vour many of our minds were bowed as into nearly these words; "I obtained a certificate the very dust before Him, who had, in this from my own Monthly and Quarterly Meeting, time of danger, thus far preserved us in the also one from the Select Yearly Meeting of hollow of his Divine hand. After enduring Friends held in London, expressive of their for several hours much abuse from these in- concurrence with my travelling in the work truders, who were countenanced in their con- of the ministry on this continent, which cerduct by several members of the meeting, who tificates were read in the last Yearly Meeting had identified themselves with the separatists, of New York, and entered on the records of the meeting adjourned to the afternoon, di- that Yearly Meeting; such being the case, recting the representatives to consider of, and it constitutes me as much a member of this propose to the next meeting, a suitable Friend Yearly Meeting as any other member of it; to serve as clerk. Agreeably to adjournment, as such I therefore dare do no other than enter Friends met; when one of the representatives, my protest against the meeting's proceeding who had, in various ways, identified himself with its business, whilst so many persons are with the separatists, informed the meeting, he in the meeting who have no claim or right to was requested by a part of their number to sit in this Yearly Meeting.' I was suffered state, they had agreed to propose for to proceed without interruption, and was humclerk; the person thus proposed being one of bled under a thankful sense of support, that I those who had also united himself with the had not flinched from the step I had taken. separatists. A Friend, one of the representa- This called forth other Friends in support of tives, also informed the meeting, that he had the proposal that the meeting should be select been authorized by the representatives whilst before the business of it was gone into; but they were all together, to state as their pre- the disaffected part of the meeting manifested vailing sense, that Joseph Bowne should be a determination that those who were disqualinominated for clerk;-many of the represen-fied to sit should remain, using many unsound tatives confirmed this last report. The meeting arguments to support them in their determiwas again thrown into a state of confusion by nation. Elias Hicks also declared they had the conduct of some of the separatists, aided a right to sit in this Yearly Meeting, saying, and encouraged by disaffected members of the he should have no objection to the meeting Yearly Meeting but amidst all these trying going on with the business, if there were a circumstances, Friends continued to be merci- number of Presbyterians in the house at the fully preserved calm. After they had sat until same time; he further added, those who had nearly night amidst these complicated trials, set up the new Yearly Meeting in Philadelphia, and there appearing no prospect that the sepa- of which these individuals were members, were ratists would withdraw from the meeting, not the seceders, but that the few left of the Friends adjourned to fourth-day morning. old Yearly Meeting were the seceders; that First-day morning, attended Hester-street with the consent of his own Monthly Meeting meeting, which was large; the meeting was he had attended the new Yearly Meeting in early interrupted by a communication from one of the ministers of the separatists, but the solemnity was resumed with which at its first sitting down the meeting was favoured. In the afternoon I attended Rose street meeting, where I escaped the company of the numerous preachers of the separatists: the meeting was held in quiet, although much crowded.

Philadelphia in the second week of the fourth month last; that it was attended by a large proportion of the members of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and the eastern shore of Maryland, and from all the Quarterly Meetings but one, representatives had come, which meeting consisted of the cream of these Quarterly Meetings. Friends maintaining their ground against the business of the meeting being proceeded in, whilst those who had no right to sit there were present; the separatists then

Second-day morning, 26th of fifth month, 1828, the Yearly Meeting for the general concerns of the Society assembled; the house was crowded to an unusual degree before the [*The rules of discipline of New York Yearly time appointed the clerk, Samuel Parsons, Meeting direct, that "after the case of an offender opened the Yearly Meeting, which done, I is brought to a meeting, he is not to attend any of found I must stand upon my feet, and endea- our meetings for discipline." There were present vour to lay before the meeting what I believed in this meeting very many individuals, whose cases my mind had become charged with, although had not only been brought to a meeting, but who I dreaded making the attempt, being aware, cipline and good order of our Society; and consehad been regularly disowned, according to the disfrom the conduct some of the leading separa- quently the Yearly Meeting could not, consisttists manifested towards me, that I was be-ently with its own regulations, proceed to the come increasingly obnoxious to them, but I transaction of any business. From "The Friend." durst not keep silence. I therefore rose with | Philadelphia, sixth month, 28th, 1828.]

uproar and violence they had so recently escaped, inquiry was made by people, "Was a burial coming?" On reaching the college, and after taking our seats, a time of silence ensued; praises were vocally offered up, to the great Shepherd of Israel for this signal deliverance of his people, when the waters of the Red Sea were made to stand on heaps. Daniel Haviland, a very aged blind Friend, broke forth in a melodious manner, and acknowledged his spirit was now set at liberty, and his lips unsealed to speak of things he had seen for nearly forty years, and who it should be that would introduce such disorder and confusion in the Society; adding, thirty-five years ago, when the Yearly Meeting was held at Westbury, on Long Island, two women Friends from across the great water,* sitting in a room by themselves in the Friend's house where he lodged, seeing him pass the door, called him in, and pointing to Elias Hicks, who was in another room, said, "That man will, some day or other, be a troubler in Israel.”—He said that the scene we had passed through in this Yearly Meeting was clearly unfolded to his view before he came to the city, and he expressed his thankfulness to his heavenly Father for this great deliverance.

ordered the clerk in a very commanding manner to go on with the business of the meeting, until at last many of them manifested a disposition to become riotous in order to compel his proceeding. A Friend stood up and proposed, that such Friends as were desirous of preserving the order of this Yearly Meeting, should adjourn to some suitable place to transact the business, which proposal was fully united with by other Friends, but opposed with violence by the separatists. Whilst matters were thus going on, the clerk, aware that it must terminate in a separation, prepared a minute to that effect-to adjourn to the basement-story of the meeting-house, which he stood up to read; on which an outcry took place, "Don't let him read it,"-" pull him down;"-others calling out, "He is no clerk of the Yearly Meeting, we have a clerk of our own; the representatives have met, and we have chosen a clerk :" but this being the opening of the Yearly Meeting, the representatives had not yet received their orders from the meeting to meet for that purpose. Elias Hicks then called upon their newly-chosen clerk to come forward, which he did over the backs of the forms, and heads and shoulders of Friends, some of whom were incommoded by it on his reaching the front of the clerk's" But," said he, " dear friends, there will yet table, Elias Hicks put out his hand to assist him in gaining admittance to the table, but by some means he failed, on which some of the Hicksite party turned their newly-chosen clerk heels first into the clerk's seat. Attempts were now made to wrest the minute the clerk had made out of his hands, which they were not able to effect, nor prevent his reading of it; but to prevent what he read being heard over the meeting, they struck their sticks against the wall of the house, they stamped on the floor with their feet and umbrellas, they hooted and hissed, and some [ It will doubtless be, to many readers in this were heard to swear: the windows being country, very affecting, and to those previously down, the tumult was so great, people outside uninformed quite astonishing, to find what excesses of disorder and of unchristian conduct the followof the house compared it to thunder at a dis- ers of Elias Hicks committed, in their attempt to tance. The minute of the adjournment being overthrow the good order and Christian principles read, Friends left the house and went towards of the Society in America. Although it is almost the basement-story, but care had been previ- painful to see them again thus exposed in this ously taken by the Hicksite party to keep Journal, yet these occurrences, now become matFriends out of this part of the house by lock-ters of history, ought to awaken in our minds reflections of profitable and solemn interest, as well ing the doors against them; one of their party as feelings of humble and reverent gratitude. It threatened Friends with consequences if they is believed, that throughout the narrative of these attempted an entrance, on which a Friend distressing scenes, "the marks" of the patient, present proposed our adjourning to the medi- peaceable disciple of Jesus, are to be discovered in cal college in Duane street, which according the conduct of our suffering brethren in that land; ly took place. From the solemn manner in and for whom our sympathy will not fail to be which Friends moved slowly along the afresh excited on the perusal of these accounts. While we may be led to reflect upon our state of streets, many strewing their tears on the way, comparative quiet and exemption from such dishaving left behind them some near relatives tressing trials in this country, may we ever reand some intimate friends, together with the member, that the enemy of all righteousness has painful feelings occasioned by the scene of various other modes of assailing us, if we keep

something come to pass, if my feelings have not deceived me, that will more fully try our foundation ;" and he exhorted Friends to get so deep as that they might be able to stand. This was a heart-tendering time, not only to the aged and middle-aged, but some of the youth were also observed with their heads resting on their hands, weeping.†

[* Believed to be Mary Ridgway and Jane Watson.]

their situation would allow Joseph Bowne was appointed clerk to the Select Meeting; after which Friends adjourned to the college.

The meeting being opened, the situation of the women became the subject of consideration, and some men Friends were deputed to attend at Rose street house, where their Year- This being the day appointed for both the ly Meeting was then sitting. The comfortable meeting-houses in the city to be open for relichange of feeling, between entering the meet- gious worship, and time not allowing for any ing-house of Hester street this morning and arrangement for Friends holding their meetthe college, is not to be conceived to the full: ings elsewhere, the separatists having both the meeting adjourned to the afternoon. At meeting-houses now in their possession, after the time adjourned to, Friends met; the com- considering the subject, Friends were left at mittee to attend to women Friends reported, liberty to attend either of the two meetingthat the gates of Rose street meeting-house, houses or not. Accompanied by my kind. were locked, and that they were denied an friends, Rowland Green and Daniel Wood, we entrance; also that a deputation had been proceeded to Rose street house; although we sent to the women from the body they left in were early in our attendance, yet, on our enHester street meeting-house. From the pros-tering the house, we observed the ministers' pect of the trying situation the women Friends gallery was crowded from end to end; some were likely to be placed in, some men Friends Friends under the gallery leaving their seats were requested to lend them such assistance for us, we occupied them. As it evidently as they were able. The meeting being informed that the women were circumstanced as the men had been, and that it was expected they must leave their meeting-house, and the African Methodist meeting-house having been offered for their accommodation, it was concluded to accept it.

Third-day morning, the women went into the lobby of their house, and adjourned to the African Methodist meeting-house, accompanied by some men Friends. The trying circumstances under which Friends were now placed, had become noised abroad in the city, and much sympathy appeared to be manifested, and great quiet was observed by the people, as we passed through the streets. The Meeting for Sufferings stood adjourned to Hester street house this evening; the clerk and others of us proceeded there accordingly. On our arrival, we were informed by one of Elias Hicks's party, there was no longer a Meeting for Sufferings, it having been dissolved [by their meeting;] and that Friends would not be admitted into that house or any part of it, to hold such meeting.

appeared to be a planned thing to crowd the gallery thus early by the separatist party, to keep us from our seats, I found great care would be necessary on my part to watch against any thing like a spirit of enmity or resentment taking place in my mind towards any on this account. A very short time after we had taken our seats, a leader of the separatist party stood up: on his taking his seat he was quickly followed by another, both of them held forth doctrines tending to strike at the very root of vital religion, and in as direct opposition to the acknowledged principles of our ancient Friends as words could well convey: these were quickly followed by a female of their party, who used very strong expressions in what she called setting her seal to the Gospel truths declared in the two foregoing communications. My mind was brought under exercise, and yet I felt a dread at the idea of standing up to discharge my duty, expecting no other but it would produce opposition ; but when I believed the right time was come, I ventured to rise, and in as concise a manner as I was capable of, bore my testimony to the Fourth-day, the Select Meeting, standing necessity of our experiencing the aid and asadjourned to the 8th, have this morning assistance of the Spirit and power of Jesus sembled; most of those who at the former Christ, who suffered without the gates of Jemeeting had improperly intruded themselves, rusalem, if the great work of our soul's salvaagain took their seats in this meeting; and tion becomes that complete work, which it Elias Hicks and his party manifesting a de- most assuredly must, to entitle us to a seat termination that the clerk nominated by their in the kingdom of heaven. I further exparty should stand, Friends could not proceed horted, for the sake of those not in profesto business, and therefore were obliged to sion with our religious Society, that their move to the other end of the house, and en-minds might not be turned from the sure deavour after as much quiet as the nature of foundation, by any thing that had been before communicated; and recommended to their perusal a pamphlet published by the

not the watch in the light of the Lord, and cleave with earnest faith unto the Captain of our salvation:-a building is not more effectually overthrown by direct open force, than by a secret undermining and removing of it from its true foundation.]

[* It is stated in “The Friend,” that at least two-thirds of all the ministers and elders of New York, who were in attendance, continued with Friends.]

Meeting for Sufferings in Philadelphia, en-tained by applying to some sound member of titled," A Declaration," &c. ;* containing our religious community in the city; and I extracts from our ancient Friends' writings on advised them to compare the principles there the doctrines owned by our religious Society, laid down, which continued to be the princiwhich I informed them could be easily ob- ples of the sound members amongst us to this

*In the course of the narrative respecting his journey in America, our dear friend makes frequent mention of the difficulties which occurred in consequence of the principles promulgated by Elias Hicks and his adherents, and their ultimate secession from the religious Society of Friends.-ings of his Holy Spirit to bring them to the knowIn order to give the reader a correct idea of the wide difference between those principles and the doctrines of the Society, the editors of the FRIENDS' LIBRARY think it right to insert some extracts from "A Declaration," issued by the Yearly Meeting of Philadelphia, setting forth the causes of the separation, &c.; a document to which Thomas Shillitoe frequently refers in the following

pages.

"A DECLARATION OF THE YEARLY MEETING OF FRIENDS," &c.

"At a Yearly Meeting of Friends held in Philadelphia, by adjournments from the 21st of the fourth month, to the 28th of the same, inclu

sive, 1828.

Almighty in the dispensations of his infinite wisdom and goodness, to gather our worthy predecessors out of the various professions and worships of the world, to release them from the formalities of a ceremonial religion, and by the immediate teachledge of himself, as he is revealed in and through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Instructed in the nature of that worship which is acceptable to the Father, and yielding obedience to the discipline of the cross, they were led into purity of life and conversation, evincing great tenderness of conscience, and a fear of doing any thing which might bring a shade upon their holy profession. Thus they became as a city set on a hill that could not be hid,' and many were convinced of the truth, and joined in fellowship with them. testimonies committed to them, they endured much persecution and bitter suffering, but notwithstanding the various obstacles they had to contend with, the Society rapidly increased, and when William Penn received the grant of Pennsylvania, many of the members migrated with him, and found a peaceful retreat from the persecutions which awaited them in their own land. The privations which they were subjected to in a new country, being favourable to that simplicity and self-denial which their profession inculcates, they became a religious body comprising many substantial and divinely gifted members, in whose hands the cause of Truth prospered, and many meetings were established. But the old adversary who envies the advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom, and is righteousness in the earth, wrought upon the ever busily striving to lay waste the work of

"In the faithful maintenance of the doctrines and

"The Meeting for Sufferings having been engaged in preparing a declaration of the principal causes and progress of the schism which has taken place on the part of some under our name, within the limits of this Yearly Meeting, and which also exhibits the doctrines of the Separatists, contrasted with the principles and faith of our religious Society, it was deliberately read; and the meeting being brought into a serious consideration of the affecting evidence which it furnishes, of the desolating consequences produced by the spirit and principles of unbelief and insubordination, and believing that it is due to the cause of Christianity, and the reputation of our religious Society, to bear our testimony to the world, against the anti-hearts of some restless and ambitious individuals, scriptural doctrines, and disorganizing proceedings and conduct of the Separatists, fully unites with this declaration and testimony, and directs it to be signed by the clerk, and published on behalf of this meeting. It being as follows:

who had once been favoured instruments in the Lord's hand, filling their minds with envy and prejudice against their brethren, and leading them into open opposition to those things, which in the days of their fidelity, they had believed in-and "In taking a view of the situation of our reli- finally into separation from the Society. This was gious Society, and of the various exercises and sorrowfully the case with John Wilkinson and John close trials, which those who love our Lord Jesus Story and their party in England. The apostacy Christ, have had to pass through, we believe it and misconduct of these Separatists brought great important to preserve a faithful narrative of the reproach upon the Society, and subjected those schism which has taken place among some under who stood firm in their first love, to deeper exerour name, and to trace the subtle workings of that cises, and more painful trials, than all the outward spirit of unbelief and insubordination which has afflictions which they endured from their cruel been the primary cause of it—a spirit which has persecutors. It was a common outcry among them, been privily brought in among us, under the spc-Away with your order; let every one be left to cious appearance of a refined spirituality, but which has blinded the understandings of many, and led them, step by step, into an open denial of the fundamental doctrines of the Christian religion, as they are laid down by our blessed Redeemer and his apostles, in the Holy Scriptures.

"Previous to entering on the proposed narrative, it may not be improper to notice the rise of our religious Society, and some of the troubles which befel it during its infancy. It pleased the Lord

his liberty.' They made 'disturbances in meetings to the breaking of the church's peace, causing divisions amongst Friends; publishing to the world wicked and scandalous books against Friends; shutting and keeping Friends out of their common meeting houses, in which they have a just right and property, and not suffering them to meet therein; and, at length, also set up separate meetings, in opposition to the meetings of God's people.' See Ellwood's Journal, p. 275.

day as a religious body, with the unsound or allow to be the truths of the Gospel. The doctrines that had been advanced this morn- opposing spirit was so chained down, it was ing; and not to charge the Society with hold- remarked by Friends afterwards, that none of ing principles which it does not, that we may the usual marks of disapprobation were maninot be blamed for that which we cannot own fested, such as coughing, shuffling of the feet,

"In this country, the peace and harmony of our religious Society, was early interrupted by George Keith. His ambitious, aspiring disposition, led him to attempt introducing innovations in principle and practice, and when he found that discerning Friends would not be drawn into his measures, he endeavoured to divide the Society, and to set up a Yearly Meeting, and other separate meetings, within the limits of this Yearly Meeting. But the Society steadily adhered to its doctrines and discipline, whilst he and his party, persisting in their disorganizing attempts, were scattered from the fold of Christ, and many of them were finally disowned. The revolutionary war was productive of new trials upon the stability of the Society. Numbers were drawn aside to violate its testimony against war, but while such experienced much unsettlement, the sincerely exercised and faithful members, were more closely united in a deep religious concern, for their preservation upon the sure foundation, that they might give practical evidence of the peaceable nature of the Messiah's kingdom, by acting on all occasions consistently therewith. Thus, though it has been assailed by severe trials, within and without, the Society continued as a body firmly united in faith and discipline, and through the mercy and protection of our holy and divine Leader, was still enabled to hold up a light to the world.

66

many of our youth have grown up in great ignorance of those all-important subjects, as well as of the history and principles of our ancient Friends; so that many have fallen an easy prey to the cavils and sophistry of designing men, who were seeking to lead them astray, by infusing doubts into their minds respecting the truths of the Christian revelation.

"In the lapse of a few years, it has pleased the Lord in his unsearchable wisdom, to remove from works to rewards many eminent servants, who stood as faithful watchmen upon the walls of Zion, and being clothed with the spirit of discernment, were enabled to detect the various stratagems of the enemy, and to defeat his attempts to lay waste the Society. Sentiments promulgated at different periods by Elias Hicks, a minister belonging to Jericho, on Long Island, occasioned great uneasiness in the minds of some of those Friends, and others, who privately communicated their apprehensions to him. A spirit of libertinism and independency, fostered and strengthened by the neglect of proper discipline in families, prepared many to listen with delight to such sentiments, which were before unknown in the communications of our ministers. The disclosure of his views, however, was gradual, and for a long time in a very covert manner. The subordination and respect due from youth, to age and experience, which Causes, however, have been operating for seve- true religion ever enforces, were undermined by ral years, to prepare the way for the introduction his frequent suggestions, that their elder friends of opinions, repugnant to our religious principles were sticking in the traditions of their fathers, and doctrines, and tending to lay waste that love and could not go on with the work of reformation, and Christian fellowship, which have so conspicu- and it was therefore necessary that the young peoously distinguished the Society, and given effect ple should come forward and take the lead.' The to its exertions in the cause of universal righte- observance of the first-day of the week, was held ousness. Lukewarmness respecting the important up as being superstitious; and those who did not work of religion, an increasing love of the world, join with him in rejecting the products of slave and an eager pursuit of its riches, pleasures and labour, were compared with the most abandoned fashions, disqualifying many for usefulness in the and wicked characters, and pronounced to be unfit church, introduced weakness, and eclipsed the to take any part in promoting the cause of Truth. brightness of our Christian profession, which had Whilst he thus boldly denounced those who could shone so eminently in the example of our worthy not adopt his views, others were flattered and enancestors. Others who were influenced by a rest-listed with his attentions; and thus the Society less aspiring disposition, have at different periods opposed the administration of a sound discipline, and endeavoured to throw off those salutary restraints, indispensable to the existence of every "Under the plausible pretext of exalting the well regulated society. Among other causes light within,' as the primary rule of faith and which have contributed to its weakness, is the too practice, he endeavoured to lessen the authority easy reception of papers of acknowledgment from of the Holy Scriptures; and, when he had greatly those who had transgressed the discipline, and the impaired the sentiments of reverence justly due admission of persons into membership who had not to their divine testimony, he proceeded to speak been sufficiently grounded in the doctrines of the of our blessed Saviour, as being merely an examChristian faith. But one of the most fertile ple or pattern to us, and denied that his death was sources of evil, has been the neglect of many of an offering for the sins of mankind, except for the our members, in not bestowing upon their offspring legal sins of the Jews, calling him the Jewish a guarded religious education; labouring to imbue Messiah. Faithful, experienced Friends, who were their susceptible minds with the saving truths of established in the doctrines of Christ and his aposthe Gospel, and habituating them to frequent read-tles, and who saw the baneful consequences that ing of the Holy Scriptures. For want of this godly concern on the part of parents and teachers,

was gradually, and imperceptibly divided by his doctrines, and the strong contrasts which he drew, between different portions of it.

must result from the promulgation of such opinions, were brought under much painful solicitude,