Copy of a Letter from David Hall of Skipton in Yorkshire To James Wilson of Cumberland dated at In the Isle of Wight——
I here send thee one of my paper Messengers to convey True Love to Thyself, Children and Friends, also to inform thee that I am well, and that taking my Knapsack once about five or Six Weeks ago, I set out from Home towards London. In the Way to which City I exposed my Wares about ten Times and got as much as supported me thither when I came there I found a Confluence of Brave Tradesmen, both Inland, and outland Merchants and great plenty of curious Cambricks, fine English Cloth, and Irish Cloth, so that poor I exposed my Brown Linnen but twice in that Metropolis, for what signifies Lighting a small Candle in the Sunshine —— There was then at said city one Samuel Bownas a Wealthy Merchant out of Dorsetshire a very fair Honourable Tradesman, both in the wholesale and Retail Way, a Punctual Payer of Kings Dutys, and a Detester of the Smuggling Trade, he delivers Quantities of excellent Goods, give large Measure, and good Pennyworths too, he was a Blacksmith some where about Sedber in his young Years, not then worth £ 5 per Annum
While he is exposing his Traffick he talks like a Philosopher and returns as much work in a Week as some do in seven years, he is now very able and rides like a Parliament Man. There was also then and there one John Wilson from Shendal Westmoreland Clerk to the Merchants Company, and to the Whole Body of Tradesmen, who has also a Considerable share in the Trade himself but in a private Way, scarce ever keeping open Shop, or Stall, in Publick Fairs, or Markets, please to tell him from me, that if he would keep open Shop and not deal so much like a Smuggler, he would get Gain apace, and Gain I know he loves well, but, as saith the Proverb, The Cat loves Fish but likes not to wet her Feet —— I observe that when Tradesmen and Merchants are not met in the Royal Exchange to adjust Affairs and to converse about Trade and the Rules of Trade, he is of Singular Service, being of Sincerity, good Parts, and in the Faculty not inferior to Walpole or Poultney, Methinks I see in the Man a peculiar Talent —— in cutting out Work for others, being one of the Directors of the honourable Company of Merchants, yet I dont think him too forward, but rather too backward, I love him much, his Wife also hath been in this Country, and hers and her Companions Wares, and Conduct was such as added Reputation to the Business, and they have left a good Report behind them. We hear that one of John Wilson’s Daughters hath lately set up shall we conclude, Father, Mother and Daughter being all Merchants, the Family must be very Rich in Time, I wish them good Success ——— we find, dear Friend that there are some listings and revivings of Trade amongst the Young People and Elders in London, and in this Country there is a Brave Appearance of Young Generals, I hope Many may be made willing in Time to take up their Cross, Daily and follow the Captain of our Salvation. Visiting the inland parts of Hampshire pretty thoroughly, I found Freedom to pass the Herring Pond into this little Isle, and may perhaps personally or literally in due Time let thee know the State of affairs in this Isle, touching the Trade I have been speaking of —— Meanwhile my honoured Friend farewell and pray for thy poor, but I hope true Friend
Copy of a Letter from Jonah Thompson to A Beneset
The letter I received per John Hunt was very acceptable to me, and the more so, as it brought the account of a Recovery of Health, after a long Weakness, I often Remember you and the loitering Hours I so agreeably spend at your House, I am pleased also, to understand Thou hast reaffirmed Thy Vocation, I would have thee no more desert it till old Age or Infirmity render it too burdensome to thee ——— The Packet thou hast been so kind as to send me, is not yet come to hand, as the Ship is not yet come up, though the Friend came here twelve Days ago, and went almost Directly to London, and left the Ship about two Days journey off by Land, I have, also taken again the same Employment I followed with you, with a View to give my Three Sons a good Education, perhaps They may hereafter serve you for School Masters, my eldest about twenty years old is my Assistant in the School, a steady Young Man, likely to Make a good Scholar, and I am not without Hopes may make a better Man than his Father. I understand you are agreeably furnished with a Latin Master, so that if I and my Family should incline to come over, there is no Hope of resuming my former Employment. I have now followed it so long, that I know not whether I should be fit for another, I am close Confined this Winter out of School Hours to the Study of the Greek Tongue, to Qualify myself a little better for my Employment, but find I am not so capable at this Age to make the Progress I should have done thirty years ago. Yes I believe by double diligence, I shall gradually gain the point I aim at ——— I am glad to hear your Disputes in the Society are pretty much settled, and that you begin to allow every Man his Right to think for himself, and that no Man is bound to believe what he cannot believe —— And whence arises Belief but from the Evidence that recurs to the Mind relating to the Matter under Consideration —— There were in the Primitive Church, different Sentiments, and always will be till Mankind not only have the same Capacity, but the same Degree of Light and Understanding, if this be not to be expected I have then as much reason to Quarrel with another because his Hair differs in Colour or Dimensions, as I have to be angry with him, because he thinks, and Consequently acts differently from me. The Apostles Direction is Worthy of Notice, “Let not him that eateth, despise him that eateth not, Neither let him that eateth not Judge him that eateth, for God Hath received him, Yea, and God will never reject him, that Thinks, Speaks and acts according to the Degree of Light and Understanding given him, for he is no hard Master therefore requires no Impossibilities of Mankind his reasonable Creatures, But, I think, in order to Preserve the Peace of a Religious Society (and have always from a Youth Thought so) That Nothing ought to be imposed, as an Article of Faith, to be received by every Member. But what is plainly contained in Sacred Writ, or May, by Just Inferences, be deduced thence —— In all other Matters The Members ought to be at Liberty to think for themselves, and act Accordingly —— And he that is weak in the Faith, ought to be received, but not to doubtful Disputations —— Charity, which is the Bond of Christian Fellowship always puts the best Construction on the Words and Actions of a fellow Creature, rather than the Worst, and that this may abound and increase among you is the Desire of
Your Friend
Jonah Thompson
Bristol, 12th moth 31st 1758
A Prayer by Nicholas Waln at the Market Street Meeting Philadelphia 4th Day of 2nd moth 1772 ——
O Lord God arise and let thine Enemies be scattered Baptize me with the Baptism, with which Thou wert Baptized, dip me yet deeper in Jordan, wash me in the Saver of Regeneration ——
Thou hast done much for me, and hast a Right to expect much, and in the Presence of this Congregation I resign myself, and all that I have to Thee, it is thine and I Pray thee give me Resolution in this to continue firm, wheresoever Thou leadest me, O ‘Lord, I will follow Thee, thro Persecutions even to Martyrdom if Thy Presence attend me, If my Life is required I will freely Sacrifice it, Now I know that my Redeemer Liveth, the Mountains are removed Hallelujah Teach me to despise the Shame and the Opinions of this World. Thou knowest O ‘Lord, my deep Baptisms. I acknowledge my Manifold Sins and Transgressions, I know my unworthiness of the favours I have received. And I thank Thee Father that thou hast hid Thy Mysteries from the Wise and the prudent And has revealed them unto Babes & Sucklings
William Penn on the Death of Robert Barclay
Says “The overcasting of so many bright Stars almost together and of the first Magnitude in our Horrison, from our Bodily View is not the least Sympton or Token to me of an approaching Storm, and perhaps so dreadful that we may have fresh Cause to think Them Happy that are Delivered from the Evils and Miseries that may ensue, but this also calls every one Home to his own Dwelling and Tent to find and feel him that repairs all losses and supplies all Wants, and is all to a faithful People that they can need or desire” —
Elizabeth Webb of Birmingham Township, Chester County Pennsylvania in the Year 1728 to one of her Sons expressed herself thus — It has appeared to me very plain that the Time is coming in this Country when the People will get into Parties one against another, and they will be both very much in the wrong — And it has likewise appeared to me There will be a People in that Time that will not be a Party on either Side, and they will be preserved as in a Castle while the others are destroying one another.” then she said to her Son “I shall not live to see it, but don’t know but thou mayst”
A Passage concerning Peter Gardiner, taken from the Mouth of John Richardson, by John Churchman when in England —————————
One Peter Gardiner, a poor Friend who lived in Essex had a Concern to Visit Scotland, but being low in his Circumstances and having a Wife and several small Children was under Discouragement about it, but the Lord in Mercy condescended to remove his Doubts by letting him know that he would be with him, and tho he had no Horse to ride and but a weak Man, He would give him Strength to perform the Journey and sustain him so that he should not want for what was sufficient, and having Faith he laid the Concern before the Monthly Meeting at Home, with so much innocent – Weight, that Friends concurred therein, and he took his Journey along the East side of the Nation, thro Norfolk, Lincolnshire and Yorkshire, and was at a Week Day Meeting at Bridlington where John Richard then dwelt, and he lodged at his House —— In the Evening when the Doors were shut, the said Peter asked him if any Friend lived that way, pointing with his Finger, John Richardson told him that he pointed towards the Sea which was not far from them and he said he believed he must go in the Morning to see somebody that Way, John Richardson ask’d him if he should go with him, he replied that he believed it would be best, so in the Morning, when John Richardson’s Wife had prepared Breakfast, John thought he would see if the Friend was well, because he did not come down. But he found the Bed was empty and the Friend gone, at which he wondered. They sat down to their Breakfast and before they had done the said Friend came in to whom John Richardson said, Thou hast taken a morning Walk, come to Breakfast, but before they had done eating, a Friend from the Key or Harbour where Peter Gardiner pointed came in and said, I wonder at thee, John to send this Man with such a Message to my House, and related as follows. This Man came to me as I was standing at the Fish Market Place looking on the Sea to observe the Wind. I ask’d him if he would walk into my House, he said he came for that Purpose (This was in the twilight of the Morning) he bid the Friend to sit down, Peter asked if his Wife was well, the Man said she was Sick in Bed and ask’d if he would go to see her, he answered that he came so to do, and the Man took him into the Chamber where his Wife was, and he sat down by her, and after a short Time, told her that the Will and Resignation of her Mind was taken for the Deed, and she was excused from the Journey which had been before her, and she should die in Peace with God, and Man, and then turned to her Husband and said, Thy Wife had a Concern to visit the Churches in another Country beyond the Sea, but Thou wouldest not give her leave, so she shall be taken from Thee, and behold the Lords Hand is against Thee, and thou shall be blasted in Whatsoever thou doest, and reduced to want thy Bread —— The Man seemed angry with John Richardson, who said to him be still and weigh the Matter for I knew not of the Friends going to thy House, but thought he was in Bed and I informed him not about thee, Nor thy Wife, at which he went away ——
Peter pursued his Journey towards Scotland, John Richardson and another Friend going with him to Scarborough on horseback for he would not let them go on Foot. He kept before full as fast as they chose to ride, and when they got about half way he gained ground of them, and John Richardson said he was filled with Admiration, for he seemed to go with more Flight and Ease he thought than ever he had seen any Man before, as he was riding fast to overtake him he thought he beheld a small Cloud as it were Compassing his Head. When he overtook him he said, “thou travels very fast.” Peter replied, my Master told me he would give me Hinds Feet before I left Home, and he has Performed his Promise to me —— when They came in sight of Scarborough, Peter said, take me to a Friends House if there is any there. John Richardson replied I will take thee to where I lodge, and if thou art not easy there, I will go with thee until we find a House if it may be so. John took him to his Lodging, and just as they entered the Door they heard somebody go upstairs, and some time after the Woman Friend of the House came down, and a Neighbour with her, and invited them to set down, and in a few minutes, Peter said, here is Light and Darkness, Good and bad in this House. The Woman after she had got some Refreshment for them came to John, and said who hast thou brought here. A Man of God he replied —— The Friend had a Meeting there the next Day, and John Richardson staid with him, and took him to several Houses, and he frequently gave his Sense of the Families he was in — as They went to enter one House Peter stop’d and said, “my Master is not Thine I will not go in, so they turned away. He had Good Service in the Meetings —— The next Morning as the Friend set forward John Richardson went after him, and said “Peter how art thou provided with Money, for thy Journey is long, and a man cannot live on the Air alone. Peter said, I have enough, my Master told me that I should not Want a Bit of Bread, and some Water at the next Brook Refreshes me as well as any set Meal at a Table. But I insisted on seeing how much he had, which was but two half Crowns, whereupon I took an handful of small Pieces out of my Pocket and forced him to take it, telling him it was free to him as his own, for the Lord had put in into my Heart, and we parted. The other Friend and myself went Home ———
In about two Weeks the Mans Wife died as Peter foretold, and at that Time the Man had three Vessels at Sea, his own Son was Master of one, and a Second Son on board another. The Vessels were Wrecked or Foundered and the Cargoes chiefly lost, and his two Sons and several of the Hands Drowned. The Man soon after broke and could not pay his Debts and he came to want Bread before he Died tho’ Before accounted in good Circumstances if not very Rich —In some time after J Richardson heard that Peter had died in Cumberland, on his return from Scotland, and being attatch’d to him in near Affection, he went to enquire how he ended, and John Bowstead a Noted Friend near Carlisle gave him an account that Peter had been thro’ Scotland and came to Carlisle, and the Small Pox being there, he took the Infection very suddenly and lay ill with it, so he went to him just as the Pock was coming out and took him to his House, it never came out kindly, but Swelled him so much that he was blind, and died about the Seventh Day —— He was quite Sensible to the last, and tho Blind he knew the States of such as came to see him He had enough to pay his Funeral Expences ——— and as he lived so he died said John Richardson ———
Of Tomb Stones – by Robert Jordan ——
It is the Business of this Paper a little to enquire into the Reason and Usefulness of the antient Custom of Tombs and marks of Distinction in Memory and Honour of the Dead we all agree that tis decent and Convenient that Burying Grounds be inclosed and appropriate to that Use only, but to prove them Sacred and Venerable, its Necessary that some Authority and solid Reason be Shown and advanced, for Divine Authority I find none so far from it that the Graves of sundry Persons Named in the Scriptures, and famed thro all Ages since for Their Faith, Piety & extraordinary Acts were never found nor known. Our Saviour indeed was laid in a Sepulchre, but it was not a Place of His chusing, and that Blessed Body not being Corruptible, tis no Example. I do not find his great Ambassadors and the Christians of the first and purest Ages used Them —— One would think our Ostentation and Vanity might Dye with us, and that our Surviving Friends would content themselves with an Extract of our Lives and Actions, Endeavouring to improve upon the best, and forget or take Caution by the worst, without Cumbering the Ground with our Monuments as Senseless as partial and an Injury to the Community —— For as much as we are all Formed out of the same Matter, and all of the Price of the Blood of Christ without Precedence, and According to the irreversible Decree of Heaven, the Rich and the Poor fall into Dust (and Undistinguished Dust, why should we distinguish the Dead one from another, indeed, among the living I know no other Solid Ground of Distinction and precedence than Superior Wisdom and Virtue, for the first he that Acquires what he can, Acquires the Necessary Means to do well that which he is called to do, and for the Last One Man may Act, as great a Part in a low Station as another may or can do in a high one, tho it be less Conspicuous — Solomon tells us that There came a great King against a small City, and That a Certain Poor Man by his Wisdom, saved the City, yet what That same poor Man had done was not Remembered, Why’ because he was poor no doubt. Alas how Mankind are Carried away with Splendid shews, Names and Sounds, without Examining the Intrinsic Value, Equity and Reasonableness of Things, how apt we are to gape at the Words and admire the Actions of great Men, some of which perchance have little meaning and none of them exceed, while Those of the Poor and Honest have not Their Weight with us — They must keep Their Distance alive or Dead, merely upon the Scene of an accident (and an inevitable Accident) who nevertheless have this Consolation That Heavens Gate is open to them, James 2nd Chap 5th verse — it would fill a Volume to set forth at large, The Excess of funeral Pomp, and the Vast Expence attending it. To keep a Friend in Memory, or else to atone for our Neglect of him while living, by our Profusion at his Death, Manifold are The ill uses that have been and are made of Masks and Notes of Distinction for the Dead, even to the bubbling Mankind out of Their Senses, and their Money, and For as much as many whose Names thro Ages have been Valuable for their Love and Service to Their Country and the Poor will not have, nor want these Things, and others have Them who never deserved to be remembered, let us (Reformed Christians) Despise and lay them aside, having the Hope of a better Life to come, when our Vile Bodies shall be changed into the Likeness of the Body of our Glorious Redeemer and with a steady Mind and a well resolved Spirit, let us make Preparation to Facilitate and perfect such great and most Important Work. We have as clear Lights to direct us, and as powerful an Aid to actuate us as any preceding Age ever had or we in the present Age can with Reason desire ———
Robert Jordan
