Their testimony against oaths was still maintained by some of their members, and the affirmation taken; but the testimony they once had been so faithful in bearing against war, had quite fallen to the ground. We parted under feelings of that love which is unlimited, and tears of joy were shed, that the good Hand had brought us together.

my mind, “Be wise as serpents, harmless as
doves." Before I left him, I was made sensi-
ble, if I preserved peace of mind, I must leave
this caution with him, not to sew pillows under
the arm-holes of his congregation, and cry
peace, peace, where there was no peace. An
interesting young man, a preacher, made us a
call, with whom I had a religious opportunity;
he appeared to receive kindly what I had to Having had a prospect for the last two
say. We took our tea this afternoon with a days, that I must resign myself to make a
pious man, a preacher amongst the Menonists. visit to the settlement of the Moravian bre-
Here we had the company of a tender-spirited thren at Ziest, I requested my companion to
man, a preacher from the Texel, who appeared consider the subject; and if he felt nothing
gratified by falling into our company, saying, opposed to it, to arrange matters for our pro-
he had been acquainted with the few members ceeding next morning. Third-day, though I
of our Society who had lived in his neigh- had passed a sleepless night, we left Amster-
bourhood, but they were all removed by dam for Ziest, and reached Utrecht in the af-
death their memory appeared to live in his
mind with feelings of sincere regard, for their
faithfulness to their principles. We also had
the company of a young man, who appeared
to be seeking his way to Zion; and his steady
conduct since, has manifested we were not
mistaken herein. A desire being shown to be
informed respecting the principles of our So-
ciety, we complied therewith; and the com-
pany appeared to feel a particular interest in
the information. We found an idea prevailed,
that we had no regular ministers amongst us,
but all were left at liberty to speak what and
when they pleased in our religious meetings.
My companion having my certificates in his
possession for translation, produced them; they
were read and explained, as was also the care
the Society exercised towards its ministers,
with which they expressed their full satisfac-
tion but they manifested surprise that the
ministers amongst Friends travelled so far
from their own homes and for such a length
of time, the preachers amongst themselves
being all stationary. The information given
appeared to remove from their minds many
prejudices respecting our Society. One of our
company expressed in a feeling manner his
regret that our religious Society in Holland
was become extinct, and the desire, that it
might be the will of Providence there should
be some raised again, to set forth our princi-
ples amongst them. He added that their
community formerly maintained a testimony
against oaths, bearing arms, serving as magis-
trates, &c., but many of their members have
now abandoned it, although these things con-
tinue to constitute a part of their creed. The
great increase of riches, and the revolutions
which followed one another in this country,
seem to have been the means which the enemy
has made use of, to bereave them of their for-
mer steadfastness and plainness; and they had
to lament a still greater deviation in other re-
ligious matters in a number of their hearers.

ternoon, having now about six miles to walk.
The day being wet, we were obliged to keep
in the close cabin, in a cloud of tobacco-smoke.
I felt indisposed when we left the boat, and
having performed one half of our journey, we
were obliged to rest at a house nearly half an
hour. I was so exhausted as to alarm me,
there appeared no prospect of our reaching
Ziest by the evening, and no conveyance was
to be had; this, with the affliction my com-
panion manifested on my account, tried me
much; but with the help of my companion's
arm occasionally, we were favoured to reach
our inn. After taking nourishment and rest-
ing awhile, we proceeded, in order to obtain a
meeting with the families in the settlement this
evening. On making application, we were in-
formed that their minister, who had power to
grant our request, was from home, and his
return uncertain. My companion being ac-
quainted with some in the settlement, we con-
cluded to make further trial, but the same
reply was given. We next called on two of
the elders, before whom I laid my concern,
and my certificates; on which, we were in-
formed, they had two meetings of their own
this evening: but there was a greater difficulty
yet, which they could not tell how to get over,
viz: their preacher's absence from home, who
had the power to grant such liberty. After
hearing all the difficulties they advanced, I
paused awhile, to be fully satisfied that I had
done all that was required of me towards ef-
fecting what had brought me there. It ap-
peared to me, that before I was fully acquitted,
I must propose for their consideration a meet-
ing with the family next morning at their own
time; on which, they concluded to have a
conference with others in the settlement, and
inform us of the result.
We parted agreea-
bly. Next morning early, we received infor-
mation, that my request was complied with,
the time fixed for the meeting, and notice given
of it. On reaching the meeting-house, we

were conducted to the seat set apart for their went into their apartment next morning, and preachers, raised about two steps from the found the man was gone out to make a few level of the floor; there were seats on the purchases, and, on his return, they were to floor as in our meeting-houses, and the like leave immediately by the boat. There aporder was observed in sitting in their meet- peared no alternative, but to risk our timely ings, men on one side of the house and wo- arrival at Rotterdam, and proceed in the boat men on the other. Feeling the spirit of sup- by way of the Hague, which we reached only plication arising in my soul, it occasioned me in time to step on board before it moved off. an exercise I cannot well describe, not know- Our fellow-traveller knowing our intention of ing how my companion would act as my in- going by Delf, manifested surprise at having terpreter; but leaving these considerations, our company; when my companion gave them under the constraining influence of Divine our reasons for altering our course, it seemed love, I proceeded, my companion following to excite alarm, especially in the wife, as if me on his knees. It was evidently felt by they apprehended we were aiming to proselyte most of our company to be an awful season; them; but on my laying before them, in Gosmy companion being enabled to acquit himself pel love, what I believed was given me for on the occasion in a remarkable manner. their instruction and encouragement, they gave Feeling myself called upon to labour amongst their company freely, except the wife. them in the work of the ministry, we had good ground for believing that the communication was well received; their elders and others taking an affectionate leave of us when we parted. This afternoon we left Ziest, and reached Amsterdam before the gates were shut.

Fifth-day, we made calls upon, and took a last farewell of, my new acquaintance here. Sixth-day morning, I took my farewell of the children of my kind friend, J. S. Mollet, and at noon we left Amsterdam in the boat for Haarlem, which we reached early in the afternoon. Walked to Dwyn Vliot, where we took our dinner: when the bell announced its being on the table, I obeyed the call, and took my seat with the rest. Something had been stirring in my mind to express, but though a considerable pause took place, this did not appear the time for me to make my offering, although I believed it was expected from me. The dinner-things being cleared away, the time appeared come for me to cast off my exercise in the line of counsel to the children. We stepped into the Leyden boat, and pursued our journey. We had the company of a steady man, his wife, her mother, and two daughters from Middleburgh; I presented them with some tracts, which the man received and read, giving his approbation of their contents. As we proceeded, I found some concern in my mind towards him, but no way opened for my relief in the boat; and the uncertainty was great of our meeting again. In this tried state of mind, we landed, and went to our inn. Whilst at supper, to my great surprise and no little joy, the man from Middleburgh came into our room. He, with his family, had taken up their abode for the night at the same inn, and were going next morning early for Rotterdam, by the way of the Hague. It appeared too late to request an opportunity with him and his family this night; and my companion

When we arrived at Leidschenden, a boat by way of Delf to Rotterdam being ready to start, we took leave of our fellow-travellers in much affection, and went on board. My pointings of duty led me to that part of the boat called the hoope, appropriated to passengers who are not able to pay for a passage in the cabin. At first, I took my standing on the roof, to enjoy the scenery of the country we passed through, the day being fine, but my enjoyment was of short duration, being convinced it was not the place my Great Master had chosen for me. I therefore quitted my pleasant prospects, and took my seat in the hoope, which, from the closeness of the place, the company I was come amongst, and the fumes of tobacco-smoke with which I was enveloped, I thought was the most dismal of all dismal places I had been in. A young man, sitting by himself at the far end, attracted my attention. I took my seat by him, requested my companion to do the same, who by some means had learned he was a Roman Catholic; and I endeavoured to relieve my mind towards him. He afterwards manifested a disposition to be sociable with us. We then placed ourselves amidst the company in our apartment, feeling it required of me to address them generally; they became quiet, and seemed disposed to receive what I had to offer; the opportunity lasted about half-an-hour. On our reaching Delf, we left this boat; our company in the hoope whom we left behind us, acknowledging their thankfulness that we were sent amongst them, some evincing that serious impressions had taken place. We now entered a boat direct for Rotterdam. The intimation I received, before I left my native land, to be willing to be led hither and thither by my gracious Master, was afresh brought to my remembrance: accompanied with the assurance, there was no other way, whereby I could with holy certainty and confidence look

for Divine counsel and help, amidst the varied and unlooked-for exercises and baptisms that awaited me.

Reaching Rotterdam, I expected to find letters from home; but in this I was disappointed, yet favoured to have my mind preserved from being disturbed thereby. We proceeded to the meeting-house belonging to Friends, which is a large upper room. I seated myself in it, endeavouring after the mind of the Great Master about disposing of ourselves to-morrow. After sitting quietly a suitable time, and believing Truth did not point towards my holding a meeting in this house to-morrow, we returned to our lodgings.

In

further to communicate, we parted, I hope in
love, for I pitied his situation. We returned
to our inn, exhausted as to my feeble body,
but with a grateful heart, in having been so
mercifully carried above the fear of man.
the evening we waited upon our kind friend
Ladabour, to whom I had a letter of intro-
duction, who offered his assistance to forward
my views.

Second-day morning, he accompanied us to the orphan-school, acting as my interpreter. I hope it may be said, that counsel was imparted suited to the capacity of the children, and our visit was well received by the overseers of the institution. We next proceeded First-day, 15th of seventh month, this morn- to the national school, where I expected to ing we held our little meeting in our chamber, meet with children of the poorest class; but after which, we called upon a person in the in this I was disappointed, finding the school government service he received us with open was made up of children of rather the higher arms, saying, he had been acquainted with our and middle classes of the citizens. The school visit to Žiest. He expressed in a humble and was very large; and the master, my compandiffident manner his belief in the truths I de-ion told me, before we parted, revived in a clared to him, with his desire that my coming into Holland might prove a blessing to those I went amongst. A fear at times passing in my mind, that I had not faithfully acquitted myself towards the preacher of the congregation at Amsterdam, by suffering the fear of man to obtain the ascendency over my better feelings, and hearing he came yesterday to Rotterdam by invitation, to preach to-day on some public occasion, I could see no way for relief, but by being willing to do my best to obtain another opportunity with him. I opened my situation to my friend, and we proceeded in search of him, with but little prospect of succeeding, his company we understood was so much sought after; but, by perseverance, we found a clue which answered our purpose. We sat down together. I endeavoured to lay before him the awfully responsible situation he had placed himself in amongst the people, by declaring he believed he was called of God to fill the office of a minister of Jesus Christ; and the need there was for him to give proof hereof by walking circumspectly before men, not trying to please the itching ears of his hearers, but speaking the truth to them as it is in Jesus, from the very bottom of his heart. He confessed to the truth of what I had cast before him, professing as he did to be called to the ministry of Jesus Christ; but he added, it would not be possible for him to follow my counsel and retain his situation in the congregation he was minister of, because his hearers would not bear to have such truths laid before them. I told him, I prized my privilege as a free man in this respect, and was I in his situation, I durst do no other than do my duty faithfully, and leave consequences. Feeling my mind discharged from anything VOL. III.-No. 5.

very energetic and impressive manner, what I
had communicated to his scholars, and took
leave of us in a respectful manner. In the
afternoon, my kind friend John Cooling, con-
ducted us to a school of the poorest class:
here we met with about six hundred boys and
girls, of various religious denominations, di-
vided into two companies. The first company
we were introduced to, appeared to be eight
years old and under: at my first view of them,
I concluded to pass them without making a
halt; but I soon found this would not produce
peace to my own mind. After having nearly
reached the door of the apartment in which
they were, I stopped and paused; when matter
was given me for communication, suited to
their infant years; this is fresh cause for
gratitude on my part to that good Power, who
thus watched over me, when my foot had nigh
slipped. We now passed on to the school of
those who were more advanced in age: the
masters used their endeavours to produce si-
lence, in which they succeeded beyond my ex-
pectation, when I viewed their number, the
rough countenances and appearance altogether
of the company we were with.

Believing it would be best for me to see the captain of an American vessel bound for Hamburgh, my kind friend, J. S. Mollet, accompanied me to his hotel. Not being able to find him, I requested my companion to write to Amsterdam, to know if there was a vessel in that port about to sail direct to Christiana in Norway; on which, information was received, that a vessel would sail in a short time direct for Christiana, in which I might be accommodated with a passage. This I was aware would spare me from much perplexity, which I sensibly felt awaited me, if I went by way of

24

became a true Gospel minister; and as if he felt a lively interest in my religious prospects, he expressed in much simplicity the desire of his mind, that my labours might be blessed to others where my lot was cast, as they had been to him during this short interview; add

Hamburgh. But there appeared no other way for me rightly to go to Christiana, but by Hamburgh, and I was obliged to relinquish the prospect of sailing from Amsterdam. The captain of the American vessel came to our hotel, and from the description he gave of his vessel, I found I was not to expect much accommoda-ing, he knew not how to let us go. Our next tion, yet as I felt easy to go with him so far call was upon a preacher of, what is called, as I could see at present, I engaged my pas- the Scotch church. Feeling drawings in my sage, if I was at liberty to leave Rotterdam mind to visit one of the prisons, we waited when his vessel was ready to sail. In the upon our kind friend Ladabour, requesting his evening, we proceeded to the house of our in- assistance to obtain admittance, which he ef vitant, who was at the meeting at Ziest. In fected for us, recommending our taking with addition to the family, three females were in- us the preacher we had last been with, he troduced to us, as being invited to have our being a suitable interpreter, and acquainted company one of them I found spoke English with those who had the care of the prison. pretty well, was ready at translating, mani- We then proceeded to the house of Jacobas fested a lively interest in our observations, and Rocquet; who informed me, she had a request communicated them to the rest of our com- to make, from the preacher we were in company. This individual proved, to our great pany with last evening, that I would satisfy surprise, to be Jacobas Rocquet, a pious wo- him, how I was able to ascertain that iny call man we had been in search of: after passing to leave my own home on a religious errand, about an hour in religious conversation, and was of Divine requiring; saying, a lad was answering their many inquiries respecting our in waiting with pen, ink and paper, to furnish religious Society, we were about to separate, him with my reply. I felt disposed to do my when a person entered the room, whom I sup- best to answer this extraordinary question; posed to be a preacher: he looked upon us but the lad making slow progress, I took the with some degree of surprise, and seemed dis- pen, and sent him the following: "How are posed to be shy; but on my carrying myself we to know, that which we apprehend to be a freely towards him, he became more sociable duty, is of Divine requiring? Answer. In the with us. In the course of our conversation, first place, by our endeavouring to turn our he requested to know my motives for taking attention inward unto Christ Jesus, putting our such a journey at my advanced time of life. whole trust in him, agreeable to his own deThe better to satisfy him on this subject, I claration, As the branch cannot bear fruit of produced my certificates, and had them ex- itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can plained to him: he wished to know, if these ye, except ye abide in me.' For He alone is prospects of duty had been of long standing; the wonderful counsellor, to all who ask wisand being satisfied on this head, he then que-dom of Him, to all who truly desire to be ried, whether, as the Society extended so much care as my certificates manifested towards its ministers, the like watchful care is exercised by the Society over its members in general; we endeavoured to inform him on this head, with which he appeared well satisfied. Be fore we parted, I endeavoured, as it arose in my mind, faithfully to point out to him the necessity there was, that his own example should correspond with the example of the great and holy pattern, Christ Jesus, if he became instrumental in leading others in the right way of the Lord; to the truth of which he gave his full assent, appearing to receive kindly what I said.

Third-day morning, previous to leaving our hotel, we received an invitation to go into the adjoining house, which we attended to: here we found a preacher amongst the Menonists from Hingeloo in Overysset, an acquaintance of one of our friends at Amsterdam. He appeared to be a sweet-spirited, tender young man, desirous of walking before his flock as

found going in and out before the people with acceptance in his sight. I have found from my own experience, that as he is thus looked unto and depended upon, with earnest desires to do his will and not our own, he condescends to qualify us to distinguish between the voice of Him, the true Shepherd, and the voice of the stranger; and strengthens us to follow him in the way he requires us to go, however op. posed it may be to our natural dispositions and inclinations, or temporal interest; and that, as we are thus found doing his will, we shall more and more know of his doctrine, and he will not fail to be unto us, as he was to his favoured people Israel formerly, a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night: hereby, neither divination nor enchantment will be able to prevail against us, or turn us aside from the straight and narrow way that leads to life and peace."

After which, conversation took place, which furnished an opportunity to give, what to me appeared, suitable replies, but not much in the

line of the ministry: it proved a very precious that those, who, for various misdemeanours humbling time. My kind friend, Jacobas Roc- had forfeited their liberty, were under such a quet, put into my hands her sentiments on our good care-taker. Feeling something in my religious Society, saying, she could better con- mind towards the prisoners, the regent and vey to my understanding her sentiments in one of the keepers conducted us into a large writing, than by her broken manner of ex-court-yard, the men's rooms forming three pressing herself, which was as follows:

"Dear friend,

sides of it; each room was sufficiently large to accommodate eight or ten persons for lodgings, and to follow their labour. I did not feel "I am glad that Providence brought you in enough to justify me in requesting to have them this country and in our town, and I have hope collected in their place of worship, which we that your way of discoursing, with so much were told was the only place that would confreeness and openness, will prove that the idea tain them. I felt myself placed in a trying which is common about our Dutch people, that situation, it not appearing likely I could exall Quakers are stiff people, will be taken tend my voice so that all such as understood away; and that the way in which you speak my language could hear, nor that my comabout religion will prove to them, that, though panion's voice would be equal to it, which was you are convinced that in our speaking and of the most consequence. On informing my not speaking we are dependent on the Spirit companion of my difficulties, he communicated of God, and we must always be looking to his it to the regent, who proposed my committing influence, yet this makes none fanatics, as to writing what I had to offer to the prisoners, they call them, who wish only to be serious, assuring us it should be read to them; but I and not to speak without feeling about religious was favoured to see that I must go from room things. I wish all friends in your Society may to room, until I felt in my own mind a disgo on in the like way, and I believe by that charge. Attended by one of the jailers, we way they will, with the blessing of God, be proceeded the windows of each room, being useful in the kingdom of Christ. Farewell in sufficiently large to allow all to hear, on their God, dear friend! remember me. Let us walk collecting to the windows. At each window as in the presence of God; for it is true, we I requested the prisoners should be informed, are everywhere in danger; and old satan mere curiosity had not been the inducement watches, as you so well said, when we are for my coming amongst them, but an appreunwatchful. God bless you, and give us hension of religious duty; if I might be made grace to find one another in eternity by the instrumental in encouraging them to endeavour throne of the Lamb, where all who love him to profit under their present afflictions, into shall be one in Christ. which their own misconduct had plunged them, for want of their paying due attention to that law written by the finger of Almighty God on each one of their hearts, and seeking to him for help in times of temptation; whereby they were led by their evil passions in various ways

"JACOBAS G. ROCQUET."

In the afternoon, we took tea with the preacher of what is called the Scotch church, hoping to insure his company to the prison: on our informing him what we had in prosto violate the laws of their country; in conpect, and our desire for his company to inter- sequence of which, husbands were separated pret, he yielded so far as to introduce us to from wives, parents from children, and chilthose who had the care of the prison; but dren from parents, and they were under sufhaving some previous engagements, he could fering many ways. I laboured with them not remain. He kindly accompanied us to the from room to room, urging them no longer to town-prison, introduced us to a female, termed despise the long-suffering mercy of the Lord the regent, a solid woman, about eighty-two their God; but to be willing to turn to him years of age. We were informed, that at with full purpose of heart, and render obeditimes, from five hundred to a thousand pri-ence to his Divine law, that true repentance soners were confined here, and that the prin- and amendment of life may be experienced : cipal charge of this great establishment rested inasmuch as the Almighty willeth not that we on her; that she kept all the accounts, each should die in our sins, but return to him, reprisoner having a separate account opened for pent and live;-with more to the same effect. the work done by him, and the expenses in- The jailor, who appeared to feel an interest in curred on his account, one third of the earn- what was communicated, assisted my comings going to the government, the other two panion when he appeared in difficulty to interthirds to the prisoner. Her whole deportment pret what I had offered. The prisoners conbespoke her to be a religious-minded woman, ducted themselves in a quiet becoming manner; concerned to fill her important station consist- many of them appearing awakened to seriousently. We considered it to be a great favour,ness, and some much tendered; particularly a