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YALE UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

1935

MEMOIRS

LIFE, GOSPEL LABOURS,

RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE

JOHN WIGHAM,

CHIEFLY WRITTEN BY HIMSELF;

TO WHICH ARE ADDED SOME' CONCLUDING REMAKKS BY HIS SON,

ANTHONY WIGHAM.

' He being dead yet speaketh." — Heb. xi. 4.

LONDON:
HARVEY AND DARTON, GRACECHURCH STREET;
CHAKLES GILPIN, 5, BISHOPSGATE STREET WITHOUT; AND FRIENDS-
BOOK AND TRACT DEPOSITORY, 84, HOUNDSDITCH.
1842.

LONDON :
JOHNSTON AND RARRETTj PRINTtRS,
MARK LANE.

PREFACE.

John Wigham, the author of the following pages, was
the son of William and Rachel Wigham of Hargill
House in Oornwood, in the county of Northumberland;
and the grandson of Outhbert Wigham of Burn
House, in the same township. ERRATA.
Page 8, line 15 from top, for sheewd, read shewed.
,, 41, „ 4 „ for nearly, read newly,
44, „ 13 „ for John BuUon's, read, John Button's.
'* 61, „ 3 „ read a before widow.
', 67, „ 18 „ for as wearing crew, read a swearing crew.
'„ 80, ,',' 6 „ for Mary Sevett, read Mary Swett.

to call nim oy ms grace, ana lo reveal ±lis Son in
him ; whereby about the year 173-i, he was convinced
of the blessed Truth as it is in Jesus, and received it.
Being thus brought into deep judgment for his trans
gressions, and sensibly feeling Grod's wrath poured
forth, he durst no longer follow his old courses and
ways of living, nor durst longer associate with his old
companions ; but joined in Society with the people
called Quakers : and several of his neighbours being
about the same time convinced of the Truth, he was
made instrumental in settling a meeting at Cornwood,
in the year 1735. About a year after his convince
ment, a dispensation of the gospel was committed to

PREFACE.

John Wigham, the author of the following pages, was
the son of William and Rachel Wigham of Hargill
House in Cornwood, in the county of Northumberland ;
and the grandson of Cuthbert Wigham of Burn
House, in the same township.
Respecting his grandfather there is a short account
in the second volume of ' Piety Promoted, by John
Field,' at page 462, from which the following is
extracted : — ' He was educated in the way of the
Church of England ; and was in his youth addicted
to many youthful follies, and some gross evils. But
it pleased God, who is rich in mercy toward sinners
to call him by His grace, and to reveal His Son in
him ; whereby about the year 1734, he was convinced
of the blessed Truth as it is in Jesus, and received it.
Being thus brought into deep judgment for his trans
gressions, and sensibly feeling God's wrath poured
forth, he durst no longer follow his old courses and
ways of living, nor durst longer associate with his old
companions ; but joined in Society with the people
called Quakers : and several of his neighbours being
about the same time convinced of the Truth, he was
made instrumental in settling a meeting at Oornwood,
in the year 1735. About a year after his convince
ment, a dispensation of the gospel was committed to

IV PREFACE.

him ; in which he laboured faithfully, according to
the ability given. His ministry was not with the
enticing words of man's wisdom, but in the power
and demonstration of the Spirit. He often had to
magnify that power, which had redeemed his soul out
of the horrible pit of everlasting darkness ; and having
known (as he expressed it) the terrors of the Lord
for evil doing, he was earnestly engaged to warn others
to take heed to their ways, lest they should bring
themselves under such terrors as he had felt; but
from which he now, through infinite mercy, was
released ; and was come to the enjoyment of that peace,
which the world cannot give or take away.' He died
in 1780, aged about seventy-seven years.
The author's mother, Rachel Wigham, whose
maiden name was Teasdale, was also a minister ; and
must, it is presumed, have been pretty well known in
that character from her extensive gospel labours.
The testimony respecting her, issued by Allendale
Monthly Meeting, states, that about the twenty-
fourth year of her age, she was joined in marriage
¦with William Wigham of Hargill House in Corn-
wood ; and very soon after she came forth in public
testimony in meetings,, which was very acceptable to
Friends : and by carefully occupying with the talent
received, she became an able minister of the gospel.
Her service in this capacity was very great in the
meeting to which she belonged ; and she was several
times drawn forth in gospel love, to visit the meetings
of Friends in divers counties of England and Wales,
and also in Scotland and Ireland: in all which
services, we believe her labours of love tended to the

PREFACE. V
edification of Friends and her own peace. She
finished her course at the house of her son-in-law at
Allendale, the 6th of Fourth Month, 1813.
In preparing the succeeding Memoir for publication,
which the writer appears to have penned especially
for the benefit of his own descendants and surviving
relatives, it has been deemed needful to make some
omissions and abridgements ; and occasionally for the
sake of greater perspicuity, an alteration or transposi
tion of some of the sentences has been introduced ;
but in no case has there been any intentional deviation
from the meaning of the Author.
A few explanatory notes, and some concluding re
marks have been added by the Editor ; who may be
permitted in this place to express regret that the
preparation of the present work for the press, has not
fallen into hands more competent for the task, being
sensible of his own deficiencies, in many respects, for
the undertaking: but seeing the duty has devolved
upon himself, he has been willing to do his best, trust
ing to the candour and indulgence of the reader, to
excuse and pass over the faults and errors that may
meet his eye.
In presenting to the Society of Friends and the
public in a printed form, what appears to have
been written more particularly for private perusal,
some apology may appear requisite. The reasons
for adopting this course may be stated very shortly.
The Editor, and other relatives and friends of the
deceased Author, believing, as they do, that there
is much valuable instruction contained in what is
thus ofi"ered, think they should have been doing

VI PREFACE.

wrong to -withhold it ; and, moreover, they can hardly
entertain a doubt, but that it will prove acceptable
to many. It is true, that most of the Author's
contemporaries have passed away before him ; but
there are still remaining not a few who knew his worth,
and cherish love and respect for his memory : some
survive, it is believed, who have been witnesses of his
abundant and devoted gospel labours; — others, it may
be, on whose hearts he has left seals of his ministry ;
and these would doubtless regret being deprived of the
edification they may derive, from even an imperfect
sketch of his religious exercises and experience. The
Editor also entertains a hope, that the rising youth
in our religious Society, may reap instruction and
benefit in the best sense from the example of dedication,
thus exhibited in the life of a humble, self-denying
follower of our holy Redeemer ; — that they may see,
to their comfort, that " Godliness is profitable to all
things, having promise of the life that now is, and of
that which is to come."
With these views and impressions the publication
is put forth, and with earnest desires that the perusal
of it may be blessed to the reader ; — that it may be
the means of quickening and stirring him up afresh,
by putting him in remembrance of the things already
known, and encouraging him to become more deci
dedly a " follower of them, who through faith and
patience inherit the promises."
A. W.
Aberdeen,
Twelfth Month, 1841.

A TESTIMONY
From Aberdeen Monthly Meeting, concerning John
Wigham, roho departed this life at Aberdeen, the 17th
of Fourth Month, 1839, and mas interred in Friends'
Burial-ground, at Kinmuck, the 20th of the same.
He mas in the 9lst year of his age, and had been a
Minister about 67 years.

"mark the PERFECT MAN, AND BEHOLD THE UPRIGHT;
FOR THE END OF THAT MAN IS PEACE."
This declaration of the royal Psalmist, we believe to be
peculiarly applicable to this our dear and honoured friend ;
who was enabled in the course of a long life, faithfully to
labour for the promotion of the cause of truth and righte
ousness in the earth. His end was peace.
What follows, respecting his youth and early life, is
chiefly derived from his own account left in writing. He
was born at Cornwood, in the county of Northumberland,
in the compass of Allendale Monthly Meeting. His
parents were William and Rachel Wigham, whose reli
gious care over him during his minority he has recorded
in terms of thankfulness and gratitude, as having been
particularly valuable to him, and especially that of his
mother, who, he says, ' was deeply concerned that her
children might be carefully educated in the way of Truth,
aZ

viii ABERDEEN MONTHLY MEETING S TESTIMONY
and preserved from the snares of the world ; she often
exhorted us to be attentive to the guidance of the Holy
Spirit, secretly manifested in our own hearts, which was
of great benefit to me in my childhood ; for as the Lord
was graciously pleased sensibly to visit me when very
young, I was made aware, sooner perhaps than many
children who are not favoured with such instruction,
what that Spirit was, that both reproved and comforted
me. When I was about eight years of age, strong
desires to be the Lord's servant were raised in my
mind; and being made sensible that I could not serve
Him acceptably, unless I were preserved from evil, I
often begged, in my childish way, that He would enable
me to overcome all my evil propensities, which I saw
were many.' He appears to have continued much under
religious exercise of mind, and to have been preserved
from many of the snares incident to youth, until he
attained to about the sixteenth year of his age ; when,
having been put to work with his father's servants, and
not maintaining a state of watchfulness, their company
proved very hurtful to him ; for beginning to take delight
in folly and merriment with his companions, he soon
became leavened into their spirit ; and, though still pre
served from what are deemed gross sins, yet being led
into many wrong things, his mind became alienated from
his God and Saviour, and he lost that savour of Truth,
with which he had been favoured in his earlier years.
During this period of disobedience, distress and bitter
ness of soul were often his portion, and he seemed to
have no power to escape from the bondage in which he
was held. At length, the Lord, in infinite compassion,
who had continued to follow him by the convictions of
his Holy Spirit, was pleased to open a way for his
deliverance. In the twenty-first year of his age, he

concerning JOHN WIGHAM. IX
entered into the married state with Elizabeth Donwiddy,
who proved to him a truly faithful helpmeet. Thip
change of situation became the means of separating him
from the company that had led him astray ; and being
mercifully favoured soon after this event, with a fresh
and powerful visitation of Divine love, he was enabled
to see the load of guilt and sin that was upon him ; under
a sense whereof he was deeply humbled, and brought to
sincere repentance. The blessed fountain (he says) was
set open to his view — the blood of Christ to cleanse from
all pollution, on condition of his forsaking those things
that defile ; and although he was made sensible that he
had no strength of himself to forsake sin, yet a portion
of precious faith was afibrded him, in the efficacy of the
grace of God, which was sufficient to give him the victory
over all his spiritual enemies ; and he was preserved from
fainting, and encouraged and strengthened to hold on his
way, by his gracious Redeemer manifesting Himself to
be " a High Priest touched with a feeling of his infir
mities," — and who was also " his Advocate with the
Father." After passing through many secret exercises
and conflicts of spirit, and experiencing the operations
of that baptism that cleanses the floor of the heart, he
became convinced, that, if he was faithful to what was
required of him, he must become willing to testify of the
Lord's goodness to others; and yielding obedience to
this call, he came forth as a minister, about the twenty-
fourth year of his age. In the exercise of his gift, he
appears to have been especially careful to keep close to
the Divine openings, waiting in all his movements for
the fresh anointing and putting forth of the good Shep
herd. Thus he became fitted for the work committed to
him, and with the unity of his brethren, was engaged, at
different times, to visit in gospel love, many of the

X ABERDEEN MONTHLY MEETING S TESTIMONY
meetings, and some of the families of Friends in several
parts of England, to the peace of his own mind.
Some time previous to the year 1783, he was im
pressed with a belief that the Lord called him to leave his
native country and near connexions, and go and reside in
Scotland. This brought him under very close trial and
exercise, and, for a season, into much discouragement :
he having at that time a family of seven young children,
and his means of supporting them being small, he could
not well see how they were to be provided for. But at
length he found relief in yielding up all, in resignation, to
what he believed to be the Divine will ; and his faith
was strengthened and confirmed in the rectitude of the
proposed movement by his beloved wife, (who had before
this time appeared as a minister,) communicating to him,
though she had no outward knowledge of his concern,
that she had in view a similar prospect. Thus in simple
faith, in obedience to the Divine requiring, and with the
concurrence of his friends, in the year 1784, he removed
with his family to the vicinity of Edinburgh. After
remaining there about two years, he came into our
Monthly Meeting : first residing at Aberdeen, and sub
sequently near Kinmuck. In the year 1794, he paid a
religious visit to Friends in America, travelling among
them for about three years, both in the United States
and in some of the British settlements, — holding many
meetings among those not professing with us ; and, from
the testimonials received, it appears that his gospel
labours were acceptable and edifying to those he visited.
After his return, in 1797, he continued a diligent
labourer in his Great Master's cause. In the years 1798,
1799 and 1800, he was much from home, visiting many
of the counties of England, as far as the Land's-end in
Cornwall, South Wales, and the island of Guenisev.

CONCERNING JOHN WIGHAM. XI
During this period, and for some years after, he resided
occasionally at his former place of abode, near Kinmuck,
but principally at Edinburgh, until the year 1807, when
he left that city, and removed to Aberdeen, which was
his home during the remainder of hia life. Subsequent
to this removal, he was again engaged in visiting Friends
in and about London, and many other parts of the
nation ; and in 1812-13, he paid a visit to Friends in
Ireland, Cumberland, and some parts of Westmoreland
and Lancashire, which he accomplished under consi
derable bodily suffering : these proved his last engage
ments of the kind out of Scotland. He continued, never
theless, while abilitj' was afforded, a diligent attender of
meetings at home, and visited those at a distance within
the compass of his own General Meeting ; but the infir
mities of age continuing to increase, he was confined to
the house for a number of years, during which, his sight,
which had been gradually becoming defective, at length
totally failed, and he was for a considerable period quite
blind : this he felt a great privation, but he was enabled
to bear it, and all the other afflictions that were allotted
him, with Christian resignation and cheerfulness, — being
ever more ready to number his remaining blessings than
to utter a word of complaint.
In the year 1827 he was deprived by death of his wife,
who had been his affectionate and sympathizing compa
nion for about fifty-seven years. Soon after this event,
he penned a memorandum, of which the following is
an extract : — ' I am now in my eightieth year — a long
and weary pilgrimage ; — many conflicts — many trying
exercises have attended me, j'et through all the Lord has
sustained me. It seems as if I had well nigh finished
my course. I say not, I have kept the faith, but the
Lord has kept me in the faith ; and I feel near and dear

xii ABERDEEN MONTHLY MEETING S TESTIMONY
to me his precious cause, which, I believe, He engaged
me to advocate ; and though day after day passes over in
much weariness of the flesh, yet, by his sustaining love>
the bitter is sometimes made sweet, and what would other
wise seem hard is made easy. I feel constrained to say,
that the Lord is good — inexpressibly good ; and I have an
unshaken hope, which is the precious gift of God, that,
when the conflicts of time are over, I shall enter a region
of everlasting rest, peace, and joy. I sensibly feel I
have no merit; 1 am unworthy of the least of the mercies
bestowed upon me : the love, grace, and mercy of God
in Christ Jesus has done all for me. By faith my
dear wife obtained the victory, and was enabled to
triumph over death, hell, and the grave ; as evinced
by almost her last expressions, praising the Lord with her
latest breath. I feel the loss of her company, but I do
not regret that she is gone before me (as I trust) to '
be with Christ, which is far better.'
As a minister, he was much esteemed among us, being
sound in the Christian faith and doctrine, exemplifying
by a life of self-denial, the precepts of the gospel, — being
truly " an example to the believers, in word, in conver
sation, in charity, in faith, in purity."
During his long confinement, our dear friend having
been favoured to have his memory clear and retentive,
and his mental powers unimpaired, he continued to take
a lively interest in all that concerned the best welfare of
his fellow-professors, and the prosperity of our religious
Society. He frequently expressed deep regret for those
amongst us, who, as he believed, were " forsaking the
fountain of living waters, and hewing them out cisterns,
broken cisterns, that can hold no water;" but be was
nevertheless confirmed in a belief, that, though the Lord
had permitted a sifting time, He had not forsaken his

CONCERNING JOHN WIGHAM. XIII
people ; — that eventually the testimonies of Truth com
mitted to our predecessors, would be more and more con
spicuously exalted among mankind.
The meetings of ministers and elders for several years
were held at his house ; at the conclusion of one of these,
he expressed himself to the following effect : — 'As this is
probably the last time I shall sit with you, in this capa
city, I feel free to tell you, that all is well. I have not
been following cunningly devised fables ; neither have I
been endeavouring to serve the Lord for nought, not
withstanding my unworthiness, my many weaknesses, and
short-comings. He has richly rewarded me — and I may
also tell you, that if you continue to persevere in faith
and patience, in stability of conduct. He will crown your
latter end with loving kindness and tender mercies, as He
is abundantly doing for me.'
About three weeks before his final close, his sufferings
were often very distressing to him, and he sometimes
expressed a desire to be unclothed of niortality ; but in
giving utterance to such a wish, he never failed to add,
' When the right time comes. — It is the Lord's will
that I am kept here, and it must be right ; — He doeth all
things well, and we are called to suffer, as well as to do
his will.'
On one occasion, on being asked how he was, he
replied, ' I am just about as weak and poorly as I can
well be, but I have a hope — I am favoured with a lively
hope, that, when I have done with time, I shall have
peace for ever.' And, on its being remarked to him,
that it was a great mercy to have such a feeling to sus
tain him, he replied, ' O yes ! and none can tell how
precious it is, but those who feel it.' At another time,
in a fit of pain and sickness, thinking his end was near,
he sent for some of his family who were not then with

XIV ABERDEEN MONTHLY MEETING S TESTIMONY, ETC.
him, to whom he signified his readiness to depart, saying,
he had no desire to be any thing but what the Lord would
have him to be, — wholly resigned to His will ; and,
addressing himself to those around him, said, ' You,
too, must follow on, — never let go your hold, — keep to
the Rock that never failed any one.'
During the few days he continued after this, he seemed
to wish for quietness, and said but little; yet evincing
at different times, so long as the power of articulation
remained, his unshaken confidence in his God and
Saviour, — saying, he had nothing to trust to, but the
goodness and mercy of the Almighty.
Thus he finished his course, full of days and full of
peace. His memory is precious to us ; and we reverently
believe his redeemed spirit is numbered among those, who
" came out of great tribulation, and have washed their
robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."
Given forth by the said Monthly Meeting held at
Aberdeen, the 15th of Fourth Month, 1840, and signed
therein by a number of men and women Friends.
' General Meeting fob Scotland, held at Edin
burgh, 4th of Fifth Month, 1840.
' The foregoing Testimony on behalf of our late dear
friend John Wigham, has been received from Aberdeen
Monthly Meeting, and being approved, is signed on behalf
of the meeting.' William Miller, Clerk.
Signed in and on behalf of the women's meeting, held
at the same time and place. Lucy Cruickshank, Clerk.

SOME ACCOUNT

LIFE OF JOHN WIGHAM.

CHAPTER I.
HIS BIRTH AND PARENTAGE  RELIGIOUS EXERCISES IN
EARLY LIFE  HIS MARRIAGE AND CALL TO THE
MINISTRY  REMOVAL INTO SCOTLAND.
As I have frequently had it on my mind, to leave behind
me some record of the Lord's gracious dealings with me
from mj' childhood, for the information and encourage
ment of my offspring ; and being at this time renewedly
impressed with the uncertainty of my time in this world,
I feel afraid to delay it longer.
To begin now, this Sth day of the Ninth Month, 1808,
in the 60th ye^r of my age. I was born at Cornwood, near
Haltwhistle, in the county of Northumberland, the 23rd
of the Third Month, 1749, and was blessed with religious
parents. My mother particularly, was deeply concerned,
that her children might be carefully educated in the way
of truth, and preserved from the snares of the world ; and
with this view, she often exhorted us to be attentive to
the guidance of the Holy Spirit secretly manifested in our
own hearts; which was of great benefit to me in my
childhood : for, as the Lord was graciously pleased

SOME ACCOUNT OF THE

sensibly to visit me when very young, I was made aware,
sooner perhaps than many children who are not favoured
with such instruction, what that Spirit was, which both
reproved and comforted me.
When I was about eight years of age, strong desires
to be the Lord's servant were raised in my mind ; and
being made sensible that I could not serve Him accept
ably, unless I were preserved from evil, I often begged
in my childish way, that He would enable me to over
come all my evil propensities, which I saw were many :
and although I frequently entered into covenant with my
God to be watchful, especially when under His correc
tion, yet I felt great weakness, and frequently committed
errors. I was naturally lively and wild, and of a hasty
passionate temper ; which often hurried me into things
for which I felt condemnation, and which, in my more
serious moments I detested ; knowing them to be evil, and
sensibly feeling that they separated me from Him, whom
my soul loved. For the Lord was sometimes graciously
pleased so to fill my heart with his love, that my soul was
quite enamoured ; and under that influence, I thought I
could cheerfully suffer even death for His sake. But
when his face was veiled, and I was under his correction
for evil, then the enemy of my happiness, by his insinua
tions, endeavoured to persuade me that I might as well
give over striving, and live at ease ; for I should never
be able to overcome my evil propensities. For some
time, I was in great horror of mind on these occasions,
and nigh unto despair: when the Lord would again
comfort my tossed mind, frequently by bringing to my
remembrance some of His gracious promises, and enabling
me to take fresh courage and renew my covenant. Thus
were spent my childish days and years.
1 do not know that any one perceived that I was under

LIFE OF JOHN WIGHAM.

any [religious] exercise whatever, for I took great pains to
conceal it, being afraid that any of my companions should
know it : for though the Lord was thus graciously dealing
with me, and though, when my heart was filled with love,
I thought I could suffer anything for Him ; yet I was far
from having attained to a willingness to confess Him
before men. When a boy, I was frequently employed in
taking care of sheep, all alone ; and when so situated,
my mind was often drawn to seek the Lord ; and to my
exceeding joy. He was sometimes graciously pleased to
be found of me ; and my heart was melted within me ; —
love inexpressible flowed towards God and man. In
these seasons He began to discover to me, that if I would
be his servant and retain his favour, I must tell to others
what He had done for me ; and I still believe, that had I
happily kept close to Him and been faithful, I should have
had a testimony to bear for His cause, when very young
in years : but this, alas ! was not the case ; for as I grew
older, my father, who was a very industrious man, put
me to work with the servants, whose company proved
very pernicious to me. My father, whose memory I
revere, had a care for his children's preservation ; but was
not I think sufficiently aware of the danger to which we
were exposed. From the time I was about sixteen years of
age, I rapidly lost ground in religion : for I began to
delight in company, which proved a snare to me ; and I
was led into many wrong things, and gradually lost that
sense and savour of Truth, with which I had before been
favoured ; so that my mind became darkened, and I even
called in question all those feelings I had experienced at
an earlier period : thus indeed was experienced the force
of the remark, — " a little leaven leaveneth the whole
lump." The reasoner too got entrance, and I grew wise to
dispute against and strong to stifle conviction. Yet the
b2

¦* SOME ACCOUNT OF THE
Lord in mercy followed me long with his reproofs, and
made me feel, even in the time of my rebellion, much
bitterness of soul. O I I have often remembered the
bitter wages of the cunning adversary ; for though he
could promise pleasure, he could not give peace. — I was
ensnared by evil company.
I leave this as a warning to others to beware of evil
company ; and to those of my offspring, who are, or may
be parents, let them never if they can possibly avoid it,
expose their children to this dangerous temptation. In
my worst state I was, through great mercy, preserved
from what the world calls gross sins : but alas ! I left
my God, my guide, — and bitter suffering was the conse
quence : and, had He left me, I had been undone for ever.
But He mercifully followed me with His judgments : — •
I had no peace ; — ^merry nights were succeeded by sad
mornings, I often bewailed my condition, and longed to
be freed from my fetters ; but I had no power or reso
lution to break off from my companions : though some
times when the Lord's judgments were heavy upon me, I
resolved to do so ; but having departed from Him, in
whom alone is the power. He, in his justice, left rae
enslaved in bitter servitude. Thus I spent several years
in a state of rebellion against my God : at length, in
His mercy. He made a way for my deliverance.
My father having suggested my entering into the married
state, I went to see a young woman, to whom I became
affectionately attached ; and having obtained her consent,
we were united in marriage before I was quite twenty-
one years of age. This union proved a great blessing
to me at the time, and my beloved partner has been a
blessing and a helpmate to this day ; for though, like
myself, she had not then much religion, — yet by this step
I became settled, and was rescued from those associates.

LIFE OF JOHN WIGHAM. 6
who had so much injured me ; and it was not long before
the Lord was pleased to visit us both afresh. Weary of
my servitude to sin, I was thankful to embrace liberty on
any terms, and would gladly have returned to the right
way ; but many of the corrupt inclinations of my nature,
which, through grace, had been somewhat subdued in my
childhood, were now by my revolt and disobedience much
strengthened, and a great conflict ensued. I was made sen
sible that I had no power of myself to obtain the victory, —
that the power was in and of God alone, dispensed through
his grace or good Spirit. Thus, I was exceedingly
humbled by the sight I had obtained of my condition ; I
felt such a load of guilt upon me, and such propensities
to add thereto, that I was often very near to despair.
For though the Lord was graciously pleased to open to
my view the fountain, — the blood of Christ, to cleanse
from all pollution ; yet I saw, at the same time, that that
fountain was opened only to those, who repent and for
sake all those things that defile : and though I believed
my repentance was sincere, as I did from my heart abhor
myself and all my former sins, yet I felt so much weak
ness and such strong desires and temptations to some
things which I knew to be displeasing to the Almighty,
that I was for some time almost without hope. All my
grievous struggles were however in secret ; none knew
them but the Lord alone : for I was afraid to let it be
seen that I was at all exercised about religion, lest
I should fall, and dishonour the cause, and prove a
stumbling-block in the way of others.
Whilst I was thus labouring under these exercises of
mind, the Lord showed me, that though man could not help
himself, he could injure himself; and thus was brought to
my remembrance this language, — " Thy destruction is of
thyself; but thy help is in me." I was convinced that

b SOME ACCOUNT OF THE
God was willing to save all men : and for that end He
visited them by His grace, inviting them to accept and
use the means He offered them, namely, a measure of His
light and grace ; in which he dispensed power sufficient
to give them the victory over all their spiritual enemies,
if they would embrace it, and become co-workers with it.
But if, on the other hand, they neglected to lay hold of
and use the means, the fault was their own, and their
destruction of themselves. Thus I saw, I must maintain
a warfare, and resist and strive against temptations, in
watchfulness and humble dependence on the Lord's
strength. The way being thus clearly opened before me,
I was made willing to enlist under the banner of Christ,
and prayed that He would enable me to be a faithful
soldier : but, alas ! I was often surprised and wounded,
when off my guard ; and I should have fainted had not
my gracious Redeemer manifested himself to be a High
Priest touched with a feeling of my infirmities. I now
began experimentally to know Him in his various offices;
— passages of scripture were often brought to my remem
brance for my refreshment, and for the strengthening of
my faith. I recollected the testimony of the Apostle, —
that we have an advocate with the Father, and that for
his sake God was propitiated. I felt that He refreshed
and strengthened me, as well as washed and healed my
wounds, by his balsamic virtue. Oh ! I often to this day
remember his unutterable goodness to my exercised mind.
He had won my heart ; — He knew my sincerity : and
though, through unwatchfulness and infirmity, I often
failed on my part ; yet in His mercy He did not leave me.
Having, about this time, entered into close covenant
with my God, I felt very desirous of having a sound
faith ; and began to be exercised about some points of
Christian doctrine. The state of children dying in in-

LIFE OF JOHN WIGHAM. 7
fancy, occasioned me considerable perplexity; for though
I could clearly comprehend that Adam our first parent,
by transgressing the Divine command fell, so all his off
spring were in a fallen state, — and though I was satisfied
with respect to the means provided for their restoration
through Christ the one offering, and by the operation
of the Holy Spirit in the heart subduing the corrupt
nature, and by the washing of regeneration, making new
the creature,— yet I could not conceive how infants could
experience this change ; and to suppose that such were
excluded from God's kingdom, appeared contrary to the
declaration of Christ— "of such is the kingdom of
heaven." I knew there was an invention among men,
as a kind of salvo for this difficulty, that of sprinkling,
or what they call baptism ; by which they profess to
believe that the child is regenerated and initiated into the
church of Christ : but this appeared a fiction, and not at
all satisfactory to my mind. I tried to come at a right
knowledge of the subject by an examination of other
men's opinions, and by comparing these with Scripture
testimony, but without attaining what I desired. At
length, the Lord condescended so to enlighten my
understanding, that I was left without doubt. I well
remember the very time and place when the matter was
opened to me, and in a way that satisfied me at once, and
has done so ever since : it was thus, — that as Adam's sin
was disobedience, and aspiring to the knowledge of good
and evil, so his offspring are innocent, (or not held re
sponsible,) till they arrive at a capacity to partake of this
knowledge. This will apply to idiots also, as well as
children. — Rom. iv. 15; v. 13.
Another point of doctrine with which I was then
much tried, was that of election and reprobation, which
opened to me thus : — Christ was the elect and chosen of

8 SOME ACCOUNT OF TIlE
God, for the salvation of mankind ; He was offered to
all men by a manifestation of his Spirit ; and all those
who joined in with this offer, and thereby became united
to Him, became in Sim the elect of God ; and that God
had predestined to a separation from himself, all those
who rejected this offer, by refusing to receive him; and
that this (the election as well as the reprobation) included
all, even those who had never heard of Christ's appear
ance in the flesh. Thus was my mind satisfied in this
respect also ; and I now began to see clearly, that I
never could comprehend the things of God, but by the
Spirit of God : this induced me in every difficulty, to
wait in humility and dependence on the fresh openings
of Truth.
About this time the Lord sheewd me that I must
acknowledge Him more openly ; that I must not only
overcome that unwillingness to let it be seen that I was
religiously exercised, but also testify to others of his
goodness to me. Indeed, my mind was frequently so
clothed with love to mankind, that I did not much resist
this opening : only I felt myself very unfit for it, and
prayed that He would better prepare me, and give me a
clean heart and a right spirit ; and then I covenanted with
Him to do any thing which he saw meet to appoint.
But, notwithstanding my professed willingness to be what
the Lord would have me to be, I was exceedingly afraid
of deception, and of mistaking something different for
the Lord's requirings ; and this fear prevailed so much,
that I durst hardly go to meeting, — and when there, was
fearful of turning my mind to a right exercise, lest some
thing should be presented for me to say. The Lord was
then displeased with me, and let me see that my heart
was deceitful, and not right in His sight ; — that this fear
was caused by self-will ; and in displeasure He seemed to

LIFE OF JOHN WIGHAM. 9
leave me. Greatly did I now bemoan my situation, and
in deep sorrow and repentance, did I entreat Him to
return and strengthen me, promising to strive against
that fearfiilness. In mercy He inclined his ear, and
shortly afterwards in a meeting, impressed my mind with
a few words, accompanied with such an impulse, as I
had not before felt; which left me no doubt that the
Lord required me to express them. After having done
so, my heart was so filled with peace, that it seemed not
only like a vessel full, but running over with praises to
the Lord, who had thus strengthened me to do his will :
for though it was a very little simple matter that was
thus brought to my mind I scarce know how, yet, " as
the wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the
sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it comes nor
whither it goes," so appeared to me the influence of the
Spirit, with respect to that little offering; and so it has
been ever since with respect to communications in the
line of gospel ministry.
From this time my heart was dedicated to the Lord
and his service, being desirous, above all things, to know
and do his will ; and though I often fell short through
weakness, yet the Lord, in his unspeakable mercj', did
not leave me, but corrected and restored me again to
favour ; so that I have great cause to praise Him, for by
his rod, as well as his staff. He hath comforted me.
I continued to express a few words in meetings, when
thus impressed, and was favoured with the answer of
peace ; and as I carefully attended to the impulse or motion
of the Spirit, my gift gradually increased, and faith was
given me to stand up, even when I felt only the impulse,
and very {e-w words were presented to my mind ; but
matter would sometimes flow to my admiration, and to
the enlargement of my communications.
b3

10 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE
My first appearance as a minister was, I believe, little
expected by most Friends ; yet, as far as I ever under
stood, they were generally satisfied. From the love I
felt to flow to the people, I was sometimes desirous that
something might be given me to say to them, but these
desires were generally disappointed ; it was shewn to me
they were wrong, and had their origin in self-will, and
were to be rejected ; and that gospel ministry should
be exercised -asd in great simplicity and resignation to
the Divine will, without human labour or creaturely
contrivance. Thus 1 was instructed to wait in humble
dependence. In a short time, my faith was more particularly tried,
for the Lord was pleased to withdraw the gift [of the
ministry] for some time, I think about six months, so
that I had nothing to communicate ; in this time, did the
enemy endeavour to mislead me, by presenting to my
mind such specious openings and fields of doctrine, that
1 was sometimes nearly deceived ; but the impulse was
wanting, which I had been convinced was as the voice of
iny true guide, and without which I durst not move :
but the enemy endeavoured to imitate that also ; in this
attempt, however, the counterfeit and the snare were
more manifest. Though the Lord was pleased to permit
me to be thus tried, in his great mercy and by his own
invisible power he preserved me from yielding to
any of the temptations with which I was assailed ; and
often at the close of meetings, when I had been thus
tempted, He filled my heart with thankfulness : in His
own time however, he returned with that sweet simple
evidence, which had been my unfailing guide, and which
continues to be so to the present day. I have been the
more particular in my remarks on the ministry, knowing
that many snares are laid by the enemy, even for such as

LIFE OF JOHN WIGHAM. 11
have made a right beginning ; and to those so tried, my
experience may perhaps afford some instruction. If such
an one should see this, I would say to him, ' I entreat
thee never to move, without that fresh feehng of the Divine
impulse, which was thy guide in the beginning, what
ever fields of doctrine may be spread before thee, or
however clearly thou mayst see the states of the people.'
It is not always necessary to speak, when we see things ;
but we must sometimes conceal the vision, and always
wait the Lord's command : if we do otherwise, we shall
lose our guide, and be involved in confusion.
My beloved wife had, before this time, come forth in
public testimony as a minister ; which was a great com
fort to me. Being now enlisted in earnest, in a while
I conceived it my duty to leave home, and visit Friends
in their meetings : this I performed in several counties
in England ; and was also frequently engaged in visiting
Friends' families in different places : and though I felt
myself a very poor, weak, insignificant servant, yet I
had often to adore the goodness of God, in condescend
ing so to enable me to serve him, as to obtain peace.
About this time, (1783,) a very trying exercise came
upon me, from an apprehension that the Lord called me
to leave my native country and near connexions, and go
to reside in Scotland. The prospect really looked very
discouraging. There were few Friends at Edinburgh,
which was the first place pointed out to me ; — I had a
young family, and how to provide for them I could not
tell. But, after some secret struggles, my mind was
relieved through resignation to the Divine will ; and I felt
greatly encouraged by my dear wife's informing me, that
she also had a similar prospect : she knew nothing of
mine, as I had kept it to myself; but when we came to
open our views to each other, and found them so much

12 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE
in unison, our faith was strengthened. But when we
informed some of our near connexions of our prospects, it
was different : my valuable mother discouraged us much at
first ; setting before us the disadvantages of bringing up
a family, where there were so few Friends, and how our
children would be exposed to mix with the people in mar
riage, &c. In a short time, however, she acknowledged
that what she had said, in the way of discouragement,
had occasioned her much uneasiness, and that she saw it
had originated in her unwillingness to part with us ; that
she could now say, " Go ; and I believe the Lord will go
with you." Thus was way gradually made for us in the
minds of our relations and friends, and to Scotland we
came with our seven children in the year 1784. In this
country we have had many and various exercises, many
removals from one place to another, under an apprehen
sion of duty ; but though we have been like pilgrims,
the Lord has in his abundant goodness fully satisfied us,
that our coming was in the way of our duty. He has
been truly our Shepherd, and we have not lacked.
[My dear father has not left any record of this period
of his first coming to Edinburgh, but it is known to have
been one of peculiar trial and difficulty. There were at
that time but very few in profession with Friends, and
even of this small number, the greater part had so much
departed from tbeir principles, and had become in their
manners, their language, and their dress, so conformed to
the fashions of the world, that there was little or nothing
left to distinguish them ; and in this state of things, as
might have been expected, the discipline of the Society
was scarcely supported at all. Monthly Meetings had
ceased to be held, and it could not be ascertained who
were or were not entitled to membership.

LIFE OF JOHN WIGHAM. 13
During this time of deep and painful exercise, his faith
in his Almighty helper, whose cause he had espoused,
was mercifully sustained ; and being enabled to persevere,
his labours were ultimately blessed with considerable
success. By the assistance of some Friends in the mi
nistry, who were drawn to visit this nearly desolate part
of the heritage, the discipline was before long, measurably
restored, and a few well concerned Friends raised up to
conduct the affairs of the Society. Among those who
laboured in this work of reformation, were our valued
friends George Dillwyn of America, who was then
residing in England, and Henry Tulie of York, who
visited Edinburgh about this time.
At Aberdeen and its neighbouring meetings, the state
of things was also very discouraging. It is true, they
had not ceased to hold Monthly Meetings, but the right
exercise of the discipline was inefficiently supported ; and
in order to its revival, it was found needful both there and
at Edinburgh, to make up lists of such as might be con
sidered members or claimed to be such.
During his first residence in the neighbourhood of
Edinburgh, he occupied a small dairy farm about two
miles from meeting ; but his stay here was but of short
duration. In about two years, under an impression of
religious duty, he moved to Aberdeen, where during his
stay there, about two years more, he opened a small gro
cery shop for the support of his family. In the early
part of the year 1788 he left Aberdeen, and went to
occupy a farm about fourteen miles farther north, near
Kinmuck meeting; and when not absent on religious
service, this continued to be his home till 1794, when he
left it to pay a visit in the love of the gospel to Friends
in America, as stated in his own account.
It appears, he received a certificate from his Monthly

14 SOME ACCOUNT OF THB
Meeting in the Eleventh Month 1789, to visit Friends of
the Quarterly Meeting of Cumberland, and the Meetings
adjacent. This visit, of which he has not left any account,
was performed chiefly, it is believed, on foot ; as were
also many of his journeys to attend the Half-year's Meet
ing, in travelling to and from Edinburgh. He has been
heard to say, that he and his companions when on some
of these journeys, after walking as far as they were well
able, were refused lodgings at some of the Inns, partly
from their not appearing like profitable guests, and also
on some occasions from the remains of a prejudice against
Friends, which many in that day still entertained. The
distance from Kinmuck to Edinburgh is upwards of 120
miles.]

LIFE OF JOHN WIGHAM. 1-5

CHAPTER II.
PROSPECT OF A BELIGIOUS VISIT TO FRIENDS IN NORTH
AMERICA  HIS VOYAGE THITHER AND LANDING AT
BOSTON IN 1794.
In the year 1793, a veiy weighty concern revived in my
mind, to visit Friends in America ; of which I had had
some prospect, before leaving England ; but for several
years it had disappeared, so that I hoped I should have
been excused : but it now returned with so much weight,
that I was constrained to give up to it, though not
without considerable conflict. I felt so poor a creature
every way, and ill qualified for what appeared to me so
great an undertaking, that I was often sunk very low ;
and the prospect of leaving my family, now consisting of
nine children, who seemed greatly to need my care and
assistance, appeared sometimes very trying. But I had
covenanted to do whatever the Lord required, if He
would condescend to give me satisfactory evidence of his
¦will, which He so far did from time to time, that I had
no excuse left : I therefore gave up to it, and laid my
concern before my Monthly Meeting and Half-year's
Meeting; and having received certificates of their sym
pathy and concurrence, I proceeded to London, where I
had also the unity of the Yearly Meeting of Ministers
and Elders; and thus the way seemed clear for my
procedure.

16 SOME ACCOUNT OP THE
[Previous to his embarking for America, he wrote to
his wife as follows : — ]
London, Fifth Month 22nd, 1794.
I doubt not thou wilt be desirous to know what I am
doing. I would have written thee sooner, but waited till
I should be able to inform thee, how my concern felt to
the Yearly Meeting [of Ministers and Elders :] and as it
was laid before it yesterday, I may now tell thee, that,
far contrary to what I had sometimes thought, it was
generally approved of; and many, very many Friends
expressed their near unity with me ; — so much so, that
it was indeed a humbling time to my mind : — may my
heart be sufficiently thankful. Through the unspeakable
mercy of our dear Lord, — who seemed so to cover us
with His love, that the living were knit together as the
heart of one man, — it was made a memorable time to
many. Dear Martha Routh opened her concern first,
which helped rae, for indeed T was so overcome with fear
and diffidence that I needed help.
I cannot tell thee yet, which way I am to go, or when
I may get away, not having had full inquiry made [as to
a vessel ;] but shall write thee when the matter is fixed.
— I am lodging at Miller Christy's, a very agreeable
lodging it is, the whole family are so affectionately kind :
they often speak of thee with much respect.
The Yearly Meeting is very large, the new Meeting
houses, both the men's and women's are quite filled;* and
it may be acknowledged, that evident tokens of the Great
Master's regard were to be felt: yet I do believe we
should be more eminently blessed with His presence, if
there were less of the wisdom of the creature prevalent in
our meetings for discipline.
* The first year in which the present Meeting-houses -were thus
.used.

LIFE OF JOHN WIGHAM. 17
London, 20th of Sixth Month, 1794.
To Barbara Chuikshank.
In love unchangeable I salute thee ; in which I feel
afresh united to thee in spirit in the gospel covenant,-—
which covenant is love and life. Though in our respective
allotments, we may at times have to experience varied
trials, and in our measures a portion of suffering with
the seed; and often to go down into baptisms for the
dead, as well as on our own account, to prepare us by a
stepping into the river of judgment, to bring up our
stones of memorial to the excellency of that Divine
power, which supports and keeps steady in the flood ;
and which preserves in the faith and patience, in times of
seeming desertion, when we may be exceedingly hungry ;
insomuch that the enemy may be suffered to tempt us to
desire, that the stones may be raade bread. Let us in
these tiraes reraeraber our dear Lord's answer to the
tempter, — " that raan shall not live by bread alone, but by
every word of God ;" — by every dispensation that the
Lord in His wisdom sees meet to bring us through : —
this is meat and drink to the truly devoted heart. And
however long a state of desertion may continue, let us
beware of forming any image or likeness in His ab
sence ; — remembering [for our warning] that when Moses
remained long on the mount, the people adopted this
language, — " As for this Moses, we know not what is
become of him ;" and they proposed to Aaron, to make
them gods to go before them. Now this impatient spirit,
the enemy takes advantage of; and by his subtle trans
formations, by presenting to the mind specious and
pleasing openings, and withal attempting to create a
desire to communicate these openings to the people,
suggesting that [the matter presented] is something very
suitable to their states, and may bring esteem to self.

18

SOME ACCOUNT OP THE

All these things, my dear Barbara, are carefully to be
rejected, and the patient waiting kept in, for the return
of the right thing [the Divine Anointing,] which perhaps
may come in, whilst the mind is under a feeling of great
weakness ; and a cross [to the natural will] will be expe
rienced in stepping forward under this weakness. Mayst
thou ever bear in mind that the cross is the way to
the crown ; and that all right ministry is exercised in
some degree under the power of the cross, and under a
sense of [human] weakness. I believe thou knowest
that I am deeply concerned for thy growth and preser
vation, and feel a desire to open to thy view, some of
the snares by which the enemy of our soul's peace seeks
to make us stumble and fall.  1 write to thee as a
child ; and suppose thou wilt not be unwilling to acknow
ledge thyself one.  Every crown must be cast down
at the feet of Jesus. — O ! may He preserve thee, and
nurse thee in the arms of His love ; and enable thee,
under the influence of His Spirit, to remember poor me,
and to beg for my preservation.
I embarked at London on board the ship Barclay,
bound for Boston, New England, the 21st of Seventh
Month, 1794: I had the company of the following
Friends as fellow-passengers, viz. Samuel Emlen, who
was returning from a religious visit to Friends in Eng
land, — Martha Routh, who like myself was bound on a
similar errand to Friends in America, — William Rotch,
his wife, two daughters, and two female servants, also four
young men going with a view to settle in that country.
We cast anchor at Gravesend, where I went on shore
and lodged two nights.
Seventh Month 30th. Have had calms and contrary
winds since leaving the Downs, we are now tossing

LIFE OF JOHN WIGHAM. 19
about with the wind still against us ; but I have cause
thankfully to acknowledge Divine goodness, in preserv
ing my mind calm. Samuel Emlen poorly, and weak
in body, but animated and active in mind, — richly laden
with good fruit, a httle of which he sometimes scatters
among us.
EighthMonth 1st. Passed the Isle of Wight with a fair
wind ; most of the passengers sick, Samuel Emlen and
myself excepted. I have renewed cause of thankfulness,
in being able a little to assist some of the most neglected
part of the sick family. I feel fresh sympathy with the
poor, and long for more of the harmonizing power to
prevail in our hearts ; that we, like our heavenly Father,
might know no respect of persons, from their higher or
lower stations in life. O my God ! purify my heart
more and more : qualify me to dwell with thy pure
seed, even in suffering, if it may be the means of fitting
me, in any degree, as an instrument in thy hand, to
remove obstructions in the hearts of others. O Lord ! I
thank thee for a renewal of confidence in Thee ; and beg
that thou wilt be pleased to preserve me in thy fear.
2nd. Had a tossing night; but to-day the wind is
fair : pretty well in health, but oh 1 my leanness of soul :
I seem the poorest of the poor. I am ready to cry out,
Lord grant patience and preservation from taking flight
in the winter.
6th. Last twenty-four hours very rough ; wind con
tinues contrary, but not quite so high : most of the
passengers sick ; I am through mercy about as well as
any of them. My poor mind has been a little refi-eshed
this morning, being filled with calm resignation and
thankfulness to the God of all grace, inasmuch as He is
pleased to sustain me in a degree of confidence in His
mercy, and in a willingness to conform to what He sees

20 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE
fit. This morning I have felt renewed sympathy with the
poor, in observing the different situations of the sick in
this vessel. While some are attended with the utmost
diligence, and everything possible done to alleviate their
sufferings, others seem little heeded or felt for. I am
thankful that the Lord is pleased to afford me a poor
creature, the ability of rendering some little assistance to
those who are neglected by others. O my God ! may
the operation of thy power more and more purge from
my heart and those of oi.hers, everything that obstructs
the pure unity, the prevalence of that undefiled love,
in which thy creatures may, like Thee, be divested of
respect of persons, and which would produce uninter
rupted harmony. Who can sufficiently admire the
extent of ' Thy unparalleled love ;' it continues even
when we rebel against Thee; for thou strivest with us to
gain us to thyself, while we, ungrateful creatures, can
scarcely forgive the smallest fault; — Thou forgivest us
all our great debt, but we are not willing to abate one
farthing. O Lord ! be pleased to humble us under a
sense of thy goodness and of our unworthiness, and
sanctify every dispensation to the purification of our
hearts ; that we may be enabled to serve thee more
acceptably. 9th. Fair and moderate wind. — Our passengers have
got over their sickness, and look a little cheerful to-day.
We have seen many porpoises and one whale, a won
derful creature. —
" Marvellous are thy works,
" Parent of good Almighty !
"Thine this universal frame, thus wondrous fair ;
" Thyself how wondrous then 1"
O ! enable rae still to put ray trust in thy name, and
constantly to watch unto prayer, that I may be preserved

LIFE OF JOHN WIGHAM. 21
from the wiles of the enemy, — who I feel is busy with
me, though speciously disguised; — and teach me todo
thy will, desiring nothing more.
11th. Distressed in spirit, without knowing the cause,
— unless it be sympathy with a dear youth, in whom a con
siderable struggle is evident, which of the two seeds shall
have the victory: — strong natural propensities to vivacity,
require deep baptisms to subdue the efforts of tbe crea
ture to preserve that life, which ought to be crucified and
given up, for the sake of Christ and the gospel. O Lord 1
spare not, — ^but let thy power so operate, as to break the
rock in pieces. I feel at this time, through thy mercy,
willing to suffer every dispensation necessary to prepare
my heart to do thy will, and to enable me profitably to
feel the state of the seed in the hearts of the people.
12th. Had two meetings yesterday, at one of which
the captain and several of the sailors, with the pas
sengers not belonging to our Society, were present ; to
whom suitable counsel was administered in some degree
of gospel authority; by which the hearts of several were
affected, and some of ours made thankful for the renewed
favour. A heart-tendering season, we had together in
the evening among ourselves; some deeply exercised state
was felt with and spoken to with encouragement ; and
yet after all, how pained and depressed do I feel to-day.
O Lord ! grant patience : thou knowest that I desire
nothing but light to discover, and ability to perform thy
will. Last night, we were apprehensive that we were chased
by three ships of war; but this morning they are out of
sight. The wind continues fair, though but little of it ;
very pleasant weather.
13th. Wind fair and pretty fresh. I have a head
ache, but my mind though poor, is, through mercy, pretty

22 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE
quiet, and my confidence in the sufficiency' of infinite
Power and goodness is renewed : may no instability in
me, tend to lessen it.
18th. Wind fair to-day, after three days, in which it
was strongly contrary. Yesterday, I was very poorly
with head-ache and excessive sickness ; but, through in
finite raercy, was favoured with a sweet feeling of love ; in
which I was enabled to pray for entire conformity to the
Divine will, during the remainder of my days. In the
evening I was a little better, and we had a meeting, in
which some instructive communication was handed to
the seamen and passengers ; but my mind was grieved
with the impure spirits and corrupting conduct of some
that profess with us. I have mourned, since we came
on board, under a sense that such as these may pull
down more than the advocates of the gospel can build
up. But what can we say ? Lord ! the work is thine :
to thee do we look.
23rd. For four days we have made very little progress,
the wind, though moderate, is directly a-head. By the
seamen's calculation, we are still 1800 miles from Boston.
Our passage is likely to be long ; yet we have no cause
of complaint, but rather of thankfulness, as we all enjoy
pretty good health, except Martha Routh, who is sickly,
and spends most of her time in bed. Last night she
was up, and we had a little religious sitting together ;
when some instructive counsel, tending to encourage to
faithfulness, was handed to an individual. The Lord
was pleased to give a taste of his love ; if He graciously
continue to do so from time to time, my soul will say, It
is enough.
25th. A pleasant morning, but little wind ; all well.
Had a favoured meeting yesterday : the Lord has not
left us, but frequently covers us with his uniting love.

LIFE OF JOHN WIGHAM. 23
giving renewed evidence that He is willing to draw near
to those who are at a distance ; — thanks be to His ever
worthy name.
29th. Calm yesterday and to-day, after a strong gale,
which continued two days, and brought on almost a
general sickness among the passengers ; but now all are
well again. We were roused sooner than usual this
morning, by a report of a vessel making signals of dis
tress ; on which account our captain lowered sail, and
waited for her ; but when she carae near, she was dis
cerned to be a ship of war, and by her endeavouring to
get to windward of us, she was suspected to have sorae
hostile design ; some even feared she was an Algerine, at
which W. R., and one of his daughters in particular,
were not a little alarmed. Through mercy I was pre
served calm, and enabled quietly to hope in God. Our
people hoisted sail and raade away from her, upon which
she fired several shots at us ; some of the balls were
observed to graze the water very near us ; but the wind
sprung up favourable, and we soon got out of reach of her
guns, and she then turned round.
Ninth Month Sth. Yesterday sounded, and found
bottom 100 fathoms, on the banks of Newfoundland.
This morning found bottom at forty-five fathoms. Our
people tried to catch some cod fish, but without success.
Saw several fishing vessels at a distance, and spoke one
from Nova Scotia : they offered us some fish, which
our captain at first declined, and made another attempt
to catch some ; but as he did not succeed, our mate and
two sailors were sent in the little boat with a present of
sorae rum and porter for the captain, who in return, sent
us thirty-five large fish ; upon a dozen of which we all
dined heartily. We have much contrary wind, and get
on very slowly, — sometimes rough weather, but not what

24 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE
the seamen call a storm. Last night we saw very near
us a mountain of ice, similar in size and appearance to
a large old castle. The seamen say it is common to see
such masses floating here ; and sometimes in dark nights,
ships strike upon them, and get damaged. We are sup
posed to be 1000 miles from Boston.
Sth. We have had a fine run, the seamen say 300
miles, in the last two days. This forenoon, a hard gale
of wind ; the dead lights were put in, and we tumbled
about the cabin from side to side ; but the wind suddenly
turned, and it soon became quite calm. Had two meet
ings yesterday, in which some degree of good was
extended, particularly to some of the blacks belonging to
the vessel, who were present in the evening.
11th. All well. Contrary winds continue ; for the
last two days we have been in what is called the Gulf
Stream. The sea is nearly as warm as new milk,
occasioned, it is supposed, by a stream flowing out of the
Gulf of Mexico, forced along by the trade winds. We
spoke a ship to-day from America, bound for Liverpool,
by which we sent some letters. We are supposed to be
about SOO miles from Boston : three or- four days of
fair ;Wind would now bring us there, but that is in the
Lord's hand; may He grant patience to wait His time.
We have had meetings constantly on Fourth days, and
twice on First days : the Lord has not failed to be with
us, blessed be His name !
12th. A perfect calm ; — not the smallest progress,  but
through mercy all well. Several of the passengers, who
could swim, went overboard to bathe. My mind re
newedly entreats preservation in exact conformity to the
Divine will.
14th, All well ; wind fair; 320 miles frora Boston.
Our meeting very poor, though 1 believe some were

LIFE OF JOHN WIGHAM. 25
favoured with a renewal of strength : Samuel Emlen
and Martha Routh had considerable communications to
the youth ; but dryness and barrenness were my portion.
Lord ! grant patience.
Yesterday, I was favoured with the reading of M. R.'s
memoranda of the voyage, which had a humbling effect
upon my mind. The raany instructive remarks tended
to open to my view my own extreme barrenness. A
sense of my unfruitfulness often makes me conclude, that
so poor a creature was never before sent on such an
errand ; however I ara soraetimes a little encouraged by
recollecting, that where little is given little is required.
I mourn deeply that so much labour bestowed on some
of our young people, seems to be in vain. May the Lord
meet with thera in a narrow place.
15th. Very languid to-day, rheumatism in my legs :
yet through mercy my mind is calm, and renewedly cen
tred in the one desire, to be favoured to know and ena
bled to do the Divine will.
Last evening, in meeting had a depressing time, in
sympathy with the thirsty travellers. Towards the close
was a little relieved by the communication of a few
encouraging hints.
19th. All well, but progress slow ; wind mostly con
trary. Have spoken with two vessels from Boston
to-day, and find by their account, that our desired port
is more distant than we expected
On Fourth day, we had a very solemn meeting, — a
memorable time of favour ; for which reason some of our
company were ready to conclude it would be the last
which we should have on board : for my part, I am too
blind to foretel any thing, but through raercy feel
resigned. Many sraall land birds came on board to
day, some of which our people caught and put in a cage.

26 SOME ACCOUNT OP THE
21st. Had a comfortable meeting, — my mind renew
edly covered with love and thankfulness, that the Lord
has not forsaken us. M. R. reminded us, to our comfort,
that " They who trust in the Lord, shall never be con
founded ;" — adding a few remarks encouraging to the
youth : with some of this class I feel a close spiritual
union, which I believe to be gospel fellowship.
Yesterday spoke two vessels, the captain of one kindly
offered sorae apples for our female passengers. Our
captain sent the boat with a present of some porter, and
brought us in return a basket of apples, with some vege
tables, on which we made a pleasant repast. A poor
little cat accidentally fell overboard : we were affected
by seeing the poor creature drowning, and one of our
young men wrote an elegy on its death.
22nd. Yesterday we were within sight of Cape Cod ;
but the wind continuing adverse, we have made very
little progress. We are supposed to be within twenty
miles of Boston, but there is no prospect of getting there
without a change of wind.
We had our meeting as usual yesterday, in which
several communications were offered ; and we were
favoured with a renewed evidence of the continued
extension of Divine regard. My mind was introduced
into a feeling of deep sympathy with an individual of
our company, who, I apprehend, is suffering under dis
couraging fearfulness, so as to prevent a full obedience
to the manifestations of truth. My secret prayer is, —
Lord ! thou who knowest all our weaknesses, be pleased
to extend help to thy little ones, and increase our faith
and confidence in thy power.

LIFE OF JOHN WIGHAM. 27

CHAPTER III.
HIS TRAVELS IN AMERICA IN THE YEARS 1794 TO 1797.
[They landed at Boston 23rd of Ninth Month ; but an
affecting accident happened on board the ship on the
preceding day, which cast a gloom over the passengers
and ship's company. John Wigham notices the event
in a letter to his wife, in nearly the following terms: " A
melancholy accident happened on board our ship last
night ; one of the sailors, a brother of the Captain, fell
from the top-gallant yard into the boat on the deck, and
was killed instantly. There was no storm at the time,
nor any other known cause, but it was supposed he had
missed his hold. It was an alarming circumstance to us
to be called up in the night about 12 o'clock, with the
striking intelligence ; and our tender spirited young
women were almost overcome with grief on the occasion.
The body was brought on shore to be buried this after
noon."] After attending the week day meeting at Boston on
the 25th, I left it on the 27th, and reached New Bedford
the sarae evening; attended the Meetings there on the First
day, and on the four succeeding days ; — had meetings at
different places, — was at the Quarterly Meeting at New
Bedford, and again at their usual meetings on First day.
Sth of Tenth Month. Second day, had a meeting with
the towns-people; and on the following day one across the
river in the Presbyterian Meeting-house.
c2

28 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE
8th. Embarked for the island of Nantucket ; arrived
about midnight, but did not reach my lodgings till two
o'clock in the afternoon, being detained by a young woman,
one of our passengers, taking fits : I could not leave
her till I saw her better. She lay in this state for about
four hours ; when she recovered and walked home leaning
on my arm. I called to see her next day ; and with her,
her mother, and several sisters, I had a religious oppor
tunity, which proved a tendering time: they did not
belong to our Society.
12th, First day. I attended the South meeting in
tbe morning, and the North in the afternoon ; and in the
evening had one appointed at the South house for the
members of both meetings.
Second- day. Embarked for New Bedford, which I
reached the sarae night, accompanied by David Sands and
dear Lydia Rotch, the latter came over to be the com
panion of Martha Routh in her travels : on Third day
morning they set off towards Boston. We had been
nearly united as fellow-labourers, and our parting was a
close trial to me : in which I believe they felt much
sympathy, for I was not at that time favoured to see
which way to move.
On Fourth day, I attended a meeting at Acushnet, and
on Fifth and Sixth had meetings at Longplain and Fal
mouth. On the Seventh day, rode to Paul Wing's, where
I lodged. In this family were five precious daughters,
Hephzibah, Beulah, Content, Tryphosa, and Lydia, and
several sons, who appeared hopeful ; among whom, with
their worthy parents, so sweet a spirit seemed to prevail,
that the house felt like a paradise.
19th, First day. Attended their meeting at Sandwich,
and at the close gave notice of a meeting at 4 o'clock in
the afternoon, — to which Friends were requested to invite

LIFE OF JOHN WIGHAM. 29
their neighbours ; of whom a good raany attended, and
it ended to satisfaction.

Providence, Rhode Island,
Eleventh Month 6th, 1794.
To HIS Wife,
Though I am pretty far from any seaport, and not con
veniently situated to get a letter forwarded to thee, yet
knowing how acceptable it will be to thee and our dear
children, to be informed that I am well, at least as well as
usual, I am desirous to make the atterapt [to convey to
you this intelligence.] I wrote thee frora Boston on our
landing, which I hope thou mayst have received before
now ; but at that time I could not give thee any account
of the line of my movements. I may now inform thee,
that, as far as I see at present, I am likely to continue in
New England during this winter. There seems as much
to do in these states (of New England,) as I shall be
able to get through before the ensuing spring. 
I have been much stripped, and sometimes very low ;
yet through unspeakable raercy I have been helped
hitherto to get along, so as that I hope the Truth has
not suffered ; and I have at times been favoured with an
undoubted evidence, that I am in the way of my duty :
and should it so please the Almighty, that my body be
laid down in this land, I desire to be content with His
will, and I hope thou ¦wilt be so too ; though I can say
in truth, that I never loved thee more, nor felt thine and
our dear children's welfare dearer to me, than since our
present wide separation. But, my dear Lord has given
me an unshaken evidence that He will take care of you :
if you cleave close to Him, and make Hira j'our con
fidence. He will never leave nor forsake you.
Tell my Amos [his eldest son] to take care of himself.

30 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE
not only as respects his bodily strength, not to over-do
it, but also in an especial manner regarding his conduct
in his transactions among men, that it may be upright
in all things ; — and in every matter of moraent to have
recourse to the Monitor, — to mind the dictates of the
Spirit of the Truth ; so that whatever suffers, the Truth
may not suffer. Tell him to keep close to meetings, let
no work hinder him ; but let him so contrive his matters,
that they may give way to this important duty : — and if
he give up his heart to serve the Lord, He will bless him
in his endeavours. And thou my dearest, I wish thee
not to overcharge either body or mind with the things of
this life ; for indeed we often find the truth of the decla
ration, that by taking thought we cannot add one cubit
to our stature. The Lord knows what things we stand
in need of; — may He bless thee with a peaceful mind,
and be near to support thee in every trying time.
To my dear children, — how do I feel my heart filled
with paternal love to them all ! — and renewedly so, at
this time while I ara writing.
[From the preceding period till the 1st of Twelfth
Month, John Wigham was diligently engaged in gospel
labours ; having, as appears from his memoranda, rode
378 miles, attended thirty -five meetings, — several of them
appointed for those not in profession with our religious
Society ; besides visiting the families of Friends at Sand
wich. Arriving at Richmond, he attended a Monthly
Meeting there, and thus proceeds with his narrative.]
Twelfth Month. After the Monthly Meeting at Rich
mond, I attended an appointed meeting the following
day ; thence proceeded to Hopkintown, Westerly, South
Kingston, New Meeting House. First day, was at a

life of JOHN WIGHAM.

meeting on an island, called Connanicut, after which
crossed to Rhode Island, and attended the afternoon
meeting at Newport : lodged at Jonathan Green's.
Second day, was at Portsmouth meeting on the north
end of the island, where were a large number of Friends :
there was but little given rae to communicate among
them, and the preceding meeting at Newport was held
altogether in silence. Here I was glad to meet with
Rebecca Wright ; and on Third day was favoured with
her company to a meeting at a place called Tiverton ou
the Main ; after which I rode to Jeremiah Austin's.
Fourth day. Had a meeting at Little Compton, where
I again had the company of Rebecca Wright, as a fellow-
labourer : a large number of people attended, among
whom was a Presbyterian minister and most of his flock :
it was, through Divine mercy, a pretty open time. After
meeting, the minister came and very respectfully offered
me his hand, and invited me to his house. Rode to New
Bedford, where I met with a kind reception ; the Friends
seemed glad to see me, and to some of them I felt nearly
united. The receipt of a letter at this place from my
beloved Mary R  , and one also frora P. Wing, were
strengthening and reviving to ray poor raind.
11th and 12th of Twelfth Month. Attended the Quar
terly Meeting, and the 13th rode to Rhode Island, where
my mind was bound to visit families ; in which my
beloved friend, Isaac Layton, was my companion. There
were 120 families on this island and at Connanicut ; and
visiting these kept us engaged till the 7th of First Month,
1795. Sth of First Month. I went thence to the Quarterly
Meeting at Swansea, where I met with my beloved
sisters, Martha Routh, Rebecca Wright, and Lydia Rotch.
We were favoured to rejoice together in gospel fellowship.

32 some account of the
After attending this Quarterly Meeting, I proceeded
under a weighty concern of mind to Longplain, finding
that to obtain peace, I raust visit the families there, and
not only those of our Society, but also a number who had
gone with Timothy Davis, and set up a separate meeting.
The exercising painful labour that I had among them,
will not I beUeve be easily forgotten. The Lord in
mercy, in the extending of His power, favoured me with
ability to clear myself; and I trust raany of them were
left in some degree humbled and broken down.
On Fourth day, went to Cushnet week day meeting ;
and the following day returned to that at Longplain, where
I was favoured considerably to relieve my mind. The
aforesaid Timothy Davis, a preacher among the Separa
tists, and many of his adherents were at the meeting; and
their states being through holy help clearly spoken to, it
ended, I think, to the satisfaction of those rightly
disposed. When the meeting was over, a Judge named
Spooner sent a message, requesting me to go and see
him ; 1 did so, and had a favoured time in a religions
opportunity in his faraily ; they were kind and respectful,
and their rainds seeraed softened.
I wrote a letter to Timothy Davis, exhorting him to
hurable hiraself, and return to the Lord and His people.
I went the sarae evening to Cushnet, and on Sixth
and Seventh days visited families, and attended their
meeting on First day. On Second day, I went to Pone-
ganset Monthly Meeting ; — returned to New Bedford,
and attended their Monthly Meeting on Third day, the
19th of First Month.
After this time, I was much tried, for want of clear
ness of prospect, as to my future movement ; and when
some light did appear thereon, I found some difficulty in
becoming willing to yield to ray irapressions of duty :

some account of THE 33
my mind was drawn towards Nantucket. I had already
been there, and besides M. Routh and R. Wright
were there, and reason suggested that they were suf
ficient. I stayed at Bedford over Fourth and Fifth days, and on
Sixth day I thought the way was a little opened to go
to Poneganset and Slocum's Neck. Joseph Austin went
with me, and we appointed a meeting at the latter place
on Seventh day : a good many people attended. The
Lord favoured me with strength to discharge myself
pretty fully, and the meeting ended to satisfaction.
First day. Attended the meeting at Poneganset in the
morning ; in the afternoon rode to New Bedford to attend
the meeting there ; and still feeling constrained to go to
Nantucket, on the 2nd of Second Month, I embarked on
board the packet, and landed there next day. Here I
found dear Martha and Rebecca in the same situation
as I had been in on the other side of the water. Martha
told me that her way had been quite shut up, and though
she had been willing to visit families, and had mentioned
it in meeting, yet she had now no freedom to proceed.
I told her the state of my own raind, and that I
thought we must undertake the family visit together,
which, accorapanied by R. Wright, we accordingly
began next day. The Lord was pleased to own and
encourage us in the service ; but after visiting a few
families, Rebecca finding, as she said, that it was not her
business, left us : we parted in tender love and fellow
ship, desiring each other's preservation. We were
sometimes accompanied by William Rotch, sometimes
by Elizabeth or Lydia : we were helped onwards from
time to time, ahd have great cause for thankfulness to
the Lord, who was our strength and our dependence.

34 some account of the
Sherburn, Island of Nantucket,
\Qth of Second Month, 1795.
To HIS Son, A. Wigham,
I can thankfully tell thee, that through raercy I have
been favoured, since ray arrival in this land, with a better
state of health, than when I left England ; I have only
been stopped frora travelling one afternoon on account of
illness. I have no certain companion in the ministry,
now one and then another ; though it did seem desirable,
when I first landed to have met with a Friend under a
similar concern to mine ; but none has yet been provided,
though I have not been without company. The Lord
hath hitherto been my helper ; I have lacked nothing ; —
if He be graciously pleased to continue His preserving
and supporting power to abilitate to do His will, it is all
I desire or ask.
I often remember thee, as well as the rest of my dear
children, with strong desires for your preservation, not
only in the innocency of children, but that as you grow
in years you may grow in grace, from stature to stature.
My dear  , dwell deep ; — feel after the life : — don't
be content with a superficial conformity, to moral recti
tude, but feel after the pure substance of religion ; that
makes and keeps the heart clean.
After going through the families [upon the island,] and
attending both their Monthly Meetings, we felt our
minds clear ; and on the 23rd of Third Month, embarked
in the packet, accompanied by raany Friends going
to the Quarterly Meeting at Sandwich. Landed at
Woodshole, from whence William Rotch intended to
drive Martha Routh and Lydia Rotch in a waggon with
two horses. I had purposed to go by water to New
Bedford, where my horse was ; but the boat having

life of JOHN WIGHAM. 35
run aground, and seeming likely to be detained all night,
I concluded to accompany them, and send for my horse
to meet me at Sandwich. At this, M. R. and especially
dear Lydia seemed much pleased, and the latter
pleasantly remarked, as she was stepping into the
waggon, " I have got my wish :" — but to her no small
mortification, one of the horses refused to go, and we
were all obliged to give it up for that night, and wait
to procure another horse next morning. They remained
at the inn, and I returned on board the packet, where
I slept comfortably. When the tide rose she was got
off, and about ten o'clock we arrived at New Bedford,
where my friends and I were mutually glad to meet ;
reciprocal love united us.
25th. Left New Bedford in company with a number of
Friends going to the Quarterly Meeting, and arrived at
Paul Wing's in the evening. To this family I felt united,
and we were mutually glad again to see each other ; as
" iron sharpeneth iron, so doth the countenance of a
man his friend."
Attended the Quarterly Meeting at Sandwich, and also
their meeting for worship on First day, which occupied
me till the 30th ; and after having a few more meetings
on my way, on the 3rd of Fourth Month, I attended
Longplain Monthly Meeting, to which Timothy Davis
sent an acknowledgment, expressing much desire for a
reconciliation. The Lord was pleased to own us, — Truth
prevailed, and the opposing spirits were restrained, so
that every thing passed off quietly. I was truly thankful,
for it had been cause of great concern to me ; and Fi-iends
were comforted in the hope, that this painful breach
would be satisfactorily made up. After meeting, I
parted with dear Martha and Lydia, who set out to
New Bedford that evening. We had been nearly united

36 some account of the
in gospel labour at Nantucket, and the meetings since.
I was now left without any companion ; but the best of
companions was near to afford me support.
Joseph Cloud, a minister from Carolina, going to visit
Friends in the eastern parts of New England : he and
I were desirous to join as companions, and partly con
cluded to do so ; but after attending a few meetings
together, we both felt more easy to separate for the
work's sake, though in opposition to our personal
wishes ; and two Friends whom we consulted on the
subject, having also thought it best, we parted in much
love, and with sincere desires for each other's preser
vation. He set off to Pembroke : I was again left
alone. A few places opening in my view to have meetings at,
where no Friends resided, and Obadiah Davis kindly
offering to accompany and assist me ; we went to Ro
chester where was a meeting house, but none of our
Society. We had a pretty large gathering of people, and
through Divine favour it proved an acceptable time.
After meeting rode twelve miles to a tavern called
Monument, where, next day being the First of the week,
we had a meeting in a Presbyterian meeting-house. As
that day they had no preacher, and notice having beep
given, a large concourse of people attended ; whose beha
viour was becoming, and some of them were affected to
tenderness. Dined at the house of a Presbyterian, who
with his wife received us with great kindness.
6th. At a meeting in the evening at Sandwich, held
also in a Presbyterian meeting-house; the attendance
was large, and they seemed to me to be a people
seeking after the pearl of great price; and, through
holy help, I was enabled to direct thera where their souls
might be satisfied.

LIFE OF JOHN WIGHAM. 37
7th. Proceeded to Rochester, where notice was given
of a meeting to be held in the Court House the following
day. After a few had assembled, a company of the
higher rank came and requested us to go to the Pres
byterian meeting-house, which they said was close by,
and would accommodate us better. I should have pre
ferred remaining in the Court House, but the people
were so urgent, that I thought it best to yield to their
wishes, and complied. It was through mercy a satis
factory time. Though I have often had the use of the
meeting-houses belonging to other religious societies,
yet I prefer a Town Hall or any other public building,
when it can be procured. There is a difference, however,
between this country and Old England ; their meeting
houses here are at the disposal of the people, and they do
not seem to be under any fear of offending their ministers
in gi-anting them to Friends or others ; and in proposing
a meeting, I have frequently left it to themselves to
appoint the place, that I might not bring Friends under
obligation. These public meetings have been upon the whole very
awful to me, feeling so very inadequate to such under
takings ; and I have often thought, that if the people
knew how poor a creature I am, few would attend, and I
have at times been ready to conclude in my own mind,
that if this was over, I would take care not to venture
again : nevertheless, the Lord's power has, from time to
time, made me willing to yield to the manifestations of
duty, and I trust so helped me in the needful time, that
the cause of Truth has not suffered ; and If He continue
so to do, I cannot but admire His condescension, and
humbly praise Him to whom alone all praise is due.
23rd. Reached Meadowsburgh, having had raany
meetings at different places on my way thither ; and after

38 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE
meeting there, still accompanied by my kind friend
Obadiah Davis, I rode, a good deal tired, to Elijah
Jenkin's, hoping to get a good rest; but I was kept awake
most part of the night, by an exercise about having a
meeting at a village we had passed, about five miles
back, where there is no Friends' meeting. In the morn
ing I yielded to it, seeing no other way to obtain peace.
I mentioned the subject to my companion and the Friends
of the house, they thought it might be arranged ; and we
accordingly set out after breakfast, and on reaching tbe
place, proposed the matter to some of the principal
people. They offered the Baptist meeting-house which
we accepted, and appointed a meeting at five in the after
noon. Through Divine favour my raind was greatly
relieved : some of the people expressed much satisfac
tion with the opportunity, and I felt humbly thankful to
the Father of mercies ; indeed I can never feel sufficiently
thankful for His condescending goodness to a poor un
worthy creature.
Since I undertook this eastward journey, I have had
several large meetings, attended by many of other reli
gious societies, which frequently caused me to feel great
fear, lest I should do anything to dishonour the cause of
Truth ; but the Lord has hitherto helped me, and often in
His unspeakable love caused the gospel message to flow
forth freely to the people, and contrited many hearts by
His power. May His name be ever praised, honoured,
and adored ; and may I become more and raore devoted
to do His will !
We have found here and there among Friends a little
remnant of true travellers, though great carelessness is too
prevalent ; but the Lord is at work in the hearts of the
people, calling home the wanderers, — and is, I believe
preparing hiraself instruments among the youth, for

LIFE OF JOHN WIGHAM. 39
whom my mind is often deeply baptised, and sometimes
I am engaged to minister to their encouragement. May
the Lord be pleased to strengthen them, is often the
earnest prayer of my heart. Stayed over First day at
Berwick. The next day rode to a place called Desert ; had a
meeting at five in the evening, at the house of a friendly
man, who with his wife had been a Baptist; but now
opens his house to a few tender hearted people, partly
convinced of our principles, who are not easy to meet
with the Baptists or Presbyterians, and therefore assem
ble to worship in silence. I had a satisfactory meeting
with them, and left them in much tenderness and love.
Next morning had a satisfactory meeting at a Bap
tist's house ; thence attended meetings at Portland and
Falmouth, and afterwards went to Windham, where I
unexpectedly met with Joseph Cloud, whom I was glad
to see, my mind being very low and almost overcome ;
but meeting with an exercised brother a little refreshed
me. 1st of Fifth Month, 1795. Had a meeting at Wind
ham, where the Lord was pleased to open counsel to
several different states, and to give ability to com
municate it with a considerable degree of clearness ;
through Divine favour it was a satisfactory meeting.
A meeting at Durham was held in silence, except a
few words at the close, informing the people that in
accordance with the apostles' experience, we were sensible
that of ourselves we could do nothing, but were only
required to communicate what the Lord gives for that
purpose. I could discover in some of the people dis
satisfaction at the want of words, but I felt peace, and
was satisfied with bearing my testimony to silent worship,
by example as well as precept. Had a satisfactory

40 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE
meeting at Bath, the people chiefly Baptists ; thence to
Broad Cove, forty miles of bad road, was much tossed ; I
was kindly received by one who had lately joined Friends
as well as by his wife and family, who were not ofou r
Society. Had a meeting next day at Cornelius Roads' ;
the succeeding one, (Seventh day,) visited some families.
First day, 10th. Had two meetings, one at Cornelius
Roads' and one at a widow's house at the head of the
bay. Several of the people here seem tender and con
vinced of the Truth, but stumble at the cross. I felt
satisfied with visiting them, sympathizing much with
some of the young people, children of parents who had
been many years convinced, but continued in weakness,
having for want of faithfulness, made little progress in
religion, and I fear, proved rather a cause of stumbling
than of assistance to their children. I felt very reluctant
to leave them.
[First day, 24th. During the preceding two weeks he
appears to have travelled on horseback, on foot, and by
water, 189 miles, had about fifteen meetings, besides
attending a Monthly Meeting at Vasselburgh.] His
narrative proceeds : —
At Been's Green we lodged with Cyrus and Mary
Dean, who entertained us kindly in a little log-house ;
though poor as to this world, yet they are rich in love
and good works, which made their abode a sweet com
fortable lodging place. They were convinced Friendsj
and had been the means of convincing several of their
neighbours ; and a lively little meeting was settled there.
Went next to Lewistown. The meetings have been
small since we left Vasselburgh ; but the neighbours of
other religious societies seem inchned to attend, and

LIFE OF JOHN WIGHAM. 41
appear seeking after the right way. The Lord was
pleased to give and enable to communicate matter,
which I believe was suitable to their states. At Stoney
and Green in particular, there are a few nearly convinced
Friends, of sweet spirits ; through whom, the influence of
Truth seeraed to me to be attractive to the people around
them. Attended the Quarterly Meeting at Falmouth on the
27th and 28th. The meetings for worship and disci
pline held from eleven till half-past five o'clock, by
which I was much exhausted. Next day, I proceeded
to Berwick, where, and at several other places, I had
meetings ; I also attended the Quarterly Meeting at
Salem, held on the 3rd and 4th of Sixth Month.
7th of Sixth Month. Reached New Bedford, where to
our mutual pleasure I met my dear friends, Martha
Routh, her companion Lydia Rotch, and Samuel Smith
from Philadelphia.
Sth. Accompanied by many Friends, went to the
Yearly Meeting on Rhode Island. I attended its several
sittings, and also a public meeting held at Portsmouth.
Here I met my beloved friends, Deborah Darby, and
Rebecca Young — strangers like rayself. Through Divine
assistance we were sweetly united in gospel labour, by
which we were endeared to each other ; and when the
time came for us to be separated, each to our several
allotments of duty, our parting proved a solemn one.
[Being joined by his friend, Samuel Smith, as com
panion, they travelled together, and held many meetings,
through a rough country, where the roads were difficult ;
and the weather being very hot, Samuel Smith finding
himself unequal to the exertion of proceeding further,

42 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE
left John Wigham at Richmond, and turned towards
Rhode Island.]
12th of Seventh Month. I set out towards the
Cohons' Country with a Friend named Israel Saby, as
guide. In two days, travelling ninety miles, we reached
a place called Sharon.
15th. Had a meeting in a Friend's house at Strafford.
Most of the people living near are Baptists, by some
called Quaker-Baptists. They express a great desire to
associate with Friends, and claim a kind of kindred with
them, professing to hold the same sentiments, except on
the point of baptism : but I thought there was among
them much of a creaturely activity, without sufficiently
seeking for that sanctifying influence, under which
spiritual worship is performed. One of their preachers
prayed in our meeting, during which Friends kept their
seats, at which some of the people seemed dissatisfied ;
one woman in particular, did not forbear to express it.
I spoke a few words shewing the reason why we could
not unite in prayers offered in the time and will of man ;
I likewise told her I was a stranger, and did not know
whether the person was a member of our Society or
not, but I felt an evident stop in my mind, which
prevented my standing up. The people generally
appeared satisfied with my explanation, and some of them
expressed their satisfaction : the preacher said nothing.
I was glad that I was present, and had an opportunity
of bearing testimony against their unauthorized activity.
A Friend told me afterwards, that he hoped it would
be some check to their speaking in Friends' meetings,
with which they had been much tried.
After attending a meeting at Sharon, I set out fop

LIFE OF JOHN WIGHAM. 43
Fraserburgh, reached Thomas Robinson's at Virginia,
much exhausted by riding seventy-five miles in the
heat, through a rugged country, over what is called the
Green Mountain. We were four hours in going eleven
miles, being often obliged to alight and lead our horses,
the hills being so steep and the woods so thick.
19th, First Day. Attended meeting at Fraserburgh :
next to Moncton and the Grand Island, as it is called,
where a few Friends are settled. In getting there, we
rode a mile in water so deep, as to be above the tops
of our boots, and in this wet condition we had to ride
eight miles before we reached a Friend's house. Next
day had a meeting, — then went ten miles in a canoe,
and walked seven to Peru.
23rd. After a meeting at Peru, returned as before by
land and water, to Grand Isle.
24th. Returned to Fraserburgh. We have had hot
weather, bad roads, and poor accommodation in small
log-houses, in some places very poor beds. The people
in these woods seem to have some sense of religion :
but they live in a very rough slovenly manner, raany
of thera having settled here when very poor, retain
their slovenly habits, even now when they have got plen
tiful estates. Few of them, either men or women, wear
shoes in the summer. The men wear trowsers and shirts
of coarse linen, often with their collars open, and without
neckcloth ; and being sooty from working among the burnt
wood, they form a singular appearance as they come in
groups from their work to their little huts. I often think
that their manner of living, ill accords with my dear sister
Martha Routh's system — of cleanliness and religion going
together ; but much allowance raust be made for the force
of custom. The Lord regards them in their low estate,
and there are some precious tender rainds among them.

44 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE
26th. Attended meeting at Fraserburgh ; and one in
the afternoon at Nicholas Holmes', six miles off.
27th. Set out for Danby ; next day reached Stephen
Rodgers', a distance of seventy miles. Here I stayed a
day or two to rest, being almost worn out by travelling
in the heat.
1st of Eighth Month. Stephen Rodgers accompanied
me to a place called Mount Holy, with an intention of
holding a meeting; but, on arrival, we found that most of
the people in the settlement being Baptists, were gone to
one of their Quarterly Meetings. After some satisfactory
conversation with two of their families, we returned to
John Bullon's, where we stayed over Seventh day.
3rd. First day. Had a meeting in the forenoon in
the Court-house at Rutland ; and one in the afternoon
at the Presbyterian meeting-house. Their minister is a
Mulatto, a liberal man, — he attended the meeting, and I
believe most of his flock ; it was a favoured time, — the
Lord afforded ability to declare the Truth to the people,
who were very attentive, and some of them affected.
The nature of a free gospel ministry was pretty clearly
opened; yet the minister was respectful, and kindly invited
us to lodge with him. We acknowledged his hospitality,
but took leave and rode six miles farther to the house
of a Baptist, an acquaintance of Stephen Rodgers, who
entertained us kindly. Saratoga, Eighth Month 9th, 1795.
To HIS Wife,
I received both my dear Eliza's letters yesterday, which
were truly acceptable. My heart feels very thankful for
the favour of health conferred on thee and our dear
children : — you do indeed feel near and dear to my life.
How good is the Lord, who supplieth all your wants : —

life of JOHN WIGHAM 45
thou sayest you want for nothing, — save my company ;
and that thou knowest can do you no good, if my proper
place be elsewhere. I have been favoured with health
beyond my expectation; although the extreme heat of
this country is exceedingly trying to my constitution, and
I often feel much overcome by it : feeble and faint, I am
very thin in flesh ; but on the whole, seem renewed day
by day, so as to be able to keep on travelling, not having
been detained one day on account of illness. I cannot
do less than acknowledge with thankfulness, that the
Lord hath hitherto helped rae, (unworthy as I am,) to
get along to a good degree of satisfaction. 
The sun heats through the wooden houses, so that they
feel like being in a stove ; and the flies are so numerous,
they are exceedingly troublesome, and as soon as day
light appears, I can obtain no raore rest.  1 have
been as far North as Lake Champlain, and over it at a
place called Peru, adjoining Canada. There are some
settlements of Friends here and there all over the woods.
I have had long rides and bad roads for some weeks
past ; but now have got where Friends are more thickly
settled. I have given thee a pretty full account of my bodily
state ; and as to the mind, the varied exercises attendant
on poor travellers, thou knowest from experimental feel
ing, better than from any description I can give with my
pen. Thou knowest what a poor creature I ara, hobbling
along much as usual. I am frequently detained visiting
families, and having meetings among those of other
Societies ; so that I get on but slowly : but I sometimes
think perhaps I may not have to visit all America, but
in this I desire to be resigned to the Lord's will. I
believe I need not put thee in mind to pray for my pre
servation; — that cementing, uniting sympathy, which

46 SOME ACCOUNT OF TOE
subsists between us, renders it impossible for us not to
feel concerned for the welfare of each other as for our
own. 10th of Eighth Month. First day, at Saratogo : I
attended their meeting, having held several othei-s on
my way hither. I remained at the house of Thomas
Welbert, over Second day. Here I had the satisfaction
of receiving two letters from my dear wife, informing
me of the welfare of my family, at which I was glad. I
spent the day in writing to her and some others.
11th. Arrived at Eastbourn, where I attended the
Quarterly Meeting, and had a public meeting with
the inhabitants ; and on the 15th proceeded onwards,
holding many meetings, till I reached Cornwall; near
which I lodged at the house of David Sands, which
seemed like home, his dear wife and daughters were
affectionately kind, and I felt sweetly comforted under
their roof.*
7th of Ninth Month. Had a meeting at Cornwall
in the forenoon ; and one at Clive in the afternoon.
Went thence over a mountain to West Point, where I
lodged at the house of a son-in-law of David Sands.
[Holding raeetings by the way, he appears now to have
bent his course towards Philadelphia, at which city, he
states, he attended the Yearly Meeting and three Monthly
Meetings. On the Sth of Tenth Month, he proceeded to
Baltimore, which he reached on the 9th, having had
meetings on his way thither at Derby, Centre, Kennet,.
and Wilmington, previous to his leaving Philadelphia,
he wrote as follows : — ]
• David Sands was at this time absent, being engaged in a religious
visit to Friends and others in Europe.

LIFE OF JOHN WIGHAM. 47
Philadelphia, Ninth Month 29tk, 1795.
To HIS Son-in-law, John Cruikshank,
 1 have often remembered thee and thy dear wife,
with affectionate love and fatherly solicitude, greatly
desiring your preservation and perseverance in religious
pursuits. Having believed you are called to be way-
marks, to hold up an ensign to the people, it has often
been the prayer of my heart, that you may be so
preserved, that it may never be said of you, as it hath
happened to Israel, " when a standard bearer fainteth."
If you, my dear children, be watchful and obedient in all
things, the Lord will keep you. He [the Shepherd of
Israel] neither slumbers nor sleeps ; and none is able to
pluck his sheep out of His band : — if you do not your
selves turn away from Him, no power can hurt you.
Take care that you prefer nothing before Him ; for such
as do so, are not worthy of Him. — If he bring you into
the furnace, it is for your refinement: — if He proclaim a
fast, it is to make your appetites better : — if He dip you
in Jordan, the river of judgment, it is in order for your
further washing ; — and all to make you more fruitful in
those things, by which His excellent name is glorified ;
that you also may be glorified with Him in an endless
eternity, when these few fleeting days are over. And
truly, a termination to our earthly pilgrimage may soon
come ; numerous are the instances of mortality now in
this country, not so much here as in New York, where a
fever prevails, similar to the one that raged in this city
two years ago, of which I doubt not, you have accounts
in the newspapers. Much sickness also exists in many
other parts of the country, arising from fevers, fluxes,
&c., of which raany die.
This has been considered a remarkably hot summer ;
and indeed it has felt so to me, and I have been much

48 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE
overcome with it ; yet through mercy, I have been
enabled to move along ; and now the weather is cooler, I
am as well as usual. It is now the tirae of the Yearly
Meeting here ; when it is over I expect to go towards
Baltimore, and then during the winter to Virginia,
Maryland, and the Carolinas, whence, perhaps I raay
not have any opportunity of writing ; so that you need
not think it strange, should you be long in hearing from
me, though I intend to write to some of you should any
way open for it.
Give my dear love to my poor children ; I often think
how they are left — fatherless and motherless, — and some
times it feels pinching ; but 1 hope He, whom we believe
we are following, will do that which is best for them ;
if they do not oppose His will ; and this they might do,
even if we were with thera.*
10th. Baltiraore. Attended the Yearly Meeting, which
held five days; had the company of Deborah Darby
and Rebecca Young, whom I was truly glad to meet,
and we laboured together in much unity. Had a meet
ing appointed on First day evening for the coloured
people, which was large and satisfactory. Visited the
prisoners in the gaol, several of whom, both black and
white, were in irons : during our religious communica
tions sorae of them were much contrited. Stayed over
First day ; and on Second day went to EUicots Mills,
where I had a pubhc meeting. Thence to Elkridge, Sandy
Spring, Indian Spring, where, and at twelve other places
I had meetings. I proceeded to Jennets, Richmond,
Black Creek, and Wyon Oak : these are all small
raeetings, and rehgion as to the life of it, is at a low
* At this period his wife had left her home on religious service.

LIFE OF JOHN WIGHAM. 49
ebb in Virginia ; there seems to be a root of corruption
so deep, that makes it hard work for the poor ministers
to reach. My labour among them seldom gives me
relief, and I have often to go frora place to place heavy-
hearted and mourning on my way.
I now proceeded to Scirmons, then returned to Wyon
Oak, Curies and Richmond, where I had two public
meetings ; the one in the afternoon was specially
appointed for the blacks, at which several members of the
Assembly attended ; some of whom, I understood, were
displeased at being so plainly dealt with in the presence
of their bondsmen. I was led to declare among them
the universality of the love of God, and the equality
of his ways ; — that Christ died for all men, of whatever
colour, and was willing to save thera on the sarae terras
of belief and of baptism, — namely, the washing of rege
neration and renewing of the heart, by the power and
influence of the Holy Spirit. I felt peace and satisfac
tion in the censure of these hard-hearted taskmasters.
[After leaving Richmond, he appears to have been
again at Wyon Oak, where he attended a Quarterly
Meeting; and on the 1st of Twelfth Month proceeded
to Burley, Scarbrook, and Blackwater, where, and at
a number of other places, he had meetings without
recording any remarks, till coming to Lower Trent, his
narrative proceeds : — ]
I attended the meeting with dear Martha Routh and
Lydia Rotch ; when the Lord was graciously pleased to
unite us under a renewed feeling of the influence of His
love, for which favour our hearts were lifted up to Him,
in thankful acknowledgment of His condescending good
ness. My companion, William Tremble, being attacked
with gout and rheumatism, had left me at Contentney,
and returned horae. I felt lonely, but the Lord sustained

50 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE
me, — praises be to His narae ! I next proceeded to Club
foot Creek and Corsound, and back to Contentney, to
attend the Quarterly Meeting. There I again met with
my beloved fellow-travellers, Martha and Lj'dia ; and was
truly refreshed by the unity of their devoted spirits, and
mj doubtful mind strengthened and confirmed by our
similarity of feeling. We were detained several daj's by
a flood; during which I often thought, that after parting
with them, I should be " like a sparrow alone on the
house-top:" — Lord be pleased to help, as thou hast
hitherto done ! Contentney, North Carolina,
First Month 3rd, 1796.
To HIS Wife,
Having met with an opportunity to send a line to Bal
timore, from whence, perhaps, this may be forwarded to
England, I am willing to embrace it, to tell thee that I
am well ; and have abundant cause to acknowledge the
Lord's goodness, even in supporting my poor weak body
to travel about in this country, where people at this time
are so sickly ; — scarcely a family where I come, is free
from ague, or sorae other disorder. It is now the
raiddle of winter, and yet the weather is so warra, that it
is needful to have all the doors and windows open in the
raeeting- houses.
I am getting about from raeeting to raeeting, often
under discouraging feehngs ; yet have no just ground of
complaint, having I trust been hitherto preserved from
hurting the cause.
I often think on thee, my dearest, and our dear chil
dren, with ardent desires for your welfare ; I look towards
you with sympathy, but think I cannot help you, and.,
therefore endeavour to confide in Him who can.

LIFE OF JOHN WIGHAM. 51
I see no end of my labours here yet ; you raust give
rae up, and do the best you can: — we serve a good
Master ; and I have sometimes strength to hope, that He
will take care of you, if you cleave unto Him. May the
Lord direct and keep you ; there is no other Saviour.
[His narrative proceeds :] — The select Quarterly Meet
ing at Contentney was held on the Seventh day, a public
meeting on First day, and the meeting for discipline on
Second day. Fourth day, I rode to Bonecreek, and had
a meeting; after which I intended to go to Nuoe, but
the river was so high it was impassable. I therefore re
turned to Benjamin Ai-nold's, and stayed at this kind
Friend's house, till after First day meeting ; then rode
eighteen miles towards Nuce, crossed in a canoe, the
river being still too high to ford,* and walked to
meeting. Set out for Smithfield, to a bridge twenty miles up
the river ; and when there, found my mind most drawn
to New Garden Settlement, so proceeded towards Eno
meeting ; thence taking many meetings by the way,
came to Centre to the Quarterly Meeting. It was very
*" In fording one of the rivers in America, he was apparently in
volved in considerable danger. His horse fell when about the middle
of the stream, and he was consequently thrown into the water. The
horse lay on his side with his feet down the current, and all John
Wigham's efforts to get him on his feet again, proved in vain. A
person at the side of the river, to which he intended to proceed,
observing him in difficulty, called to him, attempting to offer sorae
advice ; but the distance being considerable, he could not make John
Wigham hear ; and seeing the critical situation in which he was placed,
kindly nished into the river, waded to him, and seizing the horse by
the bridle, drew his head round, until his feet were against the stream,
when he readily recovered his standing.
D 2

52

SOME ACCOUNT OF THE

large, and many persons of other societies, probably some
hundreds, came to the public meeting on First day ; not
as it seemed to attend it, but to amuse themselves in com
panies about the meeting-house, never desiring to enter
it, nor even paying any attention when a Friend (Peter
Yarnell,) was preaching. A number of them came next
day, while the meeting for discipline was sitting, and
were if possible more imprudent than before, — looking in
at the windows and door, and refusing to go away when
desired : but what most affected me was, that several
members of our Society encouraged thera, by joining
thera in conversation, in parties about the door. In
these parts, there is a lamentable neglect in the education
of children, and much that is formal and superficial ;
though there are a few upright labourers, yet it seems
to me they are almost smothered in rubbish. Much
pains were taken in this meeting to reform these abuses.
A committee was appointed, consisting of members of the
different Monthly Meetings, to have a care over the young
people, particularly at these times ; and to endeavour to
prevent their going out of raeeting, or associating with.
those troublesorae people, who, it was hoped, would then
refrain from coming.
After this meeting, which was a trying laborious one, I
went to Sherburn, Pinewoods, New Garden, and Hope
well : at this last place, I had a meeting with a people
called Nicholites. Thence to Muddy Creek, Blue Creek,
and back to New Garden, where we felt a concern to
visit the families, — Peter Yarnell and James Emlen
being now with me. We visited in company eighty
families in twelve days ; then attended the Monthly and
Quarterly Meetings. The latter, which was held the
12th of Third Month, 1796, was large; but many seemed

LIFE OF JOHN WIGHAM. 53
superficial professors, so that the few, who dwelt low
with the pure witness, had hard labour.
Proceeded to Muddy Creek, where also we found -we
must labour with thera from house to house. We visited
thirty-seven families. Then taking several meetings in
our way, we passed over the Blue Ridge to Chesnut
Creek, Reedy Island, and Burkforke. Here I parted
with Peter Yarnell and James Emlen, which was a
trial to me, as we had been knit together in true fellow
ship through sorae arduous labour.
I returned over the Blue Ridge, accompanied only by
a guide, eighty miles to Goose Creek ; here I lodged at
Christopher Anthony's, which seemed like a change from
savage to civilized life, — kind friends and a comfortable
house, clean and neat ; especially when contrasted with
the dwellings of the backwood's people.
[After leaving this comfortable abode, he mentions
having had a number of meetings on his way to Phila
delphia ; where, to their mutual rejoicing, he met unex
pectedly with his beloved sisters, Martha Routh, Lydia
Rotch, Deborah Darby, and Rebecca Young. From
this city he wrote to his wife as follows : — ]
Philadelphia, Fifth Month 2nd, 1796.
To HIS Wife,
On Seventh day last I arrived at tbis city, where I
met with thy two letters : I was glad of them, (as it is
more than seven months since I received one ;) though
some of the intelligence they contained affected me ; —
so many removals by death, and also thy concern about
going to [reside in] Edinburgh. In this prospect I can
not help feeling rauch sympathy with thee, well knowing
how trying it must be ; though I have no manner of
doubt of its being right. Our path through this vale of

54 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE
tears seems to be a singular one ; but no matter, if we
land safe at last. Be encouraged, my dear love, to faith
fulness ; — we know no other way to peace. We find it
necessary to dwell deep : — let us steadily continue in the
patience : — no matter how little or how obscure we are, if
we are near our Master. 
D. Darby and R. Young are here, preparing to
embark for home ; by whom I intend to send this letter.
Samuel Emlen and William Savery, a Friend belonging
to this city, also two women Friends from the country,
whose names I do not now recollect, all intend going in
the same ship, and expect to sail in ten days. D. Darby
and R. Young, have, I believe, laboured honestly and
very diligently in this land, and have left a sweet savour
where they have been : — I hope they may be favoured to
reach their native land in peace. M. Routh is also here; I
met with them all unexpectedly, which was very pleasing,
after a long wilderness journej' in a very poor country
to the southward. I thought I felt excused from going
to South Carolina and Georgia, at least at this time : I
have spent the last winter in Maryland, Virginia, and
North Carolina. Thou must endeavour, my dear, to
keep in the patience ; there seems a large field before rae,
and when I shall get through I know not ; but I ara as
diligent as I ara able to bear, and through favour, as
well in my health as when at home. If I am longer in
visiting America than sorae have been, do not think it
strange ; Friends witiiin a few years past are spread
many hundreds of miles back into the woods ; and I
have often been detained visiting families ; — I suppose I
have visited six or seven hundred families ;^I wish much
to do what is required, that I may find peace at last.
I often feel for thee and my dear children with anxious
solicitude of soul ; and when I am labouring among

LIFE OF JOHN WIGHAM. 65
young people, which has been much my concern, I often
remeraber, that I have left my own : but I am sometimes
comforted in recollecting, that I have committed them to
the keeping of the good Shepherd ; and a hope is with
me, that if they will be teachable children, He will care
for them : whether it be His will that we should meet in
mutability or not, if we meet in a better country, His
will be done.

56 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE

CHAPTER IV.

His TRAVELS IN AMERICA CONTINUED  RETURNS HOMB
IN 1797.

[From Philadelphia John Wigham journeyed towards
New York, holding several meetings ; among which he
mentions, Almswick and Colebarrack, as affording a
pleasant prospect, from there being a number of reli
gious young people, and some under convincement ; par
ticularly at the former place, where be says, he had^a
comfortable silent meeting. Leaving New York, he pro
ceeded to Flushing ; where, and at sorae other places,
he had raeetings ; and returned again to that city. His
manuscript, at this part supplies no dates, but continues
with the following remarks : — ]
Friends in Long Island seem to me to depend too
much on the labours of othei-s, of which much has been
bestowed, for they have several able ministers among
them ; their desire to bear preaching makes them wait
for it, thus neglecting their own exercise ; so that though
very plain in appearance, their attainments in religion,
are, I fear, but small. They are trusting too much to
the form : — may the Lord break their false rest, and give
them to see the danger of such a state.
Frora New York 1 went to Rahway and to Plainfield,
to attend the Monthly Meeting. The case of a Mulatto
woraan, who had applied for membership with Friends,

LIFE OF JOHN WIGHAM 57
came before the meeting : a committee had been appointed
to visit her, and reported their satisfaction as to her
convincement ; but thought it unsafe to receive her on
account of her colour ! After much discussion, it was
at last concluded to refer the matter to the Quarterly
Meeting, How hard it is to overcome old prejudices.
Proceeded to Squankim, Little and Great Egg Harbour,
and several other places, to Philadelphia, where I attended
meetings on First day ; and on Second, accompanied by my
beloved friend Samuel Smith, also Ebenezer Cresson, and
several other Friends, I went to Plymouth, Providence,
and Potsgrove ; where I parted with all my companions,
except Ebenezer Cresson, who continued with me, and
we had meetings at a number of places. On our way to
Milesburgh, up the river Susquehanna, we passed through
a very pleasant valley, among good land for about thirty
miles. There are none of our Society at Milesburgh ;
but Richard Miles, the founder of the town, entertained
us kindly, and we had a satisfactory meeting on First day.
Second day, rode to Halfraoon Valley, to a Friend's
house; had a meeting next day at Warrior Mark Valley,
where there is a considerable settlement of Friends; it
was comforting and encouraging. We next lodged at
Daniel Pennington's, and had a meeting at his house ;
then went sixty miles to Dennis's Creek, a wilderness
journey, in many places only a foot path, and that a very
rough one ; but we were favoured to get along safely to
William Conworthy's, where we were kindly received ;
the family, which is a pretty large one, have the mark of
discipleship. We attended their meeting on First day;
on the following day, had a raeeting in Bedford Court
House ; after which, rode back to William Conworthy's,
attended their meeting on Fourth day, and then proceeded
to Miller's Tavern, among the Alleghany mountains.
d3

58 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE
The next day's ride was twenty -six miles to James
M'Grow's ; then attended Soweekly meeting ; and so to
Providence, Fairfield, and Frankford. We have had
a long journey through woods and wilds in abundance,
yet not without some satisfaction ; though many of these
settlers are very ignorant of what they profess : yet the
Lord is in mercy following them, and sorae are listening
to His voice. May the visitations of His love prove
effectual for their gathering unto Christ, the true
Shepherd. Went from thence to Fallowfield and Westland, where
we met with an ancient friend, Zachariah Farrington
from Wilmington ; he seemed to enter into the state
of the meeting, and had considerable openness in com
munication, but it did not relieve me. At the close of
the raeeting I gave intimation, that I thought of attend
ing their next week-day meeting ; so I went to Redstone,
and returned to Westland, and on to Centre. The Red
stone settlement, as this Monthly Meeting is called,
seems to me to have more of the form than the sub
stance ; however, when I consider that most of them who
generally come here, are wanderers from mere worldly
motives, without regard to the honour of Truth, I
admire the goodness of a gracious God in following
them. Sorae are brought under a right concern, and
seem to be deeply sensible that the seed of the kingdom
is depressed under a worldly spirit. May the Lord
streno-then them I
I next went to Union and Sandy Creek-Glade, over
the Laurel Hills ; so crossed the mountains to Frankford,
sixty-one miles, where I had a meeting ; none of our
Society living there : had meetings also at Banegarden,
and a number of other places. At Lampeter the week
day meeting was very small, and I have reason to

LIFE OF JOHN WIGHAM. 59
believe that great deficiency in the attendance of week
day meetings prevails among Friends in these parts ;
a worldly spirit is too prevalent among parents, who,
though they attend themselves, leave their children at
home employed about their business, and thus neglect
the spiritual interests of their precious charge. On this
account I often feel sorrowful, and am frequently exer
cised in close labour with them.
Proceeded to Robert Moore's at Sudbury, who with
his valuable wife received us kindly ; and their precious
daughters seemed to have pleasure in performing raany
kind offices for us. I felt so weak and unworthy, that I
had not faith to have a meeting appointed for me ; so I
stayed two days to attend their First day meeting,
which, through merciful help, proved a reviving and
strengthening time. Taking a few more meetings on
ray way, I arrived at Philadelphia, to attend the Yearly
Meeting. I can do no less than commemorate the Lord's good
ness to me ; for though often very low, and in my own
eyes the raost unworthy servant ever sent on such an
errand, yet the Lord has graciously helped rae along
from place to place ; and though I cannot record extra
ordinary times of favour in raeetings, which sorae have
enjoyed, yet I trust the cause, though weakly supported,
has not been dishonoured. I humbly thank my God,
that he has, from tirae to time, renewed faith and
strength to endeavour to do what I apprehended to be
his will ; nor do I at this tirae ask for raore than light to
see, and ability to perform it.
24th of Ninth Month, 1796. The Yearly Meeting
which commenced this day was graciously owned, and
I hope it proved a profitable time to many.

60 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE
Philadelphia, 24th of Ninth Month, 1796.
To Ann Christy.
I am come here to attend the Yearly Meeting, which
begins to-day. — I have had a long mountainous journey
this suraraer, in a newly settled country, over the
Alleghany raountains; and through favour have got
along pretty well : the weather has not been so oppres
sively hot, as in the preceding summer, and conse
quently I am not so much reduced, and feel pretty
well in health. I must acknowledge I serve a good
Master; who, notwithstanding my many weaknesses,
condescends to be a present help in the needful time. I
can write encouragingly to thee, to dedicate thy heart and
all to Him, and to serve Him faithfully in the way of
His requirings : — He will be thy helper in every trial.
After the Yearly Meeting at Philadelphia was over, I
proceeded to the Yearly Meeting at Baltimore, accom
panied by Ebenezer Cresson, his precious sister Sarah,
and Catherine Haines, in a carriage ; taking several
meetings by the way. The Yearly Meeting was satis
factory, as were also a meeting on First day morning at
Baltimore ; and one in the afternoon appointed for the
black people.
Had the company of the aforesaid Friends to three
meetings. At West Nottingham, I parted with Sarah
Cresson, and Catherine Haines, and accomp-anied by
Ebenezer Cresson, went to East Nottingham, Sassafrax
and several other meetings ; they were small as to those
professing with Friends, but the neighbours of other reli
gious societies attended, so as nearly to fill the houses ; and
strength was afforded to minister to those assembled. A
few solid Friends remain in those parts, but their number
has greatly decreased of late years ; and from this cause,

LIFE OF JOHN WIGHAM. 61
several of the meetings seem likely to be discontinued.
We were refreshed both in body and mind, at the house of
Susanna Matthews, widow, who delights to wash the
disciples' feet ; may the Lord reward her labours of love.
[It appears he was at New York in the Eleventh Month,
1796, from which city he addressed a letter. — ]
New -York, 6th of Eleventh Month, 1796.
To HIS Daughter, Jane Cruickshank.
Thou hast so often been the companion of my mind,
in something like a sympathy with thine in conflict, that
I feel willing to tell thee ray belief, that it is the Lord's
way of working, to prepare the ground, to make it pro
ductive of fruits to His honour, — to turn and overturn
it, and burn up the weeds. Now, ray dear child, do not
be too much discouraged under the operation, — or think
when thou art plunged into pits, that thou will never
get out again. I know there are dispensations to pass
through, during which we can discover no profit that
can arise out of thera, because of the darkness that
surrounds; but when the light again breaks forth, we
can say, the Lord's way is a great deep, and in it
marvellous mysteries are discovered. May thy trust be
in Him, and thy heart devoted to Him ; and He will
never leave thee. My dear John, thy beloved husband,
will I trust be a true helpmeet, — and that you will be
travellers together, take sweet counsel together, and
go up to the house of God in company ; — and unite in
giving the preference to the Lord's work and service at
all times and on all occasions. I know the advantage of
such a union ; thy mother and I were united in desire
to serve the Lord, above all and before all : and in this
union we were often concerned to encourage and
strengthen one another in dedication of heart.

62 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE
Thy dear John's letters I have received ; he seems to
think I am slack about writing ; but he mistakes, — in
these remote places where I have been, there is rarely
any opportunity of conveying letters ; Friends are scat
tered very wide, and far back in the woods. There are
also many people of other societies in similar situations,
whom the Lord seems to be peculiarly visiting : — many
have been added to our Society by convincement,
especially in these back settleraents, and several have
requested to be received, who are situated several hun
dreds of railes from any settlement of Friends.
As to the time of ray return, you must keep in
the patience ; give me up freely, and pray for ray pre
servation. If I am but favoured to finish well, — no
matter when or where. I never felt more love to you all ;
yet I believe it best to resign you to the keeping of the
Shepherd of Israel ; believing, if you are faithful to
Hira, He will keep you.
[About this part of his travels, John Wighara gives a list
of a number of places at which he had raeetings ; he also
states having attended the Quarterly Meetings at Concord
and London-grove, which were large and satisfactory.
Arriving at Philadelphia, he says, ' I attended the raeetings
on First day evening, and Second day morning, and the
North meeting on Third day ; then crossed the Delaware,
and rode to Joseph Whitall's, who with his wife received
us kindly, — a sweet young couple, fellow-travellers in
spirit ; my mind was refreshed in their company.' No
dates are supplied here. He afterwards enumerates thirty-
one different places which he visited, and came again to
Philadelphia. The two following letters appear to have
been written during this interval : — ]

life OF JOHN WIGHAM. 63
Hockeson, Pennsylvania,
16th of Eleventh Month, 1796.
To Barbara Cruickshank.
I received thy acceptable lines about two weeks ago.
Thy sweet sympathetic remarks were truly reviving,
and no part of thy letter was more pleasing, than thj'
sensible acknowledgment of thy feeling of weakness, and
thy desire of continuing under the refining power. It
is an inexpressible mercy to be preserved sensible of
what we are, and in whom is our strength ; turning our
attention to, and placing our dependence upon, the sup
porting Arra of power. I desire to be thy corapanion in
watchfulness and fear; — "the fear of the Lord is a fountain
of life," preserving from the snares of death.
I am here hobbling along as usual : thou knowest
I am a poor weak creature ; but I may say, in humble
thankfulness, the Lord hath hitherto helped me ; so that I
trust I have been preserved from bringing dishonour on
the cause I have espoused. I cannot tell thee much about
the tirae of release from this country, though if -no new
concern open, perhaps I may get through the prospect
now before me this winter ; I sometiraes look at reaching
the next Yearly Meeting in London.
Philadelphia, 15th of Second Month, 1797.
To HIS Wife.
I received my dear Eliza's acceptable letter, dated the
3rd of Eleventh Month, after a long time of waiting in
suspense ; the date of thy last preceding one, was in
Seventh Month. Whether thou hast been so long
between writing, or sorae letters have miscarried, I
know not, but I thought the tirae very long. 
I am here, through favour, pretty well in health. I
expect to leaye this city on Sixth day, to altend three

64 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE
Quarterly Meetings in the Jerseys, and hope to be clear to
leave this place after the Spring Meeting, which is to be
held the latter end of next month. I am looking towards
the Yearly Meeting in London ; but a prospect some
times presents, though not yet with clearness, and whether
it may die away or revive when the time comes, I believe
it is best to leave, and stand resigned ; — this prospect is
Nova Scotia, which if it should be visited, will prevent
my getting home, (if spared to do so) till the fall of the
latter part of suraraer. I wish to stand resigned ; —
the Lord hath hitherto helped ; — His goodness I must
acknowledge, whatever becomes of me : I cannot offer
Hira less than full dedication and obedience to what
He clearly discovers to be His requiring ; and I have a
belief that He will not condemn for omission, when the
matter is not made clear. I feel for thee and sympathize
with thee in thy exercises, which I know have been
many ; but ray dearest, seeing we unite in acknowledging
the Lord's goodness, let us continue to put our trust in
Him, and follow on to do His will, as well as we know
how. Our pilgrimage is passing over, it will not be long;
— let us keep the recompence of reward in view ; — if we
can only attain to a quiet habitation at last, all these
conflicts will be forgotten. 
Here (at Philadelphia,) I attended meetings almost
every day, and in company with Martha Routh, visited
twenty-four schools, and had some satisfactory times with
the children. Attended Abingdon Quarterly Meeting,
and returned to the city. Paid a comfortable visit to
eighteen young women, who had formed themselves into
a society for the education of black girls : — they take it
by turns, two or three at a time, and teach them reading
and writing, from six till nine o'clock in the evening :

LIFE OF JOHN WIGHAM. 65
they have about seventy scholars, chiefly grown up.
Visited another society of young women, twenty-five in
number, who make it their business to search out and
relieve the poor : they beg from the rich, sorae of whom
give liberally ; and in this way they distribute several
hundred pounds a year. They meet once a week to
settle their accounts, and confer together about objects.
I was with them at one of their weekly meetings, rauch
to ray satisfaction.
Left Philadelphia to attend the Quarterly Meetings of
Woodbury, Bucks, and Burlington ; and then returned
to the city, and attended the Spring General Meeting [of
Ministers and Elders,] and three Monthly Meetings
which succeeded. Philadelphia, Ath of Fourth Month, 1797.
To Ann Christy.
I feel unfit to stain much paper with the pen, yet to
thee I think I can do a little, when I reraember thy
solicitude about me, and expression of a hope of seeing
me at the Yearly Meeting [in London.] These lines
may let thee know that my views are turned another way.
Yesterday, I took a passage in a vessel bound to
Charleston, South Carolina, and from thence I have a
prospect of proceeding to Nova Scotia, if way open. It
has been a pretty close trial to turn my back on home,
after having entertained some hope of being released
from further labour in this land; but through favour
I have been enabled to say, " Thy will be done." Two
Friends from this continent. Charity Cook, and Mary
Sevett, have a prospect of going over to England to
visit you, and expect to sail in a few weeks. Martha
Routh expects to leave this city in a few days, to go
to Long Island, and to New York, and Rhode Island
Yearly Meetings.

66 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE
Thy attention I take kind: I believe it is love in
thy tender mind to the Great Master, that makes
thee willing to serve the servants, how little worth
soever they may be; and verily I often think, none
can be more unworthy than myself: — however, 1 have
no disposition at present to complain ; I must acknow
ledge that the Lord is good. May we be enabled to
keep our eye single unto Him, and lean upon Him;
this will meet His acceptance. 
Fourth Month 6th, 1797. Left Philadelphia, and
embarked in the brig Maria, Captain Strong, for
Charleston, South Carolina, with my former companion
Ebenezer Cresson. It was a disappointment to me to
have to turn my back on home, after hoping that I should
have been released from further labour on this continent ;
yet when the Lord gave a clear prospect, He also gave
faith. Praised for ever be His holy name !
I now enjoyed a mental calm, attended by an evidence
that the Lord continues to be all powerful, and that His
power raakes His people willing."*
Fourth Month 7th. In the river opposite New Castle.
Lord ! thou knowest what a poor creature I am ; — my
trust is in Thee ; O ! keep me in thy pavilion. Thou
art my stay, gracious God! while floating on this unstable
"" At this period John Wigham appears to have been brought under
close trial. He had sometime before apprehended that way was
opening for him to return home, and he had given his friends and near
connexions some expectation, that he might arrive in tirae to attend
the Yearly Meeting in London in 1797 ; and in anticipation of this
being the case, his beloved wife went up thither, hoping to raeet him,
butwas, of course, painfully disappointed. When, however, he became
fully convinced of the Divine requiring for farther gospel labour in
America, he evinced his dedication to the cause he had espoused, by
yielding thereto in simple obedience. In allusion to the subject, he
says in a letter to a Friend, ' through favour I have been enabled to
say,' — " Thy will be done."

LIFE OF JOHN WIGHAM. 67
element ; for which I humbly thank Thee. O ! enable
me faithfully to fulfil the embassy on which thou hast
sent me !
14th. Passed Cape Hatteras with a fair wind, all
well, though we have had two tossing days and nights,
occasioned by a strong south-west wind. I have been
a good deal tried by tbe apparent carelessness of the
Captain, not that I feel rauch anxiety about ray own life ;
but I have been uneasy about dear Ebenezer, — having
been the cause of his taking this voyage. I had little
sleep last night, but feel peaceful and quiet this morning.
15th. Have had a roughish sea since yesterday, and
last night nearly ran upon Look-out shoals. I lay
awake all night, and could not banish fearful appre
hensions about my dear Ebenezer, and the distress of
his mother and sisters, should any accident happen to
him ; hut the innocent youth himself slept sweetly. We
aie among as wearing crew, the Captain particularly ;
though alarmed last night, he cursed terribly. " If the
righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and
the sinner appear."
16th. Last night very stormy, — thunder, lightning and
rain, raade more awful by the darkness. The sailors say
they never saw a more dismal time. A squall of wind
ensued, and it was very rough.
17th. Calm and fine now, after the rolling. We see
many wonders as well as changes. I think of all the
men I ever saw, our Captain is the raost hardened and
desperate, though civil and obliging to us.
Landed at Charleston on the morning of the 20th ;
stayed there over First day, and had two meetings. Here
are a few, who call themselves, and are called by others
Friends; but alas ! the name is all; they seem corapletely
united with the world.

68 SOME ACCOUNT OP THE
Charleston, South Carolina,
21st of Fourth Month, 1797.
To HIS Daughter Jane Cruickshank.
Though we are far, very far separated, yet I frequently
feel a near sympathetic union with thy spirit, and re
newedly so at this time ; and as there is an opportunity
from this place, by a ship expected to sail for London in
a few days, I thought I raight tell thee what revived in
my remembrance, in my looking at thee and feeling with
thee ; — even the prophet's expressions respecting the
blindness of the Lord's servants, and how He leads them
in a way that they neither have heretofore known, nor yet
do know, — yet He makes darkness light before them —
smooths and makes straight their rough and crooked
paths, — and promises that all these things He will do for
them, and not forsake them.
Various indeed are the dispensations, through which
the Lord sees it needful to bring His chosen servants,
preparatory to the production of acceptable fruits unto
Hira ; yet He is never wanting to sustain and help those,
who put their trust and confidence in Him, and who give
up the will to Him, excluding self, and watching and
warring against it in all its varied appeai-ances. My
spirit salutes thee, and bids thee fear not ; — hold fast
thy confidence, and keep on thy way in the littleness ;
— O ! the littleness, — how beautiful and how safe 1
Charleston, South Carolina, 21st of Fourth Month, 1797.
To Ann Christy.
I arrived here yesterday, having had a passage of
two weeks from Philadelphia ; in which we met with
contrary winds, thunder, gusts, and squalls ; but we were
preserved through all ; and neither my companion nor
myself sick, which I esteem a great favour.

LIFE OF JOHN WIGHAM. 69
We have made a sudden transition frora winter to
summer, — every thing here is in full bloom, — green peas
in perfection, — peaches half grown, and figs just setting.
How my poor tabernacle will stand this hot climate I
know not, it is now very warm.
There are very few in this city that profess with us,
though they do keep up a meeting : the family where we
are lodged, received us kindly ; though except the man
Friend, the rest of the family were dressed in high
French fashion. It appears to be a place of idleness
and dissipation, — the white inhabitants being supported
by the labours of the slave ; indeed, it may truly be said,
these southern states are a land of darkness, — darkness
that may be felt ; and yet in this thick darkness, the
people are boasting of light and liberty ; — a miserable
mournful situation, pride and oppression abounding. I
do not want to hurt thy feeling mind, dear  , with
such things ; but the subject somehow has stolen my pen.
Now turn thy thoughts. — Though darkness cover the
earth and gross darkness the people, the Lord continues
to be a light to those, who know their dwelling to be in
Jerusalem, the quiet habitation : there is still light in
Goshen ; — the Lord is a sanctuary to his people, and will
be the preservation of all who trust in Him.
I do not know that I have much raore to say, having
written thee so lately; but I desire my love may be
communicated to Friends, leaving the particulars pretty
much to thee. Thou knowest I love them that love the
Truth, and I know thou dost so likewise. We love one
another, and in that reciprocal love, may we experience
a growth ; which no doubt we shall do, as we continue
to watch and war against every thing, that would obstruct
the precious spiritual union with the Father and the Son,
in whom is the life. 

70 SOME ACCOUNT OF THB
Second day. Set out towards Wrightsburgh, in Georgia;
reached a Friend's house at a place called Eddiston, where
we had a meeting with a few Friends, who live in the
neighbourhood. Hence proceeded without any other
meeting to Wrightsburgh, a long weary journey of about.
ninety railes. My horse became foundered, so that we
were obliged to leave him ; and not being able to procure
another, my companion and I had only one horse betwixt
us, and we were consequently, obliged to walk by turns
most of the way.* At Wrightsburgh, we lodged at a
Friend's house, and got another horse. Visited all the
meetings in Georgia and South Carolina, and returned
* During this part of his travels, although John Wigham has not
left any record of it, a circumstance of a very trying nature occurred,
which he has frequently related to some of his friends ; the par
ticulars of which as near as can be recollected, were the following : —
His companion and he, having, as before stated, only one horse to
carry themselves and saddle bags, rose early in the morning, and
travelled till about ten o'clock, when they stopped to breakfast. They
had only just commenced their repast, when an alarm was given, that
their horse, which had been put into the stable, but not tied up,
had run off, having as was thought followed some other horses, that
had been passing. John Wigham, his corapanion, and sorae other
persons, immediately set out in pursuit, following him into the woods.
They were not long in finding him, for in crossing a piece of boggy
ground, the horse sunk down into it so completely, that all the exer
tions of the party, continued for several hours, failed in extricating him.
Towards afternoon, John Wigham, having become faint from fatigue
and want of food, lay down on the ground, in sorrow and perplexity.
Whilst lying in this exhausted condition, it occurred to him, to have
small branches cut from trees, and trodden down into the bog, just
before the horse's head. His assistants, on his suggesting it, adopted
this plan, until they had formed a pretty firm footing near the animal's
fore-£eet: they then excited him to a fresh effort, when he speedily
raised himself on the platform thus prepared, and to the great relief
of John Wighara and his companion, carae out without having sus
tained any injury ; thus enabling them to pursue their journey.

LIFE OF JOHN WIGHAM. 71
to Charleston, 383 miles. — Had a public meeting in the
Council Chamber above the Exchange, — a large place,
and pretty well filled, chiefly by men of the upper rank ;
who behaved as well as I expected, considering the fear
they seem to feel with respect to their slaves. The doctrines
of Christianity are so opposed to their practice, that it is
hard for them to hear the Truth declared. However, I
was favoured to get through to some satisfaction, without
meeting with any public opposition ; though I sensibly
felt an opposing spirit. My gracious Master took away
fear, and enabled me honestly to deliver what was given
me ; for which I feel thankful. At the close of the
raeeting, some of the Methodists, particularly a preacher,
carae and offered their raeeting-house to accommodate
the people of colour. As I had felt drawn towards
a meeting with that people, I accepted the offer : the
Methodists also undertook to give notice that the meet
ing was to be held on First day morning.
Seventh day, 27th. While pensively sitting upon a
bank over against Charleston, (which appears to have
been at some former period cast up as a fort,) I felt
deeply sensible how poor a creature I am ; and was
much humbled on this account.— Lord ! thou knowest
my dependence is on Thee ; O ! forsake me not, for
thy mercy's sake ! Though I am nothing, and worth
nothing ; yet as the honour of thy cause is at stake, O I
be pleased to grant strength and preservation.
28th. The raeeting was held as appointed; it was
large, and through raerciful regard, an open time. A
great number of tbe -black people attended, and were
sober, attentive, and many of them tender. Attended
Friends' meeting in the afternoon, which proved a
laborious time. Through favour I was enabled to deal
plainly with them, and honestly to tell them the danger

72 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE
they were in ; believing that several of them were stum
bling blocks, instead of way marks. After raeeting
my mind was relieved of a heavy burden, and I felt easy
to leaye them.
Next day, about eleven o'clock, embarked on board
the Mercury, Captain Rease, bound for New York.
Sixth Month 1st. In the Gulf stream, most of the
passengers sick, myself not far from it; though dear
Ebenezer and I are about as well as any of them.
I esteem it a singular favour that my mind has been
employed in contemplating the goodness and greatness of
God ; but the longer I live, the raore I see the imperfec
tion of man's finite conception, and his liability to err.
God is truly an incomprehensible being ; I feel Him to be
Love, Life, and Power. I perceive that, as to my own
experience, He soraetimes withdraws, and sometimes
makes himself raanifest : when He withdraws, all is void
and empty ; when He returns the soul is filled. Yet even
in these seasons, when He seems to veil himself. His invi
sible power supports and calms the mind in quiet resig
nation ; and while there is an earnest desire or breathing
for His return, the life and regular frame of the soul is
preserved : — but if these earnest desires are suspended,
the frarae is disordered, and the spiritual health impaired;
and hence arises the necessity of watching. O ! what care
ought to rest on the mind of a minister, to deliver nothing
as doctrine, but what he receives afresh in the opening
and vision of the Divine Light. O Lord ! preserve me !
— ray dependence, thou knowest, is on Thee alone.
2nd. At four in the afternoon, rose from my bed sickly :
have had a rolling night, but the wind is now fair, and
I hope we may not have a long passage. The company
we have, is by no raeans desirable ; it is a strange mix
ture, — an old captain, a dancing-master, and a Metho-

LIFE OF JOHN WIGHAM. 73
dist preacher, with his family. Lord ! help us to walk
araong them with consistent steadiness, as becomes
followers of Christ.
4th. Off the Capes of Virginia. — Moderateweather,
and all well.
Sth. All well. About thirty miles from Sandy Hook.
We have got a pilot on board, and hope to reach New
York to-morrow. We are tired of some of our compa
nions, though they have all behaved respectfully to us,
except on one occasion, in conversing about the slave-
trade and slavery, when a temperate vindication of the
rights of the oppressed Africans, drew forth violent and
profane language from some of them.
6th. Arrived at New York : next day attended meeting.
Sth. Sailed for Newport, Rhode Island ; where we
arrived on the 11th. Attended the Yearly Meeting;
after which, rode to New Bedford. Attended First day
meeting, and the Monthly Meeting on Third day.
Seventh day embarked for Nantucket, and arrived
the same day. Attended their raeetings on First day ;
also their Quarterly, Monthly, and week-day meetings.
Returned to New Bedford, and attended First day
meetings. Seventh Month 3rd. Set out towards Nova Scotia,*
took several meetings by the way.
Portland, 10th of Seventh Month, 1797.
To Barbara Cruickshank
I know it is pleasing to converse in this way

with those we love ; and I think it raay be lawful and
right to indulge in this pleasure, even when we have
* It appears by one of his letters, that in this journey, besides his
former companion Ebenezer Cresson, Joseph Wing a Friend in the
station of an Elder, was also with him. E

74 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE
nothing to coraraunicate but coramon things ; as it has a
tendency to sharpen, as iron sharpens iron, and to revive
in our remembrance those endearing sensations, which
have been formerly experienced in a participation of that
uniting love, which flows from the pure fountain ; and of
¦which thou and I, in our measures, have been mercifully
raade partakers.
I expect by this time thou hast experienced sorae
plungings, preparatory to the reception of stronger meat
than that, with which children are generally fed ; and
possibly some dispensations may be allotted, similar
to those, concerning which tbe Apostle encouragingly
[exhorts the believers] — " not to think it strange, as
though sorae new thing had happened to them." Dispen
sations for the trial of our faith, which is more precious
than that of gold, are needful for our deepening in the
root, and growth in experience ; as well as to prepare
the heart for a more plentiful production of good fruit.
Well, my dear friend, I believe we cannot do better than
keep in the patience ; for I think there is not a more
necessary part in the composition of a Christian, than
patience ; and if we add to it humility, self-nothingness,
and a simple dependence on Divine power, the enemy
cannot hurt us much. We have abundant promises to
encourage us lo seek and pray for this frame of mind ;
and I believe it may, through watchfulness and care, be
measurably dwelt in. May we, dear Barbara, never
cease striving, till we have attained.
I am here on my way to Nova Scotia ; and how long
I may be detained in this country I know not : there are
but few Friends in these parts, but ray concern is pretty
much for those of other societies. It is likely to be a
long journey, and I suppose from what I have heard,
rather a difficult one, through a country that has not

LIFE OF JOHN WIGHAM. 75
been much travelled in. Persons going to Nova Scotia
mostly go by water ; but I seem most easy to try to get
through by land, — my mind being drawn to a scattered
people among the bays and lakes, which, I am informed
abound in that country. 
At Broodcove had a meeting with some newly con
vinced persons, to our comfort and rejoicing : twelve
have been received into membership with Friends since
I was there before ; and several others appear hopeful.
We visited some persons of a similar description at
Camden; then went to Belfast, where I had a satis
factory meeting in a Presbyterian raeeting-house. The
whole were quiet and attentive, and some appeared
tenderly impressed.
We found that a meraber of our Society had appointed
a raeeting at his house, seven railes frora Belfast,
to which we went : the people in the neighbourhood
attended, but they seemed very wild and uncivilized.
The Lord enabled me to declare the Truth among them,
but it seemed to make very little impression.
We rode as far as Pleasant River, without having
any meetings ; though I passed through some settle
ments where my mind was attracted, — as I thought the
people were like sheep bleating for the shepherd : but I
did not feel a sufficiently clear commission to appoint
meetings ; so passed on, rather expecting to return the
same way. Here we left our horses, and hired a boat to
take us to a place called St. Andrews, about eighty miles
distant, in the British dominions. We arrived there on
First day morning, and appointed a meeting for the same
afternoon, to which a good many of the inhabitants
came. On Second day, took a boat to Beaver Harbour ;
got there on Third day morning, and were kindly
e2

76 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE
received by Ellis Wright: he had been a member of
our Society, but had gone out in the war. He told
us of some families of professors, about three miles back
in the woods ; we walked there, and found several
descendants of Friends, and sorae who have a right to
membership ; with whom and their neighbours, we had
a satisfactory raeeting. They were glad of our visit,
which was certainlj' a merciful visitation. They informed
us of a family nine miles further back ; of wbich the wife
and nine children were merabers, the husband had been
disowned. We walked there, and had a comfortable
meeting with them and their neighbours : some of the
latter, expressed much satisfaction. We returned to
Beaver Harbour, and hired a small boat to take us to
a place called St. John's, fifty miles distant; where we
arrived on Seventh day, the 29th. Next day had a raeet
ing in the Methodist meeting-house. Second day, went in
the post-boat seventy-five miles up the river, to Richard
Mead's, and had a meeting in his house : thence to
Frederickstore, where I had a meeting in the Court
House, and returned to Richard Mead's. First day, had
a large meeting in a barn. Second day, one at Benjamin
Burdsel's, and one at A. Carpenter's ; then went on
board a small vessel, and down the river to St. John's (so
called.) The people in this country are chiefly refugees or
disbanded soldiers, to whom land had been given at the
conclusion of the American war. Some of them were
descended from Friends, and several of their families are
grown up : they know something of the principles of
Friends from books belonging to their parents, or which,
perhaps, were sent to them from sorae of their connexions ;
but they have no good example from their parents, and
no associates, but such as adopt the vain customs of the
world. They have generally joined their neighbours in

LIFE OF JOHN WIGHAM. 77
these things, and also in their worship ; yet they seem
to feel that they want something, and are like sheep that
have sti-ayed long and far : they miss the pasture, and
bleat for the Shepherd ; yet though He calls, they do
not follow Him, and so remain estranged from both the
flock and the fold. I was well satisfied with being among
them, and trust it may be a means of shewing them the
real principles and practice of Friends. Of late raany
preachers, some called New Lights, and some Methodists,
have visited them, and have persuaded some that they do
not differ from Friends, except in non-essentials ; and by
tbeir activity in singing, preaching, and praying, have
prevailed on some of these scattered people to join thera.
We raet with a kind reception, not only from such as
have sorae connexion with our Society, but among all
ranks ; and I trust have been mercifully enabled so to
move among thera, as to leave the door open.
At St. John's (so called,) we found a vessel just ready
to sail, in which we embarked, and landed next day at
Anapolis. Walked seven miles to Job Young's, where
we had a raeeting, and another next day, (First day), at
Sarauel Moore's ; thence rode on hired horses one hundred
and five miles to Halifax. Here we left our horses,
and crossed the bay to Dartmouth, where there is a small
meeting of Friends. This we attended, and also visited
their families ; but alas ! they seem too weak to hold a
meeting with reputation : they have so far given up our
testimony against a hireling ministry, as to allow an
Episcopalian minister to preach in their meeting-house
on First day afternoons. From Halifax we rode to
Anapolis, having several meetings on our way thither,
and one there to good satisfaction.
[By tbe date of a letter to a Friend in England, John
Wigham appears to have been at Halifax, on the 19th of

78 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE
Eighth Month, probably at this second time ; as he men
tions his prospect of being at liberty to leave America
about the Tenth Month following. With his usual diffi
dence and humility, he mentions his own labours in this
letter, nearly as follows : — ' I have been for some weeks
where no Friends live, and have had a good many meetings
among the people. There seems an openness to hear and
acknowledge the truth, and some of them are tender
hearted; beyond this I cannot say much, I cannot fix
much hope of good being done by such a weak unworthy
instruraent ; but the desire of my heart is, that if I
can do little for the cause, I may do nothing against it.
Satisfaction and peace sometiraes flow in my mind, in
endeavouring to do the little committed to me honestly,
believing that the Lord does not require more than He
gives.'] Went to Digby by water, where we had a meeting in
the church (so called). Iu the afternoon, paid a visit to
the clergyman and his family; he appeared a friendly
man, and we had some satisfactory conversation with
them. His daughter came and spent the evening with
us at our lodgings; her mind seeraed touched with a
sense of Truth. The people in this country, generally,
behaved very respectfully ; those of the first rank mostly
gathered about us after the meetings, often expressing
much satisfaction with thera, and pressing us to go to
their houses, — though I had frequently to bear public
testimony against war, as being inconsistent with Chris
tianity ; many of them are, or have been officers in the
army. Light has measurably arisen, — many are con
vinced in their judgments ; and I think there is ground
to hope, that the testimonies of the Truth will be exalted
and held up to view, in that settlement on Anapolis
River.

LIFE OF JOHN WIGHAM. 79
Ninth Month 1st. Left Digby in a packet for St.
John's (so called), — ray mind calm, and filled with
thankfulness. Lord ! I thank thee for past, and beg for
future preservation.
2nd. Arrived at St. John's (so called) ; found there a
schooner, in which we sailed the same evening. Got the
Captain to land us next day at Mouse Island, where we
hired a boat to take us to Mousepecky reach. Lodged
the first night on the beach by a good fire, which we
had kindled : I slept comfortably, feeling peaceful and
thankful. Next night, we got to a little house on the
shore, where some of us slept on the floor. On the
following morning, we arrived to breakfast at the house
of a person who professed with Friends ; but we could
find in hini nothing but talk. We had a meeting at his
house, and some of the people seemed tender. Next
morning, got a small boat to take us to Pleasant River,
where we had left our horses in going down ; we found
them all safe and well.
In the afternoon, we had a meeting -among a very
zealous people, called New Lights; I loved and pitied
them, for I think many are sincere hearted : but they
hold some erroneous principles, and do not possess much
true knowledge. The Lord enabled me to point out the
way with much clearness ; they appeared solid and
attentive, and some of them tenderly affected. Proceeded
to Narragangas, where we had a meeting ; thence to
Stubbend, where I had a large meeting on First day.
My mind was much exercised ; but the Lord in raercy
helped me, so that I got through with satisfaction. Left
them in much love, and travelled to Vasselburgh, one
hundred miles, without having any meeting. Attended
meeting there on First day : Second day, went to
Sidney: Fourth day, took the Monthly Meeting at

80 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE
Vasselburgh ; thence set out for New York, attending
meetings on the way at Falmouth, Portland, Salem, and
Lynn. Tenth Month 6th. Arrived at New York, where I
met with my beloved friends, Martha Routh, Mary
Sevett, and Charity Cook, who had come to this city
with a view of taking a passage for Liverpool; and feeling
myself at liberty frora any farther service in America, 1
agreed to accompany them. We embarked on the 17th,
in the Sovereign, Captain Goodridge.
Eleventh Month 7th, 1797. We have been three
weeks at sea, and have had a pretty favourable passage
so far. Have been thrice boarded by ships of war, one
English and two French ; but our Captain having all his
ship's papers correct according to law, they did not give
us much trouble. A Frenchman, however, examined the
contents of sorae of the passengers' trunks, under
pretence of searching for letters ; but his real object
seeraed to have been to plunder, as he carried away
several articles. On the whole, we came off pretty well ;
he did not get any money.
Two or three days of contrary winds have made some
of our passengers sick, though none of them are very ill.
The Lord is my shepherd ; in Him do I put my trust. I
feel myself unworthy of His regard ; but great is His
loving kindness.
Eleventh Month 21st. Landed at Liverpool, where
I was kindly received by Robert Benson and family.—
Stayed two days, attended the week day meeting, and
then proceeded directly home by coach. Found my dear
wife and family in pretty good health ; and though some
circumstances, which were cause of grief and mourning,
had occurred during my absence, — yet I could do no less
than commemorate the Lord's goodness, and in deep

LIFE OF JOHN WIGHAM. 81
humility and thankfulness acknowledge, that I had lacked
nothing. Liverpool, Eleventh Month 22nd, 1797.
To Ann Christy.
We had a passage of five weeks, rather rough, but not
much to be complained of. We had a good many pas
sengers, some of whom were very wild, though civil to
us : the women Friends kept pretty much to their cabins ;
I was exposed alone to their disagreeable company. I
was favoured to keep quiet ; ray mind composed in a
sweet feeling of peace and thankfulness of heart, in com
memorating the unspeakable goodness of God, in helping
through past difficulties ; and a confidence was afforded,
that He continued to be our guardian.
Thou knowest I went out a poor creature ; — I am
returned a poor creature still : yet through mercy, I feel
love to the brethren.
[John Wigham has recorded the following :]
Have travelled in America to 20th of
Seventh Month, 1796, then at Muncy . 7502 railes.
From the above date, to 6th of Third
Month, 1797, at James Emlen's, Mid
dletown  2000 „
Frora ditto, to Fifth Month 24th, at
Charleston  1477 ,,

10,979
Travelled in all, from my leaving horae to my return,
by sea and land, 22,752 miles.

e3

82 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE

CHAPTER V.
visits the western counties OF ENGLAND, &C. IN 1799
 ATTENDS THE YEARLY MEETING IN LONDON, IN 1800
^VISITS THE MEETINGS OF FRIENDS IN VARIOUS
COUNTIES ON HIS RETURN  REMARKS ON HIS TRIALS,
RELIGIOUS EXERCISES AND PROVIDENTIAL PRESERVA
TIONS  OBSERVATIONS ON THE STATE OF SOCIETY AT
EDINBURGH, IN 1806  VISITS PARTS OF YORKSHIRE,
LINCOLNSHIRE, &C. IN 1808, ACCOMPANIED BY GEORGE
RICHARDSON  WITH SAME FRIEND AS COMPANION,
VISITS THE MEETINGS IN AND ABOUT LONDON, AND
SOME OF THE SOUTHERN AND MIDLAND COUNTIES, IN
1809  THOUGHTS ON THE NATURE OF LOVE, 1812.
[Previous to his entering on the visit to the western
counties, of which an account follows, it appears, John
Wigham attended the Yearly Meeting in London, as one
of the representatives from the Half Year's Meeting for
North Britain. In the minutes of this Meeting, of date
30th of Fourth Month, 1798, the following is recorded,
viz. —
' Two certificates on behalf of our esteemed friend
' John Wigham, have been now read, to our comfort
' and edification ; and his company and gospel labours,
' have, on this occasion, been truly acceptable, and for
' his peaceful return we feel thankful. One of these
' certificates is from the Yearly Meeting held in Rhode
' Island, for New England, in the Third Month, 1795,
' and the other from the General Meeting of Ministers

LIFE OF JOHN WIGHAM. 83
' and Elders, held in Philadelphia, iu the Third Month,
' 1797.'] In the Sixth Month, 1799, I set out on a religious
visit to Friends, in the western counties of England : my
dear wife accompanied me, through Cumberland, and
then returned. Edinburgh, Sixth Month I4th, 1799.
To HIS SON-IN-LAW, JaMES GlENNY.
I am pleased to hear that you are favoured

with health : — raay your hope and trust be in the arm of
Omnipotence, who is ever sufficient to those that faithfully
serve Him; we have abundantly proved that He is indeed
a present help in every needful time.
An early dedication of heart to the Lord, is no doubt
acceptable to Him ; — to give up all into His care and
keeping, and to look upon ourselves as stewards, to be
directed and ordered by Him, is the safest way of steering-
through this uncertain pilgrimage.
The desire of ray heart is, that my children may be
the Lord's children ; and then I have no doubt, but He
will be their shepherd, and they shall not want.
Yesterday was our Monthly Meeting, when I ventured
to mention a prospect I have of a visit to Friends in some
parts of England, with which the meeting concurred; and
I think of setting out next Fifth day, and my wife
thinks of going with me as far as Cumberland Quarterly
Meeting. After ray dear wife parted from me, I proceeded through
Westmoreland, Lancashire, Cheshire, South Wales, by
Bristol as far as the Lands-end in Cornwall; and I crossed
to the island of Guernsey, in company with my friend
John Abbott.

84 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE
[The three following letters were written whilst on his
journey.] Preston, Eighth Month 1th, 1799.
To HIS son-in-law, John Cruickshank.
I have been helped along from place to place.

and been enabled to clear rayself to a good degree of
satisfaction ; — though I have visited many low spots,
many poor meetings, where little of the life of religion
seems to be left, — the standard bearers weak and tottering,
— and but few Aarons or Hurs to support the feeble arms
of such ; so that in many places the enemy seeras to
prevail, and threaten a total desolation.
The prevalence of a worldly spirit — how it weakens !
O ! take care of its encroachments ; — it is a lurking
enemy ; plausible are its baits, and many are taken in
the snare. I often look towards you, with desires that
you may put on strength in the name of the Lord.
Strong and ardent is ray solicitude for you, ray dear
children, whom I have left in Scotland, — that you may be
faithful warriors in the great cause.  Reraember me
affectionately to my children, James and Elizabeth ; —
they are young: tell them, now is their time, now is their
day, to give up their hearts to seek and serve the Lord.
O ! that they may begin at the right end, — seek first the
kingdom of God and His righteousness, and no doubt
but other things needful will be added. Remember me
also to my Amos and Barbara, — tell thera they are called
and ought to be wayraarks ; if they mind their standing,
the Lord will not fail them. May you all unite in true
harmony, as advocates for tbe one good cause — of spread
ing and advancing the saving knowledge of God among
the children of men, — helpers one of another, — preferring
one another in love, — knit together by a bond of love

LIFE OF JOHN WIGHAM. 85
that can never be broken : then will you shine in
your day, and the enemy shall never be able to hurt
you. Coalbrookdale, Eighth Month 23rd, 1799.
To Ann Christy.
Thy sensibility of weakness confirms my belief, that
thou art under the care of the great and good Shepherd, —
that thou art preserved sensible of what thou art without
Him ; and thy fear will be as a fountain of life, pre
serving from tbe snares of death. Thou still feels pre
cious to me, I think the union grows stronger ; for which
I am thankful : — nothing can break it, but our departure
from the foundation ; — strippedness or poverty of spirit
has no tendency to lessen, but rather to increase it ;
though we may not always feel it alike. Every dispen
sation that reduces self, increases the spiritual union :
tbe bond is strengthened by obstructions being removed ;
and if we grow in grace, we shall become less and less in
our own eyes. This, I trust, is in sorae degree our expe
rience : let us then each keep to our own exercise in our
own particular gifts ; so shall we know an advanceraent
in the performance of the Divine will, until it becomes as
our meat and drink.
I may inform thee, which I know will be satisfactory
to thee, that I have been helped along so far beyond
expectation, both as regards the body and the mind : —
my poor body canuot endure much, and my mind often
feels inexpressibly feeble : but the Lord in raercy has
helped me frora tirae to time with a little help, to hobble
on from place to place ; and I hope He has preserved
me from hurting the cause, and that I may have been
enabled sometimes to administer a little encouragement to
the honest hearted.

86 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE
Bristol, Ninth Month, 1799.
To HIS DAUGHTER-IN-LAW, BaRBARA WiGHAM.
I feel inclined to address thee in this way. — 1 love thee
as a daughter, and I love thee as a sister in gospel fellow
ship ; and cannot but desire thy preservation and growth
as my own. I am sensible how needful it is to be watch
ful : — our strength consists in our being preserved in the
spiritual union; and many things present themselves,
which if not carefully watched against, will obstruct that
wherein our strength consists, and by which only we can
experience a growth. There are right hand errors, as
well as left hand errors, — of commission as well as omis
sion ; and to be kept in the path of true obedience, is the
desirable attainment : — to have the eye single, is the way
to have the whole body full of light.
A perfect resignation and willingness to be little, is the
way to grow ; and when we do in reality grow in the
Truth, we shall become less and less in our own estima
tion ; self will be weakened, humility increased, and our
hearts enlarged in love and gratitude to God, and in
submission to His holy commands. 
Suffer me to remind thee of the apostle's exhortation, —
" Mind your calling, brethren." I know not that thou
art any way deficient; — but knowing the wiles of Satan,
these things seemed to come before me, to express to
thee ; hoping that thou also, in thy measure, art exercised
on my behalf, — no one has more need of constant watch
fulness than I have.
Thou hast known a passing through dispensations of
deep trial, hid from the knowledge of men ; — the Lord
has been thy stay in many a tempest, when, perhaps, all
around thought thee in quiet ;— He has seen all thy
buffetings, and has sustained thy tossed mind, when there
was no other anchor ; — He has heard thy groanings in

LIFE OF JOHN WIGHAM. 87
secret places, and bottled up thy tears ; — and undoubtedly
He will [in His mercy] recompence the fruit thereof
into thy bosom. If thou continue in dedication to
Him, and His service, He will be thy bow and battle
axe, — teach thy hands to war, and thy fingers to
fight. Trust in Him then, and thou shalt never be con
founded. 
I got here yesterday from Wales, where I have had
pretty hard travelling, both for myself and my horse.
The weather has been wet, the roads bad, and the hay
bad, — so that my horse has got much worn down ; but T
hope, as I am now in England, the fare will be better for
him, and the journeys shorter.
[To return to his journal.]
We visited the few families professing with Friends in
the island of Guernsey, and had some public meetings ;
being kindly entertained and assisted by our valued
friends, Nicholas and Mary Naftal ; the former was our
interpreter. The town (called St. Petersport) is an un
commonly bustling place ; I could not but be surprised
at the hurry its crowded inhabitants seeraed to be in, and
laraented it. I took a lonely walk, and sat down by the
side of a hedge over against the town ; ray raind was
gathered into a state of quietude ; in which I felt content
to be a pilgrim, and a willingness, however insignificant,
to be just what the Lord would have me to be : and I
renewedly entered into covenant to serve Him, in the
ability He might be pleased to afford, without desiring
any conditions for myself; for my whole heart was at this
time so filled with love to Hira, so devoted to labour for
the exaltation of His name, that I thought I could not
desire anything, or any enjoyment, that would not tend
to His honour.

88 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE
' O Lord ! enable rae to do thy will,' — is my only
petition. Leaving Guernseyj we crossed the Channel, and landed
at Weymouth the 29th of Eleventh Month; and pro
ceeded to visit raeetings as they came in course. John
Abbott continued with me till after the Quarterly Meeting
at Bridgewater; after which he left me, and returned
home, having been my companion about seven weeks.
After our parting I felt solitary — like a sparrow alone on
the house-top ; but was favoured to remeraber that ray
heavenly Father careth even for the sparrows.
Proceeding onwards by Somerton, Street, Melksham,
Frome — I had meetings at these and several other places,
till I came to Stockwell, near London, to my kind
friend's. Miller Christy, where I arrived on the 1st of
First Month, 1800. Stoehwell, First Month 4th, 1800.
To HIS DAUGHTER-IN-LAW, BaBBARA WiGHAM.
I received thine of Twelfth Month 4th, by which I
was refreshed ; it tended to renew and quicken that love
and sympathy, by which we have been and are united.
I am much in ray usual way, both in body and raind, —
have nothing to boast of, neither dare I complain ;
though I have seldom cause of rejoicing, yet the Lord
hath hitherto helped me, with a little help, for which
I feel thankful.
My confidence, through mercy, still is, that the Lord
will continue to help those that trust in Him, and who
in dedication of heart give up to his requirings, in
humility and fear : — preservation in and an increase
of this frame of mind, is what I crave for myself and
my dear children.
I have not been in London, though I have been here

LIFE OF JOHN WIGHAM. 89
two days, within three miles of it. I rather hope I may
not be detained in the city : Sarah Lines, Susanna
Home, and several other friends [in the ministry,] are
engaged in it.
After visiting the families of Friends of Wandsworth
meeting, and attending a Quarterly Meeting at Esher
in Surrey, I turned northward ; proceeding by Brentford,
Staines and Uxbridge, taking meetings in passing
through Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire,
Staffordshire, Cheshire, Lancashire, part of Yorkshire,
Westmoreland and Northumberland, and so to Edin
burgh ; [where he arrived about the middle of the Third
Month ;] and I found ray dear wife and children well.
What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits !
I stayed seven weeks at Edinburgh, except (during
that time,) visiting Glasgow, Perth, and Dundee, — also
settled some family matters. Attended the Half- Year's
Meeting, and afterwards set out to attend the Yearly Meet
ing in London. After it was over, I returned homewards
by way of Wellingbro', Kettering, Castle- Donnington,
Derby, Chesterfield, Sheffield, Highflats and Wakefield :
visiting also the meetings in the Dales of Yorkshire, and
in the counties of Durham and Northumberland. On
reaching Edinburgh, I had travelled 4166 miles, and
been from home upwards of a year. After all this, I feel
that I ara nothing ! My heart is humbled under a sense
of the Lord's goodness, in enabling me to pass through
so many trials and difficulties ; and I can but worship
at His feet, and offer Hira grateful adoration and praise.
I ara yet but in the fifty-third year of my age, and have
done little indeed in His cause, compared with what He
has done for rae : what raay be my future allotment.
He only knows ; may His will be done.

90 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE
The increase of bodily infirmities makes me ready to
conclude, that not rauch more travelling will be required ;
but, however this may be, may He enable me to serve
Him with a perfect heart, in the way of His own appoint
ment ; that my few remaining days may be spent to His
honour. In many a deep exercise both at home and
abroad, by sea and by land. He has been my Rock ; — in
long wearisome journeys on the American continent,
amidst almost pathless woods, through swamps and
rivers, in the most imminent dangers, He has preserved
me ; — and in my deepest baptisms He has sustained my
soul. He has won my heart by His love, and has drawn
me from my native land and near connexions ; He has
often made a way for me, where I could see none. He
has provided sustenance for me and my family bey-ond
all human probability, — has made my feet like hind's
feet, — and enabled my poor weak body to undergo
almost incredible fatigue. He hath often enabled me to
set up my Ebenezer, and say, " Hitherto hath the Lord
helped me." O ! what shall I render unto Him for all
His benefits 1 I write these memorandums, that when I
am gone, ray children may be encouraged, by seeing
and knowing how He has supported me.
Kinmuck, Sixth Month 12th, 1801.
To A. C.
• The intelligence conveyed in thine is very

grateful to me, though some things make me sorry.
H. B. — poor creature ! I do pity, — I still feel love for her ;
and would fain keep hold of a hope that she will not be
cast off. The Lord is of tender raercy, though He will
support H is own cause ; and the foundation that He has
already laid, shall never be moved, though thousands
should leave it, and build upon and lean to their own

LIFE OF JOHN WIGHAM. 91
understanding. Those who lean upon and trust in the
Lord, shall never be confounded ; and I do believe that
to all generations a people will be preserved, and enabled,
to hold up a testimony to the sufficiency of that founda
tion [the Rock,] against which He hath declared the
gates of hell shall not prevail.
Edinburgh, Third Month 15th, 1803.
To HIS SON-IN-LAW, James Glenny.
Though I have frequently heard of thee since I saw
thee, yet thy mother and 1 are both desirous to hear
from thyself how thou art ; whether the cough and expec
toration are abated, and the hoarseness gone off; and
whether thou art gaining any strength. Tell us also how
thy Eliza is keeping up, and how the children are.
We feel much sympathy with you ; your afflictions of
one kind or another, have not been few; but what shall we
say ? — He who dispenseth such things is infinitely wise,
and knows better what is good for us than we do our
selves. He visits with the rod in love, to promote our
improvement. Some of us need much to wean us suf
ficiently from things below, and to fix our hope more
stedfastly on things above, or beyond time. May we
acquiesce in the Divine will, and endeavour to profit by
the various dispensations allotted us.
Edinburgh, Fourth Month 13th, 1803.
To HIS SON-IN-LAW, JaMES GlENNY.
I received thine, and though it brought but a poor
account of the state of thy health, and increased the sym
pathy I feel with thee and thy Eliza ; yet it was satis
factory, inasmuch as it conveyed an evidence, that thou
receivedst this present affliction in a resigned frame of
mind. A valuable and experienced mind has said, that

92 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE
the highest anthem sung in heaven is — " Thy will be
done." No doubt afflicting dispensations cause a struggle
in nature ; but they are all in love. The Lord corrects in
mercy, and chastises those He loves ; though He is just,
yet His mercy abounds ; prospects in worldly matters
are often disappointed in great mercy.
I would fondly hope the summer season raay restore
thee to health ; but if otherwise, the Lord's will must
be submitted to : — the mainthing is peace, for indeed
the world is full of troubles.
Edinburgh, Second Month 6th, 1804.
To A. C.
 I have enough to do to forbear wishing to be

gone ; though I know it is wrong to wish to fly whilst
conflict is required ; but ray faith is sometimes tried (I
think) to an hair's-breadtb,yetin unutterable raercy it has
not yet been permitted wholly to fail. I should be an
ungrateful creature, were I to utter the least complaint, or
once think suffering for Him hard, who has done so
much for me. Sometimes I am a little revived by re
membering, that the tribulated path has been the allot
ment of many besides me; who have been enabled bravely
to stand through their various trials, and who, by lean
ing on the never-failing Helper, have been preserved
through raany a storra. Dear  , I never did nor do
I aim at or expect great matters : if I be but preserved
the green shrub, it is ray utmost wish.
Edinburgh, Second Month 23rd, 1804.
To HIS SON-IN-LAW, JaMES GlENNY,
By different accounts we have understood thou hast
been getting worse lately. I feel rauch syrapathy with
thee and thy dear Eliza : no doubt it must be a trying

life of JOHN WIGHAM. 93
dispensation to you both ; and unquestionably thj' bodily
affliction is wearisome, and will require the exercise of
patience. The Lord only can support at such a time :
may your minds be stayed upon Him, and resignation to
His will be attained. He is all-wise, — never errs, —
whatever He does is right. This world at best is but a
trying pilgrimage ; and when He sees meet to cut short
the work, and dissolve the tabernacle of clay at an early
period, and through his matchless mercy and forgiveness
receive the immortal part into a mansion of rest, — it is
cause of humble rejoicing and adoration ; and if He sees
meet, as He sometimes does, to bring down to the brink
of the grave, and raise up again, it is all in wisdora and
for some good end.
It is not unusual for persons in thy situation, when
the mind is turned to look beyond time towards eternity,
to have many doiibtings, and the remembrance of past
failings to he heavy upon the raind. If this should
sometimes be thy case, dear James, be not too much
discouraged ; cast thyself at the feet of our dear Lord, — •
He is merciful. None of us have any merit of our own
to plead; in His raercy is and raust be all our trust.
He sets our sins in order before us, that we may be
brought to an abhorrence of self, and an adoration of His
goodness; and when He has sufficiently humbled the
mind. He soothes it with the feeling of His love.*
[From his Journal : — ]
Edinburgh, 13th of Fourth Month, 1806.
Several years have passed over since I wrote the
* James Glenny, his son-in-law, died of consumption on the 1st
of Eighth Month, 1804, in the 28th year of his age ; leaving a widow
and three children. He appears to have raade a peaceful close ; having
expressed to his wife, when very near his end, that he was trusting
in his Saviour, and found nothing in the way.

94 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE
foregoing. I have been, since that period, but little out
of Scotland, and nothing relative to worldly matters has
particularly affected me ; yet my exercises, and days of
mourning have been deep and many. The grand adver
sary has obtained an entrance, and scattered the seeds
of discord among the little flock and family of Friends
of Edinburgh, Two Months' Meeting ; which has intro
duced into much trial and suffering a number among us :
and I have been at tiraes fearful that sorae raight fall a
prey to the devourer. — * Mayst thou be pleased O ! Lord,
to preserve and deliver thy little trerabling lambs from
his paw ; — cover them with the canopy of thy love ; — and
be their shield, in this and every other time of danger: 
for Thou knowest, and hast given some of us to know,
that none can save us but Thee.'
Fourth Month, 1807. The Yearly Meeting's Com
mittee are labouring among us : they are evidently
endowed with Divine wisdom and abundant charity,
recommending great patience and long-suffering : their
labours, and sympathy of spirit have made them near
and dear to me ; and I feel an ardent desire that their
labours of love may be blessed, to the restoration of those
who have been the cause of suffering, to the relief of the
sufferers, and to the strengthening of the preciously visited
children. ' Lord ! Thou alone canst, in Thy own way
and time, establish aud exalt thy glorious mountain of
holiness, over everything that would exalt itself; — even
so be it. Lord ! Amen.'
The care of Edinburgh raeeting having now devolved
on the Yearly Meeting, ray wife and I felt easy to leave
it ; which we accordingly did in the Seventh Month, and
took a house at Aberdeen, where we have been mercifully
favoured to feel quiet and peaceful ; — some reward for
the late suffering labour at Edinburgh.

LIFE OF JOHN WIGHAM.

95

Aberdeen, Ninth Month 4th, 1807.
To Ann Cruickshank.
I think the most I have to say is, look not too

much at the dark side of things. The things that are
seen we do not hope for, but the things that are not seen.
 Let us even wait long in the patience, and endea
vour to fix our confidence on Him, who knows every
heart ; and who will eventually take care of those, who
prefer the honour of His cause to every other thing, —
¦n-ho are brought to a willingness to suffer for it, if so be
the Lord's will.- Our dear Redeemer suffered ; and shall
we flinch from suffering 1 Do not think I am writing
now as one at a distance ; for my spirit is with you in the
nearest sympathy ; though I feel comforted in believing
that we did right in removing, however disadvantageous
it may have been in some respects.  Our day is now
pretty far spent ; to look forward to the close, through
unutterable mercy is a pleasing prospect ; and yet we
can by no means divest ourselves of a concern for those
that may be left. I think I may say at this time, I do
prefer Jerusalem, and the welfare thereof, to any other
joy ; and yet near as the end may seem to us, new trials
and conflicts may be permitted to attend our evening.
When thou canst, do pray for us, that we may hold out.
1808. I felt a concern revive on ray mind, to visit
Friends in parts of Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and some
places farther south. After weighing the matter fully,
I gave up to it, and informed the Monthly Meeting,
who gave me a certificate, expressing their sympathy
and concurrence.
I left home, the 19th of Sixth Month, — ^had a good
passage by sea to Newcastle ; thence travelled in a gig,
accompanied by my beloved friend George Richardson,

06 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE
who united with me in the concern, and who had a certi
ficate from his Monthly Meeting. We attended York
Quarterly Meeting ; then took the meetings in the North
and East Ridings of Yorkshire, crossed the Humber at
Hull, and visited the meetings in Lincolnshire, Norfolk,
Cambridge, and Huntingdonshire, — returned through
some parts of Nottinghamshire by Sheffield, Doncaster,
Thorne, Pontefract, Ackworth, Selby, Collingworth,
York ; — thence to Yarra, Stockton, Sunderland, and
Newcastle. We were absent from the last place ten weeks
and five days ; and according to calculation made by my
companion, travelled 1171 miles, and attended eightj'--
eight meetings. I stayed some days at Newcastle, and
attended their Monthly Meeting held at Shields ; where
I had tbe pleasure of meeting with the Yearly Meeting's
Committee, returning from their second visit to Edin
burgh. I was pleased to observe, that they entertained
favourable hopes of improvement in that quarter, for
which I had ardently longed.
From Newcastle I went to Allendale, to see ray poor
aged mother ; who had been confined to bed a consider
able time, in great bodily affliction, and quite blind, — but
sweetiy alive in spirit. We were comforted together ;
but had a hard parting. After staying a few days at
Cornwood, and attending their Monthly Meeting, I went
to Sikeside meeting on First day ; and on Second day, set
out for Glasgow. Andrew PhiUips kindly accompanied
me one stage ; after which I went on alone rejoicing, — for
the Lord had filled my heart with His love, so that I
could sing of mercy and of judgment. He has, indeed,
fed me in green pastures, and led me beside the still
waters. My heart was humbled under a sense of his
goodness to an unworthy worm ; and my soul was filled
with thanksgiving and praise. I got to Glasgow on

LIFE OF JOHN WIGHAM. 97
Fourth day, stayed over their Fifth and First day meet
ings, and on Second day set off alone, and reached Aber
deen on Fifth day. I found my family well, and did
feelingly adopt the language, — " What shall I render unto
the Lord for all his benefits."
Aberdeen, Sth of Tenth Month, 1808.
To HIS Son, A. W.
I got home on Fifth day, having had a long and lonely
ride ; but I held out pretty well, and my mind was so
peaceful, that every thing seemed pleasant ; I could think
nothing hard. I found my wife and family welh  My
horse held out to the end, and I have abundance to be
thankful for; indeed I seem full, and can feehngly adopt
the language, — " What shall I render to the Lord, for all
his benefits ?" May I render Him a devoted heart, for the
residue of my days,— is my ardent prayer. I was much
gratified by being with you : I think it one of tbe raany
favours I am made a partaker of, to have affectionate
children ; and a hope sometimes accompanies my prayers
for you, that several of you are likely to be men and
women for God ; that His cause you will espouse, and
even be made willing to suffer for Him, if it be His will.
I have a testimony in my heart, that such is His good
ness. He is well worthy to be served in His own way :
may you and I be more and more dedicated to obey Him
in all things. 
I stayed about home during the winter ; — my mind often
much exercised upon various accounts, particularly from
a prospect that presented, of visiting Friends in and about
London, and in some of the Southern and Midland
Counties. I was much discouraged ; — the declining state
of my health, and my weakness in every way, made it

98

SOME ACCOUNT OF THE

awful to me ; but it remained and increased in weight,
till I could see no means of obtaining peace, but to
yield to it. I mentioned the subject to the Monthly
Meeting in the Second Month, desiring Friends to feel
with me; and at the following meeting I requested a
certificate, which was readily granted, expressing their
unity and sympathy. Aberdeen, 19th of First Month, 1809.
To Ann Cruickshank.
I cannot do less than acknowledge how acceptable thy
letter was to me.
 1 sympathize with thee in my measure, knowing
how difficult- it is to tread safely in the path of your
allotment. Faith and patience are doubtless necessary,
but above all, a steady eye unto, and dependence upon
the Lord for help, who is the giver of both faith and
patience, and every other qualification to do His will.
We here are not without our exercises ; and sensible I am,
that if the Lord help us not, we cannot stand. Much
poverty of spirit has been my allotment of late; but I am
moving on in a degree of hope.
On the 31st -of Third Month, I accordingly set sail
from Aberdeen, — ^had a quick and good passage of three
days to London, and was kindly received by my esteemed
fi-iends, John Sanderson and his wife.
London, Fourth Month 22nd, 1809.
To HIS SON, A. W.
I think it will be pleasant to thee to know that I am
pretty well, at least as well as I can expect to be in this
great city, — the air of which has never agreed with me.
I have got out of it two nights in the week — have been

life of JOHN WIGHAM. 99
at Stockwell, and Plaistow, and Tottenham ; — and been
at meetings at the two latter places, also at Barking, and
Winohmorehill : — the rest of the time has been spent in
London, where I have had meetings almost every day
since I have been in it. Every day brings a weight
with it, that I cannot describe to thee; but through ador
able mercy, I hope I have been preserved from hurting
the cause of Truth ; and what I have had to coraraunicate,
(I think) has met the acceptance of Friends, and
afforded relief to my own mind. Friends have shown me
much kind attention, abundantly above ray desert ; for I
can assure thee, I feel myself very little araong the great
and wise here.
I took meetings as they came in course, in and about
London, till the Yearly Meeting began, when I attended
its sittings. I then set out with my dear friend George
Richardson, who had previously agreed to be my com
panion. We visited the meetings in Sussex and Kent ;
and attended the Quarterly Meeting at Dover.
Dover, Sixth Month llth, 1809.
To HIS SON, A. W.
I may tell thee that I am through mercy pretty

well, considerably better than when I left London. We
have got a mare that travels well ; and upon the whole
have certainly much for which to be thankful. We have
our conflicts and trials, as I apprehend all poor travellers
have, who are exercised in our line. We have been at all
the meetings in Sussex and Kent, except Rochester,
which we intend to take in our way from Kent Quarterly
Meeting to that of London ; after which, we propose
taking Essex and Suffolk.
Many of the meetings in those counties we have visited,
f2

100 SOME ACCOUNT OF T0E
are small meetings in every sense of the word, — small as
to numbers, and in some of them little life to be felt : yet
there is a remnant still preserved ; and we are abundantly
satisfied, that the Lord in mercy continues to own his
seeking people, whether collectively or separately, and is
even following the revolters with the cry, " turn ye, turn
ye, why will ye die."
The late Yearly Meeting was by many thought to have
been a favoured time ; and, perhaps, as much harmony
and condescension prevailed, as has been known for many
years, which afforded altogether, I think, an encouraging
prospect ; for really tbe harmonising love of our heavenly
Father was frequently felt to cover us, and many hearts I
believe were filled with thankfulness.
My companion George Richardson and I travel
together in much harmony, and are often strengthened by
our feelings being much in unison. Pray for us, dear
 , that we may be preserved from hurting the cause
we are seeking to promote ; and that we may not seek
great things for ourselves.
We returned to London to the Quarterly Meeting :
after which we visited raeetings in Essex, Suffolk, and
the families of Friends in Norwich and in Wyraondham
Monthly Meetings. We then took the meetings
in Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire, and Derbyshire;
thence went to Sheffield, Wakefield, and Leeds, &c., &c. ;
and by Staindrop to Newcastle. There I left my beloved
companion, and proceeded by Allendale, Cornwood and
Carlisle to Edinburgh, and so home; where I found
my family in usual health : ray heart was filled with
thanksgiving and praise to the God of all grace. Though
bodily infirmities frequently made travelling difficult ;
and a sense of my unworthiness to be employed in

LIFE OF JOHN WIGHAM. 101
SO momentous a service, made rae creep along low ; yet
I cannot but admire the Lord's goodness, and could say
much in His praise ; but so unworthy is my tongue to
speak, or my pen to write it, that it seems safer silently
to adore. Aberdeen, Ninth Month 2Sth, 1809.
To Elizabeth (Joseph) Fry.
I reached home yesterday, and found my wife, chil
dren, and other connexions in usual health ; which, with
many more favours, I wish I may be enough thankful
for. I cannot express what I feel, in a sense of the Lord's
love and condescending goodness to so unworthy a
creature : I desire to praise Him ; but alas ! what is my
praise worth ? I desire to serve Him ; but have no
ability but what I receive from Him. He is all; and I
am nothing. Amen !
Aberdeen, Fifth Month 26th, 1810.
To Elizabeth J. Fry.
Under a renewed feeling of precious love, I acknow
ledge the receipt of thy letter: it was veiy acceptable, —
indeed all thy communications have been pleasant to
me. Although thy raind has been much exercised on
various accounts since I saw thee ; yet I am comforted
in believing, that the Lord is leading about and in
structing thee, under the different dispensations that he
sees meet to allot ; and even those which are the most
painful ones, are not the least profitable and instructive.
Pleasant things, such as the plentiful enjoyment of
(Divine) love, light, and life, are very grateful, and raise
sensations of joy and rejoicing, and tune our hearts to
praise ; but I believe the Lord is as acceptably served,
by the patient, resigned mind, in times of stripping and

102 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE
poverty ; which tend more to our purification, because
they often lead to deep searching of heart and humbling
of spirit, which are suitable preparations for the un
folding of the instructive counsel of the Lord, both in
what to do, and what to leave undone. I believe, my
dear friend, we cannot do better than endeavour, through
all the varied dispensations awaiting the pilgrim's
path, to keep the eye single, in humble dependence
upon that invisible Arm of power, which often supports
unseen, and prevents our poor minds from sinking. I
feel, at this time, almost faith enough to subscribe
rayself thy brother in the tribulations and exercises of the
Christian warfare : though at tiraes, I scarcely dare think
myself one belonging to the family ; but in this degree
of faith, which I now feel, I may venture to say — ' Be,
of good cheer, the Lord will not leave, nor forsake
those who put their trust in Hira ; who are willing to
be what He would have them to be, and to let Him
work in them according to his own good pleasure.
These I believe. He will strengthen in the day of battle,
and succour in every time of need. Therefore, my dear
friend, cast all thy care upon Him, and simply move
along as He opens the way. Thou art now, I expect,
with many others engaged in the affairs of the Yearly
Meeting : my mind has been looking much towards you ;
and in my small measure, I have felt concerned to pray,
that Friends thus met together, may be favoured with
that one great and essential thing, — power and life, raani-
fested through love, which begets condescension and
rautual forbearance. Aberdeen, Ninth Month ISth, 1810.
To Elizabeth J. Fry.
I am pleased to hear of thy satisfactory visit to  .

LIFE OF JOHN WIGHAM. 103
1 cannot help thinking, that if those that incline to
leave Friends, were, in sincerity, to turn their minds to
the light of Christ, they would soon see beyond the noisy
conformity to types and figures, and be Igd into a more
deep and sensible feeling of the things that are spiritually
discerned ; and they would be made partakers of more
substantial nourishment to their souls, than they can attain
to by any external performances. But I am afraid the
cross is in the way, which they do not like to submit to.
But they must be left, hoping that when they have tried,
they will, at last, discover that it is the substance in
which there is life, and not the shadow ; and this sub
stance they must find in themselves, according to the
apostle's testimony, " what is to be known of God, is
manifest in man."
1 am pleased with thy account of  , O ! may you
beginners in the awful and important work of the ministry
be preserved ! As thou sensibly remarks, there are many
rocks, and some shoals, that are dangerous. Sarah
Robert Grubb, in one of her letters, compares us to
dishes, which must be tempered and prepared to bear the
heat of the oven ; and which are more exposed to danger,
than almost any other utensil at the table, — require more
cleaning, and are more liable, through some indiscretion
or other, to get cracked or broken. But though our
standing may be precarious through human weakness or
infirmity, and on our part require strict watchfulness ; yet
there is no cause to be dismayed, when we turn our eye to
Him, who is all-powerful to preserve, full of tender com
passion, knows our frame altogether, and will preserve
those who simply and humbly trust in Him. He merci
fully deals with us according to our need; clothes and
strips, feeds and proclaims fasts, reduces as well as
strengthens — and all in wisdom.

104 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE
There is one thing I may just mention, though perhaps
I have done it before, but it is a matter of the utmost
importance ; — that in our engagements in the ministry, we
simply attend to, and wait for the impulses or intimation
when to speak ; and never to move without it, whatever
openings or impressions we may have. Soraetimes we
may have openings for our own instruction, and sorae
times we raay be impressed with a sense of the state of a
raeeting, or of an individual, and yet it may not be our
duty to allude to it, till we receive the intimation so to
do. If thou, my dear friend, move on in this safe way,
thou wilt thrive, and grow, and deepen in experience ;
and thy offerings in the ministry, will continue to be
precious and sweet, and afford the enjoyment of true
peace. Although thou mayst and will have thy plunging,
trying times ; yet He, to whom thou lookest in humble
dependence, will be an anchor stedfast and sure. It is
also necessary, when we do feel the clear intimation to
speak, that we be faithful to it, and not put it by, even
though it may be something disagreeable to ourselves ;
else we shall offend our Lord, and weaken our own souls.
Aberdeen, 6th of Fifth Month, 1811.
To Elizabeth J . Fry.
I have not been hasty in answering thy letter, though
it was truly acceptable. That love which waxeth not
old, remains fresh with me, with desires for thy pre
servation and prosperity in every good word and work.
I feel thy kindness in inviting us to the Yearly Meet
ing ; but our day for travelling seems nearly over.
It affords us satisfaction that we have not spared our
selves whilst ability was enjoyed ; and that now through
infinite mercy, we have no disposition to call tbe Lord a
hard master, but can set our seals to that great truth.

LIFE OF JOHN WIGHAM. 105
that He is unspeakably good, and has helped us far
beyond our desert. My hearty good wishes arise for
those concerned brethren and sisters who attend the
Yearly Meeting: — may you be strengthened and com
forted by the fresh feeling of the uniting bond of har
monizing love : that you may be one another's joy in
the Lord, and enabled renewedly to praise Him ; for,
verily. He hath often shewn himself good to Israel,
notwithstanding all our backslidings.
1st of First Month, 1812. This daj' begins a new year.
O Lord ! frora this time preserve me in exact conformity
to thy will, without spot or blemish. I have long, thou
knowest, been desirous to serve Thee with acceptance ;
but I have been a poor, frail, imperfect being. O ! blot
out my imperfections, gracious God ! for thy dear Son's
sake ; and enable me henceforth to serve thee better.
Destroy, O ! destroy every fibre of selfishness ; that
what I am, I may be in Thee alone. Amen 1
Second Month 1st, 1812. I have been ruminating
upon the excellency of love, of which God is the inex
haustible fountain : it appears clear to my mind, that in
its nature and ground, it is always the same, but flows
forth differently to different objects : — to God in humble
reverence and adoration ; — to good men in sweet uninter
rupted unity ; — to the distressed and afflicted in sym
pathetic tenderness ; — to tbe wicked and ungodly in
mournful pity : and it manifests these feelings to God
by desiring and endeavouring to do His will ; — to good
men by a care not to interrupt the union ; — to the dis
tressed and afflicted by endeavouring according to ability
to relieve them; — to the wicked and ungodly by patiently
bearing tbeir insults, and praying that they may be made
better answerable to the Apostle's description, bearing,
f3

106 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE
hoping, and enduring all things. There is something
that some men call love, that deserves not the name ;
having its foundation in a desire of the esteem of others,
which largely flows forth to such as feed this desire by
flattery ; but should this be withdrawn or neglected, and
friendly reproof or admonition administered in its stead,
it manifests its spurious character by angry resentment,
and shews that it is not Christian love, but idolatry of self.
Aberdeen, 24th of Second Month, 1812.
To Elizabeth J. Fry.
It Would be indeed pleasant to me, as thou mentionest,
to sit beside thee, and that we might commune together
in the freedom of friendship, which I fully believe is
reciprocal : but this we cannot expect to be often indulged
in, if ever any more. But there is a comfort in feeling
the circulation of love flowing from the true source and
fountain of it, in which there is no change, and to which
distance is no impediment ; and, if we are but favoured
to keep ourhabitations in the Truth, nothing can separate
us. I feel bodily infirmities increasing, and am content
that it should be so. It is in the course of nature that
this should be the case, — and the Lord's will is incontro-
vertibly best ; may nothing in me ever — even as much as
wish to oppose it.
Mountmellick, Twelfth Month24th, 1812.
To his Wife.
I received thy acceptable letter, dated 28th of last
month. It is reviving to thy poor exercised John
Wigham, to hear that thou hast faith respecting hira, that
the Lord will not fail him, unworthy as he is ; and a's
thou hast, through mercy, a little faith concerning me, I
trust it will not fail as regards thyself.

LIFE OF JOHN WIGHAM. 107
We can do no less than gratefully acknowledge, that
the Lord has been good to us hitherto ; and to encourage
each other to trust in Him, is the most we can do for
each other. I am wading along in much weakness, and
can only say, I hope I have been hitherto preserved from
dishonouring His cause ; and that was all I asked, at
setting out. Cork, First Month 20th, 1813.
To HIS SON, Amos Wigham.
- I am favoured with usual health, though I fre
quently feel much weariness, and sometimes considerable
pain ; yet it goes off again, and upon the whole, I have
got along as well as I could expect. The Lord has
hitherto been my helper in the needful tirae, and I trust
preserved me from dishonouring His cause ; and also
from time to time renewed a little grain of faith and
ability to place my dependence upon Him. I cannot say
much as to the tirae of my leaving this land ; I only
desire light to discover, and ability to do His will. He
is a good master, — I desire to serve Him faithfully, and
that you, my dear children, raay be raore and more
dedicated, and a willingness wrought in you, to be just
what He would have you to be. Mind your calling,
and doubt not but He will give strength to do what He
requires. Let Him choose your stations for you, and
direct your steps ; and then He will guide you in the
path of safety. The more fully and freely you give up
your own wills, in conformity to the Divine will, the
less will be your conflicts under dispensations for their
reduction; for I apprehend, we often increase our
sufferings, by our unwillingness to be as the passive clay
in the hand of the potter, to be formed into such vessels
as he sees meet ; and this unwillingness arises frequently

108 SOME account OF the
from an apprehension of our own unfitness for what He
requires. But do we not hereby show our distrust of
the all-sufficiency of His power ! He requires our
passive obedience : the power is His, and the qualifi
cation is His gift.

LIFE OF JOH.\ WIGHAM. 109

CHAPTER VI.

return from IRELAND  LETTERS  CONCLUSION OF HIS
OURNAL  LAST ILLNESS AND DECEASE IN 1839.

Fifth Month 6th, 1813. Returned frora a visit to
Friends in Ireland, Curaberland, and some parts of West
moreland and Lancashire, peaceful and thankful. I set
out under much fear, and a sense of weakness every way ;
— such bodily infirmities, that I had little expectation of
accomplishing what seemed in prospect ; but I was will
ing to go as far, and do as much, as I might be enabled :
and now I cannot but acknowledge, that through ador
able mercy I have been strengthened far, very far, bej-ond
my expectation. May my soul for ever adore and praise
my gracious helper, and acknowledge Him as the giver
of every good and perfect gift ! Amen !
Aberdeen, Twelfth Month llth, 1813.
To HIS SON, A. W.
 The revival of trade, and the fall in the

price of grain, will indeed be a relief to many : but alas !
there appears but little of humble thankfulness among
the people here; their rejoicing is like madness, and
exceedingly childish, ringing of bells, burning of tar-
barrels, and dancing about the fire, like mad people, —
drinking and carousing among the upper ranks, as well
as the rabble. The consideration of these things, as well
as the dreadful carnage [through war] which has occa
sioned these revellings, makes the heart sad. Among the

110 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE
trading part of the community, rauch speculation is going
on ; and I think much risk incurred. Things are very
uncertain, and the prudent of that class will see great
need of caution ; for even when what they call fortune
spreads a propitious gale, it is wise to take some canvass
in. " Ye are not of the world, as I am not of the world,"
said Christ to his disciples; and they that are his disciples
now, must know the separation, and keep in the separa
tion from the world, or they will lose their title. Let
your moderation appear unto all men.
Aberdeen, Fifth Month 25th, 1817.
To Elizabeth J. Fry.
Shall I once more address my dearly beloved friend ?
It is long since I received a scrap from thy pen, and I
greatly desire to hear from thee. I am aware that the
care of thy large family, and many other important
engagements, are sufficient reasons for thy silence ; but I
can plead none of these things, but barrenness and in
ability to write any thing worth thy perus-al. However,
this I can say, thou art as near and dear to me as ever,
in that fellowship and bond of union, which I trust, was
formed in the unchangeable Truth ; and which never will
decay, except we turn away from the foundation on
which it is built. Pray for me, dear Elizabeth, that I
stagger not, nor stumble, now when I am old and grey
headed. I am sensible that I can no more preserve
myself now, than when I first set out a pilgrim. I
am still a worm. But I have had some intimations to
keep in resignation's harbour, until I be sent for to pass
the river ; and on the other side, I have had a prospect
of a fine country : — through adorable mercy, I tbink
I may set up my Ebenezer and say, " Hitherto hath the

LIFE OF JOHN WIGHAM.

Ill

Lord helped rae," It is in my heart to say to thee, ray
dear friend, — fear not the assaults of the enemy : He is
strong, in whom thou hast believed ; and as thou simply
reliest on Hira, He will cover thy head in the day of battle,
and teach thy hands to war, and thy fingers to fight.
Conflicts of various kinds we must expect indeed, I
believe the Lord knoweth that these archest for us : thej'
have been the lot of the Lord's servants in every age.
We have an unwearied adversary, who not only roars
about us, but cunningly and softly whispers in order to
draw us aside ; but a constant invariable application to
our Captain, defeats him in all his attempts.
Let us then, dear Elizabeth, hold fast our confidence,
trust in the Lord's mercy and goodness, and follow
Him faithfully in the way of His requirings.
Aberdeen, Seventh Month 21st, 1817.
To HIS SON, A. W.
I received thine, containing an affecting account of thy
poor Mary's indisposition ; we had heard of the accident,
but nothing of what succeeded. I am glad to hear she
is mending, and hope she will be well before now. It
would, however, doubtless be an alarming and anxious
time ; what a favour that your minds were supported
under it in quiet resignation.
Affliction ariseth not out of the dust ; and He who sees
meet to permit such trials, intends that we should profit
by them ; and, as John Woolman says, that our ears
should be opened to discipline, and be favoured to see
our precarious standing, how soon and unexpectedly
a termination to all things here, with respect to us,
may take place : how needful it is to be always ready.
"Pass the time of your sojourning here in fear," says
an apostle.

112 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE
Aberdeen, Fourth Month 15th, 1818.
To HIS SON, A. W.
I yesterday received the mournful intelligence of the
removal of our dear John Robertson, — a loss that will be
much felt, and particularly so by thee ; thy mother and I
do deeply sympathize with you, and feel our share of the
general loss which the church sustains : we can, indeed,
mingle our tears with yours, and pray according to
ability, that the Lord may make up the loss ; — He cah
do it.
I could say much of my sense of the worth of our
departed friend, but that would only tend to augment the
feeling of regret, and resignation is our duty. It is the
Lord who has done it, and He never errs. I am forbid
to mourn, — the dear man is released from a tribulated
pilgrimage, to enter a land of rest, in the 'Lord's time,
will, and wisdom. The great Head of the church, whose
power is infinite, can prepare and appoint officers in
His house, and qualify them for the offices to which
he appoints them. The cause is His ; let us trust in
Him to support it. He can save by many or by few, 
can make a little one equal to a strong nation ; — He can
guide, and often does condescend to guide, his little
ones, (who have no might of their own,) as with His
eye ; pointing out their way for them, and strengthening
them to walk therein. May we, dear  , ever carefully
mind His motions, and follow faithfully, though in the
way of the cross. Thou wilt need Divine direction, even
in thy outward concerns, that thou may not be over-
burthened with the cares of things appertaining to this
life ; for truly, if we can get the needful accommodation
for the body, with that it is best to be content.
Sixth Month 29th, 1818.  I am lame and weak,
but still able to get to meetings, which I esteem a favour.

LIFE OF JOHN WIGHAM.

113

Indeed I have rauch to be thankful for, and no cause to
complain. The infirmities of age raay reasonably be
expected ; but the Lord has been very good and gracious
to rae, far beyond my deservings. I am often humbled
and thankful in commemorating His unmerited mercy ;
and if He will be pleased to preserve me, the few remain
ing days I have to stay, from dishonouring Him or his
cause, I shall for ever praise Him.
Aberdeen, Fourth Month 21st, 1819.
To HIS SON, A. W.
I send along with this, William Penn's

Key, for  's perusal ; it is an old book but contains
what we believe in doctrinals, in little compass ; in reading
which he may see, that a belief in Christ, by a measure
of His Spirit manifested in our hearts, as a reprover,
instructor, leader, and corafoiter, was from the beginning
and still is our principle. This is what our predecessors
[in religious profession] found and were convinced of,
were settled and centred in, — and they found it to be light
and life : and so far was it from leading them to dis
esteem the great propitiatory sacrifice, that it gave them
clearer and raore satisfactory views of its efficacy, than
they ever could attain by all their researches, till they
embraced this precious principle of light and life. By
it the scriptures were opened to their understandings,
and the mystery of redemption unfolded to their view :
and this principle is our principle still, notwithstanding
the many weaknesses that appear among us for want of
attention to it. If J. M. does not believe herein, he is not
of us : and perhaps he had better join himself to that
society, with whose views be can more unite. But I
love him, and feel for him ; and I much wish that he
would turn his mind more inward, and have less depen
dence on his own understanding, also in simplicity receive

114 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE
the engrafted word, and walk in the light of it ; and theU
he would come to have fellovrship with Christ and with
his servants, — 'then would he indeed know the blood of
Christ to cleanse him from all sin.
Aberdeen, Sixth Month 24th, 1819.
To HIS SON, A. W.
 Thy account of the Yearly Meeting was pleasant

and reviving ; and so many Friends remembering us poor
old worn out bodies, was and is grateful ; and raises a hope,
that unworthy as we are, the Lord has not cast us out of
remembrance : even thy description of thy own stripped
and poor state of mind, is to rae not discouraging. I
have often experienced dispensations of this kind, and
even now my state is very similar — ¦& mind tossed and
perplexed, because I cannot get it staid and centred
where I would willingly have it to be, on the one great
object : but former experience of the gracious goodness
and long suffering of ray dear Lord, makes me hope,
and try to adopt the language of the Psalmist, — " Why
art thou cast down, O ! my soul, and why art thou
disquieted within me ; hope thou in God, for I shall yet
praise Him, who is the health of my countenance and
my God." The ways of God are incomprehensible;
indeed I sometimes think, that man (the workmanship
of His holy hands) is an incomprehensible creature ; and
the mystery of godliness — the mystery of redemption,
is great and deep ; — and the dispensations that the all-wise
God sees meet to make use of for its accomplishment are
wonderful, and often at the time they are operating upon
us we cannot comprehend their usefulness : yet as they
are patiently abode under, in a humble trust in Hira, who
alone can carry on tbe work, they do not fail to accom
plish that for which they are intended. To humble us
and keep us humble, requires Almighty power ; — such is

LIFE OF JOHN WIGHAM. 115
our fallen nature, and self in its workings so subtle, that
it needs a great deal to subdue it thoroughly. I have
felt it so with respect to myself: and I fully believe many
humiliating conflicts are absolutely needful for us,— but
perhaps not to all alike ; I may need raore of these than
some others : the desire of my heart is, that the Lord may
not spare, till He has made me just what He would have
me to be. 
" Trust in the Lord with all thy heart, and lean not to
thy own understanding ;" and there is no doubt with me,
but all will be well. Aberdeen, Twelfth Month 23rd, 1820.
To HIS SON, A. W.
 It is certainly safest to be in a little way [of
business] these times : may the Lord be thy counsellor,
and give thee contentment with food and raiment, and
enable to live so loose from the world, that thou mayst be
ready to answer his requirings in all things, during thy
stay in this thy pilgrimage. I feel much satisfaction in
having given the Lord's work the preference, and
laboured in my small measure while I had strength ; for
verily we have but a day : now when I am useless,
(and indeed I was always a poor creature). He has given
rae a hope in his raercy, which is as an anchor — a com
fortable anchor to ray poor mind, for which I hope I am
thankful ; and if He preserve me to the end from dis
honouring His cause, I shall praise Him for ever.
Aberdeen, Eleventh Month 24th, 1821.
To HIS SON, A. W.
I would have acknowledged thy letter sooner.

but I have had such a rheumatic attack in ray head, as
to unfit rae for writing, and even now I am unfit.

116 SOME ACCOUNT OF TH:6
I dwell in a weary land, but I have the shadow of a
mighty Rock; and though the Lord sees meet to keep me
poor. He grants me a hope in His mercy, which is an
anchor to my poor mind ; and when I get one trying day
over, I console myself with thinking, I am another day
nearer the close.
I do not wonder at thy feeling frequently low and de
pressed ; it is the path that all the faithful followers of a
crucified Saviour have to walk in. He is described in
Scripture as a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief;
and surely it is enough for the disciple to be as his Lord.
Let us in these low seasons still trust in Him ; — He knows
what is best for us, and He feeds his children with the
food convenient for them ; He puts forth his sheep, and
goeth before them: — mind, dear  , His putting forth,
and follow Him in the way of his leadings. When thou
wast a child, I was a man ; and now I am the child, and
thou art the man, A word to the wise is sufficient.
To HIS NIECE, Margaret Wigham, late Johnston.
It is without date, but supposed to have been written
about the time of her leaving Aberdeen.
 I shall miss thee much ; but hoping thou art
going to thy right place, I am resigned. Mayst thou
and thy dear Thomas grow in grace, become established
as pillars in the church, and be raade instrumental in
building up that little meeting, where thou art gone to
reside. Cross occurrences, trials and conflicts, thou
must expect, or else thy lot will not be like that of
other pilgrims ; but whatever tbe trials of thy day may
be, be sure to keep this point in view — the honour of
God ; prefer Him and His cause to every other thing ;
never mind self, let that be of no reputation : still strive
to learn of the Divine Master to be meek and lowly in

LIFE OF JOHN WIGHAM. 117
heart ; then thou wilt undoubtedly experience all things
to work together for good.
I need not say much ; — thou hast the unction from the
Holy One, that will teach thee all things needful for thee
to know, as thou carefully attendest to it. I love thee as
a daughter, and shall always be pleased to hear from
thee. First Month 16th, 1821. You are a little company in
Corwood Meeting, which I frequently think of, with
desires that you may be built up together in the Truth,
and stand as ensigns to the people about you, — that your
lights may shine, whicb, if you are circumspect and
watchful, will be the case. The Lord will do you good.
First Month 18th, 1823.
To HIS nephew, Thomas Wigham.
Written soon after the decease of his wife.
I nearly sympathise with thee in thy recent great loss,
also wilh thy dear mother ; she will feel rauch ; — it will
greatly increase ber concern for the poor children : but
resignation raust be sought for. Young, when writing
on the subject, says : —
What cannot Resignation do?
It wonders can perform :
That powerful charm, "'Thy will be done,"
Can lay the loudest storm.
We too have had a heavy loss in the removal of our
dearly beloved Elizabeth Glenny; — [a grandaughter
who resided with him.] But I have remembered what
Christ said to his disciples, — " If ye loved me, ye would
rejoice, because I said, I go to the Father." When we
have a well grounded hope, that our near and dear friends
are centred where there is no more pain nor sorrow, and

118 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE
consider the many snares that await us in this pilgrimage ;
we may rejoice in the belief, that they are for ever safe.
 My love to A. H., and tell ber, if she do her
duty, she will take good care of the motherless children.
Aberdeen, First Month 29th, 1823.
To HIS SON, A. W.
Young and old are liable to many ailments,

and are removed at all stages of their existence ; and as
thou hast well observed, the consideration thereof calls
upon us to endeavour to be ready. I never felt more
need of watchfulness and circumspection, nor a greater
sense of weakness and inability to preserve myself,— more
need of Divine aid, than now, when I ara grown old ; so
that if the Lord help rae not, I shall yet become a cast
away, notwithstanding all my former preaching to others :
but thanks be to the Lord for the hope I have in his
mercy. We do feel a great loss in our dear E. G.; but how can
I mourn ? I loved her dearly, and being satisfied that
she is happy — removed from all the snares that await us
in this pilgrimage, how can I mourn ? — when I hope she,
whom I so dearly loved, is rejoicing, and singing halle
luiah to the Lord God and the Lamb.
Aberdeen, Second Month 5th, 1824.
To HIS SON, A. W.
' As to my spiritual attainments, I am as weak
as a child ; only through mercy I still retain a confidence
in the wisdom, power, and goodness of my dear merciful
Lord ; and endeavour to rest contented in His will. The
removal of Margaret Wigham, now in the middle stage of
life, has a warning voice in it. It is cause of rejoicing to
hear that the Lord is preparing and anointing some of the

life of JOHN WIGHAM. 119
youth to advocate His cause. I hope, dear , if he
step cautiously and in fear, and yet faithfully and
honestly, that he will grow in the root, and bring forth
fruit answerable to that growth. With respect to the
depression and discouragement which it is thy lot at tiraes
to feel, it is nothing new, and only what all the Lord's
servants at times experience ; and especially such as are
His messengers to the people. The great and eminent
Apostle Paul had his share ; pressed above measure,-^
despairing even of life, — had the sentence of death in
himself: but what was this for? that he might not trust
in himself, but in Him who could raise the dead. He
also speaks of filling up our measure of what remains of
the sufferings of Christ for the body's sake, which is his
church : now I understand this to raean, that those who
are united to Christ, feel the oppressed state of the seed
in the hearts of the people, through the prevalence of
wrong things; and this depression may often be felt,
when noway opens for reh'ef,-— nay, even when we do not
see the cause of it. Patience is then necessary, to wait
the Lord's time for a change of the dispensation,
Aberdeen, Eleventh Month 21st, 1827.
To HIS SON, A. W.
 I often think of you at  , with fervent

desires that you may be preserved, and grow in every
good experience— grow downwards — grow in humility
and love, — be more and raore reduced to nothingness of
self. We are never in that perfect state, unto which we
are called, till all self-esteem is battered down ; there is
such a propensity in human nature to wish to be esteemed
somebody. O ! what a hammering this propensity takes
to reduce it to dust ; and until this is effected, we cannot
so fully esteem others better than ourselves, and bear

120 LIFE OF JOHN WIGHAM.
one another's burdens.  May you be made, just
what the Lord would have you to be, — true standard
bearers and ensamples to the flock. I often feel a near
sympathy with thee in particular, believing thou hast
many heavy burdens ta bear ; but the Lord is thy
shepherd, thou shalt not want strength to support in
every exercise. Trust in Him with all thy heart, and
lean not to thy own understanding.
Aberdeen, Third Month 5th, 1828.
To HIS SON, A. W.
I have frequently thought of writing thee, since I re
ceived thy last acceptable letter ; but it is a task now to
set about writing. I am not sorry that thou seest and
feelest the stubborn stuff of which thy heart is made (as
thou expressest it ;) nor that thou shouldest experience
low and doubting times. These mark the path, I appre
hend, of most, if not all, who travel from Babel to Bethel ;
at least with respect to myself, [I can say] it is a state I
have often been in, — even at the very brink of the pit of
despair ; but yet the Lord in His mercy has plucked me
back from plunging therein, and given me renewed
hope : and if I am saved at last, (which I now hope I
shall be,) I must acknowledge that it is altogether of the
Lord's mercies, and to Him belongs all the praise.
I have seen the profitableness of these proving dispen
sations; they tend to reduce into a state of self nothingness
and humility, which is the grand point, — the best and
safest state we can be in. Infinite wisdom knows how to
bring us to this state ; He knows our nature, and the
plunges we need to reduce us, and bring us into it ; thou
needest not be too much cast down in the process,  but
trust in the Lord, and be watchful, and He will bring it
to pass. There are indeed many temptations and snares,

LIFE OF JOHN WIGHAM. 121
so that we have great need of watchfulness; yea frequently
begging of the Loi*d to help us to watch, — for we are poor
watchers without His help.
[The following is stated to be the last letter he wrote,
and may come in here, though of later date than the
next and concluding paragraph of his journal.]
Aberdeen, Second Month 20th, 1829.
To HIS SON, A. W.
 The expression of thy sympathy, and the hope
thou hast for me, is truly grateful ; and I may say through
unmerited mercy, I am favoured with a hope for myself,
that when this weary pilgrimage is over, I shall be
admitted into one of the many mansions in our heavenly
Father's house, where the inhabitants of even the lowest
are completely happy. I am a poor thing, not worthy of
the least of the many mercies bestowed upon me ; but I
think I can say in truth, I love the Lord, and his people,
and often feel solicitous for the preservation of the few
Friends at  . I cannot write much, the little I
have now written, has obliged me to stop and rest my
eye, before I could see where to make a stroke ; I raust
therefore conclude with the expression of a saying of our
blessed Lord, — ¦" Blessed are the peace makers, for they
shall be called the children of God."
Ninth Month 17th, 1828. I am now in my eightieth
year, — a long and -weary pilgrimage: many conflicts,
many trying exercises, have attended me ; yet through
all, the Lord has sustained me. It seems as if I had
well nigh finished my course ; I say not I have kept the
faith ; but the Lord has kept me in the faith : and I feel
near and dear to me His precious cause, which I believe
He engaged me to advocate ; and though day after day

122 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE
passes over in rauch weariness of the flesh, j'et by His
sustaining love, the bitter is soraetimes made sweet, and
what would otherwise seem hard, is made easy. I feel
constrained to say, that the Lord is good, — inexpressibly
good : and I have an unshaken (hope, which is the pre
cious gift of God,) that when the conflicts of time are
over, I shall enter a region of everlasting rest, peace, and
joy. I leaye this as ray testimony to the goodness of
God, (probably the last memorandum I shall make in
writing), that my children may see and believe, and be
encouraged to follow Him in the way of His leadings ;
that in the end they may have to rejoice in the Lord, and
joy in the God of their salvation, as doth my soul this
day. I sensibly feel I have no merit ; — I am unworthy
of the least of the mercies bestowed upon me ; the love,
grace, and mercy of God through Christ Jesus, has done
all for me. I do most firmly believe in the divinity
of Christ ; — that God was in Christ, reconciling the
world unto himself: — that the Scriptures were written by
inspiration of God, and they give abundant evidence of
the miraculous conception, birth, life, and death of Christ,
and their testimony is corroborated by the internal evidence
vouchsafed to believers, displaying the glorious mystery,
which angels desire to look into. Finite wisdom cannot
indeed comprehend the deep things of God ; but the
wisdom frora above opens, to those who seek it, what is
necessary for man to know ; and man ought to be con
tent with what the Lord is pleased to reveal, and not
strive to comprehend by the earthly wisdora, things
incomprehensible. True believers, whose minds are
mercifully opened, feel the efficacy of Christ's death
in salvation from their sins. Thus much I think right to
remark, respecting my belief in the divinity of Christ
and the truth of the Holy Scriptures. Through this

LIFE OF JOHN WIGHAM. 123
faith my dear wife obtained the victory, and was enabled
to triumph over death, hell, and the grave ; as evinced
by almost her last expressions, praising the Lord with
her latest breath.* I feel the loss of her company ; but
do not regret that she is gone before me, (as I trust)
" to be with Christ, which is far better." She has left
* The testimony of Aberdeen Monthly Meeting concerning
Elizabeth Wighara.
It having pleased the Lord to remove from a state of probation,
this our much beloved friend, we deem it a duty incumbent on us
to give forth a testimony respecting her.
She was born at Ambroseholm, near Carlisle, in the county of
Cumberland, in the year 1748. Of the early part of her life few inci
dents are recollected which appear likely to afford instruction. In
1769, she entered into the married state with our valued friend John
Wigham, then of Cornwood, within the compass of Allendale Monthly
Meeting, to whom she was a true helpmate for upwards of fifty-seven
years. A few years after her marriage, she came forth in public testimony,
having passed through much previous exercise, and many deep bap
tisms under the Lord's preparing hand, for so important a work ; and
by waiting carefully in humility for the openings of Truth, she grew
in her gift, and met with the unity of Friends in the exercise thereof.
About the year 1784, she united with her husband in a concern and
belief, that the Lord called them to leave their native country, and to
go and reside in Scotland ; which they did with the unity and concur
rence of the Monthly Meeting to which they belonged, having then a
family of seven children. This with other movements in Scotland
proved a great trial of their faith, and subjected them to many pri
vations and difficulties, to which she piously submitted, trusting in
Him, who she believed had called them to so great and weighty a ser
vice. On her first removal into Scotland, she resided in the neigh
bourhood of Edinburgh for about two years, and afterwards carae to
live within the compass of this meeting ; and after a subsequent
removal again to Edinburgh, in the year 1802, she finaUy returned to
us in 1807, and remained our meraber till her decease.
In the love of the gospel, and under an apprehension of duty, she
was at several times engaged, with the concurrence of her Monthly

124 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE
me to struggle a while longer with bodily infirmities and
weaknesses, which she indeed felt largely in her own
Meeting, to visit the meetings of Friends in various parts of England ;
and twice those in Wales and Ireland. She also felt herself engaged
several times to take up a temporary residence within the limits of
particular meetings : these services were to her, we believe, rendered
very weighty and awful ; yet she evinced her dedication, by yielding in
faith and simple obedience ; thus furnishing an instructive and encou
raging example to others, who may be called to tread in a similar
path. On these occasions, as well as in her more distant travels, we
have cause to believe, that her gospel labours were to the satisfaction
of those whom she visited, and yielded the reward of peace to her own
mind. When not engaged in religious service from home, a large family of
children necessarily occupied much of her attention ; and she mani
fested an earnest and affectionate solicitude for their best interest,
being careful, as they advanced in years, to discourage everything in
them, which, might lead from the simplicity of Truth. Yet she did not
suffer these cares (important as they are) to prevent her from going
forth, when and where, she believed her Divine Master called her ;
and on her return from these engagements she cheerfully entered
again into her domestic concerns, in which she was a pattern of
industry and frugality.
She was a diligent attender of our religious meetings ; and even in
her declining years, when labouring under the pressure of much bodily
infirmity and weakness, she was a striking example of perseverance
in the performance of this iraportant duty.
Her ministry was lively and fervent, and although not adorned with
much learning, was clear, sound, and pertinent ; an evidence attending,
that it proceeded from the right spring. In the exercise of her gift,
she was often favoured to speak with great clearness to the states of
those whom she addressed, as divers can testify, on whose minds she
has left seals of her ministry.
During the forepart of her illness, she expressed but little ; indeed
her day's work seeraed to be done, and that she only was waiting to
be released from the shackles of mortality : but it was evident to
those about her, that her faith was fixed on the iramutable Rock, and
her soul anchored on her God. On one occasion, after a season of
conflict, she broke forth in the following expressions, " O death !

LIFE OF JOHN WIGHAM. 125
experience. A true sympathizer was she. I have kind
and affectionate children and grand-children, who do all
where is thy sting? O grave ! where is thy victory ?" and then added,
' I believe the grave will have no victory over me ; for the eternal
God is my refuge, and his everlasting arm is underneath ; and that is
more to me than thousands of gold and silver, — blessed and praised be
his holy name.' At another time, she said to one of her children,
' I believe I am wearing away fast, at least I hope so ;' and on
taking leave said, 'Farewell my dear ; and mayst thou fare well in
the Lord thy God ; and this is the desire of my heart for all my
children.' As the tenor of her life appeared to breathe her Creator's praise ;
so in her death we believe she was of the number of those, who are
said to have " come out ot great tribulation, and have washed their
robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." May we her
survivors be animated by her example of dedication, so to follow her,
as she endeavoured to follow Christ, — that our end may be alike
peaceful ; — and that we may through redeeming love and mercy, be
admitted into an eternity of rest with the Lord, where we have no
doubt her purified spirit is entered.
She quietly departed this life at Aberdeen, the place of her resi
dence, on the 16th of the Fourth Month, 1827, and her remains
were interred at Kinmuck, on the 20th of the sarae. She was in
the seventy-ninth year of her age, and a minister upwards of fiftv
years. Signed on behalf of our aforesaid meeting, held at Aberdeen, the
16th of Fourth Month, 1828.
Jane Cruickshank. Amos Cruickshank.
Barbara Wigham. John Cruickshank.
Mart Grat. Robert Gray.
Elizabeth Brantinsham. James Morris.
Hannah Wioham. John Glenny, Clerk.
Barbara Johnston. John Wigham.
Hannah Cruickshank, ^I Amos Wigham.
Clerk.' George Brantingham,
James Gray.
John Robe.
The following friends, as also John Wighara, were prevented from
attending the meeting by indisposition, but felt desirous to subscribe
g3

126 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE
they can to make rae comfortable ; but younger people
cannot enter into the feelings and infirmities of age. O
Lord ! keep and preserve me to the end. Amen, and Amen !

The preceding effusion of pious feeling written by my
honoured father, as he states, in his eightieth year,
proved as he had anticipated, with the exception of a
letter to one of his sons, the last production of his pen :
but as he lived for upwards of ten years afterwards, it
raay perhaps be allowable, and not inappropriate for one,
who during several of the latter years of his life, was
privileged with being much in his company, to record
sorae particulars respecting him during that period. This
is not done with any view of exalting the creature, or
eulogising the dead ; but by exhibiting the character, and
final close of a dedicated and hurable disciple of our holy
Redeemer, to magnify the efficacy of that Divine grace,
which had sustained hira all his life long, and by which,
he was ever ready to acknowledge, he was what he was ;
and also to prove an incitement to such of us as are still
pilgrims on this earth, to be using all diligence to make
our calling and election sure, following on in the same
precious faith by which he obtained the victory ; that
being " washed, sanctified, and justified, in the name of
their names to the foregoing testimony, — Alexander Robb, William
Joss, Elizabeth Glenny, Jane Robb, Margaret Robb, Sarah Cruick
shank, The foregoing Testimony having been read and approved in the
General Meeting for Scotland, held at Edinburgh, this 28th day of
Fourth Month, 1828, is signed in, and on behalf thereof, by
William Smeal, Jun., Clerk.
Signed, in and on behalf of the Women's Meeting.
Jane Wigham, Clerk.

LIFE OF JOHN WIGHAM.

127

the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God," we
may, when the day of our probation is over, know an
entrance ministered to us abundantly into His ever
lasting kingdora.
At the tirae when ray dear father wrote what concludes
his own account, (1828,) his eye-sight had become very
defective, and soon afterwards it.^ totally failed, so that
writing became impracticable. His lameness also was
such, that with difficulty he could move about, requiring
even a painful exertion, to get occasionally into his
garden ; but during the long period of his confinement to
the house, he was, under all his privations, and the
pressure of many painful ailments, full of a contented
resignation, often saying he had much cause for grati
tude and thankfulness, for the many blessings and favours
he still enjoyed. He was usually very open and cheerful,
which rendered his company attractive to his friends,
and he seemed to enjoy their visits ; and whilst at times
he felt at liberty to converse pleasantly with them, on
passing events, yet it was evident to a serious observer,
that his mind was centred on eternal things, that " his
heart was fixed trusting in the Lord."
His love to his friends, he used to say was not
lessened by increasing years. His attachment to the
precious cause of Truth remained as strong as ever ; and
to such as visited him, whether those of his own meeting
or from a distance, he was sometiraes engaged to drop a
word in season, raostly short, but weighty and instructive,
— like the well-instructed scribe, "bringing forth out of
his treasure things new and old ;" and on these occasions,
even when no communication of a religious character
took place, many, it is believed, can acknowledge, that
there was a sweetness and solemnity to be felt, under
which they have been edified and comforted ; so that they

128 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE
could have adopted the language, " it is good for us to
be here."
For a number of years he seemed to live in a state of
constant waiting for the call of his Divine Master to
put off his earthly tabernacle, that he might be " clothed
upon with his house frora heaven ;" feeling himself, in
his own estimation, so deprived of usefulness, that he
said he was sometimes ready to wonder, why his stay here
was so much prolonged ; but would add something to this
import, — ' the Lord, who knoweth all things, knows what
is best for me ; when He sees meet in His unerring wis
dora, and when his own purposes are effected, He will
release me from rather a trying and painful getting on. —
I desire to be wholly resigned to do or to suffer His will.'
He sometimes said, he was tried with low times, and
that the enemy was even permitted to buffet him ; yet
through all he was favoured with a hope, which never for
sook him, that when the end came, all would be well, —
that one of the many mansions in his heavenly Father's
house would be allotted him : adding, that he thought
there might be a difference in these mansions, even as
one star differs from another star in glory ; but no doubt
there was happiness without alloy in all of them.
For several years the meetings of ministers and elders
were held at his house, which he said, he considered a
privilege, being the only meetings he had the opportu
nity of attending ; on one of these occasions, in allusion
to the trials that had arisen in our religious Society, he
expressed himself to this effect : — ' although I often feel
like a worn out instrument, laid aside as useless, — never
theless earnest desires are frequently raised in my mind
for the prosperity of Zion ; and notwithstanding the many
causes of discouragement that prevail amongst us, I am
permitted to beheve that the Lord will not suffer His

LIFE OF JOHN WIGHAM.

129

blessed Truth to be trampled under foot:— He is still
with his people, and as they keep humble and low. He
will continue to be with them. The shout of a King is
yet in our camp ; therefore let us not be dismayed, but
thank God and take courage.'
At another of these . meetings, being the last but one
at which he was present, he made a communication of
the following import:— 'As this is probably the last
time I shall sit with you in this capacity, I feel free to
tell you, that all is well. I have not been following
cunningly devised fables ; neither have I been endeavour
ing to serve the Lord for nought : notwithstanding my
unworthiness, ray many weaknesses, and short comings.
He has richly rewarded me. And I may tell you, that
if you continue to persevere in faith and patience, in
stability of conduct. He will crown your latter end with '
loving-kindness and tender mercies, as He is abundantly
doing for me.'
In the early part of 1837, he took cold, and had a
cough that distressed him much, especially during the
night ; at this period, on one of his sons taking leave
of him, and a daughter-in-law, expressing a hope that'he
might have a better night, he replied, he had no hope of
that kind ¦.¦^' My hope is in my God, that he will forgive
my sins, — or rather [my belief is] that He has forgiven
them ; and I feel thankful to Him for that.'
About a week afterwards, he expressed himself thus : —
' My cough is rather better ; and were it not that I feel
often so sickly, and my relish for food so much declining,
I might perhaps get better of this cold, as I have of
many other colds ; but these feelings preclude that expec
tation, not that I know anything about it, for, [respecting
the issue of the present illness,] I know nothing; but
this I know, that it is my duty to wait patiently

130 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE
the Lord's time, which we are sure is the best time.
It looks pleasanter to be dissolved, and freed from
suffering ; but then I desire to be content and resigned to
His will.'
He recruited soon after this time, and continued, though
under an increase of bodily ailraents, in his usual state of
cheerfulness and raental energy, till the beginning of
1839 ; when from his declining state, it became evident to
his relations and friends, as well as to himself, that his
continuing much longer in mutability was not to be
expected. In concluding this little tribute to the meraory of my
revered parent, I think I cannot do better than introduce
the substance of some part of his own expressions, that
were noted down or remembered, during what proved his
last illness.
On Third day moming, the 26th of Third Month,
speaking of his having passed a more comfortable night
than any he had done for a long time before, in much
tenderness of spirit he expressed how thankful he felt
for the favour, to his Lord and Saviour, adding, — ' If I
had taken the medicine they were urging rae so rauch to
take, it would have been said that it had done it ; but as
the relief has come without any outward means, I esteem
it a direct interference of the Lord's hand : He has seen
meet to give me a season of ease from great pain.'
Seventh day, 30th. On being inquired of how he was,
be replied, ' I am just about as weak and poorly as I
can well be ;' but added, ' I have a hope — I am favoured
with a lively hope, that when I have done with time, I
shall have peace for ever :' and on its being remarked
that it was a great mercy to have such a feeling to sustain
him, he said, ' O yes ! and none can tell how precious
it is, but those who feel it.'

LIFE OF JOHN WIGHAM. 131
Fourth Month 4th. This morning, suffering intense
pain in his foot and leg, he said, — ' I find it no easy
thing to arrive at entire resignation to the Lord's will
under this pain, though I do sincerely desire it. I
cannot always suppress desires arising for relief in ray
own way ; but if patience only holds out to the end, I
will try to struggle on.'
In the evening of the same day, he was seized with a
fit of severe pain and sickness ; and thinking his end
near, he sent for some of his family who were not then
with him: on one of them asking him how he felt, he
replied, ' I seem to be wading through the Black river,
over which Bunyan says there is no bridge, and so deep,
that poor Christian could scarcely keep his head above
water ;' adding, ' I have no desire to get better, but
just to be wholly resigned to His will.' The agonizing
pain he was suffering seemed so to overpower him, that
he appeared unable to proceed ; at length, after a pause,
addressing himself to his children, he said, ' you too
must follow on ; — never let go your hold; — keep to the
Rock that never failed any one.'
Fourth Month 7th. Since the preceding date, there
was little or no abatement of his sufferings, and he
obtained scarcely any sleep, but he was enabled to bear
them with great patience. On one of his family, who
was taking leave of him for the night, asking him if he
had anything to communicate, he answered, ' pray for
me, if thou canst, — that I may be released if it be the
Lord's will.'
The same evening on a message from a son, residing
at a distance, being communicated to him, in which
allusion was made to the crown immortal being in pros
pect, and the assurance of its being bestowed on him ere
long, — with that diffidence and humility, which peculiarly

132 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE
marked his character, he replied, — ' there is a hope to be
sure, — that sustains.' He then mentioned, that a Friend
who had visited him some years before, had told him of
a certain high professor, who had stated that he never
met with a Quaker who had true faith, — they had no
assurance,-'hope or trust, was all any of thera could say.
' But,' added my father, ' that Friend and I thought we
could be content with a hurable hope.' In confirmation
of this view, allusion was made, in conversation with
one of his family, to an expression of Samuel Emlen at
a time when he was sick in London ; — ' Thanks be to the
Lord, for the hope I have in His mercy ;' on which
Joseph Gurney Bevan makes the following striking
remarks : — ' It then seemed,' (says he) ' a less strong
expression, than probably through inexperience I then
should have expected, from a man whose whole life seemed
devoted to God. I have since lived to see, that it con
tained every thing, which the self-abased Christian can
desire; and such a Christian was he." (See Piety Pro
moted, Tenth part, p. 126, second edition.) At another
time he remarked, that sorae had triumphant deaths; but
this was the experience of comparatively but a few, and
was, he believed, not necessary. One of the lowest of the
many mansions was all he desired, and there seemed no
cloud to intervene.
About a week before his final close, being visited by a
son frora a distance, after speaking of his great weakness
and continued suffering, he expressed himself to this
effect, — ' It is a great support — an inexpressible satis
faction, the prospect of peace and rest when tbe struggle
is over. Nothing to trust to, but the mercy and good
ness of the Almighty, and being engaged in seeking for
resignation to His holy will. Perhaps this is the most

LIFE OF JOHN WIGHAM. 133
acceptable state we can attain to, — the pain and suffering
is nothing new, it is the way of all living.'
During the last two days of bis life, he seemed much
sunk in exhaustion, and desired quietude, — expressing but
little, and the power of articulation being impaired, he
could not well be understood ; yet with little exception
he appeared sensible, and patiently waiting his appointed
time. He was heard repeatedly to utter : ' I want rest,
— I want to be at rest.'
In the morning of the 17th of Fourth Month, 1839,
he was peacefully released from the shackles of mortality.
His surviving relatives can humbly rejoice in the full
belief, that through redeeming love and mercy, on which
his hope -was placed, his purified spirit has entered into
the joy of his Lord. He was aged upwards of ninety,
and had been a minister about sixty-seven years. His
remains were interred in the burial-ground belonging to
Friends at Kinmuck on the 20th of the sarae month.

THE END.

JuH.\sio.\ & Barrlti', Primers, 13, JIaili Lime, London.

YALE UNIVERSITY UBRARY

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