Hugh Wynne, Free Quaker

nd was to feel the consequences in ways which,

mphleteers as the foul-tongued Massachusetts writer, Daniel Leonard, were answering "Vindex" (Mr. Adams) and the widely read letters of "An American Farmer." The plan of organised correspondence between the colonies began to be felt in some approach to unity of action, for at this time the out-spoken objection to the views of the king and hi

ho had like errands to do, and with whom I discussed the topics which were so often, and not always too amiably, in question at my Aunt

ather found it agreeable to talk over with him the news of the day. My mother did not like him as well, but she hel

to caution me how I spoke of his opinions to others, and he would then discuss with freedom politics and the men whose figures were fast rising into distinctness as leaders to be listened to and trusted. Many of them he knew, and thus first I heard clearly what manner of persons were Patrick Henry and the Adamses, Dickinson, Peyton Randolph, and others less prominent. In

ce will not be in the field, but, whether you like it or not, you will

ing into war. She had said to me the night before that she had known Lord North as a boy, and that the king was an ob

h belief. Wilson's views and predic

t our summers. "To-morrow will be Fourth-day. It is our last day of Meeting in the town. There wil

re but rarely attended by the younger Friends, and, although opened with such religious observances as the society affected,

not his habit. Few people took tea since the futile tax had been set upon it; but my father continued to drink it, and would have no concealme

o further, but I saw he was not well pleased. We set off soon after in silence, he walking with hands behind his back clasping his gold-headed cane, his collarless coat and waistcoat below his beaver, and the gray hair in

women, in gowns of drab or gray, with white silk shawls and black silk-covered cardboard bonnets. Here and there a man or woman was in gayer colours or wore buckles, and some had silver buttons; but these were rare. The Meeting-room was, so to speak, a large oblong box with whitewashed walls. A broad passage ran from the door to the far

en of excitement, among the few more youthful Friends. I saw, as we entered, furtive glances cast at my father and mysel

y and the spirituality of these Meetings than I had been before. When the doors were closed I sat silent in prayer; f

sore distress, "See to your standing; the Lord is about to search and examine your camp. Ho! ye of little faith and less works, the hand of God is come upon you-the mighty hand of punishment." As she spake thus wildly she swayed to and fro, and seemed to me disordered in mind. Finally she passed across the space in front of the overseers, to the women's side, and then back again, repeating her mad language. My Aunt Gainor's great bronze Buddha was not more motionless than they who sat on the elders' seats. At last the woman faced the Meeting, and went down the aisle, waving her hands, and

y of speech, let us feel that it is a warning to Friends here assembled that we be careful of what we say and do. It hath been borne in upon me that Friends do not fully understand one another, and that some are moved to wrath, and some inclined to think that Friends should

ne of his features expressed the slightest emotion, although even fro

en been found here among us those who have signed agreements to disobey such as are set over us, unmindful of the order to render to Caesar that which is his. Let there be among Friends neither fear nor any shortcoming. Let us bear testimony against evil-doers, whether they be of us or not. Let us cut down and utterly cast forth those who depart from righteousness. Are they not of the scum which riseth on the boiling pot? There is a time for Friends to remonstrate, and a

ness before he sat down. While all waited, two Friends lit the candles set in tin sconces a

n thought, and lifted above all consideration of the things of this earth. As he began, his rich, full voice filled the space, and something in its pleading sweetne

disposition to make the Meeting a proper acknowledgment of their outgoings. Therefore it is that we bear our testimony against such practices, and can have no unity with those who follow them until they come to a sense of their errors. Therefore, if this be the sense of our Meeting, let the clerk be moved to manifest the feelings of the Meeting to these members, signing on our behalf, for the matter hath already been before us

d of, and little attention was given to those who rose after Friend Howell sat down. Indeed,

cene was not without its interest. The night was now dark outside. The tallow dips ran down and flared dismally. A

t, which made it as impossible to see, except in front, as it is for a horse with blinders. I wondered how this queer headgear came to have been made, and recalled my aunt's amusement at th

by the Spirit to declare that the sense, and also the weight, of the Meeting is that Cyrus

y protest would have been made. The clerk's statement that the weight of the Meeting was affirmative, would have been held to settle the matt

er pause followed. As I learned afterward, no further speaking was anticipated. No one stirred. For my part, I was quite ready to go, and impatiently awaited the signal of dismissal. A minute or two passed; then I was aware of a short, neatly built man, who rose from a bench near by. His face was strong, irregular of feature, and for some reason impressed me. I could see even in

myself, since nothing is more sure than that I think them right, and know that ye will, before long, cast out me, to whom your worship is sweet and lovely, and the ways of Friends for the most part such as seem to me more acceptable than those of any other Christian society. Whether it be that old memories of persecution, or too great prosperity, have h

our society say, 'Let us make a stand here, lest worse things come. Let us refuse to eat, drink, or wear the articles they assume to tax, whether we will or not.' There is no violence. Believe me, there will be none if we are one throughout the colonies. But if not-if not-if grave old men like you, afraid of this mere shadow of passive resistance

who sits fearfully at home, and thinks that because he does not

things of worldly men?" His sonorous tones rang out through the partial obscurity, and shook, as I noticed, the scattered spires of the candle flames. "This is no time for foolish men to be heard, where the elders are of a mind. The sense of the

ile, as he stood in the aisle. Next I heard the gentle voice of

ught shall be heard. Friend Wetherill, we will hear thee to an end." He spo

n deceive you, not even the timid counsel of gray hairs or the wariness of wealth. The guinea fears; the penny fights; and the poor penny is to-day deeply concerned. You take shelter under the law of Christ, to live, as f

the carefully builded structure of civilisation would perish. You are already undergoing a process of dry decay, and as you dry an

red in spirit that you are wrong in the support you gave, and, let me say, are giving, to an unjust cause. I think I take an innocent liberty to express myself on this occasion, also according to the prospect I have of the matter. There is something due to the king, and something to the cause of the public. When kings deviate from the righteous law of justice in which king

, who so sharply prohibited making others suffer for their religion, that you have a care how you exercise power over other men's consciences. My friends, conscience is God's throne in man, and the power of it His prerogative!' T

wiping the moisture from his brow, stood still, and, covering his f

The matter was closed, a decision reached, and the clerk instructed. I knew enough to f

o be heard, Friends rose here and there, until all were afoot and all uncovered. The silence and reverent bended heads, and the dim light, affected me as never before. Many turned their backs

per in Jordan. Wash me in the laver of regeneration. Give me c

e law and authority of rulers be better counselled; or, if not, strengthen us so to deal with these young men as shall make pure again Thy sheepfold, that they be no longer a means of leading others into wickedness and debauchery." I heard no more. This man was a close friend of my father. I knew but too well that it was I who was thus reproved, and thus put to shame. I looked this way and that, the hot blood in my face, thi

e passed. Would they never be done with it? I began to wonder what was going on under those bent gray hats and black bonnets. I was far away from penitence or remorse, a bruised and tor

Elders and overseers, both men and women, rose, and we also. I pushed my way out, rudely, I fear. At the door James Pemberton put out his hand. I looked him full in the face, and turned away from the too inquisitive looks of the younger Fr

our own door, and then, late as it was, now close to ten, I unmoored my boat, and

oy," he said. "We should t

rt the only man I wa

n was up as I pulled down Dock Cr

I was; for I know all that went before. I somehow think that thou hast already

," I

much. I hear that thou hast been led to think with us, and that, despite those wicked w

this kindly judgment was, past belie

only, when thou art calm and canst think, hold a Meeting in thy own heart, and ask thy qui

o another world, or of what I believe, or of what I am led thereby to do in hours of se

, and not God! Thou knowest, as well as I, that divers Friends have publicly avowed the ministry, and allege that whatever they may do is a just punishment of rebellion. We are going to have a serious settlement, and it will

prised, a

se things are not to be spread abroad. I trust I have been to

as I knew how. He ha

rms, and, weeping like a child, cried, "Oh, I have heard! He did not tell me beforehand, or I should

who had seen me going down Front street, and had hinted that I meant to find comfort at the coffee-house among the officers. She knew better, and had said her mind of this kinsman and his ways; upon which my father had gone