to look for a ship, which by the assistance of companion, having received the knowledge of some Friends was done, but no likelihood of the truth the right way. going quickly, by reason of the embargo. About a week or two in the second month, I had a desire to visit the west, in particular orders were given the merchants to get ready, Dorset, Somerset, Bristol and Wilts, but was and a convoy was to go with them: but for at a loss for a horse, having sold my own all this, it was the latter end of the third soon after I came to London. The Friend to month before we got off; so I had an opporwhom I sold him, offered that I should have tunity to visit the greatest part of Kent. After him for that journey, which I accepted, and we sailed from the Downs, we were put into set out, having in company a young man who Portsmouth harbour by contrary winds, and had been bred at college, whose name was lay there two or three weeks, which was very Samuel Crisp; a meek spirited youth, and tiresome. But all this time I never considered rightly convinced. When we got forty or the danger of being taken by the French; it fifty miles from London, he had strong incli- did not so much as enter into my mind, until nations to go back. I made a kind of a run-I came into Philadelphia, where hearing that ning visit; and when I was at Bristol, my Thomas Story, Richard Groves and others, friends there were exceedingly kind, and were taken some time before, and carried into would willingly have had me gone from Martinico, a French island, I thought of it thence; but my prior engagement at London more closely. would not permit it. I left England in the third month, 1702, about the time of the Yearly Meeting, with peace of mind, and wrote a few lines to be sent to the meeting of ministers in Kendal, or elsewhere, in Westmoreland, my native place; which I here insert, being the first fruits of that kind to my brethren. To the meeting of Ministers at Kendal, in My dearly beloved brethren and sisters, I staid there two weeks at least, and taking my leave, Friends brought me on my way to Bath, Bradford, &c. They returned, and I went on for London, and quartering at an inn at Hungerford, not being easy to take any more meetings till I came to London, I fell in company with a couple of tradesmen, who, when we sat down to supper, complimented each other about which should crave a blessing. At last they pulled off their hats, and one of them did it in some sort; but my sitting with my hat on was such an offence, that they began to reprove me very sharply. I said but very little for some time until they had spent their reproach upon me, and then I spoke to this effect, "That the appearance We who apprehend ourselves called into they made, just before supper was brought this public station of preaching, ought closely to the table, was so very void of grace in to wait on our guide, to put us forth in the their hearts, that I could not think it my place to pull off my hat to their formal prayer: and besides, as soon as the words were out of their mouths and over, it appeared to me that they were the same, and I saw by their conduct that they did not understand the nature of true prayer, which is to be performed both with the spirit and understanding; and if you had not wanted both, you could not pass such silly compliments on each other about it." I Dear friends, let us be singly and in sinwas now very quiet, and they said no more cerity devoted to the will of God, whether to to me. But as soon as supper was over, and preach or be silent; for if we are not sensible the reckoning paid, they left me with free of such a resignation, we may set ourselves consent, for our company was unsuitable. at work, when we should be quiet, and so Next day I went towards London by New-bring an uneasiness upon our friends, and a bury, where I stopped at a funeral, and so to burthen upon ourselves. This conduct will Reading, and by Maidenhead to the city, but found the embargo not yet taken off. It being now pretty near the middle of the first month, I visited some parts of Hertfordshire, having my dear friend John Tompkins part of the time, and Samuel Crisp, who was a sweet work. And dear friends, I see great need for us carefully to mind our openings, and go on as we are led by the Spirit; for if we over-run our guide, we shall be confused, not knowing where, or how to conclude: but if we begin and go on with the Spirit, we shall conclude so, that all who are truly spiritual will sensibly feel that we are right: then will our ministry edify those who hear it. shut up Friends' hearts against our service and ministry. And my dear friends, every time you appear in the ministry, when it is over, examine yourselves narrowly, whether you have kept in your places, and to your guide; and consider, whether you have not used su "Sir, I am your humble servant, perfluous words, that render the matter disa- you and myself are to dispute to-morrow, and greeable, or such tones or gestures as do not would have you give notice thereof accordbecome the work we are about, always re-ingly. membering, that the true ministers preach not themselves, but Christ Jesus our Lord. Let us bear this in mind, that neither arts, parts, strength of memory, nor former experiences will, without the sanctification of the Spirit, do for us to depend upon. Let us therefore, I entreat you, keep to the living fountain, the spring of eternal life, opened by our Lord Jesus Christ in our hearts. I also desire that you would not neglect your day's work, in visiting the dark corners of the counties about you: but be mindful of your service therein, as the Lord shall make way for it. The things above written have been on my mind to communicate to you, my dear friends, with desires that the God and Father of our "Dated the first Sunday He wrote this on occasion of an honest Friend's speaking sharply to him, and giving Lord Jesus Christ may be with your spirits, Amen. Hoping also, that I shall not be for-livered it in haste, as he was ordered, to John The messenger who brought the letter, degotten by you, in your nearest approaches to the throne of grace, in your supplications to the God of the spirits of all flesh; remembering me that I may be preserved by sea, and in the wilderness, through the many and various exercises and baptisms, that I may be suffered to undergo for the service sake; and that I may be preserved in humility and selfdenial, under the power of the cross, the most An account of my travels in America the first time. As advised by the Friends appointed to assist me, I took my passage on board the Josiah, John Sowden master, bound for West river in Maryland, and left England about the 24th of the third month, 1702, and landed in the river Patuxent in Maryland, about the 29th of the fifth month following. I visited some meetings in that province; but George Keith being there, and challenging disputes wherever he came, gave both me and Friends some exercise: to me, by challenging a dispute without my previous knowledge, in the following terms: Faulkner, a young man from Scotland, who was then storekeeper in B. Bains and Co's. employ. A considerable number of us in company were just then going to a meeting at Chester in the woods, some distance from any house, and John insisted for me to write an answer, adding, "Keith would call the country together, and make much noise about it, as if we were afraid, &c., and it was best to nip his expectation in the bud." As we knew nothing of the conference Keith had with the woman Friend two days before, I wrote to the following effect: GEORGE KEITH, I have received thine, and think myself no way obliged to take notice of one who hath been so very mutable in his pretences to religion; besides, as thou hast long since been disowned, after due admonition given thee by our Yearly Meeting in London, for thy quarworthy of my notice, being no more to me relsome and irregular practices, thou art not than a heathen man and a publican; is the needful from SAMUEL BOWNAS. Being dated the same day. John Faulkner carried our answer, and we went to our meeting, being at Chester in Maryland, as aforesaid. By the time the meeting was fully gathered, John Faulkner came back, and we had a comfortable meeting: afterwards John Faulkner told us, George Keith read my letter publicly amongst his company, appearing very angry at the contents of it; and the company laughed very heartily, many of them “Sir, being much pleased with it. John Faulkner "I intend to give notice after sermon, that came out of the company, and a substantial To the preacher lately arrived from England. They frequently expounded the Scriptures amongst themselves, and being a very large family, in all upwards of a hundred men, women and children, carried on something of the manufactory of linen, and had a very large plantation of corn, tobacco, flax and hemp, together with cattle of several kinds. But at my last going there, these people were all scattered and gone, nothing remaining of a religious community in that shape. 'planter followed him, and told him, he had with them, whether rich or poor they must much rather go with him to our meeting, than put what they had in the common stock, and to hear George Keith rail and abuse the Qua-if they had a mind to leave the society, they kers; but being in the commission of the must likewise leave what they brought, and peace, he must, as Keith was recommended go out empty handed. by the bishop of London, show him some respect; adding, that John Faulkner should bring me to his house to dine the next day; from which John would have been excused, urging, that as they had a value for me, Friends would be for bringing me on my way further; adding, we should incommode his house. He urged it the more, saying, we should all be welcome. Accordingly several went with me there, and he was very kind, giving us an account of George Keith's railing against us the day before, and how disagreeable it was to the assembly. Keith left a broad sheet printed, wherein he pretended to prove the Quakers no Christians, out of their own books; I had an answer thereto in print, which Friends were glad of, and I left with them several to spread where he left his. I left this place and travelled through the country to Philadelphia, and was there seized with a fever and ague, which held me about thirteen weeks. I staid there till the Yearly Meeting came on, which was very large, but my disorder of the ague would not admit of my being at one meeting. George Keith with his companions came, but the disturbance they gave was a considerable advantage to Friends, and the meeting ended to great satisfaction. Being recovered and pretty strong, I left Pennsylvania, and travelled through the Jerseys east and west. I had given expectation to a Friend, one James Miller in Scotland, who had a sister married to one of the Barclay family, that if I came near where she dwelt, I would visit her at his request. She was a very zealous honest Friend, but her husband joined with Keith, and left his friends; and on inquiring about her, where she dwelt, After we had dined, we took our leave and a Friend, my guide, went with me to a people called Labadies, where we were civilly entertained in their way. When supper came in, it was placed upon a long table in a large room, where, when all things were ready, about twenty men or upwards, came in, at a call, but no woman: we all sat down, they placing me and my companion near the head of the table, and having paused a short space, one pulled off his hat, but not the rest till a short space after, and then one after another, they all pulled their hats off, and in that un-I was told it would be very little out of my covered posture sat silent, uttering no words that we could hear, nearly half a quarter of an hour; and as they did not uncover at once, so neither did they cover themselves again at once; but as they put on their hats fell to eating, not regarding those who were still uncovered, so that it might be about two minutes time or more between the first and last putting off their hats. I afterwards queried with my companion concerning the reason of their conduct, and he gave this for answer, that they held it unlawful to pray till they felt some inward motion for the same; and that secret prayer was more acceptable than to utter words; and that it was most proper for every one to pray, as moved thereto by the spirit in their own minds. I likewise queried, if they had no women amongst them? He told me they had, but the women cat by themselves, and the men by themselves, having all things in common, respecting their household affairs, so that none could claim any more right than another to any part of their stock, whether in trade or husbandry; and if any had a mind to join way. A young man offered to be my guide, to pay her a visit; and when we came to the house, there were sundry priests, with others, met to sprinkle an infant, the said Barclay's grandchild. The ceremony was over before we got there, we coming from Shrewsbury Yearly Meeting, where Keith also had been, but gave us no disturbance, nor did he come to our meeting at all, but held a meeting at a small distance from us for two days, and then went off. Our meeting held three days, and was thought to be larger by much, in expectation that George Keith would be there. It ended well, and it was said some were convinced. But to return to my friend Barclay; she was in an apartment by herself, and gave me a short account of what they had been doing; saying, "they have sprinkled the babe, my grandchild, and the ceremony is over, but they have not yet been to dinner;" to which she added, "my husband will be earnest for thy company if thou hast freedom to go, I shall leave thee at liberty, but if thou refusest to go, they will be ready to report that thou as they thought themselves to be, and none so much as put in a word between us. Dinner being ended, I desired to be excused, for that time called me away, and my friends would wait for me at the ferry, which we had to pass that evening. Thus Keith and I met and parted. durst not face them;" adding, "I would be pleased with your company," meaning me and my companion, "to dine with me, but it will be best, I think, for you to dine with them, and I hope," said she, "the Lord will give you wisdom so to conduct yourselves, that they may have no just cause to reproach the principle on your account." She had no sooner ended, than her husband came, and after some compliments, and inquiry about his brother-in-law, James Miller, and relations at Ury, we were called to dinner, and by no means would he excuse me: we went in, and the mistress of the feast, the mother of the babe then sprinkled, would have me sit at her right hand, and George Keith at her left. We sat all down, and after a short pause, George Keith stood up, with all the rest of his company except me and my companion; we kept our places and hats on, while he repeated a long prayer for the church and state, bishops, and all the inferior clergy, the queen, and dutchess dowager of Hanover, &c. The grace being ended, the mistress carved, and would serve me first. I would have refused, and put it to George Keith, but he refused it likewise when she had done helping us and herself, she began to catechise me in the fol-delphia, but deserting the Society, Friends took lowing manner: After inquiring about her relations at Ury, in Scotland, and her uncle Miller, she then desired to know my business in Scotland, pretending to suppose me a merchant that dealt in linen to sell in England. I saw her design was to lead me to some unwary answer, for Keith and the rest to find matter of objection to. This put me upon my guard, to make reply cautiously. I freely owned I had no concern in buying or selling any sort of goods. "Pray then, sir, what was your call there?" I replied, that I thought it my place sometimes to advise my friends and others, to endeavour so to live, that death, when it comes, might not be a terror to them; and doubt not but thou wilt count this a good work, and needful to be done. She readily allowed that it was very needful, and the more so, as the age was very wicked. Then she proceeded to query the reason of my coming into these parts, pretending to suppose it was on account of trade, as being a supercargo, with many trifling and impertinent questions, as when I was in such and such places? To all which I gave her answers to the same effect as before, that my business was the same in this country as in Scotland. Then she proceeded to more trifling questions, as when I landed? and where, and which way I was going? All the company at the table gave ear to our dialogue, which appeared to me very weak in such a learned company Then taking leave, I went to see my wor thy friend in her own apartment, with whom we had a short, but very agreeable opportunity: we took our leave and went to Woodbridge, where the next day we had a meeting; George Keith preached at Amboy the same day, which places are not far apart. We often interfered one with the other, but he no more gave any challenge to dispute, but took another method to put a stop to my travelling, as will appear afterwards. We came to Long Island, and a meeting was appointed for him to preach within our hearing, and between the two appointments, there was a very large gathering. I being young and strong, my voice was plainly heard by the people who were with Keith, so that they all left his meeting and came to ours, except he that officiated as clerk, and one William Bradford, who had been a printer for Friends at Phila the business from him, and we had room enough for both meetings, it being in a very large barn. Some time after, Keith and the said Bradford agreed that Bradford should come and try if no advantage could be taken of my doctrine; accordingly he came, and pulled out of his pocket a small book, with pen and ink, and steadfastly stared in my face, to put me out of countenance if he could; but I was above being daunted at that time, though at other times very incident to it. He opened his book, and wrote about two lines in it, then shut it again, continuing his staring, to try, as some thought, whether he could not daunt me. But it was past his skill, for I felt both inward and outward strength, and Divine power to fill my heart, and my face was like brass to all opposition; he opened his book, wrote about two lines more, and a little after about two more, in the whole about six lines on a small octavo leaf; and after I had done he stood up and said, "Will you stand by these doctrines in public that have been now preached?" meaning by public dispute. A worthy Friend, John Rodman by name, desired him to be quiet, and after meeting was ended he should be answered. Accordingly the meeting concluded, and he waited for his answer. To which friend Rodman said, "William, thou knowest that what our friend hath been concerned to speak about this day, are such points as have been by the press argued over and over; and as the controversy has should renounce the devil and all his works, the pomps and vanities of this wicked world, and all the sinful lusts of the flesh. Ay! did they so! this is brave. Well! what did they promise more? secondly, That I should keep God's holy will and commandments, and walk in the same all the days of my life. And yet in contradiction to this, they plead for sin during the term of life, and say they cannot keep God's commandments in this life. Why! this is strange, that the godfathers and godmothers should promise what they believe they cannot perform. And do the godfathers and godmothers thus promise? Yes, they do. But this is strange, that their God should need a godfather and godmother. But Friends, our God is the true and living God; in the first of John it is said, 'in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was God.' But this God had no need of a godfather or godmother. Well, and what do the Presbyterians do? Why they baptize their infants also; but they do not make use of godfathers or godmothers, nor the cross. They have thrown away that piece of popery. been some years in the press, it is therefore three things in my name; first, That I needless at this time of day to reduce it to a verbal dispute." But he wanted to hear what I would say to the matter; and I told him, his questions being more for contention than edification, I therefore did not think myself obliged to answer them; more especially, since for his contentions and disorderly walking, he had been dealt with and advised in a brotherly and Christian spirit to repent, but his persisting in the same, had obliged his friends to disown him, and for this reason, I said, I have no more to say to thee on that head. He turned from me, and in a very angry manner said, "I should hear of it another way." But I called him back, having something to say on another subject: which was to deliver some tokens of gold sent his wife, by her sister from London: this softened him somewhat, he finding the pieces to agree with the letter, which I requested might be opened before my friends there, and brought him to confess, that he believed I was a very honest man, and he was sorry I should be under such a delusion, as to be in communion with that erroneous people. But at his return to Keith, they laid their heads together, and trumped up the following deposition from what he had written, viz: "Next, as to the Lord's supper, I shall speak very brief. Christ says, 'that which goes in at the mouth defiles not.' So I shall make this application: The bread and wine which they receive, and call the Lord's supper, goes in at the mouth, and into the draught, and profits not. They call it a sign; yea, and an empty sign it is. But by these ways and forms the hirelings deceive the people. But we have had sufficient proof of these hirelings in our day; for they will turn with every wind, and every turn that will answer their priests' ends, as we have seen fulfilled largely in our day. "WILLIAM BRADFORD. EDWARD BUrrows, } Justices. "I William Bradford, of the city of New York, aged about forty years, depose upon the holy evangelists. The 21st of November, 1702, going into the Quakers' meeting at Nathaniel Pearsal's, deceased, in Hempstead, I heard one Bown, that is lately come out of England, preach, and the first words I heard him say, were "the Sign of the Cross;" and thus; Friends, having gone through the Papist baptism, let us examine the church of England. Well, what do they do? Why the bishop lays his hands upon those that have learned the languages, and ordains them to be ministers. Well, and what do they do?" Coram nobis Why they baptize the children, the young children, and sprinkle a little water in their "A true copy by Thomas Cardall, High Sheriff.” faces, and by this they make the child a Christian, as they say, and for so doing the childrens' parents must give the priest four pence or a groat: indeed this is an easy way of making Christians for a groat! And how do they do this? Their own catechism tells us the priest says to the child, What is thy name? The child answers Thomas, James, Mary, &c. Well! and who gave thee this name? The child answers, my godfathers and godmothers in my baptism, wherein I was made a member of Christ. This is a brave way to be a member of Christ! Who would not have a little water sprinkled in their faces? And what did your godfathers and godmothers then for you? Answer. They did promise and vow Having patched up the above deposition in their own way and manner, and form of expression, Keith informs, and Bradford was his evidence; and being at a loss for want of another evidence to confirm Bradford's, without which they could not proceed, they met with a young man who was there, and Keith got some words out of him, which he said he heard spoken. They threatened what they would do to him, if he did not come in for evidence to what he had heard; therefore he was prevailed on, through fear, to give his evidence on oath, in the words George Keith had got from him by guile, before the said |