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solidly considering the matter before us, were quillity to yourselves and those you repreall of opinion that an address to the assembly sent, by pursuing measures consistent with would be proper and necessary; whereupon our peaceable principles; and then we trust one was drawn up, which being considered, we may continue humbly to confide in the agreed to and signed by all of us, we went protection of that Almighty power, whose together to the house, and presenting it to the providence has heretofore been as walls and speaker, it was read while we were present; bulwarks round about us. a copy whereof here follows, viz:

To the Representatives of the freemen of the province of Pennsylvania, in general assembly met: The address of some of the people called Quakers, in the said province, on behalf of

themselves and others.

The consideration of the measures which have lately been pursued, and are now proposed, having been weightily impressed on our minds, we apprehend that we should fall short of our duty to you, to ourselves and to our brethren in religious fellowship, if we do not in this manner inform you, that we shall at all times heartily and freely contribute, according to our circumstances, either by the payment of taxes, or in such other manner as may be judged necessary, towards the exigencies of government, and sincerely desire that due care may be taken, and proper funds provided, for raising money to cultivate our friendship with our Indian neighbours, and to support such of our fellow subjects, who are or may be in distress, and for such other like benevolent purposes. Yet as the raising sums of money, and putting them into the hands of committees, who may apply them to purposes inconsistent with the peaceable testimony we profess, and have borne to the world, appears to us in its consequences, to be destructive of our religious liberties; we apprehend many among us will be under the necessity of suffering, rather than consenting thereto, by the payment of a tax for such purposes; and thus the fundamental part of our constitution may be essentially affected; and that free enjoyment of liberty of conscience by degrees be violated, for the sake of which, our forefathers left their native country, and settled this then a wilderness.

Philadelphia, Eleventh month 7th, 1755.

A bill was however brought in by the committee of the assembly, and a law enacted for granting a large sum of money proposed to be sunk by a general tax.

When this service before related was over, in which I apprehended it my duty to be concerned, I returned home; but a close exercise remained on me as well as on the minds of divers other Friends, on account of the law now passed; and as care had been taken to apprise the assembly of the solid sentiments of Friends thereon, that we apprehended our charter respecting liberty of conscience, would thereby be affected; therefore a large committee of the yearly meeting, which had been appointed to visit the quarterly and monthly meetings, met at Philadelphia in the twelfth month, had a conference thereon, together with another committee nominated to correspond with the meeting for sufferings in London; and after several solid opportunities of waiting on the Lord to be rightly instructed, and being favoured with a renewed sense of the ownings of truth, many Friends thought they could not be clear as faithful watchmen, without communicating to their brethren their mind and judgment concerning the payment of such a tax; for which purpose an epistle was prepared, considered, agreed to and signed by twenty-one Friends; copies thereof were concluded to be communicated to the monthly meetings, being as follows, viz:

An epistle of tender love and caution to Friends in Pennsylvania.

Dear and well beloved Friends,

We salute you in a fresh and renewed sense of our heavenly Father's love, which hath We sincerely assure you, we have no tem- graciously overshadowed us in several weighty poral motives for thus addressing you; and and solid conferences we have had together, could we have preserved peace in our own with many other Friends, upon the present minds, and with each other, we should have situation of the affairs of the Society in this declined it; being unwilling to give you any province; and in that love, we find our spirits unnecessary trouble, and deeply sensible of engaged to acquaint you, that under a solid your difficulty in discharging the trust com- exercise of mind to seek for council and mitted to you, irreproachable in these perilous direction, from the High Priest of our profestimes. This hath engaged our fervent desires, sion, who is the Prince of peace, we believe that the immediate instructions of Supreme he hath renewedly favoured us with strong wisdom, may influence your minds; and that being preserved in a steady attention thereto, you may be enabled to secure peace and tran

and lively evidences, that in his appointed time, the day which hath dawned in these latter ages, foretold by the Prophet, wherein

Divine Spirit, and manifest by the meekness and humility of their conversation, that they are really under that influence; and therein may know true fortitude and patience to bear that, and every other testimony committed to them, faithfully and uniformly. And may all Friends know their spirits clothed with true charity, the bond of Christian fellowship; wherein we again tenderly salute you, and remain your friends and brethren.

Philadelphia, Twelfth month 16th, 1755.

swords should be beaten into plough-shares, may dwell under the guidance of the same and spears into pruning-hooks, shall gloriously rise higher and higher; and the spirit of the gospel, which teaches to love enemies, prevail to that degree, that the art of war shall be no more learned. It is his determination to exalt this blessed day, in this our age, if in the depth of humility we receive his instructions and obey his voice. And being painfully apprehensive, that the large sum granted by the late act of assembly for the king's use, is principally intended for purposes inconsistent with our peaceable testimony; we therefore think, that as we cannot be concerned in wars and In the year 1756 I attended our general fightings, so neither ought we to contribute spring meeting in Philadelphia, at which we thereto, by paying the tax directed by the said had the company of our dear friends, Samuel act, though suffering be the consequence of Fothergill and Catharine Payton, from Great our refusal, which we hope to be enabled to Britain, and her companion, Mary Peasley, bear with patience. Though some part of the from Ireland, and it was a solemn edifying money to be raised by the said act, is said to meeting. The Indians having burnt several be for such benevolent purposes, as support- houses on the frontiers of this province, also ing our friendship with our Indian neighbours, at Gnadenhutten, in Northampton county, and and relieving the distresses of our fellow sub-murdered and scalped some of the inhabitants; jects, who have suffered in the present calami- at the time of this meeting, two or three of ties, for whom our hearts are deeply pained, and we affectionately, and with bowels of tenderness, sympathize with them therein; and we could most cheerfully contribute to those purposes, if they were not so mixed, that we cannot in the manner proposed, show our hearty concurrence therewith, without at the same time assenting to, or allowing practices, which we apprehend contrary to the testimony which the Lord hath given us to bear, for his name and truth's sake.

Having the health and prosperity of the Society at heart, we earnestly exhort Friends to wait for the appearing of the true light, and stand in the counsel of God, that we may know him to be the Rock of salvation and place of our refuge forever. Beware of the spirit of the world, that is unstable, and often draws into dark and timorous reasonings; lest the god thereof should be suffered to blind the eye of the mind. Such, not knowing the sure foundation, the Rock of ages, may partake of the terrors and fears, which are not known to the inhabitants of that fold, where the sheep and lambs of Christ ever had a quiet habitation, with a measure of which a remnant have to say, to the praise of his name, they have been blessed, in this day of distress.

Our fidelity to the present government, and our willingly paying all taxes for purposes which do not interfere with our consciences, justly exempt us from the imputation of disloyalty; and we earnestly desire that all, who by a deep and quiet seeking for direction from the holy Spirit, are, or shall be, convinced that he calls us as a people to this testimony,

the dead bodies were brought to Philadelphia in a wagon, with an intent as was supposed, to animate the people to unite in preparations of war, to take vengeance on the Indians, and destroy them. They were carried along several of the streets, many people following, cursing the Indians, and also the Quakers, because they would not join in war for destruction of the Indians. The sight of the dead bodies and the outcry of the people, were very afflicting and shocking to me. Standing at the door of a Friend's house as they passed along, my mind was humbled and turned inward, and I was made secretly to cry, What will become of Pennsylvania? for it felt to me that many did not consider that the sins of the inhabitants, pride, profane swearing, drunkenness, with other wickedness, were the cause why the Lord had suffered this calamity and scourge to come upon them. The weight of my exercise increasing as I walked along the street; at length it was said in my soul, This land is polluted with blood, and in the day of inquisition for blood, it will not only be required at the frontiers and borders, but even in this place where these bodies are now seen. I said within myself, How can this be? since this has been a land of peace, and as yet not much concerned in war; but as it were in a moment my eyes turned to the case of the poor enslaved Negroes. And however light a matter they who have been concerned in it may look upon the purchasing, selling, or keeping those oppressed people in slavery, it then appeared plain to me, that such were partakers in iniquity, encouragers of war and the shedding

of innocent blood, which is often the case, give him strength to perform the journey, and where those unhappy people are captivated sustain him so that he should not want for and brought away for slaves. The same day what was sufficient. Having faith in the DiI went to Pine street meeting in an exercised, vine promise, he laid his concern before the mournful state of mind, and thought I could monthly meeting he belonged to, with innobe willing to sit among the people undisco- cent weight; and friends concurring with him vered. therein, he took his journey along the east side of the nation, through Norfolk, Lincolnshire and Yorkshire, and coming to a weekday meeting at Bridlington, where John Richardson then dwelt, he lodged at his house. In the evening the doors being shut, Peter asked him if any Friend lived that way, pointing with his finger; John told him he pointed towards the sea, which was not far from thence. He said he believed he must go and see somebody that way in the morning. John asked him if he should go with him? he said he believed it would not be best, and so went to bed.

I attended our quarterly meeting at Concord in the fifth month, and in a few days after went to the yearly meeting at West river, in Maryland, which was large and in a good degree satisfactory. Then went to meetings at Herring creek and the Clifts, and returned the following first-day to West river, where I had a good opportunity to clear myself towards Friends of that place; being concerned on account of several of the elders, who did not conduct so exemplarily as they ought be fore the youth. I left them relieved in my mind, and returned home, taking several meetings in my way.

In the ninth month I was at our yearly meeting for Pennsylvania and New-Jersey, held this year at Burlington, which was large and edifying; many weighty matters being in much brotherly love resulted to satisfaction. Our friend, Thomas Gawthrop, from Great Britain, was there. In the time thereof, our worthy friend and brother, John Evans, of Gwynnedd, departing this life, Thomas and I went to attend the burial, on which solemn occasion he had a seasonable opportunity to remind a large gathering of people of their latter end; and I thought it was a solid time. Being one of the committee appointed by the yearly meeting to visit the quarterly and monthly meetings, I was careful in attending on that service as way was opened, in company with other Friends, as likewise our meeting for sufferings, established this year, and held monthly in Philadelphia, frequently taking meetings in my way going and returning. In the spring of the year 1757, I also attended our general meeting for ministers and elders, held at Philadelphia.

I have often remembered a remarkable account given me, when in England, by our ancient, worthy Friend, John Richardson, which made such an impression on my mind that I committed it to writing, and think it is worthy to be preserved, being nearly as follows, viz:

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"In the morning when John's wife had prepared breakfast, he thought he would go and see if the Friend was well, but found that he was gone; at which John Richardson wondered. Soon after, Peter came in, to whom John said, Thou hast taken a morning walk, come to breakfast. Before they had done eating, a Friend from the quay, or harbour, which lay in the direction that Peter Gardiner pointed to over night, came in, and said, 'I wonder at thee, John, to send this man with such a message to my house;' and related as follows, viz: That he came to him as he was standing at the fish-market-place, looking on the sea, to observe the wind, and he asked him if he would walk into his house? To which Peter answered that he came for that purpose; this was in the twilight of the morning. When he went into the house, Peter inquired whether his wife was well; to which the man answered, that she was sick in bed, and invited him to go in and see her; he said he came so to do. Being conducted into the chamber where the sick woman was, he sat down by her; and after a short time told her, that the resignation of her mind was accepted instead of the deed, and that she was excused from the journey which had been before her, and should die in peace with God and men. Then turning to the man, her husband, he said, Thy wife had a concern to visit the churches in another country beyond the sea, but thou wouldst not give her leave, so she shall be taken from thee; and behold, the Lord's hand is against thee, and thou shalt 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 Friend's going to thy house; but thought he was in bed, and did not inform him about

thee nor thy wife;" at which he went away. a second son was on board of another, and Peter pursued his journey towards Scotland, in their voyages they were all wrecked, or John Richardson and another Friend going foundered, and their cargoes chiefly lost; his with him to Scarborough on horse back, for two sons and several of the hands being he would not let them go on foot with him, drowned. The man soon after broke and he kept before them as fast as they chose to could not pay his debts, but came to want ride; and when they had gone about half way, bread before he died, though he had been in he gained on them, and John said he was filled good circumstances, if not very rich. with admiration, for he seemed to go with Some time after, John Richardson heard more slight and ease than ever he had seen that Peter Gardiner died in Cumberland, on any man before. Riding fast to overtake his return from Scotland, and being attached him, he thought he beheld a small white to him in near affection, he went to inquire cloud as it were encompassing his head; and how he ended. when he overtook him John said to him, Thou dost travel very fast. Peter replied, My Master told me, before I left home, that he would give me hinds feet, and he hath performed his promise to me.

When they came in sight of Scarborough, Peter said, take me to a Friend's house if there is any there. John replied, I will take thee to the place where I lodge, and if thou art not easy there, I will go until we find a place, if it may be. So John Richardson took him to his lodgings, and just as they entered the door, they heard some one go up stairs, and the woman Friend of the house coming down with a neighbour of hers, invited them to sit down. In a short time Peter said, Here is light and darkness, good and bad in this house. After the woman had got them some refreshment, she came and asked John, Who hast thou brought here? A man of God, he replied. Having a meeting at Scarborough the next day, John Richardson staid with him, and said he had good service; he also went with him to several Friends' houses there, and he frequently spoke his sense of the state of the families; but as they were about entering one house, Peter stopped, and said, My Master is not there, I will not go in, so they turned

away.

Next morning at parting, John Richardson asked him how he was prepared for money, telling him the journey was long. Peter answered, I have enough, my Master told me I should not want, and a bit of bread, and some water from a brook refreshes me as much as a set meal at a table. John insisted to see how much money he had, which was but two half-crowns; upon which John took a handfull of small pieces out of his pocket, and forced Peter to take them, telling him it was as free to him as his own, for so the Lord had put it into his heart. Thus they parted, John and the other Friend returning home.

In about two weeks afterwards the man's wife, before mentioned, died, as Peter had foretold. At that time, the man had three ships at sea; his son was master of one, and

John Bowstead, a noted Friend near Carlisle, informed him that Peter had been through Scotland, and came to Carlisle, and the small-pox being there, he took the infec tion very suddenly, and lay ill with it. John Bowstead went, just as the pock was coming out on him, and took him to his house; they never came out kindly, but swelled him very much, so that he was blind, and died about the seventh day. He was quite sensible to the last, and knew the states of those who came to see him.*

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were visited in the love of the gospel by Peter "In the year 1694-5, the Friends in Scotland Gardiner. Some few and extraordinary passages, relative to his journey so far north as Yorkshire, have already appeared in print in the pages of John Churchman's valuable Journal. After some search, the author of the present volume has ascertained, that Peter Gardiner, or Gardner, for his lived not far from Castle Hedingham, in Essex, name is spelt both ways in the original documents, perhaps within the borders of Suffolk; which may explain the substitution of one county for the other, in some of the records about to be referred to.

"With regard to his movements among Friends lars. The first to be adduced, relates to his visit in Scotland, we have but a few scattered particuthere, in the following terms: at Aberdeen, and is mentioned by the Friends

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We had at this monthly meeting, 3d of eleventh month, 1694-5, the acceptable and comfortable visit of two English Friends, Peter Gardiner, in Suffolk, and James Leech, in Berwick.' At the next monthly meeting there is a more extended notice of the former of these, by way of testimony to the goodment, and the congregation at large. Our dear ness of the Lord, in thus favouring his poor instruFriend, Peter Gardiner, mentioned to have been at the last monthly meeting, was eminently attended with a singular gift from God, in travailing for and bringing forth several young plants among Friends' children, into a public ministry, about the Robert Gerard and Margaret Jaffray, whose mouth middle of last month: particularly Robert Barclay, was first opened: as well as he was the instrument of awakening several other young ones by a very

On the 12th of the seventh month, this present at several conferences with Friends; year, I left home in order to attend a treaty the governor having declared his dislike to to be held between the Indians and our go- their attendance at that treaty, or their disvernment, at Easton, in Northampton county; tinguishing themselves by giving the Indians and proceeded to Philadelphia, where I was any presents. The result was, that as mutual

tender visitation, which yet continues among them: And, O that it may continue, and they in the sense of it, to the end of their days! As also, about this time, the blessed God of our life was graciously pleased to give us a new, fresh and large visitation, in abundantly pouring out his Spirit and life among us in our gatherings; and some more mouths were opened among elders, particularly dear John Forbes of Aquorthies, as also Jane Molleson.'

"A confirmation of the above, may be seen in the language of the Friends of Ury meeting, on the like occasion. They speak of Peter Gardiner as being an honest and faithful man, of a weighty and discerning spirit.' 'He had great service for truth hereaway with good success, in several places, particularly at Aberdeen and Ury, and Montrose; where many were wonderfully tendered and broken before the Lord, and several mouths were opened in testimony and prayer; particularly at Aberdeen, Robert Gerard, James and Timothy Forbes and Margaret Jaffray; at Ury, Robert and David Barclay, and their sisters Christian and Catharine, their aunt Jane Molleson and Joseph White; at Montrose, Jane Bettie, wife of Robert Bettie.'

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In further illustration of the truth and import of the last mentioned circumstances, it is pleasing to be able to produce an interesting, though rough draft of this devoted labourer's services in the neighbourhood of Ury; but especially in the family of the Apologist,' whose widow then resided on that estate, with her seven children, the eldest of whom, Robert, has been already spoken of.-It will not have escaped the recollection of the reader, how beautifully George Fox, in his sympathetic address to this bereaved widow, after setting forth the consolations which flow from an union with the Lord, as the Husband and Father of his people, endeavours to stimulate her to do the day's work, to put on his strength, and to hope for his blessing on a faithful discharge of her duty, as a spiritual nursing-mother over her household. Indeed, he goes further; and subjoins his fervent prayer, that her children may be established upon the Rock, Christ Jesus, and thus be favoured of the Most High, through the fervent exercise of their surviving parent. But in proceeding to describe the successful issue of such labour, it may be well to pause-and hold up to view one means, among others, which she used, by way of laying open the ground of the hearts of her tender offspring to the genial rays of Divine Light. We are informed by a Friend, who, about this time, passed several days under her roof, that when her children were up in the morning, and dressed, she sat down with them before breakfast, and in a religious manner waited upon the Lord;' which pious care,' he adds, and motherly instruction of her children when young, doubtless had its desired effect upon them; for, as they grew in years, they also grew in the knowledge of the blessed truth; and since that time, some of them are become

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public preachers thereof.'-J. Gratton's Life. Thus cherished and watered, did Peter Gardiner find this group of young 'olive plants,' when he entered their abode.

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Upon the 16th of the eleventh month, 1694, it pleased the Lord to send him to Ury; having come by Aberdeen, Kinmuck, and also Kingswells; in which last place he was made instrumental in the Lord's hand, in bringing forth Andrew Jaffray's eldest daughter in a public testimony. Afterward, in a meeting at Jane Somervill's, at Aberdeen, he was under a great exercise, and said, he felt the life stopped in some there, and could not get forward, until the Seed was at liberty; after which, he was again brought forth in a living testimony, to the refreshment of all the meeting.

"When he came to Ury, which was on the thirdday of the week, Andrew Jaffray, David Wallace and Robert Gerard accompanying him from Aberdeen, he had a meeting there on fourth-day. From thence he went to Stonehaven on fifth-day, being accompanied by most of them of Ury; and there he and Andrew Jaffray had, each of them, a good opportunity among the people that came into the meeting. From thence we came that night to Springhall, a house on the estate of Ury, and had there a good meeting; only he said he felt the life stopped in some there, who would not give up to the Lord's requirings. The same night, after supper, he had a blessed opportunity with Robert Barclay, David and Patience Barclay, John Gillie, David Wallace and Robert Gerard; where we were all so mightily overcome, that we were made to cry out; and Robert Barclay, aged twenty-two years, was opened in a few living words of exhortation to the young generation there present, which reached and melted our hearts in a wonderful manner. He said, it was himself who had occasioned the life to be stopped in the foregoing meeting, by not giving up to the Lord's requirings; and so, he concluded in a few living words of prayer. After this they retired to rest. Robert Barclay and Robert Gerard had a remarkably comfortable night, neither of them minding sleep much. Next day, which was sixth-day, we had a blessed meeting among the children; where Christian Barclay, the younger, aged fourteen years, had her mouth opened in prayer, to the refreshment of us all. That same day we had a more general meeting at Ury; where Friends at Stonehaven, and those also about Ury attended.

"On the seventh-day we had another blessed morning meeting among the children; and the first-day of the week following, we had a good meeting about the middle of the day, where there was more people than usual; and Robert Barclay bore a living testimony among them. Life so went along with him in it, that it reached the hearts of many of them, and astonished others; his testimony being much to this purpose:-That the Lord had given them line upon line, and precept upon precept, one visitation after another, to

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