T. TALBOT, SARAH, letter to T. Scattergood, 188, 191. TABER, JOHN, letter to T. Scattergood, 211. science and remarks upon it, 349; king's order Commons, 444; Friends' reply, 445; conclusion, MEMOIRS. OF THE LIFE AND RELIGIOUS LABOURS OF THOMAS SCATTERGOOD, A MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL IN THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS. Testimony of the monthly meeting of Philadel- ful that no part of his conduct might lessen phia, for the Northern District, concerning the force of the doctrine which he had to THOMAS SCATTERGOOD. FROM the love we feel for the memory of this our dear friend, and the continued sense we have of his fervent pious engagements, it appears to be a duty to posterity to transmit some account of his life and conversation. He was born in the city of Burlington, New Jersey, of parents professing belief in the doctrines and principles held by us as a religious Society: his father dying whilst he was young, he was placed an apprentice in this city; and though often sensible of the checks of divine grace, which condemns for sin, he followed the inclination of his own corrupt will, which led into estrangement from the path of peace; till being in mercy visited with an humbling sense of his miserable condition, he turned at the reproofs of instruction, and submitting to the gentle manifestations of light upon his understanding, was enabled to bear the cross of Christ, and became qualified to extend advice and counsel to others. Under those exercises, a sense of a call to the ministry of the gospel was, in the wisdom and love of God, communicated to his mind; but through great reluctance to yield to this awful work, he forbore for several years, and thereby brought upon himself very deep distressing conflicts. At length, whilst accompanying a Friend who had been here on a religious visit, the impression of divine requiring being renewed upon him, his mouth was opened with a few words in a religious meeting; and after his return, he expressed at times in our religious assemblies, a few sentences in a tender broken manner, much to the satisfaction of his friends; and continuing steadfast under many baptisms and trials, he was remarkably careVOL. VIII.-No. 1. preach to others. Keeping faithful to the intimations of duty, he became prepared for more extensive service; and with the concur rence of the monthly meeting, proceeded to fulfil a prospect he had of a religious visit to the meetings of Friends within the government of New York, and part of New England, and was favoured to return with the reward of peace. Thus diligently labouring in the work of the ministry, he was for many years much from home, visiting meetings in various places, particularly in Maryland, Virginia, and Carolina; where he experienced much close exercise and proving of faith and patience; but through the goodness and power of the blessed Shepherd of Israel, whose help is ever near for the support of his humble dedicated servants, he was carried through all, to the comfort of his own mind, and the satisfaction of his friends. The prospect of making a visit to the churches in Europe being opened upon his mind, and meekly abiding under the weight of this exercise until it was ripe for the information of his friends, he was induced to spread it be fore them; and obtaining their unity and sympathy, he embarked, and arrived in England in the year 1794. Much deep and silent exercise was often his lot, but as resignation and patience were maintained, he was enabled to discharge what appeared to be his duty; and labouring for several years in the fulfilment of this arduous service, he experienced the near unity and fellowship of Friends in those countries, and came away in the enjoyment of peace, under a sense of the immediate protecting providence of Him, who is to his children a sure rock and never-failing refuge. He continued mostly at home for se 1 veral years, diligently attending the respective taken unwell the 21st. The disorder though meetings of which he was a member, and also other religious services. apparently not alarming at the commencement, in a short time greatly prostrated his strength: yet he was preserved throughout in much quietness and sweetness of spirit; was frequently pleasant and cheerful; his concern for the prosperity of Zion was still the prevalent engagement of his mind, and he often enquired how the yearly meeting was advancing in its important business. On the third day of his illness, a friend sitting by him expressed he felt a peaceful solemnity-he replied, "So do I; my mind is centered in quiet, peaceful resignation." On the next day those about him apprehended he was near departing, but reviving a little, he at intervals expressed nearly as follows; "This is the last piece of the garment that is to be worked up; and if I can be favoured to join the righteous of every generation, it will be enough." Again-"Well, I dont know that He was much devoted to the promotion of the cause of truth and righteousness, and through the efficacy of heavenly love, was at times enabled to say, it was more to him than his necessary food; but being sensible of his various infirmities, he was frequent in inward retirement, and hence his mind became strengthened in watchfulness against those things which interrupt the aspiration of the soul towards the Fountain of everlasting life; being thereby made quick in the fear of the Lord, he increased in solid experience, and gradually advanced in the way and work of salvation. His example in silent waiting in our religious meetings was instructive, and in the exercise of his gift, it was evident that he had been careful to feel the putting forth of the divine hand, being at times eminently endued with a clear discernment of the states of I have much to say for myself; I leave it to meetings and individuals, and in the power of the gospel, was made instrumental to baptize many into deep contrition, through a heartfelt sense of their own condition. Thus, as a scribe well instructed into the kingdom, he brought forth out of the treasury things new and old, to the edification of the body and to the praise of its ever adorable head. the Lord, the Shepherd that sleepeth not by day nor slumbereth by night, who watcheth over his children and over his flock:" Again: I hope that a righteous generation will be raised up and preserved as a seed"-and after a silent pause, added, "Oh, if we can but be favoured to take some of that love with usthe end crowns all-I have nothing to boast of; I have been baptized into many low places, and raised up again." He appeared disposed for more expression, but his bodily powers were so far gone as to render his attempts un His sympathy with the afflicted was often manifest; and the situation of those in necessitous circumstances peculiarly claiming his tender regard, occasioned his frequently bring. ing to the notice of his brethren, their suffer-intelligible; yet after a considerable time of ing condition, that their benevolent endeavours might be exerted for their alleviation. silence, he uttered with much emphasis, "I will lead them." Soon after which he quietly He was so tender of the reputation of all, and peacefully departed, the 24th of the fourth that he could not take the liberty of express-month, 1814; and we doubt not hath entered ing any thing to lessen it, nor was he easy to into rest, enjoying that crown of righteousness hear others in such a practice. which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give unto all them that love his appearing. He attended several sittings of our yearly meeting in the fourth month, 1814, and was MEMOIRS OF THOMAS SCATTERGOOD. [THE memoranda from which the following | description of matter; to correct some gram. account of our beloved friend, Thomas Scat-matical inaccuracies and sometimes to transtergood, is chiefly drawn, appear to have been pose a sentence for the sake of perspicuity. penned for the information of his family and his own instruction and improvement, without any view to their being made public. They enter more into private and personal details than would be proper to meet the public eye, and often with a degree of minuteness which would be tedious to the general reader. It was therefore necessary to omit much of this The reader will perceive that our dear friend was one of those who knew what it was to be "in deaths oft;" to be brought very low after seasons of divine favour, and often to partake, according to his measure, of that bitter cup which was drunk in its fulness by his Lord and Saviour. But these seasons of conflict and suffering, painful as they might be at the time, were blessed to him, as a means of preservation, and of preparing him, not only to minister more effectually to the suffering and oppressed seed of God; but also to partake more largely of those consolations which are in Christ, when He in whose hand are the times and seasons, saw meet to change the dispensation, and permit him to partake with his blessed Lord in his resurrection into dominion and glory. Few persons, it is believed, were preserved more steadily in a state of inward exercise and retirement of spirit, waiting on the Lord, or given to see more clearly, or to minister more pertinently to, the states of meetings and individuals,—and few have left behind them more seals to the baptizing and convincing power of their gospel ministry.] was placed apprentice in the city of Philadelphia, with a Friend in mercantile business; but the occupation not suiting him, he remained in it but a short time. He afterward went to learn the trade of a hatter, and continued at it until about nineteen years old, when his master dying, he quit the employment and learned to be a tanner, in which business he continued during the remainder of his life. The temptations to which he was exposed in the city, and the facility there af forded for gratifying the inclinations of the carnal mind, led him still further from the way of holiness; but amid all his deviations he appears to have been watched over and cared for by that compassionate Being who is a father to the fatherless, and whose gracious visitations were at times powerfully extended, in order to rescue him from the pit of pollution, and make him a chosen vessel in his house. He was sometimes in the practice of spending first-day afternoon with his companions in sailing on the Delaware-an amusement in which he took much delight; and on one occasion when employed in this manner, his mind became so deeply impressed with the sinfulness of thus spending the day, that he induced his comrades to set him ashore before they reached the place of their destination,nor did he ever afterward spend that day in a similar manner. He was often heard to speak of this incident, as a remarkable instance of the secret pleadings of the divine witness in the breasts of even the young, and there is reason to believe that soon after it, he was made willing to bow to the tendering visitations of divine love and mercy to his soul, and taking up his daily cross, to follow Jesus in the regeneration. THOMAS SCATTERGOOD, son of Joseph and Rebecca Scattergood, was born in Burlington, New Jersey, on the 23d of first month, 1748. His parents were members of the religious Society of Friends, and his father was indentured to Thomas Chalkley to learn the business of a mariner, with whom he performed several voyages. After coming of age, he appears to have had the command of a vessel which sailed from Burlington; but he soon left this occupation and studied law, which he continued to practice until his death, which occurred in 1754. After this event, the care of Thomas' education devolved upon his mother, who manifested an earnest solicitude for his best welfare, and by tender counsel and judicious management, endeavoured to shield him from the snares and temptations incident to youth, and to lead him in the paths of piety. His literary instruction would seem not to have exceeded the common branches of an English education, of It would be interesting and instructive to which he acquired a competent knowledge. trace his progress in a religious life, through Of his boyhood, little is known, though from its early stages, and to mark the exercises some hints he has left respecting it, he seems and baptisms by which he was gradually preto have been favoured, as early as when pared for an instrument of remarkable usefulsix years old, with seasons of serious thought-ness in the church of Christ; but he has left fulness; but not giving heed to the secret no record of this important period of his life, reproofs of instruction, or to the admoni- nor are there materials to make up even an tions of his concerned mother, he yielded to the corrupt inclinations of the vain mind, indulging in folly and forming associations, the tendency of which was to alienate him from a serious and self-denying life. His turn of mind rendered his company peculiarly acceptable to his associates, among whom he was generally a leader in their youthful diversions; and although it does not appear that his conduct was marked by any flagrant departure from the path of rectitude, yet he became much estranged from the yoke and cross of Christ. About the fourteenth year of his age, he outline of it. From some remarks which he made at different times, there is ground to conclude that his inward conflicts and provings were many, and that he was then no stranger to that deep and weighty exercise of spirit, which so remarkably characterized the later periods of his life. It appears from the records of the monthly meeting of which he was a member, that soon after attaining to manhood, he was brought into usefulness in the concerns of the church, and employed in some important services for the Society. In the tenth month, 1772, he was married to Elizabeth, the daughter of David Bacon, who proved a helpmeet to him; but they were separated by death in about eight years, which proved a close trial to him. One son, Joseph Scattergood, was the only child who survived her. Here I was bowed under a sense of my past disobedience and want of entire resignation to the divine will." "21st.-Attended the youths' meeting. My beloved friends were favoured in this and the preceding meeting; but as for me, I was reduced very low; yet am a little comforted under the tendering power of truth; our esteemed friend W. M., speaking a little to my condition in a sitting we had at Abel Jan During the commotions attendant on the war of the revolution, the Society of Friends in Philadelphia were subjected to much suffering and many trials, owing to their conscientious objection to everything of a warlike na-ney's. ture, which exposed them to much jealousy "First month 9th, 1780.-Being first-day, and suspicion, and often rendered them the attended Fairfax meeting under much distress subjects of unrighteous and oppressive exac- of mind, and so continued until evening, when tions. These difficulties, growing out of va- a little ease was graciously granted me, for rious causes, brought Friends very near to which I am thankful. On taking the Bible each other in spirit, broke down the barriers and reading our dear Lord's sermon on the of prejudice, and produced that humility and mount, a serious thought took hold of my tenderness of spirit, in which they could feel- mind, respecting doing to others as I would ingly sympathize with one another, and were be done unto. The remembrance of several ready cheerfully to contribute of their sub-men, to whom I paid money in days back, stance for the help of those more destitute came before me, with desires that I might and stripped than themselves. Committees fulfil the law of Christ, in doing unto all men were appointed in the monthly meetings to as I should desire them to do to me." inquire into the situation of their members, This uneasiness appears to have arisen and afford the requisite relief wherever it was from his having used the "Continental moneeded. In this work of love and mercy, ney" in the payment of some of his debts; Thomas Scattergood was a diligent labourer, and although it was a full settlement and disand he was no less zealous in encouraging charge according to law, yet he was fearful his fellow professors to maintain faithfully that he should not be acting in accordance their testimony to the peaceable reign of the with the gospel rule of strict justice, unless Messiah, and in endeavouring to convince he made them some compensation for the others of the inconsistency of all wars and loss they probably sustained by its great defightings with the benign nature of the gos-preciation. He therefore records his desire pel, which ever breathes peace on earth and that "for the sake of peace of mind," a good will to men. certain sum might be paid to individuals whom he names, in order to make up the deficiency. In the tenth month, 1778, with the consent of his monthly meeting, he accompanied a ministering Friend to some meetings in Maryland and Virginia; in which service he was engaged about six weeks. With the approbation of his friends, and to use his own words, "in a degree of tenderness of heart," he set out with Samuel Emlen and George Dillwyn to attend the quarterly meeting of Fairfax, in Virginia, in the twelfth month, 1779. The account of this journey is the first which he appears to have kept, but as it is little more than a notice of the different stages where they stopped, it seems unnecessary to transcribe it here. Throughout the visit he seems to have been under close exercise respecting his own condition, which induced him often to seek solitary places where he might commune with his own heart, and pour out his prayers and tears before the Lord. In a memorandum made the 18th of twelfth month, he says, "Attended the committee on Reformation,* in the afternoon. *The sufferings of Friends during the Revolution, not only tended to increase their love for Where unreserved obedience is yielded to the manifestations of the light of Christ Jesus in the soul, it brings under a deep and humbling sense of past transgressions; begets a godly sorrow for sin, bringing into view those. long since committed, and perhaps forgotten; under the pressure of which, the awakened mind is bowed in great humiliation and made willing not only to confess its wrong doing, but as far as may be in its power, to make each other, but also led into close self-examination, in order to ascertain wherein they had departed from the law and the testimony; and in their conthe standard of purity which the gospel and our duct, pursuits, or manner of living, had lowered high profession enjoin. In order more effectually to carry on this good work, committees were appointed in many of the quarterly meetings to promote a reformation among Friends, and endeavour to encourage one another to greater faithfulness in the support of the precious testimonies of Truth. It is probably to a committee of this description, that Thomas Scattergood here alludes. |