Page images
PDF
EPUB

to Yorkshire. I suppose the latter will hardly leave the continent till the summer.

satisfaction; I found him solid and weighty, and since that time have heard well concerning him.

On the 12th went with Benjamin Swett to Mount Holly meeting; and, in our way thither, about four miles from Burlington, we went into the woods to see a person of whom Samuel Smith in his history of the Jerseys writes thus:

May Divine Providence bless us, keep us, and preserve us temporally and spiritually, by sea and land, that we may once more meet together, rejoice in the mercy and goodness of God, and live to praise and adore his great and excellent name, who is worthy for ever! I again salute thee, my endeared wife and affectionate companion, and you, my beloved "Four miles from hence, a recluse person, children, with the blessing of a loving hus- who came a stranger, has lived alone near band and tender father: you still remain the twelve years, (now twenty,) in a thick wood, objects of my care, with strong crics to the through all the extremities of the seasons, Lord for preservation both for you and me. under cover of a few leaves, supported by the During this long separation, I have had many side of an old log, and put together in the trials, exercises, and besetments you know not form of a small oven, not high or long enough of, through all which the Almighty's power to stand upright or lie extended. He talks has wrought my deliverance, praised be his Dutch, but unintelligibly, either through degreat name for it; and you, though not in the sign, or from defect in his intellects: whence same way, have, I doubt not, had your trials, he came or what he is, nobody about him can even to the trial of your faith and patience; find out. He has no contrivance to keep fire, and it is as we endure these siftings and prov-nor uses any in very cold weather: he lies ings that our souls are purified, and our un-naked, stops the hole he creeps in and out at derstanding and judgment ripened; thus we are fitted for service, some in one way, and some in another: therefore, live and walk in him, in whom ye have believed.

JOSEPH OXLEY.

with leaves: he mostly keeps in his hut, but sometimes walks before it; lies on the ground, and cannot be persuaded to work much, nor without violence, to forsake this habit, which he appears to delight in, and enjoy full health. When the woods and orchards afford him no nuts, apples, or other relief as to food, he applies now and then for bread to the neighbourhood, and with that is quite satisfied; he refuses money, but has been frequently clothed by charity: he seems to be upwards of forty years of age (now sixty,) as to person rather under the middle size-calls himself Francis."

The hard frost being now set in, stopped the navigation; I spent much of my leisure time in paying religious visits to Friends in their families, which being numerous, occupied my time till the first month, 1772. This service, I had cause to believe was in the will of the Lord, who gradually leadeth his servants forward into service, step by step, to their joy After meeting at Mount Holly, which was and his people's rejoicing. The 6th of second low, went to Evesham, and lodged at William month, I was at the Youths' Meeting in Phila- Foster's, a justice of the peace. After meetdelphia, which was attended by some Friends ing at Evesham, went to the house of our anfrom the country. At this meeting was Nich-cient friend and minister of the Gospel Thomas olas Waln, who had his education amongst Evans, and lodged; and from thence next day the Society, but was brought up to the law, to Philadelphia, where I met with my dear and became great in his profession as a coun- companion Samuel Neale: we greeted each sellor, and who had pleaded at court but a other in brotherly love and affection, and were very few days before. He sat under an awful pleased to see one another in the enjoyment of weighty exercise of mind from the early sitting health and peace. On the 18th was at Londown of the meeting, and removed his seat don Grove Quarterly Meeting, which was large, into the ministering Friends' gallery; he ap- and owned by the Master's presence to our peared to be agitated, and trembled very much: mutual comfort and strength: his works praise after sitting about half an hour, he kneeled his name! John Churchman, William Brown, down and prayed; but his behaviour and dress John Pemberton, and many other men who being so contrary to such an appearance, oc- were in the ministry, besides many women casioned Friends to be much divided, and made Friends in the like capacity, attended on this some disorder in the meeting, but afterwards occasion. The next day returned to Philait settled and ended to the edification of many.delphia, where I continued my friendly visits The said Nicholas Waln declined his practice to Friends' families, and prepared myself for as a counsellor, which it was said brought him embarking to Europe. in from one thousand five hundred to two thousand pounds per annum. I went, at his request, to visit him, in which visit I had much

All things being now got in readiness for my departure, Sarah Morris, of whom I have several times made mention, having at length

on board was five weeks and three days. My mind was made thankful for this great mercy and favour, the Lord's mighty preservation and protection, whilst on this large conti

tion of which, my soul praises His holy name, who is worthy for ever and ever! The next day I came up to London with my companions, and was kindly received by our friends and my dear relations. After two or three days stay in London, I set out for Norwich on the 15th of fourth month, 1772, and got well home the same evening to my dear wife and children and friends, who all expressed great joy and thankfulness at seeing me; and so it was to me, after an absence from them of about one year and nine months, in which time I travelled, by a moderate computation, thirteen thousand seven hundred and fifty-five miles.

THE END OF JOSEPH OXLEY'S JOURNAL.

yielded in obedience to what she believed to be her duty, in paying a religious visit to Friends in England, and having Friends' concurrence, approbation, and certificate, it was thought well we should accompany one an-nent, as also on the wide ocean; in consideraother over the great ocean. She had also a kinswoman to accompany her, and though one not in the ministry, yet was exercised in spirit for the prosperity of Truth, and having near sympathy with her aunt in her present concern, gave up to attend her in her said undertaking her name was Deborah Morris; and, indeed, I thought her an excellent mother, raised up in our Israel. On the third-day of the week, being 3d of third month, we had a short but weighty sitting together in the house of our dear friend John Pemberton, to which place many were gathered, in order to take their last farewell; it was a time of love, wherein our minds were much affected, and our spirits broken and contrited before the Lord, who was pleased to bless us together; in this heavenly frame, we took our leave and parted! Several of our kind friends from the It does not appear that this humble-minded city accompanied us to Chester, the place servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, continued where we were to embark, Samuel Neale, his journal, or left much if anything on record John Pemberton, and I suppose more than of his life or religious exercises, after his rethirty in number: after we had taken some turn from America. This sacrifice seemed little refreshment at Chester, we retired into a like the winding up of his day's work, and humble awful reverent waiting, which was was crowned with the sheaves of peace in his again graciously owned, and crowned with bosom, and the answer of "Well done" from heavenly life and power. After thus taking his great and good Master, as to a faithful our farewell of our dear Friends, many of steward in the Gospel vineyard; likewise, whom went with us to the brink of the waters with the approbation of his friends in various and then returned, we set sail on board the parts of the heritage, amply expressed by Pennsylvania packet, Peter Osborne com-them in their public documents, where his lot mander. The nearness of unity into which I had been cast, as well as in private correswas brought with these beloved Friends and pondence. citizens has made deep impressions on my Of the few additional particulars that have mind, which I trust will prove lasting, and come to hand respecting Joseph Oxley, the made it very hard for me to part with them. editor has only to produce an extract from the We ran aground twice before we left the testimonial of his friends, given forth after his Capes of Delaware, and the latter time threat-removal by death, respecting his character and ened great danger; the captain and sailors latter end; and to close the volume, by insaid there was but little likelihood of getting serting a letter from his valued companion in the ship off again, the wind blowing pretty ministerial labour and travel, Samuel Neale, hard. But the men used their utmost en-addressed to his widow, on receiving the indeavours, which Providence was pleased to telligence of his release from the probations of bless, and the ship worked off, but the captain time. said he hardly knew how: my soul reverently praises Him who wrought this deliverance for We passed through much stormy weather, but through mercy were in a good degree preserved in stillness, trusting in him who hath power to still the winds and calm the seas at his pleasure.

us.

About thirty-one days after we left the Capes we got to soundings, and the next day brought us in sight of land, and on the 10th of the fourth month, my companions and I landed at Dover, which time from our going

"Joseph Oxley was a man exemplary in conduct, and agreeable in conversation, honest in advice, charitable in sentiment, universal in benevolence, deservedly esteemed by his neighbours, and beloved by his friends.

"A few months before his deccase, he was impressed with a sense that his departure was at no great distance; and sometimes hinted to some nearly connected with him, that it would be sudden;-yet, not as fearing it, but rather in a serious and pleasing acquiescence with the prospect.

"Accordingly, after attending two meetings on first-day the 22nd of the tenth month, 1775, which were held in silence, and spending the evening with his family, in a disposition more than ordinarily pleasant, he cheerfully went up to bed; where he laid but a few minutes, before it pleased Almighty Goodness to take him from the vicissitudes of mutability, without a struggle, or passing through the tedious and afflicting pains commonly incident to nature no doubt, to him, an easy passage to a heavenly mansion.

"His remains were interred in Friends' burial-ground at Norwich, the 26th of the tenth month, 1775, in the sixty-first year of his age, and thirty-fourth of his ministry."

SAMUEL NEALE TO MARY OXLEY.

sire, that I may so fill my lot here in the church militant, as to be ready when the messenger arrives, to give an account of my stewardship, so as to meet acceptance, and an entrance into the church triumphant. There are many called, but when made willing to be chosen, something interposes, dazzling, worldly pomp, splendour, or the cords which allure that way, and which sink the mind in supineness, stop the ardency of the awakened intention, and so turn into the wilderness, where many are torn as with the briars and thorns; and some are corrected, but sustain so many wounds, that they become lame and impotent, and centre down in an unprofitable state both to themselves and the church, and the stream of Divine life becomes dried up in them. May this never be our lot, but may we daily know the girding of the heavenly Master, keepon the armour that he has once given, and feel Springmount, 19th of First month, 1776. the unction that brightens the shield; that we About a month ago I heard of the removal may have fellowship with the living; gradualof my truly near and dear companion, thy ly ascending the hill, where the clean-handed dear deceased husband, whose translation is have their residence, and are replenished with to a better inheritance than to continue on this the water that issues therefrom, that ever did theatre of probation. A letter from dear Ed- and still makes glad the heritage. I trust, mund Gurney brought the tidings to Robert dear friend, the Lord of living mercies will be Dudley, and he to me at our last Quarterly with thee in thy pilgrimage, sustain thee with Meeting it struck me with surprise, and yet, food convenient, strengthening thy bow, and when I consider the man and where he dwelt, fitting for whatever he requires. When we I look upon it only as a remove from a limited are shaken with an uncommon, unexpected Goshen here, to a Goshen of endless light and stroke in our experience, we are like the needle duration. I seldom or ever have known him in the compass-box, greatly agitated, and it appear in his vestment, but it covered him will take some time before we settle so as to diffident and humble he was, preferring others be able to traverse truly; but by centering in before himself. He waded along with becom- a state of quietness and acquiescence to the ing fortitude in his visit to the churches in Master's will, we shall feel the influence of the America and Ireland, and was universally es- heavenly attraction, and our spirits will be diteemed. In his last moments the great Master rected in the right line of duty, to our own unveiled his kindness to him, in removing him peace and the Master's praise. without much conflict or pain, his spirit esIt gives me pleasure to hear how my dear caping from a mansion of mortality into a friend's family is likely to settle; and, if they mansion of immortality and eternal life, where keep to the saving Truth their worthy father he has entered his lot, and sings with the sanc- loved, and served, and lived in, they may be tified the songs of thanksgiving and praise! ornaments in their day in the church and in Thy letter I received two days ago, which I the world, and inherit his virtues. My dear love acknowledge as a favour, and can sympathize to them, and particularly my friend Joseph, with thee in the removal of a living branch of whose union I trust is established in the counthy family, who had not only leaves, but fruit sel of best wisdom; the reward annexed is also: his residence was near the spring which righteousness and peace. I salute thee and replenished his life, covered his head in the them in near sympathy and affection, and rehour of Gospel labour, and kept him in the main, in the fellowship of Gospel love, union and fellowship of the faithful at home Thy nearly united friend, and abroad.

Dear friend, when I consider how many are called from works to rewards, it raises a de-.

SAMUEL NEale.

END OF THE LIFE OF JOSEPH OXLEY.

MEMOIR OF JOHN WATSON.

JOHN WATSON was born in the year 1651, | father, meetings of Friends were occasionally and came with his father into Ireland, in held there, and regularly established in 1678; 1658: Kilconner, in the county of Carlow, became the family residence.

which gave great offence to the archdeacon, and to the bishop of Leighlin and Ferns; who When about twenty-two years of age, he sued him for refusing to contribute to the rewas invited to a religious meeting of the So- pairs of the parish worship-house at Fenagh, ciety of Friends at New Garden. It was the and obtained a writ against him, which the first he had attended, and the ministry of John archdeacon told him should not be put in Burnyeat so touched his heart, that he joined force, if he would but submit to them, and not that Society; and believing he did right in so allow meetings in his house. On his refusal doing, was enabled to bear the displeasure of to accede to those terms, he ordered him to his father, which was particularly excited by prison, cruelly adding: "There he shall lie his son's adopting their plain mode of speech. till he rots." He was a prisoner above two It may now occasion some surprise that this years, and besides this suffered in his property, should have given such offence; but our an-under pretence of an escape, because the shecient records inform us of much suffering on that account having been endured, from within and from without; for severe conflicts of spirit were experienced, before the will was subdued, and the mind enabled to overcome its reluctance to bear the cross in this particular: especially as the singular number was formerly used in speaking to those of inferior station, and persons in higher rank, when addressed in this manner, were wont to look upon it as denoting disrespect, and, accordingly, resented it. Not uncovering the head, in salutation to a fellow-creature, also drew much displeasure on those who forebore to foster that self-complacency which expected this outward show of respect from those who withheld it, not from lack of good will or courtesy, but from the conviction that it was their duty to refrain from paying it, believing it originated in pride and servility, and tended to encourage these evils.

riff had sometimes granted him liberty to visit his own home. To that home and to his liberty he was at length restored, and found it was allotted to him to do, as well as to suffer, in the cause of righteousness; for in 1696 he believed it to be his duty to preach the Gospel, and in that service he took several journeys into England, and through this nation; having meetings in remote places, where none of his religious profession resided. He was also zealously concerned for the support of the discipline established amongst Friends, and for good order in their families; in which he gave the example of ruling well his own house, in the spirit of love, keeping his children in that subjection which tended to promote their own happiness. As he was an affectionate father, so he was a tender and kind husband to a worthy wife; and they united in humble submission to the will of the great Disposer, while they drank of a cup which, had it not been palliated by resignation, parental feelings would have found very bitter.

In 1674, John Watson married Anne Tomlinson, whose parents had settled in Ireland about the time of his father's removal thither. Their daughter Elizabeth accompanied a His wife joined herself to the Society of which ministering woman Friend in a journey to the her husband was a member, and both patiently province of Ulster; and there, remote from endured the father's remonstrance against his her parents, sickened of the small-pox. On son's change of his profession of religion. In receiving this information, her father went to these remonstrances he was seconded by arch- her. The state of the roads and posts at that deacon Plummer, who, finding persuasion un-time did not permit the anxious mother to reavailing, threatened him with a prison; to which threat the pious young man replied: "I do not fear it, but will make ready for one;" and thereupon disposed of some of the land which he occupied, to lessen his rent and incumbrances.

He lived in his father's house, which, in 1675, becoming his own by the decease of his

ceive regular intelligence of her situation; and her child's death was first announced to her by the sight of her husband returning, bringing his daughter's horse, with her clothes tied on the side-saddle. The mother stood a while silent, and then bore this testimony, honourable to her children, and consoling to herself: "I have had ten children, and not one bad

one!" Elizabeth Watson died at the house of them as they kept near him; adding: “0 William Gray of Ballyhagen, in the 25th year of her age.

John Watson was naturally of a mild and affable temper, yet he was firm in opposing any tendency to violate those testimonies, the proper support of which required humility and self-denial.

Lord! thou knowest I have always depended upon thee, and thou hast never failed me." When the near approach of death caused his voice to be scarcely audible, he was engaged in advising one of his friends to guard against the snares of wealth, to content himself with the sufficiency which was granted him, to keep in humility, and to devote to the service of the Lord that good understanding which had been given him. To another he thus expressed himself: "My heart is united to thee, and to all faithful Friends, as Jonathan's was to David." He slept little or none the last night of his life, but was fervent in prayer on behalf of their small meeting, and that Friends might be

His last illness continued about three months, in which time he was often exercised in fervent prayer to the Almighty; giving praises to his holy name for his favours and mercies to wards him, and testifying resignation to his blessed will, saying; "If the Lord have not a further service for me, I am willing to die. I bless God I have a peaceful conscience. My good God hath all along been my strength, preserved a growing people. "Oh! happy," my stay, my song and salvation." He was pleased to see his friends, and had often a word of tender advice to them, especially to the youth, for whose preservation he was much concerned; and addressing a young minister, he thus advised him: "Be sure to keep low in thy mind, and little in thy own eyes; yet be not fearful, but of a believing heart. Look not much at others, neither be dismayed at the frowns of any, but mind truth in thyself. I have ever found that my peace and safety."

Looking tenderly upon his children, he said: "I leave you to the Lord; and if you love him above all, he will be your God, as he has been mine." He exhorted his wife, children, and servants, to treasure up the memory of those seasons in which their minds participated together of the influence of heavenly good; to live in love, and the Lord of love would bless

said the dying man," is that man or woman who hath their work done in their day. I have nothing to do but to die, and offer up my soul to the Lord." And again: "I have done, and go in peace with my God." In this happy state, his purified spirit was released, the 19th of first month, 1710, at his house in Kilconner, in the sixtieth year of his age.

His son Samuel thus bears witness to the character of his deceased father: "When I consider his grave and solid deportment in his family, his great care for our welfare, and good advice to us in tenderness of spirit, when young in years; as also his earnest concern for the growth of truth, and preservation of those who professed it, my spirit is tenderly affected with a sense of the loss, which both we of his family and the church also sustain, by the removal of so kind and tender a father and faithful friend."

MEMOIR OF WILLIAM WATSON.

WILLIAM WATSON was born at Crane, in to his Monthly Meeting have recorded of him, the county of Wexford, in the year 1687, of " he was careful to wait for the motion of the parents who were members of the Society of word of life; so that he grew in his gift, and Friends, and religiously careful of his educa- became an able minister of the Gospel of tion, as he thus acknowledges, in a letter dated Christ." They further bear witness to his 1707: "Dear parents, I hope I shall never be sound, deliberate, weighty doctrine; the tender unmindful of your great care to me, which ye frame of spirit in which he delivered it; the have often, yea, always made me a sharer of; sweetness of that life and power attending his and though we be often outwardly separated, ministry, and his fervency in prayer; adding: yet I hope the Lord, whom, in sincerity, ac-" He had not only a gift in the ministry, but cording to my measure, I desire always to was also well qualified for the discipline; havserve, will keep us in such a frame of mind, ing a due respect to faithful elders, loving and that we shall be near to him, and to one an- affectionate to the brethren, zealously conother." cerned for peace and unity among Friends, At sixteen years of age he came forth in and that backsliders might be admonished, and the ministry, in which, as Friends belonging judgment set over the heads of transgressors,

« PreviousContinue »