Page images
PDF
EPUB
[ocr errors]

there will be a discernment, yea, a discrimination between those who have served God and them that have not served him. Doubtless, the Well done, good and faithful servant or handmaid,—will be joyfully received by those who with proper solicitude of soul have sought to obtain the approbation of an all-determining Judge, who, having observed their stability and patience in doing the will of God from the heart, will finally reward them with glory, honour and eternal life. I wish you therefore, dear friends, to be encouraged in this enriching service, that so all may eventually wind up well with you. For my own part, the powers of my body and mindag seem almost worn out, so that disqualification for 7 useful service seems now pretty much to prevail over me. But this I do know, that if ever I had right ability for gospel labour, it has not been thro' any powers of the creature independent of superior aid; for the Divine declaration continues to be in full force, that it is "not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts." How comforting then is the persuasion, if we properly submit, that he is both able and disposed effectually to work in us both to will and to do to the honour of his everworthy name, and our own peace.

I have not wholly laid aside the thoughts of returning to Philadelphia this spring; reverently trusting that as sincere desire for wise direction is kept to, I shall in the Lord's time be clearly certified what his mind and will is concerning me; in obedience whereunto we know that our safety and peace consist.

Give my love to my young countryman, thy son John, whose preservation in innocence, simplicity and peace, I much wish; and that he may be in earn

[ocr errors]

est to get heavenly wisdom, and in all his gettings, to get understanding. Thus would he become substantially rich in those treasures which are infinite in value and of everlasting continuance.

Warrington, 6th mo. 1st, 1797.

Dear friend, S. H.-I suppose thee to be continuing industriously engaged in filling up the measure of revealed duty; and commendably waiting for further openings of Divine counsel respecting thy future movements, in desire that thou mayst with reverence and a peaceful mind acknowledge to our everworthy Lord and Master, "I have finished the work thou gavest me to do."

Thy dedication in heart and conduct to Divine commandment, offers instruction to many beholders. For my own part, though I love the cause of Truth, and those that sincerely labour therein, yet my bodily powers are so broken down as to disqualify me for moving much about; and I am not sensible of condemnation for not having proceeded, according to inclination, to the latter part of the Yearly Meeting in London. Weakness and pain prevented; so that my present business is to labour after contentment in the will of God under all circumstances; believing that therein peace, protection and safety are experienced.

I believe, had it not been for some expectation of thy company homewards, I should before now have fixed on some vessel at Liverpool for my own return. But if thou feels an obligation to remain longer in Europe, whether in England or elsewhere, be assured thou hast my christian well-wishing, and that the God of patience and all consolation may be thy

director, support and rejoicing to the end of that service he may require, and thy comfort forever. Thy assured friend, SAMUEL EMLEN.

In reference to this his last visit to Europe, his Philadelphia friends in their testimony say, "he was incapable of travelling much, yet his services in families and in the church, in Lancashire and Dublin to which his visit was principally confined, were very comfortable and edifying to Friends; and seemed to set the last seal to his abundant labours in England and Ireland."

After his return in 1797, his health gradually declined; yet he continued to attend most of the meetings in the city; and the intermediate time was much occupied by him in religious and social visits to the families of Friends. Although in these brotherly calls on his friends, he often appeared to take but little interest in common conversation; yet whenever it turned on religious subjects, he became animated and lively in his remarks, to the edification of those who were present. Thus manifesting that his chief delight was in the law of the Lord, and his mind very much occupied with spiritual realities, he appeared to live above the world while yet a sojourner in it. He was peculiarly qualified for the exercise of christian sympathy and commiseration toward the afflicted, either in body or mind; and his visits to the chambers of sickness among his friends and neighbours, and even strangers, were often seasons of much consolation and religious instruction. In the unwearied exercise of this disposition, he gave practical evidence that he was actuated by the purity of that religion which is characterised by the apostle in those fruits which proceed from the feelings of sym

pathy toward the fatherless and widows in their affliction, as well as in keeping himself unspotted from the world.

Those who were intimately acquainted with him in the private walks of life as well as his public labours, say he was a lively instance of the efficacy of that grace which he preached to others; not using the word of God deceitfully, but manifesting its power by meekness, humility and love unfeigned. Being

himself a great lover of the plainness and simplicity of Truth and a consistent example thereof, he was often led in a close, searching manner, to administer reproof and exhortation to libertine professors who had departed, or were in danger of swerving from its safe and simple guidance into the vain fashions, customs, amusements and opinions of the world, or into an eager pursuit after its riches and honours.

He was acquainted with several languages beside his native tongue, so as to be able to converse with foreigners. When John De Marcillac, the Frenchman, was admitted to attend the Yearly Meeting in Philadelphia in 1795, Samuel Emlen several times acted as interpreter, in his public communications. Among what are sometimes called the great men of this world, Samuel Emlen obtained access by the affability and courteousness of his manners, his general information and his unaffected engaging deportment. But when in company with this class of his fellow probationers, as well as others, the concern of his mind was often manifested in his endeavours to impress upon them, the superior benefits to be derived, and the happiness to be enjoyed from a life of holiness. At such seasons he frequently found opportunities of holding up to view, the emptiness

and vanity of this world's fading honours, pursuits and short lived enjoyments.

With the increasing failure of his eye-sight, as he advanced in years, the habit of asking people their names, whom he met in the streets, or to whom he was introduced, appeared to grow upon him, so that his first inquiry either of strangers or those familiar with him was, Who art thou? or, What is thy name? But this was often the prelude to some short, instructive sentence or expression that spontaneously arose from a mind filled with love and good-will to alland which frequently appeared to have a lively sense of the state of those whom he thus addressed.

In religious meetings, his countenance and deportment were solid and instructive; in his public communications, his delivery was natural and unaffected; his views, clear and comprehensive; and a holy unction attended his gospel labours.

In person, he was small and slender; perhaps below common size. His constitution was said to be delicate and feeble from his youth; demanding great care and prudence, and the exercise of temperance and moderation. In the latter years of his life, he was afflicted with a disease which at times occasioned much bodily pain.

1

On the 15th of 12th mo. 1799, under much bodily weakness, he went to meeting, and was therein engaged in a communication which he closed by repeating the following lines of Addison,-a proof of his resignation and continued dedication:

"My life, if thou preserv'st my life,

Thy sacrifice shall be;

And death, if death must be my doom,
Shall join my soul to thee."

« ՆախորդըՇարունակել »