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necessity for each of us to watch and be sober, using all diligence to make our calling and election sure, before we go hence and are seen of men no more. There is no work, nor device, nor wisdom, nor knowledge in the grave, whither we are all hastening; as the tree falls, so it lies; as death leaves us, so judgment will find us; and from the decision of our all-merciful, all-wise, and all-just Judge, there is no appeal.

"Let none be spending their time, that treasure of eternal consequence, in vain; but let obedience keep pace with knowledge, whilst the day of merciful visitation is lengthened out, lest the night come upon us; and those things which belong unto our peace, should be for ever hid from our eyes.

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much wanting, to make a three-fold cord to the praise and glory of God-the promotion of the great work of righteousness in the earth, our own peace while here, and eternal happiness hereafter. Be entreated then to consider what I say, and the Lord give you understanding in all things.

"Whilst I am addressing others, I feel the need of taking heed to myself; which I humbly hope will never be lost sight of by your sincere friend and well wisher. "THOMAS SHILLITOE.

"Petersburgh, Twelfth month, 1824."

Fifth-day, I walked out to meeting, and returned home to tea, at times not a little thoughtful how I should acquit myself before "The Lord is no respecter of persons; but the emperor; but this I found was not a subin every nation he that feareth him, and work-ject for me to dwell upon: I therefore endeaeth righteousness, is accepted of him: it is voured, as much as in me lay, to leave this also declared, that a manifestation of the Spirit subject and retire to bed, in hopes of a night's is given to every man to profit withal; if we rest. walk in the Spirit, we shall not fulfil the lusts Sixth-day, I felt weighed down with the of the flesh the primary means of immediate prospect of an interview with the emperor. I Divine help, the Holy Spirit, is freely admin- turned out for a short walk, fearing a long istered unto all; the grace of God, which absence from home, in case a messenger bringeth salvation, hath appeared unto all, should come in my absence. On my return teaching all. The holy Scriptures are boun- home, I received a letter from the secretary, tifully distributed; which are able to make appointing an interview with the emperor, for wise unto salvation, through faith which is in six o'clock this evening; it stated that a carChrist Jesus, and are profitable for doctrine, riage would be in attendance upon me, and a for reproof, for correction, for instruction in person to conduct me to the palace, who was righteousness. These Sacred Writings, al- unacquainted with the English language, whom though a secondary means, were given forth I was to follow, after I left the carriage. Afby inspiration of God; designed, in conde- ter reading the letter, my feelings at the mo scending mercy, for the help of man; and ment may be better conceived by such who they have the blessed tendency to direct our have been placed in a similar situation, being minds to the primary means, even Christ Je- about to make a visit in the name of the Most sus, the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and High, to an absolute monarch. I kept quiet the ending, the first and the last, the way, the at home the remainder of the day; I endeatruth, and the life, the only way to God, as voured well to consider the propriety of my declared by himself, No man cometh to the putting into the hands of the emperor the adFather, but by me.' Are there not sufficient dress to the inhabitants of Petersburgh, and and reasonable grounds to believe and hope, leaving it solely at his disposal; and I appremy dear countrymen, that if you were found hended my proceeding thus was the only way walking as becometh the Gospel of our Lord for me to obtain relief to my own mind. I and Saviour, your actions would speak louder enclosed it, with the address to the English than words, to the surrounding natives? When Protestants, in a sheet of paper for that purwe consider the gracious means afforded, out-pose. I had told a friend of mine, I was led ward and inward, for the help of mankind, by an all-bountiful Creator; together with the laudable efforts of the Bible Society, and the labours of many pious Christians, can we attribute the small appearance of fruit amongst the continental nations to any other cause, than the want of faith, and a fulness of conformity in the professors of Christianity to the doctrines, precepts, and example of the selfdenying Jesus? The primary and secondary means are all-sufficient and abundant; it is the thread of Christian example that is so

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to apprehend one interview with the emperor would not afford me a full opportunity to relieve my mind; to which my friend replied, he did not think a second could be obtained, giving me such reasons as satisfied me, that it would not be for want of a willingness on the part of the emperor to comply with a request for a further opportunity, so far at least as prudence dictated to him. I endeavoured to be in readiness early, as I was requested by the letter to be punctual to the time. The carriage with my guide arrived at my lodgings

an hour before the time my letter specified, new-year's hymn printed, it was not possible which placed me in a trying situation, as II could have the address translated and printknew not how to account for it, fearing some ed;* therefore I believed I should not be able alteration had taken place in the time since faithfully to acquit myself in the Divine sight the appointment was first made, and that a in this matter, but by giving the address in second note had, by some means, not come to charge to him, whom I was to consider the my hand. On inquiring, the guide informed father of his people; desiring, as I most earnmy landlady his orders were to be with me in estly did, that Divine wisdom would be pleased time, which was the cause of his coming to to direct him in the right disposal of it: on me thus early. which he appeared cordially to receive it from my hands. After this subject was thus disposed of, various matters were entered into, during which I brought into view such subjects as to me appeared ripe to bring forward; other matters which my mind had been exercised with, I found I must as yet keep in the background; yet I felt not a little tried, lest, as my friend had told me, there should be no probability of my having a second interview. However, a secret hope crossed my mind, that if these further matters, not yet ripe for communication to the emperor, were subjects Divine wisdom saw meet I should lay before him, the Almighty was able, without any care of mine, to make way for it. Thus I was enabled to leave things, and simply to attend to the business of the present time; for I think I never witnessed my mind more unshackled, or felt more freedom from all restraint, and more at liberty to unbosom my whole soul, than I did on this occasion, to the pious emperor, on every subject as it rose in my mind to lay before him, both as it respected himself as sovereign, and his subjects he was permitted to rule over; feeling more as if I was sitting by the side of a servant dependent on me, than by the side of so great a monarch. Towards the close of this interview, the emperor very pathetically expressed himself in substance as follows: "Before I became acquainted with your religious Society and its principles, I frequently, from my early life, felt something in myself, which at times gave me clearly to see, that I stood in need of a further knowledge of Divine things than I was then in possession of; which I could not then account for, nor did I know where to look for that which would prove availing to my help in this matter, until I became acquainted with some of your Society, and with its principles. This I have since considered to be the greatest of all the outward blessings the Almighty has bestowed upon me; because hereby I became fully satisfied in my own mind, that that which had thus followed me, though I was ignorant of what it meant, was that same Divine power

On our arrival at a back entrance of the palace, my guide left me in the carriage, where I was kept waiting a considerable time, I concluded from our being still too early: at length my guide returned, and took charge of me. At the entrance, I passed the sentinel on duty; but no notice was taken, that I could observe, of my hat being kept on my guide then conducted me through a long and very dreary passage, in which the few lamps that were lighted, gave but a very dim light, which cast somewhat of an awful feeling over my mind, until I came to an open space; here a young man was in waiting to take charge of me, who conducted me up stairs, at the top of which, one who, I suppose, is called a lord in waiting on the emperor, was in readiness to receive me, who conducted me into the emperor's private apartment, and there left me. As silence was strictly observed on the part of those who had taken charge of me, not a word passed, or a look from me, that could express any thing like surprise at this profound silence, so uniformly observed. After taking my seat in this room a short time, I observed the handle of the door, opposite to that by which I had entered, move, which led me to conclude some person was about to enter. I rose from my seat; when a rather tall person, with a placid countenance, came into the room, so plain in his attire, as to ornaments generally worn by sovereigns, as to induce me to put the question to him, "Am I now in company with the emperor?" to which he replied, in an affable manner, "Yes, you are." He held out his hand to me, and taking his seat on a sofa, placed me by him. After he had inquired after Stephen Grellet and William Allen, for whom in warm terms he expressed his sincere regard, I laid before the emperor the manner in which my mind had been exercised, on account of the notorious abuse of the first-day of the week in Petersburgh. I informed him the only way that had opened in my mind for relief, was by taking up my pen and committing to writing matter as it came before me in the line of religious duty, addressed to his subjects generally; but as I had been well informed, the press was now so restricted, that even the Moravians were denied the liberty they had heretofore enjoyed, of having their

* On inquiry, I was well assured, if I procured a translation of the address in England, and had it printed there, they must be smuggled in, and then no one would dare to circulate them.

been to me. Whilst in company with the
emperor, he made particular inquiry after the
health of my friend Daniel Wheeler, which
appeared to be rather declining; on which I
informed the emperor it was my belief, that
nothing would be so likely to restore him to
his usual health as breathing his native air,
and associating with his friends at the ensuing
Yearly Meeting. The emperor replied,
shall go."

"He

inwardly revealed, which your religious Society have from their commencement professed to be actuated by, in their daily walks through life; whereby my attention became turned with increasing earnestness, to seek after more of an acquaintance with it in my own soul. I bless the Lord, that he thus continues to condescend to send his true Gospel ministers, to keep me in remembrance of this day of his merciful awakening to my soul." He then added, "My mind is at times brought under Seventh-day, 25th of twelfth month, after great suffering, to know how to move along; breakfast and reading, I pursued my usual I see things necessary for me to do, and things exercise out of doors. The temperature was necessary for me to refuse complying with, fifteen degrees below freezing. The people which are expected from me. You have and cattle made a picturesque appearance counselled me to an unreserved and well-timed obedience in all things;-I clearly see it to be my duty; and this is what I want to be more brought into the experience of: but when I try for it, doubts come into my mind, and discouragements prevail: for, although they call me an absolute monarch, it is but little power I have, for doing that which I see it to be right for me to do."

I feared my intruding longer on the time of the emperor, having, I believed, cast off the whole of what my mind was at this time charged with to deliver to him; and yet it felt trying to me to leave him, not knowing if I ever should have another opportunity of fully relieving my mind; however, as it appeared best for me so to do, I made the effort to be moving on which the emperor requested we might have a quiet sitting together before we parted, which accordingly took place. When I rose from my seat to go, the emperor, taking hold of my hand, and, turning towards me in the most affectionate manner, said: "I shall not consider this as a parting opportunity, but shall expect another visit from you, before you set off for your own home." This circumstance afresh awakened in my mind a feeling of reverent gratitude, that I had been preserved from putting forth the hand, when the command had been to stay it. On my being about to retire from the emperor, the case of Hezekiah was brought to my remembrance, although from a different cause, when he turned his face to the wall and wept: for I observed the emperor turned himself from me, as I fully believe, in order to give vent to his tears of gratitude to that Almighty Power, who in mercy had been pleased to favour us together with the precious overshadowing influence of his good presence; of which I never remember to have been more sensible.

I was then conducted to my lodgings in the same quiet manner, and by the same conveyance; deeply sensible of my inability to set forth my feelings of gratitude to Almighty God, in making the way so easy as it had

from the hoar-frost, more particularly the coachmen and sledge-drivers, their large long beards resembling a mass of snow, suspended from their chins. Although this severe change has taken place, I think I have suffered more from cold in my own country, than I suffered here to-day: my clothing was warm, to meet the change out of doors; and on my returning home I stripped off my warm clothing: the internal warmth I met with in the house, from the fires kept in different parts of it, abundantly compensated for the parting with my warm clothing. I was not able during the winter, but once, to bear a fire in my own apartment.

First-day morning, the wind boisterous, and the snow fell so very fast, that my turning out of town to take a bleak walk to meeting was discouraging; but as I set off with a good will to do my best, although I found it a difficult task to proceed, the road in places being so blocked up with snow, I was enabled to reach my kind friend Daniel Wheeler's, at the moment the family were about sitting down to hold their meeting; and I returned home in the afternoon, the city feeling to me to be my proper place of residence; otherwise it would have been more congenial to my natural disposition, to have passed more of my time with my friend Daniel Wheeler and his family.

I had a conversation with Daniel Wheeler on what had passed between the emperor and myself, relative to the state of my said friend's health, and the probability of his receiving benefit by a visit to England: a cheering prospect was afforded me of having him for my care-taker, and companion to England.

Second-day, 27th of twelfth month, the weather fine: I pursued my exercise of walking in the evening. I had to labour hard to know a task accomplished, which I have often found a very difficult one, that of leaving the things of the morrow to care for themselves.

Third-day, mostly spent in walking and reading. My landlady being frequently indisposed and confined to her bed, more par

ticularly so since the awful inundation, when the ringing of the alarm-bell and firing of the cannon, announces that the Neva is rising above its wonted level, it is my lot to be left to the mercy of a dirty, idle, voracious Russian servant-girl, who has no knowledge of the English language, and who plunders me of my provision every way she can: I am not able to see any remedy for it, but by bearing all with patience; believing my getting into these lodgings, was in answer to my earnest prayers to the Most High, to provide for me a safe sheltering place, and I have believed it to be the most so I could have found in the city. I therefore am made willing to endure all my increased difficulties as it respects the body, rather than risk the danger of getting into difficulties that would be harder to bear, and to be extricated from again.

Fourth-day, the cannon frequently firing, the water in the Neva is rising, which alarms some of the inhabitants of the city. When the late awful visitation took place and the water subsided, it was reported, that some who lived on the island, being absent from home at the time, finding on their return that their families had perished in their own dwellings, and in other instances, their house and family were all taken out to sea, became bereft of their senses; and others put an end to their existence. This led me to consider, what a mercy it is to be able to find a sure anchoring place, in seasons of trial like these.

Sixth-day, the weather wet and warm, I rambled on the banks of the Neva, where great preparations were making on the ice for the accommodation of carriages and foot-passengers travelling upon it. With this day the year 1824 closes, and I hope I may say, I feel thankful to the Great Author of every blessing, so many of which he has been pleased in unmerited mercy to dispense to me.

Seventh-day, the 1st of the first month, 1825. The new year commences with a heavy fall of snow. I walked out, in hopes the air would brace up my nerves, which proved the case.

First-day, walked out to meeting: my dear friend Daniel Wheeler having received official intelligence of his being set at liberty to make a journey to England, we freely conversed together on the subject, although no time was fixed for our departure.

their hind legs in an erect posture, stripped of the clothing which nature gave them, which had rather a disgusting appearance. I understood that the sellers of these articles, being fearful of a change taking place in the weather from frost to thaw, were anxious to sell, as a change to mildness would render their various articles of much less value for depositing for winter store.

Seventh-day, the weather still continuing very severe, I bent my course to the Neva, which exhibited a pleasant appearance: the different paths marked out on the ice for passengers and for carriages, were decorated on each side with fir-trees, that passengers might keep their course with safety. Great numbers of persons were driving on it, seemingly fearless; but as necessity did not require my venturing on it, I kept on firm ground.

Fifth-day, 6th of first month, walked out to meeting: accompanied by my friend Daniel Wheeler, we rode to George Edmundson's, one of the English Friends who resides at Octer. We crossed the Neva on the ice; on our reaching the midway of our journey over, I was led to query with myself, what had induced me to make this venture, and I was thankful when we reached the shore again, preferring firm ground. I now had my departure from Petersburgh announced in the newspaper, according to custom, as the time for it was concluded on.

Seventh-day, 8th of first month, the time being come, when I must announce to the emperor my prospect of leaving Petersburgh, I wrote the following note to his secretary:

"I have been notified in the newspapers as to be at liberty in two weeks: it is necessary about to leave this country, and I should wish be in the diligence to Riga, but this I cannot I should secure my place as early as well may expect I should not depart without thus craving feel easy to do, having given the emperor to wish respectfully to say, I am now holding an opportunity to take my leave of him. I myself in readiness to wait upon him, at such time as he may think most suitable to appoint.

"THOMAS SHILLITOE.

"Petersburgh, 8th of First month, 1825."

In reply to which, in the course of the day, I received a note from the prince, informing me I might make the necessary arrangements Second-day, I walked out to the frozen for my departure, as the time for my taking market, which I found well stocked with oxen, leave of the emperor would be certainly ancalves, sheep, pigs and poultry of most de-nounced to me in the course of two weeks. scriptions; also game in great abundance, Third-day, by the help of an Englishman, with fresh fish, all in a frozen state for winter I went to the diligence-office, to obtain inforstore, which are purchased by the inhabitants, and deposited in their ice-cellars for family use. The oxen and sheep were placed on

mation respecting the time of their departure, and the weight of luggage which would be allowed each of us, and the time for rest and

refreshment on the road: I had called myself previously at the office, and received very insulting behaviour from a young man in the office, on account of keeping on my hat there; of which behaviour I informed my friend and interpreter, who mentioned the circumstance to one of the managers, and the young man was spoken to respecting his conduct towards me: but on more maturely considering the subject, during my moments of quiet when alone this evening, I felt cause for regret that I had not quietly passed over this insult; fearing it operated as much to hurt my pride, as wearing my hat in the office did the young man's pride; and I trust what I have felt on the occasion, will prove as a watchword to me in future, to be more willing to endure all things for the cause' sake.

Fifth-day, walked out to meeting, and found my dear friend Daniel Wheeler busily occupied in arranging his outward concerns for our departure: the prospect of my having such a care-taker, caused my heart to overflow with gratitude to that Divine Power, who rules all things, and who does all things well. I have indeed fresh cause to acknowledge his thus making a way, where at one time no way appeared to open, for my help on the way to my own country.

Sixth-day, after breakfast and reading, I turned out to take my morning's ramble: the thermometer sixteen degrees below freezing, the day fine, and my mind more at rest than has been the case for some months past, from the prospect of our soon being on our way to England: what a mercy it will be, if I am favoured to reach it safely, not knowing the dangers that may await us during so long a travel over-land, at this season of the year.

Seventh-day, the weather not so severe, nor so congenial to my nerves. I have sometimes thought twenty-four or thirty degrees below freezing, as they sometimes have it here, would suit my constitution better than the warm close weather we have at times in my native land; and I have felt rather desirous to witness one of these pinching days before my departure.

First-day, walked out to meeting; at the close of which was held the preparative meeting, in which the queries were answered to Balby Monthly Meeting in Yorkshire,-the Friends who reside here being members of that Monthly Meeting.

Third-day, I walked on the banks of the Neva, which was a very busy scene; the crowds of people collected on the ice near the palace, awakened in my mind great apprehensions of their danger. This being the day for what is called the christening of the waters, a ceremony performed annually, I had VOL. III.-No. 9.

observed for some time men employed in erecting at the back of the palace on the ice, an octagon temple, to which the people were now hastening in every direction: this building, I was informed, was for the accommodation of the bishop and clergy, who officiated in performing the ceremony, with such of the royal family who are able to attend, which they all are expected to do, if able. I might have gone with the multitude, and be one in observing the ceremony performed; but it appeared safest for me to bend my course directly home, lest by going in the way of danger unbidden, I should get into difficulty, which I should have escaped had I taken up the cross, and not suffered my curiosity to prompt me to step aside out of the path of duty: the Divine witness telling me in plain terms, I had no warrant given me for countenancing such superstitious proceedings by being a looker-on. I was met the day preceding this ceremony by one of my countrymen, who informed me of it, saying, the talk of the people is, that the emperor has of late contrived to be on his travels at this time, and so to be absent from the city; but he is now in Petersburgh, and it will be as much as his life is worth, if he does not attend: but neither the emperor nor his empress were present on the occasion; they left the city for one of their country palaces at a few miles distance the evening before; which, perhaps, was going as far as the emperor saw to be required of him in bearing his testimony against this superstition; but his absence did not pass over without remarks being made in consequence. The ceremony of what is termed the christening the waters, I was informed, is as follows:-a square hole is left in the floor of the temple, and a hole cut in the ice to correspond with it; when the company are assembled, a man by a rope lets down a pail through these holes, and brings up water out of the river Neva. The bishop then puts a crucifix into this pail of water, and uses some form of words; after which the water in which the crucifix was immersed, is poured through the hole again into the river, and the credulous multitude are induced to think, that the water, which the night before was unwholesome, is now by this ceremony purified and rendered fit for use.

Seventh-day, hearing that one of my countrymen who was intending to go to England wanted company, I made him a call; it appeared probable that he would make one of our party, which would be likely to add to our comfort by its enabling us to have a carriage much to ourselves. After my return home, I had some sore conflicts to pass through; the enemy, who for a little season had been so chained down, as not to be able,

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