clining state of health. After mentioning his bodily afflictions, he instructively remarks:

they have not omitted their duty, the retrospect may afford satisfaction." John Pemberton remarks: "I think it is wisdom in "I find the Ancient of days' near me at Friends, to avoid mixing with the fluctuating times, and when this is the case, I feel neither state of affairs and the political debates of sickness nor pain. I have much pleasure the people; yet, when such glaring contrain reading and looking into the steppings of dictions appear to their former declarations the flock and companions of Christ in the respecting freedom, it may be proper deeply morning of our day [as a religious Society.] to consider what Truth might lead to, in Alas! what did they go through and suffer.showing our disapprobation of such unjust often wish that the present generation would conclusions." look into the experience and sufferings of those who loved not their lives unto death, who were champions in the Christian warfare, and turned not their backs in the day of battle, who bore the burthen and heat of the day, and smoothed our path in the wilderness

of this world."

About the 1st of the fifth month, 1788, taking a southerly course, he went to Stockport, and attended the burial of the wife of married but about eighteen months; many of George Jones: "they had," he says, "been the town's people came in; and though their expectation was too much outward, the meeting was in measure favoured. Then I proceeded towards London, and lodged at Chapela-Frith."

tingham, he reached London on sixth-day,

the 9th of fifth month.

"Second-day was the yearly meeting of ministers and elders, in which Rebecca Jones expressed to Friends how she had been employed since the last yearly meeting, and that though she did not yet see the time of her embarking, she expected her visit was nearly closed. A solid covering attended the meeting, and she had, in a close manner, to give counsel, reciting the words of the apostle respecting such who were once quickened, had tasted of the heavenly gift and partaken of the powers of the world to come; that if these fall away, it is impossible to renew them again unto repentance, seeing they have crucified to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to open shame; but she added, that though impossible with men, all things were possible with God.

John Pemberton was much interested in the subject of the abolition of the slave-trade, which was now taking deep root in the minds of serious and enlightened people in England, chiefly owing to the exertions which had been Thence passing through Stoney Middleton, made by members of our religious Society to situated in a wild and beautiful part of the spread correct information and encourage a mountainous country of Derbyshire, and sound tone of sentiment on that affecting sub-through the forest, from Mansfield to Notject. Lindley Murray, who then resided at York, wrote to him about this time, that "the cause of the poor blacks gains ground in this nation. Several great men have earnestly espoused it, and a respectable member of the house of commons, [William Wilberforce,] has given notice of his intention to bring in a bill for the prohibition of the trade. I understand that he was joined by Fox, and that he is a particular friend of the minister, Pitt. The intent of the bill is to make it felony for any British subject to take a negro from Africa without his consent." His frequent correspondent, George Dillwyn, who was then in London, also alluded to the subject, refering, however, to what was then taking place in their own land, in the following terms: "I note among other articles of intelligence, that the convention have proposed to preclude the new congress from interfering with the slavetrade for twenty-one years, after all their pre- "In the afternoon the business of the yearly tended respect to the natural and unalienable meeting was entered upon, after some profitrights of mankind, and so much light being able labour from John Storer and Samuel thrown upon the subject of slavery. How Neale. This meeting continued until the can such a provision be considered otherwise 20th; it was large, and attended by many than as a designed sanction to every crime solid Friends from various parts, both male which that trade involves, and a setting at and female, and a very hopeful appearance naught the Power to which, in their late con- of the beloved youth. There is an increastest with Great Britain, they so solemnly ap- ing zeal and concern for the support and well pealed for the sincerity of their motives? As conducting of the discipline of the church; a part of the people who are to be bound by which, however, wants care in many places. the new system, I hope Friends will find it There are many who love ease and are their duty to enter a timely and full protest; earthly minded. Some are groaning under a for, though they may not succeed to their sense of weakness and a wrong spirit bearing wish, it is of importance to be clear, and if sway in some meetings, and would be glad of

help: but others do not desire to be aroused, whole, it is wisely conducted. The girls' or turned out of their old way. A suitable schools are in excellent order, there being minute was made to authorize meetings to one hundred and six girls, under the care of deal with and disown such as are concerned religious and well qualified teachers. All the in the disreputable species of gaming, called departments under the matron's care, are neat stock-jobbing, which has brought many fami- and clean and in regular order, as is also the lies to poverty, and much disrepute upon farm; though it requires great labour and atFriends, through the conduct of some pro- tention to keep things so. The prospect is fessing with us. Many observations were pleasing, of so many youth likely to be trained also made on the evil of drawing and redraw-up in discipline and with a sense of religion ing bills, which practice had occasioned much impressed on their minds, as well as to be inreproach." structed in outward learning.

After the yearly meeting, in company with some Friends, he passed into the counties of Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk, attending the quarterly meetings at Ipswich and Norwich, and having appointed meetings at a number of other places in those parts. At Holt, he says they attended the meeting on sixth-day, which was a favoured opportunity; and remarks, that although but two men and no women belonged to this meeting, yet they regularly met twice in the week for the purpose of Divine worship. After this, he says: "We proceeded to Wells, and a meeting having been appointed at six o'clock, it was filled with many sober people; but their minds being much outward, it was held a considerable time in silence. At length John Abbott had a little seasonable matter, and afterwards I had something to offer, and the latter part of the meeting was favoured,"

Thence he passed through Lynn Regis, Lincoln, Broughton, Gainsborough, &c., to Beltoft, which he describes as "a poor and almost forsaken meeting." Afterwards he went to York to attend the quarterly meeting for that county; thence through Darlington, Durham, &c., to Kendal, where he attended the ham, &c., to Kendal, where he attended the quarterly meeting for Westmoreland, and had the satisfaction of meeting with his beloved friend and fellow-labourer, James Thornton, who had just landed from America on a religious visit to some parts of Great Britain. From this time they travelled much together, having near unity and sympathy for each other. From Kendal they went to the general meeting at Preston Patrick, thence to Lancaster quarterly meeting, whence passing to Settle, they travelled through Yorkshire, having a number of meetings at divers places, and arrived on the 2nd of eighth month at the house of Thomas Colley at Sheffield. This dear Friend had been now some months returned home from an arduous journey in the service of the gospel in America. At this place John Pemberton writes as follows:

"Eighth month 4th; We were last week at Ackworth, and united with a committee appointed to inspect the Institution. Upon the

"Ninth month 1st, at Ives, in Huntingdonshire. I have hitherto been mercifully preserved under conflicts of various kinds, often wading under much discouragement, weakness and poverty, and, since the last yearly meeting, much bodily weakness. I have now been obliged to lay by for ten days at Oakham in Rutlandshire, whence I moved hither, to the house of John Abbott, who went with me the first time, to the Orkneys. I am now much better, the cough is almost gone, and the fever much moderated; though I am still very feeble. While I was encountering many outward hardships and difficulties among rocks and mountains, and islands, the Lord merci. fully preserved in health, and sustained the mind to persevere and press through; but now in passing along with less of outward hardships and difficulties, I am more feeble in body, and also in mind; but I labour to keep deeply sympathize with me. in the patience, and have many friends who

"Dear Rebecca Jones embarked on the 13th

ult. on her return, and it was satisfactory to find she was favoured with much peace, and an evidence that she embarked at the right time. She had been wonderfully upheld, pre. served and furnished, through her journey; and knowing whence come wisdom and and ascribed the praise to the Lord, unto strength to labour rightly, was kept humble, whom it belongs. She loves to see the Lord's children walking in the truth, and the profes sors of the light walking in the light. I often wish them strengthened and preserved from sympathize with the burthen bearers, and his own calling, and to labour to fulfil his redismay: it is a great favour for each to mind spective duty. If such who have been called Had I been more attentive, more faithful and are not faithful, the loss will be their own. diligent, the crown would have been more often humbled under a sense of my frequent weighty. I have nothing to boast of, but am failures; but the Lord hath been, and is, very merciful.

"I am sorry to find that a vain parade has been countenanced and promoted in my native city. Excess in vanity is very prevalent in

this highly favoured island. As favours from of an opinon that he would scarcely get away on high are multiplied, so are the minds of before the next yearly meeting, and encou the people captivated, indulging in abundant vanity, folly and wickedness. Boxing upon stages, whereby several have been killed, is one among the scenes of brutality, which of late have been much promoted, to the reproach of the abettors, and dishonour of the name they hold."

raging him to persevere in faithfulness, by this reanimating sentiment: "None that I know of have more real helps, in a united sympathy and unity of the living members of the church, than thou hast." John Pemberton remarks on this subject a few weeks afterwards:

After his recovery from this indisposition, "The sympathy expressed by Friends for he visited several towns in the counties of me is very grateful, and I desire I may be Huntingdon and Cambridge. At Littleport favoured so to steer my course as not to forhe remarks that there was but one family of feit their unity." Friends, though formerly there were many; and adds:

"It appears that there was great convincement very early in these counties, and many meetings settled that are now extinct. Some meeting houses have been sold, and some closed; and others appear likely to be so, unless the Lord see meet to bring in others by the powerful influences of his love.

"Ninth month 17th, I set out with my friend John Abbott, and attended the quarterly meetings of Warwick and Leicester, and came to Mansfield on the 27th, to attend the quarterly meeting for Nottinghamshire.

"29th; I have now been at three quarterly meetings, wholly silent with respect to ministerial labour, except yesterday afternoon; sitting under deep suffering. The meeting for discipline was profitable."

On the 27th of eleventh month, he remarks, in a letter to his brother James, in allusion to his dear friends at home:

"If Friends can be brought to deny themselves of importing spirituous liquors, or dealing therein, except as medicine, it will be a great thing; but I expect it must be a work of time and patience. I felt, more than thirty years ago, a restraint in my own mind respecting the importation, which was one motive to my declining a trade to the West India Islands."

On the 29th he left London on his way to the west of England, and arrived at Bristol on the 2nd of twelfth month. Here he again met his friend James Thornton, and remained about a month.

"On second-day," he says, "I attended a meeting of ministers and elders for the monthly Soon afterwards he attended the quarterly meeting of Bristol, in which some useful labour meeting for Northamptonshire, held at Welwas exercised. Having had some engagement lingborough, at which he says he was silent in the public meeting, but had some labour in on my mind for a day or two towards the prithe meeting for business. After this he vis-soners in the jail at Bristol, on returning from ited several meetings in his way towards London, where he arrived on the 12th of tenth month, and continued in that city and the neighbourhood for several weeks. On the 20th he attended the adjourned quarterly meeting, "in which,” he says, "much time was spent to little profit, many being apt to speak without sufficient weight; and a spirit is evident that would lessen the weight of women's meetings, through jealousy. It was an exercising meeting; but our dear friend George Dillwyn had a seasonable time at the close, much to the purpose, so that it ended in a

this meeting I gave a hint of it to James ThornJohn Lury, we went into the jail, and had the ton, and he was willing to join me. So taking women felons first, being seventeen, and geneteen and sixteen years of age. But it was rally young, some to appearance about foursorrowful to find, that although the gospel spring was experienced, and they were closely spoken to, it had little effect upon some; others however were more affected. We then had the men felons, about twenty, and these also mostly young, some to appearance not in irons. It was a very affecting sight. Counmore than fifteen or sixteen years of age, all sel, through the efficacy of Divine love, flowed About this time he began to think that he towards these, and some were affected and might soon be released from this field of la- tendered. The opportunity was satisfactory." bour, and went on board a ship for the pur- After visiting Bath and some other places, pose of feeling after the propriety of taking he says, "We went to Marlborough, and had passage in her homewards. He returned, a meeting, which was open, though the prohowever, "not quite easy" to take such a step fessors here are very wide from the path of at present, and received a letter from his fel-self-denial.

solid frame.

low countryman, James Thornton, expressive "Sixth-day, had an open favoured meeting

"Second month 28th; Having been thought. ful respecting the prisoners in the jail at Chelmsford, I set out this morning, accompa nied by Dr. Sims, and had ready admittance. There were eight cells with one person in each, called penitential cells; the ceilings high, and conveniences for washing, lodging, &c., in each; a method I much approve, as it seems most likely to produce reflection. It is certain there is opportunity for it. Several men and women were under sentence of transportation. In one apartment there appeared to be about fifty felons, mostly young men, and divers under age; with whom I had eleven opportunities. My mind was much affected, and it was no agreeable task to be among such a company of depraved spirits.

at Newberry, many of the town's people coming in. There are but two families in this large place who go under our name, and but one person of these two families was at the meeting. Formerly there were many Friends here, and two meeting houses; but they became divided in early time by Story and Wilkinson, and a spirit opposed to discipline getting up, a blast ensued; and there is now scarcely one in the place worthy of the name. First-day, attended two meetings at Reading, and the next day reached London. "First month 6th, 1789; Attended the quarterly meeting for ministers and elders at Aylesbury. It was small, and no women Friends were there, none of that sex being under the nomination of elders in this quarter. Friends were stirred up in regard to it, and advised to appoint women Friends to this service. Next the 11th ultimo, on a visit to the county of day was the quarterly meeting for business, Essex. We have attended three monthly and opened by a meeting for worship. The na- most of the particular meetings, some of which ture and advantage of humble inward retire- I had not been at since being in Europe this ment and waiting upon Almighty God, were time. James is favoured with strength to pointed out. The business was as well con- labour fervently; the effect must be left." ducted as could be expected, considering their weak state, and the replies to the queries were solidly considered. In the evening we had a public meeting for the inhabitants, which was pretty open, large and satisfactory.

66

"I left London with James Thornton on

He continued for a considerable part of the spring of this year in Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk, attending various meetings without much occurring worthy of remark. On the 25th of third month he attended the quarterly meetFifth-day, feeling my mind drawn towards ing for Norfolk and Norwich; "in which," he the prisoners confined in the jail at Aylesbury, says, "James Thornton had close labour; and I communicated it to some Friends, and my though the meeting for discipline was an incompanion J. Row, and myself, with three structive opportunity, yet it was a season of other Friends, went thither, and had an op-close exercise, and held until late in the evenportunity first with the felons, about sixteen ing. I have been silent at, I think, eleven men, mostly young; then with the debtors, meetings following each other." On the 2nd nine in number; and lastly with those in the of fourth month he returned to London, and house of correction; forty-eight in all, in this next day attended the meeting for sufferings. jail; it was very affecting to behold so many Between this and the time of the yearly meetbrought into difficulty and disgrace, for wanting, he was occupied in the neighbourhood of of attention to the Divine fear. I thought they took the visit kindly, and some seemed tendered by the counsel delivered and the concern manifested towards them."

London, and at some meetings in the midland counties, occasionally accompanied by James Thornton. "The yearly meeting," he remarks, "was large and solid; and although John Pemberton spent several weeks in there were in some of the sittings too many London and the places adjacent, attending speakers, and some particular matters took up meetings chiefly as they came in course, and much time, yet the cause and testimony gain occasionally in company with his dear friend ground; a concern is increasing for the sup James Thornton. On the 3d of second month port of our Christian discipline; and those who he writes thus, in reference to some places were opposers through earthly wisdom, are visited in the country: "I have been this au- fewer. Dear George Dillwyn is preserved in tumn and winter at some very weak meetings. faith and patience, and very lively in his reliThe discipline in many places is chiefly at-gious labours. He, like myself, has had to tended to by such as are brought in by con- live as from day to day. Our dear friend, vincement and conversion; many have de- James Thornton, informed Friends that he parted from the profession by being laden felt the same draught to attend his mind, to with wealth, gotten through the eager pursuit return to his family, as he felt to leave them, of it by their parents; yet there is a hope- and a certificate was signed. Unexpectful appearance of youth, and a choice body edly to myself, I found, as I apprehended, a of Friends when collected at the yearly meet-liberty to inform Friends that I had a hope of ing from the various parts. being set at liberty during the summer, to

return home. The meeting was solid, and an endorsement was made on a certificate formerly granted."

He concluded to take passage for his native country in company with his beloved fellowlabourer, James Thornton; and on the 23d of the seventh month they sailed from Gravesend in the ship Apollo, after a solemn parting opportunity with about fifty Friends, who came from

London and Rochester to take leave of them.

The following remarks occur respecting his homeward journey.

frequent quarrels of many on board, have made it a time of trial to me.

"9th; the captain supposes we are about dred and sixty miles to the eastward of Cape seven miles to the south, and about six hunHenlopen. The wind continues favourable, though light.

"22nd; About three o'clock P. M., we sounded, and found bottom at about thirty fathoms; and the next day we saw the False Cape in the morning, and afterwards sailed between the two capes and came to anchor to wait for the tide.

"Seventh-day, the 26th, about two o'clock

"Eighth month 2nd, we were alarmed three several days by the discontent among the sea-J. Gulson and myself went ashore at Wilmen; they apprehending that they were not treated kindly by the captain. He was young, and it must be acknowledged that he did not act with all the prudence which could be wished. The men seemed determined to stand by each other; but being reasoned with, on the last day of the three, they softened and returned to their work, and the captain again permitted them their allowance of meat.

"21st; A contest occurred this morning between two persons, and they were going to fight; but I stepped in and prevented it. The great dissipation, wantonness and folly that have prevailed among our passengers have been grievous to me. God does not appear to be in their thoughts, but eating, drinking, and rising up to play are too prevalent among

them.

mington, and John Dickinson sent his carriage with us to Chester. The next-day, I reached Philadelphia, and found my dear wife pretty well, and many rejoiced at my return in safety. I attended the meeting for ministers and elders, which was large; and the following week the yearly meeting, which was large and favoured."

CHAPTER IV.

Third and last visit to Europe, and death.

FROM the time of his return home from his arduous labour in Great Britain, John Pemberton remained under an impression, that something more would be required of him at a future day, in that quarter of the world. For a time his diffident mind shrunk from

yielding to the renewal of so trying a service, among a people of strange language, and little acquainted with the spirituality of true religion and the nature of the doctrine of the cross. The truly baptized servant cannot but feel the weight of such a service to be great, and nature may sometimes shrink from the baptisms for the dead; the yearnings of soul for the growth of the good seed of the kingtaken root and sprung up; and from the dom, in those hearts where it has in degree "deaths oft," into which the mind may be plunged, for its own refinement and preparation from time to time, for the work whereunto the great Master may see meet to send. At length he gave up to the requirings of duty and spread his concern before the church.

"Ninth month 6th, 1789; This is my birthday, being sixty-two years of age, and having attained to more years than I or my friends had any expectation of, having been of a weakly frame, and often very ill. May the Lord's mercy and gracious visitation continue to me, a poor unworthy creature. I acknowledge that it is of his mercy I am not consumed, my omissions and failings having been many. But great is the long suffering of a gracious God. If my time is lengthened out, may it be spent more attentively and obediently to the Divine counsel, that after the many trials, temptations and difficulties of life, I may, through his mercy, and not through any merit of my own, be received into the Divine favour. In reviewing my past life, I have many things to be grieved for, but nothing to boast of or glory in; and if at any time I have been The following extract from a letter written rendered of any use, it is through the Lord's by his brother James to a dear friend in Eng

help, and to him be the glory and praise.

"8th; In the evening a fresh affray occurred between the captain and two of the men. He seemed very rash, but was prevented from doing any considerable harm, only bruising the speaking trumpet, which he had made use of to beat the man at the helm. The light, airy, vain and unprofitable conversation, and

land, describing the exercise of his mind at
this time, and his earnest desire to proceed in
of his friends, will be read with interest.
his religious engagements with the full unity

It was written after the decease of John Pemberton.

"The return to his relatives and friends after a long absence on his former European