FRIENDS' INTELLIGENCER. VOL. XIV. PHILADELPHIA, ELEVENTH MONTH 21, 1857. We had intended proceeding that afternoon, but found no suitable lodging place could be reached timely, and felt fully satisfied with our detention, as, if we had gone forward, the company of several who called on us would have been lost, and perhaps part of the design of this visit defeated. I think it was nine o'clock when the last application for books was made. My very soul cleaved to some of the inhabitants of Sligo, and the remembrance of having been there is precious; whether any fruit may ever appear We left it on third day morning, purposing to proceed in a direct course to Roscommon, but hearing on the way that the assizes were then holding, and consequently accommodations at an inn not likely to be obtained, we were obliged to change our plan, and went to Carrick on Shannon, where with much difficulty we procured lodging. or not. "I passed a night of very deep exercise, and little sleep; so great a weight of darkness and distress covered my mind as I could not account for; and very earnestly did my spirit crave that preservation might be vouchsafed. In the morning I saw not which way to turn, the track which had presented being of necessity diverged from, and when, on examining the different directions of the roads, one was pointed out as the nearest way to Moate, all seemed dark thereon, though I knew not why; but when another, the least eligible as to appearance, was mentioned, I felt satisfied to proceed on that. "As we went on I became less oppressed, until drawing near a town, when the previous baptism to a bitter cup so affected my spirit, that, by the time we arrived at the inn, I was not left in ignorance respecting the line of duty which awaited me here; and finding a very large room, and the landlord kindly disposed to accommodate us, our men Friends soon went to work, and had a labo No. 36 rious task in circulating the invitation, nor did much encouragement appear respecting the attendance. A very large company however assembled, which it was difficult to get even into outward stillness, so that although the burden of the word rested, it could not be cast off without frequent interruption, owing to the unsettlement of the people; which I suppose arose from the novelty of the circumstance, as we cannot trace that a meeting was ever held there before by Friends. Yet notwithstanding the difficulty of stepping on such untrodden ground, and the awfulness of the labor, truth was mercifully raised over all, so as to chain down the rebellious nature, and afford strength to discharge apprehended duty. I trust there were some who assented to the importance of that work which all their own creaturely willings and runnings could never effect; so that if no more good was done, than a little ploughing up the fallow ground of Strokestown, even that may prepare the way for some other laborers more readily and availingly to enter into the field. Though nearly all the inhabitants are Roman Catholics, yet many applied for books after some had been distributed. "We passed through several other places with only secret travail of spirit, and reached Moate fifth day night, where we remained over first day, which was one of laborious exercise. In the forenoon we sat with Friends, and had a large public meeting in the evening, but through the renewings of holy help relief of mind was obtained. "In our way from Roscommon we stopt at Lanesborough, where being sensible of inward. exercise, and no clearness in proceeding, we made enquiry for a place to hold a meeting, but were informed that no large room could be had, which, with finding the inhabitants were mostly Roman Catholics, tended to discourage us. However, as the pressure continued, we had a parlor at the inn prepared, and notice spread, and in a short time had the room, passage, &c. crowded; and I think there was in this poor place, among a people who are kept in darkness by those who profess to be their guides, as much liberty to declare the way of life and salvation, as in many places where light seems to have more apparently made its way. Many were solid, and I doubt not sensible of good impressions; for which favor our spirits bowed in humble commemoration of divine goodness. "We reached Ballymahon that night, where | produce the desired effect, and in a few weeks the clergyman of the parish readily gave the use of the worship-house for a meeting. This town is mostly inhabited by Roman Catholics, so that it was not expected many would attend; but a large company of that description came, as well as most of the Protestants, and among them the minister who gave us the house. An arduous line of labor fell to my lot; it was truly like going forth with the gospel sword, if I was ever intrusted with it, against those structures not reared by divine power. Although the extreme ignorance of the people caused the work to feel heavy, it may indeed be gratefully acknowledged, with that praise which belongs to the glorious Author of all good, that help was mercifully proportioned; and, even while the enmity was evidently raised, the Lord continued near to support and strengthen for the discharge of apprehended duty. Returned to Clonmel, on second day the 13th of 4th mo. peaceful in mind, but with diminished strength of body. The following was written under a review of this journey. "As to any little effort of mine to promote the glorious cause of truth, and advancement of the spiritual kingdom of life and peace, it is not worth entering upon. Yet as the object is considered abstractedly, as the power not the instrument is kept in view, I hope that in all humility the thankful acknowledgment may be made, that although the line of service recently allotted has been very trying, humiliating, and awful, He who putteth forth has fulfilled His own promise, and mercifully proportioned strength to the conflicts of the day; superadding to the support immediately extended, the encouraging belief, that His gathering arm is reached and reaching forth to the workmanship of His holy hand; aud if the labor of the poor instruments go no further than the mission of John, and prepare the way for greater breakings forth of light, let us be therewith content, and faithfully do our part, leaving the issue to divine wisdom. I have never been in any part of these nations where the ground seemed so unbroken as in some of the places lately visited, especially in Connaught, nor have I been more sensibly convinced than during this engagement, that light will break forth, and the darkness which now covers the earth disperse by its glorious arising.' she was advised to try the Mallow waters, as a substitute for those of the hot-wells, being unwilling to undertake so long a journey unless deemed absolutely needful. After spending a month at the former place, her complaints assumed so alarming an appearance, and the reduction of strength was so rapid, that her affection. ate husband was not satisfied longer to delay resorting to those means which in earlier life had proved beneficial to his beloved companion. To herself, and many of her friends, it appeared scarcely warrantable for her to undertake such a journey, nor did she anticipate the result so fondly desired by her near connexions; rather looking to the disease which then affected her, as one designed to bring down the poor earthly tabernacle, and centre her immortal spirit in everlasting rest; and the entire quietness of mind with which she was favored, tended to encourage this prospect. Still she did not oppose the wishes of her husband, and early in the eighth month she set out with him and her two eldest daughters. They sailed from Waterford to Milford, and afterwards travelled slowly to Bristol; the dear invalid bearing the voyage and journey even beyond what they had dared to expect; and after spending six weeks at the Hot-wells, the improvement in her health was such as to afford strong hopes of ultimate recovery. Her native air and the waters were so salutary to her lungs, that the cough gradually abated, and her strength was renewed. When the time for remaining at the wells was expired, she passed some weeks at the house of her beloved friends John and Margaret Waring, attending meetings in the city and neighborhood of Bristol, and enjoying the society of some old and intimate friends: and although not from home on the ground of religious concern, there is reason to believe that her company and ministerial labors were productive of spiritual benefit to many, both in and out of our Society, amongst whom her lot was cast at that time. Near the end of the year she returned to Ireland, so far restored in health as to give expectation of her being strengthened for continued usefulness in the church. Nor was it long before her dedication to the best of causes was again evinced, for in the second mo. 1796, she applied to her Monthly Meeting for a certificate Notwithstanding her having a hard cough, and to visit the families of Friends in Waterford and evident symptoms of pulmonary affection, she Ross, expressing her belief that some more pubwent from home again in about two weeks to at-lic service would also be required of her in those tend the Yearly Meeting in Dublin, and as usual took an active part in the concerns of that interesting season; she also attended a few meetings in her return, though struggling with an increase of indisposition from repeated colds, and on arriving at her own house was so unwell as to render close confinement necessary. This, however, and skilful medical attention, failed to places. After being awhile closely occupied at Waterford she wrote as follows: "The work is truly a laborious one, I think more so than any of the same nature heretofore has proved. Life is in the general, low, and yet such a renewed visitation is sensibly extended, even to 'strengthen the things which remain' lest they utterly die, and the exercise so expands in [To be continued.] families, that we have sometimes to divide, and have been right, may future preservation be mertake the different parts separately. After some cifully vouchsafed." visits, my poor frame is so sunk that I have thought I should be scarcely able to continue throughout the engagement, though bound in spirit to the service. I am indulged with a truly dear and very suitable companion in Margaret Hayland; who is evidently fitted for the work, and employed in it, in what I believe the fulness of time. "The line does not seem circumscribed to those in membership, and I continue to feel my mind attracted to several who attend our meetings with honest enquiries, what shall we do?' &c. Among these are a family, respecting whom I had no knowledge or information, but while in meeting the day after I came here, my heart was drawn into such a feeling of secret sympathy with two genteel looking women, who sat solidly opposite the gallery, that I was ready to marvel, not knowing by their appearance whether they had any connexion with Friends or not. At length I became so exercised that the work in them might be carried forward, and the new creation perfected, that vocal supplication was offered and enquiring after meeting respecting them, I found they were a widow Ussher and her daughter, and that they had constantly attended meetings for several months past. I spoke to them on going out of the meeting house, and they cordially to me; since then we have seen more of each other; they are indeed a wonderful family, and the more I know of them, the more my heart is attached to them." After she and her companion had visited the few families in Ross, she thus relates a circumstance which occurred there. A brief Memoir of MARY ELLICOTT, daughter of Evan Thomas, of Sandy Spring, Montgomery County, Maryland. Her character from early life was marked by a retiring and unobtrusive diffidence. When mingling with her intimate friends, she was cheerful, communicative, and confiding, but in large and more mixed companies, like her mother, whom she much resembled both in disposition and person, she was more silent, but always kind, and courteous in her manner and deportment. These were her distinguishing traits through life. In the 18th year of her age she married Elias Ellicott, and by her amiable and conciliatory carriage towards her husband's relations, she very soon became greatly endeared to them. In the management of her domestic concerns she was judicious and careful, and all around her were made comfortable and happy. About the year 1802 she was attacked with a severe and lingering nervous fever, which greatly prostrated her strength, and for many days there was but little prospect she would recover. During this time her mind became deeply impressed, under a religious concern, on her own account and for the preservation of her family. It was clearly opened to her, that should she be restored, a narrower path would be before her than she had yet trod, though her life from infancy had been one of strict propriety and innocence. After a long and protracted confinement, her health gradually improved, and she was restored to her family and friends, by whom she was beloved with the tenderest affection. "I sat the meeting under unutterable exercise, dear M. H. was engaged to minister to a state, for which I then believed I was going through such a baptism as I have seldom expe- her mind during her illness, remained fresh and The solemn impressions that had rested upon rienced, and feeling (as I apprehend) a clear di- unabated until the hour of her death, which ocrection how to act, when the meeting terminated, curred about eight years afterwards. As early I requested that two men who had sat solidly, but were total strangers to me, might be invited as the restoration from the feeble state to which she had been reduced, enabled her to resume the to our lodging; they willingly came, and a time long to be remembered ensued; one Was the charge of her family, she felt it to be her duty to cause every unnecessary article, introduced for same person for whom I felt in my last visit to this place, but whose countenance I did not display or ornament, to be removed from her know; they are both evidently under the care of house, and nothing afterwards during her lifethe great Shepherd, but much tried on different time, of that description, was ever admitted into accounts. We sat and parted under such feel-it. She believed it to be her duty, not only to ings as I have no language to describe, and for set this example to her children, but also to imthis season alone I could bear to be separated from my nearest connexions; but we have reason thankfully to believe that so far our steppings Press upon them her most earnest and affection< ate admonition, that in their manners, dress and ostentatious displays of every kind: and of this habits, they would observe moderation, and avoid she continued to be a pure and unobtrusive example to the end of her life. Her death was sudden and altogether unexpected by her friends, * This Friend, Elizabeth Ussher, was afterwards well known as an acceptable minister in our Society, she and three daughters having joined it by convincement.-See "Ussher's Letters," printed in Dublin, but not by herself; she had felt and expressed 1812. a presentiment that it was not distant. During the little time of her illness, she had a sufficient | Telford, sons of William Telford, Deacon of the opportunity to take an affectionate and final leave of her bereaved and deeply afflicted family and friends. To her children, as her last dying counsel, she expressed her fervent desire that they would continue diligently to attend their religious meetings, that they would be moderate and exemplary in their manner of living, that they would do all in their power to sustain and console their afflicted father, that they would love and cherish each other, and never depart from the habits and precepts in which they had been educated, nor disregard the manifestations of duty as opened on their minds. To their uncles who then resided in the family, and to whom she had been both a mother and a sister, she expressed her earnest request, that they would give their aid towards enabling their father to keep her children in habits of rectitude, and guard them from falling under evil influences. Having thus fully relieved her mind from a concern that had heavily pressed upon it, and now feeling herself released from all earthly ties, in perfect resignation, and with unshaken confidence that she was about to enter into everlasting rest and peace, she calmly, as one falling into an easy sleep, quietly passed away; being in the 42nd year of her age. THOMAS STORY. (Continued from page 536.) After visiting Edinburgh, Linlithgow, and Glasgow meeting with the same kind of abuses from the Priests and from the rabble, as before, they came to Hamilton, where he says (page 74): That afternoon we went back to Hamilton, where we found Thomas Rudd come after us from Aberdeen, who had been through the streets with his usual message the same day; and (as we were told by some we met in the way who were not Friends) the people had abused him very much. Presbyterian Church at Hamilton. But Thomas Rudd, not having fully delivered his message, (which he always continued everywhere till the people were quieted) went again down the High street; upon which the officer put him in prison; and John Bowstead, Hugh Wood, James Miller and I went with him, with design to accompany him in his imprisonment; but the rabble furiously pushed John Bowstead from the door down the stairs, pulled off his hat and trampled it under foot; and some of them fixing their hands in his hair, dragged, beat and abused him, till some, touched with compassion, cried out murder; and some young men, of more noble disposition, particularly one Thomas Kirkbarns, rescued him from them. Also they dragged James Miller, one of their neighbors, back from the prison door, and throwing him upon the ground, beat, abused him and broke his nose, there by shedding his blood; also they pushed, hauled, tossed and abused Hugh Wood very much, which was the more inhuman, he being an ancient man, a neighbor, and had not said anything to provoke them, unless to persuade them to moderation. Also some of them pushed me from the prison door to the foot of the stone stairs (which were on the outside) with great fury, and bruised my left side against the stones, though I said nothing to them. Thus In the mean time, John Bowstead called for the chief magistrate, that if he had anything to object against us, we were willing to answer him, whereupon came David Marshall, eldest Bailie, and desired us to go into his house, which was over against the prison, till the rabble dispersed; but he did not make any use of his authority as a magistrate to disperce and appease them; so far from it, that he suffered one of his own servants to be active in this work. The others who threw dirt and stones at us, calling us dogs, and other reproachful names, were generally the wives, sons, daughters and servants of the magisA little after we came to town the concern re- trates, merchants and manufacturers. turned upon him; and reaching us, with several ended their Sabbath day's work; though one of of the Friends there, we went all into the street, their pretences for using us thus was that we had two by two, (each two at a little distance from broken the Sabbath by going through the town the other,) and Thomas Rudd proclaimed the in that manner. Whether we, who were there same warning as before; upon which a multi- on the Lord's account, to warn them to turn tude of people issued into the streets, and were from evil, or they who thus abused us on that indifferent sober, till James Fairy, the town-of-day, which they call the Sabbath, did more ficer, came in a barbarous furious manner, and laid hold on Thomas Rudd, commanding him to go to his quarters, otherwise to the Tolbooth, their prison-house; and the rudeness of the man in the presence of the multitude so encouraged the baser sort, that they fell upon us, and inhumanly abused us; but especially Thomas Rudd. The most active in this shameful work, were mostly of that furious sect of Presbyterians called Cameronians; and, among others, there were Robert Scot, a town-officer, and John and Charles break the Sabbath, let their actions and ours dcmonstrate. And whether magistrates countenancing evil and taking part in it with evil doers, be not false to the trust reposed in them, perverters of the good end of their appointment, and guilty of all the evil they ought and might restrain or punish, we leave the Lord to determine in his own time and way, by his unerring justice, against that and such a magistracy. The next morning Thomas Rudd and John Bowstead were concerned to go through the same town again, where they met with the like And Thomas Rudd, going down another street, The same day, John Bowstead and I went to a meeting at Shatton Hill, which had been appointed before, leaving Thomas Rudd at Hamilton, from whence he purposed to go to Ireland, but that day he went through the town again, and the inhabitants became more sober; and the next morning he visited them in the like manner, and they were all still, and came not out any more to molest him; and then, finding his concern in that place to be at an end, he departed in peace. But before I departed that town, I wrote a few lines to the above named R. Hamilton in this manner: And I wrote also to the inhabitants, who had abused us as aforesaid, in these words from the mind of the Lord, viz:— "20th of the First Month, 1692. How long will you do wickedly? How long will ye stone and abuse the servants of the Most High, who are sent to you for peace and reconciliation? How long will ye trample under foot the blood of the everlasting covenant, and adore your own inventions? How long shall the wooings of the Highest be despised? Shall eternal judg ments terminate your wickedness, or will you escape by obedience to the Gospel of Peace? ? Anger remains in the bosom of fools; and do your actions bespeak you wise? Has the Lord left you to the counsel of your own will, or is there yet hopes of redemption for you Surely the Lord is displeased with your doings, because you hate the counsel of his love. How far distant is persecution from the everlasting And how evident demonGospel of Peace? stration you gave, last night and this morning, that the prince of the power of the air, Apollyon, the destroyer, who reigns in the hearts of the children of disobedience also rules and rages in hearts, I leave with you to consider; that if yet there remains any place of repentance, you may lay hold of it, and escape the unspeakable misery that is hastening upon all the workers of iniquity, how well soever covered with a mask of profession. I am, through Christ, a lover of the souls of all whose day of visitation is not THOMAS STORY." already over. On the 21st of the First month, 1693, John Bowstead and I went from Shatton Hill to Bankend, to the house of our friend John Kennedy; and on the 22d, we went to Drumlanrig, where we had a meeting among a few Friends in the house of James Wood, gardener to the duke of Queensberry; and on the 24th we went home to our several habitations; John Bowstead to his family, at Eglinby, in Cumberland, and I to my father's house at Justicetown, in the same county, being safely conducted and preserved through all dangers by the arm of the Lord, whose name is becoming dreadful* among the nations. Unto him be the honor and glory of all his great works and goodness, for evermore, amen. About this time some of the parishioners of Scaleby, in Cumberland, were convinced of truth; and Nathaniel Bowey, being priest incumbent there, wrote a letter to them, containing several invectives, of false accusations and reproaches against Friends, and the divine light we profess; as likewise heterodox opinions, and false doctrines, "R. HAMILTON,-I understand that thou art a person professing Christianity, which is the highest excellency named among the children of men; but how far thou art short of that life The signification of the word "dreadful" among of love, inseparable from every true Christian, the ancients, was "awful, venerable," which Webster thy deportment to my friends, the servants of in his quarto dictionary gives, quoting Gen. 28: 17, the Most High, and also to myself, in the streets"How dreadful is this place;" and Mal. 4: 7, "Great of Hamilton, does sufficiently demonstrate." and dreadful day of the Lord," &c. |