creatures he had made, he furnished him not only with skill and power, but with integrity to use them justly. The principle of Divine love was his preserver and guide; and there was no need of compulsive means. But man becoming disobedient to the Divine law written in the heart, became necessarily subject to the reproof and conviction of the just law without, in a judicial administration. Thus outward government is established as an auxiliary to religion. First, as a terror to those who do evil, and second, to cherish and encourage those who do well. The restraining power of government, which applies only to the transgressors, is considered as its coarsest feature; the regulation of many other affairs, of a milder character, making up a great part of it. tages by you, rather than to be examples of justice and goodness unto you, which I hear hath been matter of trouble to you, and caused great grudgings and animosities, sometimes to the shedding of blood, which hath made the great God angry. But I am not such a man, as is well known in my own country. I have great love and regard towards you, and I desire to win and gain your love and friendship by a kind, just and peaceable life, and the people I send are of the same mind, and shall in all things behave themselves accordingly, and if in any thing any shall offend you or your people, you shall have a full and speedy satisfaction for the same by an equal number of just men on both sides, that by no means you may have just occasion of being offended against them. I shall shortly come to you myself, at which time we may more largely With regard to the forms of government, and freely confer and discourse of these mat- the author observes, that any government is ters; in the mean time I have sent my com- free to the people under it, whatever be the missioners to treat with you about land, and frame, where the laws rule, and the people a firm league of peace. Let me desire you are a party to those laws, and more than this to be kind to them and the people, and re-is tyranny, oligarchy or confusion. Governceive these presents and tokens which I have sent you, as a testimony of my good-will to you, and my resolution to live justly, peaceably and friendly with you. "I am your loving friend, "WILLIAM PENN." ments rather depend upon men, than men upon governments. Let men be good, and the government cannot be bad, or if it is, they will cure it. But if men are bad, let the government be ever so good, they will be likely to warp and spoil it. A loose and depraved people love laws and an administration like themBy the same conveyance was probably selves. Therefore that which makes a good communicated a letter to the European inhab- constitution is necessary to maintain it; viz., itants of the province, which has been recently men of wisdom and virtue. As these qualipublished in the Memoirs of the Historical ties are not hereditary, they ought to be careSociety of Pennsylvania. In this he assured fully propagated by a virtuous education. them of his desire for their happiness in this The frame of government and its accompaworld and in that to come; and of his inten-nying laws, are stated to have been adopted tion to allow them to be governed by laws of with reverence to God, and good conscience their own framing, and that every thing would toward men, according to the best capacity be granted which a sober and free people of their framers, to answer the great end of could desire for the security and improvement all government, viz., to support power in of their happiness. reverence with the people, and to secure the As the conditions and concessions agreed people from the abuse of power, that the peoupon in the summer of 1681, contained no-ple may be free by their just obedience, and thing more than a general outline, it was the magistrates honourable for their just adjudged expedient to prepare a regular frame ministration; for liberty without obedience is of government for the province, together with confusion, and obedience without liberty is a brief system of laws which were agreed slayery.* upon in England by the proprietary and di- Of the laws agreed upon and published vers of those who were preparing to emigrate with the frame of government, I shall notice to Pennsylvania. These laws were to be sub-two or three which partake of a religious chamitted for examination and adoption to the racter. first provincial assembly convened in the province. "That all persons living in the province, who * In a letter to one of his friends, written about In the preface, which was unquestionably the production of William Penn himself, we the time this frame of government was agreed find a number of valuable sentiments on the upon, he observed, "For the matters of liberty and nature and origin of government. It is ob- and leave myself and successors no power of doing privilege, I purpose that which is extraordinary, served that when the Creator of the world mischief, that the will of one man may not hinder conferred upon man his authority over the | the good of a whole community." confess and acknowledge the one Almighty ed, it was rather a consequence of the grant and eternal God, to be the Creator, Upholder than a part of it. According to the liberal and Ruler of the world; and that hold themselves obliged in conscience to live peaceably and justly in civil society, shall in no ways be molested or prejudiced for their religious persuasion or practice, in matters of faith and worship, nor shall they be compelled, at any time, to frequent or maintain any religious worship, place or ministry whatever. "That, according to the good example of the primitive Christians, and the ease of the creation, every first-day of the week, called the Lord's-day, people shall abstain from their common daily labour, that they may better dispose themselves to worship God according to their understandings. opinions of William Penn in relation to government, that the laws must rule and the people be a party to the law, it seems that the power of government must rest chiefly with the people themselves. Upon this principle, William Penn and the inhabitants of these lower counties appear to have acted. They considered themselves subjects of the British empire, but I do not find that they ever after this time acknowledged any authority in the government of New York, to which previous to this grant these counties were an appendage. In this year, 1682, the mother of William Penn was removed by death. This event ap"That as a careless and corrupt administra-pears to have affected him very closely. Betion of justice draws the wrath of God upon sides the circumstances usually attendant on magistrates, so the wildness and looseness of the maternal relation, she had been peculithe people provoke the indignation of God arly endeared to him by her tenderness and against a country; therefore, that all such care in the time of his greatest trials. When offences against God, as swearing, cursing, exposed to the displeasure of his father on lying, profane talking, drunkenness, drinking account of his religious principles, she interof healths, obscene words, and several other posed her good offices and relieved his wants scandalous acts particularly named, treasons, from her private purse. misprisions, duels, murders, felony, sedition, maims, forcible entries and other violences to the persons and estates of the inhabitants of the province; all prizes, stage-plays, cards, WILLIAM PENN having completed his predice, may-games, gamesters, masques, revels, parations for a voyage to America, went in bull-baitings, cock-fightings, bear-baitings and the sixth month of this year, on board the the like, which excite the people to rudeness, ship Welcome, of three hundred tons, Robert cruelty and irreligion, shall be respectively Greenaway commander; and on the 30th of discouraged and severely punished, according the month, addressed a valedictory epistle to to the appointment of the governor and freemen in provincial council and general assembly." This system was signed by the governor and freemen in the third month, 1682. The grant of territory which had been made to James, Duke of York, having given him some claim, though at best a very doubtful one, to the tract included within the limits of Pennsylvania, William Penn, previous to entering himself upon his new possession, obtained from the duke, a full release of all his claims upon the province. This deed was dated the 20th of August, 1682. He also obtained in the same year, by two separate deeds from the duke, a grant of the tract on the Delaware river and bay, commonly termed, the three lower counties, now the State of Delaware. This grant was obtained to secure the free use of the river, and to prevent the trouble which might probably arise from the access to the province being in the possession of another. It conveyed to William Penn the right of soil, for which he agreed to pay to the duke and his heirs, one-half of the rents and profits which he should receive from it. But if there was any political power convey. CHAPTER XXI. his friends in England. He also wrote the following letter to Stephen Crisp, a valuable minister of the Gospel, who travelled and suffered considerably in the service of his Divine Master. "Dear Stephen Crisp, "My dear and lasting love in the Lord's everlasting Truth reaches to thee, with whom is my fellowship in the Gospel of peace, that is more dear and precious to my soul than all the treasures and pleasures of this world; for when a few years are passed, we shall all go the way whence we shall never return and that we may unweariedly serve the Lord in our day and place, and in the end enjoy a portion with the blessed that are at rest, is the breathing of my soul! "Stephen! we know one another, and I need not say much to thee; but this I will say, thy parting dwells with me, or rather, thy love at my parting. How innocent, how tender, how like the little child that has no guile! The Lord will bless that ground (Pennsylvania). I have also a letter from thee, which comforted me; for many are my tri als, yet not more than my supplies from my heavenly Father, whose glory I seek, and the renown of his blessed name. And truly, Stephen, there is work enough, and here is room to work in. Surely God will come in for a share in this planting work, and that leaven shall leaven the lump in time. I do not believe the Lord's providence had run this way towards me, but that he has an heavenly end and service in it: so with him I leave all, and myself, and thee and his dear people, and blessed name on earth. “God Almighty, immortal and eternal, be with us, that in the body and out of the body we may be his for ever! "I am, in the ancient dear fellowship, As this voyage and residence in America, were likely to keep him separated from his family, during a considerable time, he left behind him an interesting and instructive address to his wife and children, in relation to their conduct during his absence. This communication is filled with important suggestions upon the economy of life, and is worthy of a careful perusal, notwithstanding its length. "My dear wife and children, "My love, which neither sea nor land, nor death itself, can extinguish or lessen toward you, most endearly visits you with eternal embraces, and will abide with you for ever: and may the God of my life watch over you and bless you, and do you good in this world and for ever!-Some things are upon my spirit to leave with you in your respective capacities, as I am to the one a husband, and to the rest a father, if I should never see you more in this world. "My dear wife, remember thou wast the love of my youth, and much the joy of my life; the most beloved, as well as most worthy of all my earthly comforts: and the reason of that love was more thy inward than thy outward excellencies, which yet were many. God knows, and thou knowest it, I can say it was a match of Providence's making; and God's image in us both was the first thing, and the most amiable and engaging ornament in our eyes. Now I am to leave thee, and that without knowing whether I shall ever see thee more in this world, take my counsel into thy bosom, and let it dwell with thee in my stead while thou livest. that no rude, light or bad thing be committed: else God will be offended, and he will repent himself of the good he intends thee and thine. "Secondly: Be diligent in meetings for worship and business; stir up thyself and others herein; it is thy duty and place: and let meetings be kept once a day in the family to wait upon the Lord, who has given us much time for ourselves. And my dearest, to make thy family matters easy to thee, divide thy time and be regular; it is easy and sweet: thy retirement will afford thee to do it; as in the morning to view the business of the house, and fix it as thou desirest, seeing all be in order; that by thy counsel all may move, and to thee render an account every evening. The time for work, for walking, for meals, may be certain, at least as near as may be: and grieve not thyself with careless servants; they will disorder thee: rather pay them, and let them go, if they will not be better by admonitions: this is best to avoid many words, which I know wound the soul and offend the Lord. "Thirdly: Cast up thy income, and see what it daily amounts to; by which thou mayest be sure to have it in thy sight and power to keep within compass: and I beseech thee to live low and sparingly, till my debts are paid; and then enlarge as thou seest it convenient. Remember thy mother's example, when thy father's public-spiritedness had worsted his estate, which is my case. I know thou lovest plain things, and art averse to the pomps of the world; a nobility natural to thee. I write not as doubtful, but to quicken thee, for my sake, to be vigilant herein; knowing that God will bless thy care, and thy poor children and thee for it. My mind is wrapt up in a saying of thy father's, 'I desire not riches, but to owe nothing;' and truly that is wealth, and more than enough to live is a snare attended with many sorrows. I need not bid thee be humble, for thou art so; nor meek and patient, for it is much of thy natural disposition: but I pray thee be oft in retirement with the Lord, and guard against encroaching friendships. Keep them at arm's end; for it is giving away our power, aye, and self too, into the possession of another; and that which might seem engaging in the beginning, may prove a yoke and burden too hard and heavy in the end. Wherefore keep dominion over thyself, and let thy children, good meetings and Friends, be the pleasure of thy life. "First: Let the fear of the Lord and a 66 zeal and love to his glory dwell richly in thy heart; and thou wilt watch for good over thyself and thy dear children and family, Fourthly: And now, my dearest, let me recommend to thy care my dear children; abundantly beloved of me, as the Lord's blessings, and the sweet pledges of our mutual and endeared affection. Above all things endeavour to breed them up in the love of virtue, and that holy plain way of it which we have lived in, that the world in no part of it get into my family. I had rather they were homely than finely bred as to outward behaviour; yet I love sweetness mixed with gravity, and cheerfulness tempered with sobriety. Religion in the heart leads into this true civility, teaching men and women to be mild and courteous in their behaviour, an accomplishment worthy indeed of praise. "And now, my dear children, that are the covetous kindred. And of cities and towns of concourse beware; the world is apt to stick close to those who have lived and got wealth there: a country life and estate I like best for my children. I prefer a decent mansion, of an hundred pounds per annum, before ten thousand pounds in London, or such like place, in a way of trade. In fine, my dear, endeavour to breed them dutiful to the Lord, and his blessed light, truth and grace in their hearts, who is their Creator, and his fear will grow up with them. Teach a child, says the "Fifthly Next breed them up in a love wise man, the way thou wilt have him to one of another: tell them it is the charge I walk, and when he is old he will not forget left behind me; and that it is the way to have it. Next, obedience to thee, their dear mothe love and blessing of God upon them; also ther; and that not for wrath, but for consciwhat his portion is, who hates, or calls his ence-sake; liberal to the poor, pitiful to the brother fool. Sometimes separate them, but miserable, humble and kind to all; and may not long; and allow them to send and give my God make thee a blessing, and give thee each other small things to endear one another comfort in our dear children; and in age with. Once more I say, tell them it was my gather thee to the joy and blessedness of the counsel they should be tender and affectionate just, where no death shall separate us, for one to another. For their learning be liberal. ever! Spare no cost; for by such parsimony all is lost that is saved: but let it be useful know-gifts and mercies of the God of your tender ledge, such as is consistent with Truth and father, hear my counsel, and lay it up in your godliness, not cherishing a vain conversation hearts; love it more than treasure, and follow or idle mind; but ingenuity mixed with indus- it, and you shall be blessed here and happy try is good for the body and mind too. I re- hereafter. commend the useful parts of mathematics, as "In the first place, remember your Creator building houses or ships, measuring, survey-in the days of your youth. It was the glory ing, dialling, navigation; but agriculture is of Israel in the second of Jeremiah: and how especially in my eye: let my children be hus-did God bless Josiah because he feared him bandmen and house-wives; it is industrious, in his youth! and so he did Jacob, Joseph healthy, honest and of good example: like Abraham and the holy ancients, who pleased God and obtained a good report. This leads to consider the works of God and nature, of things that are good, and diverts the mind from being taken up with the vain arts and "To do this, in your youthful days seek inventions of a luxurious world. It is com-after the Lord, that you may find him; remendable in the princes of Germany and the membering his great love in creating you; nobles of that empire, that they have all their children instructed in some useful occupation. Rather keep an ingenious person in the house to teach them, than send them to schools, too many evil impressions being commonly received there. Be sure to observe their genius, and do not cross it as to learning: let them not dwell too long on one thing; but let "Wherefore, my dear children, eschew the their change be agreeable, and all their diver- appearance of evil, and love and cleave to sions have some little bodily labour in them. that in your hearts which shows you evil When grown big, have most care for them; from good, and tells you when you do amiss, for then there are more snares both within and reproves you for it. It is the light of and without. When marriageable, see that Christ that he has given you for your salvathey have worthy persons in their eye, of tion. If you do this and follow my counsel, good life, and good fame for piety and under- God will bless you in this world, and give standing. I need no wealth, but sufficiency; you an inheritance in that which shall never and be sure their love be dear, fervent and have an end. For the light of Jesus is of a mutual, that it may be happy for them. I purifying nature; it seasons those who love choose not they should be married to earthly, it and take heed to it; and never leaves such, and Moses. O my dear children, remember, and fear and serve Him who made you and gave you to me and your dear mother; that you may live to him and glorify him in your generations! that you are not beasts, plants or stones, but that he has kept you, and given you his grace within, and substance without, and provided plentifully for you. This remember in your youth, that you may be kept from the evil of the world for in age it will be harder to overcome the temptations of it. till it has brought them to the city of God, that has foundations. O that ye may be seasoned with the gracious nature of it! hide it in your hearts, and flee, my dear children, from all youthful lusts; the vain sports, pastimes and pleasures of the world; redeeming the time, because the days are evil!-You are now beginning to live-what would some give for your time? Oh! I could have lived better, were I, as you, in the flower of youth. Therefore love and fear the Lord, keep close to meetings, and delight to wait on the Lord God of your father and mother, among his despised people, as we have done; and count it your honour to be members of that Society, and heirs of that living fellowship which is enjoyed among them, for the experience of which your father's soul blesseth the Lord for ever. make a provision for your children, and that in moderation, if the Lord gives you any. I charge you help the poor and needy; let the Lord have a voluntary share of your income for the good of the poor, both in our Society and others; for we are all his creatures; remembering that he that giveth to the poor lendeth to the Lord.' "Know well your in-comings, and your out-goings may be better regulated. Love not money nor the world: use them only, and they will serve you; but if you love them you serve them, which will debase your spirits as well as offend the Lord. "Pity the distressed, and hold out a hand of help to them; it may be your case; and as you mete to others God will mete to you again. "Affront nonc, neither revenge the affronts that are done to you; but forgive and you shall be forgiven of your heavenly Father. "Be humble and gentle in your conversa. "Next: be obedient to your dear mother, tion; of few words, I charge you; but ala woman whose virtue and good name is an ways pertinent when you speak, hearing out honour to you; for she hath been exceeded before you attempt to answer, and then speakby none in her time for her plainness, integ-ing as if you would persuade, not impose. rity, industry, humanity, virtue and good understanding; qualities not usual among women of her worldly condition and quality. Therefore honour and obey her, my dear children, as your mother, and your father's love and delight; nay love her too, for she loved your father with a deep and upright love, choosing him before all her many suitors and though she be of a delicate constitution and noble spirit, yet she descended to the utmost tenderness and care for you, performing the painfulest acts of service to you in your infancy, as a mother and a nurse too. I charge you, before the Lord, honour and obey, love and cherish your dear mother. "In making friends consider well first; and when you are fixed be true, not wavering by reports nor deserting in affliction, for that becomes not the good and virtuous. "Watch against anger, neither speak nor act in it; for, like drunkenness, it makes a man a beast, and throws people into desperate inconveniences. "Avoid flatterers, for they are thieves in disguise; their praise is costly, designing to get by those they bespeak; they are the worst of creatures; they lie to flatter, and flatter to cheat; and which is worse, if you believe them you cheat yourselves most dangerously. But the virtuous, though poor, love, cherish and prefer. Remember David, who asking the Lord, 'Who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell upon thy holy hill?' answers, He that walketh uprightly, worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart; "Next: betake yourselves to some honest, industrious course of life, and that not of sordid covetousness, but for example and to avoid idleness. And if you change your condition and marry, choose, with the knowledge and consent of your mother if living, or of guardians, or those that have the charge of you. Mind neither beauty nor riches, but the fear of the Lord, and a sweet and amiable dispo-in whose eyes the vile person is_contemned, sition, such as you can love above all this world, and that may make your habitations pleasant and desirable to you. "And being married, be tender, affectionate, patient and meek. Live in the fear of the Lord, and he will bless you and your offspring. Be sure to live within compass; borrow not, neither be beholden to any. Ruin not yourselves by kindness to others; for that exceeds the due bounds of friendship, neither will a true friend expect it. Small matters I heed not. "Let your industry and parsimony go no further than for a sufficiency for life, and to 6 but honoureth them that fear the Lord.' "Next, my children, be temperate in all things; in your diet, for that is physic by prevention; it keeps, nay, it makes people healthy, and their generation sound. This is exclusive of the spiritual advantage it brings. Be also plain in your apparel; keep out that lust which reigns too much over some; let your virtues be your ornaments, remembering life is more than food, and the body than raiment. Let your furniture be simple and cheap. Avoid pride, avarice and luxury. Read my 'No Cross, no Crown.' There is instruction. Make your conversation with |