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 JAN 31 1918 
 
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SELECT 
 
 MISCELLANIES, 
 
 CHIEFLY ILLVSTE ATI VE OF THE 
 
 JAN 31 191 
 
 HISTORY, CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES, AND SUFFERINGS, 
 
 SOCIETY OF FKIENDS; 
 
 WITH ACCORDANT SENTIMENTS OF EMINENT AND PIOUS INDIVIDUALS Olf 
 OTHEH DENOMINATIONS, INCLUDING MANY REMARKABLE INCIDENTS, 
 AND A VARIETY. OF INFOBMATION PART1CUI.ABLY 
 INTERESTING TO FRIENDS. 
 
 y 
 
 BY WILSON AKNIISTEAD. 
 
 1 Hold fast the profession of your faith without wavering.'— Heb x. 23. 
 
 VOL. II. 
 Second ©uition, fttbiseU antt £nlarjje&. 
 
 LONDON: W. AND F. G. CASH, 
 
 (SUCCESSORS TO CHARLES GILPIN), 
 BISHOPSGATE STREET WITHOUT. 
 
GLASGOW-: 
 
 w. a: nr.ACKiic an:> co., i t.:ntkrs, 
 
 VI LLAKI F.LD. 
 
LIST OF PLATES IN VOL. II. 
 
 Swarthmoor Hall, exterior, facing title-page, 
 
 „ „ the Parlour, . . . .138 
 „ „ the Hall, 142 
 
 Fac simile Autographs of Friends ; viz. : — 
 
 Edward Burrough, E. B.'s initial signature, 
 Richard Hubberthorne, Robert Barclay, John 
 Yaughton, Samuel Fothergill, ... 38 
 
 Fac-simile Autographs of Friends ; viz. : — 
 
 George De Horne, Win. Perm, James Logan 
 (Wm. Perm's Secretary, and Founder of the 
 Loganian Library, Philadeljihia) , Vm. Caton, 
 Samuel Waldenfield, 210 
 
 Fac-simile Autographs of Friends ; viz. : — 
 
 Anthony Benezet, William Logan, Sarah 
 Logan, jr., J. H. Wiffen, .... 288 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 KNOW THE LORD. 
 
 Amuse not thyself with the numerous opinions 
 of the world, nor value thyself upon verbal 
 orthodoxy, philosophy, or thy skill in tongues, 
 or knowledge of the fathers (too much the busi- 
 ness and vanity of the world) ; but in this rejoice, 
 ' That thou knowest God, that is the Lord, who 
 exerciseth loving-kindness, and judgment, and 
 righteousness in the earth.' — (Penn.) 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM JOHN FOTHER- 
 GILL, TO ONE OF HIS SONS (SUPPOSED TO BE 
 THE LATE DR. JOHN FOTHERGILL). 
 
 After noticing the contents of a letter received 
 from him, in which the proved, tried state of 
 his mind was disclosed, he adds, 'May the feel- 
 ing knowledge hereof, and an humble hope, and 
 trust, to be guided and balanced by the invisible 
 Holy One, guard and stay thee, through the 
 unsettling struggles that may attend thee. For, 
 betwixt the converse and pursuits of the un- 
 it. A 
 
2 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 mortified world (however polished by human 
 endeavours), and the earthly nature in ourselves, 
 with the gilded appearance of penetration, com- 
 prehensiveness of reasoning, and finesse, of many 
 among the more learned part of mankind, and 
 the little, low, vet pure, and powerful seed, 
 which at times makes itself known indisputably, 
 yet hides itself again, creatures are liable to 
 dangerous tossings ; and good beginnings, ideas 
 and desires of God's own begetting, have un- 
 happily miscarried ; and iustead of coming nearer 
 the experience of salvation, being as walls and 
 bulwarks about them in a quiet habitation, too 
 many, for want of carefully looking tow y ards the 
 true port, have been gradually, by one wave 
 after another, carried off to sea again, and ship- 
 wrecked in the loose, unbottomed conceptions 
 and interests of this world. Wherefore cleave 
 close, I pray thee, to the immovable Rock — 
 the spiritual appearance of the Father and 
 the Son, in whom is all might and all suffi- 
 ciency ; and I fully believe he will be thy God, 
 thy Saviour, thy Shepherd, to lead and feed 
 thee, thy shield and exceeding great reward. 
 Amen.' 
 
 INFANT SCHOOL IN AMSTERDAM BELONGING 
 TO FRIENDS— ITS SINGULAR ORIGIN. 
 
 In the year 1781, a vessel, in part owned by a 
 Friend, of London, was concerned with another 
 in the capture of a Dutch East Indiaman, home- 
 ward bound — the captors being on their voyage 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 3 
 
 to New York, and the vessel, in which the Friend 
 was half owner, bearing letters of marque and 
 reprisals ; which fact had been concealed, it 
 appears, from his knowledge. On learning the 
 event, and considering his own responsibility as 
 owner, for the acts of the commander, the Friend 
 insured £2000 on his share of the prize — which 
 was paid him by the underwriters, the vessel 
 being lost on her passage to England. 
 
 This money was the prize of violence ; and 
 it was not for a friend to universal peace to re- 
 tain and make use of it. What was then to be 
 done ? His Monthly Meeting advised him to 
 put it in trust for the benefit of the sufferers, 
 to be paid them ' whensoever they might be found.' 
 He did so ; but on condition of the trust con- 
 tinuing only eighteen months ; in which time 
 no claimant appearing, the publication of it not 
 having been made in the right place, the money 
 was returned to him. 
 
 The Friend being about to remove with his 
 family to the United States, requested a certi- 
 ficate to a Monthly Meeting in Philadelphia. 
 The Monthly Meeting in London declined grant- 
 ing him this, until such time as he should have 
 complied with their advice, and have 'found out 
 and refunded to the parties suffering by the 
 capture.' He accordingly went over to Phila- 
 delphia without a certificate, but in 1799 signed 
 an instrument, transferring the principal and 
 interest of the prize money, which had been 
 invested in the funds, to certain Friends ap- 
 pointed by the Monthly Meeting in London, to 
 
4 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 be refunded to the sufferers, or otherwise dis- 
 posed of in case thej could not be found, in 
 such a manner * as the Friends of the Meet- 
 ing should think most consistent with truth 
 and equity.' His certificate of removal was 
 now forwarded to him. 
 
 It is proper to mention here, in justice to the 
 Friend, that he had disposed of his share in this 
 armed vessel, as soon as he could after the 
 capture of the Indiaman. 
 
 The Monthly Meeting, by its committee and 
 trustees, now prosecuted the business of resti- 
 tution ; the Friend himself having declined 
 assisting in it. They advertised their intention 
 in the Dutch papers, at some considerable ex- 
 pense, and thus brought forward, ultimately, 
 the claims of a number of the representatives 
 of those who had suffered, the fund meanwhile 
 accumulating greatly by interest invested from 
 time to time, under the direction of the Com- 
 mittee. In 1818, thirty-seven years after the 
 capture, claims to the amount of no less than 
 £7000 had been liquidated, leaving a balance 
 still in the hands of the trustees of about £2000, 
 three and a half per cent, augmenting yearly 
 by interest. 
 
 In 1827, no further claims having been ad- 
 vanced from abroad, the trustees began to make 
 charitable distributions of money out of the 
 fund, to persons in necessitous circumstances in 
 Amsterdam ; but without expending in this way 
 any considerable sum. For they were pretty 
 soon induced to purchase a building in that city, 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 5 
 
 and founded an Infant School, after the model 
 of the one in Spitalfields, London ; reserving in 
 trust with a sufficient number of Friends, under 
 the Monthly Meeting, the sum of £2600, three 
 per cent., the interest of which is applied by 
 the Committee to its support. 
 
 Thus, by the overruling hand of Divine 
 Providence, and through the persevering atten- 
 tion of a number of friends to truth and uni- 
 versal peace under our name, succeeding to 
 each other in the discharge of their religious 
 duty, and doing it in this case with much zeal 
 and discretion, was the result of a single act of 
 violence and cupidity towards the estate of un- 
 offending individuals, converted, after all possi- 
 ble recompense made the sufferers, into a source 
 of permanent benefit, by instruction afforded 
 in their earliest years, to the generations to 
 come. — ( Yorkshi reman.) 
 
 PRIMITIVE SIMPLICITY. 
 
 To thejWoonion Ffriends of the Quarterly Meeting at 
 Barnbury. 
 
 Deare Ffriends, — It so hapens that none of us 
 from Henly this year can conveniently attend 
 the Service of this Meeting. 
 
 These cums to let you understand, that wee 
 are in unity. Our week days Meetings are duly 
 kept up. Our Poore are taken care of. Wee 
 hope Truth prospers amongst us. And whear 
 anv thing is known to be a miss care is taken 
 
 a a 
 
6 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 for amendm'. This with the Salutation of Our 
 Dear Loves, wee remaine your Ffriends in the 
 Truth, Judith Gkimsdall. 
 
 Lidia Toovey. 
 Henlt the 2ith, ith mo., 1726. 
 
 BAD ADVICE. 
 
 When a young man made an open profession of 
 the gospel, his father, greatly offended, gave him 
 this advice — 'James, you should first get your- 
 self established in a good trade, and then think 
 of and determine about religion.' 'Father,' said 
 the son, 'Christ advises me very differently. He 
 says — "Seek ye first the kingdom of God." ' — 
 (Cope's Anecdotes.) 
 
 FROM BISHOP BURNET'S 'HISTORY OF HIS 
 OWN TIMES.' 
 
 In the year 1661, after King Charles II. was 
 restored, many persons were brought to trial 
 for joining Oliver Cromwell, several of whom 
 were condemned and executed. Among the 
 former was one Swinton, who, having been 
 attainted in the parliament of Stirling, in Scot- 
 land, was brought before the parliament of 
 England, to hear what he could say why the 
 sentence should not be executed. He was then 
 become a Quaker, and with an eloquence that 
 moved the whole house, laid out all his own 
 errors, and the ill spirit he was in when he 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 7 
 
 committed the things that were charged on 
 him, with so tender a sense, that he seemed as 
 one indifferent what they should do with him ; 
 and without so much as moving for mercy, or 
 even for a delay, he so effectually prevailed on 
 them, that they recommended him to the King 
 as a fit object for his mercy, in consequence 
 of which he escaped, though the man of all 
 Scotland that had been the most trusted 
 and employed by Cromwell. — (Leadbeater's 
 Extracts.) 
 
 PREACHING AT AN EXECUTION. 
 
 In the Journal of Thomas Scattergood recently 
 published, the following circumstance is related. 
 It is not mentioned in the original American 
 edition, and was supplied from the information 
 of a Friend in England : — 
 
 'While Thomas Scattergood stayed at the 
 house of a Friend who assisted him (in visiting 
 the prisons) on the south side of London, he 
 related, that on an occasion of two men being 
 about to be executed at Philadelphia, he felt a 
 strong inclination to be present, which hardly 
 seemed to be of the nature of a religious con- 
 cern. He went to his friend William Savery, 
 who was at work at his currier's shop, and 
 found him disposed to accompany him. They 
 watched the approach of the hurdle on which 
 the criminals were placed, which they closely 
 followed for some time, and at length got upon 
 it. They felt as if they were dreadfully har- 
 
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 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 dened, never having been sensible of the like 
 before ; but they afterwards believed that this 
 feeling arose from a deep sense given them of 
 the state of the minds of the criminals. When 
 they arrived at the platform they ascended the 
 ladder after the poor men, and directly after 
 their execution, William Savery felt a very 
 powerful impression to address the multitude 
 assembled. The state of his mind immediately 
 changed into one of deep compassion, so much 
 so, that it was with difliculty he could forbear 
 weeping. It was observed that many among 
 the crowd wept. As soon as he had done, 
 T. Scattergood followed, and very impressively 
 and powerfully pointed out to the people the 
 evil of giving way to the first temptation to do 
 anything wrong, closing the whole with suppli- 
 cation. 
 
 ' The time thus occupied was about an hour, 
 and the crowd quietly dispersed.' — ( The Friend.) 
 
 INWARD AND IMMEDIATE TEACHING OF THE 
 HOLY SPIRIT. 
 
 The Holy Spirit speaks inwardly and imme- 
 diately to the soul ; for God is a spirit ; the soul 
 is a spirit ; and they converse with one another 
 in spirit ; not by words, but by spiritual notices, 
 which, however, are more intelligible than the 
 most eloquent strains in the world. God makes 
 himself to be heard by the soul by inward mo- 
 tions, which it perceives and comprehends pro- 
 portionably as it is emptied of earthly ideas. 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 0 
 
 And the more the faculties of the soul cease 
 from their own operations, so much the more 
 sensible and more intelligible are the motions of 
 God to it. — (G. Mcnro, Vicar of Letterkenny.) 
 
 AN ACROSTIC. 
 
 S cch sweet persuasive eloquence is thine, 
 
 T o point the wanderer to the gift Divine ; 
 
 E arnest to rouse the careless, and declare 
 
 P eace to the soul o'erwhelmed with doubt and care. 
 
 H ow thy lov'd accents sound in memory's ear, 
 
 E ager to soothe and dry the falling tear. 
 
 N ear is thy dwelling to the source of Light ! 
 
 G race flows from thence, and clothes thee with its might; 
 
 R eady to teach the inexperienced mind 
 
 E arly to choose the path of the resigned ! 
 
 L o ! thou obey'st the call to distant lands, 
 
 L ike Gabriel, flying at the Lord s commands ! 
 
 E ternal truth be with thee to direct, 
 
 T o guide, support thee, strengthen, and protect. 
 
 THE CONNECTION OF THE STATE OR GOVERN- 
 MENT, WITH ANY PARTICULAR CHURCH OR 
 FORM OF RELIGION, DECLARED TO BE IN- 
 EXPEDIENT AND ANTICHRISTIAN. 
 
 BY SEVERAL VOICES. 
 
 Worldly powers, princes, lords, and lawyers, 
 may make laws, give out rights and orders re- 
 specting houses and yards, villages, and corn 
 fields, wine and land, and people, and all that 
 is upon earth subject to man ; but, in matters 
 
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 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 of belief — in what belongs to the soul — to deal 
 as with outward bodily things, such as our oxen, 
 and houses, and yards — no ! that is not to be 
 
 suffered I tell you again, neither pope 
 
 nor bishop, nor any man, has a right to put a 
 single syllable upon a Christian man, unless 
 it be done with his own consent ; and what is 
 otherwise done, is done in the spirit of tyranny. 
 — (Luther.) 
 
 Dissenters, I am told, declaim against all 
 human authority in matters of religion. They 
 hold, that no church has a right to impose an 
 article of faith on any other Christian com- 
 munity. I believe in my heart they are right ; 
 at least, if they be not, he that can refute them 
 is a much abler man than myself. — (From Bishop 
 Shipley's Speech in the House of Lords.) 
 
 No power or legislation can be admitted into 
 Christ's church without making it a worldly 
 kingdom. — (Bishop Warburton.) 
 
 A PERSIAN PRECEPT. 
 
 Forgive thy foes, nor that alone, 
 Their evil deeds with good repay ; 
 Fill those with joys who leave thee none, 
 And kiss the hand upraised to slay. 
 
 So does the fragrant sandal bow, 
 In meek submission to its doom ; 
 And o'er the axe, at every blow, 
 Sheds in abundance rich perfume. 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 REMARKABLE PRAYER. 
 
 Nicholas Walne of Philadelphia, who came to 
 England about the year 1780 on a religious 
 visit, was brought up to the law, and practised 
 for some rears as a counsellor in that city. 
 Previous to his becoming decidedly religious, 
 and consistent in his conduct as a member of 
 our Society, he grew uneasy in his mind, and 
 very dejected, even almost to despair. At the 
 time of the quarterly meeting in the second 
 month 1772, he had taken his customary seat, 
 being attired in his usual fashionable dress, when 
 arising from his place he went into the ministers' 
 gallery, and kneeling down, he offered the fol- 
 lowing prayer : — 
 
 '0 Lord God, arise, and let thine enemies be 
 scattered ; baptize me with the baptism where- 
 with thou wast baptized, dip me yet deeper in 
 Jordan, wash me in the laver of regeneration ! 
 Thou hast done much for me, and hast a right 
 to expect much ; and, in the presence of this 
 congregation, I resign myself and all that I 
 have to thee ; it is thine, and I pray thee give 
 me resolution in this 'to continue firm. Where- 
 soever thou leadest me, 0 Lord, I will follow 
 thee, through persecution even unto martyr- 
 dom ; if my life be required, I will freely sacri- 
 fice it Now I know that my Redeemer 
 
 liveth. The mountains are removed — Halleluia ! 
 Teach me to despise the shame in the opinion 
 of the people of this world. Thou know est, O 
 Lord, my deep baptisms ; I acknowledge my 
 
12 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 manifold transgressions ; I know ray unworthi- 
 ness of thy favours which I have received. I 
 thank thee, Father, that thou hast hid thy 
 mysteries from the wise and prudent, and hast 
 revealed them to babes and sucklings.' This 
 extraordinary and unexpected appearance occa- 
 sioned an elderly Friend to offer, at first, some 
 impediment, to whom N. W. replied, 'Touch 
 not the shew-bread with unhallowed hands.' 
 
 A VAIN SINGER CONVERTED. 
 
 Luke Cock was accounted the greatest singer 
 of vain and irreligious songs in all that part 
 of the country where he lived. It pleased God, 
 however, in the riches of his mercy, to visit him 
 with his love, causing him to repent of the evil 
 of his ways, and putting a new song into his 
 mouth, even praises to God, who had called him 
 from darkness into his marvellous light. 
 
 John Richardson, speaking of the conversion 
 of this man says, ' he sung then (that is, before 
 his conversion) the Babylonian song, by the 
 muddy waters thereof, but having drunk of the 
 brooks of Shiloh, that run softly into the newly 
 converted soul, he could sing and rejoice in the 
 Lord Jesus Christ. And although he met with 
 many trials and great tribulations, he witnessed 
 his robes washed, and in a good degree made 
 white in the blood of the Lamb, being, by the 
 good hand and arm of strength and salvation, 
 brought through all his troubles, and set as 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 13 
 
 upon mount Sion, where he could sing a new 
 song, the song of Moses and of the Lamb.' 
 
 He kept to his integrity to the end of his 
 days, departing this life towards the latter end 
 of 1740, in the eighty-third year of his age, 
 having been a faithful minister of the gospel of 
 Christ about thirty-seven years. — (Collection of 
 Testimonies, p. 143.) 
 
 DANGER OF RICHES. 
 ' They that will be rich, fall into temptation and a snare.' 
 
 As eminent Friend remarks; 1 Xot all the per- 
 secutions, not all the apostates, nor all the open 
 or private enemies, we have ever had, have done 
 us, as a Christian Society, the damage that 
 riches have done.' 
 
 DAVID BARCLAY 
 
 Was descended from an ancient and honourable 
 family in Scotland, and was born in the year 
 1610. In his youth he was a volunteer in 
 the army under Gustavus Adolphus, king of 
 Sweden, in which he rose to the rank of major. 
 On the breaking out of the civil wars, he re- 
 turned home, and became a colonel of a regi- 
 ment of horse on the side of the king, having 
 command of the shires of Ross, Sutherland, 
 and Caithness: but on the success of Cromwell 
 in Scotland, he was deprived of his military em- 
 ployments, which he never afterwards resumed. 
 
14 
 
 SKLECT MISCELLANIES 
 
 He became, however, an active member in several 
 successive parliaments, and his strenuous and 
 successful efforts in these, in favour of the 
 nobility and gentry who had forfeited their 
 estates in the political struggles of that period, 
 made him very popular, and gave him great in- 
 fluence in his country, and especially in his own 
 neighbourhood. The last parliament in which 
 he sat, was that which was called in 1656, after 
 which period he disentangled himself from all 
 public affairs. 
 
 Thus far David Barclay had tasted much of 
 prosperity, and by his general conduct amongst 
 men, had obtained the approbation of most of 
 those with whom he had been connected. But 
 in his retirement from the world he was brought 
 to see the state of his own heart, and the un- 
 certainty of all earthly things ; each day giving 
 fresh evidence of their instability in every con- 
 dition, from that of the king on his throne to 
 that of the most destitute. Hitherto he had 
 spent much of his time in serving others, but 
 now he resolved to bestow the remainder of his 
 life wholly in the service of God ; and by so 
 doing, more directly to answer the great purpose 
 of his creation. Under these considerations, 
 he looked around him with great anxiety and 
 earnestness, to know what society of Christians 
 to join with, to determine which, he betook 
 himself to the close reading of the New Testa- 
 ment, as the only certain way of knowing the 
 religion of Christ in its primitive purity. With 
 patience and caution he pursued his inquiry, 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 15 
 
 and after some time, upon full conviction, he 
 joined the despised people called Quakers, 
 and became as eminent for his religious and 
 exemplary life, as he had formerly been for his 
 bravery ; resolving, by the grace of God, to 
 suffer patiently indignities and injuries for con- 
 science sake. 
 
 This change in his character soon brought 
 him into trials: the laws being then against 
 all meetings for worship not conducted after 
 the prescribed national standard. In the north 
 of Scotland, and chiefly at Aberdeen, in the 
 vicinity of which he resided, the Quakers were 
 particularly ill used ; being often insulted at 
 their meetings by the lowest dregs of the popu- 
 lace, whom the zealots of that day encouraged 
 to molest them. It was remarked that none 
 bore these indignities with greater calmness than 
 David Barclay ; and when upon an occasion of 
 uncommon rudeness, one of his relations la- 
 mented that he should experience such a reverse 
 of treatment from what he had formerly known 
 in that place, he replied that he found more 
 satisfaction, as well as honour, in being thus 
 insulted for his religious principles, than when, 
 some years before, it was usual with the magis- 
 trates, as he passed the city of Aberdeen, to 
 meet him several miles, and conduct him to 
 a public entertainment in their town-house, and 
 then convey him so far out again, in order to 
 gain his favour. 
 
1C, 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 JOHN WESLEY ON CEREMONIES IN RELIGION. 
 
 ' For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink ; but 
 righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost ' 
 (Rom. xiv. 17). 
 
 The apostle declares, both here and in many 
 other places, that true religion does not consist 
 in meats and drinks, or in any ritual obser- 
 vances : nor indeed, in any outward thing 
 whatever, in anything exterior to the heart: 
 the whole substance thereof lying in righteous- 
 ness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Not in 
 any outward thing, such as forms or ceremonies 
 even of the most excellent kind. Supposing 
 them to be ever so decent and significant, ever 
 so expressive of inward things : supposing them 
 ever so helpful, not only to the vulgar, whose 
 thoughts reach little further than their sight ; 
 but even to men of understanding, men of 
 stronger capacities : . . . . yea, supposing 
 them, as in the case of the Jews, to be ap- 
 pointed by God himself : yet even, during the 
 period of time wherein that appointment re- 
 mained in force, true religion did not princi- 
 pally consist therein ; nay, strictly speaking, 
 not at all. How much more must this hold 
 concerning such rites and forms as are only of 
 human appointment. The religion of Christ 
 rises infinitely higher, and lies immensely 
 
 deeper, than all these Let no man 
 
 dream that they have any intrinsic worth, or 
 that religion cannot subsist without them. This 
 were to make them an abomination to the Lord. 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 17 
 
 ON GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE WITH THE 
 RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION OF THE PEOPLE. 
 
 George Payne, LL.D., in his arguments against 
 the interference of Governments with the reli- 
 gious instruction of the |feople, makes the fol- 
 lowing excellent remarks : — 
 
 * The compulsory support of religion is at 
 variance with the very nature of religion. 
 Every religious service and offering must be 
 voluntary, to be accepted of God. Every pay- 
 ment to the support of religion extorted by the 
 strong hand of the Government — especially if 
 applied to what is false in religion — is a vile 
 oblation in his sight. He will accept the free- 
 will offering only. He looks at the heart, not 
 at the silver and the gold — the former is the 
 offering. When by the compulsion of law, 
 even great wealth is placed upon God's altar, 
 there is no offering— nothing for him to accept ; 
 and he may be expected to say to the extorters 
 of such an oblation, ' Who hath required this 
 at your hand V On this ground I should totally 
 disapprove of any law rendering the support of 
 religion compulsory, even if the Sovereign and 
 the country held precisely the same religious 
 faith ; there would still exist the evil of compul- 
 sory support, and this is, of itself, of appalling 
 magnitude — an evil which tends to corrupt the 
 very principle of obedience, by substituting the 
 authority of man for the authority of God. It 
 also assumes authority on the part of man, 
 where there is none. God has set me free from 
 
 B 3 
 
IS 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 human control in reference to the support of 
 religion. I am bound to him to support it, 
 but not to man. And he has thus left all men 
 free, that their contributions and their services 
 may do honour to him ; flowing, as they then 
 may appear to do, from unmingled, as well as 
 reverential regard to his authority. God has a 
 right to control conscience — man, none at all.' 
 
 CHRISTIANITY. 
 
 To expect to give a just idea of Christianity by 
 any quality as detached from the whole, would 
 be to resemble a certain Athenian, who, having 
 a palace to sell, took out a single brick from 
 the wall, and produced it at the auction as a 
 specimen of the edifice. 
 
 TO-MORROW. 
 
 I will to-morrow, that I will, 
 
 I will be sure to do it ; 
 To-morrow comes, to-morrow goes, 
 
 And still thou art to do it. 
 
 Thus still repentance is deferr'd, 
 From one day to another ; 
 
 Until the day of death is come, 
 And judgment is the other. 
 
 WAR. 
 
 True it is that war is always ' bitterness in the 
 latter end.' It is bitterness to kings and govern- 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 19 
 
 merits, who lose their most faithful subjects 
 and most valuable members. It is bitterness to 
 society, cutting all the ties of relationship be- 
 tween parents and children, husbands and wives, 
 brothers and sisters, and bosom friends. It is 
 bitterness also to the people generally ; and so 
 they find it, when the expenses are summed up, 
 and visit them in the form of taxes. Then, in- 
 deed, there is but one opinion — 4 War is bitterness 
 in the latter end.' — (Cottage Bible.) 
 
 WALKING IN THE LIGHT. 
 
 * But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have 
 fellowship one with another ; and the blood of Jesus 
 Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin ' (1 John i. 7). 
 
 Walk in the light ! So shalt thou know 
 
 That fellowship of love, 
 His Spirit only can bestow, 
 
 Who reigns in light above. 
 
 Walk in the light ! — and sin, abhorr'd, 
 
 Shall ne'er defile again ; 
 The blood of Jesus Christ, thy Lord, 
 
 Shall cleanse from every stain. 
 
 Walk in the light ! — and thou shalt find 
 
 Thy heart made truly His 
 Who dwells in cloudless light enshrin'd, 
 
 In whom no darkness is. 
 
 Walk in the lighj ! — and thou shalt own 
 
 Thy darkness pass'd away, 
 Because that Light hath on thee shone, 
 
 In which is perfect day. 
 
 Walk in the light ! — and e'en the tomb 
 
 No fearful shade shall wear ; 
 Glory shall chase away its gloom, 
 
 For Christ hath conquer'd there '. 
 
20 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 Walk in the light !— and thine shall he 
 A path, though thorny, bright ; 
 
 For God, by grace, shall dwell in thee, 
 And God himself is Light ! 
 
 (Bernard Barton.) 
 
 THE SWEET INFLUENCES OF GOSPEL LOVE. 
 
 O! that' every awakened soul would daily seek 
 after the sweet influences 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 the unjust), it brings its 
 own sweet reward with it ; for it attracts the 
 approbation of God. Where, then, will be con- 
 tempt; where, the indulgence 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 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 ? Amen! — (Joseph Gurney 
 Be van.) 
 
 HONESTY THE BEST POLICY. 
 
 Gharret Van Hassen was born in Holland, about 
 the year 1695. He was a signal instance of the 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 21 
 
 mercy and long forbearance of a gracious God, 
 being favoured with a Divine and powerful visi- 
 tation about the fortieth year of his age, and 
 thereby reclaimed from a state of unregeneracy 
 and sin, witnessing true repentance. Having 
 once intended to set out for America, he was 
 suddenly taken ill, which prevented his going 
 by the ship he had fixed upon, which, within two 
 weeks after it had set sail, was lost, and all that 
 were in it. This apparently providential escape 
 made such a deep impression on his mind, that 
 he became very serious, and soon after joined 
 the Society of Friends, and travelled about as a 
 minister of the gospel, being respected as well 
 as beloved. It is related of him, that travelling 
 alone in Scotland, during the hostilities exercised 
 in 1745, he was stopped by military men, who 
 inquired, 1 What king are you for ? ' The 
 answer to this question was hazardous, but the 
 honest-hearted man replying, 4 1 am for the King 
 of heaven, ' he was suffered to proceed unmolested 
 on his way. — (Leadbeater's Biog. Narratives.) 
 
 TIME. 
 
 Time is like our mon,ey. When we change a 
 guinea, the shillings escape as things of small 
 account ; when we break a day by idleness in 
 the morning, the rest of the hours lose their 
 importance in our eyes. As time recedes, eter- 
 nity advances. How solemn the thought, how 
 prudent the advice : Improve time, and prepare 
 for eternity. — (Cope's Anecdotes.) 
 
22 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 WHAT IS THE CHIEF END OF MAN? 
 
 Care is the shadow of possession, and the mag- 
 nitude of the shadow will always be in propor- 
 tion to the dimensions of the substance. Great 
 wealth certainly makes a man many anxieties. 
 What shall I do ? is a question often asked by 
 affluence as well as by penury. There is nothing 
 in earthly things suited, as a portion, to the 
 desires of the human mind. The soul of man 
 needs something better for its provision than 
 wealth. It is on this account, partly, that our 
 Lord brands the rich man in the Gospel for a 
 fool, who, when he surveyed his treasures, said 
 to his soul, * Thou hast goods laid up for many 
 years in store; eat, drink, and be merry.' A 
 fool indeed, said Bishop Hopkins, to reckon his 
 soul's goods by barns-full. He might as wisely 
 have boasted that he had provided barns-full of 
 thoughts for his body, as barns-full of corn for 
 his soul. Then how precarious is the continu- 
 ance of riches! They appear to us as in a 
 dream; they come, and are gone; they stand 
 by us in the form of a golden image, high in 
 stature, and deeply founded on a rock ; but 
 while we look at them, they are transformed into 
 an eagle with wings, and when we are preparing 
 to embrace them, they fly away. What changes 
 have we witnessed, even within our own circle 
 of observation ! How many do we know now 
 suffering want, who formerly rolled in affluence ! 
 They set out in life, in the full sunshine of 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 23 
 
 prosperity, but the storm overtook them, and 
 blasted every comfort they had in the world. 
 
 But if riches continue to the end of life, how 
 uncertain is life itself. How often do we see 
 persons called away by death, in the very midst 
 of their prosperity. Just when they have most 
 reason to desire to live, then they must die. 
 Their industry has been successful, their desires 
 after wealth have been gratified, they build 
 houses, they plant gardens, and when preparing 
 for many years of ease and enjoyment, they quit 
 all, for the sepulchre ; and then whose shall 
 those things be which they have amassed ? 
 
 1 It is recorded of Saladin, the Saracen con- 
 queror, after he had subdued Egypt, passed the 
 Euphrates, and conquered cities without number; 
 after he had retaken Jerusalem, and performed 
 exploits almost more than human, in those wars 
 which superstition had stirred up for the re- 
 covery of the Holy Land; that he finished his 
 life in the performance of an action that ought 
 to be transmitted to the most distant posterity. 
 A moment before he uttered his last sigh, he 
 called the herald who had carried his banners 
 before him in all his battles ; he commanded 
 him to fasten to the top of a lance the shroud 
 in which the dying prince was soon to be buried. 
 'Go,' said he, 'carry this lance, unfurl this 
 banner; and, while you lift up this standard, 
 proclaim, This, this is all that remains to Saladin 
 the Great, the conqueror, and the king of the 
 empire, of all his glory!' Yes, and that piece 
 of crape, in which his perishing remains shall 
 
24 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 be enwrapped, is all that will be left of his 
 wealth to the rich man when he quits the pre- 
 sent world. 
 
 Not one step will his riches go with him be- 
 yond the grave. What a sad parting will that 
 be, when the soul shall leave all its treasures 
 behind in this world, and enter upon another 
 state of existence, whither it cannot take a 
 farthing, and where it would be useless if it 
 could take it all. Then the miserable spirit, 
 like a shipwrecked merchant, thrown on some 
 strange coast, after the loss of all his property, 
 shall be cast on the shore of eternity, without 
 one single comfort to relieve its pressing and 
 everlasting necessities. 
 
 Can riches, then, substantiate their claims to 
 be the chief end of man ? What ! when it is 
 so doubtful whether, after all our endeavours, 
 we shall possess them ; when the possession of 
 them contributes so little to our real felicity ; 
 when their continuance is so uncertain; their 
 duration so short ; their influence upon our 
 eternal destiny worse than nothing? Will any 
 reasonable creature have the folly to assert, that 
 the chief end for which God sent him into the 
 world is to amass property, to build a splendid 
 house, and to store it with furniture equally 
 splendid, to wear costly clothes, and feed on 
 rich viands, to live in affluence, and die rich ? 
 — (J. A. James.) 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 25 
 
 THE INWARD GUIDE. 
 
 The nearer we live in conformity to the dictates 
 of the guide within, the more freely will his 
 sustaining light and life circulate within our 
 borders, and replenish our ofttimes exhausted 
 spirits, calling for grateful acknowledgments 
 therefrom, and obtain acceptance by him who 
 anointeth our heads with oil, and causeth our 
 cup to run over. We thus become partakers 
 of that food that satisfies, that gives strength 
 to go forth to the battle, even against the 
 mighty. Be strong in the Lord, and in the 
 power of his might ; gird up the loins of thy 
 mind, and have confidence in the all-sufficiency 
 of his outstretched arm, which will make way 
 for the faithful, where there appears none pre- 
 pared, and lead the blind in a path that they 
 know not of. — (Anna A. Jenkins.) 
 
 WASTE OF LIFE IN THE INDIAN ARMY. 
 
 Since the 54th regiment went to India, they 
 have lost thirty-four officers, 1200 men, fifty-one 
 European women, and" 135 children : of these 
 1420 persons, about seventy were killed in the 
 field, and 1350 died of disease ! — {Morning 
 Chronicle.) 
 
 Burmese War. — Of 4000 European troops 
 employed in the Burmese war, 1700 died in the 
 hospitals, many were slain, and very few returned 
 to the British presidencies. 
 
 n. c 
 
26 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 A few years since a recruiting party at 
 Shrewsbury enlisted thirty young men, who 
 were embarked for India, and stationed at 
 Bangalore, where twenty-eight of them died ; 
 the two survivors returned to England. 
 
 The ophthalmia was imported into Europe 
 by the troops returning from Egypt, and soon 
 spread through the United Kingdom — often at- 
 tended with cases of total blindness. 
 
 In 1805, the ophthalmic hospital was opened 
 in London, and has alone received 150,000 
 patients, educated 1427 medical men, and 
 supplied medicines for about 50,000 patients 
 in distant places. — (See the Hospital Report, 
 1841.) 
 
 [Yet such is the virulence of the ophthalmia, 
 that there is little hope of it being eradicated.] 
 
 THE VOICE OF GOD. 
 'I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid.' 
 
 Amidst the thrilling leaves, thy voice 
 
 At evening's fall drew near: 
 Father ! and did not man rejoice 
 
 That blessed sound to hear ? 
 
 Did not his heart within him burn, 
 Touch'd by the solemn tone ? 
 
 Not so ! for — never to return — 
 Its purity was gone. 
 
 Therefore, 'midst holy stream and bower, 
 
 His spirit shook with dread, 
 And call'd the cedars, in that hour, 
 
 To veil bis conscious head. 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 27 
 
 0 ! in each wind, each fountain's flow, 
 
 Each whisper of the shade, 
 Grant me, my God, thy voice to know, 
 
 And not to be afraid. 
 
 (Felicia Hemans.) 
 
 PEACE; THE ANGELS' ANTHEM. 
 
 We know but of one anthem composed and 
 sung by angels, and this most harmoniously 
 combines the glory of God in the highest, with 
 peace on earth, and good-will to man. — (Hannah 
 More.) 
 
 BEIEF ACCOUNT OF EDWARD BURROUGH, WHO 
 ENDED HIS SHORT, BUT VALUABLE LIFE, IN 
 NEWGATE, DYING THERE A PRISONER FOR 
 THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS. 
 
 The convincement of this young man, through 
 the ministry of George Fox, united him at a 
 very early age with the Society of Friends ; in 
 which his extraordinary endowments, both of 
 nature and grace, rendered him so useful, that 
 his premature death was more than commonly 
 felt and regretted. 
 
 It was not merely as a preacher that Edward 
 Burrough laboured in $he cause of truth ; he 
 was a diligent helper of the oppressed, by seek- 
 ing at the fountain-head for the origin of their 
 griefs, and there endeavouring to remove them. 
 For this purpose, he not only wrote repeatedly 
 to Oliver Cromwell, to represent the sufferings 
 which, if not occasioned, were at least permitted 
 
 c 2 
 
28 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 by his authority, especially in relation to the 
 cruelties which were exercised towards Friends, 
 touching their refusal to take oaths, and pay to 
 the maintenance of a hired ministry ; but he 
 also obtained a personal hearing from him on 
 these subjects ; and, as far as the wily Cromwell 
 would speak intelligibly, he received from him 
 an assurance that all persecution and cruelty 
 was against his wishes, and that he was not 
 guilty of conniving at that which had been prac- 
 tised towards the Quakers. 
 
 Nor was it only with Oliver as the ruling 
 authority, that Edward Burrough pleaded in 
 behalf of the oppressed ; for in the year of the 
 restoration of King Charles II., he repaired 
 to him in behalf of the suffering Friends in 
 America, four of whom had at that time been 
 actually put to death by the sanguinary malice 
 of their enemies in that country. Nor did he 
 unsuccessfully appeal to the King in this mat- 
 ter ; a mandamus being immediately granted to 
 his pressing entreaties, that the relief in this 
 emergency might be expedited. The circum- 
 stances of this case are more fully related 
 elsewhere in these volumes. 
 
 In the exercise of his pen, also, he was very 
 serviceable upon many occasions, wherein the 
 interests of the Society were concerned ; more 
 especially in the first year of the restoration 
 of Charles II., when, in consequence of the 
 insurrection of the Fifth-monarchy men, a new 
 Act was made, which pressed heavily upon the 
 Quakers, as it required from them a violation 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 29 
 
 of one of their firmest principles in respect to 
 oaths ; and also forbade their assembling in 
 their usual mode of religious worship. After 
 stating the case respecting the refusing to take 
 oaths and the consequent penalties, this Act 
 specified that 
 
 • If the said persons, commonly called Quakers, shall, at 
 any time, after the 24th day of March (1661), depart from 
 the places of their several habitations, and assemble them- 
 selves to the number of five, or more, of the age of sixteen 
 years or upwards, at any one time, in any place, under pre- 
 tence of joining in a religious worship not authorized by the 
 laws of this realm,' &c. ; for the first offence the fine was to 
 be £5 on each person so offending; £10 for the second offence; 
 and for the third, the delinquent was required to abjure the 
 realm ; and in case of refusal, it was made lawful for the 
 king to give order for the transportation of the offender ; 
 and, in default of payment of the fines within one week after 
 conviction, the defaulter, for the first non-compliance, was 
 to be imprisoned for three months, and for the second six, 
 and to be kept at hard labour. 
 
 On the passing of this Act, Edward Burrough 
 drew up a statement of ' The Case of the People 
 called Quakers,' &c., in which, though he failed 
 of obtaining for his fellow-sufferers the redress 
 he desired, he nevertheless helped their cause, 
 and the cause of truth in general, by the plain, 
 manly, and conscientious record he exhibited 
 of Friends' principles, and of their undeserving 
 hardships in consequence of their faithfully 
 abiding by them. 
 
 After answering various objections of opposers, 
 with a beautiful outpouring of soul, he says, * O 
 Lord God everlasting, do thou judge our cause ! 
 do thou make it manifest in thy due season to 
 
 c3 
 
30 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 all the world, that we are thy people ; that we 
 love thee above all ; that we fear thy name 
 more than all ; that we love righteousness and 
 hate iniquity, and that we now suffer for thy 
 holy name, and for thy honour and justice, 
 and for thy truth and holiness ! O Lord, thou 
 knowest we are resolved to perish, rather than 
 to lose one grain hereof ! Amen, Amen ! ' 
 Much more is subjoined, showing the simple 
 integrity with which he pleaded the case — an 
 integrity which he confirmed by his personal 
 example, upon all occasions, and for the main- 
 tenance of which he was cast into prison, under 
 circumstances which, in all probability, occa- 
 sioned the loss of his life. 
 
 In his addresses to the members of his own 
 community, he was plain, but powerful in the 
 wisdom which 'is profitable to direct.' The 
 severe pressure of these tribulating times, called 
 for every aid of counsel or of comfort, which 
 the strong could administer to the weak ; and 
 herein was he made 'a succourer of many.' 
 
 Of the nearness of his departure from this 
 world, Edward Burrough seemed to have had 
 some foreshadowing on his mind : for he said, 
 a few months before, to his particular friends, 
 on parting from them at Bristol, that * he did 
 not know he should see their faces any more, 
 and therefore he exhorted them to be faithful 
 to that wherein they had found rest to their 
 souls.' And to his bosom friend, Francis How- 
 gill, he said, 'I can freely go to the city of 
 London, and lay down my life for a testimony 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 of that truth which I have declared through the 
 power and Spirit of God.' 
 
 Thus 'setting his face like a flint,' to suffer 
 or to die, this faithful disciple of the King of 
 martyrs came to London, where, in consequence 
 of the Act to which allusion has just been 
 made, persecution of the fiercest kind was 
 raging against the poor Quakers. Soon after 
 his arrival, Edward was found preaching at the 
 meeting-house called the Bull and Mouth, and 
 being violently pulled down by some soldiers, 
 he was taken before Alderman Richard Brown, 
 and committed to Newgate. Several weeks 
 afterwards, he was examined at the Old Bailey, 
 and was fined twenty marks; which, judging it 
 to be his duty not to pay, he was remanded 
 back to prison, there to remain till payment 
 was made. Here he was confined about eight 
 months, in company with about 140 prisoners 
 besides; and in consequence of the crowding 
 together of so many persons under the priva- 
 tion of air, cleanliness, and every common com- 
 fort which human existence requires, several of 
 them sickened and died, of which number he 
 was one. We must not, however, omit to state, 
 that a special order for the release of Edward 
 and of some others, was sent from the king ; 
 but whether it arrived too late for his removal, 
 or, as it is said, the enmity of those who were 
 concerned in his committal frustrated the exe- 
 cution of it, certain it is, that he never received 
 the benefit of it. 
 
 During the time of his weakness, he was very 
 
32 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 fervent hi prayer, both for himself and his 
 friends ; and many consolatory and glorious 
 expressions escaped him. The deep devoted- 
 ness of soul, wherewith from his youth he had 
 given himself up to the cause of truth, not only 
 permitted, but prompted the holy boldness with 
 which, at this trying hour, he proclaimed him- 
 self the servant of the Lord. 1 1 have preached 
 the gospel,' he said, * freely in this city, and 
 have often given up my life (as to will), for the 
 gospel's sake. And now, 0 Lord, rip open my 
 heart, and see if it be not right before thee!' 
 Again, appealing in prayer to his heavenly 
 Father, ' Thou hast loved me when I was in the 
 womb,' he said, ' and I have loved thee faith- 
 fully in my generation.' 
 
 To his friends who were about him, and who 
 he no doubt anticipated would severely feel the 
 want of him, he addressed a few words of 
 comfort, by reminding them that the righteous 
 were taken away from the evil to come ; and of 
 exhortation, by saying, 'Live in love and peace.' 
 
 Nor was this heavenly-minded man unmindful 
 to supplicate for his enemies and persecutors, 
 naming the most unrelenting of them, by say- 
 ing, 'Lord, forgive Richard Brown, if he may be 
 forgiven!' * Being sensible,' says Sewell, 'that 
 death was approaching, he said, " Though this 
 body of clay must turn into dust, yet I have a 
 testimony that I have served God in my genera- 
 tion; and that spirit which hath lived, and acted, 
 and ruled in me, shall yet break forth in thou- 
 sands." ' 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 33 
 
 The morning before he departed this life, 
 which was about the latter end of 1662, he said, 
 * Now my soul and spirit is centered into its 
 own being with God, and this form of person 
 must return from whence it was taken.' 
 
 * This,' continues the historian, 1 was the exit 
 of Edward Burrough, who, in his flourishing 
 years (viz., about the age of eight and twenty), 
 in an unmarried state, changed this mortal life 
 for an incorruptible.' — (Kelty's Early Friends.) 
 
 WATER. 
 
 Water was formerly vended in London and 
 Paris at a penny for three or four gallons ; now 
 it is supplied in London at less than a farthing 
 a hogshead ! But what is this compared with 
 the water of life, which is offered freely and 
 copiously, without money and without price ? 
 for such is the nature of the proclamation which 
 God addresses to all who hunger and thirst 
 after righteousness. Let the reader peruse 
 Isaiah lv. 1, &c. ; John iv. 10; vii. 37; Rev. 
 xxii. 17. 
 
 Come to the living waters, come ; 
 
 Sinners, obey your Maker's call, 
 Return, ye weary wanderers, home, 
 
 And find my grace is tree for all. 
 
 LORD BROUGHAM ON WAR AND PEACE. 
 
 My principles, I know not whether they agree 
 with yours ; they may be derided, they may be 
 
34 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 unfashionable ; but I hope they are spreading 
 far and wide — my principles are contained in 
 the words which Lord Falkland used to express 
 in secret, and which I now express in public — 
 Peace, Peace, PEACE ! I abominate war as 
 unchristian. I hold it the greatest of human 
 crimes. I deem it to include all others — vio- 
 lence, blood, rapine, fraud, everything which 
 can deform the character, alter the nature, and 
 debase the name of man. 
 
 EARLY CHRISTIANS AGAINST WAR. 
 
 During a considerable period after the death of 
 Christ, it is certain that his followers believed 
 he had forbidden war; and that, in consequence 
 of this belief, many of them refused to engage 
 in it, whatever were the consequences, whether 
 reproach, imprisonment, or death. 
 
 Christ and his apostles delivered general 
 precepts for the regulation of our conduct. 
 And to what did their immediate successors 
 apply the pacific precepts which have been 
 delivered ? They applied them to war ; they 
 were assured that the precepts absolutely for- 
 bade it. These were not the sentiments, and 
 this was not the conduct, of insulated indi- 
 viduals. Their principles were the principles of 
 the body. Justin Martyr and Tatian talk of 
 soldiers and Christians as distinct characters. 
 Clemens of Alexandria calls his Christian con- 
 temporaries the 'followers of peace,' and ex- 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 35 
 
 pressly tells us 'that the followers of peace used 
 none of the implements of war.' 
 
 Lactantius, another early Christian, says ex- 
 pressly, 'It can never be lawful for a righteous 
 man to go to war.' 
 
 Even after Christianity had spread over 
 almost the whole of the known world, Tertul- 
 lian, in speaking of a part of the Roman armies, 
 including more than one-third of the standing 
 legions of Rome, distinctly informs us that 'not 
 a Christian could be found among them.' 
 
 Irenseus, who lived about the year 180, affirms 
 that the prophecy of Isaiah, which declared that 
 men should turn their swords into ploughshares, 
 and their spears into pruning-hooks, had been 
 fulfilled in his time ; 'for the Christians,' says 
 he, 'have changed their swords and their lances 
 into instruments of peace, and they know not 
 how to fight.' Justin Martyr, his contemporary, 
 writes, 'that the prophecy is fulfilled, you have 
 good reason to believe, for we, who in times past 
 killed one another, do not now fight with our 
 enemies. 1 Tertullian says, 'You must confess 
 that the prophecy has been accomplished, as 
 far as tJie practice of every individual is concerned 
 to whom it is applicable.' 
 
 Like every other corruption, war obtained by 
 degrees. During the first two hundred years, not 
 a Christian soldier is upon record. In the third 
 century, when Christianity became partially 
 corrupted, soldiers professing it were common. 
 The number increased with the increase of the 
 general profligacy, until at last, in the fourth 
 
36 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 century, nominal Christians became soldiers 
 without hesitation. — (Dymond.) 
 
 OFFENCES AVOID. 
 
 He that would live a quiet life, and keep the 
 unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, must 
 be as backward to take offence as to give it. — 
 (A. Clarke.) 
 
 UNIVERSALITY OF THE DIVINE LIGHT. 
 
 A gospel minister relates, that in the course 
 of his travels in America, a cavilling physician 
 denied that the Divine light and Spirit was in 
 every one ; and affirmed that it was not in the 
 Indians, some of whom were present ; whereupon, 
 said the minister, I called an Indian to us, and 
 asked him whether or no, when he did lie, or do 
 wrong to any one, there was not something in 
 him that did reprove him for it ; he said there 
 was such a thing in him, that did so reprove 
 him, and he was ashamed when he had done 
 wrong, or spoken wrong. — (G. Fox's Journal, 
 vol. ii. p. 161.) 
 
 BE PLAIN, BUT CLEAN. 
 
 Be plain in clothes, furniture, and food, but clean, 
 and then the coarser the better ; the rest is 
 folly and a snare. Therefore, next to sin, avoid 
 daintiness and choiceness about your persons 
 and houses. For if it be not an evil in itself, it is 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 37 
 
 a temptation to it ; and may be accounted a 
 nest for sin to brood in. — (Pbnn.) 
 
 CLEANLINESS. 
 
 There is a homely, but very forcible expression, 
 that 'cleanliness is next to godliness:' meaning, 
 that habits of cleanliness tend not only to health 
 of body, but to that state of moral feeling 
 which becomes man as the chief creature of 
 the Almighty. One of the sure indications of 
 mental degradation, is neglect of the person ; 
 filth and rags are mostly associated with misery, 
 and often with vice and crime ; and this remark 
 applies to nations as well as to individuals. — 
 (American Moral Almanac.) 
 
 PASSING AWAY OF OUTWARD FORMS. 
 
 O ! let the Christian bless that glorious day, 
 When outward forms shall all be done away, 
 When we in spirit and in truth alone 
 Shall bend, O God ! before thy awful throne ; 
 And thou our purer worship shalt approve, 
 By sweet returns of everlasting love. 
 
 TRIALS PRODUCTIVE OF GOOD, AND NEEDFUL 
 TO PURIFICATION. 
 
 ' I remember,' says Whitfield, 'some years ago, 
 when I was at Shields, I went into a glass- 
 house ; and standing very attentive, I saw 
 several masses of burning glass, of various 
 
 II. D 
 
33 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 forms. The workman took a piece of glass and 
 put it into one furnace, then he put it into a 
 second, and then into a third. I said to him, 
 " Why do you put this through so many fires ?" 
 He answered, " 0, Sir, the first was not hot 
 enough, nor the second, and therefore, we put 
 it into a third, and that will make it trans- 
 parent." ' This furnished Whitfield with a 
 useful hint, that we must be tried and exercised 
 with many fires, until our dross be purged away, 
 and we are made fit for the owner's use. 
 
 DIVINE GUIDANCE. 
 
 They who truly fear God have a secret guid- 
 ance from a higher wisdom than what is barely 
 human, viz., the spirit of truth and godliness, 
 which doth really, though secretly, prevent and 
 direct them. Any man that sincerely and truly 
 fears Almighty God, and calls and relies upon 
 Him for His direction, has it as really as a son 
 has the counsel and direction of his father ; and 
 though the voice be not audible, nor discernible 
 by sense, yet it is as real as if a man heard a 
 voice saying, 'This is the way, walk in it.' — 
 (Sir Matthew Hale.) 
 
 CRUEL TREATMENT OF GEORGE FOX. 
 
 Although numerous were the instances in which 
 a mighty and marvellous effect accompanied 
 the ministry of the early Friends, to the con- 
 
FACSIMILE AUTOGRAPHS 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 39 
 
 vincement of many, yet manifold also were 
 those in which they were opposed, not only with 
 resentment, but cruelty. 
 
 A case of this kind occurred to George Fox, 
 at Mansfield Woodhouse, where he relates ' the 
 people fell upon him whilst he was declaring the 
 truth.' After being beaten and bruised till he 
 was scarcely able to stand, 1 they put me,' he 
 continues, ' into the stocks, where I sat some 
 hours ; and they brought dog-whips and horse- 
 whips, threatening to whip me. After some 
 time they had me before the magistrates, at a 
 knight's house, where were many great persons, 
 who, seeing how evilly I had been used, after 
 much threatening set me at liberty ; but the 
 rude people stoned me out of the town for 
 preaching the word of life to them.' 
 
 ( )X DIVINE WOKSHIP. 
 
 Though glorious, 0 God ! must thy temple have been 
 
 On the day of its first dedication, 
 When the cherubim's wings, widely waving, were seen 
 
 On high, o'er the ark's holy station; 
 
 When even the chosen of Levi, though skill'd 
 
 To minister, standing before thee. 
 Retir'd from the cloud which the temple then fill'd, 
 
 And thy glory made Israel adore thee. 
 
 Though awfully grand was thy majesty then, 
 
 Yet the worship thy gospel discloses, 
 Less splendid in pomp to the vision of men, 
 
 Far surpasses the ritual of Moses. 
 
 And by whom was that ritual for ever repeal'd, 
 But by him unto whom it was given 
 
40 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 To enter the oracle where is reveal'd, 
 Not the cloud, but the brightness of heaven ? 
 
 Who, having once enter'd, hath shown us the way, 
 O Lord ! how to worship before thee ; 
 
 Not with shadowy forms of that early day, 
 But in spirit and truth to adore thee. 
 
 This, this is the worship the Saviour made known, 
 
 When she of Samaria found him 
 By the patriarch's well, sitting weary, alone, 
 
 With the stillness of noon-tide around him. 
 
 How sublime, yet how simple, the homage he taught 
 To her, who inquired by that fountain, 
 
 If Jehovah at Solyma's shrine would be sought, 
 Or ador'd on Samaria's mountain ? 
 
 Woman ! believe me, the hour is near, 
 When he, if ye rightly would hail him, 
 
 Will neither be worshipp'd exclusively here, 
 Nor yet at the altar of Salem. 
 
 For God is a spirit ! and they who aright 
 Would^perform the pure worship he loveth, 
 
 In the heart's holy temple will seek, with delight, 
 That Spirit the Father approveth. 
 
 And many that prophecy's truth can declare, 
 Whose bosoms have livingly known it. 
 
 Whom God hath instructed to worship him there, 
 And convinc'd that his mercy will own it. 
 
 The temple that Solomon built to his name, 
 
 Now lives but in history's story ; 
 Extinguish'd long since is its altar's bright flame, 
 
 And vanish 'd each glimpse of its glory ! 
 
 But the Christian, made wise by a wisdom Divine, 
 
 Though all human fabrics may falter, 
 Still finds in his heart a far holier shrine, 
 
 Where the fire burns unquench'd on the altar ! 
 
 (Bernard Barton.) 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 41 
 
 ENORMOUS COST OF WAR. 
 
 Return of J. C. Herries's motion of ■ Grants 
 for the year ending April 1, 1841.' 
 
 One year for war, &c, £22,900,129! For 
 education, £30,000. What say you to this, 
 Englishmen and women ? We were early taught 
 that by men's fruits should we know them. — 
 {Examiner.) 
 
 TRIAL AND EXECUTION OF MAXIMILIAN, A 
 YOUNG CHRISTIAN, a.d. 260. 
 
 The early Christians refused to fight ; and it 
 is related of Maximilian, when brought before 
 Dion, the proconsul, and asked his name, Maxi- 
 milian, turning to him, replied, 'Why wouldest 
 thou know my name ? lama Christian, and can- 
 not fight.' 
 
 Maximilian was registered 'five feet ten inches 
 high,' and Dion bade the officer mark him. But 
 Maximilian refused to be marked, still asserting 
 
 Array 
 
 Navy 
 
 Ordnance 
 
 Canada 
 
 China , 
 
 Miscellaneous 
 
 Army, outstanding, 
 Navy " 
 Ordnance " 
 Canada " 
 China " . 
 
 Miscellaneous " 
 
 £6.016,853 
 ...5,825,074 
 ...1,892,358 
 ... 354,746 
 ... 173,442 
 ...2,760,000 
 ... 753,000 
 ...1,421,068 
 ... 610,840 
 ... 154,997 
 
 23,442 
 1,314,769. 
 
42 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 that he was a Christian, upon which Dion in- 
 stantly replied, 4 Bear arms, or thou shalt die. ' 
 
 To this Maximilian answered, ' I cannot fight 
 if I die ; I am not a soldier of this world, but a 
 soldier of God.' Dion then said, ' who has 
 persuaded thee to behave thus?' Maximilian 
 answered, * my own mind, and He that called 
 me.' Dion then spoke to his father, and bade 
 him persuade his son. But his father observed, 
 that his son knew his own mind, and what was 
 best for him to do. After this had passed, Dion 
 addressed Maximilian again in these words — 
 'Take thy arms, and receive the mark.' 'I 
 can receive,' said Maximilian, no such mark 
 — *I have already the mark of Christ.' Upon 
 which Dion said, * I will send thee quickly to 
 thy Christ.' 'Thou mayst do so,' said Maxi- 
 milian, 'but the glory will be mine.* 
 
 Maximilian still refusing the mark, spoke 
 thus — ' I cannot receive the mark of this world, 
 and if thou shouldest give me the mark, I will 
 destroy it. It will avail nothing. I am' a 
 Christian, and it is not lawful for me to wear 
 such a mark about my neck, when I have 
 received the saving mark of the Lord Jesus 
 Christ, the Son of the living God, whom thou 
 knowest not, who died to give us life, and whom 
 God gave for our sins. Him all we Christians 
 obey — Him we follow as the restorer of our life, 
 and the author of our salvation.' 
 
 Dion instantly replied to this, ' Take thy 
 arms, and receive the mark, or thou shalt suffer 
 a miserable death.' 'But I shall not perish,' 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 43 
 
 says Maximilian, 4 my name is already enrolled 
 with Christ — I cannot fight.' 
 
 Dion said, 4 Consider then thy youth, and 
 bear arms; the profession of arms becomes a 
 young man.' Maximilian replied, 4 My arms 
 are with the Lord. I cannot fight for any 
 earthly consideration. I am now a Christian.' 
 
 Dion, the proconsul, said, 4 Among the life- 
 guards of our masters, the Emperors, there are 
 Christian soldiers, and they fight.' Maximilian 
 answered, 4 They know what is expedient for 
 them, but I am a Christian, and it is unlawful 
 for me to do evil.' 
 
 Dion said, 4 Take thy arms, despise not the 
 profession of a soldier, lest thou perish miser- 
 ably.' 4 But I shall not perish,' says Maximilian ; 
 4 and if I should leave this world, my soul will 
 live with Christ the Lord.' 
 
 Dion then ordered his name to be struck from 
 the roll ; and when this was done, he proceeded, 
 4 Because out of thy rebellious spirit thou hast 
 refused to bear arms, thou shalt be punished 
 according to thy deserts, for an example to 
 others,' and then he delivered the following 
 sentence — 'Maximilian ! because thou hast, with 
 a rebellious spirit, refused to bear arms, thou 
 art to die by the sword.' Maximilian replied, 
 4 Thanks be to God.' 
 
 He was twenty years, three months, and 
 seventeen days old, — and when he was led to the 
 place of execution, he spoke thus ; 4 My dear 
 brethren, endeavour with all your might, that 
 it may be your portion to see the Lord, and 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 that he may give you such a crown ;' and then, 
 with a pleasant countenance, he said to his 
 father, 4 Give the executioner the soldier's coat 
 thou hast gotten for me, and' when I shall 
 receive thee in the company of the blessed 
 martyrs, we may rejoice together with the Lord.' 
 
 After this he suffered. His mother, Pompei- 
 ana, obtained his body from the judge, and con- 
 veyed it to Carthage, and buried it near the 
 place where the body of Cyprian the martyr 
 lay. And thirteen days after this, his mother 
 died, and was buried in the same place. And 
 Victor, his father, returned to his habitation, 
 rejoicing and praising God that he had sent 
 before such a gift to the Lord, himself expect- 
 ing to follow after. 
 
 REMARKABLE TESTIMONY TO THE TRUTH OF 
 THE NECESSITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT'S IN- 
 FLUENCE, BEING THE PRIMARY QUALIFICA- 
 TION OF GOSPEL MINISTERS. 
 
 Some years ago, David Sands, and two other 
 Friends, were travelling in the north of Eng- 
 land, and as they were passing through a village, 
 consisting of a few scattered houses, David 
 Sands told his fellow-travellers that it was im- 
 pressed upon his mind to remain in that village 
 to hold a meeting. His companions remon- 
 strated with him, and endeavoured to point out 
 the impracticability of it ; and in order to pre- 
 vail upon him to relinquish his design, they in- 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 45 
 
 formed him, that the people were much engaged 
 with the harvest ; in consequence of which, the 
 meeting, if held, must be late, and few or none 
 would attend. But D. Sands being well ac- 
 quainted with the operations of the Spirit of 
 God upon the mind, and firm to what he was 
 convinced was his duty, was unmoved bj the 
 arguments advanced ; he therefore replied, how- 
 ever late the meeting may be, or however few 
 may attend, I cannot be free in my mind to pass 
 through this village without calling the people 
 together. 
 
 On his companions observing his firmness, 
 they yielded, and directed their course to a 
 small house ; and when they arrived at the door 
 they requested accommodation for themselves 
 and their horses, informing the people, at the 
 same time, that they would make them a suit- 
 able recompense for their trouble. The request 
 was immediately complied with, and the result 
 of that compliance was a kind reception, and 
 an hospitable entertainment. When the people 
 of the house were apprized of the design of their 
 guests, they made every necessary preparation 
 for the meeting, while David Sands and his 
 companions went and gave notice to the vil- 
 lagers respecting it. 
 
 At the hour appointed several attended ; and, 
 after some time had elapsed in silence, David 
 Sands arose and addressed the company. The 
 manuer in which he commenced his address was 
 sufficient to excite surprise and inquiry into 
 every breast. He informed his hearers that it 
 
40 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 was impressed upon his mind that a person 
 among them had the instruments of death about 
 him, and that the same person had prepared 
 them for his own destruction. After thus point- 
 ing out the evil itself, he then exhorted the 
 person to desist from his awful design, and 
 warned him of the fatal consequences which 
 would most assuredly follow such an attempt. 
 He also informed the people, that, although he 
 did not know the individual personally, yet he 
 was as much persuaded of the truth of what he 
 asserted by his inward eye, or the eye of his 
 mind, as though he had seen the instruments 
 with the eyes of his body. While he was thus 
 enlarging upon the deed, which he was per- 
 suaded the person was going to perpetrate, an 
 individual was observed to weep, and those 
 around him suspected him to be the person. 
 David Sands concluded the whole with a suit- 
 able exhortation to the company at large, and 
 left many under serious impressions. 
 
 When the meeting was ended, the person 
 who was observed to weep came up to David 
 Sands, drew a brace of pistols from his pocket, 
 told him he had prepared them for his own 
 destruction, and that he intended to put an end 
 to his own existence that same night ; but, on 
 hearing there would be a meeting of the Friends, 
 he thought he would attend ; and, as he thought 
 there would be no person to speak, he judged 
 he could sit and meditate without interruption 
 concerning the best means to accomplish his de- 
 sign. He also informed him that as soon as the 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 if 
 
 instruments of death were mentioned, he was 
 struck with terror, and that it was certainly 
 the hand of God for good to his soul ; he affirmed 
 too, that David Sands must have known his 
 design bj Divine revelation, as he had not com- 
 municated it to a single individual. I have the 
 happiness to add, that the horrid deed of suicide 
 was not only prevented, but the man was con- 
 vinced of sin, became serious, and Satan was 
 deprived of his expected prey. 
 
 How can the sneering patrons of infidelity 
 account for this ? Both an extraordinary influ- 
 ence of the Holy Spirit, and a particular pro- 
 vidence, appear visible ; the former in the cir- 
 cumstance being revealed to David Sands, and 
 the latter in snatching the poor deluded man 
 from endless ruin. And if God, in particular 
 cases, reveals to his servants certain circum- 
 stances at this period, is it a thing incredible, 
 that holy men of God ' spake as they were 
 moved by the Holy Ghost,' in earlier times?— 
 (Methodist Magazine.) 
 
 A GARDEN. 
 
 He who possesses a well cultivated garden and 
 a contented mind, may well be reminded of the 
 happiness of Eden, and still more should he 
 seek preparation for the paradise above. If, 
 however, men refuse here to sow the seeds of 
 faith and repentance, they must never expect 
 to reap a harvest of eternal joy hereafter. For, 
 
48 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 according to that which a man soweth shall he 
 reap. 
 
 THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH AN INWARD MONITOR. 
 
 How happy is the state of those who are led and 
 guided by the Spirit of Truth, the inward moni- 
 tor ! They need not that any man should teach 
 them, since they have taken eternal wisdom for 
 their guide and teacher. They are happy in 
 having Omnipotence for their protector, and no 
 weapon that is formed against them shall prosper. 
 — (William Allen.) 
 
 TRIPLETS FOR TRUTH'S SAKE. 
 
 Let sceptics doubt — philosophers deride 
 
 The Christian's privilege — ' an inward Guide : ' 
 
 f Wisdom is of her children justified ! ' 
 
 Let such as know not what that boon implies, 
 God's blessed Book, above his spirit, prize ; 
 No stream can higher than its fountain rise ! 
 
 Let them whose spirits types and shadows crave, 
 
 For Baptism, trust the elemental wave : 
 
 One Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, still must save ! 
 
 Let them who, like the Jews, ' require a sign,' 
 Partake, unblam'd, of outward bread and wine ; 
 Thou, Lord ! within canst make the substance mine ! 
 
 Believing in thy glorious gospel-day. 
 
 Types, emblems, shadows, all must pass away ; 
 
 In such I dare not place my trust or stay ,' 
 
 Abba ! on Thee, with child-like trust, I call, 
 In self-abasement at thy footstool fall, 
 Asking to know but Thee, and find Thee all. 
 
 In copying the above from the poet's own 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 49 
 
 handwriting, the writer has been led to admire 
 a prosaical definition of the 4 inward Guide,' by 
 John Woolman, who writes thus: — 
 
 ' There is a principle which is pure, placed in 
 the human mind, which in different places and 
 ages hath had different names ; it is, however, 
 pure, and proceeds from God. It is deep and 
 inward ; confined to no forms of religion, nor 
 excluded from any, where the heart stands in 
 perfect sincerity. In whomsoever this (principle) 
 takes root and grows, of what nation soever, 
 they become brethren in the best sense of the 
 expression.' 
 
 ADAM CLARKE ON SINGING. 
 
 After noticing the disturbances given to the 
 Society of Plymouth Dock by the choir, he 
 adds, ' Disturbances of this kind, which he has 
 witnessed in all the large Societies, have led 
 him often seriously to question whether public 
 singing made any essential part in the worship 
 of God, most of those who are employed in it 
 being the least spiritual part of the church of 
 Christ.'— (Vol. i. p. 235.) 
 
 WHAT CONSTITUTES A CHURCH? 
 
 What constitutes a church ? 
 Not Roman basilic, or Gothic pile 
 With fretted roof, tall spire, and long-drawn aisle : 
 
 These only mock thy search ; 
 Fantastic sepulchres, when all is said, 
 Seek not the living church among the dead, 
 n. e 
 
50 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 What is a church indeed ? 
 Not triple hierarchy or throned priest — 
 The stolen trappings of the Roman beast — 
 
 Altar or well -sung creed ; 
 Rites magical, to save nor sanctify, 
 Nor aught that lulls the ears, or lures the eye. 
 
 A band of faithful men, 
 Met for God's worship in an upper room, 
 Or, canopied by midnight's starry dome, 
 
 On hill-side or lone glen, 
 To hear the counsels of his Holy Word — 
 Pledged to each other, and their common Lord.- 
 
 These, few as they may be, 
 Compose a church, such as, in pristine age, 
 Defied the tyrant's steel, the bigot's rage. 
 
 For where but two or three, 
 Whate'er the place, in faith's communion meet, 
 There, with Christ's presence, is a church complete. 
 
 (JOSIAH CONDER.) 
 
 MUSIC AND DECORATIONS DETRIMENTAL TO 
 THE WORSHIP OF GOD. 
 
 I firmly believe, that if -we seek to affect the 
 mind by the aid of architecture, painting, or 
 music, the impression produced by these ad- 
 juncts is just so much subtracted from the wor- 
 ship of the unseen Jehovah. If the outward eye 
 is taken up with material splendour, or forms of 
 external beauty, the mind's eye sees but little 
 of 'him who is invisible;' the ear that is en- 
 tranced with the melody of sweet sounds listens 
 not to the 'still small voice' by which the Lord 
 makes his presence known. — ( Visit to my Father- 
 land ; by R. H. Herschell, a converted Jew.) 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 51 
 
 TO PILLAR- ADVOCATES, AND PLEADERS FOR 
 THE DECORATION OF MEETING-HOUSES. 
 
 A meeting-house for Friends should be 
 
 Devoid of ostentation ; 
 We neither think, nor hope to see, 
 
 Attempts at decoration. 
 
 Columns, magnificent and high, 
 
 Have no intrinsic merit 
 With Him whose pure and searching eye, 
 
 Looks only on the spirit. 
 
 A house superb, of brick and stone, 
 
 With richly-finish'd portal, 
 May entrance give to pride alone, 
 
 But not the seed immortal. 
 
 Ye patrons of the pillar scheme 
 
 Need not be disconcerted, 
 Nor quit at length your favourite theme, 
 
 Though from its course diverted. 
 
 If raising pillars is your aim, 
 
 Be this the wise endeavour, 
 To build, through the eternal name, 
 
 Such as may last for ever. 
 
 TRUE PRAYER INWARD AND SPIRITUAL. 
 
 Nay, one thing I know more, that the prayer 
 which is the most forcible, transcends, and far 
 exceeds all power of words. For St. Paul, 
 speaking to us of the most effectual kind of 
 prayer, calls it sighs and groans that cannot be 
 uttered. Nothing cries so loud in the ears of 
 God as the sighing of a contrite and earnest 
 heart. It requires not the voice, but the mind ; 
 
 E 2 
 
52 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 not the stretching of the hands, but the intention 
 of the heart ; not any outward shape or carriage 
 of the body, but the inward behaviour of the 
 understanding. How, then, can it slacken your 
 worldly business and vocations, to mix them 
 with sighs and groans, which are the most 
 effectual kind of prayer ? — (Judge Hale's Golden 
 Remains.) 
 
 ANTHONY BENEZET. 
 
 The following tribute to the character of this 
 truly eminent Christian and Philanthropist, is 
 from a note attached to an article on the Life 
 of Wilberforce in the Quarterly Review: — 
 
 ' We find no mention amidst all these claims 
 (on the merit of originating the subject of the 
 abolition of the Slave-trade), for that of Anthony 
 Benezet, who seems to have been really the first 
 who called public attention to the wrongs of the 
 negroes. He was a French Protestant, born at 
 St. Quintin in France, in 1718, was educated 
 in England, and about 1731 settled in Phila- 
 delphia, where he became a Quaker, and grew 
 celebrated for his philanthropy. He published, 
 as early as 1762, a work against the Slave- 
 trade. 
 
 'This good man died in 1784, with such a 
 reputation for philanthropy, that it is said, that 
 an American officer on seeing his funeral pass, 
 exclaimed, " I would rather be Anthony Benezet 
 in that coffin, than George Washington in all 
 his glory." ' 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 j3 
 
 THE TRUMPETER'S PENITENCE AND 
 CONFESSION. 
 
 A certain trumpeter, coming into a meeting of 
 Friends, began in an insolent manner to sound 
 his trumpet, to drown the voice of him that was 
 preaching. But this had the contrary effect, 
 and stirred up the zeal of the preacher the more, 
 so that he went on as if none disturbed him. 
 The trumpeter at length, to recover his breath, 
 ceased blowing ; but being still governed by an 
 evil spirit, after some intermission began to 
 sound again. Whatever he did, he was not able 
 to divert the preacher from his discourse, though 
 he might hinder the auditory from hearing what 
 was spoken. Becoming much wearied, he was 
 obliged to rest again for respiration, and, in spite 
 of his evil will, he heard what the preacher 
 spoke, which was so piercing, that the trum- 
 peter was deeply affected by it, and bursting 
 into tears, confessed his crime, and came to be 
 a true penitent. — (Sewell's History.) 
 
 RECORD OF OUR ACTIONS. 
 
 There is an invisible pen always writing over 
 our heads, and making an exact register of all 
 the transactions of our lives. Not our public 
 conduct only, and what we reckon the momen- 
 tous part of our lives, but the indulgence of our 
 private pleasures, the amusements of our secret 
 thoughts and idle hours, shall be brought into 
 account. 
 
 e3 
 
54 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 THE CHRISTIAN'S DUTY ABLY ILLUSTRATED 
 ON QUAKER PRINCIPLES. 
 
 BY A CLERGYMAN. 
 
 There is a duty, and a charity, likewise, which 
 we owe to the world at large, as well as a faith- 
 fulness to God and his grace in our necessary 
 converse among men. This seems to require 
 that though we should not be needlessly singu- 
 lar, yet for their instruction, and for the honour 
 of our Lord and Master, we should keep up a 
 certain kind of singularity, and show ourselves 
 called to be a separated people ; that though 
 the providence of God has given us callings and 
 relations to fill up, in which we cannot be too 
 exact ; yet we are not of the world, but belong 
 to another community, and act from other prin- 
 ciples, by other rules, and to other ends, than 
 the generality of those about us. I have ob- 
 served the world will often leave professors in 
 the quiet possession of their notions, and senti- 
 ments, and places of worship, provided they will 
 not be too stiff in the matter of their conformity 
 with their more general customs and amuse- 
 ments. 
 
 In our little way of life in the country, serious 
 people often complain of the snares they meet 
 with from worldly people, and yet they must 
 mix with them to get a livelihood. I advise 
 them, if they can, to do their business with the 
 world as they do it in the rain ; if their business 
 calls them abroad, they will not leave it undone, 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 55 
 
 for fear of being a little wet; but when it is 
 done, they presently seek shelter, and will not 
 stand in the rain for pleasure ; so, providential 
 and necessary calls of duty, that lead us into 
 the world, will not hurt us if we find the spirit 
 of the world unpleasant, and are glad to retire 
 from it, and keep out of it as much as our rela- 
 tive duties will permit ; that which is our cross 
 is not so likely to be our snare; but if that 
 spirit, which we should always watch and pray 
 against, infects and assimilates our minds to 
 itself, then we are sure to suffer loss, and act 
 below the dignity of our profession. — (Newton's 
 Works, vol. i. p. 117, 118 — Cardiphonia). 
 
 ANECDOTE OF LOUIS MAJOLIEK. 
 
 Some years ago, Louis Majolier, a Friend, resid- 
 ing at Congenies, in the south of France, was 
 engaged on an arbitration, in a case of inherit- 
 ance, which required an oath by law ; and in 
 consequence, he appeared before the Court to 
 enter into the usual bonds. The officer, whose 
 business it was to administer the oath, who did 
 not know Louis or his principles, having but 
 lately come into the province, addressed him in 
 the usual form — ' Do you swear to perform this 
 trust faithfully?' To which Louis replied, 'I 
 cannot swear at all.' The officer exclaimed, 
 with surprise, 'You cannot swear at all!' but, 
 before he had time to proceed further, the Pre- 
 sident of the Court said, 4 Sir, I know this man ; 
 
56 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 he is a disciple of Perm — you may take his 
 simple promise : he will perform it as well as 
 other people perform their oaths.' ' The law,' 
 rejoined the officer, 'requires an oath.' ' No 
 matter,' said the President ; ' the courts have 
 decided in favour of the Quakers in this respect.' 
 After some further discussion, it was agreed to 
 dispense with the oath ; and the reasons for this 
 deviation from the common practice were entered 
 on the records of the court. When Louis Ma- 
 jolier pronounced the words — 1 1 promise it,' the 
 President added, 4 And I guarantee his promise.' 
 
 PEACE. 
 
 ' Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you ; not as the world 
 giveth give I unto you ' (John xiv. 27). 
 
 ' Peace ' was the song the angels sang 
 When Jesus sought this vale of tears ; 
 And sweet the heavenly prelude rang, 
 To calm the watchful shepherds' fears. 
 
 < War ' is the word that man hath spoke, 
 Convuls'd by passions dark and dread ; 
 And pride enforc'd a lawless yoke, 
 E'en where the gospel's banners spread. 
 
 ' Peace ' was the prayer the Saviour breath'd, 
 When from our world his steps withdrew ; 
 The gift he to his friends bequeath'd 
 With Calvary and the cross in view. 
 
 Redeemer, with adoring love, 
 Our spirits take thy rich bequest ; 
 The watchword of the host above, 
 The passport to the realms of rest. 
 
 (L. H. Sigourney.) 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 57 
 
 ROBERT BARCLAY AND THE HIGHWAYMAN. 
 
 When Barclay's principles were put to the test, 
 he did not forsake them to avoid persecution or 
 imprisonment, which was often his lot ; nor did 
 lie let them fall to the ground, as is the policy 
 of some, in cases of imminent danger. 
 
 In one of his journeys from London, a cir- 
 cumstance occurred which strongly manifested 
 his adherence to the principle of Christians being 
 precluded from retaliating violence, even in self- 
 defence. He was attacked by highwaymen on 
 the road, one of whom levelled a pistol at him, 
 and made a determined demand for his purse. 
 Calm and self-possessed, Barclay looked the 
 robber in the face, with a firm but meek 
 benignity; assured him he was his and every 
 man's friend ; that he was willing and ready to 
 relieve his wants; that he was free from the 
 fear of death through a Divine hope in immor- 
 tality, and therefore was not to be intimidated 
 by a deadly weapon. He then appealed to him 
 whether he could find in his heart to shed 
 the blood of one who had no other feeling or 
 purpose but to do him good. 
 
 The robber was confounded ; his eye melted ; 
 his brawny arm trembled ; his pistol dropped 
 out of his hand on to the ground, and he fled 
 from the presence of the non-resistent hero, 
 whom he could no longer confront. 
 
 It was observed the morning before he was 
 attacked, Barclay was more pensive than usual, 
 and he expressed an opinion that some unusual 
 
53 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 trial or exercise would occur that day ; but 
 when the affair happened, he enjoyed a remark- 
 able serenity. — (Memoir of R. Barclay.) 
 
 FAITHFULNESS. 
 
 The domestics in the royal family of George 
 III., having liberty one evening of going to the 
 play, an elderly female, being a Methodist, 
 declined going, and the king accidentally meet- 
 ing with her, accosted her thus : ' Why, Mrs. 
 Clarke ! how is it that you are not gone to 
 the play?' She meekly replied, 'Please your 
 majesty, if it please God to send the messenger 
 of death to me, I should not like that he should 
 find me at the playhouse.' 
 
 COST OF GLORY. 
 
 Within a few years past, France has positively 
 lost, in Africa, fifty thousand fine soldiers, and 
 far the greater part by sickness and fatigue. 
 
 The day may be nearer than any anticipate, 
 when the children of a common Father shall 
 cease to devour one another. The policy of 
 surrounding human life with deadly weapons, 
 in order to secure it, is beginning to appear to 
 many no less absurd than wicked ; like making, 
 selling, or drinking rum, to save from drunken- 
 ness. Thousands are refusing to comply with 
 the barbarous militia laws, requiring human 
 beings, under pains and penalties of fines and 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 59 
 
 imprisonment, to study the science of human 
 slaughter. 
 
 Thousands are asking, Can a man, who be- 
 lieves that all war is wrong, hold a military 
 office, or help to elect others to it ? The prin- 
 ciple, and its applications to church and state, 
 will be freely and fully canvassed. Non-resist- 
 ance concerns humanity, and ere long every 
 human being will take an interest in it. 
 
 HUMAN LIFE. 
 
 In a single century, four thousand millions of 
 human beings appear on the face of the earth, 
 act their many parts, and sink into the grave. 
 
 PUBLICATIONS OF THE EARLY FRIENDS. 
 
 April 22, 1825. — It appears, from a statement 
 in the last number of the Christian Examiner, 
 that the number of volumes of different works 
 published by the Quakers previously to a.d. 
 1715, which embraced a period of only about 
 seventy years, was four thousand two hundred 
 and sixty-nine. Each edition of those works 
 contained, we are told, about one thousand 
 copies on an average, making in the whole 
 about four millions two hundred and sixty-nine 
 thousand volumes and tracts, sent forth by the 
 Society in that short period. Twelve thousand 
 copies of Barclay's Apology were published in 
 
GO 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 one edition, and ten thousand of them were 
 distributed gratis. 
 
 FRANCIS HOWGILL 
 
 Was born about the year 1618, and resided 
 near Grayrigg, in Westmorland. He received 
 a university education, and became a preacher 
 among the Episcopalians, whom he afterwards 
 left, being dissatisfied with their doctrines and 
 mode of worship, and the superstition he saw 
 remaining amongst them. He joined the Inde- 
 pendents, amongst whom he became a teacher ; 
 and subsequently the Anabaptists, ' apprehend- 
 ing that they walked more in accordance with 
 the gospel of Christ.' He did not, however, find 
 that spiritual comfort which his soul thirsted 
 after, but remained destitute of that peace of 
 mind which he so earnestly longed for, until 
 about the thirty-fourth year of his age, when he 
 joined the persecuted people called Quakers ; 
 'amongst whom,' says Sewell, 'he became a 
 zealous member, and he died in communion 
 with them after having been about sixteen 
 years eminent amongst them as a minister, and 
 on account of his writings and sufferings.' 
 
 Francis Howgill was convinced by George 
 Fox, when in Westmorland, in 1652 ; shortly 
 after which he returned to the parish of Colton 
 the money he had taken from the people as a 
 hireling preacher. George Fox describes him 
 as 'one of the Lord's worthies that preached 
 his everlasting word of life, from about the year 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES, 
 
 61 
 
 1652, until the year 1G68,' when he died in 
 prison. 
 
 He was imprisoned at Appleby several months. 
 1 Having been set at liberty, he became valiant 
 and bold for the name of the Lord, and travelled 
 up and down on foot, preaching the everlasting 
 gospel,' chiefly in and about London ; he, with 
 Edward Burrough, and Anthony Pearson, for- 
 merly a justice of the peace, being the first 
 Friends who had meetings in that city. A. 
 Pearson soon went into the North, but Francis 
 Howgill and Edward Burrough remaining in 
 London, laboured diligently, having three or 
 four meetings every week, larger than could be 
 contained in any place they could conveniently 
 obtain for the purpose. 
 
 Some meetings being settled in London, in 
 company with his dear friend and companion, 
 Edward Burrough, he visited Bristol in 1654. 
 They stayed about seven weeks in and about 
 Bristol, labouring diligently, and many received 
 the truth which they preached. 
 
 Returning to London, he paid a visit to the 
 Protector, Oliver Cromwell ; soon after which, 
 he wrote to him. He also laboured in the isle 
 of Ely, Norfolk, Suffolk, and Kent, but most 
 frequently in London. With Edward Burrough 
 he visited Ireland, from whence they were 
 banished. 
 
 F. Howgill appears to have laboured chiefly 
 in London, and perhaps wholly so, from the time 
 of his return from Ireland, until 1661, when, 
 with many others, he was imprisoned in London, 
 
 II. F 
 
62 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 on the alleged suspicion of Friends being con- 
 cerned in the insurrection of the Fifth-monarchy 
 people. < . 
 
 His dear friend and fellow-labourer, E. Bur- 
 rough, died in Newgate in 1662; and in 1663, 
 F. Howgill was committed to Appleby jail, from 
 which he was shortly taken, but only to be re- 
 committed, and that for life, for not taking the 
 oath of allegiance. After a tedious and pain- 
 fully interesting trial, the particulars of which 
 are given in a preface to his works, which were 
 compiled in a folio volume, and published after 
 his decease, the following sentence was passed 
 upon him, simply for his obedience to the com- 
 mand of our Saviour, 1 Swear not at all : ' — 4 You 
 are put out of the King's protection and the 
 benefit of the law ; your lands are confiscated 
 to the King during your life, and your goods 
 and chattels for ever, and you to be a prisoner 
 during your life.' 
 
 Francis Howgill * had a wife and children, 
 and some small estate which he knew lay at 
 stake in the matter ; but he said if it were his 
 life also, he could not revolt from, or deny that 
 which he had most certainly believed in.' He 
 lay in prison about five years, until his decease 
 in 1668 ; writing much in support of Truth and 
 its principles. Often, in the course of his last 
 sickness, he said he was content to die ; that he 
 was ready, and praised God for the sweet en- 
 joyment and refreshment he had received on 
 that his prison-house bed whereon he lay, freely 
 forgiving all who had a hand in his persecution. 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 63 
 
 A few hours previous to his decease, some 
 Friends who lived several miles distant from 
 Appleby, came to see him. He inquired of all 
 their welfare, and prayed fervently with many 
 heavenly expressious, that the Lord, by his 
 mighty power, might preserve them out of all 
 6uch things as would spot and defile. 
 
 He 'sweetly finished his course in much peace, 
 on the twentieth of the eleventh month, 1668, 
 in the fiftieth year of his age, after being a 
 prisoner for the testimony of Jesus from th*e 
 latter part of the fifth month, 1663.' 
 
 CRUEL TREATMENT FOR NOT OBSERVING 
 DAYS AND TIMES. 
 Samuel Hollister was taken out of a shop 
 which was kept open on the day called Christ- 
 mas, in 1663, and with two others carried to 
 the guard, where they were unmercifully tied, 
 neck and heels, with half-cwts. and muskets 
 about their necks, in the extreme cold weather, 
 till their faces were black, and their lives in 
 danger. Some humane persons passing by at 
 the time, and observing this, cut the cords, and 
 released them just when they were ready to 
 expire. — (Besse, vol. i. p. 50.) 
 
 CONSOLATION. 
 
 There is a smile for every sigh, 
 
 For every wound a balm ; 
 A joy for every moisten 'd eye, 
 
 For every storm a calm. 
 
 f2 
 
64 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 Each sigh is sent a smile to light, 
 Each wound in mercy given ; 
 
 Each tear-fill'd eye will yet be bright, 
 Each storm subside — in Heaven ! 
 
 EXPENSE OF WAR. 
 
 The expense of war may be but too easily illus- 
 trated from our own national history. At the 
 abdication of James II., the national debt of 
 England amounted to only about half a million. 
 By the wars which we waged from that period 
 to the overthrow of Bonaparte, it had increased 
 to 865 millions ! The Christian Almanac for 
 1841 says: 'According to the official returns, 
 the national defence has cost the country, in 
 the thirty-six years from 1801 to 1836, the sum 
 of £1,007,938,076 ; of which sixty-three per 
 cent, was expended in the fourteen years of 
 war, and the remaining thirty-seven per cent, 
 in the twenty-two years of peace.' 
 
 THE SUBSTANCE OF A FEW EXPRESSIONS DE- 
 LIVERED BY SAMUEL FOTHERGILL, TO SOME 
 OF HIS RELATIONS, WHEN TAKING LEAVE 
 OF HIM, PREVIOUS TO THEIR GOING TO THE 
 YEARLY MEETING IN LONDON. 
 
 Our health is no more at our command than 
 length of days ; mine seems drawing fast to- 
 wards a conclusion. I think, but I am content 
 with every allotment of Providence, for they are 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 65 
 
 all in wisdom. There is one thing which, as 
 an ami underneath, bears up and supports ; and, 
 though the rolling tempestuous billows surround, 
 yet my head is kept above them, and my feet 
 are firmly established. 0 seek after it ! press 
 after it ! lay fast hold of it ! Though painful 
 my nights and wearisome my days, yet I am 
 preserved in patience and resignation. Death 
 has no terror, neither will the grave have any 
 victory. My soul triumphs over death, hell, 
 and the grave. Husbands and wives, parents 
 and children, health and riches, must all go ; 
 disappointment is another name for them. I 
 should have been thankful had I been able to 
 have got to the ensuing Yearly Meeting in 
 London, which you are now going to attend, 
 where I have been so often refreshed with my 
 brethren, but it is otherwise allotted. I shall 
 remember them, and some of them will remem- 
 ber me. The Lord knows best what is best for 
 us ; I am content, and resigned to his will. I 
 feel a foretaste of the joy that is to come ; and 
 who would wish to change such a state of mind ? 
 I should be glad if any easy channel could be 
 found to inform the Yearly Meeting, that, as I 
 lived, so shall I close, with the most unshaken 
 assurance that we have Dot followed cunningly- 
 devised fables, but the pure, living, eternal 
 substance. Let the aged be strong, let the 
 middle-aged be animated, and the youth en- 
 couraged ; for the Lord is still with Zion, the 
 Lord will bless Zion. If I be now removed out 
 of his church militant, where I have endea* 
 
66 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 voured, in some measure, to fill up my duty, I 
 have an evidence that I shall gain an admit- 
 tance into his glorious church triumphant, far 
 above the heavens. My dear love is to all 
 those that love the Lord Jesus. 
 
 REMARKABLE ANAGRAM. 
 
 Pilate's question to our Lord, ' What is truth V 
 in the Latin Vulgate, stands thus : — Quid est 
 Veritas ? The letters transposed, Est mr qui 
 adest — ' It is the man before thee.' 
 
 PRAYER AND PRAISE. 
 
 Prayer is the application of want to him who 
 only can relieve it; the voice of sin to him alone 
 who can pardon it ; it is the urgency of poverty, 
 the prostration of humility, the fervency of 
 penitence, the confidence of trust ; it is not 
 eloquence but earnestness, not the definition of 
 helplessness, but the feeling of it; not the figures 
 of speech, but compunction of soul ; it is the 
 'Lord, save us, we perish,' of drowning Peter; 
 the cry of faith to the ear of mercy. 
 
 Adoration is the noblest employment of created 
 beings; confession the natural language of guilty 
 creatures ; gratitude the spontaneous expression 
 of pardoned sinners. Prayer is desire ; it is 
 not a conception of the mind, nor a mere effort 
 of the intellect, nor an act of the memory ; but 
 an elevation of the soul towards its Maker ; a 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 67 
 
 pressing sense of our ignorance and infirmity, 
 and consciousness of the perfections of God, of 
 his readiness to hear, of his power to help, of his 
 willingness to save. 
 
 Talking about religion is not being religious, 
 but we may bring the spirit of religion into 
 company, and keep it in perpetual operation 
 when we do not professedly make it our subject ; 
 we may be constantly advancing its interests — 
 we may, without effort or affectation, be giving 
 an example of candour, of moderation, of humi- 
 lity, of forbearance — we may employ our influ- 
 ence by correcting falsehood, by checking levity, 
 by discouraging calumny, by vindicating mis- 
 represented merit, by countenancing everything 
 which has a good tendency ; in short, by throw- 
 ing our whole weight, be it great or small, in the 
 right scale. — (H. More's Practical Piety.) 
 
 IN WHAT THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION CONSISTS. 
 
 The Christian religion teaches men these two 
 truths ; first, that there is a God to whom they 
 may aspire ; secondly, that there is a corruption 
 in their nature, which unfits them to do so. It 
 is equally necessary for man to be acquainted 
 with both these principles; and it is as dangerous 
 for him to know God without being acquainted 
 with his own misery, as to be acquainted with 
 his own misery without knowing the Redeemer, 
 who is able to deliver him from it. The know- 
 ledge of either of these truths without the other, 
 
68 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 produces either the pride of philosophers, who 
 have known God and not their own misery, or 
 the despair of atheists, who are acquainted with 
 their own misery, without knowing the Redeemer. 
 And thus, as it is a part of the necessities of 
 men to be acquainted with both these princi- 
 ples, so it is a proof of the mercy of God that 
 he has revealed them to us. It is in this that 
 the Christian religion consists. — (Pascal.) 
 
 SOUND SENTIMENT OF ARCHBISHOP WHATELY. 
 
 The religion of the gospel is a religion without 
 
 priest, altar, sacrifice, or temple The 
 
 sacred writers did not omit the mention of these 
 things, and leave it to the discretion of each 
 church to introduce them or not, but they plainly 
 appear to have distinctly excluded them. — (From 
 Archbishop Whately's Works.) 
 
 JZ>r* A sound sentiment, but found where 
 little expected. J. P. 
 
 AWFUL CIRCUMSTANCE. 
 
 Engaged lately in destroying old letters, the 
 following detail, found in one of those of 1827, 
 appeared to be of too striking a character to be 
 consigned to oblivion. The beloved writer, well 
 known and loved, had probably received it her- 
 self from a Friend, then on a religious visit in 
 Cumberland. 
 
 She gives the extract as follows : — 'On Second- 
 day evening, I had another meeting of the like 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 69 
 
 kind at , about two miles from , which 
 
 was much crowded, but a remarkably solid, quiet 
 time. I understood that a change for the better, 
 within these last few years, had taken place in 
 that town, since the Methodists have got foot- 
 ing there, which, through much opposition, they 
 have at last. We were kindly entertained for 
 a short time at the house of one of them after 
 the meeting. Thou mayest suppose how hostile 
 the people were to their settling a meeting there, 
 when I tell thee, that when this was first the 
 case, a very respectable young man of this 
 community was going to preach on the First- 
 day evening ; he was on his way surrounded by 
 a rude multitude of people, two of whom came 
 opposite to him, and with mud and sand (or 
 gravel) in their hands, said, "Father, Son, and 
 Holy Ghost," and immediately threw what they 
 had in their hands in his face. Two weeks 
 afterwards, on that day of the week, as he was 
 going to preach there again, he was informed 
 that these two men were dead corpses at that 
 time in the town. This circumstance, so awfully 
 touching, seems to have had a good effect on 
 those left behind.' — (R. in Irish Friend.) 
 
 ON THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. 
 
 The spiritual life is nothing else but the working 
 of the Spirit of God within us, and therefore our 
 own silence must be a great part of our pre- 
 paration for it ; and much speaking or delight 
 in it will be often no small hinderance of that 
 
70 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 good which we can only have from hearing what 
 the Spirit and voice of God speaketh within us. 
 — (W. Law.) 
 
 BRIEF FUNERAL SERMON, 
 
 By THOMAS SCATTERGOOD, 
 
 [The following was delivered at the funeral of a Friend at Winchmore 
 Hill, over the grave, hy Thomas Scattergood, being all he had to say 
 at that time.] 
 
 Hark ! from the tomb a doleful sound, 
 
 My ears attend the lay ; 
 Ye living men, come view the ground 
 
 Where you must shortly lay. 
 
 Princes ! this clay must be your bed, 
 
 In spite of all your powers ; 
 The tall, the wise, the reverend head, 
 
 Must be as low as ours. 
 
 Great God ! is this our certain doom, 
 
 And are we still secure, 
 Still walking downwards to our tomb, 
 
 And yet prepare no more ? 
 
 TRUE CHARITY. 
 
 True charity is without ostentation ; Pope has 
 beautifully described a charitable man, as one 
 who 
 
 * Did good by stealth, and blush 'd to find it fame ; ' 
 
 and Pollock no less beautifully says — 
 
 { The dews came down unseen at eventide, 
 And silently their bounties shed, to teach 
 Mankind unostentatious charity.'' 
 
 (Course of Time.) 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 ri 
 
 I 'PINION OF JUDGE EWING ON THE MODE OF 
 TRANSACTING BUSINESS IN OUR MEETINGS 
 FUR DISCIPLINE. 
 
 The following remarks of Chief-Justice Ewing, 
 during a period of great unsettlement in our 
 Society, well deserve to claim a place in our re- 
 membrance 
 
 * One of the beautiful and distinguishing cha- 
 racteristics of the religious Society of Friends, 
 consists in their mode of transacting business, 
 and arriving at conclusions, in which, rejecting 
 totally the principle that a majority is to rule, 
 they decide, or govern, and arrive at a unity 
 of resolution and action in a mode peculiar to 
 themselves, and entirely different from that 
 common to all civil or political, and to most 
 ecclesiastical bodies. 
 
 ' They look and wait for a union of mind ; 
 and the result is produced, not by a tote or count 
 of numbers, but by a yielding up of opinions, 
 a deference for the judgment of each other. 
 Where a division of sentiment occurs, the matter 
 is postponed for further consideration, or with- 
 drawn entirely. 
 
 * The very proposal of the Separatists to take 
 a vote, was an overture to depart, and the con- 
 summation of it would have been a departure 
 from an ancient and unvarying practice, which 
 had not only grown up to an overshadowing tree, 
 but had its root in religious faith, and was 
 nourished and sustained by religious feeling.' — i 
 (American Friend.) 
 
72 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 SUBLIMITY OF SCRIPTURE LANGUAGE. 
 How striking is the beauty and sublimity of the 
 language used in the command given to Moses 
 from the burning bush, * Put off thy shoes from 
 off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest 
 is holy ground.' And also that of Joshua, ' Sun, 
 stand thou still on Gibeon ; and thou, moon, in 
 the valley of Ajalon.' Can anything exceed 
 the beauty of what our blessed Lord said to the 
 woman of Samaria, at Jacob's well ? ' If thou 
 knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith 
 unto thee, Give me to drink, thou wouldest have 
 asked of him, and he would have given thee 
 living water.' How very different would these 
 read, if expressed in the plural number ! 
 
 ACCOUNT OF SAMUEL NEALE. 
 
 Samuel Neale, son of Thomas and Martha 
 Neale, was born in Dublin, in 1729. Soon after 
 his birth, his parents removed from that city, 
 and became members of Eddenderry Monthly 
 Meeting. His mother dying when he was in 
 his sixth year, and his father removing to 
 America, he and his brother and sisters were 
 left behind in the charge of their grandmother 
 and uncle, who were affectionately attentive to 
 their morals and education. 
 
 Samuel Neale 's heart was early impressed 
 with a sense of the goodness of his Maker, even 
 before he well knew what it was that affected 
 him. When capable of reading the Bible, and 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 73 
 
 other instructive writings, these feelings were 
 strengthened, and sedateness of conduct and 
 many tender tears, were the consequence of 
 his belief in the omnipresence of that gracious 
 Being in whose favour he was happy ; but whose 
 reproofs he felt, when the levity of his disposi- 
 tion carried him off from his safe ground. In 
 his twelfth year, being not likely to recover 
 from the small-pox, the apprehension of death, 
 and of unfitness for it, rose before his view, and 
 caused him to resolve, if his life were spared, 
 on greater care over his words and actions, than 
 he had yet practised. This resolution, though 
 not entirely forgotten, was too often broken 
 through ; and the further he advanced in life, 
 the thicker temptations stood in his way ; and 
 the more often these prevailed, the less strength 
 he had to oppose their renewed attacks. When 
 about seventeen years of age, he went to Dublin 
 to acquire a knowledge of commercial affairs, 
 and spent three years there. Having an in- 
 dependent property, he had money at his own 
 disposal which proved to him, as to many other 
 youths, a snare ; and, joined to his engaging 
 manners, introduced him into unprofitable 
 company. 
 
 He contracted an intimacy with several stu- 
 dents belonging to the university in that city, 
 who were not likely to further his steps in the 
 path of self-denial. Thus his time passed away ; 
 remorse often seized upon him for these mis- 
 spent hours, which, when his gay companions 
 observed, they called it a religious fit, and 
 
 II. o 
 
74: SELECT MISCELLANIES, 
 
 hurried him to fresh scenes of amusement. 
 Even after his recovery from a dangerous fever, 
 in which the covenant of his childhood was 
 remembered, though he was afraid to promise 
 again, he ran into more excesses than ever, and 
 the convictions which still laid hold on him 
 were overpowered as they arose. In this state, 
 in the summer of 1751, about to commence 
 business, he set out on a journey to the south, 
 attended by a servant in livery. It is to be 
 noted, that he generally continued to attend 
 meetings, and so maintain an intercourse and 
 acquaintance with Friends. On this journey 
 he called to inquire after the health of Mary 
 Peisley, and that of the family ; his worthy 
 uncle, Samuel Neale, accompanying him. The 
 young man felt true satisfaction in their in- 
 structive conversation, and contrasted it with 
 what he was too much accustomed to among 
 his libertine companions. He spent some days 
 in Limerick, and mixed there with dissipated 
 company. And on his way from thence to Cork, 
 he reflected seriously and sorrowfully on his 
 own frailty, weakness, and irresolution, feeling 
 the sting which accompanies delusive pleasures. 
 In this disposition he reached Cork ; yet, there 
 mingling with old acquaintances, and forming 
 new ones, the weakness of his former resolves 
 was again apparent. On a First-day morning, 
 an acquaintance asked him to go to meeting, 
 telling him that Catherine Pay ton and Mary 
 Peisley was to be there. He had been at a play 
 the preceding night, and had sat up late ; how- 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 75 
 
 ever, went to the meeting. There Catherine 
 Payton's ministry was so powerful, and the state 
 of his mind was so clearly displayed, and he 
 was so wrought upon by the power and spirit of 
 the holy Jesus, that he was, as it were, smitten 
 to the ground, and ready to cry out with Saul, 
 4 Lord, what wouldst thou have me to do V 
 Tears of contrition bedewed his face ; and, 
 shunning observation, he withdrew, after meet- 
 ing, to meditate in retirement. 
 
 His former gay companions beheld his change 
 with astonishment ; but feeling distrustful of 
 his own resolutions, he would not venture 
 among them, and staid with those Friends who 
 had been the instruments of his conversion ; 
 accompanying them to different places in their 
 journey, strengthened and encouraged by them 
 to persevere in the way into which his feet were 
 now turned, and experiencing what far exceeded 
 the gratifications he had been accustomed to 
 pursue. But the time now came when he must 
 leave those sympathising Friends, and return 
 to Dublin, where he had formed so many un- 
 profitable intimacies, had broken so . many 
 good resolutions, had given so many proofs of 
 his instability, and had plunged into so many 
 excesses. The mortifications which thus awaited 
 him, he dreaded less than his own weakness and 
 instability ; and he thought of going to reside 
 in England, near such Friends as would be 
 likely to advance his progress in piety, and 
 where he would be removed from amongst those 
 who had so often allured him to go astrav. He 
 
 G 2 * 
 
76 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 remarks : 1 Thus I reasoned with flesh and 
 blood ; but I was instructed to see, that he who 
 visited me was able to preserve me, if I would 
 but be subject and obedient to his wholesome 
 instruction ; and that where I had dishonoured 
 him bj my inconsistencies, there, bj my fidelity 
 to the law he writes in the heart, I might honour 
 and confess him before men.' He adds : 'These 
 intimations quieted my mind, and I resolved to 
 meet ridicule, reviling, and even persecution 
 itself, for the sake of him whom I was resolved 
 to follow, as I felt strength.' 
 
 As he expected, when he met his old asso- 
 ciates, he found the cross was hard to bear, 
 habited as he now was, in simple attire, and 
 speaking the plain language of Friends. How- 
 ever, he experienced that ridicule was not 
 always incurred by strict adherence to the 
 principles of our education. He had been sent, 
 when an apprentice, to pay rent to the Bishop 
 of Clogher, whom he addressed not as a Quaker. 
 Whether the bishop knew he was of that pro- 
 fession, and despised the false shame which made 
 him shrink from appearing as such, or whether 
 the youth felt self-condemnation for his cow- 
 ardice, he thought the bishop looked upon him 
 with contempt. The next time he went on the 
 same errand, he addressed him in the plain 
 language, was treated by him with marked 
 civility, and rejoiced that he had been 1 faithful 
 in the little.' Samuel Neale was, at the time 
 of his change of heart, in the twenty-second 
 year of his age. He had been much attached 
 
9FLECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 77 
 
 to field sports, and still thought he might in- 
 dulge himself in the recreation of his dog and 
 gun ; but he felt the check of inward reproof 
 for this manner of spending his time, and he 
 abandoned the practice. 
 
 He endeavoured after quietude of mind, 
 sought solitude or instructive company, and was 
 constant in attendance of religious meetings. 
 Being thus himself made a partaker of the 
 blessings of salvation, he found himself con- 
 cerned publicly to preach the gospel to others, 
 and to tell what the Lord had done for his soul, 
 travelling in this service in many parts of Eng- 
 land and Ireland, as well as Hollaud and Ger- 
 many. — (Leadbeater's Biog. Narratives.) 
 
 OPINION OF COLERIDGE RESPECTING GEORGE 
 FOX'S JOURNAL. 
 
 The following is a striking testimony from a 
 man so distinguished for the depth of his meta- 
 physical researches, for his high estimate of in- 
 tellectual life, and for his poetical enthusiasm: — 
 * One assertion I will venture to make, as 
 suggested by my own experience, that there 
 exist folios on the human understanding, and 
 the nature of man, which would have a far 
 juster claim to their high rank and celebrity, 
 if, in the whole huge volume there could be 
 found as much fulness of heart and intellect as 
 bursts forth in many a simple page of George 
 Fox . 1 — ( Biographia Literaria. ) 
 
78 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 INTERESTING DIALOGUE 
 BETWEEN DR. JOHNSON AND MARY KNOWLES. 
 
 In the ensuing dialogue, the celebrated lexico- 
 grapher, and most distinguished scholar of his 
 day, produced his strong arguments in support 
 of the National Ecclesiastical Establishment. 
 
 The argumentative powers of Dr. Johnson are 
 acknowledged to have been of a very striking 
 order. He was an energetic defender of truth 
 so far as it suited his taste ; but, unhappily, 
 through that imbecility which is common to 
 human nature, he sometimes attempted to make 
 the worse appear in better reason, and appeared 
 triumphant among shallow competitors. But 
 he now and then met with the reverse of a 
 shallow competitor. Under such circumstances, 
 error stood no chance, even in the hands of so 
 able an advocate as Dr. Johnson. 
 
 The talented Anna Seward, the poetess of 
 Lichfield, has preserved in a letter to Mrs. 
 Mompessan, 1 an interesting and spirited con- 
 versation which took place between Mary 
 Knowles and Dr. Johnson, upon the subject of 
 an amiable young woman who became a con- 
 vert to Quakerism. ' ft occurred,' she says, 'at 
 Mr. Dilly's, in a literary party, formed by Dr. 
 Johnson, Mr. Boswell (the Duke of Bedford's 
 tutor), Dr. Mayo, and others, whom Mrs. Knowles 
 and myself had been invited to meet, and in 
 which that lady and Dr. Johnson disputed so 
 
 * Letters of Anna Seward. 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 79 
 
 earnestly. It is, however, previously necessary,' 
 continues Miss Seward, 'to know the history of 
 the very amiable young woman who was the 
 subject of their debate. 
 
 ' Miss Jenny Harry that was (for she after- 
 wards married, and died ere the first nuptial 
 year had expired 1 ), was the daughter of a rich 
 planter in the West Indies. He sent her over 
 to England to receive her education in the house 
 of a Friend. Mr. Spry, where Mrs. Knowles, the 
 celebrated Quakeress, was frequently a visitor. 
 Mr. Spry affected wit, and was perpetually rally- 
 ing Mrs. Knowles on the subject of Quakerism, 
 in the presence of this young, gentle, and in- 
 genious girl; who, at the age of eighteen, had 
 received what is called a proper education, one 
 of the modern accomplishments, without having 
 been much instructed in the nature and grounds 
 of her religious belief. Upon these visits, Mrs. 
 Knowles was often led into a serious defence of 
 Quaker principles. She spoke with clear and 
 graceful eloquence on every subject. Her an- 
 tagonists were shallow theologists, and opposed 
 only idle and pointless raillery to deep and 
 long-studied reasoning on the precepts of Scrip- 
 ture, uttered in persuasive accents, and clothed 
 with all the beauty of language. 
 
 ' Without any design of making a proselyte, 
 she gained one. Miss Harry grew pensively 
 serious, and meditated perpetually on all which 
 had dropped from the lips of Mrs. Knowles, on 
 a theme, the infinite importance of which she 
 then, perhaps, first began to feel. At length she 
 
80 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 believed that Quakerism was true Christianity, 
 and beneath such conviction, although several 
 clergymen were employed to argue with her, she 
 was reasoned with, and threatened in vain, for 
 she thought it her duty to join, at every hazard 
 of worldly interest, that class of worshippers. 
 
 'Her father, on being made acquainted with 
 her change of principles, informed her that she 
 might choose between a hundred thousand pounds 
 and his favour, or two thousand pounds and his 
 renunciation, as she continued a Churchwoman 
 or became a Quaker. Miss Harry lamented 
 her father's displeasure, but thanked him for 
 the pecuniary alternative, assuring him that it 
 included all her wishes as to fortune, and she 
 persisted in resigning her splendid expectations 
 for what appeared to her the path of duty. 
 
 ' Soon after she left her guardian's house, and 
 boarded in that of Mrs. Knowles ; to her she 
 often observed, that Dr. Johnson's displeasure, 
 whom she had seen frequently at her guardian's, 
 and who had always appeared fond of her, was 
 amongst the greatest mortifications of her then 
 situation. Once she came home in tears, and 
 told her friend she had met Dr. Johnson in the 
 street, and had ventured to ask him how he 
 was ; but that he would not deign to answer her, 
 and walked scornfully on.' 
 
 As Mary Knowles expected to meet Dr. John- 
 son a few days after at a dinner party, Jenny 
 Harry requested her to expostulate with him, 
 and plead for her, which she promised to do. 
 On that occasion a dialogue took place between 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 81 
 
 Dr. Johnson, as the advocate of the Church of 
 England, and Mary Knowles in support of 
 Christian liberty, which proved highly interest- 
 ing. Preposterous as the line of argument 
 pursued by Dr. Johnson was, its absurdity is 
 absolutely inseparable from the established 
 principle of the alliance. 
 
 ' The Doctor might as well have made 
 A cone inverted stand 
 Without support, as have essay'd 
 To prove his work in hand.' 
 
 It may be well to observe, before introducing 
 the dialogue between Dr. Johnson and Mary 
 Knowles, that Boswell, in his Life of the cele- 
 brated lexicographer, inserted it so much cur- 
 tailed and mangled, as to prove quite unsatis- 
 factory. This Boswell acknowledged, that he 
 had not fully narrated it. The case was also 
 put to the decision of two impartial arbitrators, 
 who were of decided opinion that justice was 
 not done to the conversation ; and Anna Seward, 
 who was present on the occasion, expresses her 
 dissatisfaction at Boswell's narration of it, in the 
 following extract of a letter to Mary Knowles: — 
 
 1 So Mr. Boswell's Life of Johnson is out at 
 last. The second volume contains the memor- 
 able conversation atDilly's, but without that part 
 of it of which I made minutes, and in which 
 you appear to so much advantage over the im- 
 perious and gloomy intolerant. This omission 
 is surely unjustifiable, as I gave Mr. Boswell 
 my memoir, and as I am sure, though it by no 
 
82 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 means contains all that was said, it contains what 
 was said by you and by the despot. Mr. Bos- 
 well might have given us much more as you 
 and he could recollect, but he should not have 
 omitted those highly characteristic sentences. 
 
 * Anna Seward.' 
 
 The conversation as here related, is taken 
 from Anna Seward's minutes, with a few par- 
 ticulars supplied to the Gentleman s Magazine 
 by Mary Knowles herself. The latter opens 
 the debate by saying — ' I am to ask thy indul- 
 gence, Doctor, towards a gentle female, to whom 
 thou usedst to be kind, and who is uneasy in 
 the loss of that kindness ; thy friend Jenny 
 Harry desires her kind respects to thee, and 
 weeps at the consciousness that thou will not 
 speak to her.' 
 
 Dr. Johnson. * Madam, I hate the odious 
 wench, and desire you will not talk to me about 
 her.' 
 
 Mrs. Knowles. ' Yet what is her crime, Doctor?' 
 
 Dr. J. * Apostacy, Madam ; apostacy from the 
 community in which she was educated, and it 
 is you who have seduced her from the Christian 
 religion.' 
 
 Mrs. K. * This is a heavy charge indeed. I 
 must beg to be heard in my own defence ; and 
 I entreat the attention of the present learned 
 and candid company, desiring they will judge 
 how far I am able to clear myself of so cruel an 
 accusation.' 
 
 Dr. J. (Much disturbed at this unexpected 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 83 
 
 challenge, and wishing to evade a discussion on 
 the momentous question of the alliance of church 
 and state, said), ' You are a -woman, and I give 
 you quarter.' 
 
 Alt s. K. ' I will take no quarter ; there is no 
 sex in souls ; and in the present instance I fear 
 not even Dr. Johnson himself.' 
 
 (Bravo!' was repeated by the company, and 
 silence ensued.) 
 
 Dr. J. 'Well then, Madam, I persist in my 
 charge, that you have seduced Miss H. from 
 the Christian religion.' 
 
 Mrs. K. 'If thou really knewest what were 
 the principles of the Friends, thou wouldst not 
 say she had departed from Christianity. But, 
 waving that discussion for the present, I will 
 take the liberty to observe, that she had an un- 
 doubted right to examine and to change her 
 educational tenets whenever she supposed she 
 had found them erroneous ; as an accountable 
 creature, it was her duty to do so.' 
 
 Dr. J. ' Pshaw ! pshaw ! an accountable crea- 
 ture ! girls accountable creatures ! It was her 
 duty to remain with the church in which she 
 was educated ; she had no business to leave it.' 
 
 Mrs. K. 1 What ! not for that which she ap- 
 prehended to be better ? Surely the quitting 
 of one community for another, which she appre- 
 pended to be better, cannot be a crime, if it be 
 done from motives of conscience. According to 
 that rule, Doctor, hadst thou been born in 
 Turkey, it had been thy duty to have remained 
 a Mahometan, notwithstanding Christian evi- 
 
84 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 dence might have wrought in thy mind the clear- 
 est conviction. And now, let me ask, would thy 
 conscience have answered for such obstinacy at 
 the great and last tribunal ? Hadst thou been 
 educated in the Romish Church, I must suppose 
 thou wouldst have abjured its errors, and surely 
 there would have been merit in the abjuration V 
 Dr. J. ' Madam, if I had been educated in 
 the Roman Catholic faith, I believe I should 
 have questioned my right to quit the religion of 
 my fathers. In adhering to the religion of the 
 state as by law established, our implicit obedi- 
 ence therein becomes our duty ; therefore, well 
 may I hate the arrogance of a young wench, in 
 supposing herself a more competent judge of 
 religion than those who educated her, who sets 
 herself up for a judge on theological points, and 
 deserts the religion in whose bosom she was 
 nurtured.' 
 
 Mrs. K. ' She has not done so ; the name 
 and faith of Christians are not denied to the 
 sectaries.' 
 
 Dr. J. ' If the name is not, the common 
 sense is.' 
 
 Mrs. K. * I will not dispute this point with 
 thee, Doctor, at least at the present ; it would 
 carry us too far. Suppose it granted, that in 
 the mind of a young girl the weaker arguments 
 appeared the strongest, her want of better judg- 
 ment should excite thy pity — not thy resent- 
 ment.' 
 
 Dr. J. * Madam, it has my anger and my con - 
 tempt, and always will have them; she imitated 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 85 
 
 you, no doubt ; but she ought not to have pre- 
 sumed to have determined for herself in so 
 important an affair.' 
 
 Mrs. K. 1 Consider, Doctor, she must be 
 sincere ; consider what a noble fortune she has 
 sacrificed, £98,000, and her father's renuncia- 
 tion ' 
 
 Dr. J. 1 Madam, madam, I have never taught 
 myself to consider that the association of folly 
 can extenuate guilt.' 
 
 Mrs. K. 'Ah! Doctor, we cannot rationally 
 suppose that the Deity will not pardon a defect 
 of judgment (supposing it should prove one), in 
 that breast where the consideration of serving 
 him, according to its idea, in spirit and truth, 
 has been a preferable inducement to that of 
 worldly interest.' 
 
 Br. J. ' Madam, I pretend not to set bounds 
 to the mercy of the Deity ; but I hate the wench, 
 and shall ever hate her : I hate all impudence, 
 but the impudence of a chit's apostacy I nau- 
 seate.'' 
 
 The argument was continued with warmth on 
 the side of Dr. Johnson, but with perfect com- 
 posure on the part of his female antagonist, 
 until he declared he thought the Quakers were 
 absolutely a deistical race, still accusing Mrs. 
 Knowles of seducing Jenny Harry from the 
 Christian religion. His opponent replied to 
 these assertions in full, but the whole of the 
 altercations on these points would extend the 
 limits of this considerably. 
 
 Dr. Johnston observed, that he thought it 
 
 11. H 
 
86 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 would be difficult to prove persons deserved the 
 characters of moral agents who turned Quakers. 
 
 Mrs. K. ' This severe retort, Doctor, induces 
 me charitably to hope thou must be totally 
 unacquainted with the principles of the people 
 against whom thou art so exceedingly pre- 
 judiced, and that thou supposest us a set of 
 infidels or deists.' 
 
 Dr. J. * Certainly, I do think you little better 
 than deists.' 
 
 Mrs. K. 'This is indeed strange ; it is passing 
 strange, that a man of such universal reading 
 and research, has not thought it at least ex- 
 pedient to look into the cause of dissent of a 
 society so long established, and so conspicuously 
 singular ! ' 
 
 Dr. J. ' Not I indeed ! I have not read your 
 Barclay's Apology ; and for this plain reason, I 
 never thought it worth my while. You are 
 upstart sectaries, perhaps the best subdued by 
 silent contempt.' 
 
 Mrs. K. 'This reminds me of the language 
 of the Rabbies of old, when their hierarchy 
 was alarmed by the increasing influence, force, 
 and simplicity of dawning truth, in their high 
 day of worldly dominion. We meekly trust 
 our principles stand on the same solid founda- 
 tion of simple truth, and we invite the acutest 
 investigation. The reason thou givest for not 
 having read Barclay's Apology, is surely a very 
 improper one for a man whom the world looks 
 up to as a moral philosopher of the first rank ; a 
 teacher from whom they think they have a right 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 Si- 
 
 te- expect much information. To this expecting, 
 inquiring world, how can Dr. Johnson acquit 
 himself for remaining unacquainted with a book 
 translated into five or six different languages, 
 and which has been admitted into the libraries 
 of almost every court and university in Chris- 
 tendom ?' 
 
 The Doctor, growing very angry, again re- 
 peated that he did not think the Quakers de- 
 served the name of Christians ; when Mary 
 Knowles endeavoured to convince him of his 
 errors, by an explanation of the leading prin- 
 ciples of Friends, to which he replied, 1 Well! I 
 must own I did not at all suppose you had so 
 much to say for yourselves. However, I cannot 
 forgive that little slut, for presuming to take 
 upon herself as she has done.' 
 
 Mrs. Knowles continued, ' Jenny is a very 
 gentle creature. She trembles to have offended 
 her parent, though far removed from her pre- 
 sence, she grieves to have offended her guardian, 
 and she is sorry to have offended Dr. Johnson, 
 whom she loved, admired, and honoured.' 
 
 Dr. J. 1 Why, then, madam, did she not con- 
 sult the man whom she pretends to have loved, 
 admired, and honoured, upon her new-fangled 
 scruples ? If she had looked up to that man 
 with any degree of the respect she professes, 
 she would have supposed his ability to judge of 
 fit and right, at least equal to that of a raw 
 wench, just out of her primer.' 
 p Mrs. K. ' Ah ! Doctor, remember it was not 
 from amongst the wittv and the learned that 
 
 H 2 
 
88 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 Christ selected his disciples, and constituted 
 the teachers of his precepts. Jenny thinks Dr. 
 Johnson great and good ; but she also thinks 
 the gospel demands and enjoins a simpler form 
 of worship than that of the Established church ; 
 and that it is not in wit and eloquence to super- 
 sede the force of what appears to her a plain 
 and regular system, which cancels all typical 
 and mysterious ceremonies as fruitless, and 
 even idolatrous ; and asks only obedience to its 
 injunctions, and the ingenious homage of a 
 devout heart.' 
 
 Dr. J. ' The homage of a fool's head, madam, 
 you should say, if you will pester me about the 
 ridiculous wench.' 
 
 Mrs. K. 4 If thou choosest to suppose her 
 ridiculous, thou canst not deny that she has 
 been religious, sincere, disinterested. Canst 
 thou believe that the gate of heaven will be 
 shut to the tender and pious maid, whose first 
 consideration has been that of apprehended 
 duty?' 
 
 Dr. J. 4 Pho, pho, madam, who says it will?' 
 
 Mrs. K. 'Then if heaven shut not its gates, 
 shall man shut his heart ? If the Deity accept 
 the homage of such as sincerely serve him 
 under every form of worship, I hope, Doctor, 
 thou wilt not remain unforgiving, but that thou 
 wilt renew thy friendship; and I sincerely 
 desire that Dr Johnson and this humble girl 
 will meet in a blessed eternity, whether pride 
 and human animosity must not be carried.' 
 
 Dr. J. 4 Madam, I am not fond of meeting 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 SO 
 
 fools anywhere ; they are detestable company; 
 and while it is in my power to avoid conversing 
 with them, I certainly shall exert that power ; 
 and so you may tell the odious wench whom 
 you have persuaded to think herself a saint, 
 and of whom you will, I suppose, make a 
 preacher, that I will take care she does not 
 preach to me. y 
 
 * The loud and angry tone in which he thun- 
 dered out these replies, to his calm and able 
 antagonist, frightened us all,' continued Miss 
 Seward, 'except Mrs. Knowles, who gently, not 
 sarcastically, smiled at his injustice.' How 
 striking is the mild fortitude of modest truth ; 
 and how finely contrasted with the boisterous 
 violence of bigoted sophistry ! 
 
 Great as Doctor Johnson was, and superior 
 as he might generally prove himself in argu- 
 ment, in this instance he was completely van- 
 quished, and hid his diminished head in the 
 presence of his female opponent. It was now 
 that Boswell, his friend and biographer, empha- 
 tically whispered, 'I never saw this mighty lion 
 so chafed before.' 
 
 The irrational and weak bigotry which the 
 whole of this dialogue displays, prove the Doctor 
 to have been very superficial in his religious 
 views, whilst his boisterous violence, and the 
 unmeaning abuse he bestowed upon those who 
 differed from him, contrasted with the mild 
 fortitude of his female antagonist, show how 
 weak indeed are even colossal strength and 
 
90 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 learning when they assail the impregnable bul- 
 warks of reason and strength. 
 
 However much we may differ from each other 
 in our religious opinions, let us remember that 
 sectarian prejudice is but a mark of a contracted 
 mind. ' In my Father's house there are many 
 mansions,' says our blessed Redeemer; and is 
 it for short-sighted beings like us to say by whom 
 they are to be occupied ? It is certain they are 
 intended to be filled by the good and virtuous, 
 without drawing nice distinctions with respect 
 to their creeds. 
 
 REMARKABLE DREAM. 
 
 Two young men, members of the Society of 
 Friends, but so far in the practice of deviation 
 from their religious principles, as to be con- 
 sidered libertines, were sleeping together, when 
 one of them had the following remarkable dream. 
 He thought he was dead, and in hell. With 
 the exception of confinement, he did not think 
 his situation very disagreeable, and the place 
 was not so bad as he expected. Presently a 
 young man, with whom he had been acquainted, 
 and who had died a short time before, advanced, 
 and to him he communicated the above senti- 
 ment, when the young man most impressively 
 said, 'I'll show thee what is hell !' upon which 
 he opened his bosom, and there appeared a blue 
 spot upon it, and on touching it there issued a 
 blue flame ; pointing to it he said, * This is hell; 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 91 
 
 fiere is the worm that never, never dies, and the 
 fire that is never quenched ; and if thou dost 'not 
 alter thy course of life, thou wilt be with me here 
 this day twelve months ! ' 
 
 With this the young man awoke, and imme- 
 diately communicated his dream to his friend ; 
 thej were both deeply affected, and determined 
 on a different course of life. The reformation 
 of the latter was lasting, but, as a proof of the 
 instability of human nature, the young man 
 who was favoured with this remarkable visita- 
 tion, after having refrained from his improper 
 conduct for a few months, by the persuasion 
 of his company, relapsed into it again ; and, 
 at the expiration of the twelve months after this 
 extraordinary dream, he was taken out of this 
 world into an awful eternity. 
 
 WILLIAM BARTRAM, THE BOTANIST. 
 
 The Travels of William Bartram (a member 
 of the Society of Friends) were published in 
 Philadelphia, in 1792. To those who are fond 
 of works on travel, and more particularly to 
 such as have a taste for subjects of natural 
 history, this book is a treat. The author writes 
 in a pleasing and simple style, and narrates 
 circumstances and things in a Christian and 
 philosophic spirit. 
 
 Wishing to learn more of his history, I ob- 
 tained the following particulars from an Ame- 
 rican correspondent : — * Richard Bartram, his 
 
92 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 grandfather, and also a Friend, was born in 
 England, and formed one of the little band of 
 emigrants who accompanied William Penn to 
 America at the close of the seventeenth century. 
 He settled in the county of Philadelphia, and 
 had a son named John, who, although he re- 
 ceived but a slender education (for schools 
 were scarce in his youth), was an enthusiastic 
 botanist, and of a most amiable disposition ; he 
 became, as an American writer observes, the 
 first naturalist the United States had, and the 
 first American scientific horticulturist. John 
 was bred a farmer, and laboured in that vocation 
 for the support of his family; but from an early 
 date was enamoured with the study of botany, 
 and made extensive tours throughout North 
 America to collect trees, shrubs, and plants, 
 which he transferred to and cultivated in his 
 garden on the Schuylkill. This spot he pur- 
 chased with the view of establishing a nursery 
 on a scientific plan. Neither personal difficul- 
 ties nor dangers from Indians deterred him in 
 his travels. He explored the highest mountains 
 and the western lakes ; and, at the age of 
 seventy years, embarked for South Carolina ; 
 travelled through that and the adjoining states, 
 and Florida ; ascended the river St. John 400 
 miles in a boat, and descended on the other 
 side till he reached the sea. His notes on this 
 great river, its branches and lakes, and the 
 country through which he passed, were sent to 
 the Board of Trade in England, by whom they 
 were published, for the benefit of the young 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 03 
 
 colony. He was the first person who established 
 a botanic garden, and who made a transmission 
 of the vegetable productions of North America 
 to Europe a regular business, and in this he 
 was engaged for upwards of forty years to a 
 great exteut. The gardens of England are 
 filled with trees and plants, the originals of 
 which he sent to their proprietors, and Lin- 
 naeus received many presents from him of curi- 
 ous and interesting plants, and the seeds of 
 others, the value of all which was gratefully 
 acknowledged by the great systematist. He 
 was early in correspondence with Peter Collin- 
 son of London, who was his agent and warm 
 friend ; and with many of the most eminent 
 cultivators of botany and natural history in 
 Britain and on the Continent ; particularly 
 Gronovius, Dalibard, Sir Hans Sloane, Cates- 
 by, Dillenius, Fothergill, George Edwards, Philip 
 Miller, and Targioni ; a mass of letters from 
 these and others are still preserved, but many 
 have been lost. At the suggestion of Dr Hope 
 of Edinburgh, the Royal Society presented him 
 with a gold medal for the services he had ren- 
 dered to the cause of natural history ; and 
 through the interest of his friend Collinson, he 
 was elected a member of the Royal Society of 
 London, and that of Stockholm. His two sons, 
 John and William, continued the garden ; the 
 latter was the counterpart of his father in moral 
 excellence, amiability, and love of natural his- 
 tory, and his superior in science. He accom- 
 panied his father in his southern journey, and 
 
94 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 published the afore-mentioned volume as the 
 result of his travels. 
 
 The present proprietor, Robert Carr, who 
 married the daughter of John, enlarged the 
 garden, which now contains about twelve acres, 
 and has been extensively engaged in the busi- 
 ness of it with success for several years. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM GEORGE 
 DILWYN. 
 
 Burlington, 11th Month, 12, 1808. 
 
 The ways of providence are a great deep, which 
 we cannot fathom with reason's longest line ; 
 but, when the veil is at length drawn over this 
 ever-changing scene, it will be nothing to us 
 whether our passage through has been pleasing 
 or painful — calm or stormy — long or short ; and, 
 if the blessed port is but reached, we shall then 
 at least be convinced, that most of the head- 
 winds and hard gales we have had to contend 
 with, were 'blessings in disguise,' and the 
 means of preserving us, either from the enemy's 
 cruisers, hurricanes in the latitudes we were 
 hastened from, or other perils of which we had 
 no apprehension at the time. 
 
 OBSERVATIONS OF THE AMERICAN ENVOY. 
 
 After transacting some business with William 
 Allen, at his house in London, and being about 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 95 
 
 to take his leave, he said — ' I admire your 
 Society ; the principles contain all of Chris- 
 tianity that I have any idea of ; but I am sorry 
 to see that some of you are losing your badge, 
 and I do not see how you can retain your prin- 
 ciples and forego your little peculiarities, your 
 marks of self-denial and difference from the 
 spirit of the world. You are lights ; the world 
 should come to you, and not you go to the 
 world. You may gather them, but they will 
 scatter you.' 
 
 INTERESTING FACTS. 
 
 Gibbon, who, in his celebrated History of the 
 Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, has left 
 an imperishable memorial of his enmity to the 
 gospel, resided many years in Switzerland, where, 
 with the profits of his works, he purchased a 
 considerable estate. This property has de- 
 scended to a gentleman, who, out of its rents, 
 expends a large sum annually in the promul- 
 gation of that very gospel which his predeces- 
 sor insidiously endeavoured to undermine, not 
 having courage openly to assail it. 
 
 Voltaire boasted that with one hand he would 
 overthrow the edifice of Christianity, which re- 
 quired the hands of twelve apostles to build up. 
 At this day, the press which he employed at 
 Ferney to print his blasphemies, is actually 
 employed at Geneva in printing the Holy Scrip- 
 tures ! Thus the self-same engine which he set 
 
06 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 to work to destroy the credit of the Bible, is 
 engaged in disseminating its truth. 
 
 It is a remarkable circumstance, also, that 
 the first provisional meeting for the re-formation 
 of the Auxiliary Bible Society of Edinburgh, 
 was held in the very room in which Hume died. 
 — (Cope's Anecdotes.) 
 
 OPINION OF CHARLES LAMB RESPECTING SEW- 
 ELL'S HISTORY, AND THE WRITINGS OF THE 
 EARLY FRIENDS. 
 
 Charles Lamb, whose relish for all that was 
 individual and unworldly was strong to the last 
 hour of his life, observes — ' I would recommend 
 you above all church narratives, to read Sewell's 
 History of the Quakers, 'which,' he adds in an- 
 other place, ' is worth all ecclesiastical history 
 put together.' 
 
 * Get the writings of John Woolman by 
 heart,' says Charles Lamb, ' and love the early 
 Quakers.' 
 
 SINGULAR CONVINCEMENT. 
 
 Many instances have existed of individuals who 
 date their attention being first turned to the 
 plain and simple truths of the gospel, as set 
 forth in the New Testament, from their having 
 read Barclay's Apology. The following is a 
 remarkable instance: — 
 
 A medical gentleman and his wife, who re- 
 sided, some years ago, in one of the midland 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 97 
 
 counties, whilst knowing but little, perhaps 
 nothing, of the principles of Friends, went to- 
 gether one evening to see a company of come- 
 dians perform in the town where they resided. 
 It so happened, that on the night in question, the 
 play to be acted was ' The Quaker,' a comedy, 
 in which the language, dress, and peculiarities 
 of Friends are broadly caricatured by the hero 
 of the piece, ' to make sport' for the audience ! 
 The couple alluded to, it is said, were much 
 amused with their evening's entertainment, but 
 his mind was forcibly arrested by one of the per- 
 formers coming forward, after the play had con- 
 cluded, and announcing, if any of the audience 
 wished to know more of this remarkable people 
 and their principles, they might read Barclay's 
 Apology. 
 
 The gentleman, who had never seen, or per- 
 haps heard of the book before, felt a strong 
 desire, which continued for some time after- 
 wards to increase, to become acquainted with 
 the contents of a book which had been so 
 singularly recommended to his notice. The 
 result of this feeling was, that he at length 
 (secretly) obtained a copy of it, and sat down 
 in his study, whenever a private opportunity 
 occurred, to give it an attentive perusal. The 
 further he read, the more he felt the force and 
 beauty of Barclay's exposition of The true Chris- 
 tian Divinity, as held forth and preached by the 
 people called Quakers. 
 
 His wife, who had discovered her husband's 
 frequent attention to a particular book, was in- 
 
 ii. i 
 
98 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 duced, in the interval of his absence, to look 
 into it, and she likewise became struck with the 
 importance of the doctrines therein set forth. 
 After a time, a mutual explanation took place 
 between the husband and the wife, and they 
 were constrained to acknowledge to each other 
 that Barclay's Apology for the Truth, as pro- 
 fessed by the people called Quakers, was indeed 
 a volume of Christian divinity which they could 
 not gainsay. 
 
 Having had their attention thus singularly 
 turned to the views of Friends, they continued 
 to search and seek for themselves, and finding 
 that these things were agreeable to Scripture 
 and to the convictions of their own minds, they 
 became entirely convinced ; and, although at 
 some sacrifice of rank and consequence in their 
 own neighbourhood, they openly made a pro- 
 fession of the truth, and were united in mem- 
 bership with the Society. 
 
 INTERESTING CIRCUMSTANCE CONNECTED 
 WITH THE RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF A MEETING. 
 
 There is a little meeting-house at a village 
 called Osmotherly, near the Tontine Inn, on 
 the road from Stockton to Thirsk. It was shut 
 up for about forty years ; but a Friend deceased, 
 having by will provided the means for its being 
 kept in repair, it was attended to in this respect ; 
 within the last seven years some convincement 
 has taken place in the neighbourhood, and it 
 was again opened for meetings for worship, and 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 99 
 
 there now frequently assemble for this purpose 
 nearly forty persons. A few weeks since, a 
 Friend, who resides in the neighbourhood, went 
 with another Friend on a Seventh-day to attend 
 that meeting ; being at an inn, he observed three 
 men sitting drinking, whom he admonished of 
 the evil and danger of intemperance. They, 
 supposing he might be a preacher, went to the 
 Friends' meeting, and a minister who had been 
 raised up in that meeting, was engaged in tes- 
 timony ; they were reached, and their minds 
 became so much contrited, that the tears flowed 
 abundantly; having but one pocket handkerchief 
 amongst them, it had to traverse from one to 
 another in a remarkable manner. 
 
 The correctness of the preceding account, 
 which was furnished by a Friend in 1838, may 
 be relied upon. Such visitations of Divine love 
 are manifestations of the power of the quicken- 
 ing and convicting influence of the Holy Spirit, 
 in mercy vouchsafed to unregenerate man ; and 
 poor and stripped as our Society is, they afford 
 I an evidence that the 'glory' has not altogether 
 departed therefrom ; on the contrary, it is truly 
 cheering to be enabled, in the midst of much of 
 a discouraging tendency, to notice the fact of a 
 revival having taken place, in any corner of the 
 vineyard, especially under the circumstances 
 above related. 
 
 JESUS THE LIFE OF HIS PEOPLE. 
 'Human orators often cloud Divine truth.' 0 
 let us aim at realities! This is a reality, an 
 
 i 2 
 
100 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 assertion that has Divine truth in it, that the 
 Lord Jesus is the life of the souls of his people, 
 and that by his living in them they have a life 
 which they will feel to be a life even in death. 
 — (Rowland Hill.) — 
 
 EEM ARK ABLE OCCURRENCE RELATED IN 
 .'HO WITT'S RURAL LIFE OF ENGLAND.' 
 
 A fact related by a minister of the Society of 
 Friends, shows at once the primitive simplicity 
 which still prevails in some retired districts, and 
 the evident power of faith in Providence over 
 the spirit of evil. 
 
 In one of the thinly-peopled dales of that 
 very beautiful, and yet, by parts, very bleak and 
 dreary region, the Peak of Derbyshire, stood a 
 single house far from neighbours. It was in- 
 habited by a farmer and his family, who lived 
 in such a state of isolation, so unmolested by 
 intruders, and unapprehensive of danger, that 
 they were hardly in the habit of fastening their 
 door at night. The farmer, who had a great 
 distance to go to market, was sometimes late 
 before he got back, late it may be supposed 
 according to their habits ; for in such old- 
 fashioned places, where there is nothing to excite 
 and keep alive the attention but their daily la- 
 bour, the good people, when the day's duties are 
 at an end, drop into bed, almost before the sun 
 himself ; and are all up, and pursuing their 
 several occupations, almost before the sun too. 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 101 
 
 On these occasions the good woman used to 
 retire to rest at the usual time, and her husband 
 returning found no latch nor bolt to obstruct his 
 entrance. But one time the wife hearing some 
 one came up to the door, and enter the house, 
 supposed it was her husband ; but, after the 
 usual time had elapsed, and he did not come to 
 bed, she got up and went down stairs, when her 
 terror and astonishment may be imagined, for 
 she saw a great sturdy fellow in the act of re- 
 connoitering for plunder. At the first view of 
 him, she afterwards said, she felt ready to drop ; 
 but being naturally courageous, and of a deeply 
 religious diposition, she immediately recovered 
 sufficient self-possession to avoid any outcry, 
 and to walk with apparent firmness to a chair 
 which stood on one side of the fire-place. The 
 marauder immediately seated himself in another 
 chair which stood opposite, and fixed his eyes 
 upon her with a most savage expression. Her 
 courage was now almost spent ; but recollecting 
 herself, she put up an inward prayer to the 
 Almighty for protection, and threw herself upon 
 his providence. She immediately felt her in- 
 ternal strength revive, and looked stedfastly at 
 the man, who now had drawn from his pocket 
 a large clasp-knife, opened it, and with a mur- 
 derous expression in his eyes, appeared ready to 
 spring upon her. She, however, evinced no 
 visible emotion, she said not a word, but con- 
 tinued to pray for deliverance, or resignation, 
 and to lookjon^the fearful man with a calm se- 
 riousness. He rose up, looked at her, then at 
 
 1 3 
 
102 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 the knife ; then wiped it across his hand ; then 
 again eagerly glanced at her ; when at once, 
 a sudden damp seemed to fall upon him ; his 
 eyes seemed to blench before her still, fixed 
 gaze ; he closed his knife and went out. At a 
 single spring she reached the door, shot the bolt 
 with a convulsive rapidity, and fell senseless on 
 the floor. When she recovered from her swoon, 
 she was filled with the utmost anxiety on account 
 of her husband, lest the villain should meet him 
 by the way. But presently she heard his well- 
 known step ; his well-known voice on finding 
 the door fastened ; and let him in with a heart 
 trembling with mingled agitation and thankful- 
 ness. Great as had been her faith on this occa- 
 sion, and great the interposition of Providence, 
 we may be sure that she would not risk the 
 exercise of the one, or tempt the other, by ne- 
 glecting in future to shoot the bolt of the door ; 
 and her husband, at once taught the danger of 
 his house, and the danger of his own passage 
 home, made it a rule to leave the market town at 
 least an hour earlier after the winter markets.' 
 
 PRESERVATION OF PENNSYLVANIA WITHOUT 
 THE FORCE OF ARMS FOR SEVENTY YEARS. 
 
 Under the Quaker government, Pennsylvania 
 was entirely without garrison or battle-ships, 
 soldiers or sailors, for its defence ; the only force 
 used being that of the constable's staff, nor was 
 the province ever attacked by land or sea during 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 103 
 
 the period of seventy years it was so governed. 
 
 — (Clarkson's Life of Penn.) 
 
 REMARKS OF HOWARD THE PHILANTHROPIST* 
 
 RESPECTING FRIENDS.: 
 
 1 Of this much respected class of people,' says 
 John Howard, the great philanthropist, * im- 
 properly, because opprobriously called Quakers, 
 with whom I have passed many agreeable hours 
 of my life, I trust they will believe me, when I 
 assure them, that I willingly join in the opinion 
 of Dr Percival, who says, most truly, that " they 
 certainly merit a very high degree of esteem 
 from their fellow-citizens, for their industry, 
 temperance, peaceable, and catholic spirit." To 
 which I must add, as an amiable property, their 
 uncommon neatness in their persons and houses. 1 
 
 OCCURRENCES DURING THE REBELLION IN 
 IRELAND. 
 
 Many and lamentable were the instances in 
 which dark and cruel bigotry displayed itself 
 during the rebellion in Ireland, in 1798. 
 
 An elderly Friend, named Jacob Goff, resid- 
 ing near Camolin, the father of a large family, 
 who was in a declining state of health, was one, 
 who, from the respectability of his character, 
 and his influence in the country, was marked by 
 the neighbouring priests as a desirable object of 
 their proselytism, in this reign of terror. For, 
 
104 
 
 8ELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 as they were decidedly unwilling to take the 
 lives of the Friends, their object was to con- 
 vert them, by entreaties, or by menaces, to their 
 faith. In the case of this Friend, they laboured 
 at it very assiduously ; for if by any means his 
 conversion could have been accomplished, it is 
 certain that they would have regarded it as a 
 signal triumph. He was urged and threatened : 
 but when attempt became hopeless, one of the 
 priests told some of the insurgents, after inquir- 
 ing, * had they not killed him yet,' that *they 
 could not go forward until they had despatched 
 the old man.' 
 
 One night about twelve o'clock, a number of 
 them entered his house, and, when they had 
 plundered it of what they wished, they snapped 
 a pistol at him several times, seeming to be de- 
 termined to take his life. After some considera- 
 tion, they then insisted upon his going with them 
 to their mainguard, which was stationed at a 
 distance. He made an effort to go with them, 
 accompanied by one of his daughters, but feel- 
 ing much weakness, and finding himself unable 
 to proceed, he sat down under a tree in his own 
 lawn. After a pause which they did not seem 
 to understand, they inquired, ' what he had to 
 say ?' His reply was, ' If you are permitted to 
 take my life, I hope the Almighty may be 
 pleased to forgive you, and to take me in his 
 mercy.' Upon this they were silent, left him, 
 and went quietly away. 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 105 
 
 EXCELLENT REMARK OF SOCRATES. 
 
 When a certain man was praising the saying 
 of Cleomenes, who being asked what was the 
 duty of a good king, answered, 1 To do good to 
 his friends, and evil to his enemies:' 'How 
 much more correct,' says Socrates, 'would it 
 be, to do good to his friends, and to make 
 friends of his enemies !' 
 
 THOUGHTS OX WORSHIP. 
 
 It matters not, it matters not, 
 
 How many forms there be, 
 How many move the lips in prayer, 
 
 Or bend the suppliant knee. 
 
 It matters not, though all around 
 
 Clouds of rich incense rise, 
 And mingling with the organ's sound, 
 
 Mount upwards to the skies. 
 
 It is not in the temple reard 
 
 On consecrated ground, 
 Nor where a thousand votaries kneel, 
 
 The Lord alone is found. 
 
 But where the ' two or three ' are met 
 
 To worship in his name, 
 There is his seal of promise set, 
 
 Which they through faith may claim 
 
 And there the humble, contrite heart, 
 
 In silence oft may prove, 
 How great — how wonderful the theme, 
 
 Of all- redeeming love. 
 
 Then may eternal praise be given 
 
 To his all-glorious name 
 Who dwelt on earth despis'd, and sought 
 
 Poor sinners to reclaim. 
 
106 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 He came not in the gorgeous robe 
 Of earthly champion drest ; 
 
 But meekness, charity, and love, 
 Were inmates of his breast. 
 
 Then let us humbly search the page 
 
 By Inspiration given ; 
 And that we may apply each truth, 
 
 Ask aid of bounteous Heaven. 
 
 FALSE NOTION OF THE INACTIVITY OF THE 
 
 SOUL DURING SILENT PRAYER. 
 Some persons, when they hear of the prayer of 
 silence, falsely imagine that the soul remains 
 stupid, dead, and inactive, but unquestionably 
 it acteth therein more nobly and more exten- 
 sively than it had ever done before ; for God 
 himself is her mover, and she now acteth by 
 the energy of the Spirit.— (M. Guion.) 
 
 THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD ASSERTED. 
 
 (To the Editor of the Methodist Magazine.) 
 
 Dear Sir, — ' God who at sundry times, and in 
 divers manners, spake in time past unto the 
 fathers by the prophets,' and who hath in these 
 last days spoken unto us by his Son, hath also 
 in various ages of the church, and amongst dif- 
 ferent denominations of Christians, been pleased 
 to manifest extraordinary light and direction 
 upon particular occasions ; especially to some of 
 His faithful servants, who have cultivated Divine 
 fellowship with the Father of spirits. These 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 107 
 
 manifestations have probably been intended not 
 merely to confirm the faith of his people, but to 
 stop the mouths of gainsayers, and to convince 
 unbelievers. 
 
 As authentic accounts of extraordinary pro- 
 vidential occurrences cannot fail to do good, I 
 send, for the benefit of your readers, the fol- 
 lowing article, which is well authenticated in 
 the records of the Society of Friends, or people 
 commonly called Quakers. 
 I am, dear Sir, 
 
 Your affectionate servant, 
 
 J. B. 
 
 London, December 9, 1807. 
 
 In the time of the American war, an encamp- 
 ment of about 500 men were stationed near the 
 dwelling of David Sands in North America. 
 During their stay, D. Sands and wife became 
 very uneasy, particularly his wife, who felt a 
 presentiment that some trial was approaching 
 In a short time afterwards, she was alarmed by a 
 noise she heard in the house after they were gone 
 to bed, which her husband apprehended might be 
 only the wind rustling among the trees. In a 
 few minutes they were more certain by finding 
 some persons near their room, and distinctly 
 hearing them say, ■ Some of the family are 
 awake, we will shoot them.' In this alarming 
 situation, personal safety seemed the first object, 
 and they soon determined to attempt an escape, 
 which was the more easily effected by their 
 chamber being on the first floor. In getting 
 out through the window, one of the company, 
 
108 
 
 SELECT SIlSCr.LLAXIES. 
 
 stationed to keep guard on the outside, dis- 
 charged a piece at them, the ball of which 
 grazed the forehead of D. Sands ; however, 
 they escaped, but with very thin clothing ; and 
 as it was a very cold night, and they remained 
 in the open air till break of day, these circum- 
 stances, together with their painful anxiety, 
 rendered it a most suffering time. When they 
 returned to their dwelling, they found it plun- 
 dered of all the cash, about fifty pounds, most 
 of their bedding and much of their furniture. 
 A servant and two children, who were sleeping 
 in another part of the house, were not disturbed. 
 
 After considering what was best to be done, 
 David found his mind most easy in determining 
 to go to the encampment, On his arrival, he 
 saw several officers conversing together, who 
 said to him, ' Mr. Sands, we have heard of 
 the depredation committed at your house, and 
 desire to know what you think can be done 
 to discover the offenders.' After some solid 
 consideration he informed them, he had on the 
 road felt a belief, that if the men were drawn 
 up rank and file, about fifty in a company, 
 he might be able (if he followed the best 
 direction), in passing through them to detect 
 those concerned in the robbery. The officers 
 wondered at his proposal, thinking it very im- 
 probable he should discover them in such a 
 manner without any outward knowledge of the 
 persons. But they complied and gave the 
 necessary orders. 
 
 On passing down the first rank, he made a 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 109 
 
 stop near the bottom, but went on to the next, 
 when he soon made a stand at one of the men, 
 and looking him full in the face, said to him, 
 • Where wast thou last night?' He answered : 
 1 Keeping guard, Sir, and a very cold night it 
 was. ' * Didst thou find it so when at my house V 
 replied David ; at which the man trembled 
 much, and showed evident signs of guilt, on 
 which he was ordered out of the ranks, and in 
 like manner four others were discovered. Then 
 he went to a young officer, whom he asked how 
 he came to aid and accompany his men in 
 pillaging his house ? He positively denied the 
 charge, but D. Sands further interrogated him 
 by saying, 1 Let me feel thy heart, and see if 
 that do not accuse thee.' On putting his hand 
 to it, it throbbed up to his neck, and so loud, 
 that D. Sands called to the other officers to 
 come and see, and hear how it accused the 
 officer. He was therefore considered to bo 
 guilty. Two others, which made eight con- 
 cerned, deserted before the search commenced, 
 and which accounted for the stop he made in 
 the first rank. 
 
 The officers now desired to know what could 
 be done for him ? He said he should like to 
 have his furniture, bedding, &c, returned, as he 
 wanted his bedding in particular ; on which they 
 brought the greatest part, with half the money, 
 assuring him the rest was lost. They were 
 brought to trial before the civil power, but as 
 David declined appearing at the stated time, 
 they were of course acquitted ; but this not 
 n, a 
 
110 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 exempting them from the trial by martial law* 
 and their guilt appearing beyond a doubt, the 
 officers had them bound together and taken to 
 D. Sand's house, informing him their lives 
 were at his mercy, and he was to determine 
 their sentence ; upon which he gave them suit- 
 able advice, and then forgave them, and as they 
 were weary with long travelling, he ordered 
 them comfortable refreshment. 
 
 At this time, his wife observing one of the 
 men, said, * Thou art he that shot at us.' Her 
 husband made answer, * He has been told of it 
 before.' David Sands was informed the officer 
 could not be pardoned, as the punishment of 
 such a crime was death to him, who should have 
 been an example to his men. But David, being 
 yery solicitous to preserve his life, asked if 
 nothing could be done to release him from that 
 punishment ? They informed him there was 
 but one way, which was for him to desert the 
 regiment, which was permitted. They likewise 
 said some punishment must be inflicted upon 
 some of the men, to deter others from the like 
 practices. Therefore some of them underwent 
 a slight flogging. 
 
 Several years after this occurrence, D. Sands 
 was travelling on a religious visit, and after 
 appointing a public meeting, a person came up 
 to him and begged his pardon. He was indeed 
 going to kneel upon his knees, but David pre- 
 vented him, saying, he thought he was not the 
 person he meant, as he had no knowledge of 
 him. But the man confessed he was one of 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. Ill 
 
 those concerned in pillaging David's house, and 
 was one of the two who deserted to avoid dis- 
 covery, and that he had not been easy in his 
 mind since, but hoped he should meet with his 
 forgiveness. D. Sands told him it was out of 
 his power to forgive sins, but he hoped the 
 Almighty would forgive him, as he himself 
 had long done. The man informed him the 
 other person was at a short distance off, who 
 came to David attired as a Friend, asking his 
 excuse, and confessing his crime, desiring him 
 at the same time, as a confirmation of his entire 
 forgiveness, to go with him to his house, telling 
 him he had married a young woman of the So- 
 ciety, but said he had not had true peace of mind 
 since they had done him that injury. David con- 
 sented to go, and found it as he had said, his 
 wife being reinstated in the society, and him 
 self on the point of being received as a member 
 
 'FORGIVE YOUR ENEMIES. 1 
 
 Some moderate justices hearing that some 
 Friends had been abused, came to examine the 
 matter, and the clerk of the parish church was 
 afraid of having his hand cut off for striking 
 one of them in the church. The person struck 
 was George Fox, who, like a true Christian, 
 forgave the parish clerk, and would not appear 
 against him. — (Sewell's History.) 
 
 Justice Hotham hearing of a man having 
 abused George Fox, sent a warrant, and bound 
 the said man over to the sessions. The justice, 
 
 K 2 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 desirous to keep the peace, previously asked 
 G. Fox whether any other persons had abused 
 him ; but he believing it to be his duty to for- 
 give all, would not name any one. — (Idem.) 
 
 We read that when a heathen surprised a 
 Christian, and beat him with much cruelty, 
 and with great scorn asking him, ' What great 
 wonder his Master, Christ, ever did?' the be- 
 liever replied, ' Even this great miracle, that, 
 though thou usest me thus cruelly, I can heartily 
 forgive thee.' 
 
 GEORGE FOX AND THE JAILER. 
 
 In the year 1650, George Fox was imprisoned 
 at Derby, where he continued in confinement 
 about a year. The keeper of the prison, a high 
 professor of religion, was greatly enraged against 
 him, speaking very wickedly of him, and often 
 endeavouring to draw some unguarded language 
 from him, wherewith to accuse him. But 
 George was kept in such innocence and cir- 
 cumspection of conduct, that though his words 
 and actions were watched, no fault could be 
 laid to his charge. 
 
 4 It pleased the Lord,' says George Fox, 'one 
 day to strike the jailer, so that he was in great 
 trouble, and under much terror of mind. As I 
 was walking in my chamber, I heard a doleful 
 noise, and standing still, I heard him say to his 
 wife, " Wife, I have seen the day of judgment; 
 and I saw George there, and I was afraid of 
 him, because I had done him so much wrong, 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 113 
 
 and spoke so much against him to the ministers 
 and professor, and to the justices, and in taverns 
 and ale-houses." 
 
 ' After this, towards the evening, he came 
 into mj chamber and said to me, " I have been 
 as a lion against you, but now I come like a 
 lamb, and like the jailer that came to Paul and 
 Silas, trembling." He acknowledged also that 
 he had been plagued, and his house too, for my 
 sake. Afterwards he told me all his heart, and 
 said he believed what I had said of the true 
 faith and hope was correct, and confessed that 
 at those times when I had asked him to let me 
 go forth to speak the word of the Lord to the 
 people, and he had refused, and I had laid the 
 weight of it upon him, he used to be under 
 great trouble, amazed, and almost distracted 
 for some time after, and in such a condition, 
 that he had little strength left him. 
 
 * When the morning came, he rose and went 
 to the justices, and told them that he and his 
 house had been plagued for my sake. One of 
 the justices replied (as he reported to me), that 
 the plagues were upon them too for keeping me. 
 This was Justice Bennet of Derby, who was the 
 first that called us "Quakers," because I bid 
 them tremble at the word of the Lord.' — (G. 
 Fox's Journal.) 
 
 It is worthy the notice of the reader, that 
 this penitent jailer afterwards joined in Society 
 with Friends, and instead of keeping a prison, 
 had everything taken from him, and there is 
 little doubt suffered imprisonment also. He 
 
114 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 wrote a lively feeling letter to George Fox at 
 that time, which plainly bespeaks a mind given 
 up ' in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe 
 on him, but to suffer for his sake' (Phil. i. 29). 
 
 Thus we see that the judgments and terrors 
 of the Lord plague the hearts of the disobedient, 
 and that he is not wanting to plead the cause 
 of the upright, even in the very consciences of 
 those that persecute and hate them. Herein 
 was the ancient proverb fulfilled, which declares, 
 4 Judgments are prepared for scorners' (Pro v. 
 xix. 29). 
 
 PERSECUTION. 
 
 About the latter end of 5th month, 1662, on a 
 First-day of the week, one Captain Reeves, and 
 some soldiers with muskets and drawn swords, 
 came violently rushing into the Bull and Mouth 
 Meeting, where they pulled down the person 
 that was preaching, and presently laid hold of 
 another, who desired Reeves to show his order 
 for so doing. He answered he would not in 
 that place ; but it appeared afterwards that he 
 could not, having no warrant. Yet he caused 
 his soldiers to take away about forty persons, 
 some of whom were not at the meeting, but had 
 been taken up in the streets, and carry them to 
 Paul's Yard, where they were kept till the pub- 
 lic worship was ended there. Alderman Brown 
 then came into the place where the prisoners 
 were guarded, and with great rage and fury laid 
 hands first on a very aged person, and pulled 
 
8ELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 115 
 
 him down twice by the brim of his hat, whereby 
 he lost it. Then he served another in like man- 
 ner, and a soldier struck the person a great 
 blow with a pistol on his bare head. Two 
 others Brown used in like manner, and then 
 sent them all to Newgate, guarded by soldiers. 
 — (Sewell's History, vol. ii. p. 7.) 
 
 This Alderman Brown was an inveterate 
 persecutor, and behaved himself with such out- 
 rageous fierceness, that even the comedians did 
 not scruple to expose him by an allusion to his 
 name, Brown, saying, ' The devil was brown. 1 
 
 RICHARD REYNOLDS. 
 
 At a public meeting at Bristol, Dr. Pole made 
 the following remarks respecting Richard Rey- 
 nolds : — 
 
 • It is well known, that Richard Reynolds 
 made it his constant practice, from religious 
 principle, annually to spend the whole of his 
 income. What his moderate domestic establish- 
 ment did not require, he disposed of in subscrip- 
 tions and donations for promoting whatever was 
 useful to society, as well as to lessen the suffer- 
 ings of the afflicted, without regard to names, 
 sects, or parties. At one particular time (if I 
 am rightly informed), he wrote to a friend in 
 London, acquainting him that he had not, that 
 year, spent the whole of his income, requesting 
 that if he knew of any particular cases claiming 
 charitable relief, he would be glad to be in- 
 
116 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 formed. His friend communicated to him the 
 distressing situation of a considerable number 
 of persons confined in a certain prison for small 
 debts. What did this humane and generous 
 philanthropist do on this representation ? He 
 cleared the whole of their debts. He swept 
 this direful mansion of all its miserable tenants. 
 He opened the prison doors, proclaimed de- 
 liverance to the captives, and let the oppressed 
 go free.' 
 
 THOUGHTS ON PRAYER, AND ON FORMS OF 
 PRAYER. 
 
 [The following lines were written by a poor mechanic, of Killileagh, 
 Down, Ireland, on seeing a Family Prayer Book, which contained these 
 words in the preface : — This Book is intended for those who have not 
 jet acquired the happy art of addressing themselves to God in spiritual 
 and appropriate language.] 
 
 While praying's deemed an art so happy, 
 
 By a few who others rule, 
 Jesus, teach us its importance, 
 \ In thy sell-denying school ! * 
 
 Prayer's the sweetest, noblest duty, 
 
 Highest privilege of men, 
 God's exalted — man's abased, 
 
 Prayer can make their spirits one. 
 
 God alone doth teach his children f 
 
 By his Spirit, how to pray ; 
 Knows our wants, and gives the knowledge, 
 
 What to ask, and what to say. 
 
 Why should man, then, manufacture 
 Books of prayer, to get them sold ? 
 
 Sad delusion ! strive to barter 
 Christ's prerogative for gold ! 
 
 Luke xi. 1. 
 
 f Rom. viii. 26. 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 117 
 
 "Where's the book, or school, or college, 
 That can teach a man to pray ! 
 
 Words they give from worldly knowledge ; 
 Learn of Christ, then, he's the way.* 
 
 Why a>k money from the people 
 For these barren books of prayer ? 
 
 Paper, ink, and words are in them, 
 But, alas ! Christ is not there. 
 
 Those who seek, shall surely find him — 
 Not in books — he reigns within ;f 
 
 Formal prayers can never reach him, 
 Neither can he dwell with sin. 
 
 Words are free as they are common, 
 Some in them have wondrous skill, 
 
 But saying, Lord ! will never save them, J 
 Those he loves who do his will. 
 
 Words may please the lofty fancy, 
 Music charm the listening ear, 
 
 Pompous words may please the giddy, 
 But Christ, the Saviour, is not there. 
 
 Christ's the way, the path to heaven, 
 Life is ours, if him we know, || 
 
 Those who can pray, he has taught them ; 
 Those who can't should words forego. 
 
 When a child wants food and raiment 
 Why not ask his parents dear ? 
 
 Ask in faith, then, God's our father, $ 
 He's at hand, and he will hear. 
 
 Prayer's an easy, simple duty, 
 'Tis the language of the soul ; 
 
 Grace demands it, grace receives it, 
 Grace must reign above the whole. 
 
 * Matt, vi.; xi. 29. f Col. i. 17; Luke xvii. 21. 
 
 J Matt. vii. 21 ; vi. 7. || Jn. xii. 3. § Matt. vii. 1 1. 
 
118 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 God requires not graceful postures, 
 Neither words arrang'd with form ; 
 
 Such a thought ! it pre-supposes, 
 
 That with words we God can charm ! 
 
 God alone must be exalted,* 
 
 Every earthly thought must fall ; 
 
 Such are prayer, and praise triumphant, 
 Then does Christ reign over all. 
 
 Every heart should be a temple, f 
 God should dwell our hearts within : 
 
 Every day should be a Sabbath, 
 Every hour redeem'd from sin. 
 
 Every place, a place of worship, J 
 Every tune, a tune of prayer, || 
 
 Every sigh should rise to heaven, § 
 Every wish should centre there. 
 
 Heartfelt sighs, and heaven-born wishes,^ 
 
 Or the poor uplifted eye — 
 These are prayers that God will answer, 
 
 They ascend his throne on high. 
 
 Spirit of prayer ! be thou the portion, 
 Of all those who wait on thee ; 
 
 Help us ! — shield us ! — lead us ! — guide us I 
 Thine the praise, the glory be. 
 
 THEE AND THOU. 
 
 Of the causes which involved the early Friends 
 in much persecution, was their using the plain 
 language of thee and thou to a single person, as 
 well as abstaining from the unmeaning cere- 
 monies of society. ' This,' says William Penn, 
 
 * Matt. vi. 22, f 1 Cor. iii. 17. \ 1 Tim. ii. 8. 
 U Eph. v. 19. § Phil. iii. 20. ^ Luke xviii. 13. 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 119 
 
 * sounded so harsh to many, and they took it so 
 ill, that they would say, " thou me ? thou my 
 dog ! If thou thouest me, I'll thou thy teeth 
 down thy throat." ' — (W. P.'s preface to George 
 Fox's Journal, p. 13.) 
 
 THE MAYOR OF ABERDEEN IMPRISONED AND 
 FINED £1000! 
 
 Robert Petrie, the provost or mayor of Aber- 
 deen, at the furious instigations of his brother- 
 in-law, John Menzies, and the other stated 
 preachers in the place, had been very violent 
 against Friends ; often breaking up their meet- 
 ings, and causing them to be roughly dragged 
 away to prison. 
 
 This same magistrate, some years after, on 
 account of some public transactions in the Con- 
 vention of Burghs, in which he thought him- 
 self altogether innocent, was ordered to be 
 imprisoned at Edinburgh, fined £1000, and 
 declared incapable of public office ; but further, 
 he was conveyed to Aberdeen, the scene of his 
 unmerciful conduct, and there affronted by 
 being imprisoned in the very same place where 
 he had often cruelly detained the persons of his 
 worthy fellow-citizens. 
 
 So sensibly was his conscience touched by 
 this act of providential retribution, that he con- 
 fessed, ' How just is this upon me, for causing 
 honest men to be so unjustly imprisoned, that I 
 should now be put into this place myself! But 
 
120 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 I hope I shall never meddle with any of you 
 again during my life.' — (J affray's Diary.) 
 
 ON THE IDOLATROUS VENERATION PAID TO 
 .SACRED EDIFICES, AS THEY ARE USUALLY 
 CALLED. 
 
 The late Dr. I. Watts, in a sermon on this 
 subject, which he preached on occasion of open- 
 ing a new meeting-house, has this sentiment: — 
 ' Since the great God has been pleased to put 
 down and abolish the holy and anointed places 
 of his own appointment, I cannot find one text 
 wherein he has given to men any order or 
 authority to pretend to make other places holy. 
 Mortal men can never put holiness into ground 
 or buildings, where God has not put it. No 
 pompous ceremonies, no solemn forms, no mag- 
 nificent appearances, no gauzy or golden solem- 
 nities, can sanctify any place unto God and his 
 worship, or make it more holy than it was before; 
 and whatsoever fooleries and ridiculous rites or 
 notions are to be found, I cannot believe them 
 to be of any value or importance, in order to 
 make the worship more acceptable to God.' 
 Upon the same subject, the present Archbishop 
 of Dublin, on laving the first stone of a new 
 ' Episcopal Church' in that neighbourhood, ex- 
 pressed himself after the following manner: — He 
 commenced by saying, that he would not read 
 the form of prayer generally made use of on 
 such occasions, for a reason which he would 
 afterwards explain. He wished those assembled 
 
SFLECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 121 
 
 on that, as well as on every -imilar occasion, to 
 remember, that the churches erected by Chris- 
 tians heretofore, and at the present time, were 
 not intended to correspond to the temple built 
 by Solomon. Particular care was taken by the 
 sacred writers to do away with this erroneous 
 idea. It was not the sacred edifices which cor- 
 respond to the temple of Solomon, but the Chris- 
 tians who worshipped the Lord in spirit and in 
 truth. All Christians were the stones of his 
 temple. It should ever be borne in mind, that 
 the Lord had said — 'Where two or three are 
 gathered together in my name, there will I be 
 in the midst of them.' It was also written, 
 'Your bodies are the temples of the Holy Ghost.' 
 'Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God.' 4 Whoso- 
 ever defileth the temple of God, him will God 
 destroy.' This, he said, was his reason for not 
 reading the form of prayer made use of on such 
 occasions, lest any persons present, or elsewhere, 
 should be under the mistake he had mentioned, 
 which might arise from the word 'temple,' in 
 the usual form of prayer, being misunderstood, 
 some persons applying the word literally to the 
 edifice, and not to Christians, who alone compose 
 the temple of the living God. 
 
 On another occasion, the same Archbishop 
 said, that 'the apostles preached a religion 
 without any temple, except the collected con- 
 gregation of the worshippers themselves.' How 
 widely opposed are the sentiments of these two 
 enlightened men, to the prevailing taste for 
 empty ceremonies and formal appendages to 
 
122 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 the several ways of worship, both in and out of 
 the Establishment — in the latter, it seems of 
 late to be without bounds. 'The Cambridge 
 Camden Society,' which numbers amongst its 
 members the chief officers of that university, 
 besides two archbishops, and fourteen bishops, 
 has for its avowed object, ' The intrinsic holiness 
 of a church, and the duty of building temples to 
 God in some sort worthy of his presence!' In 
 one of the tracts issued by this Society, entitled 
 'A few Words to Church-builders,' are recom- 
 mendations worthy of the times of Popery in 
 its darkest period. ' There are,' say they, 'two 
 parts, and only two parts, which are absolutely 
 essential to a church — chancel and nave. In 
 this division is recognized an emblem of the holy 
 catholic church ; as this consists of two parts, 
 the church militant, and the church triumphant, 
 so does this earthly structure also consist of two 
 parts, the chancel and the nave — the church 
 militant being typified by the latter, and the 
 church triumphant by the former.' Again, 'A 
 cross is, of course, the most beautiful form in 
 which a church can be built ; the symbol con- 
 veyed by the cross is certainly better adapted 
 than any other for a Christian place of worship ; 
 yet that of a ship is by no means unsuitable, in 
 reference to our Saviour walking on the sea.' 
 Again, ' The orientation, that is, the precise 
 degree of inclination of the church towards the 
 east is the next point. Some churches are, 
 however, built north and south, in total defiance 
 of the universal custom of the church in all 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 123 
 
 ages, and some, out of pure perverseness, though 
 they stand east and west, have the altar at the 
 west!' Then we have arguments for the adop- 
 tion of a patron saint — the most suitable form 
 and size of the altar — the position and dimen- 
 sions of the pulpit and reading-pew. On the 
 subject of the altar-cloth, which is prescribed, 
 by the rubric, to be 'a fair white linen cloth;' 
 these reformers, or rather returners, assert that 
 needlework and embroidery are needful for the 
 altar-cloth ; corporas, or napkin, to be laid over 
 the elements ; altar-carpet, the antapendium of 
 the foldstool and pulpit cushion. ' We may be 
 allowed to ask,' say they, 'would not the time 
 and ingenuity spent on worsted-work, satin- 
 stitch, bead-work, and the like frivolities, be 
 better employed if it were occupied in preparing 
 an offering to God, for the adornment of his 
 holy dwelling-places ! ! ! ' 
 
 How pitiable, that the votaries of the Estab- 
 lishment should be content to have such doctrine 
 as this propounded to them at the present day 
 by their well-paid teachers ! How abundantly 
 more consistent with the nature of the Christian 
 dispensation were the views of the unpaid Paul, 
 the tentmaker, when he declared to the learned 
 Athenians that ' God that made the world and 
 all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of 
 heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made 
 with hands ; neither is worshipped with men's hands y 
 as though he needed anything, seeing he giveth 
 to all, life, and breath, and all things,' &c. (Acts 
 xvii. 24, 25.) 
 
 Li 2 
 
124 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 THE ROOT AND GROUND OF IDOLATRY; OR, 
 VIRTUE NOT COMMUNICATED BY DEAD 
 THINGS. 
 
 John Churchman, whilst on a religious visit to 
 Friends on the eastern shore of Maryland, met 
 an elderly man, who asked him if he saw some 
 posts standing, pointing to them ; he added, 
 the first meeting George Fox had on this side 
 Chesapeake Bay, was held in a tobacco-house 
 there, which was then new ; the posts that were 
 standing were made of walnut. At which his 
 companion rode to them, and sat on his horse 
 very still and quiet ; then returning again with 
 more speed than he went, J. C. asked him what 
 he saw among those old posts ; he answered, * I 
 would not have missed of what I saw for five 
 pounds ; for I saw the root and ground of 
 idolatry. Before I went, I thought perhaps I 
 might have felt some secret virtue in the place 
 where George Fox had stood and preached, 
 whom I believe to have been a good man ; but 
 whilst I stood there, I was secretly informed, 
 that if George was a good man he was in 
 heaven, and not there, and virtue is not to be 
 communicated by dead things, whether posts, 
 earth, or curious pictures, but by the power of 
 God, who is the foundation of living virtue.' 
 'A lesson,' says J. C. 'which, if rightly learned, 
 would wean from the worship of images, and 
 adoration of relics.' — (B. A. 79.) 
 
 Very consonant with the views contained in 
 the foregoing, are those of that enlightened 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 125 
 
 Christian writer, Ridley H. Herschell, as ap- 
 pears from the following extract from his Visit 
 to my Fatherland: — 'I looked with the deepest 
 interest on the Corinthian hills, and on the road 
 to Corinth, on which Paul travelled when he 
 departed from Athens. The lively feelings 
 with which we view the spots that have been 
 trodden or inhabited by eminent saints of God, 
 teaches how easily these feelings may grow into 
 idolatry; how easy it is to begin by simply 
 commemorating a saint, and end in worship- 
 ping him. But how would all such undue 
 veneration be rebuked by these holy men ; 
 " See thou do it not ; for I am thy fellow- 
 servant" ' (Rev. xxii. 9). 
 
 CORNELIUS CAYLEY ON THE EAELY FRIENDS. 
 
 Cornelius Cayley, a courtier, living in the 
 reign of George II., justly queries, 'Amongst 
 the Quakers, who can read Fox, Whitehead, 
 Dewsbury, Pennington, and many others, with- 
 out being convinced that they were rich par- 
 takers of the new birth and vital religion V 
 
 ON PRAYER. 
 
 Prater is the soul's sincere desire, 
 
 Utter 'd or unexpress'd, 
 The motion of a hidden fire, 
 
 That trembles in the breast. 
 
 Prayer is the burden of a sigh, 
 The falling of a tear, 
 
 l 3 
 
SELECT MISCELLANI C*. 
 
 The upward glancing of an eye, 
 When none but God is near. 
 
 Prayer is the simplest form of speech 
 
 That infant lips can try; 
 Prayer, the sublimest strains that reach 
 
 The Majesty on high. 
 
 Prayer is the Christian's vital breath, 
 
 The Christian's native air ; 
 His watch- word at the gates of death : 
 
 He enters heaven with prayer. 
 
 Prayer is the contrite sinner's voice, 
 
 Returning from his ways ; 
 While angels in their songs rejoice, 
 
 And say, ' Behold, he prays ! ' 
 
 The saints in prayer appear as one, 
 
 In word, in deed, in mind ; 
 When with the Father and the Son 
 
 Their fellowship they find. 
 
 Nor prayer is made on earth alone ; 
 
 The Holy Spirit pleads ; 
 And Jesus, on the eternal throne, 
 
 For sinners intercedes. 
 
 O Thou ! by whom we come to God, 
 
 The life, the truth, the way ; 
 The path of prayer thyself hast trod — 
 
 Lord ! teach us how to pray ! 
 
 (Montgomery.) 
 
 A QUAKER MEETING. 
 
 BY THE AUTHOR OF ' PORTRAITS OF PUBLIC CHARACTERS,' ETC. 
 
 Of the mode of worship practised by the 
 Quakers, or the Society of Friends, very little 
 is known by other denominations of Christians. 
 It is true, that the idea of the prevalence of 
 silence is associated with it ; but beyond that, 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 127 
 
 scarcely any notion is formed of the mode or 
 nature of Quaker worship. A few weeks ago, 
 I was invited by an active and influential 
 member of the Quaker body, to attend one of 
 their meetings for Divine worship. I jocularly 
 remarked, that I would willingly attend the 
 meeting, provided he would guarantee me that 
 it should not be characterized by nothing but 
 its silence — beginning, middle, and end. My 
 reference was to the circumstance of many of 
 the meetings of the Society of Friends being 
 held for Divine worship without a single word 
 being uttered, from the commencement to the 
 close of the service ; if indeed that can be called 
 a service in which there is no visible and 
 united worship of the Divine Being. My friend 
 at first answered, that he could not make a 
 positive promise that there would be any audible 
 address to the congregation ; but on my remark- 
 ing that I should feel much disappointed if I 
 went so great a distance, and not hear anything 
 after all, he expressed a presumption that 1 should 
 hear an address from a particular lady. I did 
 hear the lady in question, and was much de- 
 lighted with her address. The number of per- 
 sons present may have been about four hundred, 
 of whom a considerable portion were strangers. 
 At the further end of the meeting-house (the 
 Quakers never apply the term chapel to their 
 places of worship) there was a large pew, 
 elevated three or four feet above the floor, and 
 extending from one side of the meeting-house 
 to the other. A division was made in the centre 
 
128 SELECT AliSCELLANIES 
 
 of the seat, the female members being separated 
 from our sex by a short rail ; and each division 
 of the pew (if that be the proper name to call it) 
 had an entrance of its own. Five male mem- 
 bers sat on the left-hand side, and seven female 
 members on the right side, fronting the con- 
 gregation. These were a class of persons called 
 ministers [and elders] ; that is, if I understand 
 the matter right, male and female members of 
 the body, not paid for their services as among 
 other denominations of Christians, but having a 
 superior status to the other members, in con- 
 sequence of their speaking with greater fre- 
 quency, and taking fc a more active part in the 
 proceedings and prosperity of the body. The 
 congregation was arranged into two great divi- 
 sions ; the females all sitting on one side, and 
 the males on the other. The hour at which the 
 service was to commence, was six o'clock, but 
 for at least twenty-five minutes after that hour, 
 not a whisper was heard, nor the slightest indi- 
 cation afforded of any coming visible worship. 
 An unbroken silence prevailed ; and anything 
 more solemn than that stillness it were impos- 
 sible for any one to imagine who has not been 
 present at any of the religious meetings of the 
 Quaker body. After the lapse of nearly half 
 an hour, and when the strangers present must 
 have been beginning to despair of hearing a 
 syllable, one of the lady ministers took off her 
 bonnet, and laying it on the seat [knelt down], 
 and offered up a brief, but singularly beautiful 
 prayer. The beauty of its sentiments, and the 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 129 
 
 devotion which it breathed, were greatly in- 
 creased by the almost angelic accents in which 
 6he spoke. Her voice was so unlike anything 
 I had ever before heard, though I have been 
 present at the vocal performances of the most 
 distinguished female singers of the present day, 
 that I could scarcely persuade myself that what 
 I heard was uttered by mortal lips ; and I use 
 not the language of exaggeration when I say, 
 that in the expression of mingled mildness, 
 solemnity, and cheerfulness, there was something 
 which must have seemed to every stranger pre- 
 sent to partake much more of heaven than of 
 earth. 
 
 The lady having resumed her seat, another 
 season of solemn stillness ensued, which lasted 
 from fifteen to twenty minutes. Another lady 
 then rose, and having laid aside her bonnet, pro- 
 ceeded to address the meeting. Her first words 
 were that well-known passage in the Revelations, 
 relating to one of the most interesting visions 
 which the apostle John had during his solitary 
 sojourn in the isle of Patmos, in which the voice 
 said, 1 Fear not, I am the first and the last. I 
 am He that liveth and was dead, and, behold, 
 I am alive for evermore, Amen ; and have the 
 keys of hell and of death. Write these things 
 which thou hast seen, and the things which are, 
 and the things which shall be hereafter.' Taking 
 these words as a sort of motto, or text, the 
 speaker proceeded to address the audience, but 
 without any formal division of her subject, as is 
 usual among the preachers in other denomina- 
 
130 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 tions, and indeed without confining herself very 
 closely to the subject to which the passage re- 
 lates. For at least half an hour she spoke with 
 great talent and intelligence, without amoment's 
 pause, or the slightest appearance of difficulty. 
 I was equally surprised and pleased at the depth 
 of thought, the intimate acquaintance with the 
 Scriptures, the eminent spirituality, and strong 
 practical tendency, which her discourse dis- 
 played. Even if regarded merely as an intel- 
 lectual effort, or a piece of composition, it could 
 not fail to command the attention of every 
 person who heard it. She spoke with a degree 
 of energy and decision of manner, which clearly 
 showed that every word was uttered by her with 
 a deep consciousness that she was speaking 
 under the special inspiration of the Spirit, and 
 that she was entrusted with the delivery of a 
 message directly received from heaven. 
 
 The speaker having resumed her seat, a state 
 of solemn silence again prevailed in the place. 
 It was not, however, of long duration ; it was 
 speedily broken by a male member of the 
 Society, who rose and delivered a short address, 
 which was plain and practical. Scarcely had 
 he resumed his seat, than the first lady again 
 rose, and, in the same tender accents as before, 
 addressed the audience for about seven or eight 
 minutes. The first words she uttered were the 
 well-known prayer of the Psalmist, 'Show me a 
 token for good ;' and then she proceeded to re- 
 mark on the innumerable proofs which had been 
 afforded to those present of the unmerited good- 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 131 
 
 ness of God during their past lives, but dwell- 
 ing more especially on the proofs of Divine good- 
 ness which had been furnished to them during 
 the year, which was then drawing to a close. 
 The same beautiful simplicity of language which 
 characterized her opening prayer, was displayed 
 in the delivery of her address. 
 
 After a short interval of silence, the lady who 
 had given the first address kneeled down, and 
 concluded the worship of the evening with prayer. 
 Her approach to the mercy-seat occupied about 
 twenty minutes, and a more thoroughly devo- 
 tional spirit than she manifested (so far as a 
 man could judge) I have never witnessed. The 
 spirituality, the variety, the fervour, and fluency 
 of that prayer exceeded anything of which- the 
 minds of those who were not present could con- 
 ceive. No regenerated and sanctified person 
 could have listened to it without feeling himself 
 wafted in spirit to those celestial regions in 
 which the unceasing occupation of the inhabit- 
 ants is to offer up anthems of adoration and 
 praise to him that sitteth on the throne for ever 
 and ever. On the conclusion of the prayer, the 
 audience remained about a minute in silent 
 devotion, when the meeting broke up. The 
 time which the exercises of the evening occupied 
 was two hours and a half. 
 
 The Quakers have been suspected by some, 
 and broadly charged by others, with denying 
 the divinity of Christ and other distinctive doc- 
 trines of the gospel. Never was there a more 
 unfounded insinuation — never was a more 
 
132 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 groundless charge preferred against any body of 
 Christians. So far from this, the divinity, the 
 atonement, and the intercession of Jesus, were 
 the most prominent topics of the addresses of 
 each of the speakers. I have seldom, indeed, 
 seen so much evangelical truth, whether of a 
 doctrinal or preceptive character, condensed into 
 addresses of equally limited length. I may here 
 remark, for the information of those who have 
 not been present at one of their meetings, that 
 the Quakers not only do not sing in their public 
 worship, but that they do not take a Bible or 
 book of any kind with them to their meeting- 
 houses ; and, as I have hinted in a previous part 
 of this sketch, the Quakers often meet together 
 for public worship without a single word being 
 uttered by any of their number. The solemn 
 silence which occurred two or three times in the 
 present instance reigns, on such occasions, from 
 their entering until they quit their place of 
 worship. It is right, however, to remark, that 
 though, to other denominations of Christians, 
 these silent meetings would appear to be no 
 worship at all, they are regarded by the Society 
 of Friends as being as devout, and as acceptable 
 to the Object of all religious worship, as those 
 meetings in which there is the greatest amount 
 of audible worship. — (Abridged from the London 
 Saturday Journal.) 
 
 A WORD FOR THE RISING GENERATION. 
 
 Ye rising youth ! the hope of future times ; 
 Ye who have felt the chords of heavenly love 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 133 
 
 Td draw and disengage you from the world, 
 Keep near its quickening vivifying power, 
 That freed from bondage Israel's favour d sons : 
 So shall you live to glad parental care, 
 And be as warriors in the cause of Truth ; 
 On you the important task must soon devolve— 
 0 be ye faithful, upright, and sincere ! 
 
 LINES WRITTEN IMPROMPTU, ON LEAVING 
 THE LAST EVENING MEETING FOR THE 
 SEASON. 
 
 Sweet balmy hour of worship ! I could weep, 
 As pensively I leave this shaded shrine, 
 
 To think what months must pass ere yet we meet 
 Again, at this same holy, evening time. 
 
 Though to our God alike all seasons are, 
 Methinks at eve a calmer hope is given, 
 
 From deeper lowliness ascends the prayer — 
 The heart's rich incense, wafted up to heaven. 
 
 'Tis less the hour of mortal care and strife — 
 The heart is less inthralled by earthly ties ; 
 
 It is a time with holy feeling rife — 
 
 The summer Sabbath's evening sacrifice. 
 
 SOUNDNESS OF 'BARCLAY'S APOLOGY.' 
 
 The soundness and cogency of the arguments 
 which 
 
 ' Shine in Barclay's unrefuted page,' 
 
 though often attempted to be overthrown, remain 
 unshaken, being impregnable to the assaults of 
 learning and ingenuity. The principles laid 
 down in the Apology, being so clearly deduced 
 
 XI. u 
 
134 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 from 'Scripture aud right reason,' have stood 
 the test of the severest scrutiny, which men of 
 acknowledged talents, of the highest order, have 
 been able to apply. The work still remains 
 to be 
 
 ' One of the best expositors of Truth 
 That man has publish'd, since that sacred Book 
 Anciently written. Seekers are still led 
 By its direction to that blessed light, 
 And inward Teacher, who is Jesus Christ.' 
 
 ANCIENT RECORD. 
 
 The annexed minute of a monthly Meeting of 
 the Society of Friends, in the north of England, 
 soon after its rise, was copied verbatim from the 
 original. Does it not convey to the mind a 
 beautiful illustration of gospel simplicity, and 
 of the practical bearing of the 4th chapter of 
 the first General Epistle of John? 
 
 4 Att our Month Meeting, ye 11th of 6th 
 month '95 [1695], friends haveing mett together, 
 and upon inquiry, we findeing noe bussiness att 
 this time, our meeting broke upp in the love of 
 God.' 
 
 • " 
 
 CURIOSITY OF A BOY. 
 
 William Penn, during a season of intense cold, 
 soon after his arrival in America, when the fields 
 are described to have been as cakes of ice, slept 
 one night in Merion, where a boy about twelve 
 years old, son of the person at whose house he 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 135 
 
 lodged, being a lad of curiosity, and not often 
 seeing a guest such as William Penn, privately 
 crept to the chamber door, up a flight of steps 
 on the outside of the building, which was only a 
 log-house. On peeping through the Lntchet-hole, 
 he was struck with awe in beholding this great 
 man upon his knees by the bed-side, and in 
 hearing what he said, for he could distinctly 
 hear him in prayer and in thanksgiving, that 
 he was then provided for in the wilderness. 
 This circumstance made an impression on the 
 lad's mind, which was not effaced in old age. — 
 (Barclay's Anecdotes, p. 134.) 
 
 TBUST IN THE LORD. 
 
 What can the man fear, who takes care in all 
 his actions to please that Being that is able to 
 crush all his adversaries — a being that can divert 
 any misfortune from befalling him, or turn any 
 such misfortune to his advantage ? The person 
 who lives with this constant and habitual regard 
 to the great Superintendent of the world, is 
 indeed sure that no real evil can come into his 
 lot. Blessings may appear under the shape of 
 pains, losses, and disappointments ; but let him 
 have patience, and he will see them in their 
 proper figures. 
 
 Dangers may threaten him, but he may rest 
 satisfied that they will either not reach him, or 
 that if they do, they will be the instrument of 
 good to him. 
 
 H 2 
 
136 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 In short, he may look upon all crosses and 
 accidents, sufferings and afflictions, as means 
 which are made use of to bring him to happiness. 
 — (Holt's Extracts.) 
 
 THE COLONEL OF DRAGOONS. 
 
 During the revolutionary war in America, a part 
 of the American army lay near the Gunpowder 
 Falls meeting-house, which, however, did not 
 prevent Friends from holding their meetings for 
 worship. Amongst these troops there was a 
 colonel of dragoons, whose resentment against 
 Friends was raised to such a pitch of malice, 
 that one day, when traversing the country, he 
 came to the most extraordinary and cruel reso- 
 lution, of putting to the sword the Friends who 
 were then collected at their place of worship ; 
 considering them as no better than a company 
 of traitors. Drawing up his men near the spot, 
 he ordered them to halt, in order to make ar- 
 rangements for the execution of his dreadfnl 
 purpose. At this moment an awful silent pause 
 took place, in which he felt his mind so power- 
 fully smitten with conviction, that he not only 
 drew off his men, but conceived very favourable 
 sentiments of the Society; and continuing to 
 yield to his convictions, he afterwards joined in 
 communion with Friends, and continued faith- 
 ful to the principles of truth professed by them. 
 — (Sutcliffe's Travels.) 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 137 
 
 A MARTYR. 
 Six years' imprisonment and death, for refusing to swear. 
 
 In Seventh Month 1664, Joseph Coale lay ill 
 in his chamber, which was entered on the 31st 
 by a Justice of the Peace, who asked him 
 whether he would take the oath of allegiance, 
 and on his refusal, sent him, with several others, 
 to the house of correction, and afterwards to 
 Reading county jail. Here their persecutors 
 detained them a long time, although they had 
 drawn up a paper addressed to the cruel Jus- 
 tices imploring mercy. But their hearts were 
 hardened against the innocent, and they de- 
 tained Joseph Coale in prison six years, when 
 it pleased the Lord to release him by death. 
 Thus he became a martyr for a good conscience, 
 freely giving up his life rather than disobey the 
 plain command of Christ, ' Swear not at all.' — 
 (Besse's Sufferings.) 
 
 THE DRUNKARD SMITTEN. 
 
 At Mansfield, George Fox hearing of a man 
 who was a great drunkard, a noted whoremaster, 
 and poet also, went to him and reproved him in 
 an awful manner for his conduct. The man 
 was so struck, that coming afterwards to George 
 Fox, he acknowledged he was so smitten when 
 he spoke to him, that he had scarcely any 
 strength left in him. He was so thoroughly 
 convinced, that he turned from the evil of his 
 ways, and became an honest, sober man, to the 
 
 m 3 
 
138 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 astonishment of all who were acquainted with 
 him. — (Sewell's History.) 
 
 SWARTHMOOR HALL AND MEETING-HOUSE. 
 
 See Frontispiece. 
 
 Swarthmoor Hall, the residence of Judge Fell, 
 who was also vice-chancellor of the county 
 palatine of Lancaster, is interesting to Friends, 
 as being the place where our ' worthy elder,' 
 George Fox, met with the first decided success 
 in his mission. It was there that the power of 
 truth through his preaching caused a family of 
 wealth and local influence, brought up in the 
 lap of luxury and in many of the frivolities of 
 the times, to assume a markedly changed de- 
 portment, to throw aside their music and pas- 
 times, and to incur the contempt of their former 
 associates, as well as the probable anger of their 
 absent father. So efficacious was his discourse, 
 that most of their numerous domestics were also 
 convinced, and some became instruments for 
 the awakening of others. 
 
 The Hall, though still a building of consider- 
 able size, is no longer what it once was ; a large 
 portion having become ruinated has been alto- 
 gether removed ; the oriel window from which 
 G. F. preached to the people in the orchard, 
 still remains, and it is believed the owner of the 
 property is bound to accommodate any travel- 
 ling Friend with a bed. The hospitality of the 
 Friends of Ulverston, however, prevents this 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 139 
 
 right being demanded ; and no instance has been 
 known within memory, of any Friend exercising 
 his privilege. The old bedstead bequeathed by 
 George Fox used to be kept here, and may pos- 
 sibly still remain. The room in which Friends 
 held their meetings for the first forty years, and 
 which were generally graced with the attend- 
 ance of George or Margaret Fox, and others of 
 the Society's parents in Christ, remains in its 
 pristine state, having an embrasured window, 
 and a raised dais at one end, which served for a 
 minister's gallery. 
 
 The situation of the Hall is somewhat singu- 
 lar and picturesque. Eastward of it, to the bay 
 of Morecambe, extends a tract of rich champaign 
 country, rivalling for beauty, wood, and fertility, 
 any county in England ; the Swarthmoor Hall 
 estate formerly comprised much of this. West- 
 ward extends the bleak tract of Swarthmoor, 
 recently enclosed, but still strongly contrasting 
 with the rich pasture of the opposite view. 
 Northward may be discerned the town of Ulver- 
 ston, and beyond, the pointed mountains of 
 Coniston and the Lake district. The immediate 
 neighbourhood of the Hall is occupied by an 
 ancient grove of forest trees, partially screening 
 from view the barren common, while at the foot 
 of the orchard is a woody dell, through which a 
 stream murmurs over its pebbly bed. 
 
 The meeting-house is a solitary building, a 
 quarter of a mile from the Hall ; it is entered 
 • in the good old-fashioned way, through a porch, 
 with a bench on each side, and over the door is 
 
140 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 the inscription ; 'Exdono G. F. 1688' — (the gift 
 of George Fox, 1688). It is commonly supposed 
 he used to attend this meeting. Such, however, 
 was not the case ; he never sat in it, being in 
 the south of England from its completion until 
 his decease. It was, however, built at his cost, 
 and on land given by him — the only piece of 
 land he ever possessed in England. A paper is 
 still extant, in which he apportions the supply- 
 ing of the materials for the building among the 
 members of the meeting; one was to bring lime, 
 another stone, another wood,. &c. The building 
 needing thorough repair many years ago, the 
 small old-fashioned mullioned windows were 
 replaced by modern square ones, not much, as 
 some deem, to the improvement of the exterior, 
 however much tending to interior light and con- 
 venience ; three or four of the old windows still 
 remain in part of the building. This meeting- 
 house was meant to serve for a large district, and 
 accordingly George Fox had a stable and barn 
 added for the convenience of those from a dis- 
 tance. The interior of the place is compara- 
 tively modern, and presents nothing worthy of 
 note. It is commodious, and, by means of 
 shutters and slides, can be enlarged so as to 
 admit a considerable congregation on public 
 occasions. On entering the passage leading 
 forward from the porch, two black ebony pil- 
 lars, plain and slender, are seen, one on each 
 side, supporting the ceiling. They are some- 
 times called George Fox's bed -posts, and* 
 rightly so, being the posts of the bedstead 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 141 
 
 mentioned before. It was considered the best 
 way of preserving the two principal posts, as 
 well as to bring them under the notice of 
 strangers, to place them in this situation. 
 
 Then there are also two massive arm chairs, 
 of solid oak, adorned with carved work ; they 
 belonged to George Fox and his wife, and were 
 removed hither from the Hall. Every visitor 
 takes a seat in these chairs for a moment, from 
 similar motives that visitors to the House of 
 Lords contrive to enjoy a temporary occupancy 
 of the British throne. Formerly another relic 
 of George Fox was preserved here, the large 
 Bible used by him, with wooden backs and 
 brass clasps * this, for safety, is kept at a 
 Friend's house. 
 
 The oak chest in the meeting-house contains 
 the Library. The old minute-books of the 
 Society's meetings for discipline present some 
 curious instances of the zeal of our early Friends, 
 their care for the poor, and their anxiety to 
 carry into every-day practice the principles of 
 our religious profession. One entry, of the 
 date of about 1674, would in the present day, 
 it is certain, if the principle were acted on, 
 render many of our members subject to 1 deal- 
 ing.' Margaret Fell and Deborah Salthouse 
 were appointed to visit a female member ' for 
 the selling of lace,' which the minute states to 
 be 1 needless, and Friends cannot own her in 
 it, nor the covetous spirit which sells it for 
 advantage.' At the ensuing meeting the mat- 
 ter was cleared up by the visitors declaring 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 that the delinquent was " broken and tender, 
 and had promised not to buy any more lace 
 to sell.' 
 
 Adjoining the meeting-house is the burial- 
 ground, which is somewhat modern. The old 
 burial-ground lies at Sunbreak, about a mile 
 and a half distant, and is to many a spot of 
 peculiar and intense interest. It is at the edge 
 of a barren moor, the higher part of which con- 
 sists of naked limestone, and at the highest point 
 of all are the remains of a beacon, suitably 
 enough placed, as its blaze could be seen over 
 the whole promontory, and across the bay to 
 Lancaster, a distance of twenty miles on a clear 
 day. The view hence is magnificent, compris- 
 ing the coast line in three-fourths of the horizon, 
 the Lake mountains already mentioned on the 
 remainder, and the beautiful bay of Morecambe 
 with the wooded hills of the opposite coast. 
 About one-third of a mile south of the beacon, 
 where the cultivated land begins, is a small en- 
 closure, surrounded with an eight-foot wall, and 
 entered by a low narrow door. This, for about 
 the first seventy years of the Society's existence, 
 was the burial-place belonging to Swarthmoor 
 Meeting. 
 
 Here lie the remains of many who braved 
 persecution and suffering for conscience' sake, 
 and so obtained for us the privileges we enjoy. 
 Many reflections arise which it is needless to 
 write, for they must come spontaneously to all, 
 whether members or otherwise, who feel an in- 
 terest in the advancement of religious freedom, 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 143 
 
 and have heard of the sacrifices our forefathers 
 made to obtain it. Many valiants in the cause 
 of truth have here been laid, when freed from 
 the troubles of time j and though no memorial 
 shows their resting-place, they have left a name 
 more durable than monumental brass. Amongst 
 them lie the remains of Margaret Fox, empha- 
 tically a mother in Israel, whose heroic behaviour 
 rose superior to the weakness of her sex, and 
 whose sufferings, after the death of her first 
 husband, Judge Fell (the influence of whom, 
 whilst living, was a safeguard not only to her, 
 but to many others of this small band), were 
 rendered more poignant from previous afflu- 
 ence, her body imprisoned, and her estates 
 premunired. Yet her noble spirit remained 
 unbroken ; she closed her labours in 1702, and 
 was buried here, followed to the grave by her 
 children and a goodly company of ministers from 
 various countries. 
 
 This place of sepulture takes its name of 
 Sunbreak from its being the first to catch the 
 sun's rays at break of day. Individuals exist 
 in the neighbourhood not of the Society, who 
 partake in the feelings of solemn interest with 
 regard to it, and in their eveuing meditations 
 turn a willing foot to its calm seclusion. Some 
 do this from admiration of the religious prin- 
 ciples of the interred — others because they look 
 upon the dead as the general champions of 
 liberty of conscience, and the foremost in the 
 struggle against the intolerance and errors of a 
 dominant and corrupt hierarchy. 
 
144 
 
 SFLECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 Nearly every locality in this district has its 
 interest and its tradition. It is indeed a not- 
 able country ; we feel we are treading on classic 
 ground. A few miles north-west is Marsh 
 Grange, which George Fox frequently visited ; 
 possibly the situation and air reminded him 
 of his birth-place, Drayton-in-the-Clay. It be- 
 longed to Margaret Fox, and was the residence 
 of her ancestors, the Askews. 
 
 But we will delay no longer returning to our 
 inn, and in so doing must necessarily pass 
 through the market-place of Qlverston. Every 
 spot, in town or country hereabouts, has its 
 tale. Forty-three Friends were taken hence one 
 market-day in 1660, by a party of horsemen, 
 and, without warrant or examination, immured 
 in the noisome dungeons of Lancaster jail. 
 
 Ours are comparatively happy days, and we 
 are too much inclined to forget that the struggle 
 against error, like that for freedom, 
 
 ' When once begun, 
 Descends from bleeding sire to son.' 
 
 Is the contest maintained by us ? Do we not 
 rather make a paltry compromise between our 
 personal ease and the requirements of duty ? 
 Much has no doubt been accomplished ; but 
 much remains. Let us take heart from the 
 example and success of those who have gone 
 before us ; and, God with us, who shall with- 
 stand t 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 145 
 
 THE PHILISTINE'S HEAD; OR, THE INFIDEL 
 REPROVED. 
 
 A gay young spark, of a deistical turn, travel- 
 ling in a stage coach to London, forced his 
 sentiments on the company, by attempting to 
 ridicule the Scriptures; and among other topics, 
 made himself merry with the story of David and 
 Goliath, strongly urging the impossibility of a 
 youth like David being able to throw a stone 
 with sufficient force to sink into the giant's 
 forehead. On this he appealed to the com- 
 pany, and in particular to a Friend, who sat 
 silent in one corner of the carriage. ' Indeed, 
 young man,' replied he, 'I do not think it 
 at all improbable, if the Philistine's head was 
 as soft as thine.' — (Buck's Anecdotes, vol. iii. 
 p. 238.) 
 
 A SLIGHT MISTAKE. 
 
 Elizabeth Fry paid many philanthropic visits 
 to the Continent. The following anecdote re- 
 lating to her, is from the Morning Chronicle of 
 April 28, 1840, and stated to have been con- 
 tained in a letter from the Hague : — 'A Dutch 
 postmaster on the frontier received a letter, 
 bidding him have horses ready for a lady who 
 would travel that way, and arrive at a certain 
 hour. The absence of any name, made the 
 worthy postmaster see a mystery in the affair, 
 and he not only set it down in his own mind, 
 
 II. N 
 
146 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 but informed his neighbours, that the Countess 
 d'Oultremont (whose intended marriage with 
 the King of Holland was creating such ferment), 
 was expected, and would change horses. The 
 lady in the post-chaise arrived at the hour men- 
 tioned. The population greeted her with the 
 most abusive language, and the most discordant 
 and unwelcome sounds. To this the lady in 
 the carriage replied by a shower of tracts and 
 pamphlets, and, upon inquiry, the Dutch mob 
 found that the traveller was not the Countess 
 d'Oultremont, but Mrs. Fry, who had been 
 visiting the prisons in these parts.' 
 
 REYNOLDS THE PHILANTHROPIST. 
 
 Snatch from oblivion every honour'd name, 
 To shine beyond the wreck of earthly fame. 
 A Reynolds, reverend in years, whose wealth 
 Flow'd round the land, dispersing joy and health ; 
 Like some pure fount, whose lucid water flows, 
 Hid 'neath the verdure which around it grows. 
 
 (E. Dickenson.) 
 
 Richard Reynolds of Bristol was a man of 
 large property, but, during the whole of his life, 
 he was unremittingly anxious to prove himself 
 a good and faithful steward of the wealth he 
 possessed. This he distributed with a munifi- 
 cence rarely to be met with in the annals of 
 biography, and in a manner that proved incon- 
 trovertibly the benevolence of his heart. He 
 annually spent the whole of a large income in 
 charitable objects, in latter years diminishing 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 147 
 
 the actual sum of his property to alleviate the 
 distresses and sufferings of others. He stu- 
 diously endeavoured to conceal his benevolence 
 from the public eve : and so scrupulous was he 
 in this respect, that his accounts were kept in 
 such a way, as to prevent others from knowing 
 in what manner, and on what objects, his pro- 
 perty was bestowed. To attempt anything like 
 accuracy in the amount of his benefactions, 
 would therefore be in vain ; none but himself, 
 and he ' whose eyes are in every place, behold- 
 ing the evil and the good,' knew how much he 
 disbursed. It is stated, on good authority, that 
 in one year only, he bestowed, in various chari- 
 ties, upwards of £20,000. 
 
 There appeared neither limit nor bound to 
 his benevolence, as he had correspondents in 
 various parts, who sought for cases of distress 
 in their respective neighbourhoods, and recom- 
 mended them to his assistance, but that assist- 
 ance was never given carelessly or slothfully. 
 The energies of a mind, at all times vigorous 
 and discriminating, were exercised to distin- 
 guish between the impostor and the sufferer ; to 
 the first he was a prudent monitor ; to the latter 
 a cheering friend and consoling benefactor. 
 
 Not contented with bestowing such abundant 
 gifts annually, he purchased two estates in 
 Monmouthshire, which he settled on trustees 
 for the benefit of certain charities in Bristol ; 
 and it appears, that during his valuable life, 
 he bestowed in acts of benevolence upwards of 
 £200,000. 
 
 N 2 
 
148 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 He lived to a late period of life, enjoying 
 great good health, universally beloved and es- 
 teemed, and departed this life at Cheltenham, 
 in 1816, in full reliance on the cheering pro- 
 mises of redeeming love. — {Piety Promoted, and 
 Sketch of his life). 
 
 JOHN GRAY. 
 
 No one can read the foregoing account of Rich- 
 ard Reynolds, without admiring a man so dis- 
 tinguished by acts of disinterested benevolence 
 and unostentatious charity. Yet let us remem- 
 ber that the Divine precept, ' occupy till I 
 come,' is equally binding upon all men ; and it 
 is to the observance of this injunction that we 
 must ever look, if we would be made instru- 
 mental in conferring real and permanent good 
 upon our fellow- creatures. Although the talent 
 committed to our trust may be but a small 
 one, it is equally our duty to occupy it faith- 
 fully till our Lord's coming, if we would receive 
 our reward. Whatever may be our relative 
 stations in life, we are all possessed of the 
 means of extensive usefulness, to a greater or 
 less degree. May we then be stimulated to the 
 fulfilment of our duty in this respect, by a per- 
 usal of the following interesting facts, selected 
 from a short memoir of one who trod in the 
 shady vale of obscurity, and who lived and died 
 
 ' Alike unknown to fortune or to fame.' 
 
 John Gray was a journeyman pewterer, being 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 149 
 
 in the employment of a respectable firm in that 
 business in London, nearly the whole of his life. 
 ' He regularly attended meetings for worship on 
 the wee£-day, as well as on the Sabbath, besides 
 many of those for general business ; and in so 
 doing, he sacrificed no inconsiderable portion 
 of his wages ; for, being paid so much for the 
 day's work of so many hours, he conscientiously 
 deducted from the amount for the time he was 
 absent from work ; thus showing how justly he 
 estimated the relative value of the " meat which 
 perisheth," and of that "which endureth unto 
 everlasting life," for which he waited on the 
 Lord in company with his friends, and with 
 which his strength was day by day renewed ; 
 thus, also, making his light to shine before men, 
 as an example of the sincere love of God, and 
 firm reliance on his protecting providence,, in 
 the faithful discharge of apprehended duty. 
 The pecuniary sacrifices thus made, and in 
 other virtuous pursuits, was equal to a fifth 
 part of his whole earnings, which were by this 
 means reduced to about 25s. per week. Yet, 
 out of this sum, he for many years allowed 7s. 
 per week to a widowed sister, who had left the 
 Society, and had thus forfeited her claim upon 
 its funds. To them also (the funds), John Gray 
 contributed so liberally, that it was often thought 
 out of proportion to his means. On one occa- 
 sion, having subscribed two guineas towards the 
 support of the Friends' School at Ackworth, it 
 was suggested to him that one guinea would be 
 quite as much as could be reasonably expected ; 
 
 N 3 
 
150 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 but he replied, that he should feel most easy to 
 give both. This sum was nearly the full amount 
 of his earnings for two weeks ! 
 
 * Though he gave much away in proportion 
 to his income, yet he was not lavish, nor did he 
 think it right to risk his own subsistence, in 
 case of illness or old age, for the temporary 
 relief of others. On the contrary, he laid by a 
 portion of his earnings in the ever-available 
 savings'-bank ; and, at the time of his death, he 
 had accumulated a sum not far short of £200. 
 With the exception of a small legacy of about 
 £30, left him by a Friend, the above amount 
 was the fruit of his own industry and prudence ; 
 and, extraordinary as such instances are, we 
 may readily comprehend how so much could be 
 done with such small means, when we remember 
 that John Gray never wasted anything. He 
 never spent his money in spirits, tobacco, or in 
 any other foolish or sensual indulgence; but 
 what was not really required for his own, or 
 others' comfort, he appears to have put into a 
 drawer, in which was found at his decease a 
 considerable sum in silver, probably retained 
 for some specific object. The principal part of 
 his savings he had invested in the funds. He 
 left, by will, the sum of £15 to the Friends' 
 Retreat at York, for persons of unsound mind, 
 and about £20 to the poor of the Monthly 
 Meeting of which he was a member.' 
 
 Whilst transcribing the foregoing, from a 
 Memoir of this worthy man, the words of our 
 blessed Saviour, when he saw the poor widow 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 151 
 
 casting her mite into the treasury, have been 
 forcibly brought to remembrance, 1 Verily, I say 
 unto you, that this poor widow hath cast more 
 in, than all they which have cast into the trea- 
 sury; for all they did cast in of their abundance; 
 but she of her want did cast in all that she had, 
 even all her living' (Mark xii. 43, 44). 
 
 THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD ILLUSTRATED IN 
 A REMARKABLE NARRATIVE. 
 
 The following account of the remarkable pre- 
 servation of a family of Friends, residing about 
 two miles from Dublin, during the rebellion in 
 the year 1798, in which more than 100,000 lives 
 were lost, was narrated by the mother of the 
 family, to Richard Gordon of America, when on 
 a religious visit to Europe, and related by him 
 to some friends at Baltimore in 1825. He pre- 
 faced the account by the following statement: — 
 * And such is my confidence in the integrity of 
 the Friend, that I have no more doubt of the 
 facts, than if I had myself witnessed them.' 
 
 The family were dwelling at a beautiful villa, 
 handsomely situated, and highly cultivated, and 
 whilst assembled one afternoon round^ their 
 peaceful and happy fireside, they were rudely 
 assailed by a party of insurgents, who sur- 
 rounded the house, and forced an entrance. 
 The leader of this band of ruftians informed the 
 family that they must prepare for death, as he 
 was determined to murder every member of the 
 
152 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 family as heretics, and burn their house and 
 property. As they were proceeding to fulfil 
 this murderous intention, a secret compunction 
 of mind on the part of the officer arrested their 
 progress ; and, after a short delay, he told them 
 he had concluded to give them twenty-four 
 hours' respite, during which they might con- 
 sider his proposals, viz., that they would return 
 at the same time, four o'clock, the succeeding 
 day, and if they were then willing to change 
 their religion, and become Roman Catholics, 
 their lives and property should be saved; but if 
 not, every individual should be murdered, and 
 the property razed to the ground. They then 
 withdrew. 
 
 In this hour of extremity, their faith and 
 constancy were put to a severe test, and the 
 intermediate period was passed under feelings 
 which can be better conceived than described. 
 The following was their regular meeting day, 
 and the mother proposed to her husband that 
 the family should rise early, partake of a light 
 repast, and every member of it repair to the 
 meeting-place, there to mingle once more in 
 social worship with their beloved friends, before 
 the hour of their sufferings arrived. Her hus- 
 band, however, deemed such a proceeding un- 
 wise, and they were brought into deep mental 
 conflict, with fervent desires that they might 
 be rightly guided in the struggle between reli- 
 gious duty on the one hand, and apprehensions 
 for the safety of their beloved family on the other. 
 
 They assembled the family to deliberate on 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 153 
 
 the course they should pursue, with a degree of 
 humble confidence that Divine direction would 
 be afforded them ; and after a time of solemn 
 retirement of mind, they spread the subject be- 
 fore their children. The excellent and amiable 
 mother still pressed the propriety of going to 
 meeting, but the father could not conceal his 
 fears that it would lead to greater suffering. 
 Their eldest son, with Christian fortitude and 
 magnanimity, encouraged his parents to go, 
 saying, 1 Father, rejoice that we are found 
 worthy to suffer ;' a remark which greatly af- 
 fected his parents, and so strengthened their 
 minds, that they at once concluded to make the 
 attempt. 
 
 In the morning, they accordingly proceeded 
 to their place of worship, taking the public 
 highway, instead of going through the fields to 
 avoid the armed insurgents, as was usually done, 
 and, through Divine protection, they reached 
 the meeting in safety. They sat with their 
 friends in awful reverence, waiting on the great 
 Preserver of men, and though their minds were 
 deeply affected with the gloomy prospect before 
 them, yet a degree of living faith was renewed 
 in their hearts, under which they were strength- 
 ened to cast themselves entirely on the protec- 
 tion of the Almighty. 
 
 The meeting closed, and their minds were 
 comforted and refreshed, in having thus fulfilled 
 what they considered a religious duty. But now 
 a new trial commenced, in considering whether 
 it would be right to return home into the power 
 
154 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 of their enemies, of whom they were now clear, 
 or to pursue an opposite course, and seek a place 
 of safety for themselves and children. Their 
 faith, however, bore them up in this time of deep 
 proving, and after solidly weighing the matter, 
 they believed it their duty to return home. The 
 struggle notwithstanding was severe, for nature 
 must necessarily feel keenly when our lives, and 
 those whom we hold most dear, are at stake; 
 but as they journeyed onwards, with their hearts 
 lifted in prayer to the Lord, the mother's mind 
 was powerfully impressed by the recollection of 
 the 14th verse of the 60th chapter of Isaiah, 
 viz., i The sons also of them that afflicted thee, 
 shall come bending unto thee ; and all they that 
 despised thee shall bow themselves down at the 
 soles of thy feet.' The recollection of this pas- 
 sage of the Holy Scriptures was accompanied 
 by such an assurance of Divine regard and pro- 
 tection being extended to them, that she clapped 
 her hands for joy, and expressed to her husband 
 and children the confidence she felt that they 
 should be cared for. 
 
 On reaching home, they all assembled and 
 sat down in silent, reverent waiting on that 
 God who careth for all his humble and obedient 
 children, and thus awaited the impending stroke. 
 The clock struck four, but their persecutors 
 came not. The King's troops had landed from 
 England, and marched rapidly into the neigh- 
 bourhood, while the insurgents were flying in 
 every direction to escape their pursuit ; being 
 thus prevented from carrying their wicked de- 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 155 
 
 signs into execution. In less than two weeks 
 the same party came to the house of the Friend, 
 and on their knees implored their protection of 
 the family to hide them from their pursuers, 
 and save them from the destruction which they 
 had so lately threatened to inflict on them. 
 
 Thus they were relieved from their painful 
 state of suspense, and had cause to be humbly 
 and deeply thankful for the merciful preserva- 
 tion extended to them, confirming their faith 
 in] the all-sufficiency of their gracious Redeemer. 
 — [Bradford Tract, and Hancock's Peace.) 
 
 MILTON'S OPINION OF WARRIORS. 
 
 (Warriors). — 0, what are these ? 
 
 Death's ministers, not men ; who thus deal death 
 
 Inhumanly to men ; and multiply 
 
 Ten -thousand- fold the sin of him who slew 
 
 His brother. 
 
 ON A BURIAL-GROUND OF THE SOCIETY OF 
 FRIENDS. 
 
 Yon grassy mounds, which rise to view 
 Above the verdant ground they strew ; 
 Who, that ne'er saw their sacred trust 
 Consign'd amid its native dust, 
 Would dream that manly forms are laid 
 Beneath those little hillocks' shade ? 
 That beauty slumbers there at rest, 
 Nor heeds the cold turf on her breast ; 
 That youth, and age, and manhood's bloom 
 There mingle in one common tomb : 
 No sculptur'd marble marks their fate — 
 In death, what means the pomp of state? 
 
156 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 Can the seal'd eye, or lips of clay, 
 E'er ask, or see the proud display ? 
 Art here is vain ! — it cannot save 
 One pulse of feeling from the grave, 
 "With life's last throb the dream is o'er, 
 And fame and titles charm no more : 
 Here poverty has lost his sting — 
 Want flaps o'er life her haggard wing. 
 And here the weary rest from toil, 
 Nor feel the earth-worm i-ound them coil : 
 The mourner hath forgot his grief, 
 And found in death a kind relief : 
 And wan disease a place of rest 
 Finds pillow'd on the earth's cold breast. 
 O Death ! how awful every place, 
 Where thy stern lineaments we trace : 
 E'en here, the simple grassy bed 
 Speaks of the silent, sleeping dead ; 
 Who hear no more the loud winds sigh, 
 Though eddying tempests sweep them by. 
 
 PEACE versus WAR. 
 
 War is soon kindled, but peace very hardly pro- 
 cured ; war is the curse, and peace the blessing 
 of God upon a nation. 
 
 A realm gains more by one year's peace, than 
 by ten years' war. — (Lord Burleigh.) 
 
 LOVE, THE BEST REVENGE. 
 
 The best Revenge is Love : — disarm 
 Anger with smiles ; heal wounds with balm : 
 
 Give water to thy thirsting foe. 
 The sandal tree, as if to prove 
 How sweet to conquer hate by love, 
 
 Perfumes the axe that lays it low. 
 
 (S. C. Wilkes.) 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 157 
 
 ON THE TERMS 
 4 CHURCH* AND 1 STEEPLE-HOUSE.' 
 
 A Friend, being interrogated by a bishop why 
 he did not go to church, replied, * I do go to 
 church, and sometimes the church comes to 
 me.' (See 1 Cor. xvi. 19 ; Col. iv. 15 ; Phil, ii.) 
 
 The word ' church,' is in Holy Scripture 
 never applied to an outward temple or building, 
 but to a company of belivers, whether generally 
 or particularly. The use of this term appears 
 to have crept in among Christians, and with it 
 a superstitious consecration of those places, as 
 possessing some latent quality not affecting 
 other works of art or nature. To this Stephen 
 the martyr evidently alluded, when he said, 
 ' Howbeit the Most High dwelleth not in tem- 
 ples made with hands,' Arc. (Acts vii. 48.) 
 
 The term 1 steeple-house,' not unfrequently 
 occurs in the early writings and records of 
 Friends. It may sound harsh to most ears, if 
 it does not seem to savour of the scurrility and 
 intolerance of that zealous age ; yet this, or 
 any other mode of speech adopted by us as a 
 people, was by no means taken up for the 
 purpose of opprobrium, but rather significantly 
 to discover the little veneration or distinction 
 they could show for these buildings, more than 
 for their own habitations ; believing that the 
 Almighty is equally present everywhere, to bless 
 and to sanctify every place and everything to 
 those that walk uprightly on the earth, his foot- 
 stool. — (Barclay's Anecdotes.) 
 n. o 
 
158 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 THE SCOFFING PRIEST MADE TO TREMBLE. 
 
 Being at Tickhill one First-day, George Fox 
 went into the steeple-house, and speaking to 
 the priest and people, they immediately fell upon 
 him, and the clerk struck him with his Bible so 
 violently on the face that the blood gushed out, 
 and he bled exceedingly. The people then 
 thrust him out, beat and threw him down, and 
 dragged him along the street, so that he was 
 besmeared with blood and dirt, and his hat 
 taken away. As soon as he could stand, he 
 told the people how much they dishonoured 
 Christianity by such actions. Some time after, 
 the priest coming by, scoffingly called George 
 Fox and his friends, ' Quakers,' but he was 
 spoken to in such a powerful manner that he 
 began to tremble, which made one of the people 
 say, ' Look how the priest trembles and shakes ; 
 he is turned a Quaker also.' — (Sewell's History.) 
 
 EXPRESSION OF THANKS BEFORE MEALS. 
 James Backhouse, in his Narrative of a visit to 
 the Australian Colonies, remarks : 1 When taking 
 a meal with pious persons, I was frequently 
 requested to give thanks. This being intended 
 as a mark of Christian courtesy to a stranger 
 minister, I received it as such ; but we found 
 it necessary to explain, that it was our practice 
 on such occasions to endeavour to feel thankful, 
 but not to give expression to this feeling on 
 behalf of ourselves and others, unless under 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 159 
 
 such a sense of Divine influence as warranted 
 the belief that it was done in spirit and in 
 truth. Though, in the course of our travels, 
 we were sometimes present when thanksgiving 
 was uttered in a formal way, which left upon 
 the mind the impression, that God was drawn 
 nigh unto with the lip while the heart was far 
 from him ; yet we were often sensible of a 
 measure of the influence of the Holy Spirit, 
 when thanksgiving was devoutly uttered by 
 those who were in the constant practice of 
 using expression on such occasions. Neverthe- 
 less, when we were present, where the attention 
 of the company was individually turned to the 
 Lord, in a short period of silence, in order to 
 feel thankful, and to acknowledge this feeling 
 in the secret of the heart, we were sensible of a 
 greater measure of Divine influence, which com- 
 forted our minds, under the belief that the 
 Father of mercies condescended more decidedly 
 to mark this homage with approbation.' 
 
 THOMAS SHILLITOE ON TEMPERANCE. 
 
 The late Thomas Shillitoe, in his eightieth year, 
 attended a Temperance Meeting in Exeter Hall, 
 London, to which he had that morning walked 
 from his residence, a distance of six miles. 
 
 The following is an extract from his address 
 to that Meeting in favour of Total Abstinence 
 from intoxicating drinks : — ' It is an opinion 
 that it is necessarv to take ardent spirits when 
 
 o2 
 
160 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 people are travelling, to defend them from cold ; 
 now, I will mention two striking instances of my 
 experience to the contrary. Having to travel 
 from Copenhagen, in Denmark,to Christiana, in 
 Norway, eleven days' journey before me, in carts 
 that would have no covering over them, in the 
 Twelfth Month, when the frost was very severe, 
 my friends told me I must have spirits. We 
 sometimes started at four in the morning, and 
 travelled till ten at night, at that season of the 
 year, fearing the falls of snow might have a 
 tendency to impede our journey, and I never 
 took anything stronger than coffee, while the 
 man whom I hired to take charge of me was 
 taking his spirits, and seemed as if he could not 
 do without them. I have reason, however, to 
 believe I suffered less from the cold than he did. 
 I spent the greater part of the winter in Peters- 
 burg, and travelled on sledges, without having 
 recourse to anything stronger than coffee. I do 
 not say my mode of living would do for all con- 
 stitutions; but I am sure that if persons had 
 but courage to make a trial of it, it would suit 
 a great many, and be the means of procuring 
 and preserving their health better than living in 
 a more generous way.' 
 
 FORMALISTS. 
 
 We (Friends) have religion without ceremony ; 
 but if we lose the power, we are of all formalists 
 the most contemptible. — (John Rutty.) 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 161 
 
 CHRISTMAS THOUGHTS ON PEACE. 
 
 To-day is Christinas. From east to west, from 
 north to south, men chant hymns of praise to 
 the despised Nazarene, and kneel in worship 
 before his cross. How beautiful is this universal 
 homage to the principle of love ! — that feminine 
 principle of the universe, the inmost centre of 
 Christianity. It is the divine idea which dis- 
 tinguishes it from all other religions, and yet the 
 idea in which Christian nations evince so little 
 faith, that one would think they kept only to 
 swear bv, that gospel which says, 1 Swear not 
 at all.' ' 
 
 Centuries have passed, and through infinite 
 conflict have ' ushered in our brief to-day,' and 
 is there peace and good-will among men ? Sin- 
 cere faith in the words of Jesus would soon fulfil 
 the prophecy which angels sang. But the world 
 persists in saying, * This doctrine of unqualified 
 forgiveness and perfect love, though beautiful 
 and holy, cannot be carried into practice now ; 
 men are not yet prepared for it.' The same 
 spirit says, 'it would not be safe to emancipate 
 slaves ; they must first be fitted for freedom 
 as if slavery ever could tit men for freedom, or 
 war ever lead the nations into peace ! Yet men 
 who gravely utter these excuses laugh at the 
 shallow wit of that timid mother, who declared 
 that her son should never enter into the water 
 till he had learned to swim. 
 
 Those who have dared to trust the principles 
 of peace, have alwavs found them perfectly safe. 
 
 o3 
 
162 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 It can never prove otherwise, if accompanied by 
 the declaration that such a course is the result 
 of Christian principle, and a deep friendliness 
 for humanity. Who seemed so little likely to 
 understand such a position as the Indians of 
 North America? Yet how readily they laid 
 down tomahawks and scalping-knives at the feet 
 of William Penn ! With what humble sorrow 
 they apologized for killing the only two Quakers 
 they were ever known to attack! 'The men 
 carried arms,' said they, 'and therefore we did 
 not know they were not fighters. We thought 
 they pretended to be Quakers, because they 
 were cowards.' The savages of the East, who 
 murdered Lyman and Munson, made the same 
 excuse. 'They carried arms,' said they, 'and 
 so we supposed they were not Christian mission- 
 aries, but enemies. We would have done them 
 no harm if we had known they were men of 
 God.' 
 
 If a nation could but attain to such high wis- 
 dom as to abjure war, and proclaim to all the 
 earth, ' we will not fight under any provocation ; 
 if other nations have aught against us, we will 
 settle the question by umpires mutually chosen ;* 
 think you that any nation would dare to make 
 war upon such a people? Nay, verily, they 
 would be instinctively ashamed of such an act, 
 as men are now ashamed to attack a woman or 
 a child. Even if any were found mean enough 
 to pursue such a course, the whole civilized 
 world would cry fie upon them, and by universal 
 consent, brand them as poltroons and assassins ; 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 163 
 
 and assassins they would be, even in the com- 
 mon acceptation of the term. I have read of a 
 certain regiment ordered to march into a small 
 town (in the Tyrol, I think), and take it. It 
 chanced that the place was settled by a colony 
 who believed the gospel of Christ, and proved 
 their faith by works. A courier from a neigh- 
 bouring village informed them that troops were 
 advancing to take the town. They quietly 
 answered, 'If they will take it, they must.' 
 Soldiers soon came riding in with colours flying, 
 fifes piping their shrill defiance. They looked 
 round for an enemy, and saw the farmer at his 
 plough, the blacksmith at his anvil, and the 
 women at their churns and spinning-wheels. 
 Babies crowded to hear the music, and boys ran 
 out to see the pretty trainers, with feathers and 
 bright buttons, * the harlequins of the nine- 
 teenth century.' Of course, none of these were 
 in a proper position to be shot at. 1 Where are 
 your soldiers V they asked. * We have none,' 
 was the brief reply. ' But we have come to take 
 the town.' * Well, friends, it lies before you.' 
 * But is there nobody here to fight ?' 4 No ; we 
 are all Christians.' Here was an emergency 
 altogether unprovided for by the military schools. 
 This was a sort of resistance which no bullet 
 could hit — a fortress perfectly bomb-proof. The 
 commander was perplexed. * If there is nobody 
 to fight with, of course we cannot fight,' said he ; 
 4 it is impossible to take such a town as this.' So 
 he ordered the horses' heads to be turned about, 
 and they carried the human animals out of the 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 village, as guiltless as they entered, and per- 
 chance somewhat wiser. 
 
 This experiment on a small scale indicates 
 how easy it would be to dispense with armies 
 and navies, if men only had faith in the religion 
 they profess to believe. When France lately 
 reduced her army, England immediately did the 
 same ; for the existence of one army creates 
 the necessity of another, unless men are safely 
 ensconced in the bomb-proof fortress above 
 mentioned. — (L. M. Child.) 
 
 PERSECUTION AND SUFFERINGS OF THE 
 EARLY FRIENDS. 
 
 Sewell's History of the Quakers exhibits such a 
 scene of savage persecution on the one hand, 
 and firmness and patience in suffering on the 
 other, as is not easily paralleled. Little known 
 as these things are, it will hardly be credited 
 now, that to such a length was hatred carried 
 against the Quakers, that at one time, there 
 were few of them, except those below the cog- 
 nizance of the magistrates, who were not in 
 prison for their religious faith. 
 
 It was about the year 1662, when persecution 
 ran very high, that there were in England and 
 Wales, upwards of 4200 Quakers in prison at 
 one time, for meeting to worship God, refusing 
 to swear, &c. And in such prisons too ! They 
 who would know what the miseries of prisoners 
 have been in England, let them read Sewell's 
 History. 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 165 
 
 But the malice of persecution did not stop 
 here ; the property of the most respectable 
 families was confiscated; attempts were made 
 to transport some ; and great numbers actually 
 died of their maltreatment. 
 
 The most amazing portion of these outrages, 
 however, was perpetrated by the Independents 
 of New England, who had themselves fled from 
 persecution at home, to enjoy religious liberty. 
 And what did they ? To crown the whole story 
 of cruelty, amongst many other instances which 
 would fill a volume, they ordered three Quaker 
 women to be stripped to the waist, and to be 
 flogged through eleven towns, a distance of 
 eighty miles, and in all the severity of frost and 
 snow. But as if this was not enough, they at 
 length actually hanged three men and one 
 woman for Christ's sake. 
 
 SUFFERINGS OF FRIENDS IN THE TOLBOOTH 
 AT ABERDEEN. 
 
 The following may afford some idea of the 
 cruelty sometimes exercised towards the first 
 Quakers. The early annals of the Society 
 abound with similar cases, many of them still 
 more aggravated. 
 
 During the close imprisonment of Friends in 
 the Tolbooth of Aberdeen, Patrick Livingstone 
 was frequently engaged, in the aboundings of 
 Christian love, to preach to the people through 
 the prison windows, exhorting them to fear the 
 
166 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 Lord, and to obey the gospel of his grace. This 
 practice was highly displeasing to the magis- 
 trates. They therefore sought to prevent it, by 
 causing some of them to be separated from the 
 rest of their companions, and violently thrust 
 into a close vaulted cell, on the top of the jail, 
 called the 'iron house,' where the worst of 
 felons and murderers were usually confined. 
 They had neither light nor air, except through 
 along hole in the thick wall, which had a double 
 grating of iron on the outside, and another 
 within. Here they were kept night and day, 
 in the heat of the summer of 1678, when the 
 filthiness of the place, and the corruption of the 
 air so closely pent up, produced a multitude of 
 worms, called white maggots, and other vermin, 
 which swarmed about, even upon their beds and 
 victuals, and manifestly tended to the extreme 
 danger of their health and lives. 
 
 Most if not all of Patrick Livingstone's works, 
 were dated 'Aberdeen prison.' 
 
 THE CHRISTIAN AND HIS ECHO. 
 
 Colossians hi. 12, 15 ; Matthew xviii. 21, 22 ; 1 John iii. 14, 
 
 WRITTEN BY CORNELIUS CAYLEY, A COURTIER, LIVING IN THE 
 RETGN OF GEORGE II. 
 
 True faith, producing love to God and man, 
 Say, echo, is not this the gospel plan ? 
 The gospel plan. 
 
 Must I my faith and love to Jesus show, 
 By doing good to all, both friend and foe? 
 Both friend and foe. 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 But if a brother hates, and treats me ill, 
 Must I return him good, and love him still ? 
 Love him still. 
 
 If he my failings watches to reveal, 
 Must I his faults as carefully conceal ? 
 
 As carefully conceal. 
 But if my name and character he blast, 
 And cruel malice, too, a long time last ; 
 And if I sorrow and affliction know, 
 He loves to add unto my cup of woe ; 
 In this uncommon, this peculiar case, 
 Sweet echo, say, must I still love and bless ? 
 
 Still love and bless. 
 
 Whatever usage ill I may receive, 
 Must I be patient still, and still forgive ? 
 
 Be patient still, and still foi'give. 
 
 Why, echo, how is this ? thou'rt sure a dove ? 
 Thy voice shall teach me nothing else but love ! 
 Nothing else but love. 
 
 Amen ! with all my heart then be it so, 
 'Tis all delightful, just, and good, I know, 
 And now to practise I'll directly go. 
 
 Directly go. 
 Things being so, whoever me reject, 
 My gracious God me surely will protect. 
 
 Surely will protect. 
 Henceforth I'll roll on him my every care, 
 And then both friend and foe embrace in prayer. 
 
 Embrace in prayer. 
 
 But after all those duties I have done, 
 Must I, in point of merit, them disown, 
 And trust for heaven through Jesus' blood alone ? 
 Through Jesus' blood alone. 
 
 Echo, enough ; thy counsels, to mine ear, 
 Are sweeter than to flowers the dew-drop tear ; 
 Thy wise instructive lessons please me well ; 
 I'll go and practise them. Farewell, farewell. 
 
 Practise them. Farewell, farewell. 
 
168 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 ANECDOTE OP KING GEORGE III. 
 
 As Michael Futcher, of Romsey, was walking 
 on the terrace at Windsor, in company with the 
 daughter of a Friend in London, King George 
 and Queen Charlotte drew towards them. Both 
 entering freely into conversation with Michael 
 Futcher, the King inquired whether there were 
 many of his Society residing in his neighbour- 
 hood, saying they were a people he had a great 
 respect for. Addressing the female, he inquired 
 if she was one of the Society. She replied she 
 professed to be such. The King then said, * Is 
 there not here too much gauze?' She acknow- 
 ledged ' she had deviated, and was sorry for it.* 
 The King replied, 1 And I am sorry for it too ; 
 for when persons once begin to deviate, they 
 do not know where to stop.' 
 
 FROM ARCHBISHOP WHATELEY'S 'KINGDOM 
 OF CHRIST DELINEATED.' 
 
 Must not Christians, as legislators or civil 
 magistrates, act on Christian principles ? No 
 doubt ; but they would cease to act on Christian 
 principles if they should employ the coercive 
 power of civil magistrates in the cause of Chris- 
 tianity. If they should not only take a part in 
 civil affairs, but claim, as Christians, or as 
 members of a particular church, a monopoly of 
 civil rights ; it is this, and this only, that tends 
 to make Christ's kingdom a kingdom of this 
 world. 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 169 
 
 To attempt the propagation or support of 
 gospel truth by secular force, or by establishing 
 on behalf of Christians, as such, a monopoly of 
 civil rights, is utterly at variance with the true 
 character of Christ's kingdom, and with the 
 teaching and practice of himself and his apostles; 
 and to attribute to them any such design, is to 
 impugn their character, not merely as inspired 
 messengers from heaven, but even as sincere 
 and upright men. 
 
 SILENT PRAYER. 
 
 Is the extremity of pain, the Christian feels 
 there is no consolation but in humble acquies- 
 cence in the Divine will. It may be that he can 
 pray but little, but that little will be fervent. 
 He can articulate, perhaps, not at all, but his 
 prayer is addressed to one who sees the heart ; 
 who can interpret its language ; who requires 
 not words, but affections. We have a striking 
 instance of an answer to silent prayer in the 
 case of Moses. In a situation of extreme dis- 
 tress, when he had not uttered a word, the Lord 
 said unto him, 'I have heard thy crying.' — 
 (American Moral Almanac.) 
 
 THE HERMIT. 
 
 A wild young fellow, once observing a hermit 
 who passed . his time in fasting, in prayer, and 
 in mortification, thus addressed him : — 4 Father,' 
 said he, ' what a miserable condition is thine if 
 
 EL P 
 
170 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 there is not another world after this.' 'True, 
 my son,' answered the anchorite, 4 but what 
 will be thy state if there is?' 
 
 Without endeavouring to uphold, or even to 
 countenance that rigid and solitary species of 
 devotion, that leads its possessor from the duties 
 of his nature, and, to say the best of it, can only 
 be selfish ; yet the above answer conveys with 
 it an important truth, and may be supposed to 
 be addressed to any of those flighty mortals 
 that pass away their time without reflection, 
 and drown, in the giddy vortex of ceaseless 
 dissipation, the useful and serious ideas of 
 eternity. — (Cope's Anecdotes.) 
 
 EXTRACT FROM THE WRITINGS OF LUKE 
 HOWARD, OF DOVER. 
 
 On the Third day of the 8th Month, 1661, in 
 the night watch, upon my bed of straw and chaff, 
 in the common jail of Dover Castle, as I lay in 
 a sweet and comfortable sleep and rest, the hand 
 of my God fell upon me, and his sweet and com- 
 fortable presence awakened me, and so con- 
 tinued with me unto the morning watch ; in 
 which time the living presence of my God was 
 with me, and the comfortable fellowship of his 
 Holy Spirit accompanied me, so that my soul 
 was filled with his living presence, as with a 
 mighty river which did overflow the banks, so 
 that nothing appeared but joy and gladness, and 
 the streams of his everlasting virtue ran through 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 171 
 
 me exceeding swift j and as the dew from heaven 
 refresheth the tender grass, so was the plant of 
 God's renown refreshed in me, and gave glory 
 to Him that sitteth on the throne, the Ancient 
 of Days, and to the Lamb for evermore ; even so 
 saith my soul, and all that is within me ; yea, 
 praise ye the Lord, for he is worthy, even the 
 Lord God of life and light, of truth and righteous- 
 ness, the God of heaven and earth, whose dread- 
 ful presence will make the strong to bow, and 
 bring the lofty down, and rebuke the wicked 
 devices of the heart of man, and strike through 
 the liver of the oppressor as with a dart, and 
 none shall shift his hand ; before whose glorious 
 presence all must appear, and all flesh must be 
 silenced before him ; this is my God, I have 
 waited for him, and his appearance to me is as 
 the morning without clouds, and his beauty 
 hath taken my heart, and his comeliness hath 
 ravished my soul, and with his exceeding riches 
 hath he adorned my inward man, and his ever- 
 lasting strength is my salvation, even the Son 
 of his love, which was from everlasting to ever- 
 lasting, the same yesterday, to-day, and forever; 
 by whom he will judge the world in righteous- 
 ness, and the men thereof in truth, and no 
 covering of falsehood shall then hide any, but 
 all must stand naked and bare before him and 
 his holy angels, and the mighty host of redeemed 
 ones, the hundred and forty and four thousand 
 which he hath redeemed from the earth, who 
 shall sit upon the holy hill of Zion with new 
 songs in their mouths, and everlasting praises in 
 
 p2 
 
172 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 their hearts, who hath followed the Lamb where- 
 soever he hath gone, and have not loved their 
 lives unto death. These are the generation of 
 the just, yea, the general assembly of the first- 
 born, whose names are written in heaven ; the 
 just men whose spirits are made perfect, being 
 washed in the blood of the Lamb, yea, the Lamb 
 of God that hath taken away their sins, and 
 carried them into the land of forgetfulness, so 
 that they shall never be remembered more 
 against them. A new song of salvation is put 
 into their mouths, and joy and gladness is in 
 their souls, and everlasting praises are under 
 their tongues, and the voice of melody is in 
 their inward parts, and the voice or shout of 
 a king is in the midst of them for evermore ; 
 so that great is the shout of the living host, 
 which giveth all the glory and praises unto 
 the Ancient of Days, and to the Lamb that 
 lives for evermore. Even so, Amen, Amen ! 
 saith my soul. 
 
 WHAT IS THE PERFECTION OF LOVE? 
 
 To love our enemies ; to love them to that 
 extent that they may become our brethren ; to 
 love thine enemies, that thou mayest wish them 
 to become thy brethren ; to love thy enemies, 
 that they may be called into thy society ; for 
 thus did he love, who, as he hung upon the cross, 
 exclaimed, ' Father, forgive them ; they know 
 not what they do.' — (Augustine.) 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 173 
 
 THE CROSS. 
 
 A female Friend, being desired by a Roman 
 Catholic clergyman to put up the sign of the 
 cross, which was made use of by their party 
 during the rebellion in Ireland, in 1798, replied 
 that 'she could not do it, but hoped the Almighty 
 might be pleased to enable her to bear it.' 
 
 i COPIED FROM THE FIRST PAGE OF CHESTER- 
 FIELD MONTHLY MEETING BOOK. 
 
 This book was bought the 21st day of 12th 
 , month, 1672; the price was 2s. I0d., and is for 
 the use of the church and people of God, called 
 1 by his grace, and gathered and knit together by 
 and in his Spirit of light, life, and love, in which 
 we now meet and assemble together ; to wait 
 upon and worship the God and Father of our 
 Lord Jesus Christ ; who freely hath given unto 
 every one of us a measure of the Holy Ghost, 
 by which we come, and are in a measure coming, 
 unto the true knowledge of the mind and will 
 of God ; though we are a poor, unworthy, and 
 despised people, scattered amongst the rocky 
 mountains and dark valleys of the high peak 
 ; country, and were many of us convinced of 
 God's light, way, and truth in this same year 
 ; above said. Glory ! glory ! glory to the Lord 
 ; God of Israel ! who keeps covenant, and his 
 mercies endure for ever ; praises to his name 
 for ever, saith the soul of one of the poorest and 
 unworthiest of his little remnant. — (J. G.) 
 
 1*3 
 
174 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 ON THE DANGER OF SEEKING THE PRAISE OF 
 MAN MORE THAN THE GLORY OF GOD. 
 
 How applicable are the words of our Saviour to 
 the following remarkable relation — * Woe unto 
 you, when all men speak well of you' (Luke vi. 26). 
 It is taken from the Imperial Magazine for 12th 
 Month, 1819, and may be of use to every mini- 
 ster of the gospel. It is the substance of a 
 remarkable dream, related by R. Bowden, a 
 clergyman of Darwin, who committed it to writ- 
 ing from the lips of the person to whom the 
 dream happened, on the evening of 5th Month 
 13, 1813. 
 
 A popular minister whose name, from the 
 nature of the circumstance that occurred, it 
 will be needful to conceal, being much fatigued 
 at the conclusion of the afternoon service, re- 
 tired to his apartment, in order to take a little 
 rest. He had not long reclined on his couch, 
 before he fell asleep and began to dream. 
 
 He dreamed that, in walking into his garden, 
 he entered a bower that had been erected in 
 it, where he sat down to read and meditate. 
 While thus employed, he thought he heard 
 some person enter the garden, and leaving his 
 bower, he hastened towards the spot where the 
 sound seemed to come from, in order to dis- 
 cover who it was that had entered. He had 
 not proceeded far before he saw a particular 
 friend, of his, a gospel minister of considerable 
 talent, who had rendered himself very popular 
 by his zealous and unwearied exertions in the 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 175 
 
 cause of Christ. On approaching his friend, 
 he* was surprised to find that his countenance 
 was covered with a gloom to which it had not 
 been accustomed, and that it strongly indicated 
 a violent agitation of mind, apparently arising 
 from conscious remorse. After the usual salu- 
 tations had passed, his friend asked the relater 
 the time of day ; to which he replied, ' Twenty- 
 five minutes past three.' On which, this his 
 friend said, 1 It is only one hour since I died, 
 and now I am damned ! ' 1 Damned ! for what ?' 
 inquired the dreaming minister. ' It is not 
 because I have not preached the gospel, neither 
 is it because I have not been rendered useful, 
 for I have now many seals to my ministry who 
 can bear testimony to the truth as it is in 
 Jesus, which they have received from my lips ; 
 but it is because I have been accumulating to 
 myself the applause of men, more than the 
 honour which cometh from above, and verily I 
 have my reward! 7 Having uttered these ex- 
 pressions, he hastily disappeared, and was seen 
 no more. 
 
 The minister, suddenly awaking, with the 
 contents of this dream deeply engraven on his 
 memory, proceeded towards his chapel, in order 
 to conduct the evening service. On his way 
 thither, he was accosted by a friend, who in- 
 quired 1 if he had heard of the severe loss the 
 church had sustained in the death of that able 
 minister V He replied 1 No ;' but, being much 
 affected at this intelligence, he inquired of 
 him the day, and the time of the day, when his 
 
176 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 departure took place. To this his friend re- 
 plied, * This afternoon, at twenty-five minutes past 
 three o'clock V 
 
 LINES ON BAPTISM. 
 
 WRITTEN BY A CLERGYMAN, WHO SECEDED FROM THE 
 ESTABLISHMENT ON CONSCIENTIOUS GROUNDS. 
 
 NI^ON ANOMHMATA MH MONAN OYIN. 
 
 [This inscription, which reads the same hackward or forward, is copied 
 from the font in 'Harlow Church,' Essex; and, heing interpreted, 
 means, 'Wash your sins — not merely your face.' The like sentence 
 may be found, also, in Sandbach church, Cheshire.] 
 
 These words, which we in Harlow Church survey, 
 
 May sound instruction to the mind convey. 
 
 God is a spirit, who regards the heart ; 
 
 Trust not in outward rites ; from Popes depart ! 
 
 The line (in Greek) at either end begins — ( 
 
 Not merely wash your face, but cleanse your sins. 
 
 A priest, in vain, your person will baptize, 
 
 While you the holy laws of God despise. 
 
 Alas ! on Britain's highly- favoured ground, 
 
 How many baptized infidels are found ! 
 
 And though they, afterwards confirmed may be, 
 
 It proves too often in iniquity ; 
 
 As sepulchres without, appearing white, 
 
 Exhibiting within a ghastly sight. 
 
 The lesson taught, in compass short, is plain, 
 
 That in religion outward forms are vain, 
 
 Unless, to God omniscient, we appear 
 
 Renew'd in conduct, and in heart sincere. 
 
 How many are, baptized with water, seen, 
 
 Who never have regenerated been ! 
 
 Yet charter'd priests, perversely, have maintain'd 
 
 That, with the first, the last is always gain'd. 
 
 A short reflection weigh'd, the truth may teach, 
 
 The heart is hid beyond the water's reach ; 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 177 
 
 The Holy Spirit, therefore, must apply 
 • His energy, the soul to purify. 
 The blood of Christ, received by faith, alone 
 Can cleanse the soul, and for our sins atone. 
 And they who die in infancy, we trust, 
 Are, through his merits, number'd with the just. 
 Though men may sprinkle water on the face, 
 We must be born by supernatural grace ; 
 A boon which (though baptized) some never know, 
 As by their life they manifestly show. 
 It may suffice to mark what Paul has penn'd, 
 The doctrine of our thesis to defend ; 
 The second chapter (in conclusion) search, 
 Which he directed to the Roman church, 
 Therein, without a veil, believers view 
 Who truly is, in God's esteem, a Jew ; 
 But God the Spirit must give eyes to see, 
 Or his own Word a sun in clouds will be. 
 He from our eyes must nature's film remove, 
 That we the beauty of his work may prove ; 
 We then shall water baptism no more 
 Misname regeneration as before ; 
 Shall see the need of being born again — 
 Not born of water, sprinkled here by men, 
 But of the Holy Spirit, from on high, 
 While by his influence to sin we die ; 
 Old errors then no more will cloud our view, 
 But joyful we shall sing, ' Lo, all things new ! ' 
 Then Popish dogmas will to truth give place, 
 Self-righteousness subside, and sovereign grace, 
 From every hallow'd lip will loudly sound, 
 And Christ alone with glory will be crown'd. 
 
 S. J. 
 
 THOUGHTS ON PUBLIC WORSHIP. 
 
 The following remarks on the manner of public 
 worship amongst Christians, were written by 
 Dr. Guistiniani, a foreign clergyman or minister, 
 whilst on a visit to London. They contain a 
 
178 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 word for professors of many forms of religion, 
 and may be considered as a very valuable tes- 
 timony against the excitement of the senses in 
 the performance of Divine worship. 
 
 It is not without diffidence that I attempt to 
 speak of the feelings of joy and grief which 
 have many times pervaded my heart, when 
 assisting at the public worship of Protestant 
 churches of different Christian denominations ; 
 not that I have any doubt of the truth of what 
 I am about to dwell on — but of myself. I feel 
 at this moment the greatness and the almighty 
 power of God, and the feebleness of man, whose 
 voice can have no power if it be not the echo 
 of the eternal voice of the great I am ! 
 
 I entered within the walls of the high cathe- 
 drals, with their gigantic towers and gothic 
 architecture ; there I saw the ceremonies per- 
 formed with all the splendour of outward pomp ; 
 festoons, and drapery, and surplices ; highly 
 wrought pulpits, multicoloured windows ; the 
 vault reverberating with the peals of the organ, 
 the melodious voices of the children, the deep 
 chant, and the majestic chorus. I saw their 
 ritual, the mitre, and the crosier ; my eye was 
 charmed, but my heart — alas ! my heart re- 
 mained cold and oppressed. In vain there I 
 sought my crucified Redeemer — I beheld this 
 as a Protestantism brought forth by the power 
 of the world, which neither Luther nor Calvin, 
 nor other reformers, had ever contemplated ; 
 as a bastard produced by the union of interested 
 men ; as a weak and vacillating child, disguised 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 179 
 
 in the armour of Christianity ; as a negative 
 Protestantism ; an easy pillow on which to rest 
 with pleasure, and sleep the sleep of death ; as 
 a Protestantism, alas ! created but for painters 
 and poets ! I left the place with tears in my 
 eyes, crying, « Ichabod ; the glory is departed, 
 for the ark of God is taken ! They forgot God 
 their Saviour ; they believed not his word, and 
 hearkened not unto the voice of the Lord,' but 
 unto man ; ' God desired not sacrifices, but a 
 broken spirit ; a broken and a contrite heart 
 he will not despise.' He desired not exterior 
 worships, not chants and notes, but the per- 
 fume, the harmony of a thankful, of a sensible 
 heart, 'of a heart of flesh.' 
 
 In going along the street, and meditating on 
 what I had witnessed, and on the feelings pro- 
 duced in my heart, I was aroused by songs, 
 neither so studied nor so melodious as those 
 which I had left, but which appeared to be 
 emanations of the heart ; I felt myself attracted, 
 and was induced to enter the house where they 
 proceeded from. An old violincello was the 
 leading instrument ; girls and boys, who had 
 never seen a note, were the choristers ; the 
 people not only unacquainted with music, but 
 apparently deficient in the taste of that art, 
 accompanied them inharmoniously. New feel- 
 ings came over my soul : I asked myself, is this 
 worshipping God ? Are sounds like these agree- 
 able to God ? Is it a means of salvation for the 
 perishing souls of men ? Has Jesus commanded 
 it ? or, is it a copying after the great cathedrals ? 
 
180 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 In the time that my mind was occupied in 
 putting these questions the hymn had ceased, 
 and the preacher had begun to pray. The 
 people answered with groanings, but not those 
 
 * groanings which cannot be uttered ; ' they 
 were with utterable groanings, Amen! Glory be 
 to God ! Blessed be God ! My mind was dis- 
 turbed, and my heart neither elevated nor 
 edified ; the senses were excited, but that calm 
 was not produced in my spirit so indispensable 
 in the presence of the eternal Judge of the earth. 
 I asked a man who was near me, if the Lord 
 was deaf, that they prayed so loud ? He replied, 
 
 * The Lord is not deaf, but we think that you 
 are deaf.' Then I adored my crucified Re- 
 deemer with all my heart, and magnified the 
 operations of his works of grace which he has 
 done for me. I blessed his name, that through 
 his tender mercy my ears were shut to the 
 wisdom of man, and opened to the voice of the 
 good Shepherd. I felt that such a worship ex- 
 cited the senses, and * quenched the Spirit;' 
 that Christianity became a work of man and 
 not of grace. Salvation must come from * our 
 God which sitteth upon the throne, and the 
 Lamb. ' When the voice arises from a penitent 
 heart, and not from the excitement of our 
 neighbour, it will be sanctified 4 of the Spirit 
 unto obedience, and sprinkling of the blood of 
 Jesus Christ! by whom we have access by faith 
 into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in 
 hope of the glory of God.' 
 
 After the service was over, I joined in con- 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 181 
 
 versation with two pious ladies. One said, ' How 
 delightful the serniou was ! 1 The other replied, 
 ' 0 it was beautiful !' I asked them what their 
 souls had profited by it, and what thej remem- 
 bered which could improve their mind? Neither 
 answered; but after a short pause one groaned 
 and sighed, and the other said, ' I hope we have 
 profited something.' But I could evidently see 
 that my fair companions were pleased without 
 receiving spiritual or intellectual benefit ; they 
 were entertained, but not edified ; delighted, 
 but not instructed. I said afterwards to those 
 ladies, ' The reason which your preacher ad- 
 duced may persuade the mind, but not convince 
 the heart ; intellect must have its proofs, the 
 heart equally its demonstrations and evidences; 
 and they do not consist in trepidations, and in 
 thumping the Bible, but in the power of that 
 Word, of that " two-edged sword, piercing even 
 to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and 
 of the joints and marrow!" Yes, in a renewed 
 heart only reside the qualifications of a true 
 Christian, and not in groaning and Amens ; it 
 is faith, love, hope, assurance in the promises 
 of our blessed Jesus, which unite believers " in 
 spirit and in truth ;" and in the Spirit we are 
 better instructed than by the reasoning of man ; 
 because we have the consoling promise of the 
 Holy Scriptures, that "God had revealed them 
 unto us by his Spirit, and the Spirit judgeth 
 all things." In a renewed heart only,' I 
 continued. 1 reside these qualifications which 
 support them with patience amid the tempta- 
 n. Q 
 
182 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 tions of their life ; it is from the heart that the 
 most elevated sentiments, the most noble effects, 
 the most magnanimous actions generate. From 
 this source springs the precious tear-drops of 
 tenderness and pity, of joy and consolation. 
 Through the heart the pleasures of this life are 
 rendered precious, while its evils find comfort 
 and alleviation. The gospel is a work of the 
 heart and not of the mind; " A new heart also 
 will I give you, a new spirit will I put within 
 you," said the Lord by his prophet; but he said 
 nothing of the head.' Thus conversing we ar- 
 rived at the dwelling where these ladies resided, 
 and we separated with very goodChristian feeling. 
 
 The following Lord's Day one of my friends 
 came to conduct me to a chapel, to hear an 
 eloquent preacher from the country ; a storm 
 prevented us from going as far as the desired 
 chapel, and we were obliged to take shelter in 
 a meeting-house of the Society of Friends. In 
 sitting down and looking around, I involuntarily 
 made a contrast between the beautiful music of 
 the splendid cathedral, the vociferation of the 
 chapel, and the solemn silence of this place of 
 worship ; where they who worshipped ' in spirit 
 and in truth, and with patience, wait for that 
 which we see not.' The luxury of the Gothic 
 temple, the insignificance of the chapel, and 
 simplicity and neatness of the place I was in, 
 combined to absorb my every thought. That 
 passage which says, 'Where two or three are 
 gathered together in my name, there am I in 
 the midst of them,' forcibly occurred to my 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 183 
 
 mind ; and I was deeply impressed with the 
 truth, that our blessed Redeemer cometh not in 
 the midst of us by groans and exclamations, or 
 even by the concordance of sweet sounds, but 
 ' for his name's sake.' I was so transported 
 with joy from this silent worship, so elevated 
 upon the wings of faith in a sublimer sphere, 
 that I said in my heart, if the union in spirit 
 and in truth of the children of God is so sweet 
 here below, what will it be when we shall wor- 
 ship before the throne of God with the great 
 congregation ; with the cherubim of glory ; with 
 the angels and the redeemed from the earth ; 
 with the prophets and apostles ? what joy we 
 shall experience when we shall ' enter into the 
 temple of God, and never depart, but serve him 
 day and night;' when we shall sin no more there, 
 neither expose to God our wants and miseries, 
 because ' there shall be hunger no more, neither 
 thirst any more, for the Lamb which is in the 
 midst of the throne shall feed us; and there 
 shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor cry- 
 ing ; neither shall there be any more pain ; for 
 the former things are passed away, and all things 
 made new.' In those meditations, without being 
 interrupted, the congregation rose, shook hands 
 with one another very heartily, except with me. 
 I felt displeased to be considered by them as a 
 stranger at the moment that I had worshipped 
 with them before the throne of grace, when I was 
 united with them truly in the spirit of Christ. 
 
 In going out, my friend, who was more accus- 
 tomed to a noisy sacrifice than to that of the 
 
 (i2 
 
184 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 contrite heart, said, ' Have jou noticed " the 
 dumb dogs?" they appeared as if they were all 
 dead.' I asked him what had been the subject 
 of meditation with him the whole time? He 
 answered, * Nothing ! I like a good sermon 
 and a lively prayer. They seemed to me as if 
 they were sleeping ; do they not pray ?' On 
 my answering that they did, but that they were 
 waiting for the Spirit, he said, ' How can they 
 know that they have the Spirit ? And where 
 does the Bible teach the church to meet together 
 without saying anything?' 
 
 I replied, it is impossible for me to answer so 
 many questions at once ; but, if you will allow 
 me, I will endeavour to give you reasons from 
 what I have gleaned from the Bible ; though, as 
 you are aware, I am not one of their body. You 
 ask me, Why they do not pray ? 
 
 How can you say that they do not pray ? 
 Prayer is nothing more than an elevation of the 
 soul towards God, in paying homage of adoration 
 and gratitude to him ; or a humiliation of our 
 hearts before the throne of grace, to implore 
 his pardon and assistance; this is properly that 
 which constitutes prayer. I know that the ele- 
 vation of a sanctified soul, or the humiliation of 
 a contrite heart, can be expressed in words, but 
 words are nothing, if they are not the sincere 
 testimony of the feelings of the heart. If a man 
 meditates on the infinite attributes of God, and 
 on the nothingness of self, and feels profound 
 adoration in his affected heart — behold, he has 
 prayed ! If he elevates his eyes to the Most 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 185 
 
 Holy, and the uneasiness of his conscience 
 moves his heart to feel his sins, and hastens 
 his mind to his Father which is in heaven, to 
 bless his mercy, to implore his favour — behold, 
 he has prayed ! The thought only of the benefits 
 of God, of the unworthiness of man; of his 
 justice and our rebellion ; the immense riches 
 of his grace, and of the profound misery of 
 human nature, a sigh escapes from his heart — 
 behold, he has prayed ! The penetration only 
 of deep feeling, of repentance and gratitude, 
 and the desire to approach his Maker with the 
 greatest confidence, through the intercession of 
 Jesus Christ — behold, he has prayed! A sinner 
 subdued by the influence of the Spirit of God, 
 and soaring freely with the sentiments which 
 fill his bosom — behold, he has prayed ! A 
 sinner who is desirous to bless his Redeemer, 
 to confess his disobedience, to intrust his misery 
 to him ' who searches the heart, and tries the 
 reins of man,' and finding no words to express 
 his love to him 'who had before loved us,' his 
 swollen heart redoubles its palpitations, his 
 eyes become involuntary fountains, and fixed 
 on the blessed cross of justice and love — has 
 he not prayed ? The intensity of our feelings 
 towards those we love is at times so over- 
 powering, that words fail to convey it ; how 
 can you say, then, that a people who wait in 
 silence for the Spirit of God, to incite them to 
 the utterance of their feelings, are dead ; that 
 they are asleep ? Or, how can you ask, Why 
 they do not pray ? 
 
186 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 Your second question is not less futile than 
 the first. ' How can they know when they have 
 the Spirit?' How can you know that you are 
 in life, but by the effects which the living power 
 produces in your body — the activity of the 
 senses ? It is the same with the spiritual life ; 
 ' where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.' 
 A Quaker, who feels liberty to speak of the 
 goodness and mercies of God, and to soar with 
 his soul to his crucified Redeemer, has certainly 
 the Spirit of our blessed Jesus. 
 
 One of the effects of the Spirit is also faith. 
 Like a child that is never suspicious of its nurse, 
 and believes with all its heart the most extra- 
 ordinary things that are related to it ; in whose 
 mind the idea never enters that it can be deceived ; 
 so the Spirit of God is a spirit of faith, which 
 bends natural resistance to the truth, humbles 
 pride, and makes it submissive to his holy will, 
 to believe in his Word, without suspicion of that 
 Word. ' Thus saith the Lord ! ' dissipates all 
 doubts and objections; and the greatest use he 
 thinks to make of his reason is, to cease to 
 reason with the infallible and eternal One, and 
 to submit like the child to its nurse, believing 
 God to be a greater philosopher than man. 
 
 Charity and love are another sensible effect of 
 the Spirit of God ; and as the visible thing can 
 only be enjoyed through the senses, so the spi- 
 ritual thing can only be discerned through the 
 Spirit. ' God revealed them unto us by his 
 Spirit ; for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, 
 the deep things of God.' You may ask, is the 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 187 
 
 power of music, of chants and songs, to excite 
 or to produce faith, charity, and love in our 
 hearts ? No ! ' God alone revealed them unto 
 us by his Spirit.' As the source of the spring 
 is not to be found in the roaring of the torrent, 
 but in the silent forest, so the Spirit of God is 
 not manifested in the boisterous movements of 
 our senses and passions, but in holy patience, 
 and silent waiting on that ' Spirit who helpeth 
 our infirmities, and maketh intercession for us.' 
 
 Your third question is equally simple : — 
 ' Where is it in the Bible that the church shall 
 come together, remain, and separate, without 
 saying anything V 
 
 Where is it found in the Bible that there 
 should be external trappings, surplices, and 
 mitres, violincellos, and chantings ? Jesus has 
 taught us by his example the way we ought to 
 pray : 1 Before day he went out and departed 
 into a solitary place, and there he prayed.' 
 Separated from the contentions of the world, re- 
 tired in our heart, and solitary as at Gethsemane, 
 we should 1 watch and pray always, with sup- 
 plication in the Spirit.' 1 Let none that wait 
 on thee be ashamed, then their strength is to be 
 still,' says the Scripture. If the association of 
 man had such a moral influence on our social 
 life, that we should flee the bad and seek the 
 good, how salutary must be the holy company 
 of our blessed Jesus, with whom we have retired 
 in the secret of our heart, to receive those 
 4 things which God hath prepared for them that 
 love him?' Ah ! a soul centered in itself, and 
 
188 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 united with its Saviour, should ' tribulation, or 
 distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, 
 or peril,' or the voice of his conscience, make 
 desolate his heart, jet he will be more than con- 
 queror through him that before loved us. We 
 have no want of music to excite our senses, for 
 we carry Divine harmony in our hearts ; it is 
 ' Jesus who is all in all. ' We have no want of 
 sermons, it is our blessed Jesus who speaks, who 
 instructs, who edifies ; it is no longer the voice 
 of man which elevates us to the heavenly sphere; 
 it is God who descends to man, who brings the 
 heaven in our heart. We are ' like a tree 
 planted by the rivers of waters, that bringeth 
 forth his fruit in his season.' Like a plant, 
 planted in a fertile ground, and nourished by its 
 root, so is the sweet plant of faith rooted in our 
 Redeemer, from whence we receive joy and 
 peace, consolation and comfort, hope and life. 
 Like the calyx of a flower, which opens itself to 
 the beneficial rays of the sun ; so from the in- 
 fluence of the Sun of Righteousness the heart 
 becomes inflamed ; its lukewarmness changed 
 into zeal, the zeal into faith, the faith into love 
 and hope. A sinner retired, silently waiting 
 for the Spirit of God, is like a plant which, in 
 the stilly night, is refreshed by the dew of 
 heaven ; his heart is revived and renewed by 
 
 the influence of the Spirit of God 
 
 In conclusion, I said to my friend, that it was 
 our duty to pray for every church, of whatever 
 denomination it miglit be, that the Lord might 
 multiply his blessings upon them, and that they 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 189 
 
 might grow from grace to grace, and the Spirit 
 of God fill their hearts ; that every member 
 might be a temple of the Holy Ghost, and that 
 all their doings might be for the glory of God, 
 for the salvation of their souls, and the advance- 
 ment of the kingdom of Christ. — ( The Christian 
 Witness.) 
 
 DEVOTION; SILENT PRAYER. 
 
 Devotion of mind is itself a silent prayer, which 
 wants not to be clothed in words that God may 
 better know our desires. — (Smallridge, Bishop 
 of Bristol.) 
 
 THE LIFE OF A HAPPY MAN. 
 
 The Happy Man was born in the city of Rege- 
 neration, in the parish of Repentance-unto-Life ; 
 he was educated in the School of Obedience, and 
 now dwells in the Plains of Perseverance ; he 
 works at the Trade of Diligence, notwithstand- 
 ing he has a large estate in the Country of 
 Christian Contentment, and many times labours 
 in the Fields of Self-denial ; he wears the plain 
 Garment of Humility, but has a better suit to 
 put on when he goes to Court, called the Robe 
 of Christ's Righteousness ; he often walks in 
 the Valley of Self-abasement, and sometimes 
 climbs the Mountains of Spiritual-mindedness ; 
 he breakfasts every morning on Spiritual prayer, 
 and sups every evening on the same ; he has 
 meat to eat which the world knows not of, and 
 his drink is the sincere Milk of the Word ; 
 
190 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 thus happy he lives, and happy he dies ; and 
 happy are all who live like him, having Gospel 
 Submission in their Wills, due order in their 
 Affections, Sound Peace in their Conscience, 
 Satisfying Grace in their Souls, Real Divinity 
 in their Hearts, a Vain World under their Feet, 
 and a Crown of Immortal Glory over their 
 Heads ; in order to obtain which, pray fer- 
 vently, believe firmly, wait patiently, watch 
 abundantly, live holily, die daily, guide your 
 senses, redeem your time, love Christ, and long 
 for his glory. 
 
 ADAM CLARKE ON DANCING. 
 
 Dancing was to me a very perverting influence, 
 an unmixed moral evil ; for although, by the 
 mercy of God, it led me not to depravity of 
 manners, it greatly weakened the moral prin- 
 ciple, drowned the voice of a well-instructed 
 conscience, and was the first cause of impelling 
 me to seek my happiness in this life. Every- 
 thing yielded to the disposition it had produced, 
 and everything was absorbed by it. I have it 
 justly in abhorrence for the injury it did me ; 
 and I can testify (as far as my observations 
 have extended, and they have had a pretty 
 wide range), I have known it to produce more 
 or less of the same evils in others that it did 
 in me. I consider it, therefore, as a branch of 
 that worldly education which leads from heaven 
 to earth, from things spiritual to things sensual, 
 and from God to Satan ; let them plead for it 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 191 
 
 who will, I know it to be evil, and that only. 
 They who bring up their children in this way, 
 or send them to schools where dancing is taught, 
 are consecrating them to the service of Moloch, 
 and cultivating the passions, so as to cause them 
 to bring forth the seeds of a fallen nature, with 
 an additional rankness, deep-rooted inveteracy, 
 and inexhaustible fertility. ' Nemo sobrius saltatS 
 'no man in his senses will dance,' said Cicero, 
 a heathen ; shame on those Christians who ad- 
 vocate a cause by which many sons have 
 become profligate, and many daughters have 
 been ruined. 
 
 THE WRESTLING CHAMPION. 
 
 ' At London,' says Sewell the historian, 'there 
 is a custom in summer-time, when the evening 
 approaches, and tradesmen leave off working, 
 that many lusty fellows meet in the fields, to 
 try their skill and strength in wrestling, where 
 generally a multitude of people stand gazing in 
 a ring. 
 
 1 Xow it so fell out, that Edward Burrough 
 passed by the place where they were wrestling, 
 and standing still among the spectators, saw 
 how a strong and dexterous fellow had already 
 thrown three others, and was waiting for a 
 fourth champion, if any durst venture to enter 
 the lists. At length, none being bold enough 
 to try, Edward Burrough stepped into the ring, 
 which was commonly made up of all sorts of 
 people ; and having looked upon the wrestler 
 
192 
 
 SKLECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 with a serious countenance, the man was not 
 a little surprised, instead of an airy antagonist, 
 to meet with a grave and awful young man ; 
 and all stood amazed as it were at this sight, 
 eagerly expecting what would be the issue of 
 this combat. But it was quite another fight 
 Edward Burrougli aimed at. For having al- 
 ready fought against spiritual wickedness, that 
 had once prevailed over him, and having over- 
 come in measure, by the grace of God, he now 
 endeavoured also to fight against it in others, 
 and to turn them from the evil of their ways. 
 With this intention, he began very seriously to 
 speak to the bystanders, and that with such a 
 heart-piercing power, that he was heard by the 
 mixed multitude, with no less attention than 
 admiration ; for his speech tended to turn them 
 from darkness to the Jight, and from the power 
 of Satan unto God. To effect this he laboured 
 with convincing words, showing how God had 
 not left himself without a witness, but had 
 given to man a measure of his grace, and en- 
 lightened every one with the light of Christ. 
 
 ' Thus zealously he preached ; and though 
 many might look upon this as a novelty, yet it 
 was of such effect, that some were convinced 
 of the truth ; for he was a breaker of stony 
 hearts, and therefore, by a certain author, not 
 unjustly called "a son of thunder ;" though he 
 omitted not in due season to speak a word of 
 consolation to those that were of a broken 
 heart, and of a contrite spirit.' — (Barclay's 
 Anecdotes.) 
 
SELbCT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 THE MARCH OF REFINEMENT. 
 
 'In a form so attractive, the following lines may catch the eye, and 
 enchain the attention of some, who would, perhaps, pass over them 
 without notice, if in another garb." 
 
 Sons and daughters of Fox, from your slumber? awake ye, 
 
 No longer in listless indulgence recline ! 
 From the fetters of sloth and luxury break ye, 
 
 And put on your beautiful garments, and shine. 
 
 Time was when your fathers, in wisdom grown hoary, 
 In their doublet of leather, the pilgrim's ru<le guise, 
 
 Contemning the pride of this world and its glory, 
 Pursued their rough path of reproach to the :«kies. 
 
 Unletter'd as they, who on Judah's lone mountain, 
 By her wind-ruffled lake, in deep forest or glen, 
 
 Drawing waters of life from salvation's blest fountain, 
 Surrounded the houseless Redeemer of men. 
 
 Tour sires, by his Spirit's best influence guided, 
 Regardless of dangers, of prisons, and death ; 
 
 Alike by the sage, and thetrirler derided, 
 
 Look'd o'er this vain world with the keen eye of faith. 
 
 From the lure of false glory, false happiness turning, 
 With the courage of martyrs they follow'd their Lord ; 
 
 Their loins girded close, and their lamps brightly burning, 
 Unceasing they publish'd his life-giving word. 
 
 Those days are long past, and new light rises o'er us, 
 No longer we suffer such hardships and loss ; 
 
 The 1 March of Refinement ' now opens upon us, 
 And points other way than the way of the cross. 
 
 No longer we talk of meek patient endurance, 
 
 Of low self-denial and watchful restraint ; 
 But of confident hope and exulting assurance, 
 
 And the triumphs that wait on the steps of the saint. 
 
 Knowledge waves her light wand, and poor wandering mortals 
 No longer a rugged and thorny road trace, 
 
 The gate that was strait now unfolds its wide portals, 
 The way once so narrow expands into space, 
 n. r 
 
194 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 Religion has softened her features ; around her 
 The attractions of taste and of fancy are shed ; 
 
 The arts, with their graceful adornments, surround her, 
 And weave a rich veil for her delicate head. 
 
 Our maidens, no longer their homely task plying, 
 That once could adorn the grave matrons of yore, 
 
 Are all in each liberal accomplishment vying, 
 And high on the pinions of sentiment soar. 
 
 See our Scrap-books and Albums of curious adorning, 
 The offerings of friendship so richly unfold ; 
 
 E'en the Yearly Epistle, its humble garb scorning,* 
 Now sparkles in silver, or blazes in gold. 
 
 'Tis true there are some who these flow'ry paths fearing, 
 
 Again and again tell us plainly we stray, 
 Who the standard of ancient simplicity rearing, 
 
 Exhort us to pause and consider the way. 
 
 But many, though granting their honest intentions, 
 Deem them rigid, and narrow, of prejudiced mind, 
 
 And believe that midst thousands of modern inventions, 
 Some happy expedient yet we shall find. 
 
 To reconcile things in their nature discordant,' 
 
 Inclinations and duty no longer at strife ; 
 Religion with luxury kindly accordant-~ 
 
 The peace of the soul with the pride of this life. 
 
 Vain hope of blind man ! his fond self-deceiving, 
 
 Whilst immutably true stands the Saviour's own word ; f 
 
 Happy they, who its sacred assurance receiving, 
 In lowliness follow their crucified Lord ! 
 
 POPULARITY. 
 George Fox, speaking of his travels in America, 
 remarks : At another place I heard some of the 
 
 * Alluding to an elegant edition of the Yearly Meeting's 
 Epistle, printed some years ago, by certain individuals, in 
 gilt and silver letters, on fine glazed paper ! 
 
 f 1 Ye cannot serve two masters ' (Matt. vi. 24). 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 195 
 
 magistrates say among themselves, 'If they had 
 money enough they woul^l hire me to be their 
 minister:' this was where they did not well 
 understand us, or our principles. But when I 
 heard of it, I said, it was time for me to be 
 gone ; for if their eye was so much to me or 
 any of us, they would not come to their own 
 teacher. For this thing, namely, hiring ministers, 
 had spoiled many, by hindering them from im- 
 proving their own talents ; whereas our labour 
 is to bring every one to their own teacher in them- 
 selves, 1 Jn. ii. 27. In the days of the apostles, 
 when some were crying up Paul and Apollos, 
 and so forth, Paul judged them as carnal ; and 
 exhorted and admonished them that their faith 
 should not stand in men, nor in the words of 
 man's wisdom, but in the power of God (1 Co. 
 ii. 5). He said, He would not know the speech of 
 them, but the power amongst them ; for the king- 
 dom of God is not in word, but in power (1 Co. 
 iv. 19). So it is to be now. Every one's faith 
 must stand in the power of God, and not in 
 men, nor their speeches upon the good words. 
 For we have seen by experience, when they 
 begin to cry up men, their faith stands in them ; 
 and such as would have people's faith to stand 
 in them, love popularity, and bring not people's 
 faith to stand in the power of God. Such 
 neither exalt Christ, nor preach Christ, but 
 themselves. 
 
 The apostle Paul, in writing to the Corinthians, 
 testifies, in speaking of himself and his fellow- 
 labourers in the gospel, ' Our sufficiency is of 
 
 r2 
 
196 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 God, who hath made us able ministers' (2 Co. 
 iii. 5), and exhorts that their 'faith should not 
 stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of 
 God' (1 Co. ii. 5). — (George Fox's Journal, <&c.) 
 
 THE HAT OF A QUAKER. 
 
 While I was in London (sajs Thomas Ellwood), 
 I went to a little meeting of Friends, which was 
 then held in the house of one Humphrey Bache, 
 a goldsmith in Tower Street. It was then a very 
 troublesome time, not from the Government, but 
 from the rabble of boys and rude people, who, 
 upon the turn of the times, at the return of the 
 King, took liberty to be very abusive. 
 
 When the meeting ended, a pretty number of 
 these unruly folks were got together at the door, 
 ready to receive the Friends as they came forth, 
 not only with evil words, but with blows ; which 
 I saw they bestowed freely on some of them that 
 were gone out before me, and expected I should 
 have my share when I came amongst them. 
 But quite contrary to my expectation, when I 
 came out, they said one to another, 'Let him 
 alone ; don't meddle with him ; he is no Quaker, 
 I'll warrant you.' This struck me, and was 
 worse to me than if they had laid their fists on 
 me, as they did on others. I was troubled to 
 think what the matter was, or what these rude 
 people saw in me, that made them not take me 
 for a Quaker. And upon close examination of 
 myself, with respect to my habit and deport- 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 197 
 
 merit, I could not find anything to place it on, 
 but that I had then on my head a large mountier 
 cap of black velvet, the skirt of which being 
 turned up in folds, looked, it seems, somewhat 
 above the common garb of a Quaker ; and this 
 put me out of conceit with my cap. — (T. E.'s 
 Life.) 
 
 WRITTEN ON FIRST ATTENDING FRIENDS 
 MEETINGS. 
 ' Their strength is to sit still.' 
 
 And have at length my wand'ring feet, 
 
 Been led to where thy servants meet ! 
 
 How sweet to sit in silence there, 
 
 And offer up the secret prayer ! 
 
 O ! soften, Lord, this heart of steel, 
 
 And let me thy sweet mercy feel ; 
 
 Disperse the clouds of every sin, 
 
 And love Divine reveal within. 
 
 What though no preacher "s voice should sound, 
 
 Yet oft a still small voice is found 
 
 To whisper comfort, and impart 
 
 Its secret teachings to the heart : 
 
 Teachings by which Almighty grace 
 
 Trains up the soul to holiness, 
 
 Bids all our sins and sorrows cease, 
 
 And calms the mind with heavenly peace. 
 
 Then, silence, solemn silence, reign ! 
 
 Be still, my soul, thy thoughts restrain \ 
 
 Strength may'st thou find in sitting still, 
 
 And thus be taught th' Almighty's will. 
 
 (H. Shepherd.) 
 
 REMARKABLE CONVERSION OF A FEMALE 
 CRIMINAL. 
 
 William Benhit, an early and eminent member 
 of our Society, was a prisoner for conscience 
 
 B 3 
 
198 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 sake iii Bury jail, in the year 1668. One day 
 whilst there, he seriously accosted a young 
 woman who was a criminal, and asked her 
 whether, during the course of her life, she had 
 not many times transgressed against her con- 
 science ? and whether she had not often there- 
 upon felt some secret checks and inward re- 
 proofs, and been troubled in her mind on account 
 of the evil committed ? This he did in such a 
 convincing way, that she not only assented to 
 what he had laid before her, but, her heart 
 being reached by his discourse, came clearly to 
 see that if she had not been so stubborn and 
 disobedient to those inward reproofs, in all 
 probability she would not have come to such a 
 miserable fall as she now had. For man, not 
 desiring the knowledge of God's ways, and de- 
 parting from him, is left helpless, and cannot 
 keep himself from evil, even though it be such 
 as he would formerly have abhorred in the 
 highest degree, and have said with Hazael, 
 * What ! is thy servant a dog, that he should do 
 this great thing V (2 Kings viii. 13.) 
 
 William Benuit, thus opening matters to her 
 by his wholesome admonitions, so wrought upon 
 her mind, that she who never had conversed 
 with the Quakers, and was altogether ignorant 
 of their doctrine, now came to apprehend that 
 it was ' the grace of God that bringeth salva- 
 tion,' which she had so often withstood ; and 
 that this grace had not yet quite forsaken her, 
 but now made her sensible of the greatness of 
 her transgression. This consideration weighed 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 199 
 
 so powerfully with her, that from a most griev- 
 ous sinner she became a true penitent, and with 
 hearty sorrow she cried unto the Lord, that it 
 might please him not to hide his countenance. 
 And continuing in this state of humiliation and 
 sincere repentance, and persevering in suppli- 
 cation, she felt in time some ease ; and at length 
 attained to a sure hope of forgiveness by the 
 precious blood of the immaculate Lamb, who 
 came into the world to save sinners, and call 
 them to repentance, who died also for the sins 
 of the world. 
 
 Of her change, she gave manifest proofs at 
 her trial before Judge Hale, who having heard 
 how penitent she was, would fain have spared 
 her, and accordingly had on purpose got the 
 wosds, 'willfully and designedly,' inserted in 
 the indictment, that from thence she might find 
 occasion to deny the charge, and so to quash 
 the indictment. But she, being asked accord- 
 ing to the form, 1 Guilty or not guilty ?' readily 
 answered, 'Guilty.' This astonished the judge, 
 and he told her that she seemed not duly to 
 consider what she said ; since it could not well 
 be believed that such a one as she, who it 
 might be inconsiderately, had handled her child 
 roughly, should have killed it wilfully and de- 
 signedly. Here the judge opened a back door 
 for her to avoid the penalty of death. 
 
 But now the fear of God had got so much 
 room in her heart, that no tampering would do, 
 no fig-leaves could serve her for a cover, for she 
 knew now that this would have been adding sin 
 
200 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 to sin, ' and to cover herself with a covering, but 
 not of God's Spirit' (Isa. xxx. 1.) And there- 
 fore she plainly signified to the court, that in- 
 deed she had committed the mischievous act 
 intentionally ; and that she having sinned thus 
 grievously, and being now affected with true 
 repentance, she could by no means excuse her- 
 self, but was willing to undergo the punishment 
 the law required. She could not therefore but 
 acknowledge herself guilty, since otherwise how 
 could she expect forgiveness from the Lord ? 
 
 This undisguised and free confession, being 
 spoken with a serious countenance, so affected 
 the judge, that, tears trickling down his face, 
 he sorrowfully said, ' Woman, such a case as 
 this I never met with before ; perhaps, you, 
 who are but young, and speak so piously, being 
 struck to the heart with repentance, might yet 
 do much good in the world ; but now you force 
 me to pronounce sentence of death against you, 
 since you will admit of no excuse.' 
 
 Standing to what she had said, the judge 
 pronounced sentence of death. And when after- 
 wards she came to the place of execution, she 
 made a pathetic speech to the people, exhorting 
 the spectators, especially those that were young, 
 to have the fear of God before their eyes, to 
 give heed to his secret reproofs for evil, and so 
 not to grieve and resist the good Spirit of the 
 Lord ; she not having timely minded this, it 
 had occasioned her to run on in evil, and thus 
 proceeding from wickedness to wickedness, had 
 brought her to this dismal exit, But since she 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 201 
 
 firmly trusted in God's infinite mercy, nay, 
 surely believed her sins, though of a bloody dye, 
 were washed off by the pure blood of Christ, 
 her Redeemer, she could contentedly depart 
 this life. 
 
 Thus she preached at the gallows a doctrine 
 very consonant with the views of those, by one 
 of whom she had been brought to repentance, 
 and gave heart-melting proofs that her immortal 
 soul was to enter into paradise, as well as an- 
 ciently that of the thief on the cross. — (Bar- 
 clay's Anecdotes.) 
 
 THE CONJUROR OUTDONE. 
 
 In the dungeon for rogues and felons at Derby 
 Jail, was confined a wicked man who was said 
 to be a conjuror. This fellow threatened the 
 jailer and George Fox (who had been unjustly 
 confined in this loathsome place almost half a 
 year), that he would 4 raise the devil, and break 
 the house down.' At this the jailer was much 
 afraid, but George Fox went to the man and 
 said, ' Come, let us see what thou canst do, and 
 do thy worst ; the devil is raised high enough 
 in thee already, but the power of God chains him 
 down.' At this undaunted speech the fellow 
 slunk away. — (Se well's History.) 
 
 1 THERE IS NO PEACE FOR THE WICKED.' 
 
 Alexander Gordon, a bailie of Aberdeen, went 
 in a great anger to the lower Court-house, 
 
202 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 where many Friends were then imprisoned, 
 and took Andrew Jaffray, while he was de- 
 claring through the window the gospel of peace 
 and salvation to the people, forthwith thrusting 
 him into the higher prison, where no Friends 
 had as yet been confined. This place is repre- 
 sented as ' filthy and disgusting beyond most 
 prisons in the nation.' The persecutor, how- 
 ever, was so troubled in his conscience for such 
 cruelty, that he afterwards confessed to a Friend, 
 he could get no peace or rest in his mind that 
 night, until he had caused Andrew Jaffray to 
 be returned to the spot whence he had taken 
 him. — (J affray's Diary.) 
 
 THE PATH. 
 
 There is a path no vulture's eye hath seen, 
 A path which leads to everlasting joy ; 
 
 There is a land where fields are ever green, 
 Where sin and sorrow never can annoy. 
 
 0 seek this path, nor ever from it stray, 
 It leads to God, the source of happiness ; 
 
 'Tis Christ the Saviour — Christ the living way, 
 The way to pardon, peace, and righteousness. 
 
 Thousands have travell'd in this path Divine, 
 Finish'd their course, and now in glory shine ; 
 
 Their warfare ended, and their arras laid down 
 For harps melodious and a heavenly crown. 
 
 JUDGMENT ON A PERSECUTOR. 
 
 James Skene, who was generally known by the 
 name of 'White James,' to distinguish him 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 203 
 
 from a very abusive and wicked man of the same 
 name called ' Black James,' took great delight 
 in inventing malicious slanders against Friends. 
 On one occasion whilst he was repeating some 
 wicked verses, which he had composed on pur- 
 pose to defame a worthy and innocent person, 
 he was in that instant suddenly struck down as 
 one dead, and was for some time deprived of 
 his senses. When he recovered, he acknow- 
 ledged the just judgment of God upon him, con- 
 fessed the offence he had committed against this 
 innocent people, and gave proof of repentance 
 by ever after abstaining from such practices. — - 
 (J affray's Diary.) 
 
 WHO WOULD EEVIVE THE FIRES OF 
 SMITHFIELD? 
 
 In 1667, Oliver Sansom, for a demand of £6, 8s. 
 for tithes, suffered distress to the amount of 
 £30, at the suit of James Anderton, priest of 
 Boxford, in Derbyshire, who told him, that ' if 
 the king would grant a law, he would be the 
 first man that would put a faggot to his tail.' — 
 (Besse's Sufferings.) 
 
 PICTURES AND IMAGES IN PLACES OF 
 WORSHIP. 
 
 Thomas Story, in his travels, coming to the 
 town of Mildorp in Germany, stayed there to 
 refresh himself. He, with Peter Leendaars, 
 went into a place of worship that was open, be- 
 
204 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 longing to the Lutherans, where, says he in his 
 Journal, 'we observed several pictures and 
 images (as they say) of Christ, in several con- 
 ditions, as on the cross, risen again, &c, and 
 one was of a golden colour all over. Here were 
 painted and wooden Christs in statuary and 
 imagery, painted heaven, and painted hell, 
 painted saints, and this among professors of 
 Christ, pretending reformation from that church 
 which is condemned for idolatry ; and all is 
 justly condemned by the Holy Scriptures, and 
 by the practice of the saints in all ages. I 
 asked our landlord why they had so many 
 images of Christ in their churches and houses ? 
 He answered, ' It is to put us in mind of Christ/ 
 I replied, ' It seems you do not love Christ so 
 well as you should, since you want so many 
 outward mementos of his outward appearance, 
 but the primitive believers had the mind and 
 Spirit of Christ ; they bore in their own bodies 
 the dying of the Lord, and wore his cross in 
 their hearts, by which they were crucified to the 
 world, and the world unto them, with all its 
 show and vain-glory : and this cross is that 
 living virtue and life of Christ appearing in 
 men's hearts now, as well as in those days ; 
 working the same effects in all who believe, 
 follow, and obey it, being the saving grace and 
 light of Christ unto all people.' This seemed 
 strange to him, as appeared by his countenance, 
 yet I believe it answered his conscience, for he 
 made no reply. — (Barclay's Anecdotes.) 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 205 
 
 SLEEPING DURING PUBLIC WORSHIP. 
 
 The habit of sleeping in a place of worship is 
 every way disgraceful to the person doing so ; 
 and is an offence to God. Vespasian, when con- 
 sul, accompanied Xero into Greece ; but he 
 offended the Emperor by falling asleep while he 
 repeated one of his poetical compositions. How 
 much more may the Supreme Governor of 
 heaven and earth be offended in beholding his 
 creatures careless, when they are met together 
 professedly for the solemn purpose of worship- 
 ping him ; when their attention ought to be fixed 
 solely on him, and turned to the most important 
 of all subjects, the interests of their immortal 
 souls. 
 
 ENJOYMENT FROM THE STUDY OF NATURE. 
 
 In his introduction to a course of lectures on 
 natural and experimental philosophy, by William 
 Allen, he forcibly points out the sources of en- 
 joyment afforded by the study of nature ; and in 
 reference to its ennobling effect upon the cha- 
 racter of those who possess well-regulated minds, 
 he says, ' Such view, with delight, the footsteps 
 of the Deity among his magnificent works ; they 
 even derive instruction and pleasure from the 
 most common circumstances in nature. 
 
 Springs not a flow'ret in the enamell'd vale, 
 
 Shines not a pebble where the riv'let strays, 
 Sports not an insect on the spicy gale, 
 
 But claims their wonder, and excites their praise. 
 It s 
 
206 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 For them e'en vernal nature seems more gay, 
 For them more lovely hues the fields adorn, 
 
 To them more fair, the fairest smile of day, 
 
 To them more sweet, the sweetest breath of morn. 
 
 The murmuring brook, the rushing torrent, 
 craggy rock, and even the varying forms of the 
 clouds, are to them subjects of pleasing contem- 
 plation.' — (W. Allen's Life.) 
 
 LESSON TO THE PROUD. 
 
 I dream'd that, buried in my native clay, 
 
 Close by a common beggar's side I lay : 
 
 And as so mean an object shock'd my pride, 
 
 Thus, like a corpse of quality, I cried : 
 
 ' Varlet ! begone ; and henceforth touch me not, 
 
 More manners learn, and at a distance rot.' 
 
 * How — Varlet ! ' with a haughty tone cried he, 
 
 ' Proud lump of earth ! I scorn thy words and thee, 
 
 For all are equal now — thy case is mine — 
 
 This is my rotting place — and that is thine.' 
 
 THE OPINIONS OF SOME OTHERS RESPECTING 
 THE PRINCIPLE OF FRIENDS. 
 
 The French Encyclopaedia, published in the 
 reign of Louis XIV., speaking of the religion 
 promulgated to the world by George Fox, says, 
 * It is the only system of religion ever published 
 that is consistent throughout with itself and 
 with Scripture, and reconciles seemingly con- 
 tradictory passages of Scripture with each other ; 
 and though it was first published at a time when 
 religious controversy ran very high in Europe, 
 
FACSIMILE AUTOGRAPHS 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 207 
 
 it was never answered in a manner to weaken the 
 force of any of its arguments.' 
 
 What a testimony from that profoundly 
 learned work ! 
 
 To this may be added the opinion of a learned 
 American, Wm. Livingston, the first governor 
 of New Jersey, under the federal Constitution, 
 educated at Yale College, in New Haven — bred 
 a Presbyterian, and a great lawyer. He said, 
 at a meeting of men of letters in New York, to 
 discuss questions of literature and religion — 
 ' That of all the schemes of religion he had ever 
 read, that which was explained in Barclay's 
 Apology was the one he could the most readily 
 set his seal to.' And the secretary to Count 
 D'Estaing, the French Admiral on the American 
 coast, in the Revolutionary war, after reading 
 that book, returned it to the owner, thanked 
 him for the loan of 'that good book,' and said, 
 ' It is an excellent book ; it is all very true, but 
 it is too tight.' 
 
 On the above testimonies, William T. Robin- 
 son, of New York, makes the following remarks : 
 — ' And here lies the difficulty, the rock on 
 which most of those who are awakened to a 
 concern for their everlasting welfare, split, and 
 are irrecoverably lost — as Christ when on earth, 
 said, " Many are called but few chosen" — and 
 the reason is, the cross stands in the way, which 
 very few are honestly willing to take up and 
 endure — preferring the gratification of their 
 propensities in following after the beauty and 
 pleasures of this world, and so waste their time 
 
 s2 
 
208 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 and talents in unproductive idleness ; and, in 
 the end, incur that awful sentence, " Depart 
 from me." ' &c. 
 
 RETURNING GOOD FOR EVIL. 
 
 ' But T say unto you, Love yottr enemies, bless them that 
 curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for 
 them which despitefully use you and persecute you ' 
 (Matt. v. 44). 
 
 That it i3 possible to carry out this great pre- 
 cept of our blessed Lord and Saviour into the 
 detail of real life, may be seen in many instances 
 related of our early Friends. The following 
 anecdote, respecting Rodger Hay dock, given by 
 his brother, is no mean specimen : — 
 
 'My brother, about the year 1674 or 1675, 
 being at a meeting at Freckleton-in-the-Fylde, 
 in Lancashire, was apprehended, and brought 
 to Preston, before Edward Rigby (called Justice), 
 who treated him very roughly, and gave him 
 many opprobrious speeches, calling him, and one 
 taken with him, " traitors," &c, and fined him 
 £20 for preaching. Rigby endeavoured to lay 
 the fine upon the hearers, but my brother told 
 him he had goods of his own more than £20, 
 and, therefore, none ought to be imposed on 
 because of his fine. Rigby said he would have 
 them. 
 
 ' Several years after this — in King James's 
 time — the said Rigby, with others, was appre- 
 hended, and sent from Preston to Chester, by 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES, 
 
 209 
 
 Warrington ; at which place, neither at inns 
 (many soldiers being in town) nor at private 
 nouses, could they get entertainment, until my 
 brother took Rigby and some others into his 
 house, and other private persons gave enter- 
 tainment to the rest. 
 
 1 After this, my brother went to Chester, and 
 visited Rigby and the rest in prison; so that 
 after they were released, upon their return, 
 Rigby gave an account how kind a Quaker had 
 been in giving him entertainment and visiting 
 him, &c, in prison, to whom he had formerly 
 been so unkind, and dealt so unchristianly with ; 
 so that this my brother's hospitality to one who 
 exercised cruelty to him when he was in power, 
 now, in the time of his distress, did demonstrate 
 my brother to be a true follower of Christ, and 
 one that had learned to do good, and to extend 
 charity to those who were evil-minded, and 
 greatly made their cruelty manifest. 
 
 • This account I received from some Friends. 
 
 ' John Haydock. 
 
 ' 2d Month 16, 1679.' 
 
 Thus we see that various were the dealings 
 of Providence towards those who persecuted a 
 peaceable people, for the quiet exercise of their 
 religious duties. To some, he permitted the 
 love of kindness, as above related, operating in 
 the breast of the oppressed, to ' heap coals of fire 
 upon the head ' of the oppressor, and, by that 
 means, to bring them to a just sense of their 
 cruelty and injustice. 
 
 s3 
 
210 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 To others, he more signally manifested his 
 displeasure by the dispensation of affliction of 
 body, mind, or estate ; and sometimes by all of 
 these, conjointly. David Hall, in his memoir 
 of his father, John Hall, instances the following 
 circumstance : — 
 
 * In the year 1682, my father was taken with 
 a capias warrant, for bearing his testimony at 
 a meeting, and kept prisoner until Knares- 
 borough sessions, and being fined, was released. 
 Then was taken from him almost all the sub- 
 stance he had in the world, insomuch, that he, 
 his wife, small children, and servants, were 
 forced to borrow bedding to lie on the chamber 
 floor ; neither had they left them so much a9 
 necessary vessels to eat their meat in ; but by 
 keeping near to the Lord, he was prospered and 
 blessed in his undertaking, and through the 
 favour of Providence, he recruited in the world, 
 and lived reputably among his neighbours. 
 
 ' But the officers, who, at that time, seemed 
 to be in good circumstances, and were so rigor- 
 ous in the execution of the same law upon him, 
 thenceforward went to decay with their families, 
 insomuch that one of them made an open and 
 plain confession to my mother, and asked her, 
 " If she had cursed him for taking her husband's 
 goods ?" " No," replied she. " Well," says he, 
 " but I am cursed, for I never throve since I 
 took your goods away, nor ever must /" ' 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 211 
 
 LADY CONWAY'S OPINION OF FRIENDS. 
 
 Your conversation with them (the Friends) at 
 London, might be, as you express it, charitably 
 intended, like that of a physician frequenting his 
 patients for the increase or confirmation of their 
 health ; but I must confess that my converse 
 with them is to receive health and refreshment. 
 — (Lady Conway's Letter to Dr. More.) 
 
 ANECDOTE RELATED BY DR. D'AUBIGNE THE 
 AUTHOR OF 'THE HISTORY OF THE RE- 
 FORMATION.' 
 
 Suffer me, says D' Aubigne, to relate an episode 
 for the Evangelical Christendom, from one of my 
 tours in Switzerland. 
 
 In 1846, after the Evangelical Alliance had 
 closed its sittings in London, I left the baths of 
 Allisbrum, and went into the Grisons to see 
 some friends. On the steam-boat of the Lake of 
 Zurich, I found myself in the midst of strangers ; 
 but I soon noticed two persons whom I took to 
 be Quakers. I believed there would be, doubt- 
 less, between them and me, some points of 
 friendly relation. I addressed them, and soon 
 found in them two Christians — sincere, en- 
 lightened, lively. We travelled together two 
 or three days, and we enjoyed all that time true 
 Christian union. I remember well the moment 
 of our parting. We were on the mountain not 
 far from the beautiful convent of Pfeffer3. To 
 
212 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 the right, the path descended to the Grisons 
 and the Via Mala. To the left, a road opened 
 towards the Tyrol. My course was along the 
 first, my friends were to take the other. We 
 were in the deep gully of a ravine. A mountain 
 stream, falling behind us, crossed our road, and 
 then made a second fall immediately below. 
 Some boulders of rock, rolled together without 
 order, formed a sort of a bridge. We were 
 seated on these stones. One of the Friends, 
 who had been an advocate, and who was now 
 a minister in his community, grasped my hand 
 at the 'moment when we were about to part, and 
 without saying a word, knelt down on one of 
 the fragments of rock. I knelt down beside 
 him. After some moments of profound silence, 
 during which no sound was heard but the calm 
 and majestic fall of the waters, my friend began 
 to pour forth his soul unto God. He prayed for 
 me as if he had been one of my oldest friends, 
 or my own brother. I had unfolded to him 
 some of the wounds of my own heart ; he asked 
 the Lord to heal them. I have seldom enjoyed 
 an hour of such entire Christian union. We 
 rose and parted. I passed rapidly down the 
 mountain on the side of Crettigon, following 
 the guide who carried my bag. — (Evangelical 
 Christendom.) 
 
 SECTARIAN BIGOTRY. 
 
 Of all the detestable evils that disgrace the 
 Christian world, this is certainly the most per- 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 213 
 
 nicious, the most to be dreaded. It is fashion- 
 able to declaim against the evils of enthusiasm 
 and fanaticism, and perhaps with some reason ; 
 where they exist they are to be deeply deplored ; 
 we do not defend or palliate them. But what 
 are these, compared with the dark, malignant 
 spirit of bigotry ! Enthusiasm has the glory 
 of the sun to kindle up its mists and clouds with 
 beauty. Fanaticism has thunder, and light- 
 mug, and meteors, in its gloom ; and the tem- 
 pest which it threatens, may soon be dispersed. 
 But bigotry is the palpable obscure, the solid 
 temperament of darkness, mixed with drizzling 
 rain ; its pestilential vapours blast the lovely 
 fruits of piety and goodness ; while all noxious, 
 all prodigious things, crawl forth, and increase 
 the horrors of the night. This is especially the 
 case when bigotry obtains a complete ascend- 
 ency in a country • those who yield to its autho- 
 rity possess no common sympathies. Man, as 
 man, has no place in their hearts ; he must be- 
 long to their sect, imbibe their prejudices, feel 
 their antipathies, believe every tittle of their 
 creed, or be unto them as a heathen man or a pub- 
 lican. Religion, with all its glorious and exten- 
 sive interests ; humanity, with its social quali- 
 ties and endearing charities, must all be trussed 
 up in the narrow dimensions of their little party. 
 How many noble institutions must languish, how 
 many thousands of immortal souls perish, what 
 mighty engines of good would be in an instant 
 paralyzed, if the voice of this bigotry could be 
 heard and obeyed ! — (Dr. Styles.) 
 
214 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 A STRIKING INSTANCE OF ANSWER TO SECRET 
 PRAYER. 
 
 ' These all wait upon Thee, that thou mayest give them 
 their meat in due season . That thou givest them they 
 gather ; thou openest thine hand, they are filled with 
 good' (Ps. civ. 27, 28). 
 
 A female Friend, who resided in London not 
 long after the establishment of the Society, being 
 far advanced in years, was under some concern 
 lest her secluded station in life, and small inter- 
 course with Friends, should prevent her being 
 interred in their burial-ground, or agreeably to 
 the way of the Society. While thus tried, two 
 Friends called on her, and after some exchange 
 of conversation, wished her to be easy respect- 
 ing her interment; that her desire, on that head, 
 should be complied with ; and further, that if 
 she needed any pecuniary assistance she should 
 be supplied as far as lay in the power of her 
 friends to impart ; after which, she appeared 
 satisfied. ' And now, my friends,' added she, 
 ' I will give you some account of my convince- 
 ment.' When I lived in the country, George 
 Fox had several meetings in those parts, to one 
 of which I, with many others, went ; and while 
 I was on my way to the meeting, this query 
 presented itself to my mind, What is that which 
 I feel condemning me for evil, and that which 
 justifies me when I do well? — what is it? At 
 the meeting, George Fox addressed the audience 
 as follows : — 1 Who art thou that queriest ? — what 
 is that I feel that condemns me for evil, and 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 215 
 
 justifies me when I do well ? — what is it ? I 
 will tell thee: — Lo, He that formed the moun- 
 tains, and createth the mind, and declareth unto 
 man what is his thought — the Lord of Hosts is 
 his name.' He then proceeded to recommend 
 a close attention to this Divine and inward 
 Teacher, as the means of redemption from evil. 
 
 Thus it was that I became convinced of the 
 truth, and have since been desirous of keeping 
 thereto. 
 
 EXTRACT FROM ' LECTURES ON PHYSIOLOGY, 
 ZOOLOGY, AND THE NATURAL HISTORY OF 
 MAN.' 
 
 BY WILLIAM LAWREXCE, SURGEON. 
 
 To obviate the possibility of misunderstanding, 
 I state most seriously and sincerely, that, whether 
 I regard them as a religious sect, or as a body 
 of citizens; whether I look to their private or 
 public conduct, I hold Quakers in the highest 
 respect. As Christians, they entertain no un- 
 intelligible articles of faith ; they waste no time 
 in splitting hairs of theological controversy ; 
 their siugular and honourable distinction is 
 practical Christianity ; evinced in blameless 
 lives, in renouncing all force and violence, in 
 endeavouring to fulfil, literally, the gospel pre- 
 cepts of peace and goodwill, in active benevo- 
 lence, in unremitted personal as well as pecuniary 
 co-operation in all measures calculated to dimi- 
 nish the amount of human misery and suffer- 
 ing, and to improve the condition of their fellow- 
 creatures. 
 
216 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 These truly Christian merits would redeem 
 much heavier sins than those of an adherence 
 to the plain and simple garb, and the uncere- 
 monious language of George Fox and William 
 Penn. 
 
 LETTER TO SAMUEL FOTHERGTLL. 
 
 BY AN ATTENDEE OP FRIENDS' RELIGIOUS MEETINGS. 
 
 Dear Sir, — As you have great influence in 
 establishing things decent and orderly in your 
 Society, I take the liberty of troubling you with 
 this address. I have often attended silent meet- 
 ings, and have come away greatly edified, both 
 from what I have felt in myself, and from the 
 great satisfaction I had in sitting with so many 
 Christian philosophers, for so I must esteem 
 those who can sit two hours to improve, only 
 from the operation of Divine grace within them ; 
 and yet the point I am concerned about is, the 
 great want of silence too frequent after meet 
 ings. After the few words uttered by an excel- 
 lent woman, yesterday afternoon, I was aston- 
 ished ! — 1 was shocked ! to hear the universal 
 babbling after the meeting broke up. I endea- 
 voured to account for it by many town friends 
 meeting their country friends, after a year's 
 absence, but this could not convince me that 
 the clamour was consistent with the decorum 
 expected from so still and quiet a people. 
 
 If it be said that the house is only a house, 
 and that, after meeting, it is as decent to talk 
 in the meeting-house as in the streets or by the 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 217 
 
 way, to this it may be I have no answer that 
 can be satisfactory to those who esteem it only 
 a proper degree of liberty ; and, if custom has 
 made it inoffensive, I shall another time avoid 
 the hearing of it, and at all times pray for the 
 prosperity of Mr. Fothergill and his friends. 
 
 CHRIST THE ONLY SAVIOUR. 
 
 For there is none other name given under 
 heaven or amongst men whereby we may be 
 saved.' How truly then may we say of Christ 
 as the foundation of our hopes for eternity — 
 
 Had I ten thousand gifts beside, 
 I'd cleave to Jesus crucified, 
 
 And build on him alone ; 
 For no foundation is there given 
 On which I'd place my hopes of heaven, 
 
 But Christ the corner-stone. 
 
 ADVICE TO MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS. 
 
 The late excellent Dr. Fothergill, in a review 
 of his early professional career, makes the fol- 
 lowing instructive observations : — ■ In my first 
 setting out, I wished most fervently, and I 
 endeavour after it still, to do the business that 
 occurred with all the diligence I could, as a 
 present duty, and endeavoured to repress every 
 rising idea of its consequences ; knowing, most 
 assuredly, that there was a hand that could 
 easily overthrow every pursuit of this kind, and 
 
 II. T 
 
218 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 baffle every attempt to acquire either fame or 
 wealth. And with a great degree of gratitude, 
 I look back to the gracious Secret Preserver, 
 that ever kept my mind more attentive to the 
 discharge of the present care of those I visited, 
 than either for the profits or credit resulting 
 from it ; and I am sure, to be kept under such 
 a circumscribed unaspiring temper of mind, 
 doing everything with diligence, humility, and 
 as in the sight of the God of all, frees the 
 mind from unavailing distress and disappoint- 
 ment.' 
 
 This truly benevolent physician, when aware 
 of his patients being under pecuniary distress, 
 often in a very delicate manner continued to 
 return the proffered sum (sometimes with ad- 
 ditions), under the pretext of purchasing the 
 medicines he wrote for. 
 
 A WOULD-BE GREAT MAN REBUKED. 
 
 William Penn and Thomas Story, travelling 
 together in Virginia, being caught in a shower 
 of rain, unceremoniously sheltered themselves 
 from it in a tobacco house ; the owner of which, 
 happening to be in, thus accosted them — ' You 
 have a great deal of impudence to trespass on 
 my premises ; you enter without leave. Do 
 you know who I am?' to which was answered 
 * No.' 'Why, then, I would have you to know 
 that I am a Justice of the Peace.' Thomas 
 Story replied, ' My friend here makes such 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 219 
 
 things as thou art ; he is the Governor of 
 Pennsylvania.' The would-be great man quickly 
 abated his haughtiness. — (Imperial Magazine.) 
 
 JANE STUART. 
 
 A curious and interesting entry occurs :a the 
 Friends' Register of Burials at Wisbeach, respect- 
 ing Jane Stuart of that place. The following 
 is a copy of the register : — 
 
 J. S.\"Jane Stuart departed this Life on 12th > 
 ) of 7th mo., on the first day, about one o'clock,/ 
 ye. 14th, aged 88. King 
 
 Supposed to be descended from James 2nd 
 she lived in a cellar in the old Market 
 Wisbech — the house has been rebuilt by 
 Chs. Freeman — 
 
 Respecting this extraordinary individual, the 
 following notices appeared, forty years ago, in 
 vols, xxviii. and xxix. of the Monthly Magazine, 
 or British Register; at that time one of the most 
 influential periodicals of the day: — 
 
 (From the Monthly Mag., 10th Month, 1, 1809.) 
 
 ' EXTRACTS FROM THE PORTFOLIO OF A MAS OF LETTERS. 
 
 ■ A natural daughter of King James II. was 
 convicted of Friends' principles, and imprisoned 
 for the same with Thomas Ellwood, <fcc. Upon 
 her being engaged to a young man for mar- 
 riage, and the day fixed, as they were on the 
 road the coach overturned, and her intended 
 
 T 2 
 
220 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 husband was killed, and his brother broke his 
 leg. She stayed in London, and nursed the 
 young man till he recovered ; when, assuming 
 some habit of disguise, she travelled on foot to 
 the Isle of Ely, and inquiring at some Friend's 
 house for employment, the master asked her, 
 "What she could do?" she answered, "She 
 was willing to put her hand to anything." H« 
 then said, "Canst thou reap?" She replied, 
 "She could hardly tell ; but, if he pleased, she 
 would try." So he sent her into the field ; and, 
 before evening, she discovered herself to be so 
 great a proficient at reaping, as to be called 
 " Queen of the Reapers." She constantly at- 
 tended the adjacent meeting ; and, observing a 
 rock hard by, she either put up with a natural 
 cave in the rock, or had a cell made therein, 
 where she lived quite recluse, spinning for her 
 employment. She told Sarah Taylor, that she 
 enjoyed such contentment and peace that she 
 would not leave her cell and spinning-wheel to 
 be Queen of England." She had been at most 
 of the European courts, particularly the Hano- 
 verian and Prussian ; and the Pretender being 
 her supposed brother, she once travelled by 
 chaise into Scotland to see him.' 
 
 {From the Monthly Mag., 2d Month, 1, 1810.) 
 
 'TO THE EDITOR OF THE MONTHLY MAGAZINE. 
 
 4 Sir,— Jane Stuart, the extraordinary cha- 
 racter of whom some account is given in the 
 Monthly Magazine for October last, supposed to 
 be a natural daughter of King James II., after 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 221 
 
 renouncing the world, and splendour of courts, 
 resided at Wisbeach, in Cambridgeshire. It is 
 to be regretted that few memorials remain of 
 her ; but two ancient and respectable inhabit- 
 ants, now deceased, have related to the writer 
 of this the following incidents: — 
 
 'When she first came, she sought employment 
 by standing (as is usual with labourers, at this 
 day, who want work) on or near the foot of the 
 bridge, where, in hay-time and harvest, the 
 farmers resort every morning to hire. She 
 selected for her abode a cellar, in a part of 
 the town called the Old Market, where she spun 
 worsted ; to dispose of which, she regularly had 
 a stall on the market-day. Being once thus 
 employed, she recognized, by the arms and 
 livery, a coach and attendants going to the 
 principal inn (the "Rose and Crown"), near to 
 which her stall stood ; upon which, she imme- 
 diately packed up her worsted, retired to her 
 cell, and carefully concealed herself. The owner, 
 who was said to be the Duke of A.rgyle, endea- 
 voured to find her, but without effect. The 
 house under which she lived has been since 
 rebuilt ; and part of it is now occupied by the 
 Lady Mary Knollis, aunt to the present Earl of 
 Banbury. She constantly attended, when in 
 health, the meeting of the Society of Friends, 
 in Wisbeach ; was humble and exemplary in her 
 conduct — well esteemed by her neighbours — 
 invariably avoided all conversation relative to 
 her family connections ; and when, in the free- 
 dom of intercourse, any expression inadvertently 
 
222 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 escaped, leading to an inquiry, she stopped short, 
 seemed to regret having disclosed so much, and 
 silenced further research. She read the New- 
 Testament in Greek ; but even this circumstance 
 was discovered accidentally, by an unexpected 
 call. She was fond of birds, which were fre- 
 quently allowed to leave their cages and fly 
 about in her apartment. When near eighty, 
 she had a new set of teeth. She died (accord- 
 ing to the Friends' register) the 12th of 7th 
 Month, 1742, aged 88, and was buried in the 
 Society's graveyard, at Wisbeach ; where, out of 
 respect to her memory, box has been planted 
 round her grave, with her initials, age, and 
 date ; which still remain to mark the spot of 
 her interment. ' Yours, &c, A.' 
 
 The box-planting on the grave is yet pre- 
 served ; and is trimmed short, so as still to 
 exhibit the initials, &c, arranged as above. 
 
 AN INVITATION TO HEAVENLY COMMERCE. 
 
 * Buy the truth and sell it not ; ' 
 Buy the garment without spot ; 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 223 
 
 Buy the oil that feeds the lamp, 
 Buy the gold of heavenly stamp ; 
 Buy the pearl of matchless worth, 
 Buy the treasure hid in earth ; 
 Buy the anointing full of light, 
 Buy the robe of purest white ; 
 "Without price, and without money, 
 Buy the food more sweet than honey ; 
 Buy the milk, and buy the wine, 
 Trade in commerce that's Divine; 
 Fear no risk — no doubt — no loss, 
 Nothing here thy hopes will cross ; 
 Though thy vessel should be tost 
 On many a rough and desert coast, 
 Though the whirlwind's dreadfnl gale, 
 Make thy heart and spirit quail ; 
 He that once the tempest stay'd, 
 Whispers through the darkest shade, 
 
 1 IT IS I — BE NOT AFRAID ! ' 
 
 A FEW LINES. 
 
 Addressed by one of the audience, collected at a meeting, held kq 
 Catherine Phillips, at Oxford or Cambridge, at which several of the 
 students of divinity (so called) were present. 
 
 Ye sons of science, candidates for arts, 
 Who trust in learning and superior parts, 
 Who serve a long apprenticeship at schools, 
 To moralize and teach the ignorant, rules,— 
 Can you, my friends, attempt with her t' engage, 
 Who stood this day dictatress on the stage i 
 Not one word empty, all was sterling sense, 
 Replete with love and pure benevolence. 
 Intent you gazed to see her virgin zeal 
 Crown d by a power that some assert, not feel ; 
 Can your learn 'd dogmas gross offenders reach, 
 Yourselves not practising the thing you preach ? 
 Strip off the gown, more candid 'tis, at least, 
 To be a laic, than a yracelcs3 priest. 
 
224 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 ADDRESS TO AN ASSEMBLY AT A BALL. 
 
 Many interesting incidents are related of that 
 truly devoted servant of God, David Sands ; 
 through whom the power and mercy of God to 
 man, through Christ Jesus, was often made 
 manifest, in causing the lofty head to bow, and 
 the knee to bend in submission to his holy will. 
 The following is preserved as a remarkable 
 evidence of it. 
 
 In the course of one of his early journeys 
 in the work of the ministry, he arrived at a 
 town or village where the Society of Friends 
 or their principles .were unknown. He put 
 up at an inn where there was to be a large 
 ball that evening. It was their custom, on 
 such occasions, to invite strangers who might 
 happen to be there to join them ; and his 
 appearance being new to them, and very sin- 
 gular, they invited him to attend ; perhaps to 
 add to their amusement as a subject of ridi- 
 cule. He accepted the invitation ; and after 
 they were all assembled, and their mirth and 
 music commenced, he walked into the midst 
 of them. His solemn and impressive demea- 
 nour struck the company with awe ; the music 
 and dancing ceased, and they all stood in 
 silent amazement waiting the result ; when he 
 commenced addressing them to the following 
 import : — 
 
 ' My friends, for what purpose is this gay 
 company assembled ? Is it to worship Almighty 
 God ; him from whom all your favours and 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 225 
 
 blessings flow ; who, in his love and compas- 
 sion, gave the dear Son of his bosom as a 
 ransom, that through him you might have 
 eternal life ? Or have you rather suffered your- 
 selves to be led captive by the enemy of your 
 souls' peace, who, for a season, may hold out 
 bright and pleasant allurements to tempt your 
 unwary feet to stray from the true fold of 
 peace, revealed in and through Christ Jesus 
 your Saviour and Redeemer ; he who suffered 
 his precious blood to flow to wash away your 
 sins ? 0 be persuaded, by a brother who loves 
 you with that love which flows from the foun- 
 tain of all good, to turn from these follies and 
 devices of Satan, which will lead you astray ! 
 0 be persuaded, I say, to seek the Lord 
 whilst he may be found ; turn to him, and he 
 will turn unto you ; knock, before the door of 
 mercy is eternally closed, and he will receive 
 you and encompass you with unbounded love, 
 and lead you gently into pleasant places, 
 even into the kingdom of heaven, where you 
 will rejoice for evermore ; singing praises unto 
 the Lamb ! Yea, he will be unto you as a 
 shield and buckler ; and as your strong defence 
 in times of trouble. Suffer him not to stand 
 knocking at the door of your hearts until his 
 head shall become wet with dew, and his locks 
 with the drops of the night.' 
 
 Thus did he continue to address them, until 
 the power of the Most High was so made mani- 
 fest among them, that they listened to his com- 
 munication with great interest ; and, as some 
 
226 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 of them afterwards expressed, he appeared as a 
 messenger from heaven sent to warn them of 
 their danger. Many of them were brought to 
 tears whilst he was speaking ; and after he 
 concluded, acknowledged with gratitude their 
 sense of his solicitude for their welfare ; saying, 
 * We have heard this night what we never can 
 forget.' After taking a tender leave of them, 
 they separated, almost forgetful of the cause for 
 which they had assembled. — (Memoir of David 
 Sands, pp. 218, 219.) 
 
 BAD BARGAINS. 
 
 A teacher in a Sabbath-school once remarked, 
 that he who buys the truth makes a good 
 bargain; and inquired if any scholar recollected 
 an instance in Scripture of a bad bargain. ' I 
 do,' replied a boy; 'Esau made a bad bargain 
 when he sold his birthright for a mess of pot- 
 tage.' A second said, 'Judas made a bad 
 bargain when he sold his Lord for thirty pieces 
 of silver.' A third boy observed, 'Our Lord 
 tells us, that he makes a bad bargain who, to 
 gain the whole world, loses his own soul.' A 
 bad bargain indeed ! — (Cope's Anecdotes.) 
 
 SILENCE. 
 
 ' I have known,' says Cicero, ' many sin by 
 speaking, few by keeping silence ; it is therefore 
 more difficult to know how to be silent than how 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 227 
 
 to speak.' And there is a Spanish proverb to 
 the same effect : * Any fool may babble, but it 
 takes a wise man to hold his tongue.' — {Ameri- 
 can Moral Almanac.) 
 
 DEATH. 
 
 4 The best course of moral instruction against 
 the passions,' says Saurin, ' is death.' The 
 grave is a discoverer of the absurdity of sin of 
 every kind. There the ambitious may learn the 
 folly of ambition ; there the vain may learn the 
 vanity of all human things ; there the voluptuous 
 may read a mortifying lesson on the absurdity 
 of sensual pleasure. 
 
 The aggregate population on the surface of 
 the known habitable globe is estimated at 
 895,300,000 souls. If we reckon, with the 
 ancients, that a generation lasts thirty years, 
 then, in that space, 895,300,000 human beings 
 will be born and die; consequently, 81,760 must 
 be dropping into eternity every day, 3,407 every 
 hour, or about 56 every minute ! Reader, how 
 awful is this reflection ! Consider — Prepare — 
 Watch ! 
 
 The calculation as it respects death in Great 
 Britain is as follows: every year, about 332,708; 
 every month, about 25,792; every week, about 
 6,398; every day, 914; every hour, 40; and 
 every three minutes, 2. 
 
 When Garrick showed Dr. Johnson his fine 
 house, gardens, statues, pictures, &c, at Hamp- 
 
228 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 ton Court, what ideas did they awaken in that 
 great man? Instead of a flattering compliment, 
 which was expected, 'Ah:! David, David, David,' 
 said the Doctor, clapping his hand upon the 
 little man's shoulder, ' these are the things which 
 make a deathbed terrible.' 
 
 Constantine the Great, in order to reclaim a 
 miser, took a lance, and marked out a space of 
 ground of the size of the human body, and told 
 him, 'Add heap to heap, accumulate riches upon 
 riches, extend the bounds of your possessions, 
 conquer the whole world, in a few days such a 
 spot as this will be all you will have.' 
 
 ' I take this spear,' says Saurin ; ' I mark out 
 this space among you ; in a few days you will 
 be worth no more than this. Go to the tomb of 
 the avaricious man, go down and see his coffin, 
 and his shroud ; in a few days these may be all 
 you will have.' 
 
 ' Death,' says the same author, ' puts an end 
 to the most spacious titles, to the most dazzling 
 grandeur, and to the most delicious life.' 
 
 Philip, king of Macedon, as he was wrestling 
 at the Olympic games, fell down in the sand ; 
 and, when he rose again, seeing the print of his 
 body in the sand, cried out, ' 0 how little a parcel 
 of earth will hold us, when we are dead, who are 
 ambitiously seeking after the tohole world whilst we 
 are living!' — (Buck's Anecdotes.) 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES* 
 
 229 
 
 SUBMISSION OF THE HEART TO THE GREAT 
 HUSBANDMAN. 
 
 Let the soil of your hearts be entirely submitted 
 to the operations of the great, the holy Husband- 
 man; permit it to be cultivated according to 
 his pleasure. Though he may sit as a refiner 
 with fire, and as a fuller with soap, shrink not 
 at the effects ; for though he cometh with the 
 fan in his hand, thoroughly to purge the floor, 
 to bum up the chaff with fire unquenchable, the 
 wheat he will gather into his garner ; and if we 
 can be made pure, fit vessels for his Divine ser- 
 vice, it is immaterial to us what prepares us, or 
 it ought to be so, if done by him. May we be- 
 come obedient children, willing to be taught of 
 the Lord. His grace we shall find to be suffi- 
 cient for us. 
 
 May you, my endeared young friends, indivi- 
 dually choose the Lord for your portion, and the 
 God of Jacob for the lot of your inheritance. 
 He will be your protector, your preserver 
 through every vicissitude of life. By attending 
 to the inspeaking word of his truth, which is near 
 you, even in your hearts, and as a law written 
 in your minds, you will be qualified to serve him 
 in the morning of your days. You will be 
 sweet solaces to your parents, holding up their 
 feeble hands, and supporting their declining 
 years ; causing joy to spring in their devoted 
 hearts, thanksgiving and praise to our Heavenly 
 Father on your accounts. — (Anna A. Jenkins.) 
 
 II. u 
 
230 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 THE LAND UNKNOWN. 
 
 Though earth has full many a beautiful spot, 
 
 As a poet or painter might show, 
 Yet more lovely and beautiful, holy and bright, 
 To the hopes of the heart, and the spirit's glad sight, 
 
 Is the land which no mortal may know. 
 
 There the crystalline stream, bursting forth from the throne 
 
 Flows on, and for ever will flow, 
 Its waves, as they roll, are with melody rife, 
 And its waters are sparkling with beauty and life, 
 
 In the land which no mortal may know. 
 
 O ! who but must pine in this dark vale of tears, 
 
 From its clouds and its shadows to go : 
 To walk in the light of the glory above, 
 And to share in the peace, and the joy, and the love, 
 
 Of the land which no mortal may know ? 
 
 EXTRACT FROM JOHN BARCROFT'S JOURNAL. 
 
 When about five years of age I went with 
 my mother to a meeting of the people called 
 Quakers, held at William Edmundson's house ; 
 where, through the effectual preaching of a 
 servant of the Lord, Samuel Thornton, I was 
 greatly reached and tendered by the Lord's 
 power, insomuch that I wondered at it ; and as 
 I was going home after the meeting, I told my 
 dear mother how I had been therein, at which 
 she was greatly broken into tears, to my admira- 
 tion, being a worthy religious woman. From 
 this time I had a great love and esteem for the 
 Lord's servants and people, with a fear upon me 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 231 
 
 lest I should offend the Lord, after I knew that 
 it was his power that had reached unto me. 
 Praise be given to his powerful name, who thus 
 touched my heart when very young, and hath 
 been my preserver to this day. A meeting 
 being kept for some time at my father's house, 
 and being frequently visited by Friends in the 
 ministry, when I was sent to invite the neigh- 
 bours (which was often), I was under great fear 
 and concern how to answer such as might query 
 of me on that account, being but a child, and 
 the Lord often furnished me with such suitable 
 answers as caused both me and them to admire, 
 though I was not forward to argue or discourse 
 about religion, knowing my own weakness ; but 
 upon such occasions cried secretly to the Lord 
 for wisdom, my love increasing to him and his 
 people, with earnest desire to be in the company 
 of honest Friends, whereby I found great benefit 
 and comfort, often marvelling that such Friends 
 took that notice of me they did. 
 
 NEGRO BENEVOLENCE. 
 
 Paul Cuffe, a negro, was a minister in the 
 Society of Friends. Many of his benevolent 
 exertions on behalf of his degraded African 
 brethren are recorded, which do him more 
 honour than marble statue or monumental 
 trophy could confer. The following anecdote 
 evinces a pleasing trait in his character : — 
 
 Having himself experienced the many disad- 
 vantages of a limited education, he resolved, as 
 
 u2 
 
232 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 far as it was practicable, to relieve his own 
 children, as well as those of others of his colour, 
 from similar embarrassments. The neighbour- 
 hood in which he resided had neither a tutor 
 nor a school for the instruction of youth, though 
 many of the citizens were desirous that such an 
 institution should be established. About 1797, 
 Paul Cuffe proposed convening a meeting of the 
 inhabitants for the purpose of making such 
 arrangements as should accomplish the desired 
 object, the great utility and necessity of which 
 were undeniable. A collision of opinion, how- 
 ever, respecting place and mode, occasioned the 
 meeting to separate without arriving at any 
 conclusion ; several meetings of the same nature 
 were held, but all were alike unsuccessful in 
 their issue. Perceiving that all efforts to pro- 
 cure a union of sentiment were fruitless, Paul, 
 by no means disheartened, set himself to work 
 in earnest, and had a suitable house built on his 
 own ground, entirely at his own expense, which 
 he freely offered for the use of the public, with- 
 out requiring any pecuniary remuneration, feel- 
 ing himself fully compensated in the satisfaction 
 he derived in seeing it occupied for so useful 
 and excellent a purpose; and the school was 
 opened to all who pleased to send their children. 
 
 How gratifying to humanity is this anecdote ! 
 and who, that justly appreciates human charac- 
 ter, would not admire Paul Cuffe, the offspring 
 of an African slave, before the proudest states- 
 man that ever dealt out destruction amongst 
 mankind? — {Memoir of Paul Cuffe.) 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 233 
 
 THE EXCELLENCE OF THE SCRIPTURES. 
 
 ■ Search the Scriptures ' (John v. 39). 
 
 The Scripture, like a teeming mine. 
 
 Is sown throughout with jewels rare, 
 All its rich ores refulgent shine, 
 
 And every stone is 1 precious ' there. 
 
 Though e'en the surface oft contain 
 Some sparkling of the wealth below, 
 
 'Tis only they who work the vein 
 That all its depth and richness know. 
 
 If e'er the miner there endure 
 
 Risk in his toil — his own the blame — 
 
 'Tis when the Spirit's lamp secure 
 He throws aside, for reason's flame. 
 
 And like the living stream, whose way 
 "Welcome through desert regions lies, 
 
 Does Heaven's own book its page display, 
 That solace and support supplies. 
 
 Yet though the wave so freely flow, 
 If unbelief or ' reasoning pride ' 
 
 Their wintry breath should o'er it blow, 
 It oft becomes a prison'd tide ; 
 
 And till the Spirit's radiance deign 
 To break, in solving warmth reveal'd, 
 
 The captur'd waters still remain 
 1 A spring shut up — a fountain seal'd.' * 
 
 Lion of Juda's tribe ! whose might 
 Opens the book, f hear our appeal ! 
 
 To us supply thy Spirit's light, 
 And loose for us the mystic seal ! 
 
 Cant. iv. 12. f Rev. v. 5. 
 
 u 3 
 
234 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 FROM WILLIAM ALLEN'S DIAEY, WHEN AGED 
 ABOUT EIGHTEEN. 
 
 12th Month, 7, 1788. — George Dillwjn was at 
 our meeting this afternoon, and towards the 
 close, spoke in ministry ; chiefly addressing the 
 poor in spirit, yet aptly observing that there 
 were some people who were poor, and yet would 
 neither work nor beg ; ' such,' said he, 1 were a 
 burden to the community.' 
 
 0 ! thought I, had I but a house to entertain 
 thee, how gladly would I do it ; but it seemed 
 retorted upon me, ' Thou hast a tabernacle 
 capable of receiving his Master, why dost thou 
 keep him out?' 
 
 BRIEF ACCOUNT OF WILLIAM WILSON, OF 
 LANGDALE IN WESTMORLAND. 
 
 He was a man of an innocent life, and though 
 he had little outward learning, God was pleased 
 to teach him himself, and called him to bear a 
 testimony to his name. This he did faithfully, 
 not only in many parts of England, but in 
 Germany and Scotland, which he visited several 
 times. 
 
 He was a man of a lowly and meek spirit, 
 upright and just among his neighbours, which 
 caused them often to submit their differences 
 to his arbitration, in which he was careful to 
 find out the real truth, and would never coun- 
 tenance deceit. In this service he was success- 
 ful, seldom missing his desired end, viz., to make 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 235 
 
 peace. Faithful he was in his testimony for the 
 truth, and a sufferer for the same in the prison 
 at Kendal, in the year 1G66, and several other 
 times afterwards, as well as by distress on his 
 goods. Besides which he suffered cruel mock- 
 ings, stoning, blows and wounds, both from 
 priests and people, particularly at Eskdale, 
 where he exhorted the people ' to mind that of 
 God in their consciences, and to turn to that 
 holy light and law which he had put into their 
 inward parts, that by the same they might come 
 to know the will of God and do it.' Because of 
 these and like words, one Parker, a priest, did 
 beat and wound him, and with one of his 
 crutches broke his head, and caused the blood 
 to run down his shoulders. The priest being 
 lame, and not able as he would to effect his cruel 
 purpose, caused his horse to be brought, on 
 which he mounted, and in the sight of the people 
 broke his staff in three pieces upon "William 
 Wilson's bare head, which made the people cry 
 out against such merciless behaviour. Before 
 the priest got home, he was overtaken with sick- 
 ness, and never came more to the steeple-house. 
 During the time of his sickness he was very 
 loathsome, and so died. 
 
 A few weeks after, William Wilson went to 
 the same place at Eskdale, and for speaking a 
 few words to the people, one Fogo, a priest, took 
 him by the hair of the head, pulled him to the 
 ground, and drew him out of the steeple-house. 
 In rage and cruelty he also abused his brother 
 Michael Wilson ; but a few months after, this 
 
236 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 same Fogo, riding over some sands, accompanied 
 by several people, fell into a quicksand, and was 
 immediately smothered. 
 
 William Wilson left behind him a widow and 
 two daughters, to whom he was a true husband, 
 and a tender father, instructing his children 1 to 
 keep in the fear of the Lord, and to walk in the 
 way of truth, which he walked in himself;' often 
 saying to them, * it would be the best portion 
 that they could enjoy.' 
 
 His last illness was short. Having recently 
 returned from a long journey, wherein his body 
 was much spent and weak, he said, ' I have not 
 served the Lord unfruitfully ; I have no trouble 
 upon me; and I am very sensible that all is 
 well with me. Again he said, 1 He was content, 
 whatsover way the Lord pleased ; he felt as a 
 dove, harmless ; and as a lamb, innocent.' 
 
 A few hours before he died, at which time he 
 walked several times over the room, he said, as 
 he had often before, * My peace far exceeds my 
 pain ;' and standing upon his feet between two 
 Friends, he said, ' 0 that every one would mind 
 the Lord, that they might keep life.' He then 
 sat down, and drew breath no more. 
 
 He died at his own house at Langdale Chapel 
 Steel, the 10th of the 5th month, 1682. 
 
 THE END CROWNS ALL. 
 
 Henry Pontyn, of Frenchay, was a faithful 
 minister of Christ, as well beyond the seas as 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 237 
 
 in England. He endured many sufferings and 
 hardships, and several years' imprisonment at 
 Gloucester, for his testimony, to which he con- 
 tinued faithful to his death. 
 
 On his dying bed he said, ' The Lord hath 
 done well for me, and the chastisements of the 
 Lord are good;' exhorting his children and 
 friends about him to ' live in the fear of the 
 Lord, that they might die in his favour;' say- 
 ing, ' The end will crown all.' 
 
 He died in the 67th year of his age. — [Piety 
 Promoted.) 
 
 DO JUSTLY. 
 The following little anecdote shows the effect 
 of the just principle in pious minds, more strik- 
 ingly than many occurrences of greater account. 
 Two persons, who lived at some distance, hap- 
 pening to meet, and the one inquiring of the 
 other how he was in health, was answered, 
 * Pretty well, but a little fatigued with riding 
 — my horse goes rather roughly ; he is hardly 
 fit for the saddle, and I believe I must provide 
 me another.' 
 
 Q. ' What dost thou use him for in common V 
 
 A. 1 He is a good cart-horse.' 
 
 Q. 'Well I have an easy-going saddle horse, 
 and want a carriage-horse ; perhaps it will suit 
 us both to exchange. ' 
 
 They then had their horses out, and at length 
 agreed to the proposals. Some months after, 
 the like occasion bringing them together, they 
 renewed their dialogue. 
 
238 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 Q. 'Well, A., how dost thou like thy horse?' 
 
 A. ' Why, so well, that I thought I had de- 
 ceived thee, and have brought £5 in my pocket, 
 which I desire thee to accept, as I believe it to 
 be about the difference in their value.' 
 
 Q. 1 Surprising ! Why I had the same thought 
 of thine, and have actually brought the same 
 sum to offer thee, supposing the advantage to 
 have been all on my side.' 
 
 After indulging a little pleasantry on this 
 singular occasion, they concluded to keep to 
 their bargain, and each to take back his own 
 money. — -(George Dillwyn.) 
 
 A FAITHFUL WARNING. 
 
 After the restoration of Charles II., a time of 
 mad licentiousness followed. When the very 
 floodgates of vice were opened in the land, 
 George Fox the younger, then a prisoner for 
 conscience sake, addressed a very plain and 
 forcible expostulation to the King, on account 
 of the vices which prevailed under his sanction, 
 and the disposition which he thought he saw to 
 restore Popery. The following passage evinces 
 the innocent boldness of the writer, in those 
 arbitrary days, mingled with Christian love and 
 zeal. He says : — 
 
 ' And when I have seen the abomination and 
 cruelties which are committed and intended, 
 there hath a pity arose in me towards thee for 
 thy soul's sake ; and it hath been my desire, if 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 239 
 
 it might stand with the will of God, that he 
 would put it into thy heart to go out of the land 
 again, that so thy life might be preserved, and 
 that thou mightest have time to repent ; for 
 although many men flatter thee and applaud 
 thee for self-ends, yet the Lord is displeased 
 with thy ways. Let no man deceive thee by 
 feigned words — God will not be mocked ; such 
 as thou sowest, such must thou reap.' 
 
 The King is said to have read this faithful 
 warning with attention. - The Duke of York, who 
 also read it, was very indignant, and urged the 
 King to punish the writer ; to which he replied, 
 'It were better for as to mend our lives. ' — ( Se well's 
 History.) 
 
 THOMAS EAYLTOXS ACCOUNT OF HIS 
 CONYINCEMENT. 
 
 I was born in the year 1671, and educated in 
 the way of the Church of England ; but in the 
 year 1685, being about fourteen years of age, 
 and then a scholar with one Richard Wharton, 
 priest of the parish, it providentially happened, 
 that by the invitation of one called a Quaker, 
 at whose house a meeting was kept, about two 
 miles from the place of my abode, my mother 
 went to a meeting there, and took me to ride 
 before her. At this meeting were two ministers, 
 John Bowran, and George Rooke, being come 
 to visit in this part. George Rooke was the 
 instrument under the Lord for my convince- 
 ment, by whose powerful ministry and lively 
 
240 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 prayer, it pleased God to open my heart, and 
 let me see the vanity of this present world, of 
 which, for my short time, I had some share, 
 for which I had often been secretly smitten by 
 the just witness of God in my heart. Yet, for 
 all that, I was pretty much a stranger to it, 
 and so was not sensible from whence it came, 
 until I came to be affected by the gospel, which 
 I may say was glad tidings of salvation unto 
 me : and from that day, I was joined in heart 
 with those people that directed me to Christ 
 within, the hope of their glory. 
 
 After this, the Word of God more powerfully 
 wrought in me, and showed me that I was to 
 alter the course of my conversation ; that I was 
 to leave the corrupt life, and to shun evil com- 
 pany ; and forasmuch as I was bowed before 
 the Lord, and had given up my name to serve 
 him, I then saw I must walk in the narrow 
 way, and leave the vain compliments, the pull- 
 ing off the hat, and bowing the knee to man. I 
 was soon taken notice of, and complaints made 
 to my mother, of my neglecting to conform to 
 these things, by the priest ; then my master, 
 who was moved at my behaviour, and, I suppose, 
 intended at that time to have used the rod, and 
 having made preparation, called me to him, 
 and said, ' I heard to-day thou passed by Mr. 
 Bounskill, and did not put off thy hat and bid 
 good morrow,' adding, ' what is thy reason for 
 so doing? Whether is it pride or religion ?' I 
 told him, it was not pride. 1 Then,' said he, 'it 
 must be religion ; and if so, thou must not be 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 241 
 
 whipt ;' and so laid down the rod. ' But,' said 
 he, 'if for religion, let me know why thou re- 
 fusedst, and give me some precedent.' So I 
 told him I had been reading in the Revelation, 
 and there I found that an angel showed John 
 many things, and that John said, 'When I had 
 heard and seen, I fell down to worship the 
 angel that showed me those things ; but the 
 angel said, See thou do it not, for I am thy 
 fellow-servant, and of thy brethren the pro- 
 phets, and of them which keep the sayings of 
 this book: worship God.' And from this I told 
 him, I refused to do it unto men. But he 
 endeavoured to persuade me, that what he re- 
 quested of me was no more than a civil respect 
 between man and man. From that he thought 
 I might the better conform to it, and to make 
 me the more willing to believe it was no worship, 
 but respect, he turned me to the place of the 
 children of Heth and Abraham's bowing to 
 each other, and also proceeded to show me 
 something of the like kind among the children 
 of Israel, in the time of Moses and Joshua ; 
 but all these were to no purpose to me, for my 
 eye was opened to see a more glorious dispen- 
 sation than that of Moses, yea, or the prophets ; 
 for though they were good men, and by the 
 Spirit of Christ in them they did foretell the 
 coming of Christ, and his sufferings, yet they 
 did not live to see those things come to pass, 
 which they had spoken of. And since the Xew 
 Testament is silent, and gives no account of 
 either Christ or his apostles being in the prac- 
 
 II. X 
 
242 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 tice of bowing, I did not see why either knee 
 or hat should be expected of me ; for as for the 
 latter, I have no account at all. Therefore I 
 stood to my principle, and kept to the light 
 and understanding the Lord had given me 
 through Jesus Christ my Saviour, who then 
 was come to my house in spirit, and had brought 
 salvation with him. 
 
 And that day I told one of my school-fellows, 
 that what my master (the priest) had showed 
 me, was but out of the law, and not out of the 
 gospel, which he told my master, and I had a 
 quiet day. Though I had at that time met 
 with favourable treatment from my examiner, 
 whose moderation then appeared, yet afterwards 
 he began to be more severe, and told me, that 
 unless I would make ' congees ' to him (as he 
 called them), he would teach me no longer ; and 
 although I must confess I would gladly have 
 learned a little more, yet, rather than have it 
 in a way I saw I must deny and bear testimony 
 against, I forsook the school at that time, and 
 went home to my father's house. I told my 
 mother the occasion of my coming, and although 
 she had taken me to the meeting but a few 
 weeks before, yet then she repented it, and 
 would not hear of my suffering by my master, 
 so as to give me any relief ; but I think I may 
 say, the arm of the Lord wrought for me, for 
 my master presently sent word to my mother, 
 that he had done what was in his power to 
 persuade me to be conformable, but he saw it 
 would not do, therefore desired her to send me 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 243 
 
 to school again, and he would leave me to 
 my liberty about religion. The tidings being 
 brought, as I was retired alone, not knowing 
 what would become of me, I received them 
 gladly, and went to school again, and found it 
 pretty much as had been told me. And thus 
 the Lord pleaded my innocent cause ; unto 
 whom be glory ascribed for ever. — (Leadbeater's 
 Extracts.) 
 
 GEORGE III. AND WEST THE PAINTEK. 
 
 The two following anecdotes exhibit so amiable 
 a trait in the character of George III., that 
 they will be read with pleasure, evincing as 
 they do, that an upright adherence to our reli- 
 gious principles never fails to insure the respect 
 even of those in exalted stations. 
 
 It is said to have been George III. who first 
 suggested to West the professional study of 
 Scripture History, in which that artist after- 
 wards so eminently excelled, and desired him 
 to bring his drawings to the palace for his 
 inspection. West did so ; and came at the time 
 when the Sovereign had with him some dignified 
 clergymen of the higher order. The company 
 were all gratified with the sketches, and parti- 
 cularly their accordance with the sacred text, 
 affording proof of the painter's acquaintance 
 with the Scriptures. 1 And do you know how 
 that was?' said the King to the prelate who 
 made the remark. ' Not exactly, your Majesty.' 
 • Why, my Lord, I'll tell you : Mr. West's pa- 
 
244 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 rents were Quakers, and they teach the children 
 to read the Bible very young ; I wish that was 
 more the case with us, my Lord.' — [Religious 
 Tract Society's Anecdotes.) 
 
 West had the good fortune to maintain his 
 influence at Windsor. When the King grew 
 weary of courts, and camps, and battles, the 
 observing artist took new ground, and appealed 
 to the religious feelings of his royal patron. 
 He suggested to the King a series of pictures 
 on the progress of revealed religion : a splendid 
 oratory was projected for their reception, and 
 half a dozen dignitaries of the church were 
 summoned to consider the propriety of in- 
 troducing paintings into a place of worship. 
 ' When I reflect,' said the King, 1 that the 
 Reformation condemned religious paintings in 
 churches, and that the Parliament, in the un- 
 happy days of Charles I., did the same, I am 
 fearful of introducing anything which my people 
 might think popish. Will you give me your 
 opinion on the subject?' After some delibera- 
 tion, Bishop Hurd delivered, in the name of his 
 brethren and himself, their unanimous opinion, 
 that the introduction of religious paintings into 
 his Majesty's chapel would in no respect what- 
 ever violate the laws or the usages of the 
 Church of England. 'We have examined, 
 too,' continued Hurd, 'thirty-five subjects which 
 the painter proposed for our choice, and we 
 feel that there is not one of them but may be 
 treated in a way that even a Quaker might 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 245 
 
 contemplate with edification.' The King con- 
 ceived this to be an ironical allusion to West, 
 and was a little nettled. ' The Quakers,' he 
 replied, ' are a body of Christians for whom I 
 have a high respect ; I love their peaceful 
 tenets, and their benevolence to one another ; 
 and, but for the obligations of birth, I would 
 be a Quaker.' The Bishop bowed submissively 
 and retired. — {Life of Benjamin West — Family 
 Library, No. X.) 
 
 A GOOD PROFIT. 
 
 Yes ; that is what all men wish to have. With 
 what delight do they view their success, and 
 calculate their gains ! Reader, I will propose 
 another calculation to thee, in which thou art 
 deeply interested. It is conveyed in the fol- 
 lowing question, put by Christ, who knew the 
 value of the souls for which he died : ' What is 
 a man profited if he gain the whole world, and 
 lose his own soul?' Matt. xvi. 26. 
 
 He may gain money "j 
 
 He may gain some 'friends I and lose ^ ^ 
 
 He may gain earthly pront I 
 
 He may gain fading pleasures J 
 
 Balance this account, and see on which side 
 the profit lies. Let eternity be considered in 
 thy reckoning, and then ask whether the vani- 
 ties of the world are to be preferred to the 
 durable riches and righteousness which the Lord 
 Jesus Christ offers to believers in him. 
 
 x3 
 
246 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 THE QUAKERESS BE IDE. 
 
 BY MRS. E. C. STEDMAN. 
 
 O not in the halls of the noble and proud, 
 
 Where fashion assembles her glittering crowd, 
 
 Where all is in beauty and splendour array'd, 
 
 Were the nuptials performed of the meek Quaker maid. 
 
 Nor yet in the temple those rites which she took, 
 By the altar, the mitre-crown'd bishop, and book ; 
 Where oft in bright jewels doth stand the fair bride, 
 To whisper those vows which through life shall abide. 
 
 The building was humble, yet sacred to Him 
 Before whom the pomp of religion is dim ; 
 Whose presence is not to the temple confin'd, 
 But dwells with the contrite and lowly of mind. 
 
 'Twas there, all unveil'd, save by modesty, stood 
 The Quakeress Bride, in her pure satin hood, 
 Her charms unadorn'd by the garland or gem, 
 Yet fair as the lily just pluck'd from the stem. 
 
 A tear glisten'd bright in her dark shaded eye, 
 And her bosom half utter'd a tremulous sigh, 
 As the hand she had pledged was confidingly given, 
 And the low-murmur'd accents recorded in heaven, 
 
 I've been at the bridal where wealth spread the board, 
 Where the sparkling red wine in rich goblets was pour'd ; 
 Where the priest in his surplice from ritual read, 
 And the solemn response was impressively said. 
 
 I've seen the fond sire in his thin locks of grey, 
 Give the pride of his heart to the bridegroom away ; 
 While he brush'd the big tear from his deep-furrow'd cheek, 
 And bow'd the assent which his lips might not speak. 
 
 But in all the array of the costlier scene, 
 
 Nought seem'd to my eye so sincere in its mien ; 
 
 No language so fully the heart to resign, 
 
 As the Quakeress Bride's, ' Until death I am thine ! ' 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 247 
 
 SAMUEL FOTHERGILL, 
 
 HIS EARLY SINFUL CAREER ; CONVERSION ; AND REMARKABLE 
 CIRCUMSTANCES CONNECTED WITH HIS FIRST INTERVIEW 
 WITH HIS FATHER AFTER HIS CONVERSION. 
 
 Samuel Fothergill, the sixth son of John and 
 Margaret Fothergill, was born in 1715, at Carr 
 End, on the banks of the quiet lake of Seiner 
 Water. He was very little more than three 
 years old, when the death of his mother deprived 
 him of her tender care ; and of his early youth 
 but little is now known. He was endowed with 
 considerable talents ; had a strong mind, and 
 was of an active, lively, and even volatile dis- 
 position. These qualities caused his company 
 to be much sought after, and early introduced 
 him into society at Stockport (where he had 
 been placed apprentice), of an injurious and 
 hurtful character, calculated to dissipate and 
 eradicate those lessons of piety and virtue which 
 his worthy father had earnestly laboured to 
 impress upon the minds of all his children. 
 
 Yielding to the temptations to which he was 
 thus exposed, Samuel gave way to the indul- 
 gence of his evil passions, and, with his new 
 companions, abandoned himself to the pursuit 
 of folly and dissipation. This downward path 
 he continued for some time, and the state into 
 which it brought him, as afterwards described 
 by himself, and the view which he subsequently 
 took of his condition at this time, is striking and 
 affecting: — 'I wandered far from the garden 
 
248 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 enclosed, and laid myself open to the enemy of 
 my soul. I kept the worst company, and sub- 
 jected myself to almost every temptation, broke 
 through the fence of the sacred enclosure, and 
 trampled it under my feet ; and I went on from 
 one degree of iniquity to another!'. . . 'I strayed 
 to that degree, that my life became a burden to 
 me, and I wished that I had never been born.' 
 
 The downward course which he thus pursued, 
 was not, however, of long duration, nor was he 
 utterly cast off nor forsaken, even in the midst 
 of this sinful career. Many were the strivings 
 of the Spirit with his soul, and frequent the 
 visitations of Divine grace. He says, 1 He who 
 had kindled breathings in my soul after him, 
 would (even then) sometimes break in upon 
 me.' And again, * Although I had exceeded all 
 others in sin, and had long done despite unto 
 him, yet there was mercy with him, that he 
 might be feared.' 
 
 He continued, however, for a time, to resist 
 these visitations of Divine regard, thus gra- 
 ciously continued to him ; and many were the 
 deep trials and conflicts through which he 
 passed, alternately yielding and resisting, until 
 at length his spiritual state and his danger were 
 very forcibly brought before him, attended by a 
 deep persuasion that these offers of mercy would 
 be no more renewed, and that if he now any 
 longer resisted, the day of his visitation would 
 be over, and his destruction certain and inevit- 
 able. So powerful was this impression, that it 
 brought him into great trouble and distress, and 
 
" SELECT MISCELLANIES. ' 249 
 
 caused renewed and very earnest prayers for 
 help and strength ; he cried mightily for deliver- 
 ance, and says, 1 My lips quivered, and I trem- 
 bled, that my soul might rest in the day of 
 trouble.' 
 
 This help and this strength were mercifully 
 granted, and he was enabled to maintain his 
 ground. He was now twenty years of age, and 
 the altered circumstances in which he was 
 placed, were favourable to the progress of re- 
 pentance and conversion ; and he had now many 
 seasons of retirement, peculiarly favourable to 
 the present state of his mind. Deeply affecting 
 to John Fothergill was the past conduct of his 
 son Samuel ; the evil of his ways, and his grie- 
 vous departure from those paths of truth and 
 virtue, in which he had, by long example and 
 often inculcated precept, endeavoured to train all 
 his children, caused him much sorrow and dis- 
 tress. He was now about to embark for a distant 
 land, in the service and cause of his Lord and 
 Master, and the conviction that he was leaving 
 behind him a beloved son, for whose restoration 
 and welfare he had often put up his prayers, and 
 yet who had so deeply revolted from the law 
 of God, was bitter indeed to his soul. Memor- 
 able and affecting was their last interview be- 
 fore John Fothergill sailed for America. After 
 once more imparting to his son deep and im- 
 pressive counsel, he took his leave in these 
 words : * And now, son Samuel, farewell, fare 
 well! and unless it be as a changed man, I 
 cannot say I have any wish ever to see thee 
 
250 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 again. ' These parting expressions, this powerful 
 appeal from a father whom, notwithstanding 
 his disobedience, he still tenderly loved, uttered 
 during what might probably be the last time 
 they should meet in this life, together with the 
 awful solemnity and deep feeling with which 
 they were accompanied, produced a strong im- 
 pression upon Samuel Fothergill ; they re- 
 mained as if engraven upon his heart, and 
 assisted to confirm and strengthen him in the 
 path of repentance and conversion upon which 
 he had entered, and which, happily for him, he 
 now experienced to be permanent. Thus, 
 yielding to the powerful convictions of Divine 
 grace, he was brought into a state of deep re- 
 pentance ; and as a brand plucked out of the 
 burning, and as one awakened from the sleep 
 of death, in due time he witnessed a deliverance 
 from the bondage of corruption, and a being 
 created anew unto holiness, the end whereof is 
 eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
 
 Of the many conflicts and baptisms through 
 which he passed, during this work, or of the 
 advancement which he was enabled to make 
 towards that thorough establishment and set- 
 tlement in the truth which he was favoured 
 afterwards so eminently to experience, no dis- 
 tinct account is now to be found ; such a record 
 from his own pen would have been interesting, 
 and deeply instructive. Yet there is ground 
 to believe that after a time his progress was 
 rapid and steady. In his correspondence, he 
 speaks of his state, and of the dealings of the 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 251 
 
 Lord with his soul, and in due time he became 
 an eminent minister of the gospel, labouring to 
 turn others to that which he had in his early 
 years despised and rejected. 
 
 Soon after the return of John Fothergill from 
 America, he went to the Quarterly meeting at 
 York. Here he met his son Samuel. Tradition 
 has handed down a remarkable circumstance 
 connected with this, their first interview, since 
 the return of the father to England. It is said 
 that, from some accidental circumstance, John 
 Fothergill did not arrive in York until the morn- 
 ing of the day of the meeting, and that it was 
 late when he entered the meeting-house. After 
 a short period of silence, he stood up, and began 
 speaking ; but after he had proceeded a short 
 time, he stopped, and informed the meeting that 
 his way was closed ; that what he had before 
 him was taken away, and was, he believed, given 
 to another. He resumed his seat, and another 
 Friend immediately rose, and taking up the 
 subject, enlarged upon it in a weighty and im- 
 pressive testimony, delivered with great power. 
 At the close of the meeting, John Fothergill 
 inquired who the Friend was that had been so 
 remarkably engaged amongst them, and was 
 informed that it was his son Samuel! 
 
 Their thus meeting together, under circum- 
 stances so different to those in which their last 
 memorable interview had taken place, previous 
 to John Fothergill's departure for America, 
 was peculiarly moving and affecting to them 
 both. The son, at that time in a state of rebel- 
 
252 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 lion and alienation from good, now become 
 'changed' indeed, and a fellow-labourer with 
 his father in the ministry of the gospel, power- 
 fully advocating and enforcing those great and 
 solemn truths he had formerly neglected and 
 trodden down, and engaged earnestly to beseech 
 others to become, as he had been, reconciled 
 unto God. 
 
 The good old man received his son as one 
 restored from the spiritually dead, and wept 
 and rejoiced over him with no common joy. — 
 
 {Memoir of Samuel Fothergill.) 
 
 YOUTH IS THE MOST FAVOURABLE SEASON 
 TO ATTEND TO RELIGION. 
 
 'Therefore,' says one, 'as the mariner takes 
 the first wind to sail ; as the merchant takes 
 the first opportunity to buy and sell ; and as 
 the husbandman takes the first opportunity of 
 sowing and reaping ; so should young men take 
 the present season, the present day, to seek the 
 Lord and serve him, and not to put off the pre- 
 sent season ; for they know not what another 
 day, another hour, another moment may bring 
 forth ; that door of grace which is open to-day, 
 may be shut to-morrow ; that golden sceptre of 
 mercy, that is held forth in the gospel to-day, 
 may be withdrawn to-morrow ; that love which 
 at this hour is upon the bare knee entreating 
 and beseeching young men to break off their sins 
 by repentance, to return to the Lord, to lay hold 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 253 
 
 on his strength, and be at peace with him, may, 
 the next hour, be turned into wrath.' 
 
 Begin, be bold and venture to be wise ; 
 
 He who defers this work from day to day 
 
 Does on a rivers bank expecting stay, 
 
 Till the whole stream that stopp'd him shall be gone, 
 
 Which runs, and as it runs, for ever will run on. 
 
 'CHILDREN ARE AN HERITAGE OF THE LORD.' 
 
 The following remarkable circumstance was re- 
 lated to Ann Mifflin, wife of Warner, by a person 
 not a member of the Religious Society of 
 Friends, but who attended their meetings : — 
 
 'Reading the life of Fenelon, one First-day 
 morning, in my bed, two of my children being 
 with me — a son of seven years old and a daughter 
 of four — I requested them to remain still while 
 I read ; and to induce them to be so, I proposed 
 that they should think for half an hour, and 
 then tell me their thoughts. 
 
 1 After a pause, my little son replied, it was 
 impossible to tell his thoughts ; they were the 
 same that had been in his mind more than one 
 year ; and that they were so delightful, the 
 more he thought the more he wished to con- 
 tinue in that sweet meditation ; and if all the 
 world could get into the same feeling, it would 
 be impossible for any to be damned. 
 - ' Being very much startled at such an unex- 
 pected reply from so young a child, I inquired 
 of .him if he could recollect the first time w r heu 
 he felt these serious impressions. He said they 
 
 II. Y 
 
254 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 came on by degrees, and from a desire to be 
 good and serve God. 
 
 ' I then asked him if he was willing to die and 
 go to heaven. He said he had heaven already 
 in his own heart, therefore he believed if he 
 should be called from this world his spirit would 
 unite with God his Father. But he wanted to 
 live to piay for others who were wicked ; and 
 that many times when he was alone he had 
 burst into tears for the sins of the world, and 
 had wished it were in his power to bring them 
 into the same feeling as himself. He also said 
 that he could not speak of these things to his 
 companions at school, knowing he should be ridi- 
 culed ; and also, that if I knew all he suffered 
 in his mind among such a set of wicked boys, I 
 should weep for him. 
 
 ' I asked him what he meant ? 
 
 1 He said he grieved for them, lest they should 
 continue hardened in wickedness ; was sorry 
 that they should offend so good a God, and was 
 distressed for himself in struggling against the 
 temptations before him, and was afraid he should 
 do something wrong himself ; but that these 
 thoughts which were continually with him, were 
 his comfort. 
 
 ' 1 asked him if he knew from whence those 
 thoughts proceeded ? 
 
 ' He said, " Yes, from God ;" and added, it 
 was God's Spirit in him, and that he sometimes 
 enjoyed heaven without waiting for death.' 
 
 [After the child had left the room] ' my eldest 
 daughter, aged twelve years, who was present, 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 255 
 
 burst into tears, and said, " What but the Spirit 
 of God could make a child like this speak in this 
 manner?'" — (Philad. Moral Almanac.) 
 
 INSTANCE OF MERCY AND JUDGMENT. 
 
 A singular instance of the love and mercy of 
 Almighty God, as also of his just judgment, in 
 the case of a young man, happened in my early 
 life. He lived at a public house, and was one 
 who took great delight in company, vanity, and 
 horse-racing. One day, as he and one of his 
 companions were running horses, at the end of 
 the race ground, he was dashed with great vio- 
 lence against a tree, the horse taking the oppo- 
 site side from that he expected to go, which 
 brought his head directly against the tree. He 
 was taken up and carried into a house for dead. 
 A doctor was sent for, who gave no encourage- 
 ment of his recovery : but after a time he revived, 
 and in a few days recovered his understanding. 
 O! the distress and anguish he was then in, 
 having no other prospect but shortly to be sum- 
 moned before an offended God, to receive the 
 sentence, 1 Depart from me, thou worker of ini- 
 quity.' Bitter were his moans, and sore his 
 lamentations, and fervent his cries for mercy. 
 I went to see him in his distress, when it was 
 not in the power of man to relieve him. His 
 petitions were for mercy and for time ; he asked 
 only for one year, that he might lead a new life, 
 be an example and warning to his companions, 
 
 y 2 
 
256 _ SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 and honour and glorify God his Creator. The 
 Lord in mercy heard his petition, and in great 
 condescension granted his request, even to a 
 miracle, as it was thought impossible for him 
 to be raised ; and gave him not only one year, 
 but several. For a time he lived a sober, watch- 
 ful, and orderly life ; but for want of breaking 
 off from his old companions, and living a more 
 retired life, he at length by little and little fell 
 away, and got into the same paths of folly and 
 dissipation. He was not, however, suffered to 
 go on long in this way; for one evening as he 
 was riding with several of his companions, one 
 of whom he expected to be joined in marriage 
 with in a few days, his horse, without any fright 
 that they could discover, ran off, threw him in 
 the road, and killed him. I was told he never 
 drew breath after they reached him, that they 
 could discover. This event happened in the 
 evening, after spending the First-day afternoon 
 in lightness and vanity. — (E. Collin's Journal.) 
 
 THE FRUIT OF A MEEK AND CHRISTIAN SPIRIT. 
 
 William Blakey, a minister in the Society of 
 Friends, resided at Middletown, Pennsylvania. 
 During the war of the American Revolution, 
 he, with many of his fellow-professors, suffered 
 from the foraging parties of the American army. 
 At one time a party, headed by an officer, came 
 to William's farm, and appeared disposed to 
 strip him of all his substance which they could 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 257 
 
 possibly take off. The officer ordered his men 
 to seize upon the horses and waggons, and to load 
 up the grain and other produce. Whilst the 
 men were doiug his bidding, he himself was 
 abusing William, calling him a rebel, and threat- 
 ening to take his life. His aim seemed to be 
 to irritate William to do or say something which 
 might furnish a pretext for personal violence 
 towards him. But William remained silent, 
 and was perfectly calm and collected ; his 
 thoughts were turned inward towards his divine 
 Master, for strength and support, and he dis- 
 played no hard feelings towards those who were 
 thus robbing him of his substance. The officer 
 soon became silent ; he was evidently agitated 
 and distressed. The quiet humility of his victim 
 was a more powerful appeal to him than the 
 most eloquent intercession would have proved. 
 
 After a time he turned to William, and with 
 a faltering voice asked him whether he ever 
 prayed. William replied, he hoped he had at 
 times been favoured to have access to the throne 
 of grace, and that at this time of trial he had 
 been endeavouring to feel after the spirit of 
 supplication. The officer then asked if he ever 
 prayed for any one but himself ; and on William 
 answering in the affirmative, added, ' I wish, 
 then, you would pray for me, fur I would not 
 endure the wretchedness I now feel for all you 
 are worth.' The soldiers had by this time 
 secured the grain, and had loaded it into the 
 waggons ; but the officer was so completely over- 
 come bv the meek Christian spirit of him thev 
 
 y3 
 
258 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 had been spoiling of his goods, that he ordered 
 all to be restored. — (Philad. Moral Almanac.) 
 
 FREEDOM FROM RESTRAINT. 
 
 An absolute freedom from all restraint, which 
 some young men think to be liberty, sets over 
 them harder masters than their tutors — even 
 their own desires, let loose as it were like wild 
 beasts from chains. — (Plutarch.) 
 
 IMPRISONMENT AND WHIPPINGS UNDER 
 FALSE PRETENCES. 
 
 'There was a law' (saysBEssE, in 1657) 'requir- 
 ing single persons, under forty years of age, 
 having no other visible means of maintenance, 
 to go out to service.' Under this law, 'Agnes, 
 Jane, and Eliza Light, who had a house and 
 land of their own, and maintained themselves by 
 their industry, were sent to Exeter Bridewell, 
 although two of them were above the age men- 
 tioned. 
 
 Under the like pretence, Mary Witheridge 
 was taken from her aged father and sent to pri 
 son ; and Eleanor Roberts, an industrious youn£ 
 woman, was committed to Bridewell, where sht 
 lay two nights on the bare stones, and at the 
 end of three days was unmercifully whipped, 
 and detained there six months after. 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 259 
 
 BENEFICIAL EFFECTS OF ELIZABETH FRY'S 
 OPERATIONS IN NEWGATE. 
 
 1 It would be altogether in vain,' writes a clergy- 
 man of the Church of England, * to form an 
 estimate of the good effected by the continued 
 operations in Newgate, of Mrs. Fry and her 
 amiable colleagues. Mr. Highmore, however, 
 remarks, in his publication in 1822 — " The 
 beneficial effects are calculated from the pro- 
 gressive decrease of the number of prisoners 
 recommitted, which has diminished, since the 
 visits of Mrs. Fry and the ladies at Newgate, 
 no less than forty per cent. Their judicious 
 arrangements in the prisons, and the attention 
 provided for the moral and religious instruction, 
 on the voyage, of convicts to transportation, 
 have promoted good order in the passage. In 
 many places in England and in Europe, ladies 
 of distinguished rank have engaged with ardour 
 in this interesting work." 
 
 ' Benefits to society at large, by labours so 
 truly philanthropic, could not fail to receive 
 some acknowledgment in public. This might 
 be expected at the public meetings of the 
 Prison Discipline Society. And especially 
 was it the case at the general meeting of 
 that institution, held June 2, 1821, in Free- 
 masons' Hall, at which the Duke of Gloucester 
 presided. There were present, also, Lord Cal- 
 thorpe, Lord John Russell, others of the nobility, 
 and a numerous assemblage of the gentry and 
 
260 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 ladies, particularly members of the Society of 
 Friends, and Mrs. Fry. 
 
 ' Sir James Mackintosh, after the Royal 
 Chairman and the two noble lords had ad- 
 dressed the assembly, advocated the cause of 
 prison discipline, as the cause of humanity 
 and sound policy, paying an eloquent tribute 
 to Mrs. Fry, as "the more than female Howard." 
 
 ' Mrs. Fry's labours and success among the 
 female prisoners of Newgate, became the theme 
 of admiration and praise with every one capable 
 of estimating real goodness and genuine phil- 
 anthropy. Her name and her works were 
 known in every part of the country, and far 
 beyond the boundaries of the United Kingdom. 
 The great good resulting from the reading of 
 the Scriptures in the prisons of England being 
 generally known, the agents of the British and 
 Foreign Bible Society were influenced to direct 
 attention to those gloomy mansions abroad. 
 Their counsel was taken in many instances, 
 and blessings followed, of which there is abun- 
 dant evidence.' — (" Rev." T. Timpson's Memoirs 
 of Mrs. Fry.) 
 
 SIX GREAT PERSECUTIONS DURING THE REIGN 
 OF CHARLES II. 
 
 Whiting, after mentioning the death of Charles 
 II. in 1684, recapitulates six great persecutions 
 of the Quakers which took place during his 
 reign. 
 
 1. In 1600, for meeting to worship, and for 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 261 
 
 refusing to swear, 220 of the Society were 
 prisoners at Ilchester, 500 in Yorkshire, and 
 (he thinks) about 5000 in all England. 
 
 2. In 1662, on the Act 13 and 14, Charles 
 II., made against Friends in particular, abun- 
 dance were taken up at meetings and impri- 
 soned, as well as for refusing to swear. 
 
 3. On the Act of Banishment in 1664 (pre- 
 tended against seditious conventicles), many were 
 tried and sentenced to banishment. 
 
 4. In 1670, on the new Act of like purport 
 with the above. 
 
 5. In 1675 and 1676, renewed and continued 
 persecution in meetings, with as great rigour 
 and violence as before. 
 
 6. The persecution still more rigorously re- 
 vived and carried on, from 1682 to the time of 
 the king's death. In the latter persecutions, 
 the informer getting one-third, and often more, 
 of the excessive penalties, ' a great many loose, 
 profane, lewd fellows of the baser sort, of indi- 
 gent fortunes, having spent their own estates, 
 or what they had, were thereby encouraged to 
 ruin their neighbours ; and abundance of havoc 
 and spoil was made on Friends' goods, in most 
 if not all the counties of England.' — (White- 
 head's Christian Progress, p. 266.) 
 
 ON GOSPEL MINISTRY. 
 
 The pious biographer of Henry Martyn (that 
 devoted and laborious missionary) has this sen- 
 
262 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 sible remark on his first being called to the work 
 of the ministry: — ' God, who has appointed dif- 
 ferent orders and degrees in his church, and 
 who assigns to all the members of it their 
 respective stations, was at this time pleased, by 
 the almighty and gracious influence of his Spirit, 
 to call him to a work demanding the most pain- 
 ful sacrifices and the most arduous exertions — 
 that of a Christian missionary.' And Henry 
 Marty n himself, when afterwards engaged in 
 the service, entertained a sound and evangelical 
 view of what the true authority is which makes 
 manifest the right ordination of a Gospel mini- 
 ster. ' I longed/ says he, ' that I might not 
 say one word to men of myself from my own 
 mind, but that God would put his own word 
 into my mouth, that I might feed his people 
 with true spiritual food.' 
 
 FRIENDS SUFFER AS VAGRANTS. 
 
 1657. — A Friend, of Totness, was stopped on 
 the road about 10 miles from home, by a 
 drunken fellow, who took away her horse. She 
 complained to a justice, who finding she had not 
 a pass (at that time requisite for safety), sent her 
 to jail, and had the horse sold to pay charges. 
 — (Sewell, i., 150.) 
 
 On a single page of Besse are recorded as 
 occurring in Devonshire, in 1657, the case of 
 nine Friends taken upon the road or at meet- 
 ings, publicly whipped, and passed away as 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 263 
 
 vagrants. One of them, Samuel Curtis, whipped 
 at Chard Market, was a clothier of considerable 
 trade, wealth, and reputation. Another, George 
 Burley, was sent off from Bridport without his 
 horse and clothes ; and the infliction of the 
 scourge was twice repeated, upon his returning 
 twice after the constable had set him liberty to 
 get them. Laura Bagg, a mercer's wife in 
 Bridport, with her son and two daughters, hav- 
 ing walked to a meeting in the town and home 
 again, were charged by the bailiffs with wander- 
 ing and profane walking on the Sabbath-day, and 
 fined 2s. Qd. each, and tor refusing to pay impri- 
 soned several months. — (Besse, ii., 166.) 
 
 DEPUTATION OF FRIENDS ON BEHALF OF THE 
 SENECA INDIANS. 
 
 4 Among the individuals whose private friendship 
 we had the fortune to cultivate and enjoy while 
 at Washington,' observes J. S. Buckingham, 
 M.P., ' none delighted us more by their intelli- 
 gence, urbanity, and perfect freedom from that 
 overweening assumption of national superiority 
 and exclusiveness, which we had too often occa- 
 sion to observe in others, than Judge White 
 and his lady. They were both from Tennessee, 
 of which the Judge is one of the senators. At 
 the last contest, he was one of the candidates 
 put in nomination for the presidency; for though 
 upwards of seventy years of age, the universal 
 appreciation of the justness of his character 
 
264 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 was such as to overcome this objection, and he 
 was thus very extensively supported in the 
 States in which he was best known. This 
 reputation for integrity occasions him to be 
 the senator most frequently appealed to against 
 acts of oppression and injustice, whether com- 
 mitted by the government or by private indi- 
 viduals. Several instances of this became 
 known to me, as the deputations that waited 
 upon him were often received in the drawing- 
 room, so that we had an opportunity of hearing 
 their statements. 
 
 ' One of these, a deputation from Philadelphia, 
 came to seek his counsel in the following case. 
 They said, that about fifty years ago some 
 members of their body, the Society of Friends, 
 living at Philadelphia, considered that as they 
 were occupying the lands that once belonged 
 to the Seneca tribe of Indians — though these 
 lands were ceded by voluntary treaty, and fairly 
 and fully paid for — yet as they, the Quakers, 
 had many of them grown rich by the occupation 
 of the territory through the improved condition 
 of it by themselves, they felt it to be their duty 
 to take the Seneca nation under their especial 
 protection, and do all they could to advance 
 them in comfort and civilization. They had 
 accordingly sent agents among them, prevailed 
 upon them to hold lands in severalty, and to 
 follow the arts of cultivation ; and had so im- 
 proved the adults, and so trained the children 
 of the tribe, that the greater portion of them 
 were now fixed as permanent occupiers of the 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 265 
 
 soil in the Western country, and were slowly, 
 though steadily, advancing onward in the same 
 career. 
 
 'A fraudulent attempt to remove these In- 
 dians still farther west, beyond the Mississippi, 
 had recently been made knowu to the Quakers, 
 and they had come on to Washington to stop 
 its further progress if they could. Some un- 
 principled land-speculators, white men and 
 Americans, had been among them, and tried 
 all their arts to persuade them to part with 
 their lands for a given sum of purchase money, 
 quite insignificant as compared with the real 
 value of the territory ; but neither misrepre- 
 sentations, blandishments, nor threats could 
 prevail on the Indians to assent. Failing 
 therefore in this, these speculators drew off, 
 one by one, a few of the most ignorant of the 
 tribe, and by false representations and false 
 promises, got a very few to accompany them to 
 Washington, as a deputation from the Indian 
 tribe, bearing a treaty assigning their whole 
 territory to the speculators in question ; which 
 treaty was signed by the said Indians for 
 and on behalf of the tribe, who, it was 
 pretended, had deputed them. The Quakers, 
 however, who suspected this story from the 
 beginning, sent some of their own members to 
 the west, and ascertained from the mouths of 
 the chiefs that they had never delegated their 
 power to treat to any persons whatever, when 
 they returned bearing a protest against the 
 alienation of their lands, and declaring their 
 
 EL 8 
 
2G6 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 dissent from the pretended treaty in ques- 
 tion. 
 
 * As all treaties are of necessity sent by the 
 President to the Senate for their approval, it 
 would fall within the power of Judge White, 
 as one of that body, to give due exposure to 
 this nefarious transaction, and thus the benevo- 
 lent mission of these worthy Quakers — always 
 engaged in this country, as the members of 
 their Society are in every other in which they 
 exist, in doing good — would be crowned with 
 success. For want of similar interventions of 
 friendly parties, the poor Indians are often 
 plundered and pillaged by unprincipled and 
 cunning speculators, who grow rich by the 
 spoil, and pass from the completion of one 
 successful aggression to the commencement of 
 another and a greater one, till death or expo- 
 sure puts an end to their wicked career.' — 
 (Buckingham's America.) 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM R. S. 
 
 I like young men to avow their principles, and 
 range themselves conspicuously on the right 
 side. I like such to commit hostilities, to carry 
 the war into the enemies' quarter, and to engage 
 in such acts as will make an irreparable breach, 
 an everlasting enmity ; for such there must and 
 will be between the two seeds. My spirit hath 
 waded in the deep many a time in travail for 
 the visited youth, that not one grain of the 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 267 
 
 heavenly seed might be lost, nor unfruitful ; 
 and now my cry is that they may ' go forward.' 
 They have, many of them, been tied up from 
 the farther sallies of their own wild nature ; 
 they have known the discipline of the rein ; and 
 now the Master hath need of them — he calls for 
 their service in the church. Indeed they can- 
 not serve abetter Master — his service dignifies; 
 the meanest talent and the brightest, if they 
 tend not to promote it, are but meanly em- 
 ployed. This world, its bustles, its pursuits, 
 and its highest glory, will soon be over to every 
 one that is at present in it : then the answer of 
 * Well done, good and faithful servant,' will be 
 a more joyful, a more substantial reward than 
 all the favour and friendship, false praise and 
 honour, which this life can bestow. — (Lead- 
 beater's Extracts.) 
 
 WIT. 
 
 Wit is a happy and striking way of expressing a 
 thought. It is not often, though it be lively and 
 mantling, that it carries a great body with it. 
 Wit is therefore fitter for diversion than business, 
 being more grateful to the fancy than judgment. 
 Less judgment than wit, is more sail than 
 ballast. Yet it must be confessed, that wit 
 gives an edge to sense, and recommends it ex- 
 tremely. Where judgment has wit to express 
 it, there is the best orator.— (William Pbnn.) 
 
 z2 
 
268 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 SILENT MEETINGS. 
 
 A person in Birmingham, inclining to attend 
 Friends' meetings, was disappointed that those 
 he attended were held in silence ; he resolved, 
 however, that he would go once more, and if 
 nothing was spoken, he would give up his 
 attendance, for it seems he had depended much 
 on instrumental help. Near the close of the 
 next meeting he went to, a Friend from Coven- 
 try was there, who rose with saying, that he 
 believed it was his place just to express those 
 memorable words of our blessed Lord to Paul, 
 'My grace is sufficient for thee.' The in- 
 structive assurance went with power to the heart 
 of the stranger, he left the meeting satisfied, 
 and from that time it is said he was a constant 
 attender. 
 
 HORRORS OF WAR. 
 
 In the Crusades, or Holy Wars, continuing 200 
 years, 2,000,000 men were butchered, besides 
 women and children. 
 
 At the battle of Waterloo, more than 50,000 
 perished. 
 
 At the battle of Chalons, the number slain 
 was 153,000. 
 
 The Persian expedition to Greece lost 200,000 
 men. 
 
 At the battle of Cannse, 40,000 Romans were 
 slain. After the battle, three bushels of gold 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 260 
 
 rings were found, showing the number of Roman 
 knights who were slain. 
 
 By the will of three military despots — Caesar, 
 Alexander, and Napoleon — six millions of human 
 beings were butchered. 
 
 HEAR THE 'CHURCH.' 
 
 Let us pause for a moment and hear what the 
 Bishops and other Dignitaries of the Church 
 of England say in reference to the purity of her 
 character. 
 
 1. Bishop Lowth says, — 'It pleased God, in 
 his unsearchable wisdom, to suffer the progress 
 of the reformation to be stopped in the midway. 1 
 — {Visitation Sermon, 1758.) 
 
 2. Dr. Henry More says, the reformed 
 churches ' have separated from the great Babylon 
 to build those that are lesser and more tolerable, 
 but not to be tolerated for ever.' — (Myst. of 
 Iniquity, p. 553.) 
 
 3. Archbishop Laud says, — ' The Roman 
 Church and the Church of England are but 
 two distinct members of the Catholic Church ; 
 the former being ' the elder sister' of the latter. 
 (Relation of the Conference. Ed. 1639, pp. 
 311, 313.) 
 
 4. The same Archbishop again, — ' If the re- 
 ligion of the Protestants be in conscience a 
 known false religion, then the Romanists' is 
 so too ; for their religion is the same ; nor do 
 the Church of Rome and the Protestants set up 
 a different religion.' — (See p. 376, &c.) 
 
 z 3 
 
270 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 5. Bishop Watson says, — -The innovations 
 introduced into our religious establishment, at 
 the Reformation, were great and glorious for 
 those times, but some further innovations are yet 
 wanting.'— [Misc. Tracts, vol. ii., p. 17.) 
 
 6. Bjshop Burnet says, — 1 1 have always had 
 a true zeal for the Church of England, yet I 
 must say, there are many things in it that have 
 been very uneasy to me.' — (Hist. Own Times, vol. 
 ii., p. 634.) 
 
 7. David Simpson, M.A., Minister of Christ 
 Church, Macclesfield, says, — ' We have been 
 contented to suffer our religious constitution, 
 our doctrines and ceremonies, and forms of 
 public worship, to remain nearly in the same 
 unpurged, adulterated, and superstitious state, in 
 which the original reformers left them.' — 
 (Plea, p. 206, ed. 1835.) 
 
 8. Bishop Burnet says, — ' The requiring sub- 
 scription to the thirty-nine articles is a great 
 imposition.' — (Hist. Own Times, vol. ii., p. 634.) 
 
 9. D. Simpson, M.A., again, — The establish- 
 ment ' is a strange mixture of things secular and 
 religious. It is nearly as much so as it is in th i 
 Catholic countries.' — (p. 210.) 
 
 10. Bishop Watson says, — ' The articles of 
 the Church of England undoubtedly want a re- 
 visal.' — (Misc. Tracts, vol. ii., p. 17.) 
 
 11. Archdeacon Blackburn says, — ' The 
 forms of the Church' being ' weighed in the 
 balance of the sanctuary, have been found 
 greatly wanting. ' — ( Confessional.) 
 
 12. Simpson's Plea, — 4 Our confirmations, 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 271 
 
 and I may add, even our ordinations for the 
 sacred ministry, are dwindled into painful and 
 disgusting ceremonies, as they are usually ad- 
 ministered/ Again, at page 221, the minister 
 of Christ Church, Macclesfield, enumerates 
 eighteen of the canons of his church, and affirms 
 that 4 they contain the very worst part of 
 popery ;' — and that one of the observances re- 
 quired by the Church, in reference to these 
 canons, constitutes ' one of the most detestable 
 instances of Anti-Christian Imposition, that 
 was ever exercised over a body of Clergy.' 
 The result of all this is thus summed up by — 
 
 13. A Clergyman of the Establishment 
 (Nihill), — ' The mass of the population are 
 attached rather by their habits, than by their 
 conviction, to the national communion : and he 
 must be a stranger in England, who does not 
 perceive that those habits are daily losing 
 ground.' 
 
 14. Bishop Burnet says, — 'The scandalous 
 practices of non-residence and pluralities is 
 so shameful a profanation of holy things, that it 
 ought to be treated with detestation and horror.' 
 — (Hist. Ouon Times, vol. ii., p. 646.) 
 
 15. Bishop Watson thus writes of the Atha- 
 nasian Creed : — ■ A motley monster of bigotry 
 and superstition, a scarecrow of shreds and 
 patches, dressed up of old by philosophers and 
 popes to amuse the speculative and to affright 
 the ignorant ; now a butt of scorn, against which 
 every unfledged witling essays his wanton efforts, 
 and before he has learned his catechism, is fixed 
 
272 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 an infidel for life.'' — (Misc. Tracts by Bishop of 
 Landaff, vol. ii., p. 49.) 
 
 Is it — or is it not — imposing a burden on our 
 consciences, to compel us to support a church 
 whose character and whose formularies are thus 
 described by her own ministers and her bishops ? 
 
 THE ORIGINAL USE OF TITHE. 
 
 Not a single national document relative to the 
 subject has come down to us, in which the right 
 of the poor to a considerable portion of the tithe 
 is not distinctly recognized. In the compilation 
 which goes under the name of Archbishop 
 Egbert, we meet with the following canon : — 
 * Let the mass-priests themselves receive the 
 tithes from the people, and keep a written list 
 of the names of all who have given, and divide, 
 in presence of men fearing God, the tithe ac- 
 cording to the authority of the canons ; and 
 choose the first portion for the adornment of 
 the church; and let them distribute humbly and 
 mercifully, with their own hands, the second 
 portion for the benefit of poor and wayfaring 
 men ; and then may they retain the third portion 
 for themselves.' — (Dr. Lingakd's History of the 
 Anglo-Saxon Church.) 
 
 ANTHONY PURVER, 
 
 Wno made a translation of the Bible, was, by 
 trade, a shoemaker. He began to teach him- 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 273 
 
 self Greek and Hebrew with a book before him, 
 and his work on the last in his lap — whilst 
 drawing the thread through the leather, was 
 the opportunity which he embraced of lifting his 
 e ves from his work to his book ; and that por- 
 tion of the time in which he was thus engaged 
 in his humble vocation, was the interval for 
 meditating on what he had read. Besides an 
 innate and deep-rooted predilection for learning 
 these languages, he possessed a strong memory 
 and great perseverance, by which he was able 
 to surmount those difficulties which would have 
 confounded a common mind. The present 
 Bishop of Salisbury, one of the first Greek and 
 Hebrew scholars of the day, has pronounced 
 Purver's translation of the Bible to be superior 
 to all others, for closeness to the original. 
 
 VISIT TO THE FIELD OF WATERLOO. 
 
 Our visit to the field of Waterloo was deeply in- 
 teresting, though I did not anticipate it ; to walk 
 over the ground where so many thousands were 
 immolated at the shrine of mad ambition, — to 
 have pointed out by one who was himself en- 
 gaged in the strife, as Edward Colta the guide 
 was, — to enter the ruins of the chateau of 
 Hugomont, around and within which so many 
 lives were sacrificed, — to examine the actual 
 marks left by the musket and cannon balls, — to 
 walk over the spot where, a few years ago, such 
 heaps of immortal souls were separated (engaged 
 
274 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 as they were in the horrid din of battle, of 
 mortal strife) from their earthly tenements, and 
 hurried into the presence of their Creator and 
 Judge, — to ascend the mount of the Belgic Lion, 
 and from its eminence see the whole battle-field 
 spread before us, and described as carelessly as 
 boys would describe their mimic battle-field, — 
 to visit afterward the little church at Waterloo, 
 and there read over the long list of the names 
 of officers who fell in the battle, recorded on the 
 numerous tombstones in the church, while at 
 the bottom are enrolled the gross number of the 
 soldiers of each battalion or regiment who fell 
 the victims of war there, — all these awaken, 
 though perhaps more afterwards on sober reflec- 
 tion than at the time, a train of thought on the 
 dreadful lengths to which human beings may 
 be led, when they place themselves under the 
 guidance of ambition, revenge, and all the 
 darker passions which are declared to be the 
 peculiar attributes of Satan. The tourist is 
 more or less annoyed by the peasantry present- 
 ing to him relics of the battle to purchase, in the 
 shape of old bullets, broken bayonets, and even 
 of cartouch boxes, &c. ; but it is well known 
 these are manufactured for the occasion, real 
 relics having of later years become extremely 
 scarce. 
 
 PLEASING AND INTERESTING ANECDOTE. 
 
 A ministering Friend of a distant land, having 
 embarked on board a vessel for another port, 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 275 
 
 whither he was bound on a religious visit to the 
 Friends there, in a letter addressed to a near 
 relative in this country, relates the following 
 pleasing and interesting anecdote : — After ob- 
 serving that he was kindly accompanied to the 
 ship bj some Friends, who remained on board 
 with him until the vessel had got under weigh, 
 he goes on to say, that they soon lost sight of 
 land, and the weather coming on squally, he 
 went below, and applying to his carpet-bag, 
 which had been carefully furnished with the 
 needful comforts for the voyage by his affectionate 
 wife, before leaving home, he took out his Bible 
 with the intention of reading a portion of its 
 contents. 
 
 In doing this, the book opened on a paper, 
 on which the following touching lines were 
 written. The reading of this unexpected salu- 
 tation, excited in the mind of our Friend mingled 
 emotions of tenderness and love towards those 
 he had left behind, sustained by faith in the 
 Almighty arm of Him who had called him to 
 surrender the dearest connections in life for his 
 truth's sake. 
 
 Tis past ! — we part ! but for the sake of Him 
 Before whose holy cause all earthly things grow dim 
 (Friend of my childhood, husband of my youth), 
 Go serve thy God in meekness and in truth ; 
 Pine not for me, but give thyself to prayer, 
 And leave thy nurslings to a mother's care, 
 Be it my task thy faithful wife to prove, 
 And wisely govern with a mother's love. 
 Go ! and may Israel's shepherd be thy stay. 
 Thy rest by night — thy strong support by day, 
 
27G 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 Through noon -title heats, his friendly shade thy shield, 
 
 In darksome glooms, its glowing be;icon yield : 
 
 To Jordan's banks, e'en should it lead thee on, 
 
 Rep< se thy confidence in God alone; 
 
 At faith's strong step, the darkest wave shall flee, 
 
 And a sure pathway shall be made for thee. 
 
 Jehovah's name in living lines imprest, 
 
 Graved on thy breast-plate, bind upon thy breast. 
 
 Thus armed, through hostile foes thy way thou 'It make, 
 
 And Friends receive thee for thy master's sake. 
 
 May every happiness thy steps attend, 
 
 And God's own peace to crown thee in the end ! 
 
 Farewell ! and when before the Father's throne, 
 
 Prostrate in prayer, our many faults we own, 
 
 May we in spirit oft be found to meet, 
 
 And in communion worship at his feet ! 
 
 Anna Maria. 
 
 THE POWER OF GOD. , 
 
 The Thracians had a very striking emblem ex- 
 pressive of the Almighty power of God. It was 
 a sun with three beams ; one shining upon a 
 sea of ice and melting it ; another upon a rock, 
 and melting or softening it ; and a third, upon 
 a dead man, and putting life into him. How 
 strictly does this emblem harmonize with what 
 the apostle says of the gospel — ' that it is the 
 power of God unto salvation unto every one 
 that believeth.' It melts the hardest heart 
 into a uniform obedience to the Divine will and 
 raises those who were dead in trespasses and 
 sins, to a life of righteousness. 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 277 
 
 ACCOUNT OF JOAN DANT. 
 
 Of this remarkable woman, but little is gene- 
 rally known except by her munificent legacy, 
 bequeathed to poor persons of the Society of 
 Friends, in perpetuity. Of her it may be said, 
 that by this noble act, ' she, being dead, yet 
 speaketh.' 
 
 The following brief notice of Joan Dant has 
 been obtained partly from authentic records, 
 and partly through traditional channels, which 
 the writer considers may be depended on for 
 veracity ; and it is deemed but a tribute due to 
 her memory, to preserve from oblivion some 
 circumstances in her life, for the information 
 of the religious body of which she was a mem- 
 ber; but more particularly, those who are the 
 distributors and recipients of her bounty. The 
 husband of Joan Dant was a working weaver, 
 living in New Paternoster Row, Spitalfields ; 
 and died many years before his wife, leaving 
 but little provision for her support. She ap- 
 pears to have been a person of great resolution 
 and independence of mind, as well as strong 
 and active in body. On becoming a widow, she 
 determined to use her best exertions to provide 
 for herself, without being burthensome to others. 
 After some deliberation, she concluded to take 
 up the occupation of a pedlar or hawker ; and 
 with this object in view, she provided herself 
 with a well-selected assortment of mercery, 
 hosiery, and haberdashery, and other small 
 wares, and set off on her travels with her mer- 
 
 II. 2 A 
 
278 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 chandise at her back. Her conduct, as a Friend, 
 appears to have been consistent, and her man- 
 ners agreeable ; and being furnished with re- 
 commendations to many persons in London, 
 and its vicinity, she met with much encourage- 
 ment in the disposal of her goods. Good shops, 
 particularly in country places, were but ' few, 
 and far between ;' so that her periodical visits 
 were generally welcomed, especially by the 
 female branches of those families which she 
 called upon : and she not only disposed of her 
 goods to advantage, but to many houses and 
 tables of Friends she was a welcome guest. 
 
 Her agreeable demeanour, and her well- 
 assorted stock of goods, increased her recom- 
 mendations, until she might be seen with her 
 pack traversing a circuit of many miles round 
 the metropolis, principally calling at the houses 
 of the affluent, as those who could best afford 
 to pay a good price. She followed this labo- 
 rious occupation for some years, not only with 
 satisfaction to her customers, but to her own 
 pecuniary advantage. It appears that she after- 
 wards engaged in a more wholesale trade, if 
 not as a manufacturer of Spitalfields goods ; 
 and her mercantile transactions were not con- 
 fined to a home trade, but even extended to 
 places on the continent; as some debts due 
 from her correspondents at Paris and at Brus- 
 sels appear in her executors' accounts. It is 
 believed that she continued to follow business 
 for most part of her latter years, and she lived 
 in the same frugal manner, if not in the same 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 279 
 
 house as she had occupied with her husband in 
 his lifetime. Her expenses being very small, 
 and her savings invested from time to time in 
 profitable securities of different kinds, her pro- 
 perty, in course of years, accumulated to a con- 
 siderable amount, without the world being at 
 all aware of her prosperity. Of the exercise of 
 her benevolence in her lifetime, no particulars 
 have been preserved ; but we may feel assured, 
 from the sentiments she left behind her in a 
 letter to her executors, which is inserted at the 
 end of this account, that she was not inatten- 
 tive to the wants of the distressed. 
 
 When far advanced in life, Joan applied to a 
 Friend, whom she knew, to come and assist her 
 in making her will. To this request the Friend 
 very readily consented, thinking that she might 
 have (perhaps) a few hundred pounds to be- 
 queath. When, however, he learned the amount 
 of her funds, he shrunk from the responsibility 
 of the task, and recommended her to call in 
 three or four Friends of greater experience than 
 himself. When the Friends met, they inquired 
 of Joan how she wished to dispose of her pro- 
 perty, to which she replied, 1 1 got it by the 
 rich, and I mean to leave it to the poor.' This 
 was probably a year and a half before her death. 
 She died in 1715, at the age of 84, and was 
 buried in Friends' burial ground, Bunhill Fields. 
 
 The will is dated in 1714, and a codicil is 
 added in the following year. By these docu- 
 ments, she appoints John Freame, Samuel Wal~ 
 denfield, and Silvanus Grove, and afterwards 
 
 2 a2 
 
280 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 (on the death of Samuel Waldenfield) Peter 
 Briggins, and William Wragg, as her executors ; 
 besides the following Friends, 'overseers ' of her 
 will — viz., George Whitehead, Thomas Cooper, 
 Thomas Pitstowe, Thomas Gould, and Thomas 
 Eccleston. Some of these were conspicuous 
 characters in the Society of Friends at that 
 time. 
 
 Her whole property was somewhat above 
 £9000, which she bequeathed as under : — 
 
 To her half brother ....£500 
 
 To five cousins 265 
 
 To nine executors and overseers 475 
 
 To one executor (lapsed) 100 
 
 To forty-two persons, whom she styles her friends, £10 
 
 each 420 
 
 To fourteen others, £5 to £100 each 295 
 
 To the poor of the parish of Shoreditch 30 
 
 To the poor of Spitalfields 20 
 
 To the poor of Bednal Green* 20 
 
 To the poor of Whitechapel 20 
 
 Towards clothing the children of the parish school of 
 
 Whitechapel (two years) 20 
 
 She then leaves the remainder of her estate 
 to her 1 loving friends ' — her executors and over- 
 seers, or their survivors, to be disposed of as 
 follows, viz. : — 
 
 To the Womens' meeting, Aldersgate Street, for poor 
 
 Friends £200 
 
 Also an annuity valued at 408 
 
 To Friends' workhouse , 200 
 
 To Devonshire house Monthly Meeting for poor ancient 
 
 Friends, £20 per annum, for five years 100 
 
 * Now, it is presumed, called Bethnal Green. 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 281 
 
 To same Meeting for putting forth poor Friends' 
 children 50 
 
 To Bull and Mouth, Peel, Westminster, Ratcliff, and 
 Southwark Monthly Meetings, half for the poor, 
 and half for putting forth poor children, each £40. 200 
 
 To Waltham Abbey, Barking, Hendon, Longford, and 
 Hammersmith Meetings, each £10 50 
 
 To the Six Weeks' Meeting (which has the care of 
 repairing the Meeting-houses in London) 100 
 
 After payment of these legacies, her executors 
 and overseers were to dispose of £400 in their 
 discretion, to poor necessitous Friends, and in- 
 digent persons. 
 
 To five women Friends, for the like purpose £100 
 
 She then directs that the remainder of her 
 estate, after payment of the foregoing legacies, 
 should be laid out for a yearly income, to be 
 disposed of by her executors and overseers to 
 such poor Friends in London and elsewhere, as 
 they, or the major part of them, shall see meet, 
 1 without being accountable to any meeting of 
 Friends, or any person or persons whatsoever, 
 for the same ; and that, when any of the exe- 
 cutors or overseers shall die, the major part of 
 the survivors shall, from time to time, choose 
 others in their room.' 
 
 The overplus and remainder, thus left, was 
 invested in different securities, some of which 
 have been, in course of years, advantageously 
 changed for others, and the income so arising 
 (which is considerable), is distributed by nine 
 trustees, as successors of those originally ap- 
 pointed, in sums not exceeding two pounds per 
 annum, to one poor Friend or family ; and the 
 
282 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 trustees meet in London, once or twice a year, 
 to check each others' distribution. 
 
 The letter of Joan Dant to her executors, 
 alluded to in the preceding notice, is as follows: — 
 
 * Dear Friends, — It is the Lord that creates 
 true industry in his people, and that blesseth 
 their endeavours in obtaining things necessary 
 and convenient for them, which are to be used 
 in moderation by all his flock and family every- 
 where. The Lord is also rich and open-handed 
 to all that love the truth, and we are called of 
 God, not unto speech only and profession of the 
 truth, but also unto good works ; that as God 
 has abounded in his providence unto us-ward, 
 both spiritually and temporally, we also might 
 evidence our thankfulness unto him, in our 
 liberality to those that want ; for the poor that 
 are faithful are bone of our bone, and flesh of 
 our flesh, in him who, of one blood, made all 
 nations under heaven, whether they be poor or 
 rich. And I, having been one that has taken 
 pains to live, and have, through the blessing of 
 God, with honesty and industrious care, im- 
 proved my little in this world to a pretty good 
 degree, find my heart open in that charity which 
 comes from the Lord, in which the true disposal 
 of all things ought to be, to do something for 
 the poor— the fatherless and the widows in the 
 church of Christ, according to the utmost of 
 my ability: sincerely desiring that the hearts 
 of all may likewise be opened for general good, 
 that none may be oppressed for want ; for though 
 the Lord hath been merciful to many, in afford- 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 283 
 
 ing them much in this life of the things thereof, 
 yet he has been pleased to suffer want unto 
 some, that so charity, without which our faith 
 is nothing, might shine forth in the church of 
 Christ ; which church we are, if this virtue re- 
 main and abound in us in all manner of libe- 
 rality, brotherly love, godly sincerity, and true 
 charity. 0 Friends! God's presence is with 
 us ; his love is shed abroad in us ; our hearts 
 are melted therein, and our souls comforted 
 with consolation unspeakable, through Jesus 
 Christ our Saviour, through whom be praise 
 and thanksgiving unto God, who is blessed for 
 ever!' She concludes her address in these 
 solemn words — * And now, dear friends, unto 
 the one eternal and merciful God, and to his 
 holy light and blessed truth, in which we have 
 had comfort together, I do recommend you all 
 with my own soul, desiring that you may all 
 live in that new commandment of love, and in 
 the life of truth, that so when we have run our 
 race, and finished our course here in this trouble- 
 some world, we may enter into the fulness of 
 that joy, and peace, and immortal glory, with 
 the Lord for ever ! This is the desire of your 
 loving sister. Signed this 8th day of 2d Month, 
 17U.' 
 
 In the presence of *\ 
 
 George Whitehead, / 
 
 Thomas Cooper, > Joan DaNT. 
 
 Thomas Pitstowe, \ 
 
 Thomas Gould. ) 
 
284 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES, 
 
 GRIEVOUS PERSECUTION. 
 
 In 1658, John Pigeon of Crawley, on an infor- 
 mation of a meeting at his house, was brought 
 before the justices, and refusing to give bond 
 (though he offered to let them know of any 
 future meeting), as also to take the oath of 
 allegiance, was sent to the county jail; to which 
 his brother, who directed his affairs in his ab- 
 sence, was sent a month after. His servants 
 were then beaten, or so terrified that they left 
 the house, and the informers plundered it of 
 the furniture, revelling and drinking on the 
 spot, with a crew of disorderly fellows who re- 
 sorted thither for that purpose. They made 
 such havock of the estate, that the damage was 
 computed to be at least £500. In the mean- 
 time, tho justices fined the jailer £5, for giving 
 the prisoner the liberty of a little fresh air, an 
 indulgence commonly granted to others in his 
 custody. 
 
 A SAVAGE DISARMED BY A CONVERTED 
 INDIAN. 
 
 A converted Indian was one day attacked by 
 a savage, who presented a gun to his head, 
 exclaiming, ' Now I will .shoot you, for you 
 speak of nothing but Jesus. ' The Indian re- 
 plied, 1 If Jesus does not permit it, thou canst 
 not shoot me.' The savage was struck with 
 the answer, dropped his gun, and went home 
 in silence. 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 285 
 
 SALUTARY HINT. 
 
 The religion of some seems to consist in a re- 
 membrance of former experience, a rational 
 understanding of our principles and the disci- 
 pline of the church, a personal communication 
 with divers of the foremost rank, and some 
 faculty for speaking and writing on religious 
 subjects; when in the meantime, for want of 
 looking and living at home, for want of watch- 
 ing unto prayer, and waiting for renewed ability 
 to offer the daily sacrifice on the fresh raised altar, 
 insensibility and incapacity gather strength, and 
 leanness enters into our souls. — (Kendall's 
 Letters, 86.) 
 
 CHRISTIAN UNITY. 
 Psalm cxxxiit. 
 
 Behold a lovely sight ! 
 
 How pleasant 'tis to see 
 The church, as brethren, all delight 
 
 In Christian unity. 
 As Judah's mountains shine, 
 
 Bespangled with the dew, 
 Believers, fill'd with love Divine, 
 
 Enliven Z ion's view. 
 
 'Tis like the unguent sweet, 
 
 On Aaron's holy head, 
 Which on his beard, his robes, his feet, 
 
 A grateful fragrance shed. 
 Jesus, thy balmy love, 
 
 When time shall be no more, 
 Shall grace the hearts of all above, 
 
 And flow for evermore. 
 
286 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 Hosanna ! to his name 
 
 Who every grace imparts : 
 Jesus is precious, we proclaim, 
 
 Whose love unites our hearts. 
 From sin and death releas'd, 
 
 In harmony we raise 
 To Jesus, Zion's great High Priest, 
 
 Our songs of grateful praise. 
 
 Believers love to meet 
 
 With all who Jesus love, 
 To join in fellowship, as sweet 
 
 As manna from above. 
 Hosanna ! we repeat ; 
 
 Let all the sons of men 
 Unite Immanuel to greet, 
 
 Lo ! Jesus reigns. Amen. 
 
 INSUFFICIENCY OF THE WORLD TO MAKE 
 MEN HAPPY. 
 
 ' The greatest vanity of this world,' says Bishop 
 Taylor, ' is remarkable in this, that all its joys 
 summed up together, are not large enough to 
 counterpoise the evil of one sharp disease, or to 
 allay a sorrow.' For imagine a man great in 
 his dominions as Cyrus, rich as Solomon, victo- 
 rious as David, beloved like Titus, learned as 
 Trismegistus, powerful as all the Roman great- 
 ness ; all this, and the results of all this, give 
 him no more pleasure in the midst of a fever, 
 or the tortures of an acute disease, than if he 
 were only lord of a little dish, and a dishful of 
 fountain water. Indeed, the excellency of a 
 holy conscience is a comfort, and a magazine 
 of joy so great, that it sweetens the most bitter 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 287 
 
 portion in the world, and makes tortures and 
 death not only tolerable but amiable ; and 
 therefore to part with this treasure, whose 
 excellency is so great for the world, which is 
 so inconsiderable and vain as not to have in it 
 recompense enough for the sorrows of a sharp 
 disease, is a bargain fit to be made bj none but 
 fools and madmen. Antiochus Epiphanes, and 
 Herod the Great, with his grandchild Agrippa, 
 are sad instances of this great truth ; to each 
 of whom it happened that the grandeur of their 
 fortune, the greatness of their possessions, and 
 the increase of their estate, disappeared and 
 expired like camphor at their arrest by those 
 several sharp diseases, which covered their 
 heads with cypress, and hid their crowns in 
 an inglorious grave. 
 
 TESTIMONY TO THE MEMORY OF DR. 
 FOTHERGILL. 
 
 1 And here I cannot help bearing testimony to 
 the memory of the late Dr. Fothergill, the first 
 Quaker I ever saw, whose presence was never 
 waited for by the mournful family above a minute 
 or two beyond the time fixed for his coming. 
 His gentle though firm demeanour calmed 
 sorrow into silence ; his penetrating eye and 
 abstracted thought always inspired confidence 
 in his judgment, though there might not appear 
 the least prospect of success. To him my 
 father spoke of his concerns as to a friend, 
 
288 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES/ 
 
 and his complaints as to a physician of dis- 
 tinguished skill. On being one day asked 
 whether Dr. Heberden should be called, who 
 was the only senior physician, and conse- 
 quently the only one who could act with the 
 Doctor, my father replied, " No ; my life is 
 in God's hands and Fothergill's." ' — (From 
 the MS. Memoirs of B. Hoyland, addressed to her 
 children.) 
 
 [ FROM JOB SCOTT TO MARY LEADBEATER. 
 
 Berna near Charlemount, 
 SOthof 8th Month, 1793. 
 
 My dear Friend, 
 
 Mary Leadbeater, 
 
 I marvel not the tuneful tribe should sing, 
 Theirs is the skill to touch the tuneful string ; 
 But mimic fools, with no poetic fire, 
 They too, sometimes, attempt to tune the lyre. 
 Forgive the attempt, fools will be fools 'tis known, 
 Nor be at rest until their folly's shown. 
 
 I felt thee near, dear heart, but must I hence, 
 For sake of rhyme, with reason's rules dispense, 
 And scribble nonsense, when I might attain 
 In sober prose, what might not give thee pain ? 
 But rhyming's catching, for I often spurn it, 
 And when I've wrote a jingling scroll I burn it, 
 Perhaps not praised the reason I despise it, 
 Let Burke commend, and then I soon might prize it ; 
 That's not my portion ; no such praise is mine, 
 I sing unpraised, and but in darkness shine. 
 Yet I am happy ; no such praise I crave, 
 I'm well content with just the powers I have : 
 My face is homely, yet it suits me well, 
 And might I change it, how I could not tell. 
 
FACSIMILE AUTOGRAPHS 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 One change I wish, and none beside desire, 
 
 A change of heart to holiness entire ; 
 
 All filth removed, each sinful motion curb'd, 
 
 My heart the throne of Jesus undisturb'd ; 
 
 This, this I wish : for this T pray and strive ; 
 
 This is the growth in which I long to thrive. 
 
 But, 0! Maria, Satan has decreed, 
 
 And sworn his legions to promote the deed, 
 
 That none shall conquer whom he can prevent, 
 
 Nor will he cease till all his shafts are spent ; 
 
 On every side, before, be'.iind, within, 
 
 He lurks in ambush, or with open din 
 
 Assails the soul, its progress to withstand, 
 
 And none shall crush him but that chosen band, 
 
 Who give up all, and die to live again, 
 
 Resist to blood, and conquer when they're slain. 
 
 Alas ! too few consent through death to live, 
 
 And all they have for endless life to give. 
 
 We like the pearl, but sorely dread the price, 
 
 Ere once we pay it, we resolve it thrice ; 
 
 Resolve it oft, and oft attempt to pay ; 
 
 But death 's so dreadful still we choose delay. 
 
 Anon, alarm'd lest other death devour, 
 
 We vow allegiance, and perform — an hour ; 
 
 An hour — alas ! short-lived allegiance, this ! 
 
 Is this in purchase of immortal bliss ? 
 
 If one short hour our courage all exhaust, 
 
 Farewell salvation ! must we then be lost ? 
 
 Lost ! — who can bear it ? No, well try again ; 
 
 We'll fight for life ; we'll conquer or be slain. 
 
 Again equipt, once more the tight ensues. 
 
 And man's faint heart near every battle shows ; 
 
 He fights by fits, then faints, and flags, and yields 
 
 Goes vaunting forth ; but trembling quits the fields 
 
 Is this the warrior that the prize shall win, 
 
 Who quits the field for one beloved sin ? 
 
 Who turns his back when he should fight for life, 
 
 Ignobly yields, and quits the glorious strife ? 
 
 I tell thee nay, dear friend, on this rely, 
 
 Who saves his life shall surely, surely die. 
 
 The Lord of life in agonies expired, 
 
 n. 2 b 
 
290 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 And each firm follower is this day required 
 
 To tread the path which he to glory trod, 
 
 Nor shun the flame, nor shrink beneath the rod. 
 
 But Satan's darts to none are more severe 
 
 Than the choice few who firmliest adhere 
 
 To wisdom's ways, and wage bold war with sense ; 
 
 These he still strives, by every vaiu pretence, 
 
 To lead astray. He'll, lying, promise life, 
 
 Though they transgress and quit the virtuous strife, 
 
 Relax the watch, forbidden loves embrace, 
 
 And doubt Jehovah's mandate to his face. 
 
 O wily serpent ! how he twists and twines ! 
 
 I've seen his snares — T've traced his dark designs, 
 
 In dear New England some he's trapt of yore, 
 
 And some he fain would trap at Ballitore. 
 
 May God Almighty his designs defeat, 
 
 And every work that's well begun complete. 
 
 You * have my prayers, dear hearts, may I have yours, 
 
 And he shall reign who to the end endures. 
 
 'Twas love engaged me these few lines to send, 
 
 And in that love, I am thy constant friend, 
 
 Job Scott. 
 
 Postscript. 
 A line from thee, if thou 'It a line expose 
 Free from the heart, unhampered as it flows 
 Shall come, I trust, as welcome as this goes. 
 
 THE REPLY. 
 
 « Warm from the heart, and to the heart address'd,' 
 Thy lines, dear friend, were welcome to my breast. 
 They met the witness there — surpris'd to find 
 So just a picture of my wavering mind. 
 O might they rouse the spark which latent lies, 
 Ere the dread shadows of the evening rise ! 
 
 How many years in trifling have been pass'd, 
 Unknown but, every year would be the last ! 
 
 * Including all the tried, tossed, and tempted among you 
 at that place. 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 291 
 
 O how unwise, to waste the precious hours, 
 Pursuing gilded flies, or gathering flowers ! 
 Yet every gift creative power bestow'd, 
 Received the blessed sanction, 1 All is good.' 
 But this great truth 'tis those alone shall prove, 
 Who in the narrow path of virtue move ; 
 'Tis they can pluck the flower beside the way, 
 Can pluck the blameless flower, yet not delay ; 
 'Twas thus could he, whom I must long deplore, 
 For, ah ! that tender parent is no more, 
 'Tis thus canst thou — shall you not meet above, 
 In the bright region of eternal love ? 
 Yet long on earth, O may thy spirit stay, 
 To point to us the everlasting way ! 
 For when escaped from this terrestrial bourne, 
 The immortal spirit shall no more return ; 
 And if we hear not those who still remain, 
 The dead would but return to speak in vain. 
 Ballitore, 17^ of 9th Month, 1793. M. L. 
 
 VALUE OF TIME. 
 
 The difference between rising every morning at 
 six and eight, in the course of fortj years, 
 amounts to upwards of 29,000 hours, or three 
 years, one hundred and twenty-six days, six 
 hours ; so that it is just the same as if ten 
 years of life were to be added, of which wo 
 might command eight hours every day for the 
 cultivation of our minds or the despatch of 
 business. 
 
 THE SWEARER REPROVED. 
 The late Dr. A. Gilford was once showing the 
 British Museum to some visitors, when he was 
 grieved and shocked at the profane conversa- 
 
 2 B 2 
 
292 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 tion of a young gentleman. Taking an ancient 
 copy of the Septuagint and showing it to him, 
 4 01 I can read that,' said he, hastily. 'Well,' 
 said the Doctor, pointing to the third command- 
 ment, 'read that passage.' The young man 
 was confounded, and desisted from swearing. — 
 (Cope's Anecdotes.) 
 
 SALVATION OF INFANTS. 
 
 A mother, who had lost an infant, received 
 much consolation from the following epitaph, 
 written by a clergyman of Cambridge : — 
 
 Bold infidelity, turn pale and die ; 
 Beneath this stone four hapless infants lie ! 
 Say, are they lost or sav'd ? 
 
 If death's by sin, they sinn'd, for they lie here, 
 If heaven's by works, in heaven they can't appear ; 
 Ah ! reason how deprav'd ! 
 
 Revere the sacred page, the knot's untied, 
 
 They died, for Adam sinn'd ; they live, for Jesus died. 
 
 Ibid. 
 
 THE LAW OF KINDNESS. 
 
 A volume, entitled ' Illustrations of the Law 
 of Kindness,' was published by a clergymen 
 a few years ago at Albany, in the state of New 
 York. It presents, in one focus, a very con- 
 siderable number of anecdotes, exemplifying 
 the superiority of the benevolent over the 
 coercive and severe principle, as a means of 
 effecting good ends amongst our fellow-crea- 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 293 
 
 tures. The author classifies his facts into 
 chapters, one of the first of which presents 
 Scriptural instances, such as that of David's 
 conduct towards Saul in the cave ; another 
 presents a brief account of the benevolent 
 proceedings of Howard, Oberlin, Fenelon, &c, 
 showing how the law of kindness tended in 
 their lives to the most brilliant results. 
 
 In the chapter on the disarming force of 
 kindness, a story that can never be too often 
 told is related as follows : — ' It is well known 
 that the Quakers, or Friends, have adopted the 
 non-resistance principle, or the law, "overcome 
 evil with good." The founder of Philadelphia, 
 William Penn, was completely armed with the 
 spirit of this principle. When he visited this 
 country, he came without cannon or sword, and 
 with a determination to meet the Indians with 
 truth and kindness. He bought their land and 
 paid them ; he made a treaty with them and 
 observed it ; and he always treated them as 
 men. As a specimen of the mauner in which 
 he met the Indians, the following instance is 
 very striking. There were some fertile and 
 excellent lands which, in 1698, Penn ascer- 
 tained were excluded from his first purchase, 
 and as he was very desirous of obtaining them, 
 he made the proposal to the Indians that he 
 would buy those lands if they were willing. 
 They returned for answer, that they had no 
 desire to sell the spot where their fathers were 
 deposited, but to please their father Onas, as 
 thev named Penn, they said that he should 
 
 2 b3 
 
294 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 have some of the lands. This being decided, 
 thej concluded the bargain, that Penn might 
 have as much land as a young man could travel 
 round in one day, beginning at the great river 
 Cosquanco, now Kensington, and ending at the 
 great river Kail apings, now Bristol, and as an 
 equivalent, they were to receive a certain amount 
 of English goods. 
 
 Though this plan of measuring the land was 
 of their own selection; yet they were greatly 
 dissatisfied with it after it had been tried; for the 
 young Englishman chosen to walk off the tract of 
 land, walked so fast and far as greatly to astonish 
 and mortify them. The Governor observed 
 this dissatisfaction, and asked the cause. "The 
 walker cheated us," said the Indians. " Ah, 
 how can that be?" said Penn; "did you not 
 choose yourselves to have the land measured 
 in this way?" "True," replied the Indians; 
 " but white brother make a big walk." 
 
 Some of Penn's commissioners, waxing warm, 
 said the bargain was a fair one, and insisted 
 that the Indians ought to abide by it, and if 
 not, should be compelled to it. "Compelled!" 
 exclaimed Penn ; " how can you compel them 
 without bloodshed ? Don't you see this looks 
 to murder?" Then turning with a benignant 
 smile to the Indians, he said, " Well, brothers, 
 if you have given us too much land for the 
 goods first agreed on, how much more will 
 satisfy you ?" This proposal gratified them ; 
 and they mentioned the quantity of cloth and 
 number of fish hooks with which they would be 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 295 
 
 satisfied. These were cheerfully given ; and 
 the Indians, shaking hands with Penn, went 
 away smiling. After they were gone, the 
 Governor, looking round on his friends, ex- 
 claimed, " O how sweet and cheap a thing is 
 charity ! Some of you spoke just now of com- 
 pelling these poor creatures to stick to their 
 bargain ; that is, in plain English, to fight and 
 kill them, and all about a little piece of land, 
 now obtained for a little cloth and a few fish- 
 hooks !" 
 
 For this kind conduct, manifested in all his 
 actions to the Indians, Penn was nobly re- 
 warded. The untamed savage of the forest 
 became the warm friend of the white stranger; 
 towards Penn and his followers they buried the 
 war hatchet, and ever evinced the strongest 
 respect for them. And when the colony of 
 Pennsylvania was pressed for provisions, and 
 none could be obtained from other settlements 
 — which scarcity arose from the increasing 
 number of inhabitants not having time to 
 raise the necessary food — the Indians cheer- 
 fully came forward and assisted the colony by 
 the fruits of their labours in hunting. This 
 kindness they practised with pleasure, because 
 they considered it an accommodation to their 
 'good father Onas' and his friends. And 
 though Penn has long been dead, yet he is not 
 forgotten by the red men ; for many of the 
 Indians possess a knowledge of his peaceable 
 disposition, and speak of him with a tone and 
 feeling very different from what thev manifest 
 
 2 b4 
 
296 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 when speaking of those whites who come with 
 words of treachery on their tongues, and kegs 
 of ' fire-water' in their hands, and oppression in 
 their actions. 
 
 'How strange,' observes Chalmers, in the 
 Edinburgh Magazine, * does it sound to hear men 
 talking with ridicule of philanthropic policy as 
 something unfitted for human nature, when the 
 fact is glaring that it is the contrary policy that 
 does not succeed, its invariable consequences 
 being the destruction and obstruction of all that 
 is good. The true visionaries in this case are 
 those who dream that a large barbarian force is 
 to be made agreeable in one's neighbourhood, 
 by raising in it the spirit of blind revenge. The 
 true practical man is he who acts justly and 
 kindly by his untutored neighbours, expecting 
 they will thereby be kept on friendly terms 
 with him.' 
 
 GENERAL MEETING AT AC K WORTH SCHOOL. 
 
 This day, the sweetest of the year, 
 Hope-lov'd, in memory treasur'd dear, 
 
 Glad utter 'd by each tongue ; 
 When friends, long parted, warmly greet, 
 And bonds of love more kindly meet, 
 
 And age once more seems young, 
 
 Tells of a fond-remember'd time, 
 When life exulted in its prime, 
 
 Here bless'd with golden dreams. 
 Hail ! walls, where peace and joy abide, 
 Bowers, gardens, cloth'd with summer's pride, 
 
 And ye mead-loving streams. 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 297 
 
 Those cupolas, where morning's smile 
 Plays bright ; that noble central pile, 
 
 Gigantic in embrace ; 
 Whose wings on either side extend, 
 To guard, to cherish, and befriend 
 
 The tender rising race ; 
 
 The green — that sport-inviting ground — 
 The shed — where skippers ligiitly bound, 
 
 While whizz their cords in air — 
 To me, like well-known friends, are dear, 
 Who once was blythe as any here, 
 
 And knew not more of care. 
 
 Thought rushes from its secret springs, 
 While memory swift before me brings 
 
 The scenes of former years. 
 When here the first firm stone was laid, 
 The virtues lent their holiest aid, 
 
 Mov'd by the foundlings' tears. 
 
 Benevolence, with offer 'd dower, 
 And Pity, gentle soothing power, 
 
 Smil'd kindly on the place ; 
 And Charity, of higher birth, 
 Descending gracious, came on earth 
 
 To feed the helpless race. 
 
 Time saw a change — for here the mind, 
 As yet in chains of sloth confin'd, 
 
 Assum'd its noble throne ; 
 A people came, who once withstood 
 Reproach and hate, while, humbly good, 
 
 They bowd to One alone ; 
 
 Here, choosing learning's pleasant seat 
 Within this order-rul'd retreat, 
 
 They placed their offspring dear ; 
 Who, trahvd with care by guardians kind, 
 Are taught to store with truth the mind, 
 
 And her pure laws revere. 
 
 The fair, the serious, the gay, 
 
 Plain, neat their garb, are seen to-day — 
 
298 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 Beauty unplum'd is here ; 
 Yet simpler were their sires of old, 
 Who, strong in toil, unflinching, bold, 
 
 Walk'd firm, with truth severe. 
 
 Not the bare word, nor barer form, 
 Sustain'd them in their morn of storm, 
 
 Heaven was their light, their guide ; 
 So long as men on Heaven rely 
 They will the worst of foes defy — 
 
 Strife, fraud-ensnaring pride. 
 
 Thus warm my feelings as I gaze 
 On these dear scenes of early days, 
 
 Where my young mind acquir'd 
 The seeds of that augmenting store 
 Which daily culture ripen'd more, 
 
 While glowing hope inspir'd. 
 
 Yet, here, what hours I mourn as lost 
 Since then, by changeful breezes toss'd, 
 
 All lore was laid at rest ; 
 Till, late, once more the flame aspir'd, 
 By some strange, secret impulse fired, 
 
 Too strong to be repress'd. 
 
 Where'er around I cast my eyes, 
 What long-forgotten thoughts arise — 
 
 A rapid, fleeting train ; 
 The well known grounds I traverse o'er, 
 Each room, each favourite haunt explore — 
 
 I feel a boy again. 
 
 The youngsters, eyeing my advance 
 With their peculiar school-boy's glance, 
 
 Their varied sports pursue ; 
 Unknown to me each prying face, 
 Save that in some a kindred trace 
 
 Of former friends I view. 
 
 All those I knew and valued here, 
 Still cherish'd in remembrance dear, 
 Are gone — their place supplied ; 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 299 
 
 As leaves now bud and now decay, 
 So these, in turn, enjoy their day, 
 And then are scatter 'd wide. 
 
 Thus youth, exulting, starts in life ; 
 While transient joys, and care, and strife, 
 
 And sorrows intervene ; 
 Till Time, with silent, fatal aim, 
 As sails man's earthly-moulded frame, 
 
 And sweeps him from the scene. 
 
 But long from you, ye sprightly train, 
 May gloomy care and wasting pain 
 
 Be kindly far withdrawn ; 
 Your buoyant hopes, your sparkling joy, 
 I would no storms might e'er destroy, 
 
 Or cloud your smiling dawn. 
 
 Soon will the time of trial come — 
 While here you spring in vernal bloom 
 
 Be every means applied ; 
 Life's path is rude, with patient care 
 The stores your journey claims, prepare 
 
 To comfort and to guide, 
 
 On you the eyes of friends sincere, 
 On you the hopes of kindred dear, 
 
 With deepest interest turn ; 
 Since they with warmth your welfare seek, 
 Your thanks let zealous action speak, 
 
 Nor cold such favours spurn. 
 
 First, the young mind, assiduous store, 
 With rudiments of valued lore, 
 
 Through learning's portals glide ; 
 When gain'd, her wide and fertile field 
 From choicest springs will wisdom yield 
 
 An ever-flowing tide. 
 
 But, as a long-neglected soil, 
 Or as a lamp unfed by oil, 
 
 Or instrument unus'd, 
 So careless minds more dulness gain, 
 Acquirements are possessed in vain, 
 
 And gifts are but abus'd ; 
 
300 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 As ore, which dross and rust enclose, 
 The more 'tis polish'd brighter glows ; 
 
 So, by due care, the mind 
 Expands its powers, acquires new force, 
 Above the vulgar, gains a source 
 
 Of pleasures, pure, refin'd. 
 
 Such minds explore the realms of space, 
 The secret laws of nature trace, 
 
 And truth and harmony ; 
 Where earth her loveliest robe displays, 
 And wondrous scenes awaken praise, 
 
 The God of nature see. 
 
 Then let these precious moments flow 
 In learning all that man should know — 
 
 Enlarge each active power ; 
 With truth and virtue store the breast, 
 On these your firmest hopes will rest, 
 
 In life's declining hour. 
 
 For, in this fluctuating life 
 (Bewildering round of toil and strife), 
 
 No joys so pure abound, 
 As those which move in virtue's train ; 
 'Mid care, and penury, and pain, 
 
 With her content is found. 
 
 Truth cheers the righteous on their way, 
 Calm while in earthly bonds they stay, 
 
 And bless'd when life is o'er ; 
 Upborne, as on seraphic wings, 
 The ransom 'd soul exulting springs, 
 
 And grief is known no more. 
 
 THANKS BETTER THAN A FEE. 
 
 * Went to the hospital, received the thanks of a 
 poor sick patient, which did me more good than 
 a guinea fee.' — (Wm. Allen's Diary, 1796.) 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 301 
 
 SILENT WORSHIP AMONG THE METHODISTS. 
 
 • We were filled with consolation ; we " sang 
 praises lustily, and with a good courage ;" till, 
 in a manner I never remembered before, 
 
 "A solemn reverence checked our songs, 
 And praise sat silent on our tongues." ' 
 
 — (Jonx Weslet's Journal of the 1st of 9th Month, 1751.) 
 
 * On the first day in the new year, 1798, the 
 members of the Society met to renew their 
 covenant with God. When we had ended the 
 reading of the directions, the people were urged 
 to pause, to consider the importance of the sub- 
 ject, and to pray for strength of grace that they 
 might be enabled to vow unto the Lord, and 
 then to perform their vows. A proper space of 
 time was given for this purpose, that all might 
 sit in silence before the Lord, and breathe their 
 desires to him in mental prayer. During this 
 silence the power of the Lord was generally felt. 
 The whole assembly felt the overwhelming power 
 of Divine grace. I afterwards heard of seven 
 persons who found peace with God during the 
 time we sat in silent meditation and prayer.' — ■ 
 {Letter from James Wood, Methodist minister. 
 See Life of W. Bramwell, by J. Sigston, vol. ii. 
 p. 190.) 
 
 Although, in the preceding extracts, the views 
 of the writers approximate to those held by 
 Friends, yet they both appear deficient in right 
 perceptions of the nature of true silence, in its 
 relation *to pure and spiritual worship. The 
 
302 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 following sentiments of an esteemed author, 
 belonging to our own Society, seem more in 
 accordance with Scripture : — 
 
 * About a month ago I was at a young Friend's 
 house, concerning whose zeal and sincerity in 
 the blessed cause I have not a doubt. He has 
 appeared in the ministry, I believe acceptably 
 to Friends in general, and is a promising, grow* 
 ing character. In the course of much intimate 
 conversation, we approached the subject of 
 praver. Upon which he asked me whether I 
 did not think that the end which Friends had 
 in view, by the practice of private retirement, 
 was vocal prayer ; that is, the outward act and 
 attitude of kneeling down and using words. I 
 felt very much at this question ; and an awful- 
 ness came over me, and exercise, lest either this 
 person or myself should be adventuring, without 
 taking off our shoes, upon holy ground. In 
 replying to him, I could scarcely refrain from 
 using the language of William JPenn, " Words 
 are for others, not for ourselves, nor for God, who 
 hears not as bodies do, but as spirits should. It 
 is the heart or soul that can alone cry accept- 
 ably through the drawings of that Spirit, which 
 inclines to good and to the source of all good ; 
 the mouth may speak out of the very abundance 
 of the heart — there is nothing however in words 
 as such, nor in outward silence as such. So 
 that our prayers are none the better for being 
 clothed in words, nor the less likely to be ac- 
 cepted when not clothed in words. There may 
 be words when none should be used, and there 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 303 
 
 may be a silence when words are called for ; 
 and herein stands the snare which should be 
 carefully guarded against.' — (Letters, &c, of 
 John Barclay, pp. 96, 97.) 
 
 HAPPINESS NOT IN WEALTH BUT 
 CONTENTMENT. 
 
 The man who imagines that the possession of 
 wealth will complete his happiness, is entirely 
 mistaken. There is no agreement between the 
 means and the end. The mind is too spiritual 
 in its nature to be satisfied with earthly mate- 
 rials, such as gold and silver, houses and lands ; 
 but godliness with contentment is great gain, 
 and it is the want of this contentment that 
 makes us unthankful and dissatisfied. A man 
 under the influence of true religion will say, 
 with joy and gratitude, I have learnt, in what- 
 soever state I am, therewith to be content. In 
 the most trying circumstances, bread shall be 
 given and water shall be sure ; and, if I am not 
 favoured with all the comforts and elegancies of 
 life, I know that the God whom I serve will 
 afford me such temporary supplies as shall ulti- 
 mately be most conducive to my own happiness, 
 and to his glory. 
 
 It is not our real wants, but those that are 
 imaginary, we wish to gratify. It is not the 
 necessaries, but the delicacies of life, that we 
 covet; and a restless, unwarrantable desire of 
 imitating the grandeur of the great is the prin- 
 
304 SELECT MISCELLANIES, 
 
 ciple by which we are actuated, and after the 
 enjoyment of which we naturally aspire. 
 
 TESTIMONY RESPECTING BARCLAY AND HIS 
 APOLOGY. 
 
 John Bristed, of the ' Honourable Society of 
 the Inner Temple,' in a work on the Society of 
 Friends, containing a very candid examination 
 of their principles and practices, and dedicated 
 to his father, ' the Reverend Nathaniel Bristed, 
 vicar of Sherborne, in Dorsetshire,' makes the 
 following remarks in his preface respecting 
 Robert Barclay and his great work, The 
 Apology : — 
 
 ' I must be indulged a few moments in the 
 exquisite gratification of giving my unequivocal 
 and decided opinion of Barclay the apologist. 
 That he was an excellent man and a good Chris- 
 tian, I as firmly believe as I believe in the exist- 
 ence of my God, and in the redemption of my 
 Saviour. That his book is an invaluable present 
 to mankind I am well assured, and feel and 
 know to be true. His volume contains so much 
 of pure religion, of sound, sterling morality, of 
 unalloyed, unsophisticated benevolence, of good, 
 solid sense, of clear and perspicuous reasoning, 
 of goodness and tenderness of heart, of aversion 
 from all that may tend to pollute and debase 
 the soul, that he who reads and is not made 
 better by the book, must be something more or 
 less than man. 
 
SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 305 
 
 ' 1 should indeed be sorry not to have it with 
 me, as a companion, wherever I go, as a balm 
 to comfort my soul, and a cordial to strengthen 
 my drooping nature when I faint and am in 
 danger of sinking under the various temptations 
 which rush in at every inlet of sense, and 
 threaten, by an impetuous and overbearing tide, 
 to sweep away the fabric of religion and of 
 morality, which it is, or ought to be, the study 
 of our lives to rear and to establish. 
 
 ' The praise of Barclay burns also with a 
 brighter blaze of splendour from the peculiar 
 circumstances of the age in which he lived ; an 
 age dark and barbarous in comparison with that 
 wherein we now run our race of existence. 
 When Charles II. and his satellites introduced 
 such a baneful torrent of profligacy and atheism 
 into this kingdom, as threatened to deluge and 
 to destroy all the foundations of religion and of 
 morality, it surely required a greater portion of 
 understanding and of virtue than commonly 
 falls to the lot even of the most favoured chil- 
 dren of the human race, to enable Barclay to 
 stand like a wall of fire between his people and 
 the contaminations of the world, and, with a 
 steady and outstretched arm, to prevent those 
 whom he wished to save from being swallowed 
 up in the vortex of dissipatioa and of infidelity. 
 
 ' Inner Temple, November 30, 1804.' 
 
306 
 
 SELECT MISCELLANIES. 
 
 GRIEVOUS IMPRISONMENTS. 
 
 In 1678, John Barton, of Studham, Hereford- 
 shire, suffered imprisonment for three years and 
 a half in Hereford jail, for refusing to pay 2s. 2d. 
 towards repairing the parish church (so called). 
 — In the same year, a Friend at Sewell, for a 
 similar demand of Is. Id., was thrown into 
 prison, where he remained above two years and 
 a half. 
 
 THIS NOT THE PLACE OF OUR REST. 
 
 Permanent and unbroken rest is not to be 
 expected on the road, but at the end of the 
 journey of life. 
 
INDEX TO VOL. II. 
 
 The Toe try is distinguished by being printed in Italics, 
 
 Aberdeen, Mayor of, impri- 
 soned and fined 
 £1000, . .119 
 „ sufferings of 
 
 Friends at, .165 
 Ackworth school, general 
 
 meeting at, . . 296 
 
 Acrostic, (Stephen Grellet), 9 
 Actions, record of our, . 53 
 Address to an Assembly at 
 
 a ball . . . . 224 ' 
 Allen, William, . . 205 I 
 „ Diary of, from the, . 234 
 American envoy, observa- 
 tion of, . . 94 ; 
 ■war, . . .136) 
 Amsterdam, Infant School 
 at, belonging to Friends, 
 its singular origin, . 2 , 
 Anagram, remarkable, . . 66 ' 
 Ancient record, . . 134 ; 
 Anecdote, pleasing and in- 
 teresting, . 2/5 
 „ related by Dr. 
 
 D'Aubigne, .211 
 Angels' Anthem, peace the, 27 
 Authors quoted : — 
 
 Allen, ^Ym > 48, 205, 300; 
 Augustine, 172; Bristed, 
 Jno., 304 ; Barclav, Jno., 
 301 ; Burnett, Bishop, 
 7, 270 ; Barton, Bernard, 
 19, 39; Bevan, J. G., 20; 
 Brougham, Lord, 33 ; 
 Besse, frequently ; Bur- 
 leigh, Lord, 156; Back- 
 bouse, Jas , 158 ; Bar- 
 II 
 
 croft, Jno., 230; Buck- 
 ingham, J. S., M.P., 263; 
 Blackburn, Archdeacon, 
 271 ; Cope, frequently ; 
 Clemens, 34 ; Coleridge, 
 77 ; Clark, Adam, 36, 49, 
 190 ; Couder, Josiah, 49; 
 Cavlev, Cornelius, 125, 
 166 ; Child, L. M., 161 j 
 Conway, Lady, 211 ; 
 Dvmond, 34 ; Ddlwvn, 
 Geo., 94, 237; Archbi- 
 shop of Dublin, 120, 121; 
 D'Estaing, Count, 207; 
 D'Aubigne, Dr., 211; 
 Ewing, Judge, 71 ; Ell- 
 wood, Thos., 196; French 
 Encyclopedia, 206; Fo- 
 thergill, Jno., 1 ; Fother- 
 gill, Saml., 64; Fox, 
 Geo., frequently ; Guion, 
 M., 106 ; Giustiniani, 
 Dr., 177; Hemans, F.,26; 
 Herschell, R. H., 50; 
 Hale, Judge, 52; Hill, 
 Rowland, 99; Howard, 
 Jno., 102; Howard, Luke, 
 170; Hovland, Barbara, 
 287; James, J. A., 24; 
 Jenkins, A. A., 25, 229 ; 
 Irenasus, 35 ; Jaffray's 
 Diary, frequently; Ken- 
 dall, Jno, 585; Lactan- 
 tius, 34; Law, W., 70; 
 Leadbeater frequently ; 
 Lamb, Charles, 96 ; Liv- 
 ingston, Governor, 207; 
 2 C 
 
308 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Lawrence, Dr., 215; 
 Lowth, Bishop, 270 ; 
 Laud, Archbishop, 270 ; 
 Luther, 9; More, Hannah, 
 27, 67 ; Monro, Vicar of 
 Letterkenny, 9 ; Martyr, 
 Justin, 34 ; Methodist 
 Magazine, 44, 106; Mil- 
 ton, 155 ; Montgomery, 
 125; More, Henry, 270; 
 Newton's Cardiphonia, 
 54; Penn, 1, 267, 36,118; 
 Payne, Geo., LL.D., 17; 
 Pascal, 67 ; Pollock, 70 ; 
 Plutarch, 258; Rutty, 
 Jno, 160; Robinson, W. 
 T., 207; Raylton, T., 
 239; Shipley,' Bishop, 10; 
 Sewell, frequently ; Si- 
 gourney, 56; Scattergood, 
 T., 70; Socrates, 105; 
 Shillitoe, T., 159; Small- 
 ridge, Bishop of Bristol, 
 189 ; Shepherd, Holman, 
 197; Styles, Dr., 212; 
 Stedman, Mrs., 246 ; 
 Simpson, David, M.A., 
 271 ; Tertullian, 35 ; 
 Timpson, "Rev." T., 259; 
 Taylor, Bishop, 286 ; 
 Warburton, Bishop, 10; 
 Wesley, Jno., 16; 300; 
 Wood, Jas., Methodist 
 Minister, 301 ; Whit- 
 field^; Whateley, Arch- 
 bishop, 68, 168; Watts, 
 Dr., 120 ; Wilkes, L. C, 
 1 56 ; Jno , Woolman, 49. 
 Autographs of Friends : — 
 Edward Burrough, E. 
 B.'s initial signature, 
 Richard Hubberthorne, 
 Robert Barclay, John 
 Vaughton, Samuel Fo- 
 thergill, . , 38 
 
 George de Home, Wm. 
 Penn, James Logan (Wm. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Perm's Secretary, and 
 Founder of the Loganian 
 Library, Philadelphia), 
 Wm. Caton, Samuel Wal- 
 denfield, . . .216 
 
 Anthony Benezet, 
 William. Logan, Sarah 
 Logan, jr., J. H. Wiffen, 288 
 Awful circumstance, . . 68 
 
 Bad advice, ... 6 
 „ bargains, . . . 226 
 Ball, address to an assem- 
 bly at a, ... 224 
 Baptism, lines on, by a cler- 
 gyman, .... 176 
 Barclay, David, . .13 
 „ Robt , and the high- 
 wayman, . . .57 
 Barclay's Apology, 59, 96, 304 
 „ „ sound- 
 
 ness of, 133 
 Barcroft, John, extracts 
 
 from his Journal, . . 230 
 Bartram, the botanist, . 91 
 Benezet, Anthony, . . 52 
 Bennet, William, . 197 
 
 Bigotry, sectarian, . .212 
 Bishop Burnett's History, 
 
 from, .... 6 
 Boy, curiosity of a, . .134 
 Blakey, Wm., . . .256 
 Bride, the Quakeress, . 246 
 Burial ground, on a Fnends\ 155 
 Burrough, E , account of, . 27 
 Edward, . 191 
 
 Cayley, Cornelius, on the 
 early Friends, . . 125 
 
 Ceremonies in religion, 
 John Wesley on, . .16 
 
 Charity, true, . . .67 
 
 Chesterfield Monthly Meet- 
 ing book, copied from the 
 1 st page of, . . . 1 73 
 
 Children, a heritage of the 
 Lord, . . . .253 
 
INDEX. 
 
 309 
 
 Christ the only Saviour, . 217 
 Christian and his echo, . 166 
 Christian unity, . . 285 
 „ spirit, fruit of, . 256 
 „ religion, in what 
 
 it consists, . 67 
 Christianity, . . .18 
 Christian's duty ably illus- 
 trated on Quaker princi- 
 ples, . . . .54 
 Christmas thoughts on 
 
 peace, . . . 161 
 
 Church and state,connection 
 of, inexpedient and 
 antichristian, . 9 
 „ what constitutes a, 49 
 „ and " Steeple- 
 house," on the 
 terms, . .157 
 hear the, . . 268 
 Churchman, John, . . 124 
 Cleanliness, . . .37 
 Coale, Joseph, . . . 137 
 Cock, Luke, . . .12 
 Colonel of Dragoons, the, . 136 
 Conjuror outdone, . . 201 
 Consolation, . . .63 
 Contentment, happiness in, 303 
 Conversion of a female cri- 
 minal, remarkable, . . 197 
 Convinceinent, singular, . 96 
 T. Raylton's, 239 
 Conwav, Ladv, her opinion 
 
 of Friends, . . >. . .211 
 Cross, the, . . .173 
 Cruel treatment of George 
 
 Fox, . . .38 
 „ treatment for not ob- 
 serving days and 
 times, . . .63 
 Cuffe, Paid, . . .231 
 Curiosity of a boy, . .134 
 
 Dancing, Adam Clarke on, 190 
 Dant, Joan, account of . 277 
 D'Aubigne, anecdote related 
 by Dr., . . . .211 
 
 Days and times, cruel treat- 
 ment for not observing, . 63 
 Death, . . . .227 
 Devotion, sdent prayer, . 189 
 Dialogue, interesting one 
 between Dr. Johnson and 
 Mary Knowles, . . 78 
 Dillwyn, Geo., extract of a 
 
 letter from, . . .94 
 Discipline, meetings for, 
 Judge Ewiug's opinion 
 on the mode of transacting 
 business in, . . .71 
 Divine guidance, . .38 
 „ ivors hip, on, . .39 
 Dragoons, the colonel of, . 136 
 Dream, remarkable, . . 90 
 Drunkard smitten, . . 137 
 
 Earlv Friends, publications of, 59 
 Ell wood, Thomas, . . 19o 
 End crowns all, . . 236 
 Enemies, forgive your, . Ill 
 
 I Evening meeting, lines writ- 
 ten on the last in the sea- 
 
 I son, . . . .133 
 Evil, returning good for, . 208 
 
 I Execution preaching at an, 7 
 
 I Facts, some interesting ones, 95 
 i Faithfulness, ... 58 
 Forgive your enemies, . Ill 
 Formalists, . . .160 
 Forms, outward, passing 
 
 away of, ... 37 
 Fothergill, Dr., . .217 
 „ Dr., testimony 
 to the memory 
 of, . . . 287 
 „ John, extract of 
 
 a letter from, 1 
 „ Saml., his early 
 sinful career, 
 and conversion, 241 
 ,, expressions of, 64 
 „ letter to, by an 
 attender of 
 2 C 2 
 
310 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Friends' meet- 
 ings, . . 216 
 Fothergill, Saml., remark- 
 able interviews 
 with his father 
 after his con- 
 version, . . 247 
 Fox, George, . . 158, 201 
 „ cruel treatment of, 38 
 „ popularity of, . .194 
 „ and the drunkard, 137 
 „ and the jailer, . .112 
 „ opinion of Coleridge, 
 respecting his Jour- 
 nal, : . .77 
 
 „ the younger, . . 238 
 Friends, early, Cornelius 
 Cayley on, . . 125 
 
 „ deputation of, on 
 behalf of Seneca 
 Indians, . . 263 
 „ Lady Conway's 
 
 opinion of, . .211 
 „ remark s of H oward 
 the philanthro- 
 pist respecting, 103 
 „ publications of early, 59 
 „ sufferings of, . 164 
 „ burial ground, on a, 155 
 „ meeting, . .182 
 „ principles, the opi- 
 nions of some 
 others respecting, 206 
 „ meetings, written 
 
 on first attending, 197 
 „ suffer as vagrants, 262 
 „ writings, opinions 
 of Charles Lamb on, . 96 
 Fry, Elizabeth, . . 135 
 „ beneficial effects 
 of her operations 
 in Newgate, . 259 
 Funeral sermon, . . 70 
 Futcher, Michael, . . 168 
 
 Garden, a, 
 George III., 
 
 . 47 
 
 58, 168 
 
 George III., and West the 
 
 painter, . 243, 244 
 Gilford, Dr., A. . .291 
 Gospel ministry, on, . 261 
 God, the power of, . . 276 
 Glory, cost of, . . : 58 
 Gray, John, . . .148 
 Great man, a would be, re- 
 buked, . . .218 
 Grellet, Stephen, an acrostic, 9 
 Guidance, Divine, . . 38 
 Guistiniani, Dr., his thoughts 
 on public worship, . 177 
 
 Hale, Sir Matthew, . . 38 
 Hall, John, . . .210 
 Happiness not in wealth, 
 
 but contentment, . . 303 
 Happy, insufficiency of the 
 
 world to make men, 286 
 „ man, life of the, . 189 
 Hassen, Gharret Van, . 20 
 Hat of a Quaker, . .196 
 Haydock, John, . .210 
 Roger, . . 208 
 "Hear the church," . . 68 
 Heart, submission of to the 
 
 great Husbandman. . 229 
 Heavenly commerce, invita- 
 tion to, . . . . 222 
 Hermit, the, . . .169 
 Highwayman, Robert Bar- 
 clay and the, . . .57 
 Hint, salutary, . . . 285 
 Hollister, Samuel, . . 63 
 Holy Spirit's influence, Tes- 
 timony to the truth of the 
 necessity of its being the 
 primary qualification for 
 a gospel minister, . . 44 
 Honesty the best policy, . 20 
 Howard, Luke, extract from 
 
 the writings of, . .170 
 Howgill, Francis, . .61 
 Howitt's Rural Life, re- 
 markable occurrence re- 
 lated in, , . , .100 
 
INDEX. 
 
 311 
 
 PAGE ' 
 
 Human life, . . .59 
 
 Idolatrous veneration paid 
 to sacred edilices, so 
 called, on the, . .120 
 Idolatrv, root and gTound 
 
 of, ." . . . . 124 
 Images in places of worship, 203 
 Imprisonments, grievous, . 306 
 „ and whippings 
 under false pre- 
 tences, . . 25S 
 Indian, savage disarmed by 
 
 a converted, . . . 284 
 Indians, . . . .293 
 „ deputation of Friends 
 
 on behalf of, . . 263 
 Infant school at Amster- 
 dam, its singular origin, 2 
 Infants, salvation of, . . 292 
 Infidel reproved, . .145 
 Instruction, religious, on 
 government interference 
 with, . . . .17 
 Interesting facts, . . 95 
 Invitation to heavenly com- 
 merce, . . . .222 
 Inward Guide, the, . . 25 
 Ireland, occurrences durins: 
 the Rebellion in, . 103, 151 
 
 J affray, Andrew, . . 202 
 Jailer converted, . .112 
 Jesus the life of his people, 99 
 Judgment on a persecutor, 203 
 Justly, do, ... 227 
 
 Kindness, Law of, . . 292 
 Knowles, Mary, dialogue 
 between and Dr. John- 
 
 Lamb, Charles, his opinion 
 of Sewell's History, and 
 the writings of early 
 Friends, . . .96 
 
 Land unknoicn, the, . . 230 
 
 Language, sublimity of 
 
 Scripture, 
 Lawrence's lectures, extract 
 
 from, .... 
 Leadbeater, 21ary, to Job 
 
 Scott, .... 
 Lesson to the proud, . 
 Letter from R. S., extract 
 
 of a, 
 Life, human, 
 
 Light, universality of the 
 Divine, 
 „ walking in the, 
 Lines addressed by one of 
 the audience at a meeting 
 held by Catherine Philips, 
 Tivingston, Patrick, . 
 Lord, know the, 
 
 „ trust in the, 
 Love, the best revenge, 
 „ sweet influences of 
 
 gospel, . 
 „ what is the perfection of 
 
 215 
 
 290 
 206 
 
 26*5 
 59 
 
 233 
 165 
 1 
 
 135 
 156 
 
 20 
 172 
 
 Majolier, Loius, anecdote of, 55 
 Man, what the chief end of, 22 
 March of refinement, the, . 193 
 Martyr, a, . . .137 
 Maximilian, trial and exe- 
 cution of, ... 41 
 Mavor of Aberdeen im- 
 prisoned and fined £1000, 119 
 Meals, expression of thanks 
 
 before, . . . .158 
 Medical practitioners, ad- 
 vice to, . . . . 217 
 Meek and Christian spirit, 
 fruit of, . . . . 256 
 
 Meeting, Friends', 
 interestin 
 
 152 
 
 cir- 
 cumstance con- 
 nected with the 
 re -establishment 
 ofa, ... 93 
 Evening, lines 
 written on leaving 
 the last in the season, . 133 
 
312 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Meeting-houses, to pleaders 
 
 for the decoration of, .51 
 Meetings, silent, . . 268 
 „ for discipline, 
 Judge Ewing's 
 opinion on the 
 mode of tran- 
 sacting business 
 in our, . . 71 
 „ written on first 
 attending Friends', . .197 
 Mercy and judgment, in- 
 stance of, 255 
 Methodists, silent worship 
 
 among the, . . . 301 
 Milton's opinion of warriors, 155 
 Minister, gospel, testimony 
 to the truth of the neces- 
 sity of the Holy Spirit's 
 influence being the pri- 
 mary qualification of a, . 44 
 Ministry, on gospel, . .261 
 Mistake, a slight, . .135 
 Monthly meeting book, 
 copied from the first page 
 of Chesterfield, . . 173 
 Music and decoration detri- 
 mental to the worship of 
 God, .... 50 
 
 Nature, enjoyment from the 
 
 study of, ... 205 
 Neal, Samuel, account of, . 72 
 Negro benevolence, . .231 
 Newgate, beneficial effects 
 of E. Fry's operations in, 259 
 
 Offences, avoid, . . 36 
 
 Passing away of outward 
 forms, . '. . .37 
 
 Path, the, . . .202 
 
 Peace, . . 56 
 
 „ Christmas thoughts on, 161 
 „ the angels' anthem, . 27 
 „ versus war, . .156 
 
 Perm, William, . . 293, 218 
 
 PA OB 
 
 Penn, William, anecdote re- 
 specting, . . . 134 
 Pennsylvania, preservation 
 of without the force of 
 arms, .... 102 
 Persecution, grievous, . 284 
 „ and sufferings of 
 
 early Friends, . 164 
 „ six great ones 
 under the reign 
 of Charles II., . 260 
 Persecutor, judgment on a, 203 
 Persian precept, . .10 
 Philips, Catherine, . . 223 
 Philistine's head, . . 145 
 Pictures in places of wor- 
 ship, . . . .203 
 Pillar advocates, to, and 
 pleaders for the decoration 
 of meeting-houses, . .51 
 Plain but clean, be, . . 36 
 Pontyn, Henry, . . .236 
 Popularity of George Fox, 194 
 Power of God, the, . . 276 
 Praise of man, on the dan- 
 ger of seeking more than 
 glory of God,. . . 173 
 Prayer, on, . . .125 
 „ silent, . . 169, 189 
 „ striking instance of 
 
 answer to secret, 214 
 „ remarkable, . .11 
 „ true, inward, and 
 
 spiritual, . .51 
 „ false notion of the 
 inactivity of the 
 soul during silent, 106 
 „ thoughts on, and 
 
 forms of prayer, .116 
 ,, and praise, . . 66 
 Preaching at an execution, 7 
 Preservation, . . .114 
 Priest, the scoffing, made 
 
 to tremble, . . .158 
 Primitive simplicity, . . 5 
 Prisoners for debt freed by 
 Richard Reynolds, . .115 
 
INDEX. 
 
 313 
 
 PAGE I 
 
 245 
 206 
 
 94! 
 106 
 
 151 
 
 101 j 
 , 69 
 272 
 
 Profit, a good, . 
 Proud, lesson to the, . 
 Providence, ways of, a3 a 
 great deep, 
 „ of God asserted, 
 of God illustrated 
 in a remarkable narrative, 
 Providential deliverance, 
 Publications of early Friends, 
 Purver, Anthony, 
 
 Quaker, hat of a, . . 196 
 „ meeting described 
 by author of por- 
 traits of public characters, 1 26 
 Quakeress bride, . . 246 
 Quakers, 4200 in prison at 
 
 one time, . .164 
 „ principles, the 
 Christian's duty 
 fully illustrated on, 54 
 
 Raylton, Thomas, account 
 
 of his convinceinent, . 239 
 Rebellion in Ireland, occur- 
 rences during, . 103, 151 
 Record, ancient, . .134 
 „ of our actions, . 53 
 Refinement, the march of, . 193 
 Religion, Christian, in what 
 
 it consists, . 67 
 „ gospel, is without 
 priest, altar, or 
 temple, &c. . 68 
 „ youth the most 
 favourable time to 
 attend to, . . 253 
 Remarkable occurrence re- 
 lated in Howitt's Rural 
 Life of England, . . 100 
 Rest, this not the place of our, 306 
 Restraint, freedom from, . 258 
 Revenge, love the best, . 156 
 Reynold's, Richard, . 115, 146 
 Riches, danger of, . .13 
 Rising generation, a word 
 for the, . . . .132 
 
 Sacred edifices (so called), 
 
 veneration paid to, . 120 
 Saladin, .... 23 
 Sands, David, . 44, 106, 224 
 Sansom, Oliver, . . 203 
 Savage disarmed by a con- 
 verted Indian, . . 284 
 Saviour, Christ the only, . 217 
 Scattergood, Thomas, . 7 
 School at Amsterdam be- 
 longing to Friends, its 
 singular origin, . . 2 
 Scoffing priest made to 
 
 tremble, . . .158 
 Scott, Job, to Mary Lead- 
 beater, . . . .288 
 Scripture language, subli- 
 mity of, ... 72 
 Scriptures, the excellence of, 233 
 Secret prayer, striking in- 
 stance of answer to, .214 
 Sectarian bigotry, . .212 
 Sermon, brief funeral, . 70 
 Sewell's history, opinion of 
 
 Charles Lamb respecting, 96 
 Shillitoe, Thomas, on tem- 
 perance, . . .159 
 Silence, .... 226 
 Silent prayer, . . . 1 69 
 „ worship, . . . 1S2 
 „ meetings, . . . 203 
 „ prayer, false notion of 
 the inactivity of the 
 soul during, . 
 „ worship among the 
 Methodists, 
 Simplicity, primitive, 
 Singer, converted, 
 Singing, Adam Clarke on, 
 Sleeping during public wor- 
 ship, .... 
 Smithfield, who would re- 
 revive the fires of, . 
 Socrates, excellent remark 
 
 of, 
 
 Sound sentiment of Arch- 
 bishop Whateley, . 
 
 106 
 
 301 
 5 
 12 
 49 
 
 205 
 
 203 
 
 105 
 
 68 
 
314 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Spirit, inward and imme- 
 diate teaching of, . 8 
 „ of truth an inward 
 
 monitor, . .48 
 Spiritual life, on the, . 69 
 "Steeplehouse/'onthe term, 157 
 Story, Thomas, . . 203 
 Stuart, Jane, . . . 219 
 Study of nature, enjoyment 
 
 from the, . . .205 
 Sufferings of Friends in the 
 
 tolbooth at Aberdeen, . 165 
 Swarthmore hall and meet- 
 ing-house, . . .138 
 Swearer, reproved, . .291 
 
 Thanks, expression of before 
 
 meals, . . .158 
 „ better than a fee, . 300 
 Thee and thou, . . . 1 18 
 Temperance, T. Shillitoe on, 1 59 
 Time, .... 21 
 „ value of, . . . 291 
 Tithe, the original use of, 272 
 To-morrow, . . .18 
 Triplets for truth's sake, . 48 
 Trial and execution of Maxi- 
 milian, . . .41 
 „ productive of good, and 
 needful to purification, 37 
 Trumpeter's penitence and 
 confession, . . .33 
 
 Unity, Christian, . .285 
 Universality of Divine Light, 36 
 
 Vagrants, Friends suffer as, 262 
 Veneration paid to sacred 
 
 edifices (so called), 
 
 . 120 
 
 Voice of God, 
 
 . 26 
 
 Walne, Nicolas, 
 
 . 11 
 
 War, 
 
 18, 25 
 
 „ American, 
 
 . 136 
 
 „ expense of, 
 
 . 64 
 
 „ enormous cost of, 
 
 . 41 
 
 „ horrors of, 
 
 . 268 
 
 „ peace versus, 
 
 . 156 
 
 PAGE 
 
 War and peace, . . 33 
 „ early Christians a- 
 
 gainst, . . .34 
 Warning, a faithful, . . 238 
 Warriors, Milton's opinion of 155 
 Waste of life in the Indian 
 
 army, . . . .25 
 Water, . . . .33 
 Waterloo, visit to the field of, 273 
 Ways of Providence are as 
 
 a great deep, . . 94 
 Wealth, happiness not in, 303 
 Wesley, John, on cere- 
 monies in religion, . 16 
 West the painter and Geo. 
 
 III., . . . 243,244 
 Whateley, Archbishop, sound 
 
 sentiment of, . 68 
 „ extract from his 
 
 writings, . 168 
 Whipping and imprison- 
 ment under false pretences, 258 
 Wicked, there is no peace 
 
 for the, . . . .201 
 Wilson, Wm. (of Langdale), 
 
 brief account of him, . 234 
 Wit, . . . . .267 
 Woolman's Journal, Chas. 
 
 Lamb on, 96 
 Worship, pictures and ima- 
 ges in places of, 203 
 „ sleeping during, . 205 
 „ thoughts on public, 177 
 „ silent, . . .182 
 „ music and decora- 
 tions detrimental to, 50 
 „ on Divine, . . 39 
 „ silent, among the 
 
 Methodists, . 301 
 „ thoughts on, . . 105 
 World, insufficiency of, to 
 
 make men happy, . . 286 
 Wrestling champion, .191 
 
 Youth the most favourable 
 time to attend to religion, 253 
 
 GLASGOW: W. G. BLACKIE AND CO., PRINTERS, VILLAFIELD.