gun away from him, and that wicked man came into the meeting and was pretty quiet there; the Lord's good presence was with us, a good meeting we had, and I may say 'They that trust in the Lord, are as 'Mount Zion, that cannot be moved.' And as it was said of old, As the hills were round about Jerusalem, so is the Lord round about his people, to be a present help to them in every needful time. THE COLONEL OF DRAGOONS. "During the revolutionary war in America, a part of the American army lay near the Gunpowder Falls meeting-house, which however did not prevent Friends from holding their meetings for worship. Amongst these troops there was a colonel of dragoons, whose resentment against Friends was raised to such a pitch of malice, that one day, when traversing the country, he came to the most extraordinary and cruel resolution, of putting to the sword the Friends who were then collected at their place of worship; considering them as no better than a company of traitors. Drawing up his men near the spot, he ordered them to halt, in order to make arrangements for the execution of his dreadful purpose. At this moment an awful silent pause took place, in which he felt his mind so powerfully smitten with conviction, that he not only drew off his men, but conceived very favourable sentiments of the Society; and continuing to yield to his convictions, he afterwards joined in communion with Friends, and continued faithful to the principle of Truth professed by them.” Sutcliff's Travels. EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM ANTHONY BENEZET TO JOHN PEMBERTON. "It is amazing what an influence the love of the world, its esteem and friendship, and the desire of amassing wealth, living themselves and children in delicacy and show, in comformity to the world, have upon many in our Society, who in other respects appear under some impressions of good; notwithstanding they cannot but be sensible of its woful effects upon the religious welfare of their offspring, who hereby, as mentioned by the apostle, fall into snares and hurtful lusts, often to their perdition; notwithstanding also the nature of our profession, and a conformity to the example and precepts of our Lord, lay such an absolute prohibition on such a state. "Lay not up for yourselves treasure upon earth, says our blessed Saviour, 'How hardly shall they that 'have riches enter,' &c. 'Wo unto you that are rich. 'Be not conformed,' but be ye transformed,' that ye may be better qualified to follow Him who has called you, in the way of the cross, to be soldiers in his holy warfare. Learn of him who was meek and low; who though he was Lord of all, chose to come in the form of a servant, walked on foot, fed on barley loaves, &c. Some injunctions, less likely to effect the heart, we take according to the full force of the expressions, as with respect to taking oaths, &c.; whilst others, whose hurtful nature is more apparent, and as positively prohibited by our Saviour, (as that of laying up treasures,) we make nothing of. An instance, which not long since occurred, caused me to make some painful reflections upon this most weighty subject. "A Friend died, reputed to have left sixty or seventy thousand pounds to a number of children and grandchildren, already so elevated by the fortunes they were possessed of, as to be ready to take wing and fly above the Truth, in conformity to the world, its friendships, fashions, &c. This happened in the depth of winter, one of those intense cold days, which we all have felt to be very trying, even to those who are best provided with fuel, suitable clothing, &c. As I passed along, I observed aged people and others tottering about the streets, or standing in the cold in pursuit of a few pence, towards a scanty subsistence; many of these, doubtless, poorly provided with fuel or bedding: both of which articles were then exceedingly scarce and dear. "I compared the situation and necessity of these aged people with the superfluous wealth and delicate living of the children of the rich man lately deceased and could not but be astonished at the selfishness and caprice of the human heart. I queried with myself: Are both these children of the same Father, equally under his notice? Are they enjoined and do they profess, to love each other as they love themseves? Why is not at least three quarters of this wealth, and three quarters of the wealth of a number of other rich Quakers, laid out in procuring a place of refuge and comfort, and moderate provision, for such weak and aged people? that they may, in the decline of life, be put in the most suitable situation to think of and prepare for their latter end, and enjoy a moderate state of comfort. "Is it honest to God or man? Is it doing justice as stewards of the wealth committed to our care? Is it loving our neighbours as ourselves? If mankind are indeed brethren, can it be agreeable to the good Father of the family, that one should engross so much, and employ it to feed the corruptions of his offspring; whilst others are under such manifest disadvantages for want of help." The preceding letter cannot properly be accounted an anecdote, though the circumstance brought forward in it seems to have been the occasion of those wholesome remarks, which form the greater portion of it. The remarkable character who wrote it, was not a theoretic or an ostentatious philanthropist ;-a Christian in the most appropriate sense of the term, he had learned, (not in the school of custom or conformity,) to devote his talents, time, and substance to the service of his fellow creatures-and that for Christ's sake. In a biographical memoir published respecting him are delineated some uncommon traits of benevolence—he has even been known to take off his own coat in the streets, and give it to one that was in great want of clothing but his useful life and labors on every occasion appear to have evinced a heart under the influence, restraint, and direction of the best of principles,-the will of God as made known by the Spirit of His Son. A PEACEFUL PROFITABLE OLD AGE. "In Virginia, near James River, I met with an aged Friend, whose name was WILLIAM PORTER. He was ninety-two years of age; and had then a daughter two years old. Some years after, I saw him, and he was weeding Indian corn with a hoe. He was then about a hundred and six years of age, and had upwards of seventy children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. We went, (divers Friends) to see him, and he preached to us a short but very affecting sermon, which was, as near as I remember, verbatim thus: 'Friends, you are come to see me in the love of God. 'God is love, and those that dwell in God dwell in love. 'I thank God I feel His divine life every day and every night.' "He lived to see his above mentioned daughter married, and died aged one hundred and seven years.” WILLIAM PENN, while in Pennsylvania, undertook a journey through the province and territories as a minister of the gospel. Among the places he visited in this capacity was Haverford; an anecdote is recorded of him whilst going thither, which is worth relating. A Friend of the name of Rebecca Wood, when a little girl, used sometimes to walk from Derby, where she resided, to Haverford meeting. One day as she was walking along, she was overtaken by a Friend on horseback, who proved to be William Penn. On coming up with her, he enquired where she was going and with his usual good nature, desired her to get up behind him; and bringing his horse to a convenient place, she mounted, and so rode away. Being without shoes or stockings, her bare legs and feet hung dangling by the side of the governor's horse. Although W. Penn was at this time both governor and proprietor, he did not think it beneath him, thus to help along a poor barefooted girl in her way to meeting; and notwithstanding the maxims and customs of the world, these little kind offices to those in low stations |