Chapter 5

On the ninth Day of the eighth Month, in the Year 1757, at Night, Orders came to the military Officers in our County (Burlington), directing them to draught the Militia, and prepare a Number of Men to go off as Soldiers, to the Relief of the English at Fort-William-Henry, in New-York Government: A few Days after which there was a general Review of the Militia at Mount-Holly, and a Number of Men chosen and sent off under some Officers. Shortly after, there came Orders to draught three Times as many, to hold themselves in Readiness to march when fresh Orders came: And, on the 17th Day of the eighth Month, there was a Meeting of the military Officers at Mount-Holly, who agreed on a Draught; and Orders were sent to the Men, so chosen, to meet their respective Captains at set Times and Places; those in our Township to meet at Mount-Holly; amongst whom was a considerable Number of our Society. My Mind being affected herewith, I had fresh Opportunity to see and consider the Advantage of living in the real Substance of Religion, where Practice doth harmonize with Principle. Amongst the Officers are Men of Understanding, who have some Regard to Sincerity where they see it; and in the Execution of their Office, when they have Men to deal with whom they believe to be upright-hearted, to put them to Trouble, on account of Scruples of Conscience, is a painful Task, and likely to be avoided as much as easily may be: But where Men profess to be so meek and heavenly-minded, and to have their Trust so firmly settled in God, that they cannot join in Wars, and yet, by their Spirit and Conduct in common Life, manifest a contrary Disposition, their Difficulties are great at such a Time.

On the night of the ninth day of the eighth month, 1757, orders came to the military officers in our county (Burlington). They were to draft the militia and prepare a number of men to go as soldiers. The men were to relieve the English at Fort-William-Henry, in the government of New-York. A few days later, there was a general review of the militia at Mount-Holly. A number of men were chosen and sent off under some officers. Soon afterward, orders came to draft three times as many men. They were to be ready to march when fresh orders came. On the 17th day of the eighth month, the military officers met at Mount-Holly and agreed on a draft. The men chosen were ordered to meet their respective captains at set times and places. Those in our township were to meet at Mount-Holly. A considerable number of them belonged to our Society. This affected me deeply and gave me a fresh chance to consider the advantage of living in the true substance of religion, where practice is in harmony with principle. Some officers are understanding men who have regard for sincerity when they see it. In carrying out their duties, they may have to deal with men they believe to be upright in heart. It is painful for them to trouble such men over scruples of conscience. They are likely to avoid doing so as much as they reasonably can. But some men profess to be so meek and heavenly-minded, and to trust so firmly in God, that they cannot take part in wars. Yet their spirit and conduct in everyday life show the opposite disposition. Such men face great difficulties at a time like this.

Officers, in great Anxiety, endeavouring to get Troops to answer the Demands of their Superiors, seeing Men, who are insincere, pretend Scruple of Conscience in Hopes of being excused from a dangerous Employment, such are likely to be roughly handled. In this Time of Commotion some of our young Men left the Parts, and tarried abroad till it was over; some came, and proposed to go as Soldiers; others appeared to have a real tender Scruple in their Minds against joining in Wars, and were much humbled under the Apprehension of a Trial so near: I had Conversation with several of them to my Satisfaction. At the set Time when the Captain came to Town, some of those last-mentioned went and told him in Substance as follows:—That they could not bear Arms for Conscience-sake; nor could they hire any to go in their Places, being resigned as to the Event of it: At length the Captain acquainted them all, that they might return Home for the present, and, required them to provide themselves as Soldiers, and to be in Readiness to march when called upon. This was such a Time as I had not seen before; and yet I may say, with Thankfulness to the Lord, that I believed this Trial was intended for our Good; and I was favoured with Resignation to him. The French Army, taking the Fort they were besieging, destroyed it and went away: The Company of Men first draughted, after some Days march, had Orders to return Home; and those on the second Draught were no more called upon on that Occasion.

Officers were anxious to find enough troops to meet their superiors' demands. Some men falsely claimed to have objections of conscience, hoping to avoid dangerous service. When officers saw this, those men were likely to be treated roughly. During this unrest, some of our young men left the area and stayed away until it was over. Some came forward and offered to serve as soldiers. Others seemed to have sincere and deeply felt objections to joining in war. They were deeply humbled by the prospect of a trial so near. I spoke with several of them, and the conversations satisfied me. At the appointed time, the captain came to town. Some of those who had sincere objections went to him and said, in substance, that they could not bear arms for conscience's sake. Nor could they hire anyone to go in their places. They were resigned to whatever might happen as a result. At last, the captain told them all they could return home for the present. He also ordered them to equip themselves as soldiers and be ready to march when called. I had never seen such a time before. Yet I can say, with thanks to the Lord, that I believed this trial was intended for our good. I was blessed with resignation to him. The French army took the fort they were besieging, destroyed it, and went away. After several days' march, the first group of drafted men received orders to return home. Those in the second draft were not called upon again on that occasion.

On the fourth Day of the fourth Month, in the Year 1758, Orders came to some Officers in Mount-Holly, to prepare Quarters, a short Time, for about one hundred Soldiers: And an Officer and two other Men, all Inhabitants of our Town, came to my House; and the Officer told me, that he came to speak with me, to provide Lodging and Entertainment for two Soldiers, there being six Shillings a Week per Man allowed as Pay for it. The Case being new and unexpected, I made no Answer suddenly; but sat a Time silent, my Mind being inward: I was fully convinced, that the Proceedings in Wars are inconsistent with the Purity of the Christian Religion: And to be hired to entertain Men, who were then under Pay as Soldiers, was a Difficulty with me. I expected they had legal Authority for what they did; and, after a short Time, I said to the Officer, If the Men are sent here for Entertainment, I believe I shall not refuse to admit them into my House; but the Nature of the Case is such, that I expect I cannot keep them on Hire: One of the Men intimated, that he thought I might do it consistent with my religious Principles; To which I made no Reply; as believing Silence at that Time best for me. Though they spake of two, there came only one, who tarried at my House about two Weeks, and behaved himself civilly; and when the Officer came to pay me, I told him I could not take Pay for it, having admitted him into my House in a passive Obedience to Authority. I was on Horseback when he spake to me: And, as I turned from him, he said, he was obliged to me: To which I said nothing; but, thinking on the Expression, I grew uneasy; and afterwards, being near where he lived, I went and told him on what Grounds I refused taking Pay for keeping the Soldier.

On the fourth day of the fourth month, in 1758, officers in Mount-Holly received orders. They were to prepare temporary quarters for about one hundred soldiers. An officer and two other men came to my house. All three lived in our town. The officer asked me to provide lodging and meals for two soldiers. Six shillings a week per man would be paid for their care. This was new and unexpected, so I did not answer at once. I sat silently for a while, looking inward. I was fully convinced that the conduct of war was inconsistent with the purity of the Christian religion. Being paid to house men who were serving as soldiers troubled me. I believed the men had legal authority for what they were doing. After a short time, I said to the officer, If the men are sent here, I believe I shall not refuse to take them into my house. But given the nature of the case, I do not think I can accept payment for keeping them. One of the men suggested that I could do so without violating my religious principles. I made no reply, believing it best to remain silent at that time. Though they spoke of two soldiers, only one came. He stayed at my house for about two weeks and behaved civilly. When the officer came to pay me, I told him I could not accept payment. I had taken the soldier into my house in passive obedience to authority. I was on horseback when the officer spoke to me. As I turned away, he said he was obliged to me. I said nothing, but his words troubled me when I thought about them. Later, when I was near his home, I went and explained why I had refused payment for keeping the soldier.

Near the Beginning of the Year 1758, I went one Evening, in Company with a Friend, to visit a sick Person; and, before our Return, we were told of a Woman living near, who, of late, had several Days been disconsolate, occasioned by a Dream; wherein Death, and the Judgments of the Almighty after Death, were represented to her Mind in a moving Manner: Her Sadness on that Account, being worn off, the Friend, with whom I was in Company, went to see her, and had some religious Conversation with her and her Husband: With this Visit they were somewhat affected; and the Man, with many Tears, expressed his Satisfaction; and, in a short Time after, the poor Man being on the River in a Storm of Wind, he, with one more, was drowned.

Near the beginning of 1758, a Friend and I went one evening to visit a sick person. Before we returned, we heard about a woman living nearby. A dream had recently left her distressed for several days. In the dream, death and the Almighty’s judgments after death had appeared vividly to her. After her sadness had worn off, the Friend who had been with me went to see her. He had a religious conversation with her and her husband. The visit affected them somewhat, and the man expressed his satisfaction with many tears. A short time later, the poor man was on the river during a windstorm. He and another person drowned.

In the eighth Month of the Year 1758, having had Drawings in my Mind to be at the Quarterly-meeting in Chester County, and at some Meetings in the County of Philadelphia, I went first to said Quarterly-meeting, which was large, and several weighty Matters came under Consideration and Debate; and the Lord was pleased to qualify some of his Servants with Strength and Firmness to bear the Burthen of the Day: Though I said but little, my Mind was deeply exercised; and, under a Sense of God's Love, in the Anointing and fitting some young Men for his Work, I was comforted, and my Heart was tendered before him. From hence I went to the Youth's Meeting at Darby, where my beloved Friend and Brother, Benjamin Jones, met me, by an Appointment before I left Home, to join in the Visit: And we were at Radnor, Merion, Richland, North-Wales, Plymouth, and Abington Meetings; and had Cause to bow in Reverence before the Lord, our gracious God, by whose Help Way was opened for us from day to day. I was out about two Weeks, and rode about two hundred Miles.

In the eighth month of 1758, I felt drawn to attend the quarterly meeting in Chester County and some meetings in Philadelphia County. I went first to the quarterly meeting, which was large. Several weighty matters were considered and debated. The Lord was pleased to give some of his servants the strength and firmness to bear the burden of the day. Though I said little, my mind was deeply exercised. I felt God's love as he anointed and prepared some young men for his work. This comforted me and softened my heart before him. From there I went to the youth's meeting at Darby. My beloved friend and brother, Benjamin Jones, met me there to join in the visit, as we had arranged before I left home. We attended meetings at Radnor, Merion, Richland, North-Wales, Plymouth, and Abington. We had reason to bow in reverence before the Lord, our gracious God. With his help, a way opened for us day by day. I was away for about two weeks and rode about two hundred miles.

The Monthly-meeting of Philadelphia having been under a Concern on Account of some Friends who this Summer (1758) had bought Negro Slaves, the said Meeting moved it to their Quarterly-meeting, to have the Minute reconsidered in the Yearly-meeting, which was made last on that Subject: And the said Quarterly-meeting appointed a Committee to consider it, and report to their next; which Committee having met once and adjourned, I going to Philadelphia to meet a Committee of the Yearly-meeting, was in Town the Evening on which the Quarterly-meeting's Committee met the second Time; and, finding an Inclination to sit with them, was, with some others, admitted; and Friends had a weighty Conference on the Subject: And, soon after their next Quarterly-meeting, I heard that the Case was coming to our Yearly-meeting; which brought a weighty Exercise upon me, and under a Sense of my own Infirmities, and the great Danger I felt of turning aside from perfect Purity, my Mind was often drawn to retire alone, and put up my Prayers to the Lord, that he would be graciously pleased to strengthen me; that, setting aside all Views of Self-interest, and the Friendship of this World, I might stand fully resigned to his holy Will.

The Monthly Meeting of Philadelphia was concerned because some Friends had bought Negro slaves that summer (1758). The Meeting asked its Quarterly Meeting to bring the latest minute on the subject back to the Yearly Meeting for reconsideration. The Quarterly Meeting appointed a committee to consider the matter and report at its next meeting. The committee had met once and adjourned when I went to Philadelphia to meet with a committee of the Yearly Meeting. I was in town on the evening when the Quarterly Meeting’s committee met for the second time. I felt inclined to sit with them, and I was admitted along with some others. Friends had a serious discussion of the subject. Soon after the next Quarterly Meeting, I heard that the matter was coming before our Yearly Meeting. This weighed heavily on me. I was aware of my own weaknesses and felt the great danger of turning aside from perfect purity. So I often felt drawn to withdraw alone and pray to the Lord. I asked him graciously to strengthen me, so that I might set aside all thoughts of self-interest and the friendship of this world, and stand fully resigned to his holy will.

In this Yearly-meeting, several weighty Matters were considered; and, toward the last, that in Relation to dealing with Persons who purchase Slaves. During the several Sittings of the said Meeting, my Mind was frequently covered with inward Prayer, and I could say with David, that Tears were my Meat Day and Night. The Case of Slave-keeping lay heavy upon me; nor did I find any Engagement to speak directly to any other Matter before the Meeting. Now, when this Case was opened, several faithful Friends spake weightily thereto, with which I was comforted; and, feeling a Concern to cast in my Mite, I said in Substance as follows:

At this Yearly Meeting, several serious matters were considered. Near the end, Friends considered how to deal with people who buy slaves. Throughout the sessions, my mind was often filled with silent prayer. I could say with David that tears were my food day and night. The matter of slave-keeping weighed heavily on me. I felt no call to speak directly on any other matter before the meeting. When this matter was brought up, several faithful Friends spoke seriously about it, and their words comforted me. I felt moved to add my small contribution, and I said, in substance, the following:

"In the Difficulties attending us in this Life, nothing is more precious than the Mind of Truth inwardly manifested; and it is my earnest Desire that, in this weighty Matter we may be so truly humbled as to be favoured with a clear Understanding of the Mind of Truth, and follow it; this would be of more Advantage to the Society, than any Medium not in the Clearness of divine Wisdom. The Case is difficult to some who have them; but if such set aside all Self-interest, and come to be weaned from the Desire of getting Estates, or even from holding them together, when Truth requires the Contrary, I believe Way will open that they will know how to steer through those Difficulties."

"In the difficulties we face in this life, nothing is more precious than the mind of Truth revealed within us. In this serious matter, I earnestly hope we may be humble enough to clearly understand the mind of Truth and follow it. This would benefit the Society more than any compromise that lacks the clarity of divine wisdom. The situation is difficult for some who have them. But they must put aside all self-interest and let go of the desire to acquire estates. They must even let go of the desire to keep their estates together when Truth requires otherwise. If they do, I believe a way will open, and they will know how to navigate those difficulties."

Many Friends appeared to be deeply bowed under the Weight of the Work; and manifested much Firmness in their Love to the Cause of Truth and universal Righteousness on the Earth: And, though none did openly justify the Practice of Slave-keeping in general, yet some appeared concerned, lest the Meeting should go into such Measures as might give Uneasiness to many Brethren; alledging, that if Friends patiently continued under the Exercise, the Lord, in Time to come might open a Way for the Deliverance of these People: And, I finding an Engagement to speak, said, "My Mind is often led to consider the Purity of the divine Being, and the Justice of his Judgments; and herein my Soul is covered with Awfulness: I cannot omit to hint of some Cases, where People have not been treated with the Purity of Justice, and the Event hath been lamentable: Many Slaves on this Continent are oppressed, and their Cries have reached the Ears of the Most High. Such are the Purity and Certainty of his Judgments, that he cannot be partial in our Favour. In infinite Love and Goodness, he hath opened our Understandings, from one Time to another, concerning our Duty towards this People; and it is not a Time for Delay. Should we now be sensible of what he requires of us, and, through a Respect to the private Interest of some Persons, or through a Regard to some Friendships which do not stand on an immutable Foundation, neglect to do our Duty in Firmness and Constancy, still waiting for some extraordinary Means to bring about their Deliverance, it may be by terrible Things in Righteousness God may answer us in this Matter."

Many Friends seemed deeply humbled by the weight of the work. They showed great firmness in their love for the cause of truth and universal righteousness on earth. Though no one openly defended the practice of slave-keeping in general, some were concerned about possible measures. They feared that the Meeting might take steps that would cause uneasiness among many Friends. They argued that if Friends patiently continued to bear this burden, the Lord might eventually open a way to free these people. I felt called to speak and said, "I often find myself considering the purity of the divine Being and the justice of his judgments. As I do, my soul is filled with awe. I cannot leave unmentioned some cases where people have not been treated with pure justice, and the outcome has been lamentable. Many slaves on this continent are oppressed, and their cries have reached the ears of the Most High. His judgments are so pure and certain that he cannot favor us over others. In his infinite love and goodness, he has opened our understanding from time to time about our duty toward these people. This is not a time for delay. Suppose we now understand what he requires of us, but neglect to do our duty firmly and consistently. We might do so out of concern for some people's private interests, or for friendships that do not rest on an unchanging foundation. If we keep waiting for some extraordinary means to bring about their freedom, God may answer us in this matter with terrible acts of righteousness."

Many faithful Brethren laboured with great Firmness; and the Love of Truth, in a good Degree, prevailed. Several Friends, who had Negroes, expressed their Desire that a Rule might be made, to deal with such Friends as Offenders who bought Slaves in future: To this it was answered, that the Root of this Evil would never be effectually struck at, until a thorough Search was made into the Circumstances of such Friends as kept Negroes, with respect to the Righteousness of their Motives in keeping them, that impartial Justice might be administered throughout. Several Friends expressed their Desire, that a Visit might be made to such Friends as kept Slaves; and many Friends said, that they believed Liberty was the Negroes Right: To which, at length, no Opposition was made publickly. A Minute was made more full on that Subject than any heretofore; and the Names of several Friends entered, who were free to join in a Visit to such as kept Slaves.

Many faithful Friends worked with great firmness, and the love of truth prevailed to a good degree. Several Friends who had Negroes wanted a rule to treat Friends who bought slaves in the future as offenders. In reply, others said the root of this evil would never be effectively struck until a thorough inquiry was made. The inquiry would examine the circumstances of Friends who kept Negroes and whether their reasons for keeping them were just. In this way, impartial justice could be done throughout. Several Friends wanted visits to be made to Friends who kept slaves. Many Friends said they believed liberty was the Negroes' right. In the end, no one publicly opposed this view. A minute was made on the subject that was fuller than any before it. The names of several Friends willing to join in visits to those who kept slaves were also recorded.