity with it, he embarked in a ship bound for Amsterdam in the fifth month, 1794, and arrived there in the seventh month, following. Before leaving his native land, liis mind was led to reflect on the uncertainty of life, and affected with a tendering sense of the divine goodness and mercy exten- ded for his preservation, and he left some observations in writing, from which the following is extracted : — " When I view my steps in life, and reflect how greatly deficient I have been, I am humbled, and have cause to admire the great compassion and long-suffering- kindness of a gracious God, and with abasement acknow- ledge it will be of his mercy, if I am saved. If I have been helped at times to be found faithful, it has been, and is, through the efficacy of grace, and therefore no room to boast. My failure in duty and watchfulness has been great. Through the religious care of pious parents when young, and an early sense of the Divine fear, I was and have been preserved from the gross evils of the world to this day, which is a great mercy and favour. But I have often passed under many hidden conflicts for disobedience and failure in duty, and have JOHN PEMBERTON. 25 at times been ready to despair; yet I have had to acknowledge the Lord is righteous, whatever might be my portion ; and after days of sorrow, and nights of deep exercise, he has been pleased to renew light and favour; under a sense of which, I desire to be found more attentive, diligent, and faithful, the residue of my days, esteeming the light of the Lord's countenance, and the evidence of his peace, beyond all terrestrial enjoyments." He remained at Amsterdam a few weeks ; in which he appears to have been engaged in religious labour amongst the inhabitants of that city, to whom he addressed some " Tender Caution and Advice," which was printed in Low Dutch, and distributed amongst them. Finding his mind drawn to visit the few Friends settled at Pyrmont in Germany, he proceeded on the journey, and got to Hertford in Westphalia the 27th of the eighth month. The next day, walking about five miles to see some religious people, and being caught in the rain, he took a heavy cold; the effect of which he never fully recovered. After being some time confined there, he was enabled to proceed by Ufelen, Bielfield, Lemgo, Barrenstrop, &c. to Pyrmont, having had meetings and acceptable service at all the before-mentioned places, and many others on his way from Amsterdam, particularly at Bielfield, where he had a large public meeting, and many select oppor- tunities, and also visited numbers of the principal inhabitants, being generally well received, and his religious labours appearing to be acceptable. A memo- randum made the 6th of ninth month, when at Bielfield, says, " The chill and fever renewed ; I was very unwell all the afternoon, and it continued till midnight with a great thirst: yet, through the adorable mercy of a gracious God, I felt more of the incomes of his love and life-giving presence, than I have experienced a long 26 JOHN PEMBERTON. time ; that I was enabled to make melody in my heart, and recount his fatherly care and tender dealings with me, from the days of my infancy ; and I had to bless his Holy Name. And this comfortable visitation of his love and mercy continued for some hours, that I was ready to conclude I might soon be released from the trials and afflictions of this life." He was often led, in a manner unusual in those parts, to go into unknown houses, gather the family about him, and after a solemn pause, to distribute wholesome doctrine, counsel, and advice among them. Thus, to break the bread from house to house, seemed sometimes at first to surprise the people : but when, after a short time, their minds were overshadowed by that invisible power which accompanied his words, and the witness for truth in them was reached, tears were often beheld to flow ; and at parting, the unknown were observed to take their leave of him as if well acquainted, in a tender and affecting manner. His arrival at Pyrmont was on the 12th of the ninth month, and his stay there about four months; during which time he was mostly very poorly in health ; but nevertheless almost daily occupied in the service of truth : for, as his bodily health permitted him, he not only punctually attended meetings, and visited Friends in their families, but had also many private opportunities, and several public meetings with the people of the town, which were very numerous, wherein he was enabled to preach the free gospel of Christ with divine authority ; so that not only sometimes the whole assem- bly seemed to be clothed with an awful reverence, but also the hearts of many were moved, and the witness for God in them reached, by his living testimony. At such opportunities he seemed, to the admiration of those who knew his weak constitution, not to feel his bodily weak- ness at all, usually lifting up his voice as a strong youth, to testify of the great love of God towards mankind. JOHN PEMBERTON. 27 It was his principal concern to turn people from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God ; endeavouring to show that God has given a measure of his Spirit, and light, or grace, to all men, as a talent, which he has required them to improve. His friends bear testimony that his ministry was in plainness of speech, and attended with divine authority 5 for his words, whether they contained exhortation, com- fort, or reproof, reached the inward states of those whom they concerned ; and he often spoke, both in meetings and at other opportunities, so exactly to the state of individuals, that there was no doubt left, that he was led by the unerring Spirit of truth ; and more especially, in his particular service among his fellow professors of the same principles of that unchangeable truth, for the promotion of which he spent his life. The solemn reverence of his watchful spirit appeared so manifest in his countenance, that others who beheld him, were thereby invited to stillness : and such as had a desire to hear words, were taught by his example to turn their minds to the grace of God ; showing that it is infinitely better to keep silent before the Lord, than to utter words that are not accompanied with the life- giving and baptizing power of the Spirit; without which they cannot be truly profitable. After his return to Pyrmont he had repeated attacks of an inflammatory fever; and on the 23rd of the eleventh month, in the evening, he was seized so sud- denly with a violent chill, that he was obliged to leave the company of some Friends, who were come to see him, and retire to bed. Next morning the physician came to see him, and at parting wishing that he might be better; he replied, "my hope is in the Lord;" and he continued in a patient, resigned state of mind; although to appearance, in great pain of body. He appeared to be totally free from temporal concerns, and only occupied with objects of everlasting importance: 28 JOHN PEMBERTON. and particularly, he seemed much concerned for the welfare of the little Society of Friends in that place, even to his very last moments. His disorder having greatly increased, he suffered exceedingly; but kept remarkably patient and resigned; and being a little relieved from the great oppression and difficulty of breathing which he had laboured under, he said — "It is a great favour to know that my Redeemer lives, and because he lives, I live also." This he ex- pressed about three o'clock in the morning of the 31st of twelfth month, being the day of his decease ; and a little after, he said to his companion and the friend that assisted him, "You are very kind, and I have been carefully nursed ; I wish you may grow and increase in every thing that is good, and become a spiritual and holy house unto God." A while after, a friend said to him, that it was pleasing and encouraging to see him so much resigned ; to which he replied nearly as follows : "Ah ! we may see miracles have not ceased. Great and marvellous are His works ; He is mighty to save and able to deliver to the very uttermost, all those that trust in Him; His ways are ways of wonder, and past finding out." Seeming to be much exercised in his mind about the professors of Truth at Pyrmont, he said, " Some are now very full of them- selves, and are persecuting the Lord's church ; but it is a wrong spirit. There is a spirit that is doing the church much harm ; but I am not of that spirit, and it is best to avoid that spirit which sets up for itself. My heart is heavy on account of these things." A while after this, he said, "The Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God." And then, a little after, he expressed himself nearly as follows : — " The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, which opens the mysteries of God's kingdom ; but the wisdom of this world is foolish- ness with God." About twelve o'clock he said, in a triumphant manner, " I am departing for heaven, and ELIZABETH COLLINS. 29 from you all, to the kingdom of God and of Christ." After this he said, " You can prove these things, whether they are agreeable to the Scriptures of God and of Christ, yea or nay." And then he expressed in a weighty manner as follows : — " It is not circumcision nor uncir- cumcision, but a new creature. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God, which lives and abides for ever." And a little after, " They who are justified, are justified by the faith of Jesus Christ." And after- wards he earnestly said, " Woe unto the world because of offences." His mind seemed to be overcome with divine love, and his words were of God, and of Christ and his king- dom : and the last that could be distinctly understood, which he uttered with a melodious voice, were these: " I can sing the songs of Zion and of Israel ; " which is a demonstrative proof that he had not followed cunningly devised fables ; but the living substance of true religion. He died on the 31st of the twelfth month, 1794, aged 67 years. The following memoir of Elizabeth Collins, of Upper Evesham, New Jersey, North America, presents us with a remarkable example of devotedness to the love and service of God, of humble trust in the Redeemer, and of pious resignation under many and complicated afflictions; and will, we believe, prove instructive and animating to the Christian reader. She was born on the 4th of the first month, 1755, of religious parents. Her father died when she was about six years old, "leaving," she says, "my mother with six small children; and not having- abundance of this world's treasure to bring us up with, it was my lot to live out from home ; and I had some trying seasons to pass through, both in body and mind; but my gracious Helper was near in those my young days, though like Samuel I knew not what it was." 30 ELIZABETH COLLINS. In consequence of indisposition she was obliged to return home ; where, for some years, she had the advan- tage of her mother's tender and watchful care : though mercifully preserved from gross sins, yet she was too frequently induced to yield to her natural propensities to levity and folly. The time of her greatest indulgence in that which was evil was previous to her fifteenth year. She again left her mother's house, to go out as an apprentice about the year 1770. In reference to this time she says, " I was much exposed and met with many difficulties ; but the invisible arm of divine love and mercy, was near for my preservation: blessed be the great name of Israel's Grod, who alone preserved me from utter ruin: in the remembrance thereof my soul cannot but bless, praise, and magnify his ever worthy name. Although I took some delight in company, and light conversation, yet I had often to retire and pour out my tears before Him who seeth in secret, and who had in mercy visited my soul, and given me in mea- sure to see the vanity of youthful pastimes, that I had too much delighted in. After the expiration of my apprenticeship, I attended meetings as steadily as my situation would admit, being obliged to go from house to house, to work at my trade, in the course of which I met with many trials, being much exposed to company." She was married about the eighteenth year of her age : but, in little more than four years, it pleased divine Providence to take from her, her affectionate husband. Respecting this deeply afflictive event, she thus writes: — "Being now left a poor disconsolate widow with two small children, I was ready to conclude, that no one's trials could exceed mine; but the Lord, in mercy, was near to support and bear up through all, that I did not sink below hope, though often brought very low both in body and mind ; in which seasons I wrote the following: 'My heart scemeth humbled within me, and my desire is, that I may be preserved as in the ELIZABETH COLLINS. 31 hollow of my Lord's mighty hand, who am a poor unworthy creature ; but He is wonderful in goodness ; He hath spared, pitied, and showed mercy, that I am not cast off and quite lost. " 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 ; Oh, that I may receive bread from thy table, and that thy grace may abound in me. " A short time after the death of my dear husband, I had a severe attack of disease, in which I had no prospect of recovering, but was quite resigned to the divine will ; desiring that if He saw meet to raise me again, it might be for some good end ; in the remembrance of which season, I feel breathings of soul, that I may be so attentive to the pointings of truth, and so obedient to my dear Lord and Master, as to answer this great end. Gracious and Holy Father, may it please Thee to strengthen my feeble endeavours, and more and more wean me from every thing that obstructs the growth of thy pure truth." In the year 1778 she was united in marriage to Job Collins, and soon afterwards, being then in the 24th year of her age, she yielded to an apprehension of duty to speak as a minister in our religious assemblies. Respecting the state of her mind on entering on this new and important work, she says : — " My mouth being thus opened, I was ready to conclude I should be more steadily favoured, and not experience such deep exercise as I had passed through ; but I was disappointed : for although I had great peace, in giving up to speak a few words in meeting, when required, yet I often had to experience close baptisms; such stripping seasons, that I have been ready to call all in question, and conclude that I have been misled, and that it was not required of me to speak in public. But my great and good Master, who saw my distress, suffered me not to sink, but con- 32 ELIZABETH COLLINS. descended in mercy to favour me at seasons, with the lifting up of the light of his glorious countenance, whereby my poor drooping spirit was raised and com- forted. My friends also, showed great kindness and sympathy towards me. " I had many deep and close exercises to pass through, under which nothing short of the divine arm of Omni- potence could have supported ; and about which time I wrote as follows: — 'Unto Thee, O thou Searcher of hearts, I commit myself ! O Lord ! search me, and try me ; if there be iniquity in me, do Thou it away. Let not thy blessed hand spare, nor thy holy eye pity, until Thou has brought judgment unto victory — until Thou hast made of me what thou pleasest, for thou knowest for what cause I am thus tried. O Lord ! be pleased to visit my dear children, now in their young and tender years : turn their hearts unto Thee, and one unto another. Be graciously pleased to enable me to keep my place and authority over them, in thy Truth. Create in me a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within me — a right disposition of mind, to bear all things that may fall to my lot, for a trial of my faith and love unto thee, O Thou beloved of my soul ! ' " She several times believed it to be required of her to leave her family in order to visit her friends in the love and service of the gospel; and in the year 1793 felt her mind strongly attracted to the yearly meeting in Pliiladelphia. The yellow fever prevailed at that time in the city, and it appeared to be a very serious thing to venture thither; yet her faith was strong that she should experience preservation, and tins favour was mercifully granted. During her stay there she writes as follows : — " This is a solemn time in this city, wherein many houses, great and fair, are left without inhabitants, many faces gather paleness, and hearts are filled with sadness. Many, I believe, as was formerly recommended, are ELIZABETH COLLINS. 33 getting as between the porch and the altar, crying, ' Spare thy people, O Lord ! and give not thine heritage, to reproach.' T have entered this city, and remained in it, without fear, except the fear of the Lord, that at times fills the hearts of his humble dependent children. May I be truly thankful for this and every other mercy." She returned home under an humbling sense of divine regard, having to remember those expressions of Jacob ; 'I crossed this Jordan with my staff, and now I am become two bands.' "I had nothing", she says, "but the staff of faith to lean upon, and now in my return, I have to experience a good degree of holy quiet, and the in- comes of sweet peace; which is more to the immortal soul, than all that this world can afford. O ! may it be more and more prized, and sought after by me, is the desire of my heart. In looking over the above remarks, my soul doth bless, praise, and magnify, that holy hand and arm which preserved his children unhurt even in the flames, whose power is the same, yesterday, to-day, and for ever." She was not long afterwards closely tried by the decease of three of her children, but throughout this period of affliction, her mind was much stayed in humble submission to the dispensations of an all-wise God, and she was enabled to adopt the language, " Thy will, Oh Father, be done." About this time she thus describes the state of her own mind : — " I have been much reduced, and centred in nothing- ness of self, a suitable situation to receive the wine of the kingdom ; and through mercy, I have had to partake of the incomes of holy good, in a larger degree than ever before, for so long together, and have been ready to conclude that perhaps my warfare is nearly accom- plished; but whether or not, my greatest desire is, that. I may be fully given up. The world and the things of it, have been sunk into such nothingness, that I have D 34 ELIZABETH COLLINS. not a name importing little enough to call them by, compared with the joys of eternity, that I have had a prospect of. Centre then, O my soul ! more and more within the enclosure of the walls of its salvation." In the ninth month, 1796, at the yearly meeting at Philadelphia, she says : " Many weighty matters were feelingly and pertinently spoken to, and nothing more fully than that of love and unity, the badge of true discipleship ; the want of which, I believe is a great loss and hurt to many. This subject brought great weight and exercise over the meeting, and over me as an individual. Great was my desire for Friends in general, and more for our particular meeting; but especially my dear offspring, that they might be more and more partakers of that love and unity, which becomes and distinguishes Christ's followers : that they may not only be his by creation, but by redemption also : for God is love, and they that dwell in him, dwell in love." In the tenth month, she thus writes : " Thou most holy and righteous Lord, art more and more weaning me from the pleasant things of this world ; perfect thy work to thine own praise. Let not thy hand spare, nor thine eye pity, until Thou hast perfected thine intended purpose : until Thou hast made of me what Thou pleasest. Thou only knowest what food is most convenient for me. Be pleased, in mercy, to mete out the dispensations of thy providence, in a way and manner that may tend to the firm establishment of my faith in thee, O Thou immoveable Rock ! " In looking over my life, even from the days of my youth, I have to admire the many preservations, gracious dealings, tender mercies, and loving-kindnesses of the Lord, my bountiful Creator, towards me, a poor un- worthy creature. My soul doth bless, praise, and magnify His great and ever worthy Name, and can, with some degree of propriety, adopt the language ot ELIZABETH COLLINS. 35 Jacob, when he blessed Joseph, and said, ' God, before whom my fathers, Abraham and Isaac, did walk, the God which fed me all my life long unto this day, the Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads ; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers, Abraham and Isaac' "But we cannot suppose, that to be called the children of Abraham, or of believing parents, will do any thing for us. We may remember, that our dear Lord and Saviour told some in that day, that to be the children of Abraham, was to do the works of Abraham ; that it is not a name or a profession, but a possession of the truth that will do. " Oh ! may the Lord, in mercy, so visit and so open the understandings of my dear children, as not only to see the beauty of the truth, but to join in, and receive it in the love of it. So wisheth, and so prayeth, your truly exercised and deeply concerned mother." In the years 1797, 1798, and 1799, she paid several religious visits to her friends ; and during these engage- ments, she thus writes : — " Thou, O Lord ! art strength in our weakness, mouth, and wisdom, yea all things to thy humble dependent children, whose trust is in Thee, waiting for thy putting forth in the way and gently going before them; blessed be thy holy name for ever!" A little after she expresses being " thankful in heart to the Great Helper of his people, who had been near and supported through many close exercises, and in much weakness of body, that at times it looked unlikely I should be able to get through ; but as mine eye was kept single to my holy Helper, I had to acknowledge, with the disciples, I lacked nothing. Before I set out on this little journey, I had many difficulties and dis- couragements to pass through, which ofttimes looked insurmountable, like mountains and floods that could not be passed over. But as my mind became truly given d 2 36 ELIZABETH COLLINS. up to him, whose right it is to dispose of us as he sees meet, how were those difficulties removed, that I could even adopt the language of the Psalmist: — ' What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest ! thou Jordan that thou wast driven back ! ye mountains that ye skipped like rams, and ye little hills like lambs!' Thus I had from time to time, to set up my Ebenezer and acknowledge, 'hitherto Thou hast helped me.'" On returning from one of those gospel missions, she says : — "In the eleventh month I reached home, weary in body, but comforted in mind, with the reward of sweet peace, having been enabled to perform the service required of me, in a good degree of faithfulness and dedication to Him, who had thus called me forth, and was graciously pleased to go before and make way. O ! blessed for ever be his great name ; who continues to be the never-failing helper of his humble, dependent chil- dren, who put their whole trust in him: and who has supported through many trials and deep probations, yea sweetened many bitter cups. May my soul bless, praise, and magnify, thy ever worthy name, who art God over all, blessed for ever ! Be graciously pleased to be with me the remainder of my days; strengthen me yet more and more to trust in thy divine arm, that has been made bare for my help and support. ' Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.' Thus, most gracious God, thou art fulfilling ancient pre- dictions; Thou art sending servants and handmaidens, to publish the glad tidings of the gospel of peace and salvation. Be graciously pleased to be with them ; go before and make way for them; enable them to feed thy flock Avith food convenient, giving meat to strong men, and milk to babes ; keep their eye single to the pointings of thy finger, and their hearts dedicated to thy commands : be pleased to be mouth and wisdom, tongue ELIZABETH COLLINS. 37 and utterance, and cause thy glory, and the knowledge of Thee, to cover the earth as the waters cover the sea." In the year 1809 her health became much impaired; in reference to which she says : — " I have been afflicted of late with inward weakness, and .sometimes great difficulty of breathing, but preserved in quietness of mind; yea, the overshadowing wing of divine love, even as a canopy, has covered it. I feel entirely resigned to the disposal of Him who has strengthened me to press through many difficulties, to perform what I have believed has been recpuired of me, which is now a comfort and a support, in a time of weakness, when the poor body is much reduced. " When I consider thy abundant mercy and goodness towards me, a poor worm, how Thou hast delivered out of many evils : yea, preserved out of many snares and temptations, that have been laid to draw my soul from following Thee ; I am led to adopt the language of thy servant : ' AVhat shall I render unto Thee, O Lord, for all thy benefits towards me ? O ! may I be fully given up to Thee ! In thy presence there is life ; and at thy right hand, are rivers of pleasures for evermore.'" In the year 1810 she made the following deeply affecting and instructive memorandum. "In the seventh month, I met with a severe trial indeed, by the sudden and unexpected death of my eldest son. I knew not of his illness until late in the afternoon ; I went that evening to see him, and found him nearly speechless, though I believe sensible. He departed next morning, aged about thirty-seven years, leaving a widow and four children. " Oh ! the trial such an unexpected event must bring upon a tender mother, having no opportunity of con- versing with him to know his mind, or to afford any advice or encouragement. I thought if I could be favoured with an evidence that all was well with him, I could freely give him up. Through divine mercy I was 38 ELIZABETH COLLINS. supported beyond what I could have expected, and may with some propriety adopt the language of Job, when he said, * The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord.' Thus he sustains the minds of his children and people who are looking to him, and calling upon him ; he will be unto them as a shadow of a great rock in a weary land ; yea a covert from storms and tempests : retire there, O, my soul ! for there the righteous flee and find safety." After this it pleased Divine Providence to take from her a beloved daughter, three sisters, and a brother. She bore these bereavements with humble resignation, and, in allusion to them, she writes : — " My state of health being feeble, those losses were no doubt more sensibly felt ; I was the only one left of our family ; and as I was sitting pensively alone, reflecting on my stripped state, the language of the Psalmist came fresh into my mind: 'Although my father and my mother forsake me, the Lord will take me up.' This expression was comforting, and I was made renewedly sensible, that although I was thus stripped, without father and mother, brother or sister, yet I was not forsaken by the Father and Fountain of all our sure mercies, who, in condescending love, was pleased to comfort my mind, yea, to favour with his holy presence ; that I was led humbly to commemorate his goodness, his love, and mercies extended from season to season, and secretly to implore the continuance of his blessing through time, that I might not become a dry and with- ered branch. O ! it is a blessed state to be preserved alive in the truth, bringing forth fruit in old age ; fruits of holiness of life, fruits of dedication of heart to the will and service of God : that this may be my happy experience, is the breathing of my soul." She was several times much reduced by indisposition. In the fourth month, 1821, she says: — "My health is better, so as to be able to attend ELIZABETH COLLINS. 39 meeting : it is comfortable to sit with my friends again. I feel very desirous that I may keep my place, that I may be just what the Almighty would have me to be, that his will may be done in me, by me, and through me. These lines have been so sweetly revived when in a feeble state, and feeling a peaceful calm and quiet, I thought I could with propriety adopt them as the present state of my mind : — * How are thy servants blest, O Lord ) How sure is their defence! Eternal Wisdom is their guide ; Their help, Omnipotence.' " How comfortable, when we can rightly number and appreciate our blessings ! knowing our place of defence to be the munitions of rocks, bread to be given us, and our water to be sure ; receiving all from the divine hand, and experiencing that wisdom which is from above, and is profitable to direct in all our movements. May this be more and more my happy experience through the remainder of my life, that when the evening comes, the work may be so completed, that I may receive the answer of, 'Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.' O blessed change, glorious triumph ! to be admitted into the man- sion of eternal rest, there to sing praises unto the most high God, and the Lamb, who is worthy for ever and ever." "First month, 1825. I am more than seventy years old ; an age I did not expect nor desire to attain unto, but thus it has proved ; my days have been lengthened out in best wisdom, no doubt, to take care of my dear husband in his afflictions, he having been in poor health for upwards of three years, which he has been favoured to bear with patience and Christian fortitude. At one time after a season of silent retirement, he expressed to me : ' I think I have never been more Avilling to put off 40 ELIZABETH COLLINS. this poor tabernacle of clay, than at the present time, though no merit of mine. In looking over, I can see many imperfections through life, that I have nothing to trust in, nothing to build my hopes of salvation upon, but the mercy of a gracious and bountiful Creator, and the merits of a glorious Redeemer ; who laid down his precious life for us, paid the ransom of his own precious blood, and has ascended up on high, and sitteth at the right hand of the Divine Majesty, making intercession for poor fallen man.' I think I have scarcely ever experienced those expres- sions of the Apostle nearer realized, than in my present feeble state; when he said; 'For me to live is Christ, but to die is gain.' As the will becomes fully subjected, and every thought brought into the obedience of Christ ; when his will becomes our's, and we have no will con- trary to his Divine will, then we may with propriety express : ' To live is Christ, to die is gain ; ' great gain to put off mortality and to be clothed upon with immor- tality and eternal life. When the mind is thus centred, we are enabled to acknowledge, ' Sweet is thy voice and and thy countenance is comely. Thy name is as precious ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love Thee,' the pure in heart, those who are weaned from every other beloved, and their affections set upon the beloved of souls. These experience in truth, that one hour in thy courts or presence, is better than a thousand : they can testify : Thy Name is as precious ointment, a savour of life unto life, which strengthens to offer the tribute of worship, adoration, and praise, unto the great Jehovah, who is worthy, Avith his beloved Son, our blessed Saviour and Redeemer; who paid the ransom for us, and who is one with the Father; to whom be glory, honour, thanksgiving, and high renown for ever- more. Amen." In the second month, 1827, she says: — "My dear husband departed this life in the seventy-fifth year of ELIZABETH COLLINS. 41 his age, after a long and tedious confinement and afflic- tion of nearly five years and a half. His suffering at times was very great, which he was favoured to bear with much Christian fortitude and patience. He at- tended meetings as long as he was able to go, and encouraged my going whenever I was easy to leave him. At different times, he said : ' The faith in which I have lived, in that faith I hope to die,' and I fully believe he did, and that his departed spirit is now at rest in the arms of Redeeming mercy : this is my com- fort, my great consolation." "Third month, 1829. I am now quite feeble, and it looks most likely, 'my departure is at hand.' Be that as it may, the Divine Will be done ! I feel neither wish nor will, and may with some degree of propriety adopt the language of the* apostle : ' I have fought the good fight, I have kept the faith ; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me at that day, and not to me only, but unto all them also, who love his appearing.'" " Eleventh month. Mostly confined to my room, but favoured with a quiet composed mind, wherein I have been enabled to breathe, ' Glory to God in the highest ; on earth peace, and good will to men;' — to breathe glory, honour, thanksgivings, and praise unto the great Jehovah, who with liis dear Son, our blessed Redeemer, is worthy for ever. Oh ! the preciousness of the truth : how it strengthens and supports the mind ; that I may say with the poet : — ' My life, if Thou prescrv'st my life, Thy sacrifice shall be, And death, if death shall be my doom, Will join my soul to Thee.' " O blessed union, and communion ! to join the hea- venly host in singing praises and hallelujahs, unto the Lord God and the Lamb, who is worthy for ever. Amen. 42 ELIZABETH COLLINS. "'If ye love me, keep my commandments,' said Christ our Lord. ' This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.' Oh ! the excellency of this love ; it does away all malice, hard thoughts, or resentments, and brings us where we can rejoice in the comfort and happiness of each other. In a degree of this love, I have been led secretly to intercede for the whole human family, that all might come to the knowledge of the truth, as it is in Jesus, and be saved with an ever- lasting salvation." Here her own memoranda close. She became sub- ject to much disease and bodily infirmity, which confined her generally to her own' house ; but, in the ninth and tenth months of 1830, her health a little recruited, so as to admit of her attending, pretty generally, the meeting to which she belonged, where her company imparted comfort and encouragement to her friends. Her ministry on these occasions was very impressive, both on account of the clearness of the doctrine, and the authority which accompanied it. She preached Christ Jesus, and him crucified, as the means of redemption from a fallen state, and from the power of the prince of darkness. After this period she was entirely confined to the house, her feeble frame gradually giving way to the influence of frequent indisposition and natural decay. In a visit made by one of her junior friends, who considered it a privilege to be with her, and witness her patient submission to the divine will, the liveliness of her spirit in old age, and the assurance of that blessed hope which reaches within the veil, she observed : " I am here yet ; may I be favoured with patience to the end. I feel as one waiting the change, and believe the day's work has been done in the day time." To the joiin riM. 43 same friend at another period : " Time is not tedious ; I am favoured with a calm mind, and though the poor body suffers much at times, I dare not murmur nor complain." In the last few weeks she conversed very little, appearing to be almost entirely abstracted from worldly objects, and her mind collected in a state of waiting and fixedness upon the Lord, that she might be ready at his coming. She maintained the same patient, enduring spirit under suffering to the end, being clothed with that love and serenity which gave evidence to those around her, that she was favoured with a foretaste of those joys, into the full fruition of which we believe, she was permitted to enter. She died on the 1st of second month, 1831 ; aged 76. John Pim, son of Samuel and Margaret Pirn of Waterford, in Ireland, was a young man of an amiable disposition. He was early deprived by death of his beloved father, and after serving his apprenticeship in Cork with fidelity, he returned to Waterford and resided with his mother and sisters, to whom he was an affectionate son and brother. He inherited considerable property, and did not engage in any business. His leisure presented a temptation to indulge in some amusements which were adverse to the increase of true religion in his heart. He took particular delight in hunting, an employment very gratifying to many a high-spirited youth, but far from promotive of that meekness and tenderness of spirit, and that watchfulness and circumspection, which are incumbent on all who profess to be the followers of Christ ; and which so highly become us, as dependent creatures, liable to be, as in the twinkling of an eye, summoned before the tribunal of infinite justice. In the midst of prosperity 44 JOHN PIM. and enjoyment, this dear young man was, In the 25th year of his age, suddenly arrested by mortal disease. He was taken ill on the 13th of the seventh month, 1811. During the four following days of his continu- ance in time, his physicians employed every means which appeared likely to relieve him, but in vain. For a short time some favourable effect appeared to be produced, but symptoms of extreme danger quickly returned, and his situation was pronounced to be be- yond the reach of human aid. On being apprised of this, his agitation and anxiety indicated a strong sense of the awful prospect that opened before him. To one of his sisters he said, " My dear sister, the sentence is passed ! 'Tis an awful thing to die ! Dost thou think I can make my peace with God?" And before all his sisters he earnestly repeated the inquiry, " Can I make my peace ? " desiring them to pray for him. He exclaimed, " I am in such pain, I am afraid I cannot pray for myself as I ought ! When I might have prayed I did not do it as often as I should." He repeatedly bade his mother and sisters farewell, saying, " Farewell once more, while I am able to speak, for by and by I shall not be able." He said, "What a blessing health is, and how many thousands there are who trifle with it ! If I had but a short time longer, I would devote it to the service of the Lord. I am a sinner, a miserable sin- ner ! though I have not committed any of what the world calls gross sins, yet I have neglected serving the Almighty as I should have done. He is a most gracious God, worthy to be served. It is better to be a doorkeeper in the house of the Lord than to enjoy all the gratifications of this world." He then prayed earnestly, " Oh Lord ! be pleased, if consistent with thy will, to make me the very lowest doorkeeper in thy house." And then, a s though sensible in some degree of access to Him who heareth prayer, he said, " Oh, I have a most merciful Saviour to deal with me ! " To a friend whom he much JOHN P1M. 45 and justly esteemed, he said, " I might have taken thy warning: thou now seest the state I am in. What shall I do? How long dost thou think I can continue?" On being told the time was reduced to hours, he seemed awfully affected, and exclaimed, " I have so much to do, and time is so short." On being asked what he had to do, he replied, " I have my peace to make, and to settle my outward affairs, but that seems impossible to be done now." On being told that much could be done in a little time, if he could be composed, he said, " Dost thou think so ? " and then he gave directions for that purpose. After he was relieved from this last worldly care he appeared more tranquil, and endured his bodily sufferings with patient submission. To a friend w r ho stood by his bed-side, he expressed, with much feeling, his sense of the awful- ness of his situation. On being reminded that the Lord is merciful, he exclaimed, "O, mercy, mercy!" and sometimes, as if enabled to lay hold of this mercy, in a sense of its extension towards hhnself, he added, " For thy mercy endureth for ever :" yet thinking himself unworthy of it, on account of his own forget- fulness. To the same friend he very sweetly observed, " Ah ! thou often advised me ; if I had but minded it. Do pray for me — wilt not thou pray for me ! I am a great sinner — shall I obtain salvation?" He acknowledged that the errors of his past life were fully brought into his view, and deeply affected him ; and that it grieved him that he had not attended week-day meetings; but hoped the young people would now attend them, and that they would before long be different from what they had been ; intimating that his illness and death ought to have a warning effect, so as to produce a change. After repeatedly mentioning Ins desire to see his aunt, and being told that she was come ; he answered, with emphasis, "Bring her up, bring her up with the 46 JOHN PIM. family." She came immediately — then addressing her, he said, "My dear aunt, I wished to see thee; I am about to die. It is an awful tiling to die ! pray for me ! stay by me, and see me die, if thou canst bear it. — Oh, I have a short warning ! if I were spared a little longer? I would live a very different life." Several young men, his relatives and intimate asso- ciates being present, he took an affectionate farewell of them, and declared his hope, that his death would deeply impress on their minds the uncertainty of all things here ; adding, " they are vanity ! yea, lighter than vanity ! and all the pleasures of this world are but for a moment." On seeing a particular friend, he said, " My dear, I wish thou hadst come sooner; how are thy sons? tell them, with my love, to read this lesson, and take care of themselves ;" and to his immediate relatives he repeatedly said, " Serve the Lord." " I hope through mercy, I shall be admitted into the Lord's vineyard ! at first it seemed hard for me to die ; but I now find it has been made wonderfully easy, more so than I thought was possible. Oh! I have a most merciful Saviour to deal with me: now I can testify that my Redeemer liveth. I hope we shall all meet in Heaven." And he further said, " Oh ! when the awful sentence was passed ' Time to thee shall be no longer,' I had as little thought this morning of being in the state I now am, as any one here," and expressed his fear that some there were not prepared: often desiring, that those about him, and every one, might be instructed, particularly the youth. To a young man, who was much affected with this impressive scene, he said, "Be prepared, be prepared:" recommending that none should defer making their peace till a dying hour, and added, "What can be ex- pected from a deathbed repentance ? It is only to serve ourselves. Oh ! He that rules in heaven above, and in the earth beneath, is only worthy to be served, ANNE HARFORD LURY. 47 for his mercy endureth for ever, even to the very ends of the earth." He several times said, "Farewell, farewell in the Lord ! I hope we shall meet in a better place ;" and near the close he said, " I have no doubt, no, not the smallest doubt of an entrance into rest," or words to the same effect. During the last solemn and deeply interesting hours of this dear young man's life, several friends were favoured to join his wrestling spirit in supplication; this appeared consoling to him, and we may humbly trust was regarded by the Shepherd of Israel, whose compassions fail not. The subject of the following memoir, Anne Har- ford Lury, was the daughter of John and Sarah Lury, of Bristol, and was born on the 23rd of the first month, 1796. She was of a retiring disposition, but possessed a kind and affectionate heart. A tenderness of consience and scrupulous adherence to truth, marked her character in very early life. A few pieces which she then wrote, show the thoughtful habit of her mind, and induce the belief that, even in childhood, she was frequently en- gaged in self-examination. About the close of the year 1808, she lost her dear father, an event which appears to have made a deep and lasting impression on her mind. In one of her memo- randa, dated in the year 1811, she mentions his decease; accompanied with a desire to meet on that angelic shore, where, in his Saviour's presence, she believed him to be partaking of unmixed joy. At this time she appeared to be often engaged in religious meditation, in watching against the assaults of the enemy of her soul, and in seeking for ability to live in the fear of the Lord. In the year 1812, it pleased Divine Providence to 48 ANNE HARFORD LURY. visit her with a fever ; during the course of this illness, she passed through some mental exercise, which tended to bring her increasingly under the power of Redeeming Love. From this period it became more evident to those around her, that her thoughts were frequently abstracted from terrestrial objects and selfish considera- tions, and fixed on Him whom to know is life eternal ; and that he was gradually drawing her nearer to Him- self. In 1816, her sister Maria was taken off by con- sumption, when about fourteen years of age. In a letter to a friend after this afflicting event, she men- tioned that she found she must not dare to grieve, for it was the Lord's will ; and she believed it was designed as a signal mercy to herself. In another letter she says : " My feelings and affections appeared to be su- perior to natural ties, and my heart seemed fixed on heaven, resolved on dedication. I felt death awful ; I thought I might be the next ; that this might only be the prelude to my own. I cannot give thee an idea how I felt at the interment ; exquisite natural feeling, refined or checked by the command, 'Be still.' We had a very impressive opportunity. Nearly all the young friends in Bristol attended, and I think every heart must have felt the occasion." From this time the health of Anne II. Lury became impaired, and she was much incapacitated for exertion, being frequently confined as an invalid. It is a pleasing and consoling reflection, that during the whole course of her illness, the early impressions of religious feeling were gradually deepening, and the preparation for that awful change which a few short years were to produce, was proceeding in her heart. In some memoranda made in the latter end of 1816 she says, in speaking of true religion, "I understand it to be a faithful and willing following of our Lord and Saviour. I do believe that everv ANNE 1IAUF0RD LUltY. 49 sincere heart will be shown its respective line of duty. My duty, I feel persuaded, is to be still and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord. I do not entertain this opinion of duty from education or from prejudice ; but I feel it to be the will of God revealed in the secret of my soul. When blessed with this silence of all flesh, when self is laid in the deepest abasement, and I know- no will of my own, no secret aspiration or desire but what the Divine influence immediately inspires, then and then only, do I feel perfect peace, and a blessed foretaste of the saints' rest. " I think it very dangerous for a tender mind to be searching different doctrines and controversies. I find that the enemy is sometimes endeavouring to stagger my faith : and on these points I have so great a dis- position to reason, that I am afraid to take up a book of the kind. I do not at all approve of reading the sen- timents of any particular sect, and resting there; it is running without our Guide." After alluding to the baptism of the Spirit as the only saving baptism, and expressing her belief that those whose minds are enlightened would feast largely in stillness on the saints' communion, she adds, " They w r ould need no outw T ard ceremony; they would know that they might obtain redemption and remission of sins, and acceptance with God the Father, tln'ough the merits and intercession of his Son Christ Jesus, the Saviour of the whole world, who gave himself for us, and died on the cross that we might obtain salvation. * Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest,' said Christ to the multitudes. ' Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls; for my yoke is easy and my burden is light.'" In a memorandum dated second month, 1817, she says, " I have often felt anxious to know what is real E 50 ANNE HARFORD LURY. religion, and have entreated my heavenly Guide to lead me into it, however painful a surrender of heart and life may be ; for I find that without it, there is no true and lasting peace to be found here, and no prepara- tion for the enjoyment of the divine presence in a state of perfect holiness hereafter. " I have at different times, been desirous to know whether that profession in which I have been educated is the right one for me to retain, or whether any other form of worship will be more acceptable to God from me. I believe my secret prayers were accepted by Him who knew the sincerity in which they were ad- dressed. After waiting to be instructed, my desires are, at length, fully answered: — mine must be a religion of stillness and total resignation of self; that whether the feeling of devotion excited be that of prayer, praise, gratitude, or adoration, I must be immediately influenced by the Spirit of Christ, before I can feel union and communion with my heavenly Father ; which, whether words are used or not, alone constitutes the essence of worship. I feel convinced, whatever the outward form of worship may be, the only true and acceptable offer- ing is a sacrifice of the heart; and the more I feel of a devotional spirit, the more I am led to be still, and not to look for instrumental aid ; for I feel that Christ, the inward Teacher and Comforter, is all-sufficient, and that he is waiting to do me good." The disposition of this dear young friend was so re- tired, that little was known of the state of her mind; though enough remains of her memoranda to show that mental conflicts and discouragements at times attended her for the trial of her faith in Him, on whom she was ultimately enabled fully to rely, as her stay and support, her Comforter and Redeemer, her only "Hope of glory." In the year 1820, the complaint from which she was suffering, advanced so greatly, that hope of her eventual recovery was no longer cherished. During this time ANNE HARFORD LURY. 51 she felt much consolation from religious meditation ; and she manifested a desire that those around her might be brought more seriously to consider their eternal interests. She occasionally disclosed her views of the vanity of all sublunary things, and the incomparable importance of those which were to endure through all eternity, pressing her friends to use all diligence to make their calling and election sure. On the 9th of the 8th month 1820, she said, " Mother, I wish to explain more fully my answer to thee the other day, respecting the state of my mind. About two weeks ago I felt myself so extremely ill and declining, that I ap- prehended I might not be afforded much more time. I then queried with myself, ' Am I in a fit state to meet perfect purity ? ' I felt uncomfortable, and was made sensible of my extreme mental weakness. No human help was likely to avail me ; no works of my own were at all availing. After some time I was made sensible that if I placed my reliance on the Redeemer, all would be well. The words ' Look unto me and be ye saved,' came forcibly into my mind. Since that time I have been so happy, no one can tell, or even think; I want no outward Sacrament; at one time I thought there was a need of it. I have found great comfort in reading the Scriptures to myself: many times I have not been in a fit state to receive good ; at others, when I have been uncomfortable or under dis- couragement, some beautiful passages have been pre- sented, which were very consoling, such as ' The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want; he maketh me to lie down in green pastures, he leadeth me beside the still waters.' ' I will never leave thee nor forsake thee." About a week afterwards, writing to a friend, she -;i\ >, " I hang almost between time and eternity, every thing seems for the latter, but I know God is all-power- fid, and may be pleased to restore me. I do not see the end fully, but I rely on Him. My anticipations of ap- 2 E 52 ANNE HARFORD LURY. proaching beatitude are sweet and frequent, and more calm, more bright, than I can express. "In this awful moment, in past sickness, in comparative health, I have been taught that God is the best, the only safe Guide. To be a child of His, we must give up to do his will, at least to strive to do it, without reserve." The transition from time to eternity, anticipated in the above letter, was yet distant about two months; it occurred on the 28th of the 10th month, 1820. On the day preceding, observing her sister, she said, " Sarah love, dear Sarah, I cannot enough impress on your minds the vanity and folly of the world," and repeated some- thing to the same effect when her younger sisters came into the room. During the few previous weeks she had often spoken of the blissful state that awaited her ; and to one of her aunts she observed, " Floods of bliss were in store for her." But it was not till the night previous to her death, that she felt fully at liberty to express her feelings ; she then aroused in an unusual manner, describ- ing with animation, how happy and delightful her pros- pects were, and her gratitude to her Redeemer for having thus early prepared her. "I impute," said she, "nothing to the creature, I impute all to the Creator ; I place all my hope of mercy in the merits of our Saviour, in faith in his birth, his miracles, his death, his resurrection and ascension, his mediation and redemption." Almost in an ecstacy of pleasure, she said, " My prospects are bright, very bright ; you may try to imagine, but you can have no conception of my delight." After having spoken for some time, she took an affec- tionate leave of several of her relatives individually. She requested to have the chapter of the Revelations road, containing the words " What are these which are arrayed in white robes, and whence came they?" "While the chapter was sought for, she fell asleep ; in which state she continued several hours, and at length, without again speaking, quietly breathed her last. ELIZABETH PBGCTER. 53 To endure, with resignation, the slow but certain in- roads of fatal disease — to know the love of God, so to predominate in the heart, as to produce a perfect wil- lingness to surrender to his infinitely wise disposal, all who are most tenderly beloved on earth — and, with a humble, yet unshaken confidence in the sustaining- care of an Almighty Saviour, to behold with calmness the approach of death — affords, even more cogently than much expression, a lesson of instruction and encourage- ment to the poor, feeble disciple, who may, at times, be ready to tremble as he sees the shades of the evening about to gather around him. The following short account of Elizabeth Phocter, gives another evidence that the rock, on which the true Christian builds, is immoveable, and will, if he be pre- served upon it, enable him finally to rejoice, in that he is "made more than conqueror through Him who hath loved" him, "and given himself for" him. She was the daughter of John and Margaret Rich- ardson, and was born near North Shields, about the year 1777. When about five years old, she was deprived of the tender care of a beloved mother. This loss was, how- ever, in great measure supplied, through the unremitting and watchful solicitude of her pious father, whose con- cern was great that his children might be preserved from the temptations of an evil world, and especially from the company of such as were likely to hinder their growth in grace. He sought to cherish, in their susceptible minds, every appearance of good, being himself a steady example of piety and virtue — one who the walked in the fear of God. "When his daughter Elizabeth attained the age of 14, she w r as, for a time, placed under the care of her eldest brother, Isaac Richardson, of Newcastle upon Tyne. She was of a retiring, diffident disposition, and it appears that about this time, she passed through many hidden exercises, being made willing to bear the yoke in her youth, to sit alone and keep silence. After 54 ELIZABETH PBOCTER. residing more than a year with her brother, she returned to her father's house; and, in the ordering of Divine Providence, became united by an intimate friendship, with a young person, who possessed superior mental endowments, and who, through the tendering visitation of divine love, was strengthened to turn from the allure- ments of affluence and pleasure, and to seek earnestly after the true riches. Tliis association was mutually blessed to these young women, and appears to have been the means of developing the mental powers of E. Ii., and preparing her for more enlarged usefulness in social, civil, and religious society. In the 23rd year of her age, she was married to Joseph Procter, of North Shields, a young man who, from his early years, evinced a serious mind, and became a useful member of the monthly meeting to which he belonged. In her 30th year Elizabeth Procter was appointed to the office of overseer; and two years after to that of Elder. She appears to have been animated with fervent piety, and preserved in humility. In the 37th year of her age she was deprived by death of her beloved husband, who, for several years previously, had been subject to fre- quent attacks of severe illness. Thus left a mournful widow, with the care of six young children, she was enabled through Divine help, to train them up in the nur- ture and admonition of the Lord. She was careful to accustom them to habits of simplicity and moderation, being herself a steady example of christian virtue and benevolence. During the winter of 1819, she exerted herself much for the relief of the afflicted and necessitous, in the neighbourhood where she resided. The frequent ex- posure to cold and fatigue, to which these engage- ments subjected her, with some other circumstances, undermined her health ; and during the following spring it became evident, that pulmonary disease had ensued ; and its progress baffled the efforts of her medical attendants. Long before the symptoms of ELIZABETH PROCTER. 55 her disorder had become alarming, she appears to have seen distinctly, with the eye of faith, that her end was approaching ; and, at different times, she alluded to this impression. She said, I have no wish to live ; I teas anxious respecting my children, but now all anxiety about them is removed. She expressed her entire re- signation to the Divine will. On a friend remarking what a comfort it was to witness the peacefulness of her mind, she replied it is indeed an mispeakable comfort to be so favoured ; I have great peace, and at times great enjoyments, though the enemy is at other times permitted to buffet me. On her near relatives requesting to know if she had any directions to give respecting her children, she said, after alluding to some circumstances respecting them, " I am not to take thought about them ; believing that He who is the Father of the fatherless will care for them, as He has hitherto done. The promise, which their dear father believed was made to him, respecting them, a little before his death, has been fulfilled in a remarkable degree." She again expressed her belief, that they would be cared for, and that her own end would be peace; which, said she, "I consider an un- speakable favour." She added, " I may still have many conflicts, but feel calm and peaceful, and am ready to go, Avliether it may be in a shorter or longer time ; not only feeling resigned, but at times the Divine presence has seemed so to encircle my head, that I have been favour- ed with seasons of great enjoyment." On the 17th of the tenth month, 1820, in a religious opportunity in her chamber, a friend expressed sym- pathy with her under the dispensation now allotted ; and a belief that the mind of the dear invalid was clothed with resignation to the will of her heavenly Father as with a garment, and that the language might be adopted by her : " Surely goodness and mercy have followed me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for ever." After a pause, 56 ELIZABETH PROCTER. Elizabeth said, " I have been long weaning from the world, and, for a considerable time, I have had no expectation whatever, that I should recover. Very early in the spring I had many impressions on my mind which I received as intimations that my time would not be long ; and, when I looked at my children, I felt an assurance that He who had hitherto been then- Father, would continue to care for them, so that I have not an anxious thought of any sort; and often when I am confined to my bed, I feel Divine goodness near to support, and to be as a girdle round about me." On the 19th of the eleventh month, being the morn- ing before her decease, one of her relatives calling to see her, found her kind attendant sitting by her bed, about to read to her in the New Testament ; which, considering her extreme weakness, excited some sur- prise. And, on the friend remarking how pleasant it was to see her still able to hear a little reading, she, with a sweet smile, emphatically replied, "yes, after the children have their reading down stairs, I have mine every morning ; and it is a great comfort to me." Thus, though her hearing was much affected, and her voice so enfeebled that she could scarcely articulate, she evinced, to the close of life, her high value for those precious records. Through this day, her little remain- ing strength gradually declined. During the fore-part of the ensuing night, she slept more comfortably than might have been expected; but, early in the morning, was seized with a severe paroxysm of cough, and she said to her attendants, " I am going, don't be alarmed, but call the children and send for my friends." When they came, she, with great sweetness and composure, took an affectionate leave of them. Her respiration Avas very difficult, and, for a time, she endured great bodily conflict. She said, "this is suffering: nothing can relieve me but the Lord, He can." She expressed her desire for patience, requesting her friends to be still, ANDREW UNDERHILL. 57 and to pray for her. One of her near relatives was enabled vocally to supplicate on her behalf. For nearly an hour before her close, she became comparatively easy, continuing quite sensible, and evincing a kind concern for those around her. At about half-past six o'clock, being the morning of the 20th of the eleventh month, 1820, she passed away with remarkable stillness and se- renity; having been a bright and animating example, both in life and in death ; and leaving on the minds of her friends, an humble, yet unshaken trust, that, through the mercy of God in Christ Jesus our Lord, her puri- fied spirit had entered "an inheritance, incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away." The following account exhibits a striking evidence that a life of moral rectitude, and abstinence from grosser crimes, however essential it may be, as one por- tion of our indispensable obligation, in order to find ac- ceptance in the Divine sight, is not a passport to eternal happiness : but that, to obtain an admission within the pearl gates, we must come to the feet of the blessed Jesus ; and experience, through the efficacy of His atoning blood, our sins to be blotted out ; and that great change to be wrought in us, by the power of the Holy Spirit, described by our Lord, when he declared to a ruler in Israel : " Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God:" John iii. 3. Andrew Underbill, the subject of this Memoir, resided for the last three or four years of Iris life in the city of Richmond, in America ; being there engaged in mercantile business. He was of a delicate constitution, and the heat of that southern climate proving very in- jurious to him, he was mostly obliged to spend the summer months at a distance, in pursuit of health. Notwithstanding this prccaiition, he suffered severely from repeated attacks of bilious fever ; and during these 58 ANDREW UNDERBILL. seasons the separation from home, and all its comforts and endearments, was most sensibly felt. In the 5th month 1822, he was again attacked with this alarming disease ; and from the effect of that illness, it appears, he never entirely recovered. Symptoms of pulmonary disease ensued, and he returned home to his father's house in Philadelphia, about the 1st of the eighth month; but unwilling to subject himself to a tedious confinement while it could be avoided, he resolv- ed to visit Saratoga springs, in the hope that their heal- ing virtues might restore health to his enfeebled frame. But in this, disappointment was also his portion ; and when he returned to his friends, after an absence of nearly four weeks, it was but too evident that the waters and the journey had proved alike unavailing. His physician candidly told him that his disease was on the lungs. This information, though not altogether un- expected, deeply affected him ; and from this time, his hopes of recovery were never sanguine. To his mother, who at this juncture was absent from the city, he writes thus: "I now begin to be apprehensive of a tedious confinement. If it is to be so, the first wish of my heart is, that I may be favoured to wait in perfect resignation for the issue; and that my kind and dear friends, resting under the full conviction that whatever does happen will be for the best, will not give them- selves unnecessary anxiety on my account." From the first of his confinement to the house it was evident, from the course of his reading and the whole tenor of his deportment, that his mind was deeply im- pressed with a sense of the awfulness of his situation ; and that he was labouring after a more perfect know- ledge of the things that make for peace, and things that accompany salvation. About tliis time, a friend kindly put into his hand "A brief Memoir of the life of Dr. Bateman ;" a little work that was singularly blessed to him; opening to ANDREW UNDERHILL. 59 the view of his conflicted mind, a comforting pros- pect of the mercy and condescending goodness of his Redeemer; upon whom he seemed, in child-like sim- plicity, to cast all his care : and as his strength dimin- ished, his faith increased ; and a consoling hope at length was afforded, that the resignation of his will was accepted, his transgressions blotted out, and his name recorded in the book of life. His decline was rapid; but he continued to come down stairs till the close of the year. On new year's day he kept his chamber, and was extremely weak and languid; but read at intervals in the New Testament, and one or two other religious books that he had placed beside him. He was at this time, evidently passing through much conflict; and his mother being deeply affected by it, with great tenderness, ventured to in- quire a little into the state of his mind. He answered in a sweet and humble manner; "I think I feel nothing in my way; and if my sufferings do but help me to obtain Divine acceptance, it is all I can ask ; I shall account them as nothing." She was strengthened to encourage him to keep close to that exercise ; and expressed her confidence that an evidence of acceptance would be mercifully granted. First month, 2nd, 1823. Increasing in weakness, he observed to his mother, that the disease was fast approaching to a crisis. His father coming into his chamber, and inquiring how he felt, he answered, " Extremely weak. I believe I have nothing to do but acquaint myself with that which is promised to all that believe." On the evening of the 8 th, he inquired of the sur- rounding family circle, if they had read what Adams says of the Socinians. The book was brought, and his father read the tenets of the Socinians and Unitarians. Upon which he remarked : " It won't do — that doctrine will not stand ;" and after a pause, added : " There is 60 ANDREW UNDEKIIILL. no other name given under heaven among men, where- by we can be saved but the name of Jesus." At another time, when some allusion had been made to such principles, he said with much feeling, " As I was reflecting the other night upon my own situation, and almost overwhelmed with a sense of my sins, my mind became suddenly illuminated to perceive, that though they were as the scarlet dye, a Saviour's blood could wash me white as wool. The distress I had felt was removed; and a sweetness left that I had never before experienced." Several of the family sitting with him, and being engaged in serious conversation, it was remarked, it would be a satisfaction to know whether we should be permitted to recognise each other in heaven. He an- swered, " The recognition of our friends is of small importance compared with an entrance there — that is not worth a thought." His mother observed : " The Scriptures assure us, that ' eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive, the good things that are laid up in store for those that love and fear God.'" He repeated : " Ah, to obtain an admittance there, is the all-important point; and that we may all do it, I have not the shadow of doubt, by the entire submission of our wills to the Divine will." Some days afterwards, he referred to the passage of Scripture which his mother had repeated ; it was found and read, and was one on which he seemed to dwell with peculiar pleasure. The Scriptures had indeed become his delight, particularly the New Testament, which he kept constantly by his side. First month, 11th. A female friend who had often visited him, called this evening and delivered a message of love from her sister. He thanked her, and added : " As she has been so kind as to express an interest for ANDREW UNDEKHILL. 61 mc, tell licr that though I am gradually weakening, my mind is all calmness ; and I am favoured to experience perfect resignation to the approaching event — yes!" he repeated with emphasis, "perfect resignation!" And after a pause he added in a low voice : " Sarah ! the goodness of God is wonderful ! wonderful indeed ! for though my sins were as scarlet, I have been favoured to experience that they are all forgiven ; and that saving faith has been given mc, by which I have an assurance that through the merits of the Son, I shall find accept- ance with the Father." One day when he was much oppressed, one of his sisters asked him wliich was the hardest to bear — this oppression, or severe pain. He answered, " O, I never think of that ; I early ascertained that it was my duty to bear what is sent me, and bless the hand that gives it." At another time he said, " It is hard always to be pa- tient and not to wish to be released ; " or something to that effect ; and then added, " I have not once dared to pray either for life or death." One evening, his sister observed, she would willingly bear a part of his sufferings. He replied, " It would not do; we must all settle our own accounts — 'tis neces- sary : and not only necessary, but the best thing that could happen." One morning he was very languid, and after walking a few times over the floor, reclined himself in the easy chair, saying, " It is the Christian's privilege to die. I can set my seal to that." In the afternoon, two young friends who had come from New York to visit him, spent several hours with him, listening with affectionate attention to his every word. At parting, he discovered much emotion; and when his mother returned to the chamber, after waiting on them down stairs, he said, " I hope thou told those young men their visit was acceptable to thee, for it has 62 ANDREW UNDERHILL. been very pleasant and grateful to me ;" adding, " They have taken a great deal of pains to come and see me, I don't know whether they have gained any instruction." His mother replied, she hoped he had been strength- ened to tell them what his views of life were now. " I had to tell them," said he, " to fear God and keep his commandments." 14th. A day of great weakness. — He was visited towards evening by the female friend before alluded to, to whom he expressed himself thus : " The loss of my voice is a great privation : my heart seems so filled with the love of my Redeemer, I desire to sound forth his praises ; but I have not the power." On the evening of the 15th, several of the family having, as usual, collected in the chamber of the precious invalid, he inquired how long he had kept his chamber ; and being told two weeks, he said with much emotion, " I may truly say, the goodness of God to my soul has been wonderful ! that with so little suffering, I should have to believe that my sins will be forgiven, by simply comma; to the feet of the Saviour. I have indeed some sinking moments, from a fear that I may be deceived ; and yet the language was plain, 'Thy faith hath made thee whole;' and I have no doubt that I shall be admitted into the palace of the King of kings." Hearing at this juncture, that a friend whom he valued much, and whose company and sympathy had often been consoling and strengthening to his mind, had called to ask after him, he immediately desired he might be invited up; and, to his inquiries relative to his health, he answered: "Weak in body, but very com- fortable in mind : I was just saying, that the goodness of God to my soul was so great, that I am almost tempted to think myself under a delusion ; that my sins, which were as scarlet, should be forgiven with so little suffering — merely by being brought to the foot of the cross. Yet the manifestation has been very clear, 'Thy faith hath made thee whole.'" ANDREW UNDERHILL. 63 A solemn pause ensued. — The friend presently with- drew. — The weeping circle continued to sit in silence ; and the dear sufferer soon after added, " When you come to lie on a sick bed, and look at eternity and then at the world, it will sink into utter insignificance. I am astonished now, that any one can be willing to live here, without an assurance that they are so living as to obtain Divine acceptance ; when they know not the hour they will be called upon to give an account of their steward- ship. I have been plucked as a brand from the burning. There is no cause for sorrow and grief, but of rejoicing, that my small portion of suffering will work out for me such an exceeding and eternal weight of glory. I have had such an ecstatic view of the glory of the heavenly host, that the idea of being permitted to join such a company, overwhelmed me with intensity of feeling; and in a little thne — a few years — I doubt not we shall meet again, a family of love, to join in singing praises to the Most High God." This was indeed a solemn season ; and under an hum- bling sense of divine goodness, his mother revived the passage, " Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven ;" adding, " This was the language of the Master formerly, and it remains for our encouragement ; and since I have found, my dear child, that thou wast willing to come in child-like simplicity, and lay open thy heart to Him who seeth in secret, I have had no fear : but so full an assur- ance that thou wouldst be accepted, that I have been at times enabled to say, ' The bitterness of death is past.' " He seemed overcome with his emotions, and reclining back in his chair, one of his sisters advanced towards him ; and he feebly uttered, " I thank thee, O Father ! for this evidence that my prayer was heard ;" — or nearly these words. In the evening of the succeeding day, he received a visit from a friend, to whom he observed, " My weak- 64 ANDREW UNDERIIILL. ness is so great, that it seems at times to absorb all the facilities of my mind ; yet I am generally favoured to ex- perience much calmness, and a blessed assurance that, through the mercy of my Redeemer, I shall be accepted," After a pause he added, " Though sometimes cast down and depressed, I trust I am not forsaken." The friend replied, " No ! my brother, thou art not forsaken. I think I never had a clearer evidence of any thing, than that there is laid up for thee a crown of righteousness." On another occasion he remarked to his mother, " When we look at this scene of care, and disappoint- ment, and trial ; and from the little insight I have had into another, know it is one of exquisite joy, that none can conceive who are not, in measure, partakers of the the heavenly nature; I wonder such an one as I can ever expect to obtain it." Then after a pause he added, in an animated manner, "But I know that my Re- deemer livcth ; and he hath said, ' He that believeth in Me, shall never die." I know that He can prepare me to join the general assembly and spirits of just men made perfect, in worshipping Father, Son, and Holy Spirit." At another time he broke forth in this manner : " I pray thee, O Father ! give me strength, before I go home, to tell of thy goodness ;" and soon after, as his mother was attempting to make a little change in the position of his head, he looked at her expressively, and said, " I am plucked as a brand from the burning." His mother, much affected, thankfully alluded to the preservation from gross evil, with which he had been favoured during his short life. " Ah, ! my dear mother," he returned, " and yet, living as 1 did live, 1 might have been lost for ever." In the twilight of the evening, as one of his aunts was wiping the drops from his face, he said, "It runs a stream." Then pausing a moment, and raising his eyes, ANDREW UNDERBILL. 65 he said, " Gracious Father ! I thank thee that the con- flict is so nearly over as I think it is." His father, mother, and two of his sisters sitting by him, after a short pause, he said in a solemn manner, " The approach of death is always awful ; but to one who is looking for it from hour to hour, it is peculiarly awful Death, as to me, has been robbed of his victory, through the cleansing blood of the holy Jesus ; who, if we are willing to submit to his dispensations, and obey the dictates of the light, will bring us to the Father, where Ave shall be received into the palace of the King of kings, and obtain a reward far beyond what we can possibly conceive." Then, after a short pause, he said, " I trust and be- lieve, we shall all meet again a family of love." He added the following fervent supplication : " I pray thee, O Father ! to shower down thy love upon every member of this family. O Lord ! extend the arm of thy pro- tection to the heads thereof; enable them still to extend their parental care to their children, as they have hitherto most faithfully done. May those that are left be a support to them in their declining years ; may they follow them in the way of holiness ; and be an honour to them, and be useful in the church; and finally be received into thy glorious rest." After this he slept several hours, but seemed disturbed with painful dreams ; under the impression of which he exclaimed, " I should have sunk to the ground, but for thy consoling love." His respiration continued ex- tremely difficult and distressing; but he took a little nourishment, and again sank into a disturbed sleep ; from which he seemed soon to awake, and was heard to say, " It has helped to work out for me an eternal weight of glory :" and presently, as if filled with a sense of divine goodness and mercy : " I could pour forth thy praises without ceasing, if I had the power." Several of the familv sitting beside him, watching' in F 66 HANNAH FIELD. tearful silence for him to awake to more acute percep- tion, about five o'clock he said in a deliberate manner, with a voice as strong and distinct as he had spoken for days past, " I feel that I am under his peculiar care." These consoling words sank like balm into their afflicted hearts, and for some time perfect silence reigned. His mother then offered him some drink, which he swallowed without difficulty; and shortly after was heard to repeat part of the text, " Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard." His respiration appeared to grow more and more easy. His mother observed a momentary intermission ; and, presently after, a sigh so soft as scarcely to be per- ceived, excited her apprehension. She requested his father and sisters might be called ; but before they were all collected, the purified spirit had quietly passed away. Not a feature was discomposed — but he appeared to have fallen into a sweet sleep. He died on the eighteeth of first month, 1823, in the twenty-sixth year of his age. As the memory of our dear friend Hannah Field is precious to many in this country, and she was much known and beloved amongst us, we believe that the following memoir of her will be perused with interest and instruction. She was born at Harrison Town, in the state of New York, in the year 1763. Though very amiable in her juvenile years, she was of a volatile disposition, and inclined to swerve from that simplicity of manners and appearance, in which her parents were anxious their children should be preserved. In adverting to her early life, and the strength of her natural inclination to resist the convictions of the Spirit of truth, which leads into the path of Christian self-denial, she has frequently been heard to express her grateful sense of the religious care, HANNAH FIELD. 67 and even the restraining kindness of her beloved parents ; for as such, in mature lire, she considered it. Loving the Lord, they also loved his servants ; and their house and their hearts were open to receive and entertain Friends that were travelling in the work of the ministry ; the company of such, and their religious labours in her father's house, proved a blessing to the family, and in an especial manner, to our beloved friend ; as, through the instrumentality of some of these labourers, very serious impressions were made on her mind, which, with the divine blessing, tended to lead her wandering footsteps into the way of peace. By the death of her pious mother, she was deprived of her example and care when about fifteen years of age, and thereby subjected to great exposure, and indeed it may be said to imminent danger ; but he who had mercifully caused her mind to be deeply impressed with a humiliating sense of the sinfulness of sin, and the excellency of a life devoted to him and to his cause, was pleased graciously to regard her ; and by the secret, but powerful operation of the Holy Spirit, to keep in the hour of temptation, and gradually to prepare her, though unperceived by herself, for future usefulness in the church. After her marriage with William Field, still further proof was furnished, that the Lord was qualifying her for his service : her mind became deeply humbled under a sense of her own unworthiness, and the nature and greatness of the work to which she apprehended she should be called. Being naturally modest and very diffident of her own attainments, she reasoned against what she believed to be the requiring of her divine master, and was often involved in a state of great con- flict and distress. That mercy however that had followed her from her childhood, did not forsake her in the hour of temptation; but by repeated baptisms effected the Lord's gracious purpose. In allusion to this memorable F 2 68 HANNAH FIELD. period of her life, she thus expressed herself in her last illness : — " He who knoweth all hearts, knows that I did not withhold through wilful disobedience, but from the natural timidity of my disposition. I stand indeed as a monument of the mercy and goodness of my Heavenly Father ; and I verily believe, had it not been for the encouragement that I sometimes received through the Lord's faithful servants, I should have sunk and given out, even after I had given up to appear in the ministry." The Lord's hand had long been laid upon her ; and, by the operation of judgment, mixed with mercy, her own creaturely reasonings being subjected, she expressed a few words, as a gospel minister, in great humility, and with fear and trembling. For several years, her engage- ments in this weighty service were not frequent, and expressed in few words ; but being watchful and careful to mind her calling, the gift in the ministry which had been graciously conferred on her, shone more and more conspicuously, and she became a living and able minister of the gospel of Christ. She was sound and scriptural in doctrine, and careful not to indulge in speculative opinions. Her ministry was weighty and impressive ; and after her experience and religious establishment had entitled her to the cha- racter of a mother in the church, it continued to be adorned by that Christian simplicity and humble view of herself, which it appears uniformly characterised her religious movements, The clearness and consistency of her views, together with her steadfast faith in the doc- trine of Christian redemption, as contained in the Holy Scriptures, and believed in by the Society of Friends, cannot be better described than in her own words on this momentous subject, uttered during her last sickness : " I have been a poor creature ; I have done very little for His cause, who hath done all for me ; I have no works of my own to depend upon; it is all the merit HANNAH FIELD. 69 and mercy of my dear Redeemer, who died for me, and not for me only, but for the sins of the world. O! what a blessing it is to be firmly established in the faith of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ ! What a mercy that we have an Advocate with the Father; a High Priest, touched with a feeling of our infirmities ; a Me- diator and Intercessor, even Christ Jesus the righteous!" At another time, being in great bodily pain, she said, " I have not one rag of my own to depend upon; all is of the mercy of my Saviour, who offered up his life a ransom without the gates of Jerusalem. O ! that none may reject so great an offering ; for I firmly believe, that by and through him, is the only means of salvation. He declared when personally upon earth, 'No man cometh to the Father but by me ;' and awful will it be in the day that is fast approaching, for those who do reject the offers of his grace, and deny the Lord that bought them." In her the badge of discipleship was eminently con- spicuous; and, under the constraining influence of christian love, with which her heart expanded towards the whole human family, she travelled much as a minis- ter of the gospel, not only within the limits of her own yearly meeting, but into many distant sections of the United States. In the year 1816, after having passed through a season of much conflict and deep searching of heart, she yielded to an impression of religious duty, which had long rested weightily on her mind, to pay a visit, in the love of the gospel, in Great Britain and Ireland, and in some places on the continent of Europe. In great humility and abasedness of self, she informed her friends of this prospect. It obtained their deliberate attention, and was cordially united with, and she was furnished with testimonials of their affectionate sympathy and con- currence. This arduous service occupied more than two years ; 70 HANNAH FIELD. during which time, in company with several other friends, she performed a religious visit to the families of those professing with us in the south of France, and laboured much amongst them for the promotion of the cause of truth and righteousness. We believe that in this work she was made instrumental in awakening the thoughtless, and in strengthening the things which re- mained that were ready to die. During her religious sojourn in England, she had a severe attack of illness, which so much impaired her constitution, that she never recovered her usual state of health. On her return from Europe she was joyfully received by her friends at home. We learn from their testimonial respecting her, that she gave a humble and summary account of her various exercises and engage- ments; ascribing all the praise where it is alone due. She was afterwards, when the state of her health would admit, frequently engaged in more limited visits, and faithful at her post in her own meetings at home, when permitted to be there. In a retrospect of the services to which she had been called, of her sufferings and conflicts, she expressed her- self in the following manner, a short time previous to her death : " It is marvellous in my eyes, and I often feel deeply humbled in looking back and recollecting what I have been carried through ; and how way has been made for me, where there appeared to be no way : but as I was given up to do that which was required, the mountains were removed, the walls of opposition broken down, and I have had to acknowledge the truth of our blessed Saviour's declaration, that his yoke is indeed easy, and his burden light ; and all will find it to be so, that are given up to serve Him." She was much concerned for the support of the good order of our society ; and possessing a discriminating mind, tempered by prudence, she was particularly useful in the administration of the discipline. The object of HANNAH FIELD. 7 1 her labour in this, as indeed it appeared to be in all her religious engagements, was to encourage good wherever it was found, and to convince the obdurate and gainsay- ing of their errors. In private life she was cheerful, very affectionate, and much beloved by her friends and acquaintance. She manifested great tenderness and solicitude for young people ; and as her manner towards them gained their confidence, it also insured to her an ear to hear her counsel. In recurring to various circumstances in the life and conduct of this truly devoted servant, we have been forcibly reminded of the sweet and comprehensive re- marks of the Editor of the tenth part of Piety Pro- moted, when concluding the account of a suffering, though meek and patient disciple : " Oh ! that every awakened soul would daily seek after the influence of gospel love ! It sweetens society ; it begets its likeness in others ; it excites gratitude ; and even if bestowed on the ungrateful, (as saith our dear Redeemer, love's holy and exhaustless fountain, the rain falls on the just and on the unjust,) it brings its own sweet reward with it ; for it attracts the approbation of God. Where then will be contempt; where the in- dulgence of evil surmisings and hard thoughts ; where, either studied or careless detraction ; where, even the needless disclosure of real failings; where the least place for any enmity ? These hurtful practices, and pride, the promoter of many of such practices, will fall before the prevalence of pure, Christian love ; and surely when these are exterminated from the heart, is it not so far prepared for its best and most sacred purpose, to be a temple of the Holy Spirit?" Having been taught by experience what are the feel- ings of a stranger's heart, and possessing in an eminent degree a sympathetic mind, her house was not only a home for her friends, but she entered most feelingly into 72 HANNAH FIELD. their trials and their griefs, and delighted in administer- ing the balm of consolation. The latter years of onr dear friend were attended with great bodily suffering. In 1822, she had a severe illness, and was so reduced that no hopes were enter- tained of her recovery. Her mind, however, was mer- cifully sustained, and centred in holy resignation. During this season, she uttered many deep and weighty expressions ; a few of them were preserved, from which we select the following, as being descriptive of her reli- gious views, and great love for her friends : " I desire to be thankful, I hope I am thankful, that I am not left in such a trying time as this ; that I feel the foundation, Jesus Christ, to be sure. Oh ! how I feel for our poor Society; there are so many deviations from the truth amongst its members, on account of which I have often mourned. Be faithful, my dear friends ! stand as watch- men and warn the people. Oh ! what will become of our young men in the day of trial that is approaching ; having departed from the truth, what will they have to support them ! " About half an hour afterward, having been in pro- found stillness for some time, she said, with great sweet- ness and energy : " Jesus Christ came from God. He was God ; and in Hun dwelt the fulness of the godhead bodily ;" and raising her hands, added : " Oh ! the ex- cellency, the beauty, the sweetness !" Durins her last sickness, which continued about five months, she endured much severe pain, and a most dis- tressing affection of the stomach ; but divine support was mercifully extended, and she was an example of patience and quiet submission to the divine will ; this, together with her religious views, and the unimpaired state of her mind, will be clearly demonstrated by her own testimony on the bed of languishing, and at the hour of death. At one time, when speaking of the state of our Ho- HANNAH FIELD. 73 ciety, she said: "If Friends are faithful, and keep their dependence on Him alone, who has always been the un failin g helper of his people, there is no cause to be discouraged at the difficulties with which Ave appear to be surrounded, or at our reduced number ; for I believe the cause is in the Lord's hand ; he hath his way in the deep, and can accomplish his work by few, or by many. It is my belief, whether I live or die, that Friends have done right in leaving those who deny the divinity and offering of our Lord Jesus Christ. We could not have done otherwise, unless we had given up the principles and doctrines which have been always held out by our Society, and for which our ancient Friends suffered so much ! some of them sealing their testimony with their blood." At another time : «* My sentiments are the same that they have always been, with regard to the fundamental doctrines and principles of our Society. I have always believed, as I now do, with regard to the personal ap- pearance of our blessed Saviour, his death, sufferings, resurrection, mediation, and intercession with the Father; yes, I have always had the firmest belief in the Scrip- ture testimony concerning our blessed Lord. I have no unity with any doctrines that tend to lessen the divinity of Jesus Christ, or the value of that great sacrifice which was offered on Mount Calvary, or that under- value the Scriptures of Truth, for I believe that they are indeed able, through faith, to make wise unto salvation. Much may be said by those who have seceded from us ; yet as we are faithful in the maintenance of the cause that we are advocating, even the cause of the blessed Jesus, it will be made manifest to the world, that they are the ancient principles of the society, and nothing less, that we are endeavouring to support." At another time, speaking of the state of the society, and the separatists, she said : " It is a great comfort to 74 HANNAH FIELD. me, that my health held out to attend meeting the day the separation took place in the yearly meeting ; and also that I was able to attend our monthly meeting ; and two or three meetings since we have been turned out of our meeting-house ; and should I never be able to attend another, it will as long as I live, be a comfort to me that I have done what I could for the cause of the blessed truth. All that I regret on my part is, that I did not give up more cheerfully to the separation. The idea of it was very trying to me, but I believe it was the best thing that could be done; what else could we have done? To have remained together would have been giving our countenance to their doctrines, and letting fall to the ground the principles and testimony for which our early Friends suffered so much. I can have no unity with any thing that is calculated to undermine the Christian religion." One morning, being greatly oppressed with excru- ciating pain, she spoke to some Friends that were with her, as follows : " Why am I kept here so long ? I long to be gone ; do not hold me, but pray for my release. My suffering is so great, that I am afraid my patience will not hold out ; pray for me, that I may be preserved from murmuring, or at any time doing or saying any thing that may bring reproach on the cause that I have for many years been endeavouring faithfully, though feebly to advocate ; that I may prove by my example, the truth of what I have declared to others, that the religion of Jesus Christ would be a support under every conflict. What would become of me, were it not for that support at this time ! " A physician calling to see her, said, " Your suffering- must be very great." She replied, " Yes, doctor, very great ;" as was indeed evident to all around her : " But," said the doctor, " your mind appears to be fixed on that power that can, and I trust will, support under every conflict, and enable you to adopt the language, ' Thy HANNAH FIELD. 75 will be done.' " She looked at him with great sweet- ness, and said : " That is the highest anthem by saint or angel ever sung; yes, doctor, the highest anthem sung on earth, or in heaven. It is a great thing so to live, as to be prepared to leave this world ; but it is attain- able, through the mercy of him who died for us, that we might live." 31st of tenth month. Some of her relatives coming in to see her, she expressed very near feeling for them, and added : " I long to be gone, and it is a great thing to be prepared for the change. There is no other way but by and through faith in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave himself a ransom for us ; and it is of great importance to have a right understanding of these things." 1st of eleventh month. Being in great distress of body, she prayed thus : " O ! Lord Jesus Christ, be pleased to receive my spirit, for Thou art my only hope ; be pleased to release me from this poor tenement of clay." Soon after, she said, " Will not this be the last day ? " Being asked if she had any message to her absent relations, she replied : " Love to all ; tell them I want all to be faithful in the support of the ancient principles and doctrines of Friends, for these new things will be found to be nothing but deception." Soon after she said : " O ! how thankful I feel, that I was enabled to perform that visit to Europe when I did." Eleventh month 2nd. First day evening. She looked upon those who were around her with a sweet and impressive countenance, and said : " I thought I heard a beautiful voice saying, * enter thou into the joy of thy Lord, and the rest that is prepared for thee :' did you not hear it ?" At another time : " Oh ! that it was the will of my Heavenly Father, to release me from this state of bodily suffering ; yet not my will, but thine be done. Oh ! Father, I desire to be resigned to live or 76 HANNAH FIELD. die ; but if I dared to have a wish, it would be to die, that I might be continually with Jesus. I feel nothing in my way : all is peace. I have had many weaknesses and infirmities to contend with ; and I can say in humi- lity and abasedness of self, that it is by and through the mercy of God, that I am what I am." From this time she declined very rapidly, and though still affected with severe pain, manifested entire resigna- tion to the Divine will ; she also entertained a grateful sense of the kindness of her care-takers, which she frequently mentioned with much tenderness, even to the last. On the fourth-day afternoon, the 4th of the eleventh month, she experienced some relief from the pain and suffering that she had so long endured ; and her mind being perfectly clear and calm, she conversed for a con- siderable time with two intimate friends. Toward evening, when one of them took leave of her, he ob- served, that he believed she was "fast verging toward a state of uninterrupted bliss and peace ; that the con- flict would soon be over." She replied, with great sweetness and composure, " I rejoice." In the latter part of the night, it was discovered that she was sinking ; and being aware of it herself, she in- quired for several members of the family ; and taking a heart-tendering leave of those that were about her, she ceased to breathe about four o'clock in the morning of the 5th of eleventh month, 1828 ; aged 65 years. Thus lived, and thus died, our much loved friend Hannah Field. We believe it may be emphatically said in relation to her : " Here is the patience of the saints ; here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. Write, blessed are the dead which die in the Lord, from henceforth ; yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours, and their works do follow them." SAMUEL ALEXANDER. 77 The piety and circumspection which, through life, marked the character of Samuel Alexander, of Limerick, in Ireland, and the calmness and joyful hope with winch he was enabled to enter upon the awful realities of an unchanging existence, encouragingly illustrate that declaration of the Psalmist, " Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace." Of his parents and of the circumstances of his youthful days, the compiler is not informed, but from his own thankful acknowledgments on the bed of death, it appears that he was early favoured with a sense of the love of God, and that he was concerned to yield up Ins heart to its blessed attractions. He might justly be classed amongst the upright in heart ; being- remarkable for strict integrity in all his transactions with his fellow men, and for benevolence and charity, which were evinced in reference both to the temporal and to the spiritual wants of the human family. But it was above all things his concern to cherish a deep sense of his dependence on his Creator, and to be a humble fol- lower of a crucified Saviour. Those who were best acquainted with him describe his conversation as uni- formly serious, being marked by instructive deductions, even from apparently trivial occurrences. He was a consistent and valuable member of our religious society, and for many years filled acceptably the arduous station of overseer; and although he was careful to speak plainly and honestly to those to whom it became his duty to impart counsel, his mind was so clothed with love, and his language was so mild, gentle, and persuasive, that so far from giving offence, he gained the love and the con- fidence of his friends, and especially of the youth, for whose welfare he was much interestod : but in his labours for the spiritual help of others, he appears to have been deeply sensible of his own insufficiency, but he had at times to testify to the praise of divine grace, that in his weakness he was mercifully strengthened from on high. 78 SAMUEL ALEXANDER. For some months before bis decease his health had been declining ; but this was no cause of alarm or erief to him. It was evident that he considered the present life only of importance, as the day's work kept pace with the day ; and in the anticipation of its close, and only a few days previous to his passage from time to eternity, he said to one of his daughters, " The light of the sun is dim, compared with my prospect of futurity. — No cloud lies in my way." His last conflict was comparatively short; for the whole of the day on the 27th of fifth month, he was as well as usual, and perhaps better than he had frequently been. At ten o'clock that night, he complained of pain in his stomach, attended with great debility ; during the course of the night, the disorder made rapid progress, and the pain was violent and unremitting. On the physician coming into the room, he observed, that it was well for him that the work was not left for this trying time.; that the pain of the body was quite enough to bear. He also said, that to satisfy his family, he would receive medical aid; but that the Physician of value could alone availingly assist him : and while the doctors exerted their skill to relieve him, by one appli- cation after another, he said, " It will not do, it will not do. I have been thinking this is to be my last illness." As the disease advanced, he was at times ensrao-ed m supplication as follows : " O, gracious Father ! be pleased to grant me patience to bear this great pain : and, if it be consistent with thy will, that I may have a few mo- ments' ease before I go." And when in extreme agony, he energetically exclaimed : " Now ' I know that my Redeemer liveth ;' and that is my hope ; his precious blood was shed for my redemption." His beloved wife endeavouring to assist him, he looked at her, and said, " From my youth I have felt the divine power to be near ; and I have experienced it to be as a ' cloud by day, and as a pillar of fire by night,' up to the present moment." SAMUEL ALEXANDER. 79 As the power of articulation was failing, he said to one of his daughters, " Death has no terrors for me ; I have nothing to do but to draw my last breath ; my meat and drink has been to do the will of my Heavenly Father." He now requested his sons might be called, who, with their sisters, stood round his bed, and he addressed them in an earnest and affectionate manner, endeavouring to express himself in such a way as might reach the understanding of each. After speaking of his having been concerned to instruct them in the right way of the Lord, and the happiness which they would derive from striving to walk in it, he added, " You must expect to be beset on every side, by the snares of the enemy; but if you are careful to be clad 'with the Avhole armour of light,' you will be able to discern and to withstand the 'fiery darts of the wicked one.' Seek that 'blessing which maketh truly rich, and addeth no sorrow with it.' I have little more to say> but to recom- mend you to the everlasting Father ; and may the Lord bless you ! I must now bid you all farewell." Here nature seemed quite exhausted ; and for a few moments, silence sealed his lips ; but, as if its powers were again renewed, he turned to his eldest daughter, and empha- tically said, " Farewell, my darling child ! may the blessing of the Everlasting Hills rest upon thee and thy house:" to his eldest son he said, "A great care de- volves upon thee." Then to all collectively, " You will meet with trials, as those must, who have much to do in this world ; but keep an eye to that power which has preserved me, and it will also preserve you. May the Lord God of heaven and earth bless you!" His spirit then took its flight, doubtless to inherit one of the many mansions in the Heavenly Father's house, on the 28th of the fifth month, 1826. He was aged sixty-three years. 80 RICHARD JORDAN. Richard Jordan, the subject of the following me- moir, was born at Elizabeth Town, in the county of Norfolk, Virginia, the 19th of twelfth month, 1756. His parents, Joseph and Patience Jordan, were members of the religious Society of Friends; and though not wealthy, were descended from an ancient and respectable family; his ancestors, on his father's side, emigrated from France early after the colonization of Virginia. The occupation in which his father was engaged fre- quently called him away from his family for a consider- able length of time ; and his mother dying when he was quite young, his education was much neglected ; not only as regarded literary instruction, but also the more important concerns of a religious life. The whole period during which he remained at school was only a few months; and the instruction he received whilst there, was in the simplest elements of literature. But being naturally of an active, inquisitive mind, and capable of appreciating the value of useful know- ledge, he afterwards applied himself to study, during the hours of relaxation from manual labour; and, by his own exertions, made some proficiency in several branches of learning, so as to become qualified for teaching in a school ; an occupation in which he several times engaged, when the winter season suspended agricultural employ- ments. His father's residence was remote from any settlement or meeting of Friends, and among a people who evinced but little regard for piety or religion ; and being exposed to the pernicious influence of evil company, and in great measure deprived of the tender, watchful care of pa- rental love, he was almost wholly left to follow the cor- rupt propensities of human nature, and to choose his own course ; having never been at a religious meeting more than two or three times, until after he was twelve years of age. RICHARD JORDAN. 81 Whilst in this dangerous and exposed situation, it pleased the Saviour of sinners, in his wonted loving- kindness and mercy, to visit his youthful mind with the secret influences of his Holy Spirit, impressing him with an awful sense of his accountability, and of the certainty of future rewards and punishments ; and, at seasons, raising earnest desires after purity and holiness ; that when Ms immortal spirit should put off its eartlily tenement, he might be prepared to enter into a state of never-ending felicity, among the redeemed and sancti- fied in heaven. The influence of these solemn impres- sions he often experienced, in the condemnation and fear which attended his mind, after having been guilty of any sinful conduct, and also in the sweet peace and serenity which clothed his spirit when, through heavenly assistance, he was enabled to exercise greater watchful- ness over his words and actions. About the twelfth year of his age, his father removed into the neighbourhood of Rickscmare, in North Caro- lina. Here he had the opportunity of associating with the members of his own religious Society, and also of attending their meetings for divine worship. But for want of a close attention to the operation of the Spirit of Christ upon his mind, which in time past had been so powerfully felt, the benefit of this invaluable privi- lege was, in great measure, lost upon him : he yielded to many temptations, became more and more alienated from God, and giving the rein to his corrupt inclina- tions, was swiftly running in the broad way which leads to destruction. While pursuing this course of folly and wickedness, it pleased infinite mercy once more to visit him with His righteous judgments, and to awaken his mind to an awful sense of the exceeding sinfulness of sin, and of his undone condition without the availing interposition of an omnipotent Saviour. The fire of the Lord's jealousy was now kindled in G 82 KICHAED JORDAN. his soul, to consume every thing that was high and lifted up, and all that was defiled. Great indeed was the con- flict of his spirit : and many were the strong temptations which the adversary of man's happiness presented, per- suading him to despair of the mercy of a gracious God, through his dear Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, and to give himself up, as one utterly cast off and forsaken. In this day of darkness and distress, when every pleasant prospect was clouded, and all hope of deliver- ance seemed to stand afar off — when he was reduced to the last extremity of anguish, He who remains to be the compassionate Friend of sinners, was graciously pleased to cast an eye of tender pity on his mournful condition : to draw near to his afflicted soul ; and by the calming influences of his own blessed Spirit, to bind up his wounds and bid liim live. Under a deep sense of this unmerited mercy and condescension, he was enabled, in great humility, to cast himself at the feet of his dear Redeemer, and to surrender body, soul, and spirit into his divine hand ; entering into solemn cove- nant, that if He would be pleased to grant him an evi- dence of pardon and reconciliation, he would, through his blessed assistance, follow him whithersoever he might lead. This act of dedication was graciously accepted; and his distressed mind was sweetly consoled in the renewal of a humble hope, that through the merits and mediation of a crucified Saviour, his sins were blotted out as a cloud, and his transgressions as a thick cloud. Soon after this, he was impressed with the belief that he was called upon by his Divine Master, to declare to others the wonderful dealings of the Almighty with his soul, and to publish the glad tidings of the gospel of peace and salvation. But so awful was the prospect of this solemn engagement, and so deep and abiding the sense of his own un worthiness, that he forebore to enter upon it, even after the impression of duty became indu- bitably clear. Oftentimes he was ready to yield obedi- RICHARD JORDAN. 83 ence when the call was sounded in his spiritual ear ; but not cherishing the grain of living faith which accompa- nied it, the weakness of human nature would get the ascendancy : once in particular, in a small meeting, the impression that it would be right for him to speak was so forcible, that he put his hand upon his knee to rise ; but giving way to reasoning, he lost strength, and the opening on his mind was soon quite removed. Thus he passed on for several years, still holding back from the Lord's service ; which proved the means of retarding him in his heavenly journey, and at times introduced him into much mental suffering. During this time of trial, he accomplished his mar- riage with Pharaby Knox, daughter of Thomas Knox, a respectable planter in the neighbourhood, and an ap- proved minister in the religious Society of Friends. Her father had not much earthly treasure to confer upon his daughter, but he had endeavoured to imbue her mind with that which is more valuable than riches, b}>- giving her a religious education, and training her up in the fear of the Lord. Previous to entering into the important engagement of marriage, Richard Jordan and his in- tended companion were concerned to ask counsel of the Lord ; being desirous not to take a step which so inti- mately affected their present and future happiness? without first obtaining some evidence of divine appro- bation. This was graciously afforded to them ; and gratitude for the favour, and comfort and support under many trials, were the consequence of this rich blessing. They commenced the world with few of the conveniences, and none of the luxuries of life; yet they enjoyed^ under a homely roof, that peace and contentment, which wealth and luxury cannot bestow. The members of the Society of Friends in the parts where he resided, Kichsquare, were not then generally convinced of the injustice of negro slavery : and his father, amongst G 2 84 KICHARD JORDAN. others, held a considerable number of slaves, a part of whom he offered to convey to his son. Under a con- viction of the injustice of holding his fellow men in bondage, Richard Jordan declined this offer ; believing that he was called upon to bear his testimony against the practice. His refusal, under his straightened circumstances, occasioned surprise, and even made him the subject of ridicule to some of his acquaintances ; but this seemed to act only as an additional incitement to industry and frugality, lest he should, by any pecuniary embarrassment bring reproach upon the cause of truth. As, however, he steadily attended to this concern respecting the negroes, with great tenderness toward such of his bre- thren as had not yet been convinced of the enormity of the evil, he was made the happy instrument of enlight- ening the understandings of many; and soon after, a general emancipation took place amongst Friends. Notwithstanding Richard Jordan continued to fulfil his social and domestic duties, during all this time, with much propriety, and maintained a consistent and blame- less character among men, yet there was, in his own mind, a consciousness that he was found wanting in the sight of Him who searcheth the heart, winch at times disquieted his mind, and cast a shade over the enjoy- ments which his beloved home and family were calcu- lated to impart. This sense of deficiency arose from a continued unwillingness to engage in the awful work of the gospel ministry, the call to which he had long felt, but had resisted, until the impression was almost effaced from his mind. The sense of his unfaithfulness in this respect often greatly oppressed him, and he began to fear that he should entirely fall from the little good he had known, and become a castaway. Of his feelings at this period of his life he thus writes : " When weighed in the balance, I was found RICHARD JORDAN. 85 wanting ; and was brought to see and fully believe, that notwithstanding God approves of every act of moral righteousness, benevolence, and justice, yet He requires the heart to be devoted to him ; and while this is Avant- ing, our hope of salvation can never be permanent; there is still something wanting that cannot be num- bered; the mind is left in unsettlement, and not established on that foundation which is immoveable, and against which all storms and tempests beat in vain. " After I had thus struggled and wearied myself for several years, endeavouring still to get along in my own way, until I had well nigh silenced those heavenly calls to revealed duty, a ministering Friend came to our meeting, and was led to minister to my state, (which no mortal knew of by information from man,) in such a manner, that I accepted it as a renewed visitation from that same gracious Father of mercies, wdio had been so long striving with me. This dear servant, who had left all to follow his blessed Master, was made instrumental to strengthen in me the weak things that remained, so that I was once more enabled to renew my resolutions ; and in a short time after this, I was raised upon my feet in a small meeting then held in a Friend's house, near my habitation. I expressed but a very few words, greatly to the surprise of those present, but the peace and sweetness which flowed into my soul after the meeting, was better felt than described : indeed I could not, neither did I wish to describe it." He was, when he was thus strengthened to devote himself to the service of his Lord, about twenty-five years of age. Animated by the love of God, and an ardent desire for the everlasting welfare of his fellow-creatures, and believing it required of him to make a religious visit to Friends and others in the northern and eastern states, he submitted this prospect of extensive labour to the consideration of his friends, who signified their unity 86 RICHARD JORDAN. with him therein, by certificates from the montlily and quarterly meetings. He left home in the third month, 1797, accompanied by his beloved friend Josiah White, and made a visit to many of the meetings in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, and some parts of the New England states. Besides attending the meet- ings of Friends, he appointed some among those not of our religious society, in all which engagements, the un- failing arm of divine goodness was mercifully near, enabling him to preach the gospel of life and salvation with availing energy. Having passed through many humbling baptisms, in which he had endured great stripping and poverty of spirit, preparatory to further religious service, and hav- ing patiently waited the command of Him, in whose hand are the times and seasons, in the third month, 1799, he imparted to his friends a prospect of duty Avhich had long attended his mind, to visit in the love of Christ, Great Britain, Ireland, and some parts of the continent of Europe. In opening this concern to the several meetings whose concurrence was necessary, divine goodness attended, contriting the spirits of many present, and cementing them in the precious feeling of gospel fellowship. He was engaged in the prosecution of this concern for several years ; and during his extensive and arduous journeys, he was mercifully preserved by Divine inter- position, in perils by sea and by land, and among false brethren. He visited his fellow professors, and held meetings with many of other religious denominations, in England, Scotland, and Ireland. His gospel mission was also extended to parts of Holland, Prussia, Germany, and France : in which countries he had many memorable meetings, both with Friends and those who do not pro- fess with us. Although amongst a people whose lan- guage he did not understand, yet way was made for him RICIIARD JORDAN. 87 in a remarkable manner. Suitable persons acted as interpreters; and whilst he remained at Pyrmont, (a visit of several weeks,) the meetings were often much crowded by serious persons, not connected with our religious society, and a door was opened for the preach- ing of the gospel with authority and power, so as to reach to the hearts of his auditors. He says, " Many of these dear people would stand and look me in the face with tears in their eyes, regretting that they were not able to speak to me, telling my interpreter that the lan- guage of their hearts towards me was love, and truly mine often overflowed with love to them." He spent some weeks in the neighbourhood of Con- genies in the South of France, visiting Friends in their meetings and families. Thence he proceeded towards Bordeaux, in order to look for a passage to some port in England. This proved to be a very trying journey, it being between two and three hundred miles, and he had only the company of a young man who had lately been an officer in the French army, and did not understand a word of English. In his narrative of this journey, he says, " Such was again my trying situation ; alone, far separated from all my dear friends and connections, and in a great strait to know rightly what to do for the best. Lord, look down upon me in mercy ; preserve and sup- port me under these dispensations, and be pleased to show me the way that I should go, for thou knowest me altogether, and my desire to trust in thy eternal Provi- dence ! O, withdraw not thy soul-animating presence altogether from me, but preserve me in these prov- ing seasons, and keep me, O my God, in every hour of temptation and trial, that so I may not wound and become a reproach to thy holy cause, where my lot is cast, nor make sorrow and repentance for my own soul, but that through thy holy aid, O my God, I may yet be enabled to sing thy praises on the banks of deliver- 88 RICHARD JORDAN. ance; for unto Thee only praise is due, now and for evermore " It was nearly two weeks from this time before I could engage a passage to answer my purpose, but at length one offered by a Danish brig, bound for the island of Guernsey, and I concluded to embrace this opportunity, and cast myself entirely on that all-sup- porting arm of Omnipotence winch sustains the earth, and rides the raging sea. " I may now remark, that although much of the time I have been waiting here has seemed almost like impri- sonment, and I have felt at times as if forsaken both of friends and the world; yet as I have endeavoured to renew my trust and confidence in the eternal arm, blessed be his ever adorable name, through the renew- ing of his infinite love and mercy to my soul, my lonely room, especially during the latter part of my stay here, has been made to me as a pleasant museum, wherein I have been favoured with precious openings into some of the wonderful works both of nature and of grace, to my own humble rejoicing in the eternal Providence, and I was made a renewed believer therein. O, my God, how unsearchable is thy wisdom, how boundless and un- fathomable are the riches of thy goodness and mercy: thy ways are hid as in the great deep, and past finding out ; who shall refuse to adore thee, who art the ever- lasting Father, and God over all ? Shall not all nations bow before thee, who hast made both the seas and the dry land, and hast appointed unto them the bounds of their habitations ? for the Lord of Hosts remains to be thy name. O, the fall of Adam ; and how all his offspring have been and arc affected by it ! I have been made to see and believe it: and the means appointed for their redemption, and how it is to be effected, I have seen and do most asssuredly believe in : O well might the poor man in the gospel cry out, ' Lord, I believe ; help thou mine unbelief;' O who can disbelieve in RICHARD JORDAN. 89 Christ Jesus the Saviour of the world ! in his manhood, sufferings, and death therein; also in his divinity and eternal power ; the Redeemer and Saviour, in whom, as testified by the apostle, dwells all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. Tremble, O ye Deists, before Him, unto whom all judgment is committed, that all men might honour Him, even as the Father is honoured. This is the stone that was set at nought and rejected by you wise builders, but truly it is elect of God and precious ; and by Him all your buildings will be tried, whether you will or not : although you may, in your Avisdom, carry your fabric to a prodigious height like Nimrod, yet in the day of his power, when he shall come to inspect your work, it shall fare no better than Nimrod's did: O, tremble, lest confusion and everlast- ing disappointment be your portion ! — But O, my God, be thou pleased to strengthen and enable me from time to time, to hold fast even unto the end what thou hast now been pleased to renew in my soul, and given me to believe most firmly. Amen." Richard Jordan sailed from Bourdeaux on the 13th of eleventh month, 1801 ; and, after a very stormy and tedious passage of more than three weeks, reached Dartmouth in a state of great exhaustion and debility. On being safely landed there, after encountering many dangers, he thus commemorates the preservation which he had experienced. " I was truly glad and thankful in heart, for the mer- ciful deliverance vouchsafed to me from being entombed in the mighty deep, though, blessed be God, in whom I was enabled to put my trust, Avhen the countenances of the mariners wore a dismal aspect, and all hope of being saved Avas nearly gone, I never quite lost my confi- dence; no, not for a moment, even in the greatest extremity of danger. At one time in particular, Avhen I verily thought Ave were going doAvn to the bottom, never more to rise, being so deeply covered with the 90 RICHARD JORDAN. rolling surge that the mighty roaring thereof ceased to sound in our ears, and there was a profound silence in the ship ; even then did niy mind feel so calm and cpiiet, that I could not doubt of being clasped in the arms of everlasting love ; and I yielded to his blessed will, say- ing in secret, Lord, if it be thy blessed will that this shall be my grave, I yield, if I may but go down clasped in the arms of thine everlasting love ; or if thou art pleased to bring me safe to land again, I will surely sing thy praise, I will tell of thy goodness in the con- gregation of thy people, I will speak of thy wondrous works." He returned to America in the year 1803; and reached his own habitation on the 30th of third month. On which interesting occasion he says, " I found my dear wife and family all well, and glad to see and receive me again ; and I rejoiced to see them, and to find that they had been preserved and abun- dantly cared for by a kind Providence, during my absence. " I was from home on this journey three years, one month, and ten days, in which time I travelled by land and water, about fifteen thousand miles. Thus, O Lord my God, in whom I have endeavoured to repose my trust, thou hast carried me through many heights and depths, perils and dangers ; yea, perils by sea, perils by land, and perils by false brethren ; and through all these didst thou preserve me : when thy billows went over my head, and my heart was ready to melt within me, even then didst thou make bare thine arm for my deliverance, and sustainedst me by thy matchless good- ness, and madest me to see thy wonders in the great deep; then thou wast there, and guidest me by the right hand of thy power, that I should not be swal- lowed up by the proud waves, when they roared about my head, and threatened destruction. Thus thy count- less mercies, O Lord, have been round about me in all RICHARD JORDAN. 91 the way, and thou hast brought me safe back again to my dear connections at home; for all these thy mercies, O Lord, I desire to bless and praise thy name, which is great and adorable for ever. And now, O Lord, I am not worthy of all these thy mercies, yet since thou hast been pleased of thy unmerited bounty to grant them hitherto, and hast given me to speak well of thy name in the congregations of thy people, even to some of the nations afar off, be pleased to remember* and not forsake me, in my future steppings along through the remaining part of my pilgrimage here : pre- serve me, O my God, and deliver me from all my enemies, both within and without, for thou knowest them all, and seest their snares, even before they are laid ; give me to see, and strength to shun them all both on the right hand and on the left, even unto the end, that so I may be enabled to bring honour and praise unto thy great name through all the remaining part of my days here, and unite with those who, in un- ceasing anthems, sing thy everlasting praise beyond the grave. Amen." He had been apprehensive, from the manner in which his mind had been exercised for several years past, and more especially since his return from Europe, that his future religious labours would be chiefly in the northern and eastern parts of the American continent, insomuch that he was induced to believe it was his duty to resign himself to the prospect of removing with his wife to New England. He accordingly removed to Hartford, within the compass of Nine Partners' quarterly meeting, in New England, and continued there five years, cultivating a farm, which appeared likely to prove very productive, so that he and his family were comfortably settled. But Richard Jordan's mind became impressed with a belief that, for the promotion of that service in the gospel to which he apprehended himself called, it was 92 RICHARD JORDAN. his duty again to leave his outward possessions, and to reside at Newton, within the compass of Haddonfield monthly meeting, in New Jersey. After being settled there for a few weeks, he thus writes : — " The good angel, whom we believe to have been with us in all the way, has still hitherto been near, comforting our minds in our lonely habitation, in our solitary walks, and in our religious meetings, enabling me to speak of his goodness among the people, which seems to have endeared many of us one unto another. And now, O Lord, thou hast seen all our temptations, and the anxiety and tribulation of our souls; we are here under an apprehension of its being according to thy requiring, and in thy divine appointment ; O Lord, look down upon us, and be near unto us in all our temptations and and besetments, in all our tribulations and distresses, and in all our goings in and out among the people : be pleased to remember us, we pray thee, as among the poor and dependent ones, that have daily need of thy aid: we ask neither worldly riches nor honours; give us, if it be consistent with thy good will and pleasure, food and raiment convenient for us, and be thou, O Lord, our strength in weakness, our riches in poverty, and our present help in every needful time, that so we may be enabled to honour thee in thy blessed cause on earth, and bring praise to thy great name through our lives and in our death, who art God over all blessed for evermore." In 1813 he visited the meetings of Friends along 1 the sea coast in New Jersey, the retrospect of which afforded him peace. After this he seldom left home on any long journeys, but frequently attended the neighbouring quarterly meetings, and the meetings for sufferings in Philadelphia, of Avhich he was a diligent and valuable member. In 1818 he writes: "Being now in the sixty-third year of my age, my prospects seem much closed as Kit 1IAUD JORDAN. 93 respects long journeys, feeling an increase of the infirm- ities attendant on advanced years, though, blessed be my gracious Helper, I enjoy a good share of health and strength at present, considering my time of life ; yet the prayer of David seems prevalent, 'Cast me not off in the time of old age, forsake me not when my strength faileth.' "1821. Seventh month. I have now been for most of two years afflicted with a complaint in my chest, which has rendered me unfit for much service ; yet I have been enabled to visit sundry neighbouring quarterly meetings, and to attend our yearly meeting, as also our own monthly and particular meetings, in which at times living desires are raised, that after the example of good old Simeon, I may be found l waiting for the consolation of Israel.' " 1823. Eighth month. My mind has long been burdened with hearing assertions made, that every child coming into the world is placed precisely in the same situation as Adam was when in Paradise, or as he came out of the hands of his Maker, and speaking slightly of the atonement of Christ, bringing down that blessed suffer- ing Saviour and Redeemer of men to the level of other good persons in common. Well would it be for such, in my apprehension, if they would seriously consider the import of a part of the apostle's comment on the law of Moses ; viz., ' He that despised Moses's law died without mercy under two or three witnesses ; of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy tiling, and hath done despite unto the spirit of grace ; for we know Him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord ; and again, the Lord shall judge his people ; it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.'" 94 RICHARD JORDAN. In the third month, 1825, he met with a severe trial in the decease of his beloved wife, who had been an affectionate and sympathising companion during the greater part of half a century. On this affecting be- reavement he makes the following instructive remarks : "And now what shall I say more. — The Lord lias been pleased in the inscrutable counsel of his will, to take from me my dear partner, who ended her useful life in this Avorld on the morning of the second of third month last, almost without sickness or pain, in the seventy-third year of her age ; being as well as usual the day before, and engaged in her domestic concerns. I could say much of her virtues, not only as a faithful helpmeet in our outward concerns, but in always giving me up cheerfully to the service of Truth, and sustaining my absence with Christian magnanimity, and sympathising with me in my labours and travels in the cause of truth and righteousness, and a consoling evidence attends her departure, that she has sweetly fallen asleep in Jesus : and therefore though I sorrow, yet not as those who have no hope; for surely I am one in faith with the apostles of our Lord, that ' they that sleep in Jesus, will God bring with him.' And now, O Lord, thou hast taken the mother with the children, and left me behind a little space longer in this state of probation, for causes known only to thyself; for thou art not bound to give account of thy matters to any ; it is enough for us to know that thou dost all things right ; and wilt do for us more than we can ask or think. But because thou art a God hearing prayer, be pleased, O Lord, to be near by thy secret power, and keep and preserve me during the short remainder of my time in this world, so that I may be enabled to fight the good fight, and keep the faith of thy beloved Son, Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and Saviour, and so finish my course with joy; for thou, O Lord, art faithful, who hast promised a crown of righteousness. Amen." RICHARD JORDAN. 95 After the decease of his dear wife, our beloved friend seemed to pass the remainder of his days as a servant waiting for the coming of his Lord, having a clear fore- sight that his earthly pilgrimage was nearly accomplished, and several times spoke of his decease as being at hand. He attended the yearly meeting of New York, in 1826, and shortly after, in the seventh month, was at three of the monthly meetings in Philadelphia, and spent some time in visiting his friends there, much to the peace of his own mind, remarking, when about to return home, that if it proved his last visit, he should be well satisfied with it. In the eighth month he attended the quarterly meet- ings of Abington and Salem, held at Woodbury. On his way home from the latter, his mind was much engaged in contemplating the present situation of the Society of Friends, lamenting with much feeling, the deviations from simplicity and plainness, which were conspicuous in many of the members, the avidity with which they pursued the pleasures and riches of the world, and the apparent want of religious concern on their own account, and for the welfare of the church. Much labour, he remarked, had been bestowed upon them; spiritual and temporal blessings had been dis- pensed with a liberal hand, and yet disobedience and ingratitude had been too generally returned for all these favours; and he feared lest those who might be con- sidered as the children of the kingdom, if they persisted in this course, would be cast out, and others raised up, as from the stones of the streets, to support the doctrines and testimonies given to Friends to bear. He however expressed, that gloomy as the prospect of a succession of upright standard-bearers seemed, he had faith to believe, that those doctrines and testimonies never would fall to the ground, and although many were predicting that the present commotions within our borders would disorganize the society, yet this would not be the case, but those 96 RICHARD JORDAN. who continued to maintain the ancient faith and dis- cipline of Friends, would be preserved a distinct body of Christian professors. On parting with the friend who accompanied him, he alluded to his late visit to the city of Philadelphia, and after expressing the great peace he felt in recurring to it, observed that it would be his last visit. The friend expressed his earnest desire that the solemn presentiment might not be realized, and remarked, how much he would be missed at the present time of trial ; to winch Richard Jordan replied, " Yes, but you must part from me at some time, and perhaps it will be as easy now as ever," repeating the assurance that it would be his last visit. This was on fifth-day afternoon, the eleventh of eighth month, and on the following day he was taken sick. After this he attended meetings but a few times, being mostly confined to the house or bed, except occasionally riding out for a change of air and exercise. His last illness was tedious, continuing for more than two months ; and while the gradual decay of his bodily powers was apparent, the strength and vigour of his mind seemed to remain unimpaired almost to the close. He did not appear disposed to converse much on ordinary topics or temporal affairs, but at times made many instructive remarks upon religious subjects. He mourned over the desolating effects of the spirit of unbelief, which, under the plausible but false pretext of exalting the " light within," was leading many incautious minds into a denial of the saving truths of Christian redemption, and a disregard of the plain and irrefragable testimonies contained in the sacred volume. He declared, as his full belief, that all those who were really led by the Spirit of Christ, would feel themselves constrained reverently to believe in, and to acknowledge all that is recorded in the Holy Scriptures concerning the coming and sufferings, the death and offices, of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, as he appeared in the flesh at Jerusalem. RICHARD JORDAN. 97 He several times mentioned his firm conviction at that solemn period, that painful as is the present state of things amongst us, to the true disciples of the Lamb, it would be made the means of purifying the society from much of its dross ; that such as stood faithful in their allegiance to Christ, would be deepened by it in the life of religion, and some of them would live to see the society in a far better state than it now is. He had seen, he said, that the Lord would take the cause into his own hand, and none should be able to hinder Him— that he would choose his own instruments, and those of this society who had been highly favoured, but who had turned their backs and forsaken him, would be cast out, and others brought in who would stand for the honour of his great name, and for His cause in the earth. With much emphasis he said, " ! what will those men do that deny the divinity of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ? What refuge will they have at such a time as this, on a sick-bed— Oh, what will become of them!" Once he said, "I would not be in their state for any thing in the world." He intimated that, during this sickness he had had great opportunity for reflection, both by day and by night, and he had thought much upon the awful state of those people that deny the Lord, and the only hope of salvation— "which," added he, "is by the mercy of God, through the merits and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ." Then with much emphasis he exclaimed, " My hope, my only hope of salvation, is in the mercy of God, through the merits and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ." These, or words nearly like them, he repeated several times during the conversation. He commented very instruc- tively on the ground of this his hope, and the great stay and consolation it was to his mind. " Oh," said he, " I would not give this hope in the mercy of God, through Jesus Christ, for the whole world." He then proceeded to relate that during his illness, many scripture passages, H 98 RICHARD JORDAN. both in the Old and New Testament, had been unfolded to his mind with great clearness and comfort, respecting the plan devised by Divine Love for the restoration of poor fallen man, and the salvation of sinners. After setting forth the fall of man through the temptation and subtlety of Satan, and his aspiring above the condition allotted him by his beneficent Creator, he proceeded to open some of those passages, beginning with the promise of the seed of the woman that should bruise the serpent's head, Genesis iii, 15 — adducing many other scripture testimonies which show that this seed is Christ, even He who died for our sins on the cross, and who is a propitiatory sacrifice for the sins of the whole world, an Advocate with the Father, and Mediator between God and man. He enlarged upon what faith in God, and in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ had done in every generation, and then emphati- cally said, " This is also my faith, and I shall die in it as I have lived, hoping in God's mercy through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." He made many other remarks at the same time, that evinced his deep solici- tude on account of the spirit dff infidelity which has crept in amongst us, tracing its origin to the pride of the human heart. On second-day, the eighteenth of the month, a friend being with him, he made some instructive observations on the present situation of the society, and with much tenderness of feeling mourned over the young and in- experienced, who were deluded by the fair pretences of some who were considered leaders of the people, and to whom they had been accustomed to look up as examples and instructors in the church : while these Avere taking advantage of the influence they had obtained, to incul- cate pernicious principles, and infuse into their unsus- pecting minds the poison of unbelief. For these unwary youth, thus exposed to the artifices of designing men, he manifested tender commiseration and sympathy. RICHARD JORDAN. 99 But he said he believed the time was coming, and perhaps was not far distant, when these false teachers would be fully exposed. There were many, he remarked, who went under the name of Friends, that had never been convinced of, nor yielded obedience to, the principles and doctrines of the society, but had made a mere empty profession ; and it was no marvel if such as these were carried off with the unsound notions which were now promulgated. He believed it had been permitted, in order to manifest such as these : — as a society we are very impure, and needed much sifting to make us as we should be. But he was firm in the faith that the ancient doctrines and principles of the society, as set forth in the holy scrip- tures, must and would prevail over all opposition — that all those who were building on Jesus Christ, would be preserved amid all the storms and commotions winch now agitate the society, and that it would yet arise and shine in more of its ancient beauty, than many now living had ever seen it, adding, " I may not live to see it, but there are some of you that will." He expressed much more during the course of tins interesting conversation, not only manifesting the calm and confiding state of his mind, and his unshaken faith in the Rock of Ages on which he had built, but also his full conviction that the Christian faith of the Society of Friends would eventually triumph, and that after the necessary conflict and suffering were endured, to purify it from such nominal professors as hold the truth in unrighteousness, and bring reproach upon the name of Christ, by their unholy conduct and anti-christian opinions, the society would be enabled to rise superior to its present difficulties, and with renewed brightness hold up the light of a christian conduct, conversation, and profession to the world. Great was the anxiety he evinced, that the friends of Christ and his holy cause might stand firm in a patient, persevering testimony H 2 100 RICHARD JORDAN. against every innovation, whether in doctrine or dis- cipline; and by the steadfastness of their faith, the purity of their lives, and the meekness and humility of their spirits, evince that while they dared not strive to carry party views and schemes, they felt themselves constrained, by a sense of religious duty, earnestly to contend for the faith once delivered to the saints. To a friend who called to see him, he observed, " It is a satisfaction to reflect, that my outward concerns are all settled:" after a solemn pause, he added, "I know that I am a poor creature, and have nothing to depend on but the mercy of a gracious God, through Jesus Christ, my Lord : Oh ! these poor things that are trying to do away all belief in the authenticity of the scriptures and in a Saviour, what will become of them ? No other foundation can any man lay than that which is laid." In the conversation with this friend, he observed, that his day's work was accomplished; to another of his friends, that he did not feel as though he had much more to say, but was labouring after true stillness and patience, to be gathered to the source of all good ; and throughout the whole course of his illness, it was obvious that his mind was often engaged in deep, inward, awful retire- ment, and waiting on the Lord. The disease gradually made its progress, and though the symptoms attending it were not very alarming, yet he seemed impressed with the belief that he should not survive it. When his friends would express their hopes of his recovery, though he seemed unwilling to give them pain by positively saying he should not, yet his replies generally evinced that he had no prospect of it. Once he said his friends must exercise a patient hope, he had not seen that he should get well. At times his bodily sufferings were very great but he was preserved in much patience and resignation to the Lord's will, often ejaculating with earnestness, " O blessed Saviour, O Lord Jesus, help me ! " showing that his dependence was placed on the Physician of value. SOLOMON UNDERBILL. 101 A few clays before his decease, he remarked to a friend who was with him, " The crisis has not been shown me when I shall be taken — but from the way I feel, it seems as if it could not be much longer;" the friend replying, " Then thou dost not think thou wilt recover" — he answered, " I leave it all to Him who knows how to order all things for the best ; I have no desire but that his blessed will may be done." On sixth-day night, the thirteenth of tenth month, 1826, he became much worse — his strength was fast failing, and the power of articulation almost gone — and about three o'clock on the following morning, the near approach of death was apparent. He was in great suffering for a few hours, but about ten in the morning, the conflict seemed over, and exhausted nature ready to sink away : he said nothing during this time, except ejaculating with uplifted hands, "O Lord!" which were his last words. He breathed shorter and shorter, until about a quarter after eleven, when his purified spirit quietly departed to the mansions of eternal glory. He was in the 70th year of his age. Solomon Underbill was born at Cedar Swamp, near Westbury, Long Island, the 30th day of the tenth month, 1748. His parents, Amos and Elizabeth Un- derbill, were respectable members of the religious Society of Friends, and were desirous of giving him as good an education as the schools in the neighbour- hood afforded; but both of them dying whilst he was young, he was left under the care of his elder brothers. He became exposed to many temptations, calculated to alienate his mind from the path of piety and virtue ; but through the condescending mercy of our blessed Re- deemer, he was, when about seventeen years of age, visited with the secret influences of the Holy Spirit, and he was brought under a deep concern on account of 102 SOLOMON UNDERHILL. his everlasting welfare. After a time of close inward conflict, he was strengthened to surrender himself to divine disposal, entering into solemn covenant with his Heavenly Father to serve him in all his requirings. Through the continued extension of his holy assistance, he was enabled to keep covenant with his God, and to yield more entire dedication to the divine will than he had hitherto done. Having patiently submitted to the crucifying power of the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, and endured those refining baptisms which are necessary to qualify for service in his church, he was called to the work of the ministry of the gospel ; and his appearances in this line being acceptable to his friends, he was acknow- ledged as a minister in unity with the society. About the thirty-second year of his age, he was married to Lydia Mott, an amiable and pious woman, and settled himself in the business of farming ; but his mind being chiefly concerned about those things which pertain to life and salvation, and the welfare of the re- ligious society of which he was a member, he freely devoted himself to the service of his divine Master; and being in good measure redeemed from the desire of laying up treasures on earth, he pursued business with becoming moderation, endeavouring to make his tempo- ral affairs a secondary consideration. During the middle part of his life, he was a member of the Meeting for Sufferings in New York, in which, as well as other services of the society, he was often usefully employed. His example in the due attendance of all our religious meetings, both for worship and disci- pline, was worthy of imitation, never suffering his outward engagements to interfere with this reasonable duty ; but cheerfully giving up all in order to present himself before the Lord. When thus assembled with his brethren, his deportment Avas solemn and weighty, well becoming the occasion for which they had met, and SOLOMON UNDERHILL. 103 showing clearly that his mind was seriously engaged in the great duty of humbly waiting upon the Lord, for the renewal of spiritual strength. He entertained a reverent esteem for the Holy Scrip- tures, and greatly delighted in the perusal of them; and was well instructed in the divine precepts and doctrines which they contain. His mind being ear- nestly engaged to seek for right instruction, he became firmly grounded in the truths of the Christian religion, which he frequently enforced upon his auditory in his public testimonies, especially of recent time. His faith however did not consist in a mere historical belief of those saving trnths which are there recorded; but having yielded to the sanctifying operation of the Holy Ghost and fire, he was made an experimental witness of the benefits of salvation, in and through Christ Jesus as our Mediator and Atonement, and could say with the apostle, " That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life ; that which we have seen and heard, declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us ; and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ." During the last twenty years of his life, his labours were principally confined to his own meeting, and those in the vicinity, where he had frequent religious service. Within a few years past his mind became deeply exercised under an apprehension, that a spirit of un- belief, in some of the essental doctrines of the Christian religion, was secretly spreading among the members of his own quarterly meeting. Although this subtle spirit made its insidious approaches under the specious guise of a high profession of spirituality in religion, and a sancti- monious exterior, yet he quickly detected it, and with much christian boldness laboured to expose its deceit, and the dangerous consequences which it would inevi- 104 SOLOMON UNDERHILL. tably produce. Unhappily, many deluded by it, some of whom became open advocates of unsound principles, boldly rejecting the truths of the gospel, and substituting for them, the plausible but fallacious systems of human contrivance. He continued, however, to the end of his days, to maintain a firm and undaunted testimony against it. Much persuasion and smooth profession of love were resorted to, in order to shake his faith ; and, when these were found to be ineffectual, a severe and cruel perse- cution was raised against him; but he remained un- moved amidst flatteries and reproaches. He was, however, subjected to deep suffering for conscience' sake. Some individuals who possessed much influence succeeded in their endeavours to exclude him from meetings for discipline, and for eleven months he was thus treated as an offender. His age, and consequent infirmities, together Avith much affliction from false brethren, so enfeebled his bodily frame, that he was never afterwards able to attend his monthly meeting. About twelve months before his decease, and while his case was before the monthly meeting, being often brought under great concern and sorrow on account of the state of the society of which he was a member, and feeling an ardent and affectionate desire for the eternal welfare of his friends, and for their preservation from the delusive snares of an unwearied and crafty adver- sary, who was busily endeavouring to draw them into unbelief, he wrote an address to the members of the quarterly meeting of Westbury, dated at Jerusalem, first month 22nd, 1826. But yielding to some dis- couragements, arising from his peculiar and very trying situation, he omitted to circulate it at that time, saying, " I think I now feel easy to leave it with my children, to do with it as they may judge proper, when I am no more." A short time previous to his death he expressed SOLOMON UNDERIIILL. 105 a desire that it might not be lost ; and it being brought to him for examination, he made some small additions to it, and remarked : " It now stands as I wish it. Believing that I shall shortly put off tliis my tabernaele, I leave it with my children as a proof that I do not consider these things, as some would persuade us, imma- terial matters, but subjects of the greatest importance. I FEEL AN EVIDENCE TO ATTEND MY MIND, THAT I HAVE NOT FOLLOWED CUNNINGLY DEVISED FABLES? but substantial TKUTH." He then signed the " Address," writing his name for the last time. During his last illness, which was a complication of diseases, he suffered much, especially from an asthmatic affection, which rendered his breathing laborious and painful, and at times prevented his lying down. Under these afflicting sensations he was ardently concerned that he might be preserved in patience, and in resignation to the Lord's will; remarking, that as he had not been tried with much bodily suffering through life, he feared his patience might not hold out to the end. Tins con- cern kept him so steadily on the watch, that he seldom made any complaint, meekly and cahny submitting to every dispensation of an all-wise Providence, however painful. Although his bodily weakness and infirmity were great, yet, through divine mercy, his understanding remained clear and collected until the close: his mind was preserved in quietude and holy confidence, trusting in the mercy and mediation of our adorable Redeemer, and looking forward to the period of his release from the pains and conflicts of time, with a hope full of immortality and eternal life. The hour of death is emphatically styled, "an honest hour;" — at this awful season dissimulation vanishes ; and the great realities of the world to come force themselves on our view. Such a moment is calculated to try the foundation on which the Christian's hope for eternity rests: and in the instance of this dear friend wc have another added to 106 SOLOMON UNDERHILL. that innumerable company of faithful witnesses, that have laid down their lives, in full assurance of salvation through the mediation and atonement of a crucified Saviour ; " looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of their faith." Throughout the whole course of his illness, his con- fidence in the rectitude of the principles and doctrines he held, remained unshaken; and his mind appeared peaceful and satisfied in the retrospect of his endeavours to withstand the torrent of infidelity. He uttered many weighty and instructive expressions, indicating the sweet and heavenly frame of his spirit; and gave much excellent advice to his children, and others who attended upon him. A few weeks previous to his decease, he addressed two of his children nearly as follows : viz. " My dear children, I expect soon to leave you. I feel as though my time here would not be long ; and the prospect is an agreeable one, though I should have been willing to have attended meetings a little longer with my friends ; but it does not seem likely that I shall ; and I think I may say with David : ' Although my house be not so with God, yet He hath made with me an everlast- ing covenant, ordered in all things and sure;' and I believe I have witnessed that, which will enable me to adopt the language of the apostle : ' I am crucified with Christ ; nevertheless I live ; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me ; and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God.' I hope, dear children, you will be given up to do the Masters will ; He hath done much for you, and is calling for faithfulness at your hands: thou, in an especial manner, dear (addressing one who had been introduced amongst Friends by convincement of the truth of our principles,) seeing thou hast been brought to join our society, mayst thou stand firm in the truth, and faithfully discharge the duties which devolve upon thee. I have remem- SOLOMON UNDERBILL. 107 bcred the declaration of the prophet : ' Strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your ploughmen and your vinedressers.' " A few days after, he said to his eldest son, " I shall not be here long, and I do not know that I desire it. I feel peace of mind ; I think I feel an assurance that enables me to say, ' I know that if my earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, I have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens:'" then turning to his daughter, he added, " I speak not this boastingly, but for your encourage- ment." About the same time, he expressed his great desire that his children might be diligent in attending meet- ings; "and not 2:0 there and sit down in an uncon- cerned manner, but remember for what purpose" they assembled, "and honestly put the query, 'what lack I yet.'" 16th of first month he said: "In seasons of desertion, which may be compared to the night, we must strive to keep on the watch, that our garments may not be defiled. There have been seasons in which I have felt much stripped and deserted ; then I have endeavoured to keep in the patience ; but when the dear Master has been pleased again to favour me with his presence, O, how comforting ! He said to his disciples formerly, ' My peace I leave with you ; my peace I give unto you :' when this can be enjoyed, it is a balm for every thing." 20th. Speaking of the necessity he found for watch- ing against an impatient disposition, he said, " One night, lying on my bed, being much oppressed in my breathing, and feeling little of that suppoi't which I have at times been favoured with, I thought my situation a trying one ; but was soon led to take a view of the sufferings of our divine Master when nailed to the cross ; and my murmuring thoughts were silenced." 108 SOLOMON UNDERBILL. At another time in the night season, as if in deep thought on this interesting theme, he exclaimed, ''What transcendent goodness ! love unfathomable ! He left the bosom of his Father, and took upon him the form of sinful man — endured all that they could inflict upon Him for our sakes, even offered Himself upon the cross for our sins, that we, through Him, might obtain salva- tion." One evening, after being laid on the bed, finding himself much exhausted, he said, " I do not feel anxious whether I live to see the light of another day or not. I feel comfortable in mind ; my peace is made ; the grave will have no victory ; it has been renewedly sealed to my understanding ; I have heard as it were a voice saying, ' thy name is written in heaven ! ' " 24th. He remai'ked to a friend, that he believed the present difficulties in our society were permitted for our good, that our foundations might be tried — that it would not hurt those who were firmly established ; but that which was built up of wood, hay, or stubble, the fire must consume. A few days after, to a friend from a distant land, who came to see him, he said, " My dear friend, I am glad to see thee; I believe thou hast many trials in being amongst us; but I have greatly desired thy encouragement, and that thou mayst stand firm through all; — for although the enemy may seem to vaunt himself, his power is limited. The state of things here is very trying ; yet I believe it would have been even worse, but for the faithful labours of divers Friends from your land, all speaking the same thing, united as the heart of one man." The friend remarking that the truth was worth suffering for, he replied, "Ay, it is so ; I have suffered for it, and am still willing to suffer." On taking leave of him, a desire was expressed that he might continue to the end in that comfortable state of mind, which he then enjoyed ; he said, " I hope SOLOMON UNDERBILL. 109 it may be so ; but I often feel very poor, and desire to have the prayers of the faithful." 4th of second month. His youngest son coming in, he said, "I am glad to see thee, my dear son: I desire that my children may dwell in love, and walk in the fear of the Lord. He has been my support through many and deep trials : He brought me out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock that was higher than I ; and He hath put a new song into my mouth, even praise to his name*" He was frequently engaged in lively exercise on account of the state of our religious society, and ardently concerned for the promotion of its real wel- fare. His solicitude for the preservation of a sound and living ministry among us, was earnest and fervent ; and he made some observations respecting it very near his close. During the last three or four hours of his life he said much, though frequently interrupted by great difficulty of breathing: he earnestly desired that those present might be given up to serve the Lord faithfully ; saying, it was a great consolation to him, that this had been his concern when young, and had continued to be his engagement through life, though oftentimes much in the cross to his natural inclination ; yet in humble, simple obedience he had found sweet peace. He re- marked that a religious life was far preferable, even if there was no future state, as our evil propensities Avere thereby brought into subjection, and the mind enjoyed the comfortable feelings of kindness, meekness, and humility. During the last conflict, he was engaged in reverent supplication, but the first part was not distinctly under- stood ; — he proceeded, " and O ! grant that my patience may hold out to the end — that neither Jew nor Gentile may have any cause to speak evil of the truth on my account." Near the same time he said, " It is through. 110 ISAAC MENNELL. tribulatian that we enter into rest ; we must fill up that which is behind of the sufferings of Christ, for the body's sake." He continued uttering many sweet and heavenly expressions, until the power of speech had nearly failed: when he could no longer articulate dis- tinctly, a harmonious sound still proceeded from his dying lips; and a frequent repetition of "the Holy One," was clearly understood. He departed in great serenity and composure of mind, on the 5 th of the second month, 1827. — Aged about 78 years; a minister fifty-four years. Isaac Mennell was the son of Thomas and Dorothy Mennell, of Malton. In the early part of his life he went to sea, and passed through many of the trials incident to the life of a sailor. When nearly out of his apprenticeship, he was impressed, and taken on board a man-of-war, in which great pains were used, by pro- mises of promotion, to induce him to remain, and abandon his religious principles, but he resisted these solicitations ; and making his situation known to his friends, they exerted themselves on his behalf; and urging that he was one of the people called Quakers, and their well known scruple of conscience against war, on account of its inconsistency with Christianity, which breathes " Peace on earth, and good will to men," they succeeded in obtaining his liberation. At another time he was shipwrecked near Memel, in the Plato, under his own command, but little being saved from the wreck, except his clothes and bed ; and this, having become impregnated with salt water, not- withstanding it was again carefully dried, afterwards contracted damp; and by sleeping upon it, he took a rheumatic fever, which brought him to all appearance near to the grave. After this illness he returned no more to sea ; but a ISAAC MENNELL. Ill short time before his marriage with Martha, youngest daughter of Nathan and Mary Dcarman, of Thorne, which took place in the year 1800, he settled at Scarbo- rough, as a Linen and Woollen Draper ; which business he continued to pursue during the remainder of his life ; and, in conducting it, his agreeable manners, combined with strict integrity and uprightness, gained for him the respect and esteem of all who were acquainted with him. He was an affectionate husband, and a tender parent ; a remarkably kind neighbour, and a true friend; often proving himself to be such by kindly helping those who stood in need of assistance, in any way in which he could render it to them ; and he was careful, in his acts of charity, which were many, to attend to the sacred injunction, " When thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:" so that his liberality was comparatively little known till after his death ; when it appeared from numerous witnesses, that he had often extended a helping hand, not to the indigent only, but also to such as he apprehended were struo-o-lmo; with difficulties in other stations of life. As he advanced in years he became increasingly interested in the concerns of the religious Society of which he was a member, and also in those of Societies and Associations for the promotion of the best interests of mankind generally ; and took a usefully active part in them. A few months before his decease, he told one of his relations that he had, through the course of his life, made it a rule to attend to the apostolic injunction, ** As much as in you lies, live peaceably with all men ; " and to this end his care not to injure any, either by giving way to detraction or by spreading reports which might tend to lessen them in the estimation of others greatly contributed : and he often checked these fertile causes of strife, by discouraging them when they occurred in his presence. 112 ISAAC MENNELL. His last illness was a very trying one. For sixteen weeks he was unable to lie clown, or in the slightest degree to recline in his chair, or to have his legs raised up; and towards the latter part of his time, he had several attacks of excruciating pain from spasms at the chest. But he was enabled to bear all his trials and privations with Christian patience and resignation, and to witness them to be blessed to him. His life appeared to his fellow men beautifully upright and consistent ; yet, in the early part of his illness, he was brought into great exercise of mind, and given to see with clearness, that, notwithstanding much comfort is to be derived from the recollection of those things which have been done aright, they nevertheless cannot recommend man to divine mercy, nor justify him in the sight of his Creator, because they are no more than our reasonable duty ; and that as all men have in many ways sinned, and fallen short of the glory of God, there is therefore no other ground of hope, but through the propitiatory sacrifice of Christ, and the mercy of God offered to man for Christ's sake, on condition of repent- ance and faith in Him: and, after a season of deep humiliation and conflict he was favoured to witness the efficacy of these means, and to receive a clear evidence in his mind, through the Holy Spirit, that all the transgressions of his past life were blotted out, and a place prepared for him in the regions of eternal bliss amongst all those who "have washed their garments and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." In the night of the 8th of the twelfth month, 1828, his sufferings were very great ; and he thought his end very near, and often spoke of it. At one time he said, " Three weeks ago, the prospect of leaving my dear Avifc and children was more than I could bear ; now it is as nothing." He addressed every individual of the family, including servants and apprentices ; and amongst much other excellent counsel pressed upon the attention ISAAC MENNELL. 113 of each of them, the great importance of attending to the Light of Christ, in the secret of their own hearts, in order that they might be preserved from transgres- sion, and enabled to walk in the way of salvation. He took an affectionate leave of them all, and also of his medical attendants; to whom he extended the same counsel, and thanked them for their kindness and attention to him. On the 2nd of first month, 1829, after sitting a while in silence with a friend whom he greatly esteemed, he spoke of the unmerited mercy which had been extended to him ; saying, many had been his omissions and com- missions, and great his want of faithfulness to the manifestations of duty ; he commemorated the conde- scending goodness of the Most High, to one who felt himself to be so poor a creature ; and which had enabled him to give up his wife and children, and every other thing; and again repeated, "It is all of mercy — un- merited mercy." At another time, when about retiring to rest, he recpaested those present to sit down ; and soon after, he prayed very earnestly for the preservation of his dear wife and family, and also for the servants. On the 10th he said to his wife, " I believe I have seen my passage clear. Whenever the change takes place, endeavour to be still and composed." On her afterwards asking him if he was comfortable, he replied, " Yes, very happy ; " and then said something respecting being of the true fold, which could not be distinctly collected on account of the weakness of his voice. At many other times, in the course of his illness, he extended excellent counsel to his family and servants ; and the last time that his children were, at his particular request, collected about him, after expressing his feelings of tender love for every individual of them, in a very affectionate manner, he strongly recommended the frecpient reading of the Holy Scriptures, and keeping i 114 SARAH KNIGHT. to the principles of Friends ; in which he expressed his confidence, that great satisfaction as well as safety would be found. On the 16 th of first month, when his wife was stand- ing by him, he said, " Farewell, farewell all. I am very comfortable — happy indeed." And on the morning of the 17th, being asked by one of his sons, who was sitting up with him, if he felt comfortable, he replied, " Yes ; " very, very, very ; " and soon after quietly expired, on the 17th of first month, 1829, aged 59 years ; leaving a consoling assurance on the minds of his relations, that he had quitted his afflicted tabernacle to enter on a state of blessedness in that kingdom where the redeemed of the Lord rejoice for ever before Him. Sarah Knight, daughter of Samuel and Mary Jesup, was born on the 22nd of ninth month, 1798. In the fifth month of the following year her mother was removed by death, after an illness of about two weeks ; during which time, in the prospect of her dissolution, she expressed her belief, that her two dear children would not be permitted to know the Avant of a mother's care. In the eighth month, 1803, the surviving parent took a second wife, upon whom devolved the interesting and important charge of the daughter, until she had attained the age of about thirteen years, after which time she passed two years at school. On her return home, she continued under the parental roof, until her marriage with Thomas Knight, of Colchester, in the fifth month, 1821. She was endowed with good natural abilities, pos- sessed a remarkable quickness of perception, and great vivacity of temper She was prone to indulge in a satirical mode of expression, and not unfrequently was, in consequence, involved in distress and self-condemna- tion. Her will was strong; and the conflict between SARAH KNIGHT. 115 the sinful tendencies of fallen nature, and the convictions of the Holy Spirit, with which she was mercifully favoured, was often great. She also keenly felt those restraints which her parents believed it their duty tenderly, though firmly, to enforce, frequently evincing compunction on account of the prevalence of her vain propensities. In reference to this subject, an extract from a letter is here given, which she wrote in the year 1818, to one of her young friends. "If I had been but enough inclined to profit by advice on important subjects, I see and believe, that ere this I should have missed many an hour of remorse and sorrow." After other observations, she adds: "My heart seems to open unbidden, to pour forth its com- plaints to one, who though far before me, can yet condescend to turn back, and cast an eye of pity on those who, daily giving way to temptation, and seeing their errors, sometimes almost earnestly crave to be what their Creator intended them to be— a people not conformed to this world. Though we are not aU called to the same work, yet we may all forward the great cause, by becoming preachers of righteousness in conduct and conversation." After her marriage, there is reason to believe that her mind was renewedly visited by divine grace, and that she sincerely desired to fulfil the duties of her new and important station with propriety. In the Spring of 1822, she became the mother of a little girl. She has often since been heard to remark, that her love of taste was too much suffered to prevail, instead of simplicity, in her views respecting this in- teresting charge. In the Autumn of the same year she was visited with lono- and severe illness, which confined her for several months; during which time she was deeply humbled, under a consideration of former unwatchfulness, and was I 2 116 SARAH KNIGHT. led to desire that greater circumspection might in future prevail. Yet, when favoured with returning health, the force of these impressions, in degree, abated; she still stumbled at the cross, and thus the growth of the pure seed was retarded. But it pleased her Heavenly Father to follow her with his chastisements, and in the Autumn of 1825 she had another long and severe attack of illness, when her recovery appeared doubtful. Under this dispensation, deep instruction was sealed upon her mind ; and the truths of the gospel were so mercifully unfolded, that the foundation was laid for that decided change of character, which was progressively developed during the remainder of her life. A memorandum, dated 5th of the eleventh month, 1826, referring to this illness, was found after her decease, which is here introduced. "And now, Oh! how shall I commemorate the Almighty's gracious and wonderful condescension to me, who has plucked my feet, in degree, out of the mire and clay, and set them upon a rock, and hath put a new song into my mouth, even praises to our God ! Humility and gratitude, I think I endeavour to pray for. It is now about twelve months since I lay ill of a brain fever, and the mercy and goodness I then experienced, may I never forget ! I think I then saw things too mighty for me to record now. Oh ! that I may not forget the vows I then made; but rather, that I may pray daily for strength to fulfil them in the right time. The following letter also refers to the same period. " I confess to thee that I have been troubled with a reasoning mind ; and it pleased infinite wisdom, in His adorable mercy, when I was laid on that bed of sickness, which I hope and pray I may never forget, clearly to unfold some of the mysteries which my poor weak nature had at times stumbled at ; and so clearly to point out the necessity and efficacy of the Saviour's atoning sacrifice, for otherwise lost, fallen man, that I can never describe SARAH KNIGHT. 117 how much my whole soul was wrapped in admiration and thanksgiving at the stupendous mercy. I was then instructed to see that it was not for me to attempt to dive into the why and the wherefore; but that, without a Saviour or Redeemer, we had been lost for ever ; and whoever is favoured to gain an admittance into the heavenly city, it will be through the redeeming power and atoning sacrifice of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." From the time of her recovery, she appears to have been engaged in desire daily to maintain the warfare, and to press forward towards the mark for the prize of her high calling of God in Christ Jesus ; and that she might be enabled to surrender her will and affections to Him who had graciously visited her soul. She had for some years believed, that if she were faithful to mani- fested duty, it would be required of her publicly to espouse the Lord's cause ; and when the time drew near for this open and avowed dedication, the recollection of her former unwatchfulness and inconsistencies often humbled her spirit ; and much fear pervaded her mind, lest she should move in such an awful work, before she had endured the necessary baptism for the refinement and purification of the vessel. The exercises and con- flicts of her mind on this subject, are strikingly conveyed, in letters to two or three intimate friends, from which the following paragraphs are extracted. Ninth month, 1826. "I wish to tell thee, I hope in great simplicity, that I have long, perhaps I might say for years, believed, that if I ever became what my Heavenly Father designed, I must occupy some con- spicuous part in the church ; this my nature has always shrunk from, more than I can describe. Much, very much dross remains yet to be taken away, before I can acceptably lift up a finger for the law and the testimony. 118 SARAH KNIGHT. I often think, how much more difficult it is to purify some vessels than others." Tenth month, 1826. "Humility, faithfulness, and obedience are what I do desire to pray for. Oh ! there are times when it seems as if it would be meat and drink to do the will of our Heavenly Father; and I would almost say, I long for the right time to offer the sacrifice. Then again I faint, and am ready to beg to be excused ; and I believe I feel it harder than many, to give up my own strong, high will, and to be re- deemed from the many hindering things, and, above all, the reasonings. The things I most fear are clisobe- dience, with all its attendant darkness ; — the construing the workings of an active and nervously weakened imagination into a command, and so being almost worse than disobedient ; — and the fear of man. But oh ! while I write, I feel as if nothing could be so sweet as the firm belief that I should be enabled f to do thy will, O God;' and therein to experience preservation." On the 5th of the eleventh month, 1826, she first appeared in the ministry in her own meeting at Col- chester. The peace of mind which succeeded this public act of dedication, is described in the following memorandum. "Oh! what can I render to a very merciful Provi- dence, for his goodness and condescension to such a worm as myself, amidst innumerable weaknesses and infirmities. On first-day morning, the 5 th of the eleventh month, it pleased infinite wisdom first to call upon me to open my mouth in a meeting of Friends in this town. I stood up with these words : ' A Saviour, or I die ; a Redeemer, or I perish for ever.' And oh ! the flood of comfort I was permitted, in unmerited mercy, to feel poured into my poor mind ! Oh ! my soul, let me often recur to this time ; and never let me forget the condescending goodness of a merciful Redeemer. SARAH KNIGHT. 119 The conflict and exercise I had undergone, produced some indisposition ; but all feeling of bodily ailment was taken away, in the feeling of peace and happiness the heart enjoyed." The subjoined letters further pourtray her feelings relative to her call to the ministry. Eleventh month, sixth. "With respect to my own poor self, it is gratitude, humble, heartfelt gratitude, I desire to offer, and which I trust I do feel a portion of. Pray that we may rejoice with trembling. "Whilst I am writing, I afresh feel that it will only be by 'deaths oft,' that I can hope to obtain preservation; so numerous are my weaknesses and besetments. Oh! who needs despair of the mercy of God through Christ Jesus, whilst i" can lift up my head in hope. Let me tell thee, that after a conflict which I cannot, dare not describe, (and yet, I am ready to think, not more severe than on some former occasions,) how mercifully clear was the command, and strength vouchsafed beyond finite con- ception. Oh ! I can only say, marvellous loving-kind- ness ! abundant mercy ! making previous conflicts and sufferings all light, and comparatively nothing. I think I cannot close without saying, ' Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty ; just and true are all thy ways, thou king of saints.'" Eleventh month. " Oh ! if I could with sufficient o-ra- titude acknowledge the transcendent excellency and ten-fold reward of endeavouring to perform the divine will ? Whilst I write, I feel myself as a brand plucked from the burning, permitted to testify that it is so ; but I think I do desire to write cautiously. I often feel instructed in thinking of Peter's denial." From this time, until indisposition prevented her attendance of meetings, she was frequently engaged, in a weighty and impressive manner, to espouse her great Master's cause; and there is ground to believe, that 120 SAEAH KNIGHT. brief as was the period in which she was spared to the church, her dedication to the service of her Lord will long be instructively remembered by her friends. Having, in adorable mercy, been made sensible that there is no joy to be compared with the joy of God's salvation, she felt an earnest solicitude that her young friends might also be brought to the same blessed experience; and she was frequently engaged, both in public and private, in endeavouring to convince them how inexpressibly sweet and precious is that peace which is vouchsafed to those who yield submission to the yoke of Christ. The subjoined extract from a letter evinces how much she desired to be conformed to the divine will, and that those who were associated with her might be subject unto it. "Let us remember, that to devote every talent and faculty to the service of a crucified Saviour, compre- hends a great deal. Oh ! whilst I write, I feel how fearfully thy poor weak friend falls short. Have we not with sincerity supplicated at the footstool of divine grace, to be enabled to devote every talent and faculty to our Heavenly Father? Let us then trust, that as we are daily engaged to offer our petitions, we shall be enabled to see what is in the mixture, and to come out therefrom. I have of late been afresh convinced of the necessity of our coming out from the hindering things, as much and as often as possible, and endeavouring by prayer to cast all crowns at the feet of the divine master. Methinks my dear friend will respond to the sigh I can but heave when I note this, feeling, as I do, my own extreme unwillingness to give up all that would gratify self, particularly in my pursuits and habits, conduct and conversation. This afternoon, when we settled into silence, and it seemed as if there were a little true ability, although in much weakness, to cast ourselves at the footstool of divine mercy, clothed as we felt ourselves with infirmities, oh ! how convincing was the SARAH KNIGHT. 121 feeling of the transcendent excellency of such holy quiet, of such heavenly calmness as we then felt : surely it warmed our hearts in a manner nothing earthly could ! Yes, and it afresh convinced us, that none of the things of time can satisfy the longings of an immortal mind. Her health during the latter periods of her life, was very delicate, and she had frequent attacks of indis- position. These dispensations afforded her much time for quiet retirement, and were undoubtedly mercifully intended for her instruction and refinement. The favoured state of her mind, under these privations, may be gathered from letters written during some of these seasons of trial ; from one of which the following is extracted. " Thou judgest rightly, that even bodily afflictions may be made subservient to our best good. May I experience this : I think I may say, with humble hope, that I have in degree experienced it. Many times, when my kind friends have expressed sympathy and concern for my privations and illness, I have felt that I did not need it — that I had comfort and resources beyond every enjoyment that health only can bestow. Oh ! then, how can I evince my gratitude to so con- descendingly gracious a God? surely only by simple obedience. I have always found the enemy very busy at such times, in endeavouring to occupy the mind in too frivolous a manner ; and yet I should be truly ungrateful, if I did not acknowledge the heavenly, peaceful, sometimes almost rapturous seasons I have experienced ; the consideration and acknowledgement of which, while I am writing, humbles me into the depths of insignificance. Mercy, unbounded mercy, I can indeed sing of; not but that, indeed, when taking a close scrutiny, I have to deplore time mispent, favours unnoticed, and tempers uncontrolled. And yet, to be 122 SARAH KNIGHT. so favoured with quiet, soul-sustaining feelings ! I often think, ' Oh! could the worlding know, &c.'" Her last illness, which commenced in the tenth month, 1827, originated in taking a severe cold, which was followed by the rupture of a blood-vessel, an occur- rence which had taken place in a former illness. This was succeeded by an intermitting fever, which confined her to her bed for several weeks at a time, and which was never entirely subdued ; though she was for some time so much relieved from the severity of the attack, as to admit of her being brought down stairs, to spend some hours daily in the family. About the middle of the fourth month, 1828, a great increase of debility, with symptons decidedly consumptive, were so apparent, as to occasion the most serious apprehensions in the minds of her affectionate husband and near connexions. She was at times able to enjoy the company of her friends, till within a few days of her decease, to some of whom she gave affectionate counsel. She appeared during her long affliction, to be gradually preparing for an eternal inheritance. On the 19th of the fifth month she said to a relation, " It must be through stupenduous mercy, if ever I am permitted to enter into happiness." On the 26th she said, " I clearly see I dare not trust in any thing short of the unmerited mercy of redeeming love : what a favour to get to this ! How peaceful I feel. Some- times I am afraid I am too happy and peaceful ; but I believe it is the enemy who tells me so." Seeing her husband deeply affected, she said, "We have found many hard things made easy. If I am taken, I have clearly seen that thou and the dear girl will be wonder- fully supported." After some other remarks, she added, " All I have to do is to trust in the dear Son of God, who has forgiven me much." Her breathing SARAH KNIGHT. 123 becoming more difficult, she said, "Pray for me, dear Thomas — I know thou dost : pray for patience, 'that I may not murmur. I have been mercifully dealt with : I have had but little suffering, but this is humiliating indeed ; yet I can proclaim, all is in mercy. Through the unmerited mercy of the dear Redeemer, I feel sweet peace. I hope it is not the enemy at work." In a few minutes she added, " Oh ! no, I feel it is not ; but I am assured it is substantial peace I feel." In the evening she took a calm farewell of her little girl ; but was much affected after she left the room. On the 27 th, her father, brother, and one of her sisters, arrived at Colchester, when she appeared to be so nir gone, that some hesitation was felt about intro- ducing either of them into the sick chamber; but on her brother's entering the room, and sitting quietly out of sight, she asked who was present ; and on being informed, and that her father and sister were below, she expressed a wish to see them. To her brother she said, " May we strive so to live, and so to walk, that we may all meet again." To her sister, " I charge thee, and I charge you all, seriously — tell the dear girls (meaning her other sisters) I charge them not to follow my example; tell them not to look to others for example, but to Him who has forgiven me. I regret that I set you such an example ; but through the mercy of Jesus Christ our Saviour, I am forgiven. He has forgiven much. I must testify of his goodness — mercy, mercy, is all I have to testify of." She afterwards inquired particularly after her sister's health, and said, " Take care of the poor body ; but, above all, take care of the immortal part." One present observed, in allusion to the dear invalid, "What a favour that the immortal part has been cared for." To which she replied, "Remember, I particularly wish to keep in view my particular unworthiness." In the course of this day she expressed a desire, that 124 SARAH KNIGHT. all her dear young friends might be instructed by her situation. " Tell them," said she, " that since Christ has visited my soul, I have experienced more true happiness than at any former period of my life. I was made sensible, on this bed, three years ago, that Jesus Christ died for me, and for all, rich and poor." After- wards she said to a friend in attendance, "Dost not thou think the lamp is about going out?" who, in reply, alluded to the favour of her having a supply of oil in the vessel, and that, through redeeming mercy, the lamp would burn with greater lustre and brightness in the kingdom of heaven. She answered, " It will, it will : it is all love and mercy." In the evening she was permitted to feel some relief from suffering, occa- sioned by the affection of her breath, and distinctly said, " I can now say, not my will, but thine, O God, be done. Grant me, I pray thee, one of the lowest seats in thy kingdom — one of the lowest ;" adding, " O righteous Father, if this cup of suffering may not pass from me, except I drink it, not my will, but thine be done." A few hours before the close, she again said, " Pray for me that my patience may hold out to the end." A friend present was engaged to offer the vocal petition, for an easy passage and a happy dismissal from her state of suffering, when dear Sarah clasped her hands and exclaimed, "Amen and amen, saith my poor soul." About a cpiarter of an hour previous to her dissolu- tion, she said to one present, " My dear friend, I feel so happy in the prospect of futurity ! surely it cannot be wrong." Reply was made, " My dear, do not doubt." She answered, " I don't, I don't." A few minutes before her departure she requested to be turned on her side, after which she lay perfectly still. The gradually increasing shortness of her breathing only indicated the near approach of death, which occurred on fourth day morning, the 28th of fifth month, 1828, DAVID SUTTON. 125 when her redeemed spirit was permitted, we doubt not, to enter into the joy of her Lord. Aged about twenty- nine years. The memoir of this beloved friend appears calculated to afford to the humble Christian, an encouraging evidence of the sufficiency of divine grace. Notwith- standing that her natural volatile temperament and unbending will were peculiarly adverse to the increase of true religion in her heart, yet, through the power of redeeming love, she was enabled to obtain the victory ; and in the trying hour of sickness, and in the awful prospect of death, was favoured with that hope, which is " as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast ;" and whilst humbled under the consciousness of her own unworthiness, was consoled with the evidence, that, through the mercy of the dear Redeemer, her sins were forgiven; and with the belief, that an entrance would be administered unto her into His everlasting kingdom. Although "Honourable age is not that which standeth in length of time, nor that which is measured by number of years," yet, " The hoary head is a crown of glory if it be found in the way of righteousness ;" and there is something peculiarly encouraging in the con- templation of the lives of such, as, throughout a very lengthened course, have been enabled, by the effectual working of divine power, to run with patience the race set before them, and to hold out to the end in well doing. Of this we have an instructive and animating in- stance in David Sutton of Newcastle-on-Tyne, who from youth to the advanced age of 94, was enabled to walk in the fear of the Lord, to grow in religious experience, and in favour with his brethren in Christian fellowship. He was born at Scotby, near Carlisle, and resided- 126 DAVID SUTTON. with his parents until he was about twenty-five years of age; when he removed to Newcastle for improvement in the line of his business, that of a house carpenter, where he continued for a few months. During this period, he became acquainted with Rebecca Moor ; to whom, a few years afterwards, he was united in mar- riage, and finally settled in Newcastle. In the latter years of his life, he was sometimes led to admire the wisdom and goodness of divine Providence, by whose interposition and guidance he believed he had been led to this conclusion. It may be said of him, that having sought the Lord as his morning light, he found him to be a sure guide, director and deliverer, in his varied trials and difficulties; and in his declining years, He was often the joyful theme of his evening song. When he left the parental roof for Newcastle, his father accompanied him on foot a few miles. When they parted, David became very thoughtful ; and proceeding a little onward, he stopped by the way-side, where he was led to supplicate the Lord, like the patriarch of old : beseeching that He would be with him whither he was going. His petition was graciously answered, the divine blessing evidently attended him, and he became a valuable member of our religious society. In 1773, he was appointed by the monthly meeting to the sta- tions of overseer and elder ; which important offices he continued usefully to fill, during the long period of fifty-six years : performing services incumbent upon those who occupy such stations, until within the last month of his life ; being favoured to retain Ins mental faculties, as well as his spiritual perception, with extra- ordinary strength and clearness. He was twice married. On the occasion of the death of his first wife, he thus expresses his feelings ; " I desire to be centred in resignation to the divine will, being well satisfied that our loss is her eternal gain ; — that she mingles with kindred spirits ; the spirits of just men, DAVID SUTTON. 127 made perfect through the blood of the Lamb ; — and unites in singing her Creator and Redeemer's praise. The earnest prayer of my mind is, that this deep affliction may be sanctified to me ; that I may be enabled to live the few succeeding days which may be allotted me, so as to bring no stain upon the memory of the deceased, or reproach upon my profession ; but that I may be favoured to lay down my head in peace, as she hath done." He gave up his business about thirty-two years before his decease ; but he was careful to guard against con- tracting a habit of inactivity and indolence, which in some cases creeps upon those who are similarly circum- stanced. He spent much of his time in the exercise of gardening, which he believed contributed to the preservation of his mental as well as bodily vigour, and was almost daily engaged in kind and fatherly visits to his relations and friends ; many of whom were often edified and instructed by his counsel and example. He was diligent in his attendance of our religious meetings for worship and discipline. In the mainte- nance of our discipline he was very useful, knowing its value well : and being of a weighty discerning spirit, he was a firm and upright pillar in the church. When required to deal with delinquents, the meekness, tender- ness, and long-suffering which he evinced, united to much firmness and decision in support of our Christian testimonies, gained him the esteem and affection of many of those who found the narrow path which he recommended, too strait for themselves to walk in. It was his frequent practice, on the approach of times of more than ordinary public excitement and tempta- tion, to give an affectionate caution to his youno- friends, to beware of being drawn aside from the paths of virtue, by giving way to the desires after vain sports or other improper indulgences. This he occasionally did at the close of a meeting for worship; and some- 128 DAVID SUTTON. times in the fervency of his spirit, he would express something of a more solemn nature. As an evidence of his pious zeal, evinced in this way, it may be mentioned that in the Summer of 1827, when in the ninety-first year of his age, he rose near the close of a forenoon meeting, and expressed himslf to the following import, " The fathers, where are they ? the prophets, do they live for ever ? The answer is, no ! Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble. He cometh forth as a flower, and is cut down : he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not; but the living eternal word of God endureth for ever. We have often heard this word powerfully preached among us, by the minis- try of the gospel. Let me entreat all, especially our dear young friends, to take diligent heed to this Eternal Word. It will guide you safely through life, and be your comfort in death : but if you neglect such great salvation, great will be your condemnation." Although our endeared friend was favoured to attain to so great an age, he was not exempt from occasional illness ; and suffered from a tendency to dropsy in his legs, for the last forty years. About two years before his death, he was confined by illness to the house for several months ; and on this occasion, had an apprehen- sion that his dissolution was drawing near. The precious and heavenly sweetness that clothed his spirit and seasoned his conversation, was instructive and edifying. He was enabled to confide in the mercy, and to taste the loving-kindness of his gracious God and Saviour; and frequently was led to speak well of his name. From this illness he recovered, and was again permitted to join the assemblies of his brethren for divine worship; and was enabled to sit a monthly meeting till within a few weeks of his death, and to travel eight miles from home on a similar occasion, only a few months previous. In his last illness, he was confined to his house for DORCAS BROWN. 129 about five weeks; and though at times his sufferings were great, through oppression in his breathing, yet he was serene and peaceful, and at times cheerful, though quite sensible that his end was approaching : his counte- nance beaming with love upon all around him. About nine hours before his decease, on the 20th of second month, 1829, he requested that the 53rd chapter of Isaiah might be read to him ; evincing his firm reliance on the benefits of the Propitiatory Sacrifice of Christ : though he was then too weak for much expression. A while after, saying that he should soon be released, he fell into a gentle sleep, and breathed his last ; his puri- fied spirit taking its flight in the most peaceful manner, for ever to dwell, we reverently trust, in the presence of his Lord and Saviour. " Let the elders who rule well be accounted worthy of double honour:" and we can in no way so truly honour then- memory, as by cleaving to that faith, confiding in that power, and yielding to the influence of that grace, by which they thus obtained a good report; and through faith and patience inherit the promises. Dorcas Brown was the second wife of Kichard Marks Brown, of Luton, in Bedfordshire. They were united in the year 1812, when the maternal care of three children by a former connexion, devolved upon her. She was naturally of a diffident turn of mind, and very unassuming in her religious character ; but she appears to have been diligent in her pursuit of the one thing needful, and exemplary in the performance of her duties to others : so that in the hour of sickness and death, she was favoured with the consoling presence of Him whom she had humbly endeavoured to serve. She was much endeared to her children by her kind and affectionate behaviour, scrupulously endeavouring 130 DORCAS BROWN. to make no distinction between her own, six in number, and the elder branches of the family ; except by giving the preference to the latter. She was a diligent attender of meetings for worship and discipline, not only on the first, but on other days of the week ; and for the accomplishment of this latter object, she had frequently to press through a crowd of outward concerns ; but there is cause to believe these sacrifices proved the means of her advance- ment in the way of holiness. It may truly be said of her, that "she was ready to do good, and willing to distribute;" the poor found in her a kind and sympa- thising friend ; and she often privately administered to their wants, and freely gave up a portion of her time from her numerous family engagements, to unite in services of a charitable and benevolent character. During an illness of nearly seven weeks, she was favoured with a remarkable degree of tranquillity and resignation of mind ; and evinced the liveliness of her faith and hope by the following expressions. On 3rd day morning, the 27th of first month, after a night of great quietude, she inquired the opinion of her medical attendant, saying, " Thou need not be afraid to tell me ; I feel no alarm." In the evening, her mind appeared largely to partake of divine consolation and refreshment; in the experience of which, she said, "I feel the love of my Heavenly Father flow in a manner that I cannot express : it appears marvellous that one so unworthy should be thus favoured. I feel an assu- rance beyond a doubt, that if I am removed all will be well, and an admittance granted into the kingdom of rest and peace. I could not have expressed this a few days ago : for though I hoped I felt resigned, I had not that evidence of which I am now a partaker. Blessed be the Almighty ! He has supported me in a wonderful manner ; and I believe He will enable me to keep hold of faith and patience to the end ; though it may be, that DORCAS BROWN. 131 after this season of altogether unmerited favour, I may again be tried with the buffetings of the enemy ; but surely after what I have experienced, I cannot let go my confidence." She spoke with much affection of her husband and family, saying, she was made willing to leave them; though it was wisely hidden from her, whether she should recover or not. The issue was in his hands who doeth all things well. At several times she gave impressive counsel to her children, most affectionately exhorting the eldest to seek for best wisdom and direction, that she might be strengthened in the performance of the duties likely to devolve upon her. After this she said to her sister, " Dear sister ! I cannot express what I have felt tlus day of my Heavenly Father's love. Magnified and adored be his holy name ! I cannot speak enough of his goodness. May all that is within me bless and praise him, for what he hath done for me. I scarcely believed it possible for any one to feel that sweet assurance, that I have been favoured with. There is nothing in the way; every thing is removed; and a certain evidence granted, that a glorious mansion is prepared for me, when this earthly tabernacle is dissolved. I cannot speak enough of his goodness and unspeakable loving- kindness ! * Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name ! ' It is out of my power to give utterance to one half of what I feel of the goodness of my blessed Saviour; nor did I think it possible for such a poor, unworthy creature to be so regarded ; that there is no room for any one to be discouraged; but as they put their whole trust in him, He will be near unto all as He has been unto me ; and will give them that peace which the world can neither give nor take away." She also said, it was no wonder if dignified servants who had long been devoted to their master's service, should have triumphantly to rejoice at K 2 132 DORCAS J1ROWN. the solemn close; but for her who had done nothing and was so totally unworthy, to feel such an extension of divine regard, was marvellous indeed ! She took leave of her husband and children with entire composure ; giving the latter much instruction and advice in a remarkably weighty manner. In the night she seemed filled with joy, and said she had "nothing to do but to wait the Lord's time — no cloud in the way. No ! I am assux*ed that if I am taken this night, I shall be unspeakably happy." At another time she thus prayed : " Now Lord, if it be thy blessed will, take me to thyself. Thy servant is ready ; there does not appear any thing to keep me ; nothing to say or do that I know of; yet if thou should see meet to continue me a while longer, grant me patience to wait thy time, until thou art pleased to say, ' It is enough.' O ! then stretch forth thine arms, and receive me to a mansion of glory." Then she said, " I have been a very sinful creature ; but my Heavenly Father has been so good and gracious, that my sins have been made white as snow. He has cast them all behind his back : so that none need to be discouraged ; for he can do for them as he hath done for me. I cannot speak enough of his goodness. I know not how this illness may terminate; but if it be his blessed will, I had rather go ; there is nothing in the way. But if he should continue me a while longer, I hope to be re- signed ! not knowing what further He may have for me to do ; but may I never forget his unspeakable loving- kindness as long as I have breath." At another time : " O this nice soft bed ! delightfully easy it is ! ' Jesus can make a dying bed, As soft as downy pillows are ; ' " frequently saying those lines were verified in her ex- perience. Fourth day morning, the 28th. Her mind continued DORCAS BKOWN. 133 in a very favoured state; but her bodily strength appearing to be rapidly on the decline, she was advised to keep as still as she could : on which she said, " I want to tell my dear friends how much has been effected for me ; (the work is great, but it has been made easy beyond what I could have conceived;) that they may place their trust in the same divine power." To her medical attendant, she then said, " I hope thou wilt be brought to this experience." At another opportunity she desired her husband not to grieve, but give her up freely, believing there never would be a time when she should be better prepared: saying, it Avas awful for her to look at returning to the world again, knowing the many snares and temptations that awaited us; adding, "Death has no terrors, nor will the grave have any victory." She also repeated these lines : " God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform : He plants his footsteps in the sea, And rides upon the storm." On 5th day, the 29th, she again expressed the peace- fulness of her feelings and the sense of her own unworthiness, adding, " ' For all I bless thee ; most for the severe.' I have had many stripping seasons, have passed through many fears and doubts, before I at- tained to this confidence, this perfect confidence. I now feel, that I shall be favoured with an admittance within the pearl gates, and if I may but be a door-keeper in the house of my God, it is all I desire. The prospect of again meeting my near and dear connexions, in an endless eternity, is a glorious prospect. I could not express these things of myself. I have nothing of my own. I have frequently sat in meetings under such poverty of spirit, as to be ready to believe I was a hindrance to others receiving good ; yet I have at times felt desires, though in much weakness, that myself and 134 DORCAS BROWN. my dear husband might be preserved in sincerity and uprightness of heart, and be examples of true simplicity ; though I am sensible I have fallen short therein." She then expressed her desires for her family, particularly that they might experience a growth in that which was good, be preserved in true simplicity, and in love and harmony with each other; saying, she believed her illness was permitted, not only for her own refinement, but that it was particularly designed for the instruction and benefit of some of her family. She also remarked, that on a retrospection of her past life, she could see cause gratefully to acknowledge many remarkable instances of the superintending power and goodness of her Heavenly Father; and she had felt a strong desire, that whatever bodily affliction might be permitted to attend her, she might be favoured to have her faculties clear ; which petition was mercifully granted to her throughout her illness. For several succeeding days, she expressed but little ; but a sweet serenity appeared to attend her, and her lips were several times seen to move, as if engaged in sup- plication. One of the children going to her bed-side, just before he went to meeting, she reminded him that he was going to wait upon the Lord ; and that he must endeavour to get into a right frame of mind to worship Him. To another she recommended self-examination, ex- pressing her hope that she would every night, on going to bed, consider how she had spent the day, and if she had said or done anything amiss, pray for forgiveness; also that she would pay attention to what she read in the Bible ; and when she did not understand the mean- ing, pray that her Heavenly Father would be pleased to reveal to her understanding what was needful for her to know ; she would then find much comfort in reading the Scriptures as she passed through life. She presented each of her children with a Bible, ANN BACKHOUSE. 135 accompanying the present with suitable counsel and instruction. She cautioned a near relation against being too much involved with the cares and incumberances of business, saying, there was much danger on that hand, and that such things availed little when brought to a sick bed. From the fluctuating state of her disorder, a hope was sometimes expressed for her recovery, which she would gently repress ; and when thought to be improving, the calm and undisturbed state of her mind, seemed to evince her dependence to be on the sure Foundation. She was clothed with universal love ; and in this happy state of mind, her bodily strength gradually sunk, and she peacefully and quietly breathed her last, on the 28th of second month, 1829, aged 30 years. Ann Backhouse was the daughter of John and Eliza Backhouse of Darlington, and was born there the 2nd of fifth month, 1810. The period of her probation was very short ; but it was marked by circumstances so calculated to animate the aged pilgrim in the heaven- ward journey, and deeply to instruct and to encourage the youthful traveller, that the Compiler feels called upon to record in these pages, a brief memorial of her. She was, whilst an infant, deprived by death of her mother ; but her surviving parent, and other near rela- tives, watched over her and a little brother and sister, with the tenderest solicitude. By his second marriage, their beloved father had the great satisfaction of seeing them placed under the judicious and most affectionate care of one, to whom, as a mother and a friend, they became justly and very strongly attached. The subject of this memoir was, from her earliest childhood, distinguished by gentleness, meekness, and love, and for a consideration for the feelings and happi- ness of others, very unusual in the infant mind. As she 136 ANN BACKHOUSE. advanced in age, this sentiment of her heart was manifested by a concern for the best welfare of those with whom she associated. She was remarkable for maturity of understanding and judgment, and for an enlarged capacity and inclina- tion for study. She delighted to receive instruction: and possessing a very retentive memory, she made a rapid progress in the acquisition of useful knowledge ; so that, at the age of fifteen, her nearest connexions thought she had little need of further tuition. She, however, entertained a very different view : and, to the surprise of her parents, she informed them that she believed it would tend much to her advantage to spend a year at the school then recently established at Stoke Newington. She feelingly alluded to the great trial, which, to her natural affections, would be involved in her yielding to this separation from them. They did not venture to object to the proposal, for it soon became evident that there was in her mind a serious apprehension that it was her duty to make the sacrifice ; and the event proved the correctness of this impression : for she not only greatly enjoyed the oppor- tunity of acquiring an additional store of knowledge, in which she rapidly advanced, but her mind was preserved in much peace, from a persuasion that in spending some time in that Institution, she was following best direc- tion. Her heart expanded in love towards all her youthful associates, and she felt a deep concern for their spiritual well-being; and though of a very diffident disposition, and entertaining a humbling sense of her own unworthiness, yet she dared not hide the light of divine grace, with which she was mercifully favoured, as under a bushel, but was constrained, at times, to evince her solicitude for the true happiness of those around her; and her circumspect conduct and pious example had a powerful influence on their minds, and tended greatly to encourage and strengthen the founder ANN BACKHOUSE. 137 of that establishment, who became united to this beloved pupil, in a most intimate and tender friendship. She loved to meditate on God — and, whilst at school, it was her frequent, if not daily practice, to retire alone, in order to seek unto him for a renewal of her spiritual strength. After being a few months at Stoke Newing- ton, (shrinking, through timidity, from verbal commu- nication,) she penned the following lines in a note to the before-mentioned individual, the friend under whose care she was placed. — "I feel it a very awful thing to relate the dealings of an Almighty and an All-merciful Providence towards me, a poor unworthy worm ; and it is what I never did fully to any one before I can scarcely recollect the first impressions of divine love upon my soul — I often felt it to be near me during my childhood, though I then did not know what it was. But these impressions were all as the early dew which passeth away, nor did I feel a real awakening power till about three years ago, (when 12 years of age.) My beloved father was, I believe, in measure, the means of my being made sensible of the necessity of an entire change of heart, and of a complete surrender of my natural inclinations to the will of my Heavenly Father. .... From that time I have felt many changes, and have, I fear, made but little advancement in the right way ; but I may humbly acknowledge, that though I have often, very often, gone aside, I have never been forsaken by that All-gracious Power, who has long borne with my transgressions. The consideration of the little progress I have made, is, indeed, a mournful one, but it is a cause of thankfulness, that I have been enabled to feel a sense of my own nothingness, and how unable I am to serve my Heavenly Father acceptably, without His assistance ; and I have a hope that, whilst I feel an earnest desire to serve Him, Pie will not forsake me." Youthful reader, hast thou not also felt the visitations 138 ANN BACKHOUSE. of the Holy Spirit, convincing thee of thy transgres- sions, and "of the necessity of an entire change of heart?" resist them not — they are truly "the impres- sions of divine love" upon thy soul, designed to draw thee to Him, who "came to seek and to save that which was lost," and are of infinitely greater importance and value to thee, than all the pleasures, the treasures, or the friendships of this world. By yielding to them, thy peace will " flow as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea." As the vacation approached, when Ann Backhouse and her younger sister, who was her companion at school, were anticipating their return home, she wrote the following to her parents : — " If we have been preserved from injuring our companions in any degree by our example, which in a school has great influence, it will indeed be a cause for thankfulness. There is great occasion for watchfulness in every situation, and particularly in a school, where almost every word and action are observed." After speaking of her apprehen- sion that, in one particular branch of study, she might not have made so great a progress as her parents ex- pected, she adds, "But after all we must not be too anxious to procure human learning, as it is of little or no importance compared with that wisdom which cometh from above." She returned home in the sixth month, 1826, after attending the yearly meeting, a privilege which she greatly enjoyed and prized. From an earnest desire that she might be stimulated to a diligent co-operation with the work of the Holy Spirit, in its sanctifying influence on the heart, she felt inclined frequently to record her own spiritual experi- ence. From these memoranda, found since her decease, the following are extracts. "Eleventh month, 8th. First day. This evening we had a very sweet opportunity. My beloved father ANN BACKHOUSE. 13i> addressed dear — very sweetly, and afterwards appeared in supplication. I was enabled to feel thankful to my Heavenly Father, for visiting me, poor and unworthy as I am of the least of his numberless blessings, with a renewed sense of His goodness: and earnest desires were raised in my heart that he would enable me to dedicate myself wholly unto Him. Oh, that I may be preserved in watchfulness and humility, and that I may become more and more willing to take up my daily cross, and to follow my dear Redeemer wheresoever he may lead." "Twelfth month, 23rd. Oh! may self be entirely destroyed, and every thing that obstructs the work of grace be removed from my heart." "1827. First month. I am now beginning a new year, and may this consideration render me more watch- fid and diligent, that I may improve the time which yet remains. I feel that I am indeed an unprofitable and slothful servant, and I fear I make little or no progress in that which is good." "Third month, 9th. May the meditations of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Loi'd ! my strength and my Redeemer. Preserve me this day from every thing that is displeasing in thy holy sight, and enable me to wait upon Thee, and to worship thee in spirit and in truth. I earnestly desire to become more fully de- voted unto thy service." When she had nearly completed her seventeenth year, she thus writes: "I have now arrived at a very im- portant and responsible period of my life, and I know not how soon I may be called to render an account of my stewardship. O Lord, enable me to give myself wholly unto Thee with full purpose of heart. Thou only knowest my many sins, both of omission and com- mission ; but Thou hast promised, that though my sins be as scarlet, they shall be as snow ; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. 140 ANN BACKHOUSE. " Through the blood of my dear Redeemer blot out mine iniquities, and remember my transgressions no more. 'Create in me a clean heart, O Lord! and re- new a right spirit within me.' I am weak, poor, and needy, utterly incapable of myself to do anything pleas- ing in thy sight. It is Thou who inspirest me with desires to serve Thee. And I pray Thee, carry on the work which I humbly trust Thou hast begun in my heart, to thy own glory. Oh ! make me to resist every temptation, and to rise superior to the transitory and unsatisfying enjoyments of this deceitful world. O Lord, increase my faith ! " "Fourth month, 24th. I have this day renewedly felt the insufficiency of all sublunary enjoyments to procure real happiness. Long have I sought it in these, and lone have I been convinced that nothing short of an entire dedication of heart to Him, who has with a bountiful hand showered down innumerable blessings upon me, can confer that peace which the world can neither give, nor take away. Why, then, do I longer delay giving up all to Him, who is indeed worthy to be served? I do, indeed, earnestly desire to become fully devoted unto my merciful Creator, but I am weak, and yield to temptations of various kinds. O Lord, strengthen and enable me to resist every temptation ; make my heart a temple unto Thee ; and, by the power of thy Holy Spirit, eradicate every disposition that is opposed to that humility, that lowliness of heart, which becomes the followers of a meek and lowly Saviour. Enable me to feel that this is not my rest, and to press forward to that glorious city, whose walls are salvation, and whose gates are praise." "Fifth month, 2nd. This is my birth-day, (seven- teenth,) and on many accounts, it has been a sorrowful one to me. On reviewing the past year, I feel that I have made little or no progress in the right way. Oh ! this is indeed a sorrowful consideration. This year has ANN BACKHOUSE. 141 been crowned with innumerable blessings, and yet these have too often been received with a cold, unthankful heart. I feel much depressed under a deep sense of my entire unworthiness of the blessings and privileges which I enjoy. I have not given up my heart fully unto the best of Masters ; and this want of entire dedication has long retarded my progress heaven-ward. I am indeed an unprofitable servant." The work of religion, with this dear young friend, was no superficial thing ; but a concern of the highest importance. Her spirit was weightily engaged, fre- quently to submit itself to the searching of that inward, all powerful Word, which "is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Amongst her memoranda are inserted the following queries and observations, which she was careful often to answer according to the testimony of the faithful witness in her own conscience. " Have I studied the Scriptures diligently ? " Have I said anything to the disadvantage of another? " Have I indulged vain thoughts ? " Have I profitably employed my time ? " Have I checked all improper thoughts and feelings? " Have I in all cases kept strictly to the truth ? " Have I omitted any obvious duty ? " Have I done good to any one ? " Have I gained any useful knowledge ? " Have I endeavoured to live in the fear of the Lord ? " If I have been enabled to pass a day in a manner which my conscience approves, Oh ! may I not feel on this account any self-coinplacency ; but rather deep humiliation under a sense of my entire unworthiness of the assistance thus mercifully afforded me : and when, through unwatchfulncss, I have erred, let not this too much discourage me, but stimulate me to renewed diligence, and render me more sensible of my entire dependence upon a merciful Creator." Towards the end of the fourth month, 1828, she was 142 ANN BACKHOUSE. suddenly attacked with violent pain in the right side ; which, however, soon yielded to medical care : but she felt it to be a watch-word to prepare for death. She did not mention to her tenderly affectionate relatives the impression which it had made on her mind, until about twelve months afterwards, when disease had wasted her frame, and prepared them to receive the painful intimation. On recovering from the above- mentioned indisposition, she wrote thus, in allusion to recent blessings : — " Sixth month, 3rd. This indeed calls for our grati- tude to our merciful Creator, to whom I do most sincerely desire to dedicate my whole heart ; and though these desires are often weak, and sometimes I fear almost extinguished by the cares or enjoyments of this life, I am at times enabled to trust that whilst I do sincerely, though imperfectly, endeavour to serve the Lord, He will hot wholly forsake me, unworthy and erring as I am." In the seventh month, 1828, Ann Backhouse, with her brother and sister, accompanied their parents to the general meeting at Ackworth. They greatly enjoyed this visit to that Institution: and their pleasure was much increased by meeting there, two dear and intimate friends, Mary and Rebecca Dickinson, to whom, at school, Ann and Eliza Backhouse had become much attached, and who now returned with them to Darling- ton. But it pleased Him whose dispensations, however inscrutable to our finite perceptions, are nevertheless ordered in perfect wisdom, to cause this visit, which had been an object of delightful anticipation, to afford a deeply instructive evidence of the uncertainty of life and of all terrestial enjoyments: for, but a short time had elapsed after they quitted Ackworth, before it became manifest that a fever, with which some of the inmates of that establishment were affected, had com- municated its contagious influence to four of these five ANN BACKHOUSE. 143 beloved young friends. With two of them the disease did not assume its more appalling character; but Re- becca Dickinson, whose apparent vigour seemed to promise lengthened life, was cut down in the short space of twelve days; being favoured to give consoling evi- dence of a humble yet soul-sustaining faith in Him who died for sinners, and to close her eyes on all visible things, in a blessed hope of being admitted into His everlasting Kingdom. In the case of Ann Backhouse the symptoms were severe and very lingering, prostrat- ing the powers both of body and mind. She once, during an interval of reason, expressed with great sweetness and composure, her apprehension that she should soon be in Paradise. This blessed consumma- tion, though not quite so near as she then supposed, was, there is ground to believe, early realized. When sufficiently recovered to admit of her resuming her correspondence, she addressed a letter to her friend and former instructor, dated eleventh month, 10th, 1828 : from which the following is an extract. " It is indeed an unspeakable favour, and one for which I trust I feel very thankful, to be again permitted to enjoy the inestimable blessings of reason, and the power of reflecting and feeling, as well as the pleasure of health and strength far beyond my expectation. I do earnestly desire that the faculties of mind and body, with which I am once more mercifully favoured, may indeed be devoted to the service of Hhn who has been graciously pleased to spare me a little longer; and by these awful warnings, to impress upon our minds the great uncertainty of all terrestrial happiness. Had we foreseen, when we parted in the summer, the trial winch awaited us, we should have thought it almost more than we could sustain. But how mercifully is the future concealed from us, who are indeed too ready to anticipate trials, and to embitter the present moment by thus un- wisely distrusting the infinite mercy and wisdom of 144 ANN BACKHOUSE. Him, who, when He sees meet to afflict, will also support those who put their trust in Him." Although she regained much of her usual appearance of health, which however was never robust, yet the seeds of pulmonary disease were deeply sown in her tender frame, and soon produced cough, and other indications that her short day was near its close. She uniformly evinced, even when suffering much from distressing cough, &c, a patient, resigned spirit ; and it was evident, that without any anxious forebodings, she could, in full reliance on the love of her Heavenly Father, commit herself into His holy hand. She once remarked to her beloved mother, that she was often very comfortable, but felt very unworthy. On another occasion she said, she could scarcely call this illness a trial in any way; that she believed she had desired to be resigned, and that it had been made so easy to her that she did not feel it a trial. On her mother's remarking that she knew on whom to depend, and expressing a hope that she could feel without anxiety respecting the future, she answered, "Yes, I do feel quite without anxiety about it." There were at times some flattering appearances of returning health ; and during a residence of about four weeks in a retired place in the country, she became so much better, that her beloved connexions were encour- aged to hope that she might yet be spared to them. It was at this time that she addressed to her friend, the Compiler of these memoirs, the following letter — it was dated 31st of third month, 1829, and evidently penned with a feeble and trembling hand — it was the last written expression of her feelings ; the peacefulness of spirit and holy resignation which it bespeaks, are very consoling and instructive. " I may with reverent thankfulness acknowledge, that I have never for a moment, been permitted to feel a murmur at being so again deprived of the inestimable ANN BACKHOUSE. 145 blessings of health and strength; of which I had, for a few weeks in the winter, felt the value to a delightful degree. The benefit I have derived from change of air is really surprising, and calls for our heartfelt gratitude to Him, who has thus dealt mercifully with us. I have not been out for nearly a week, being kept prisoner by the extremely cold and wet weather. This confinement docs not seem to retard my improvement. Encouraging as these things are, I still continue, my beloved friend, to look upon my recovery as very uncertain ; but this view has never caused me any anxiety as to the result ; being in adorable mercy, enabled to commit myself, and those inexpressibly dear to me, with humble confidence, to the infinite wisdom and mercy of Him who doeth all things well. " I do not write this, my much loved friend, wishing in any way to exalt myself; for I have deeply, at times, to feel my own extreme poverty and worthlessness ; and truly, that ' in me dwelleth no good thing.' " The physician strongly recommended her taking a journey on the continent; to this she fully consented, though she did not expect to derive much benefit from it ; but she wished that her beloved relatives might have the satisfaction of knowing that no probable means of recovery had been left untried ; and, in allusion to the proposed change, she said to her sister, " I wish it more on your account than my own. On being made acquainted with the serious nature of those symptoms which ensued, she said, she felt as though she could leave the event in resignation to the divine will. With her parents and her brother and sister, she left home on the 4th of fifth month, 1829. They sailed from Stockton to Rotterdam, where they landed on the 7 th. During the following three weeks they proceeded slowly as far as Manheim on the Rhine, occasionally staying at different places, as her state of great weakness required rest. She was throughout L 146 ISAAC STEPHENSON. preserved in much quietness, and her countenance be- spoke peace and love. She enjoyed having portions of Scripture frequently read to her, also accounts of de- ceased friends recorded in "Piety Promoted." Sh3 repeatedly expressed her sense of the favours conferred on her, remarking, with her accustomed humility, that she had every comfort, which was far more than she deserved. Early in the morning of the 29th of the same month, symptoms of approaching dissolution ap- peared ; and on her dearest connexions being summoned to her bed-side, and perceiving their alarm, she smiled on them sweetly, assuring them that she did not feel much pain. She intreated her father not to weep. She continued to get weaker till towards evening, and was oppressed from difficulty of breathing, yet appearing very peaceful. A few minutes before her purified spirit passed away to its heavenly mansion, after remarking that a dimness had come over her eyes, she said, in a most calm and gentle manner, " I believe I am going to die, I feel so excessively sinking." On one of the afflic- ted family confirming her belief, and expressing a hope that she felt comfortable, she emphatically answered, collecting her little remaing strength, " Oh yes ! — very comfortable — very — but I can scarcely speak." She then lay perfectly quiet, and, without moving a hand, most peacefully expired. Her remains were interred on the 1st of the sixth month in the Protestant burial ground at Manheim. She had just completed her nine- teenth year. — Her race was quickly run — but, by co- operating with the grace of God, she fulfilled the purpose for which he called her into being — for she lived to his glory — and died in his love. The following memorial of Isaac Stephenson is, with little alteration, transcribed from the testimony of Hardshaw East Monthly Meeting concerning him. ISAAC STEPHENSON. 147 He was the son of Isaac and Elizabeth Stephenson, members of the religious Society of Friends, and was born on the 13th of the eleventh month, 1765, at Bur- lington, in the East Riding of Yorkshire. In consequence of the infirm state of his father's health, the care of his education devolved chiefly on his mother, whose pious concern for the best interests of her children was blessed to her son. He possessed an amiable and affectionate disposition, which greatly endeared him to his associates. About the seventeenth year of his age, and during his appren- ticeship at Scarborough, he was, through divine mercy, favoured with a powerful and humbling visitation, whereby he was bowed in great self-abasedness, and led into much circumspection of conduct and self-denial. About this period also, he was visited with bodily indisposition, which afforded him a season of retirement at home, very congenial to his exercised mind. After passing through deep travail of spirit, he was favoured to receive that hope which is in Christ Jesus, and to experience enlargement of heart, Thus he became an example of piety, his countenance and deportment indicating that he had been instructed in the schoool of Christ; and as he advanced to mature age, he was a great strength and comfort to his widowed mother, extending a fatherly care over the younger branches of the family. On the expiration of his apprenticeship, he spent about four years as an assistant in the shop of a Friend at Hitchin, where he enjoyed that society which was helpful and encouraging to him. "When desirous of entering into business for himself, he earnestly craved divine direction: and way opened soon afterwards to begin the business of a miller, near Stockton-upon- Tees, and this place continued to be his comfortable residence about thirty-live years. In the year 1797 he was appointed to the station of L 2 148 ISAAC STEPHENSON. elder; and in the following year he married Hannah Masterman, of Kirby-Moorside, who continued his beloved and affectionate companion to the end of his days. About the forty-fourth year of his age, he believed himself called publicly to advocate the cause of his divine master ; and being careful faithfully to fulfil his commission, he experienced an enlargement in the gift, and became an able minister of the Gospel. In 1812 he obtained a certificate to visit the families of Friends at Birmingham, Manchester, and Liverpool, which service he performed in company with his sister, Eliza- beth Robson. Between this period and the year 1823, he travelled much in the work of the ministry, visiting, at various times, the meetings of Friends in most parts of Great Britain, and was often engaged in holding public meetings. He also paid two religious visits to Ireland, and one to the Isle of Man. In 1823, with the concurrence of his friends, he embarked for the United States of North America, where he laboured very diligently for nearly two years. This religious service was attended with many trying exercises, owing to the peculiar state of the Society of Friends there at that time ; yet he had to acknowledge, that through the unfailing mercy and help of Israel's Shepherd, he was enabled to perform the service re- quired of him, and to return to his native land in peace. Referring to this visit, he writes : " I feel no condem- nation respecting any part of my labours in the Lord's cause in America, yet I am very far from thinking them perfect." "My labour was, that Friends, and all who attended the meetings where I was, might witness an inward stayedness of mind upon God, and a humble, steadfast trust in Him. I had also, in almost every testimony, to endeavour to exalt Christ in his different manifestations, and in all his offices." On his return from America, his attention was turned ISAAC STEPHENSON. 149 to the consideration of a residence at Manchester ; and, after due waiting, with desire that he might be favoured to see his way in so important a change, he removed with his family in the latter part of the year 1826. After he went to reside there, he was often engaged in meetings for worship in the faithful exercise of his gift, to the comfort and edification of many. He was zeal- ously concerned for the support of the various Christian testimonies of Friends, and in meetings for discipline was very serviceable, manifesting a lively regard for the welfare of the society, and the restoration of those who had gone astray. He was a lover and promoter of peace, of kind and unassuming manners, which greatly endeared him to his friends; and it may truly be said, he was an example of humility in the various relations of life. Some time after his removal into the compass of Hardshaw East Monthly Meeting, he paid an accepta- ble visit to the families of Friends in his own meeting, Warrington, and Liverpool, and had many meetings in Manchester and its neighbourhood with those not in profession with us, fervently labouring, bein^ willing to spend and be spent in promoting the extension of the Redeemer's kingdom. In the twelfth month, 1828, he attended the Quarterly Meeting of London and Mid- dlesex, and afterwards that for Sussex and Surrey, visiting most of the meetings constituting them. About the end of 1829, he visited Friends in several of the western counties, and had many public meetings in Cornwall. Whilst travelling near Liskeard, he seemed to be favoured with an especial portion of light and life, and observed to his companion, that such had been his feelings at that season, that he thought he could willingly lay down his life any where, or at any time: and in a letter, dated the 30th of first month, 1830, he says: "I have brought my late western labours, (one of the most solemn and exercising engage- ments in which I was ever concerned,) again and again 150 ISAAC STEPHENSON. • before my Lord, and I believe that he has been graciously pleased to place his seal of love and accept- ance thereon, both as respects preaching, prayer, and thanksgiving; the feeling of this has filled my heart with reverent praise." Whilst at liberty from these religious engagements, he was diligent in business ; yet, with a family requir- ing his exertions, he was favoured to hold temporal things in their proper estimation, relying on the faith- fulness of him who hath promised, that to them who seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, all these things shall be added : thus, with his heart set on heaven, he was solicitous to know the will of his divine master, and ready, with cheerful devotedness, to perform it ; for he esteemed it his privilege, as well as his duty, to be employed in the service of the Gospel. During the last two years of his life, his health appeared to be declining, and he was considerably indis- posed some time after his return from the west of England ; but he was greatly favoured with the strengthening and comforting presence of Him to whom the vigour of his days had been devoted. He, one morning, at breakfast, remarked to his family, that whilst going about his outward concerns, his mind was almost constantly engaged in secret communion with the Almighty, without which he thought it would be almost impossible for him to transact his business. The engagement which closed the valuable life of our dear friend, was one which marked his continued dedication to the service of his Lord, and his desire to promote the spiritual welfare of his friends ; being a visit of gospel love to his brethren in Ireland. He attended the yearly meeting in Dublin, and on the 5th of the fifth month, accompanied by our friend James Webb, of that city, proceeded northward, attending the meetings of Friends, and holding several public meetings, in which he had acceptable service ; MARGARET ALLEN. 151 and on the 16th, being first-day, he attended the meet- ing at Grange, near Dungannon, in the province of Ulster, in which he was engaged in a remarkable testimony. On the following day, after taking tea at the house of William Pike, of Derry-vale, he walked with several Friends into the adjoining grounds, where he was sud- denly seized with indisposition, which deprived him of speech and of the use of one side. Every attention was kindly rendered, but he con- tinued to decline, and epiietly expired on the morning of the 20th of the fifth month, 1820, in the 65th year of his age. His remains Avere interred at Grange, on the 27 th of the same month. " Who then is that faithful and Avise steAvard, whom his Lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season ? Blessed is that servant, whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so doin.>;." The latter years of the life of Margaret Allen, afford little subject of general interest ; they Avere passed under the pressure of much bodily infirmity, arising from a paralytic affection which in great measure de- prived her of the power of speech ; but whilst favoured with vigour of body and mind, she was concerned faith- fully to labour for the promotion of truth and righteous- ness. Some extracts from her letters and memoranda, being of a very instructive character, are, together Avith a short notice of her dedicated life, presented to the reader, and will be felt to be encouraging and strengthening to the humble and sincere hearted Chris- tian. She was born in the year 1748, and AA T as the daughter of John and Ann Stafford, formerly of Cork, but after- wards of Spitalfields, London. She was blessed AA T ith 152 MARGARET ALLEN. pious parents, and frequently acknowledged the obliga- tion she was under to them for their example of faith, patience, and humility: for, although her father died when she was very young, she had been sensible of the sweetness of his spirit, and cherished a lively and grateful recollection of the mercies of the Lord towards him in sustaining him through many deep trials and baptisms, and, in the end, giving him a foretaste of those immortal joys, into which, through the merits of a crucified Saviour, he felt he was about to enter. In describing his latter end, she mentions, that a person who stood by his bed observed that he Avas dying, when he raised his head and said, "Die to live ; " soon after which he ceased to breathe so quietly that those who were with him scarcely perceived it. "Thus," she continues, "my honoured father closed a life of trials, of judgments, and of mercies. Having known his garments washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb, he is united, I doubt not, to the general assembly and church of the first-born, which are written in heaven." She had scarcely attained the age of twenty years when she was deprived of the affectionate care of her beloved and honoured mother. She deeply felt the dissolving of this tender tie ; but, in this keen affliction, divine support was mercifully granted : and when, in advanced life she was led to review the condescending goodness of her Heavenly Father towards her, she says, "And having frequently felt humble gratitude spring in my heart to the Preserver of men on my own account, I have been led to look back and trace the wonderful preservations I have been favoured with from early life down to the present time ; and the language of my heart has been, ' Why, O, Lord, hast thou thus favoured such a worm as I am? Surely because thou art a covenant-keeping God. Thou gavest my dear father, when leaving us, faith to believe that thou wouldst provide for his widow and fatherless children, if MARGARET ALLEN. 153 they kept near to thy truth. Thou hast done it, yea, abundantly more than I could have asked or thought. Thou shalt have the praise, O Lord! for it is thy own doing. And may I, and all that belong to me, keep these unmerited mercies continually in view, and may we be preserved humbly walking in thy fear to the end of time!'" At the time of her mother's decease, she was the only survivor of nine children. She feelingly alludes to the loneliness of her situation, and her need of counsel, when mentioning her prospect of a matrimonial con- nexion, but she sought for divine direction, and expres- ses a hope that the paternal care of her Heavenly Father was extended towards her, when left without father or mother, brother or sister, to advise her in a matter of the greatest importance in life. She was married in the year 1769, to Job Allen, of Spitalfields, an upright, honest man, who united with her in the desire that they might walk before the Lord as became their Christian profession. They had six sons, one of whom died in infancy. They were frequently favoured with the com- pany of pious Friends who were engaged in the service of the gospel in the city and neighbourhood ; a privilege which she much prized, especially for her dear children, respecting whom she says, " He who knoweth all things, knows I never coveted- or asked great things ; the prayer of my heart for them was, that if they lived, they might be men fearing God and hating covetousness, and be enabled to stand in support of the principles of Truth." In adverting afterwards to what had been her concern for them in infancy, she says, "And now, as the Almighty has given them more than I could have expected, may they come up in dedication, and obedience to the point- ings of duty, frequently inquiring what they owe unto their Lord. She was of a diffident disposition, and at times deeply humbled under a sense of her great weakness and un- 154 MARGARET ALLEN. worthiness, particularly when she believed herself called to the ministry, a work for which it is believed she was prepared through the baptizing influence of the Holy Spirit. Her public communications were neither long nor frequent, but they were weighty and instructive ; and she evinced much care to wait for the putting forth of Him who alone can rightly qualify for that important service. She was acknowledged as a minister by De- vonshire House Monthly Meeting, in 1790, and, with the approbation of her friends, was at different times engaged in religious visits to some of the neighbouring counties. She also twice visited the families composing her own monthly meeting. She cherished a deep interest on account of the youth of our religious society, and was often concerned to manifest, by imparting tender counsel, reproof, or en- couragement, her fervent desire for their preservation, and advancement in the path of peace. The Compiler can bear testimony to the affectionate care and solicitude with which she watched over many of this class, fre- quently visiting boarding schools in the vicinity of London, and having religious opportunities with the children ; some of which are still remembered to edifi- cation. In the year 1800 her beloved husband was taken from her, after an illness of little more than three weeks. This afflicting event at first almost overwhelmed her, but she was upheld by the merciful hand of Him who, she was enabled to acknowledge, doeth all things well, and her fervent petition Avas that she might possess her soul in patience. She was placed in peculiarly trying circumstances about the time of his decease, in conse- quence of an alarm from a mob, who being exasperated at the high price of bread, attacked many houses in the neighbourhood. Friends had been unjustly charged, through some newspapers, with being the cause of its rising, which excited a bitter spirit in the people, and MARGARET ALLEN. 155 they prepared to attack them on the corn market ; they were, however, not permitted to hurt any, and in the "evening of that day," says M. A. in a letter to a friend, "they assembled in great numbers, and passing from Spitalfields to Bishopsgate Street, made a halt at the corner, and were heard by one of my family to say, 'Here is a Quaker's house, let us beset it." Their noise was hideous, and the confusion very alarming. Oh ! I seemed then to have as much as nature could bear; my husband lying in a dying state, not fit to be moved, and a lawless mob let loose upon us ; but I hope I may say that, at that time, I cried unto the Lord, and he heard me ; for, in a little time, they went off without throwing a stone or ringing the bell. I often think how unworthy I am of such a preservation. My dear husband was rather disturbed with their noise, but not sufficiently sensible to enter much into it. He lived but one day and a few hours after." The following year her maternal feelings were deeply tried in the loss of her son Jonathan, a very promising young man, who was removed from a circle of friends by whom he was much beloved, when he was about twenty-three years of age. How keenly she felt this bereavement will be seen by the following letter. " I received my dear friend's sympathising letter since my recent loss — a loss indeed of such a kind as seemed for a while, as it were, to stun nature, being so unex- pected, and at a time when I seemed the most unable to bear it ; but it has strengthened this memento, This is not thy resting place. I have sometimes compared my- self to a vessel in dock, that in order to be launched must have all the stays and props, one by one, knocked away from it. I know I have been too closely attached to my near ties, and it has prevented me sometimes from doing all I might have done ; therefore, at times, I can kiss the hand that has permitted such close trials to attend me, in order to wean, even from the over love of 156 MARGARET ALLEN. laicful love. May the few more days allotted me be more dedicated, and if at last accepted, all will be well ; for I have an undoubted assurance that the dear deceased had so numbered his days as to apply his heart unto wisdom, that wisdom that comes from above. Although favoured with health of body, which might have given the expectation of length of days, happily for him, he did not trust to such an uncertainty, but was fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. He sought him early and late, I am well assured ; and he was found of him, which, in an humble manner, he one night expressed, when under much bodily indisposition. As I was sitting by him, I perceived he was breathing in spirit unto the Lord : I heard him utter, ' Jesus Christ :' he turned himself in bed and seeing me, said, ' Mother, Heavenly Goodness is near to us.' I answered, 'It is near to thee, my dear.' He then in sweet melody uttered something to this effect: 'O Lord! thou hast been graciously pleased to condescend to lend thine holy ear unto my cry, and grant my request, for which I praise thy great name. Be pleased, O Lord ! to bring down every high and lofty thing. Bring down the mountains and exalt the vallies, that there may be a way for the truth to spread, and thy name to be exalted, that the knowledge of thee may extend from land to land, and from sea to sea; that all nations may come to acknowledge thee, and come under thy holy government, thou Prince of peace.' My mind was so much overcome with a feeling of heavenly sweetness, that I lost the thread of the words; but no words can convey the solemnity that attended him while under the holy covering. A night or two after, a kind relation and I being with him, he expressed, in a sweet manner, his feeling for me ; and after having, in much humility, prayed to the Father of mercies for the continuance of his regard to himself, said, by way of encouragement to me, ' The Lord will yet show unto thee great things, and give them to thee MARGARET ALLEN. 157 to show unto others.' One day, in the forepart of his illness, he looked sweetly on me, and said, 'I must die mother, let me die. There is a place prepared — an everlasting habitation.' Though he is gone from me, his sweet spirit lives in my remembrance, and I believe he is not only a loss to me, but to others also ; for he laboured privately with his little gift, which gave me great hopes he might be of use ; but ah ! he was to me like Jonah's gourd to him. I seemed to take shelter under the spreading branches of his pious mind, but ah ! the worm was permitted to bite the root, and the leaves withered. May the Lord be pleased to strengthen me to do or to suffer all that may be necessary to loosen from the ties of nature, and purify my spirit, that it may be made fit to join them who have been already added to the number of those who cry 'Holy, holy, holy.'" Her papers contain many proofs of her religious care over her children, and her solicitude for their best in- terests. On one occasion, when, from great bodily weakness, she considered it doubtful whether she might be long spared to them, she wrote a short address to them, in which she says, " Now my dear children, above all things fear the Lord your God. ' The fear of the Lord is as a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of deatb.' I can set my seal to this testimony ; it has many times, in very early life, been my defence when evil has presented, and the desire of my soul is, that this holy fear may rest on each of your minds. In your choice of companions, be sure to look to their conduct, and see whether this fear seems to predominate ; if it does not, by no means keep company with them. Let it be your earnest desire that the religion of your educa- tion be that of your sound judgment, and if this petition be put up in sincerity of heart, the Lord will condescend to open your understandings, and let you see your duties. When these are clearly seen, take care not to reason with flesh and blood, saying, i This is but a little 158 MARGARET ALLEN. thing, surely there can be no harm in it.' Dear children, this is a rock many have split against, and by despising the day of small things, greater have not been committed to their trust." She directed the attention of her children to the exam- ple of those dedicated servants of the Lord of whom we have instructive records, adding, "Their greatest care and concern was the glory of that God who made them — they sought first his kingdom, and his righteousness, and all things needful were added unto them; and so they will to you, I doubt not, if this is your happy choice. As to your outward settlement in life, I have not been anxious respecting it, but often have I prayed unto the Lord, that my children might be his faithful servants. You cannot serve a better Master." She enforced the necessity of care in the choice of books, and pai'ticularly recommended the reading of the Holy Scriptures, and the writings of Friends. " In the perusal of such books," she says, "you may hope for comfort and lasting satisfaction." Although necessarily much occupied with domestic duties, love to her divine Master was such an active principle in the mind of our dear friend, that she was ever ready to perform any service that she believed to be of his requiring. In the station of overseer, which she filled for some years with great acceptance to her friends, she proved that she took charge of the flock not by constraint, but willingly, and of a ready mind. She was truly desirous to strengthen the weak, to encourage the tender, to cau- tion the unwary, and to warn the careless or disobedient; and these evidences of her love to her friends, and of her Christian concern for their spiritual welfare, were ex- tensively useful. The state of her health rendering it sometimes difficult to obtain personal interviews with the objects of her pious care, she was induced to address them in writing-. MARGARET ALLEN. 159 To a young friend who appears to have shared but few advantages, she wrote the following instructive letter : " Being, in some degree, sensible of the loss thou hast sustained for want of a religious education, I have felt a desire that thou mayest be concerned, now in thy youth, to seek after the knowledge of God and of his Son Jesus Christ ; whom to know is life eternal. We may remember the advice of the Scriptures of Truth to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and there is a promise that all things necessary shall be added. We are under the new covenant that the Almighty promised by the mouth of his prophet, when he said, ' Behold the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah : not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers, which my covenant they brake. I will put my law in their inward parts and write it in their hearts, and will be their God and they shall be my people.' It is to this inward law, dear child, I would recommend thee. It will teach thee as never man taught ; it will show thee what is evil, and if followed, will lead out of evil and into good. It is the work of the great enemy of our happiness to endeavour to draw the mind outward, that we may not hear this teacher, and to promise us happiness in what suits our inclinations; thus many are sorrowfully held from follow- ing the way that leads to everlasting life. Now, dear child, let us consider the great value of an immortal soul. We have a part in us that can never die — it must live for ever either in never-ending joy, or never-ending misery : and we may remember our dear Lord describes but two ways to walk in, when he says, 'Wide is the gate and broad is the way that lcadeth to destruction, and many there be that go in thereat ; because strait is the gate and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and few there lie that find it.' 160 MARGARET ALLEN. " The earnest desire of my mind is that thou maycst be of that happy number that strive to enter in at the strait gate ; and in order to do so, thou must humbly beg for help to overcome our three great enemies, the world, the flesh, and the devil. I am not inviting thee, my dear, to a form of godliness, but am desirous that thy heart may be cleansed by the power thereof. " I would tenderly advise thee to love retirement, and avoid hurtful company. Be diligent in reading the Holy Scriptures, and earnestly seek for a portion of that Spirit by which they were given forth. If this is the honest engagement of thy mind, thou wilt be made a partaker of that peace which the world, with all that it contains, cannot give, neither can it take it away; and in the end of time, through him who came to save from sin, thou wilt have an inheritance amongst them that have overcome the world." The following sentiments are contained in detached memoranda : " Those who have set the Lord always before them, dare not do otherwise than acknowledge him in all their ways. They prefer Jerusalem to their chief joy. But how sorrowfully does the language of conduct proclaim in many, that they love the world, and are striving to get as much of the things of it together as they can, that they may have a name in the earth ! These are stumbling-blocks in the way of honest inquirers. The prosperity of Zion is not their delight, therefore the Lord is angry. — He is ano-ry with the professors of the pure unchangeable truth, because they have not honoured him, but have waxed fat with his blessings, and kicked at his requisi- tions. — These he will judge. — Is he not calling, has he not called us all the day long ? Will he behold iniquity in Jacob, or perverseness in Israel with approbation? Surely, no. — He spared not those whom,' with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, he brought out of Egypt, when through grievous revolt they forsook his covenant MARGARET ALLEN. 161 and cast his law behind their backs. Will he then own those who in life and practice disown him in this day ? It cannot be consistent with his purity and justice. My spirit is covered with mourning in considering what must be the consequence of the many visitations that have passed away unheeded. Surely the ground that has often been watered, and produces nothing but weeds, is in danger of being destroyed. Ah ! may the Lord be pleased to visit with his rod, and gather with the crook of his love, the religious society of which I am a member ! " Deeply impressed with the danger of earthly- mi nded- ness, Margaret Allen was often concerned to warn her friends against the eager pursuits of worldly treasure, and an indulgence in superfluities, in the procuring of which the mind is in danger of becoming absorbed by temporal things. On this subject she says, " I have often thought of the parable of the marriage supper, when the servants were sent to call them that were bidden, for all things were ready ; alas ! alas ! their minds were otherwise taken up. One had bought a farm, another oxen, another had married a wife — all de- sired to be excused. These things were all lawful in their places, under divine direction, but being preferred, shut them out of divine favour. We do not read that they were engaged in rioting or drunkennes, or any gross enormities, no — but the love of earthly things and earthly cares had taken up their affections ; and this may stand as a caution to all." In speaking of her own tribulations, and her desire that the Lord might support her unto the end, she savs, " He, and he alone, knoweth the paths I have trod, and when he has refined, he will, I humbly trust, through the redeeming love of my dear Saviour, say, it is enough, and receive my tribulated spirit." Although infirmities increased with advancing years; M 162 ISABELLA HARRIS. a clear perception of the love of her Heavenly Father appeared undiminished, and the fervent desire of her heart was that she might continue to experience His sustaining power and gracious support. On one occa- sion she thus writes : " O Lord, God, Almighty ! Maker and upholder of all things, be pleased in mercy to look down upon me, and support my drooping spirit. Thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I love thee, and thy law has been and is precious to my view, yea, more to me than any earthly treasure." In a memorandum of later date she says, " O Lord ! the tribute of thanksgiving and praise is thy due, thou Almighty Preserver ; thou wert the guide of my youth, thou art the staff of my age ; what shall I render to thee for thy multiplied blessings ? Even when nature fails, thou dost not fail ; thou raisest a grateful sense of unmerited mercies ! " By a paralytic affection she was deprived of the power of speech during the latter years of her life, yet in this season of trial she much enjoyed hearing the Holy Scriptures read, also the Journals of Friends, &c, and frequently indicated by animated signs, her satisfac- tion and comfort. Her decline was very gradual, and the solemn peace that was felt by those who were present at her final close, strengthened the humble and thankful belief, that having known her garments to be washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb, her purified spirit is for ever centred in the rest that is prepared for the people of God. She died in the first month, 1830, aged about eighty- two years. Isabella Harris, a minister much and justly esteemed in our religious society, was born in Dublin in the year 1757. During her minority she appears to ISABELLA HARRIS. 163 have been subjected to many disadvantages and temp- tations, and to have known but very little of the trans- forming work of Divine grace. About the 21st year of her age she was married to Anthony Harris, a master mariner, and settled with her husband at Maryport, in Cumberland. There is reason to believe, that this change in her situation and circumstances, did not at first abate her natural love of gay company ; and for a considerable time, her conduct furnished no evidence of much sense of the cross of Christ, or of submission to its holy influence ; yet, through the extension of heavenly love, and the blessing of a pious example in a beloved husband, she had, previous to Iris decease, so far bowed under the power of divine visitation to her soul, as to have admitted a firm belief, that she should be called upon publicly to bear testimony unto others, concerning those things which pertain to life and salvation. During some of the conflicts and baptisms which she had to endure on this account, she felt as if she could give up every thing but her husband, in order to obtain peace of mind ; and she often remarked afterwards, that he was taken, and all besides was left. The death of Anthony Harris occurred in a very affecting manner, in the year 1795, after they had been married about seventeen years. His vessel was bound for Waterford, and after proceeding some way on their voyage, the wind proved adverse and very rough ; so that the mate suggested their putting back to Maryport. Anthony Harris replied, if the wind did not become more favourable, by a certain time which he mentioned, "We will put about." After this he retired to his cabin, and employed himself in reading W. Penn's " No Cross, No Crown," appearing to be in a solid frame of mind. Coming on deck again, and just before the time fixed was expired, he was struck overboard by the mainboom ; and it is thought he was stunned by the blow, as he made no effort to save himself. Thus M 2 164 ISABELLA HARRIS. his valuable life was terminated, and Isabella Harris was left with a charge of six children, and in expect- ation of a seventh, that was born a few months after. She was involved, as in an instant, in the deepest afflic- tion of widowhood, an event to which she often alluded in after life, as the heaviest trial which could have befallen her. There is ground however to conclude, that he who permitted this trial to overtake her, was pleased to sanctify it; causing it to prove a means of furthering that great work which He had mercifully begun in her soul. Her health suffered considerably, but that divine arm with which she had now become acquainted, was her support; and in a quarterly meeting at Cocker- mouth, in 1798, she stood up with these words, " Stand in awe and sin not; commune with your own hearts upon your bed, and be still." Her ministerial commu- nications being approved, she was acknowledged as a minister by Holme Monthly Meeting in first month, 1800. Having visited one of her children at Ackworth school in the early part of the year 1799, a conviction settled upon her mind that some portion of her future life should be passed in that institution ; and upon being invited, having previously passed through much mental exercise, she repaired thither in the autumn of 1803^ taking with her her two youngest cliildren. Of her residence in that interesting family, the Friends of Pontefract Monthly Meeting have made the following record : — " She entered on her office of principal mistress in the school with great distrust of her own abilities ; but recurring to the opening which she believed had first pointed out the way thither, and which, she trusted, had been in the ordering of divine wisdom, she was encouraged to look forward with hope, and to apply for daily assistance to the one source of all effectual help. Thus Avas she gradually prepared for the superintendence of her tender charge ; and it was ISABELLA HARRIS, 165 not long before her qualifications were found to be of a very superior kind. Her affectionate interest in the welfare of the teachers endeared her to them all, and her tender solicitude for the improvement of the girls in their learning and domestic habits, and above all, in the things which belonged to their everlasting peace, is fresh in the grateful remembrance of many who were under her care. In the exercise of her gift as a minister, she was often engaged in lively and pertinent counsel to the flock over whom she presided ; and in more pub- lic opportunities in our religious meetings, she was frequently engaged to bear a living testimony to the goodness and mercy of Him who had been her refuge. But though the weight and responsibility of her station in the school, induced a constant care lest any of her duties there should not be fully performed, she held herself in readiness to obey the call to others, when clearly pointed out to her view." And under such feel- ings she was at different periods in, and subsequent to, the year 1804, engaged to travel in gospel love, visiting Friends in their meetings and families, and appointing meetings for those not in membership with us ; especially in Yorkshire, Cumberland, and Durham. Her last visit of this kind was to Brighouse Monthly Meeting, in 1830, in winch she seems to have been enabled to labour much to the comfort of others and her own peace. She felt deeply concerned for the maintenance of our reli- gious principles on their original foundation : she was a lover of integrity and simplicity, and was often engaged in warning her young friends of the danger there was (as she could testify from her own experience) in letting fall any of our peculiar testimonies, even those which some Friends were ready to consider unimportant, and conforming to the manners and customs of a vain world. " She was a true nursing mother to many who were seeking the way to Zion, and often feelingly dwelt on the advantage of early dedication to the Lord's service. 166 ISABELLA HARRIS. In the course of her sojourn in this part, she was tried with domestic affliction, and at different times with the loss of property to a considerable amount ; and it was truly instructive to her friends to witness how she was enabled to bear these privations with Christian resigna- tion. In the spring of 1826, feeling an increase of bodily infirmity through advanced age, she retired from the service of the institution at Ackworth, in which she had resided for upwards of 22 years, sincerely regretted by the Friends in the school." Her ministerial communications at this period were very acceptable, evincing a deeply experienced mind, and attended, as her friends apprehended, with much of the unction of her divine Master. The trials she had to endure from the state of her health and various out- ward circumstances cannot be easily conceived, yet she appeared to be preserved in great patience ; and though under much discouragement from these causes, she very generally got out to meetings : being upon one occasion, about four months previous to her close, prevented, she alludes to it and her many provings, in a letter to her daughter, saying, "Yet can we not bear testimony to the goodness and mercy of redeeming love, that hitherto He hath helped us? Oh, saith my soul, may we be humbled under a sense of the Lord's goodness and our umvorthiness of the least of all his mercies, and daily query, What shall I render unto thee, O Lord, for all thy benefits ? What can we render but that which is his own preparing, even a broken and contrite spirit, which he hath graciously promised not to reject." This dear aged friend, being then with her daughter at North Shields, was taken ill on the 19th of 3rd month, 1832, and on the 22nd becoming alarmingly worse, was asked how she felt ; she replied, " Nothing but peace, not a cloud in the way." For two or three days her state was fluctuating, and she did not appear to apprehend her end was very near : she spoke during MARTHA SMITH. 167 this period very affectionately of her long since departed husband, of the exercises attending her early appear- ance as a minister, and of the unsearchable wisdom of the Almighty, referring to various texts of Scripture, and distinctly repeating the 16th and 17th verses of the 3rd chapter of Malachi; also expressing that she had nothing to depend upon but the mercy of God in Christ Jesus. Her patience, and the sweet state of her mind, were very striking, her heart overflowing with love to those around her, which she frequently manifested by the most endearing expressions. On first-day morning, the 25th, she did not appear materially worse, but made many pointed inquiries concerning one of her children, on whose account she was particularly interested, but did not at all allude to herself. On her medical attend- ant inquiring if she had any pain, she answered, " No, not any where," adding, "this is a great favour." About one she appeared pleased to see some young friends, calling them by their names. About three her pulse was observed to sink, and she gradually declined until a few minutes after five, when, without any expression, she peacefully breathed her last, on the twenty-fifth of third month, 1832 ; aged 75 years. In meditating upon a closing scene so tranquil and so unclouded, and upon the goodness and mercy to which she could testify, as having followed her all her life long, we feel the consoling conviction that she is joined to that blessed company that " came out of great tribula- tion, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." Martha Smith was the daughter of Henry and Mary Ecroyd, of Edgend, in Lancashire. Of a lively and cheerful disposition, and, in early life, not being sub- jected to the discipline of the cross of Christ, she 168 MARTHA SMITH. indulged in worldly enjoyments, though closely followed by the reproofs of instruction. In this situation, she continued to reject the offers of redeeming love, until plunged into deep affliction by the death of her father, after a few days illness. Brought low by this unexpected bereavement, she bowed to the stroke; and accepted the fatherly chas- tisements of that divine hand, whose more gentle corrections she had hitherto refused to regard. Deep were her conflicts, and humiliating the baptisms, which she had to pass through : — all outward enjoyment ceased to be availing to her comfort : and she at length learned to wait, in humble submission and resignation, for help from Him who is mighty. " My stout heart," she writes, " was broken to pieces, and became as clay in the hands of the Great Potter. I was made willing to suffer, come what would come, because I had sinned against my God, and had not obeyed his holy will." In the year 1789, she was married to William Smith of Doncaster. He was a man of amiable disposition and upright character; and one who, through a long life, was highly esteemed, both in the society and amongst his neighbours. In the report of a local Institution, soon after his decease, it was publicly declared of him : " To lessen human suffering, in whatever form it might be presented, was the object of his unwearied solicitude; and, in the prosperity of benevolent Institutions, he cor- dially rejoiced; but never failed to ascribe their success to the giver of all good." No less unwearied, we believe, was his solicitude to walk humbly with his God. About the 60th year of his age, he believed himself constrained to become a preacher of the Gospel in our religious meetings ; and although his gift was not large, yet by his faithfully occupying therewith, he was an acceptable minister amongst us, and repeatedly travelled in this character with the approbation of the monthly meeting of wliich he was a member. He was a diligent MARTHA SMITH. 169 attender of all our meetings both for worship and dis- cipline, uniformly manifesting his love to his friends, and devotedness to promote the cause of truth and righteousness, both by example and precept. During the last illness of this dear friend, and near his close, his expressions afforded much consoling evidence of his firm faith and trust in the merits of his dear Re- deemer. In reply to an observation made that the Lord was near to him, he emphatically said, " I cannot express to the full, the gratitude I feel for his mercies, which are ancient and new." At another time he observed, " My prospect is clear ;" and again, " I am happy . Dear friends are as precious to me as ever. — I have done with all earthly things." And his last words which could be gathered were, " What a favour, what a favour." Thus, through faith in the redeeming love and mercy of a cru- cified Saviour, the sting of death was taken away, and the declaration of the royal Psalmist realised in his expe- rience, " Mark the perfect man and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace." He died at the age of 76. Martha Smith was a minister forty-two years. The first surrender of herself to this important work, was about a year after her marriage. At this time, two individuals were on a visit of friendship ; but in a religious oppor- tunity in the family one morning, a persuasion attended their minds, that from a want of obedience, in the exer- cise of that faith which worketh by love, the subject of this memoir had been withholding this sacrifice to her own suffering and loss ; and she was encouraged to yield herself to divine disposal. In the course of the same opportunity, a little matter arose in her mind, accompanied by the feeling of reli- gious exercise, to which she yielded in these words: " Speak to my people that they go forward." Subse- quently on their making a few friendly calls, the hoverino- wing of divine regard was so evidently felt, as to draw 170 MARTHA SMITH. unexpectedly, into short seasons of silent retirement ; in which the subject of this memoir, encouraged by the feelings of peace which attended the first sacrifice, was made willing to yield to renewed impressions of duty, and to offer some further, though very brief proofs, of her dedication to her great Master's will. By these repeated acts of dedication, so evidently under right influence, as to afford much comfort to the Friends of her own meeting, her mind was also strength- ened to give up to a more public espousal of that cause, which is dignified with immortality, and crowned with eternal life. In the subsequent exercise of her gift, she paid reli- gious visits to Friends in many parts of this country ; she was also frequently engaged in visiting them in their families. Her ministry was delivered in much simplicity, and attended by a precious evidence of being the effect of the constraining love of God ; and it flowed as a liv- ing stream to the refreshment of the humble in heart. About the year 1814, she was attacked with a very severe illness, which proved to be of more than two years continuance. This was, to her, a time of spiritual instruc- tion and refinement : her patience was very closely exercised; but ultimately, all her trials tended to her further establishment in faith and confidence in the atoning blood of the blessed Redeemer, and she was often led publicly to commemorate this blessed sacrifice. She continued subject to much debility and languor of body, and depression of mind, until the year 1825, when she was again raised up and sent forth in her great Master's service, and enabled to perform several religious visits to the admiration of her friends, until the year 1830; after which her travels were principally confined to her own monthly and quarterly meetings, which she attended under much bodily infirmity. About four months before her decease, she experienced a very deep trial, in the sudden removal of her kind and ROBERT MOGRIDGE. 171 affectionate husband, by an attack of cholera ; but she was favoured Avith an humble and contrite state of mind ; and was enabled about this time to say, " My soul can now sweetly rest as in the bosom of Jesus, earnestly desiring to cast all my care upon him, who has mercifully afforded me a secret hope, that I am washed in his own precious blood ; and that he Avill give me an inheritance among all them that are sanctified." Very little before the solemn close, she thus expressed her readiness to depart : " I have nothing to do but to die : I have neither earthly nor heavenly works to per- form." She died in great peace, in the 70th year of her age, on the 25th of eleventh month, 1832. In early life, when the mind of Robert Mogridge first became impressed with the truths of Christianity, as professed by Friends, he resided in a part of Devon- shire where he could derive little advantage from association with members of our society ; and his situa- tion at the same time was such as subjected him to peculiar trials and discouragements; but through the efficacy of divine grace, he was enabled to persevere, and measurably to experience the saving baptism of the Holy Spirit ; manifesting, by a circumspect and upright conduct, that he was humbly endeavouring to follow the heavenly leader. After having been a diligent attender of our religious meetings for several years, he was admitted into member- ship with our society ; and he continued a consistent and valuable Friend to the end of his days. He manifested a lively concern for the prosperity of the truth, and the support of our Christian testimonies • and his remarks, in our meetings for discipline, were frequently weighty and instructive. He filled, for many years, the station of overseer in the particular meeting of Exeter, with much acceptance and usefulness, evincing 172 ROBERT MOGRIDGE. a sincere concern for the best welfare of those to whom he found occasion to administer counsel. For several years before his decease, which took place on the 30th of twelfth month 1832, at the age of 73 years, he was unable, through increasing infirmities, to support himself and his wife by labour at his trade, that of a shoemaker ; and it was pleasing and instructive to observe the contentment and gratitude with which he accepted the pecuniary help furnished by his friends. In the course of his last illness, he expressed to a Friend, that he was enabled to rejoice in the hope, that, through the merits of an all-merciful Redeemer, he should be accepted ; and that he also had a hope, that Iris dear wife would be made a partaker of the same rejoicing. After his decease, a paper written by himself, and headed " Robert Mogridge's Testimony," was found by his widow : this paper appears to have been written not long before his death, and it affords a convincing evidence that he was one of those true-hearted followers of Christ, who can say with the Apostle, " Our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world." This instructive document may form an appro- priate and useful secpiel to the foregoing narrative. He says, " I am perfectly satisfied that I have not been follow- ing cunningly devised fables ; but that it is God's blessed, everlasting, and unchangeable Truth that I have made profession of. It is now more than fifty years since the Lord, in the riches of his great mercy, was graciously pleased to reveal a measure thereof to my poor soul ; and I received it as a merciful visitation sent from heaven. It was very precious in my sight, and my soul was ravished with the beauty and excellency thereof; and so it hath remained to the present time. Although I have done but very little, if any thing, JOHN MOUNSEY. 173 towards the promotion thereof, yet I can say of a truth, that I have no greater joy than when I have beheld any thing that I believed would have a tendency to exalt it in the earth; and in an especial manner amongst us a people. And though I am deeply sensible that many have been my omissions and commissions, that I am a poor unworthy creature, and have no merit to plead, or claim to make upon divine goodness and mercy ; yet I have a hope — I trust a well grounded one, that I shall, through the abundant goodness and marvellous loving- kindness of a gracious God, and through the merits, mediation, and intercession of a blessed and adorable Redeemer, when time here shall be no more, be favoured with an entrance within the peail gates; there to celebrate the praise of that Almighty Power which hath supported and sustained me through many very deep and trying probations, though hid from mortal sight." John Mounsey was bora at Penrith, in the year 1766 ; and was educated by his parents in the profession of the established church. At an early age his mind was made sensible of the convictions of the Holy Spirit ; and on leaving his native town at the time of his being introduced into business as an apprentice, he was ear- nestly desirous that he might be enabled to conduct himself with increased religious watchfulness. Not long afterwards, on taking a morning walk, he in- cidently became acquainted with an aged member of the Society of Friends, whose instructive conversation and counsel at various times, tended much to promote that serious concern which had dawned upon his mind. He was mercifully preserved from many of the tempta- tions and snares by which youth are peculiarly assailed ; and his conduct being marked by humility and circum- spection, furnished a good example to those around him : 174 JOHN MOUNSEY. lie was also remarkable for his kinkness to all, especially to the poor. About the year 1787, he settled at Sunderland, where he continued his attendance on the national worship, frequenting occasionally the meetings of Friends, of the correctness of whose Christian views he was becoming increasingly convinced. It was not, however, without much mental conflict, involving the sacrifice of many things difficult to nature to part with, that he was made willing to yield obedience to those convictions, which ultimately led him to believe it to be his religious duty to request admission into the society, which he joined in the year 1790. He ever afterwards esteemed his connexion with Friends as one of his greatest privileges, and he remained constantly and steadily attached to the principles of truth professed by them. He was for a long time an overseer in the meeting of Sunderland, and in the year 1820 was appointed an elder, in both which stations, although naturally of a timid and re- tiring disposition, it was his humble endeavour to act with faithfulness and uprightness. He was a sincere and kind friend, his heart being susceptible of tender sympathy with the afflicted, and his conduct in all the varied relations of life, greatly endeared lnm to his friends. About the 66th year of his age he was visited with sickness; and although the complaint did not, at first, assume a very serious form, yet it soon became evident that liis strength, which had rather declined for some years previously, was now rapidly sinking; and from the commencement of his disorder, he was impressed with a belief that it would terminate in his dissolution. In the early part of his illness he was concerned to review the whole of his past life : this solemn self- examination was attended with a humbling: sense of his having fallen far short of a sufficient devotedness to the cause of his blessed Redeemer. He deeply felt his own JOHN MOUNSEY. 175 poverty and insufficiency; and great were the convicts of his spirit during this time of close searching of heart. Fervent were his petitions to the throne of grace, and in due season they were abundantly answered, to the unspeakable consolation of his diffident mind. His medical attendant, on being requested to give him nothing that might occasion delirium, because, as ,he said, it was his wish, " gently to slide from time to eternity, with his recollection clear" — remarked, that he dwelt too much on that view of the case ; to which he replied, " Oh ; I know there is nothing else for me, and I am quite ready, and have no desire to live. If it were right for me to have a wish, I should say, ' Come Lord Jesus, come quickly.' " To a relation, who came to see him, he said, " I am very feeble, just waiting my ap- pointed time. I do not know that it would be right to wish for the end; and I desire patiently to wait, and quietly to hope, until my change come ; but if it might be so ordered in righteousness, I should be glad to pass away into the arms of everlasting mercy." On the 8th of first month, 1833, he remarked to his dear wife, that she knew he had never been forward to speak on serious subjects, lest he should speak with un- hallowed lips; but he might often have said, that " goodness and mercy had followed him all the days of his life." On the 10th, he said to his sons, "I must now leave you. I believe this sickness is unto death: but I am quite reconciled to go ; and my prayer is for an easy passage, Avhen the right time comes." — " Every day seems to bring me nearer to those celestial gates, which must soon separate us : this world, and all its pleasures, and all its profits, are now as nothing to me ; I have done with them all." 12th. In the evening, he said, after a time of silence with his family, " I have been permitted, in a comfort- able degree, to repose on Him who was my morning 176 JOHN MOUNSEY. light, and who, I venture to trust, will continue with me until my close, and become my evening song ! and I pray, that if I should be permitted to spend a little more time with you, I may often retire unto Him." First-day evening, 13th, after sitting with his family in silence, he said, " How true it is, that times and sea- sons are not at our command ; I cannot report this a day of much spiritual good ; I have laboured hard to come at it, but have not been able ; but if it be so ordered, after the consolations of yesterday, that to-day I must submit to a reverse, no doubt it is right : if it be true, that nothing that is impure or unholy can enter the kingdom, how is it possible, that I, or any of us, can enter thereinto of ourselves ! I know myself to be a poor creature : and have nothing to lean upon but Christ Jesus." 15th. This morning, he remarked, that he had been greatly tossed; and in the afternoon, on waking from sleep, he appeared very low, and said, "I have endea- voured in all ways that I could, and cannot come at any good. Oh, my poor soul! Lord, have mercy on my never-dying soul !" Having said much more, expressive of the great conflict of his spirit, a pause ensued ; after which, he broke forth in thanksgiving, commencing with, "O Lord! I thank Thee for thy many mercies, ancient and new ; I thank Thee that Thou hast permit- ted me to live to attribute unto Thee, holiness, and light, and life ! " That evening, he said, " I have waited on the Lord; and I think possibly, he has in some measure inclined his ear unto me. I have remembered the language, ' In the world ye shall have tribulations ; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world,' and I have longed to follow on and wait unto the end." 16th. This morning, he said, "I have remembered what our Lord said to Peter; 'Lovest thou me?' and I trust, I can, in some measure, adopt his reply : * Thou, Lord, knowest that I love Thee.' In looking at our JOHN MOUXSEY. 177 society, as I have often done, both now and formerly, I have thought much of our principles, and especially of that principle of light and grace, which, if we follow, will lead us into all truth, and to peace in the end. I have also thought much of our peculiar testimonies; and I have felt sorrow to see some deviate from some of them. I am a poor creature, and have nothing to re- commend me ; but all these testimonies cost me a price ; I bought them one by one ; and I now feel them to be precious. You m,ay have observed in my passing along through life, that I have, as a Friend, been rather simple in my habits and manners, and have not thought it right to make changes, nor to follow the fashions of the world." After saying much more, he added, " And now , my dear children, buy the truth and sell it not." The same evening, he said, " I have been considering my past life, and the sins of my youth ; and my iniqui- ties have been brought to my remembrance, and the language of my heart has been, ' Pardon my transgres- sions, and remember not my sins against me, for thy mercies' sake, Oh Lord ! ' I desire that every wrong thing may be brought to judgment, and condemned; and I have a little hope, that all my sins may go before- hand to judgment ; but oh ! the reduction that is neces- sary in passing from death unto life — life everlasting. If there have been any high thought or imagination in me, let it be brought down, and laid in the dust, its proper place ! " His views of himself were exceedingly humble ; and yet his hope appeared to be fixed, trusting in the Lord and in his mercy, of which he was often led sweetly to speak ; and although he sometimes appeared low, yet at other times his moulh was opened to declare of the mercy and goodness of the Almighty to him, every way, and all his life long. Thus he who had been very diffident in speaking of serious tilings, seemed to be set at liberty to give expression to the feelings of his heart. N 178 JOHN MOUNSEY. On a near relation expressing that it was an unspeak- able comfort to see him as he was, and that she felt it a privilege to be with liim — he immediately rejoined — " To see the gracious dealings of the Lord with his fallen creature ! I hope I am reposing on Him, who alone can save ; there seems to be but a span betwixt me and eternity." Adverting to the time when he joined our society, he said, " When I first came among Friends, my faith was, and is continued unto this day, and I die in that faith — that there is a spirit in man, and the Almighty inspires it ; that this it is which must lead and direct us. Many may think, that if they act and think as Friends, it will do ; but no ! this will not do : they must come to this principle." In speaking of the blessings which surrounded him, he said, " For these, and all thy blessings, I desire, O Lord! to ascribe thanksgiving and glory to thy ever excellent Name ! " But although his heart thus overflowed with gratitude, thanksgiving, and praises, yet his expressions frequently indicated great anxiety that the work of purification might be fully accomplished, and he prayed that all might go beforehand to judgment, that, his sins being pardoned, notliing might appear against him. At another time, he said to some of his family, " I pray that the blessings of the upper and the nether springs may be with you, when I am gone. Keep steady — be faithful — and you will be blessed ; buy the truth and sell it not." 18th. He said he was waiting for his change, adding, " And now, I would exclaim, (if I might exclaim as a servant, but oh! that is far too high a name for me,) 'now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace; for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before all people; a light to enlighten the Gentiles, and ultimately for the glory of thy people JOHN MOUN8EY. 179 Israel.'" The solemnity with which these words were uttered, could only be felt by those who heard them. During the same day, after the occurrence of a pre- cious season of retirement, he sweetly gave expression to his feelings, saying, "I know there is no time to spare, not a moment to waste ; but if I labour ever so hard, what can I, a poor creature, do towards helping forward the great work? ( Without me ye can do nothing.' I hope I am not deceiving myself; but I feel relieved from much anxiety about my poor soul. I thank my God for these precious opportunities ; I think I feel a little hope that my prayers have been heard, and that I may repose with confidence in the mercy of God, through Jesus Christ, my Lord." This day he was strengthened to impart counsel to some of his friends who called to see him. To one of them, after speaking in a solemn and affectionate man- ner, of the great change from time to a never-ending eternity, which awaits us all, he added, " I intreat thee, every day of thy life, to endeavour to make some pro- gress in the great work ; if it be ever so small, be in earnest to make some advance ; and if thou be seriously inclined to encourage that feeling, thou wilt never regret it, and thou wilt know this work to go forward. We are poor creatures, and it is not of ourselves, but through grace and mercy, that we become what we ought to be. Look unto him, who said, 'Without me ye can do nothing.'" 20th. He observed to a near relation, "In my readings, my chief attention has been turned to the Scriptures ; I again read the Old and New Testament through last year ; and many times read various parts of them, but I often feared I was little or no better for it ; still poor and barren ; they were often to me as a sealed book, and they are a sealed book, until rightly opened by Him who alone can open ; but now, my mind is much turned to many portions of them; and oh! what an n 2 180 JOHN MOTJNSEY. encouragement is this to read the Scriptures. Thou seest me ; and it is marvellous to myself that my tongue is loosed, and I have no want, but seem full ; I merely mention this, that thou mayest encourage others to read the Scriptures." During this night he said that he felt a precious covering over us; and then exclaimed: — "Bless the Lord ! O my soul ! and all that is within me, bless my God!" 23rd. He expressed the difficulty he felt, from his great weakness, to keep his attention fixed, adding, "But I believe I may accept the little openings, and bow my head in peace." In reply to an inquiry made, in consequence of his having expressed but little for some days, he said, " I have been much shut up with respect to things most excellent, though they have not been taken from me ; but I thought I was in the hands of the Lord, and He would order all things right." During the night he was engaged in supplication under a deep feeling of mental and bodily weakness; yet in humble, unshaken faith in the mercy and goodness of the Almighty. 24th. He prayed, with uplifted hands, that the Lord would be with him in the last trying moment ; and on another occasion, he was heard to utter in a low voice, " Merciful God ! suffer not any of us in our last moments, through the pains of death, to fall from thee." A few days afterwards, he remarked : " This is a time of great watchfulness ; but my Lord has said unto me, * In my Father's house are many mansions, and a place is prepared for thee ! ' " He expressed but little after this, yet was preserved in much patience, quietly Avaiting his appointed time. On the 11th of second month, 1833, at the age of 67, his redeemed spirit was released from the pains and sorows of its afflicted tabernacle, and we reverently ELIZABETH RIDGWAY. 181 trust, has entered the mansion prepared for it in the Heavenly Father's house. Elizabeth Ridgway, daughter of George and Eliza- beth Penrose, was born in the city of Waterford, in the year 1757. In appears that in early life, her mind was favoured with the tendering visitations of divine love, to which she measurably yielded. At the age of eighteen she was united in marriage to Henry Ridgway, a respectable merchant of her native city ; and, through the continued extension of the Lord's preserving power, she was strengthened to discharge, with much propriety, the various important duties which devolved upon her. It was her chief desire to act in obedience to the mani- fested will of God, and her conduct was remarkable for great circumspection and consistency. She was reli- giously concerned for the best interests of her children, anxiously watching over their infant minds, and endea- vouring to restrain them from those things which had a tendency to lead them from the fear of their Creator. She possessed a tender, susceptible heart, sympathising with the afflicted, and kindly interested in the wants of her poor neighbours, to the relief of whose necessities she liberally contributed. Having, in her own blessed experience, proved the efficacy of divine grace, she was led, under the con- straining power of heavenly love, to testify to others of its sufficiency ; and about the 39th year of her age she became an acceptable minister of the gospel. In the exercise of her gift, her communications were generally short, but weighty, comprehensive, and edifying. She was a diligent attender of our meetings for worship and discipline, and her solid, reverent, deportment in them was peculiarly instructive. She was several times engaged in visiting the families of the members of her own and some other meetings, much to the comfort of 182 ELIZABETH EIDGWAY. her friends. Her last engagement in this labour of love was performed only a few months before her decease. Amongst her papers was found a memorandum of some religious service, which she apprehended was re- quired of her " by Him, whose ways are not as man's ways, nor his thoughts as man's thoughts." These re- marks were penned about the tenth month, 1808. After alluding to a sense of her own weakness and poverty, she adds, " For some years I have apprehended that I should be called to some public service, and at times I thought it would be such as was not very common ; but felt resigned to do whatever my dear Lord and Master required of me : and in a wonderful manner it was made known to me that I was to pay a visit to the public houses, and that a companion would be provided for me; and accordingly, when dear Thomas Shillitoe came to Ireland on a religious visit, he was pointed out to me to be the person." Having laid her concern before Friends, and obtained their sympathy and concurrence, she commenced this humiliating engagement, accompanied by our friend Thomas Shillitoe, who felt his mind drawn to unite with her. In the course of this visit they were led to seek religious opportunities with the keepers of such houses, exhorting them in a solid manner, and warning them of the hurtful consequences attendant on the improper use of strong liquors, whereby they might, in a greater or less degree, be accessary to the injury of their fellow creatures. In the performance of this duty they were generally well received, and way opened to them to their humbling admiration, where, at times, there appeared no way. They subsequently believed it to be their duty to explain to the inhabitants, in two of the public market places in Waterford, the nature of their concern. They also paid similar visits in four of the neighbouring towns, and on the way to those places. In 1827 her beloved partner was removed by death, ELIZABETH R1DGWAY. 183 after a union of upwards of fifty years. She endured this sore bereavement with humble submission to the divine will. In the twelfth month, 1832, the sudden removal of her eldest son, after a short illness, was too great a shock for nature to sustain. Although the spirit meekly bowed in Christian resignation to the heavy stroke, her health sunk under it. Her expression to a friend, who visited her on the following day, was, " The will of the Lord must be done." After this very afflictive event she was able to attend but two meetings for worsfcp, in one of which she was engaged in solemn supplication, craving the blessing of the Most High on the varied dispensations of Ins provi- dence, and that his merciful designs therein might be fully answered. She likewise attended another meeting the day following, near the conclusion of which, in much sweetness and brokenness of spirit, she uttered the following expressions: "Praise the Lord for his good- ness, for his mercy endureth for ever. He is the Lord of lords, and God of gods. Praise him, for his mercy endureth for ever." After this time she was mostly confined to the house, during which period (upwards of six months) she evinced much resignation to the divine will, often desiring that it might be done in all things respecting her. Her mind was remarkably clothed with the garment of humility, and though at times the full evidence of acceptance was not permitted, she was favoured with a hope, that, through redeeming love and mercy, she should be admitted into everlasting rest. Some time before her decease she ventured to tell a near connexion of her deep spiritual conflicts, adding, " It will be in unmerited and wonderful mercy if I am admitted into the lowest mansion. I have nothing to trust to but the redeeming love and mercy of my Saviour, and I am very unworthy of it." On the 4th of sixth month, 1833, the day before her 184 ELIZABETH RIDGWAY. decease, she imparted much weighty counsel, and sent messages to many absent relatives and friends. Her concern for her grandchildren was great, earnestly de- siring that they might avoid the vain customs and fashions and maxims of this world, and by living in the fear of God, become what he would have them to be. On the morning of her last day she said, " I feel such confidence, faith, and peace. — I have great inward peace. — I want nothing outward. — All through the love and mercy of my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ ! " In commemorating the blessings and favours bestowed upon her, she repeated, "Oh, wonderful! wonderful! what shall I, or what can I render for all ! The love of the Almighty is wonderful, unlimited ! I feel it toward every creature in the world, from the king on the throne to the beggar at the door." At another time she said, " Oh ! the privilege, my dear children, of being brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." On her medical attendant visiting her, and saying that he left her in the hands of the great Physician of value, she replied, "Yes, through the mercy of my blessed Redeemer and Intercessor, all is peace within; nothing lies heavy on my mind. Farewell in the Lord ! " She requested her children to pray for her release in the Lord's time, and that he would grant her an easy passage. She expressed her desire that all might be quiet at that solemn time. Feeling much exhausted, she petitioned, " Oh Lord, help me ! dearest Father of life and glory, help me ! Oh blessed Jesus, help me, and guard me on the right hand and on the left ; " and she concluded with returning thanks to God, ascribing unto him "adoration and praise for ever and ever." She afterwards fell into a gentle sleep, in which the redeemed spirit was quietly and peacefully released from its earthly tabernacle, to enter, we trust, into that inheritance which is " incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away." TIIOMAS WILLIAMS. 185 Thomas Williams, son of Henry and Eleanor Williams, of Ramsgate, was from very early youth, religiously inclined. He was apprenticed to a Friend : and during his minority became strongly attached to the principles of our society, and applied for membership to Rochester Monthly Meeting, within the compass of which Ins master resided. His request was complied with ; and throughout the remaining portion of his life, he highly prized the privilege of this fellowship. After the ex- piration of his apprenticeship, he remained some time longer with the Friend whom he had served ; and then removed to Croydon, wherefhe entered into business in the year 1828. As a tradesman, he was consistent and exemplary ; his uprightness and integrity gaining him the respect of his neighbours and acquaintance. He was diligent and attentive in his business ; yet evinced that he was at the same time seeking a better inheritance than this world can give. He was, by trade, a retail chemist and druggist; and although his property was very limited, he did not allow his outward engagements to pre- vent his attending meetings, both on first and other days. The illness which terminated Ins life was, during the last few weeks of its course, rapid in its progress. His mind was preserved in great calmness and composure ; and the expressions which were noted down, tend to confirm the assurance that, through the mercy of God in Christ Jesus our Lord, his spirit, when released from the bonds of mortality, was joyfully gathered to the just of all generations. A few days before his close, he remarked to one of his sisters, " What an unspeakable favour it is to be a member of our religious society ! " and expressed regret, that many should possess this privilege without valuing it sufficiently. He told his mother that he was not afraid to die ; that he hoped through mercy he should 186 THOMAS WILLIAMS. be taken from the trials of life to a place of rest ; adding, "All will be well either way." To a Friend who fre- quently called upon him he remarked with much sweet- ness, that he hoped he was not presuming too much ; but he thought he could adopt the language of John Woolman : " O, my Father ; my Father ! how comfort- able art thou to my soul at this trying season ! " adding, " I feel such peace — such sweet peace." He frequently spoke of his decease with great com- posure, and expressed his desires respecting some arrangements which he wished to be made, if that event should take place, (in one occasion, when he felt extremely weak, he said, "I hope I shall have patience: it is rather trying to nature not to see the event; but there" — (as if checking himself for this ex- pression) — "Providence is abundantly kind." When taking his medicine he would frequently smile and say, " Even my medicine is sweet to me." On the 6th of sixth month he received a farewell visit from two Friends whoin he highly esteemed ; and in reply to some observations which had been made, he said to them, " I have not been what I ought ; but through mercy I feel that precious union and commu- nion with infinite love — or rather grafted into the spirit of love — that I do not doubt." He appeared to be remarkably imbued with love, and to have selfish feel- ings subdued ; and experienced, as he expressed himself, "I" annihilated, and love implanted." During the 7th he sweetly referred to the character of our Lord, who was tempted as we are, yet without sin ! and added, " Oh ! that my temptations may be without sin!" On the following day he remarked, "O, what a blessed thing it is to be a Quaker ! and how few know it ! O the goodness and mercy of God have been very great towards me." After recovering from much exhaustion and faintness, he was heard to be engaged in supplication* "Oh gracious Lord, grant me patience. THOMAS WILLIAMS. 187 Preserve me from temptation. Oli ! gracious Lord, let me not sin against thee in my weakness." Seeing his mother and sisters around him, he looked at them separately, and, smiling very affectionately, said, "All looks pleasant: I would long, if I dared;" and afterwards added, " May the blessings of heaven, which have been so abundantly showered down upon me from the beginning, descend upon you ! " On reco- vering from another fainting fit he said, "O what a blessed thing it was ! in one moment more I thought I shoidd have been in eternity ! — one little struggle." After the visit of his tphysician on this day, he inquired what his opinion of him was ; and on being told that he was considered to be worse, he said to his mother and sisters, " Pray for me, dears, that in my weakness I may not be assailed by temptation. I have a most pleasant prospect ; but I hope I shall be able to bear what he may be pleased to lay on me first. What some poor creatures suffer without the consolations of religion! What an unspeakable favour to be brought under its influence, and to know it truly ! O, of unutter- able value ! " As he was sitting up in bed his sister remarked, that it was pleasant to see him smile. " Yes," said he, " I do smile ; though I do not feel cpiite so clear as I wish : the things of the world will pass before me ; yet as I do not wilfully sin, and my great weakness is not a fault, I hope I have no cause but to smile." During the night previous to Ins close, he was greatly exhausted from continued fainting fits ; and on recovering from one of them, his countenance beaming with joyful anticipation, he said, " O how beautiful ! Just at the gates ! and saw the beautiful company ! O how unspeakably beautiful ! I was just at the gates; but could not get in; could not break the silver cord, though only a thread. What a disappointment ! O how unspeakably beautiful ! And now for patience to wait a little longer!" A short time 188 RACHEL FOWLER. before his close, on the 9th of sixth month, 1833, he fixed his eyes on his mother, and made an effort to say, " Farewell :" then on each of his sisters ; and soon after- wards quietly and peacefully expired, in the 28th year of his a