PREFACE.

Throughout the different periods of our history, as a distinct religious Society, there has been amongst us a succession of dedicated followers of the Lord Jesus Christ; who, through the power and efficacy of divine grace, have been enabled, by a humble and circumspect walking in the fear of God, to afford convincing evidence to those around them, that their's was "the victory that overcometh the world," even that "faith which worketh by love," "purifying the heart."

The following pages contain memorials of some of these. Amongst the number here selected, the reader will find notices of individuals who were conspicuously engaged in advocating the cause of the blessed Redeemer; and the remembrance of them, and of their labours, is precious to many. Others, perhaps not less subjected to the sanctifying influence of the Spirit of Truth, were led in a more hidden path; and the fulness of their light did not diffuse itself, until the day was about to close, when the brightness of the Sun of righteousness shone around them, and gilded the dark" valley of the shadow of death."

There is, in the economy of divine grace, a great diversity of operation; yet all in harmony and infinite wisdom. And whatever may be the varied gifts, or the external circumstances which distinguish the disciples of a crucified Saviour, "it is the same God who worketh all in all." And may we ever be impressed with the deeply instructive

and encouraging truth, that this working of the Spirit produces in each the same blessed result; that, whereas in our fallen state by nature, we are all "the servants of sin," those, in whom this transforming power is suffered effectually to operate, become "servants to God," have their "fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life."

The object in this compilation is not to eulogise the dead, but to magnify the goodness and mercy of "Him who loved" them, "and washed them from their sins in his own blood;" and to excite survivors to use all diligence to make their calling and election sure, remembering the solemn injunction: "Be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh."

In reading the memorial of JOSEPH WHITE, of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, we have been forcibly impressed with that declaration, "The memory of the just is blessed." Prov. x. 7. And as it will probably be new to many of our readers, and is calculated to prove deeply instructive to all, we consider it desirable to give it a place in this collection.

He was born at the Falls on the 28th of the eleventh month, 1713. Being young when his father died, he was brought up under the care of his relations and friends and through the extendings of heavenly regard whilst young, and attending to the teachings of the Holy Spirit, he was preserved from many of the follies and extravagancies incident to unthinking youth, and prepared to fill the very important station of a minister of the gospel of Christ; in which character he spoke in our religious meetings about the twentieth year of his age. And continuing, in a good degree, faithful to the measure of light and grace communicated, he grew in his gift, and was favoured with qualification to exercise it in the demonstration of the Spirit and with power.

He was naturally of an open and cheerful disposition, and honestly concerned for the promotion of piety and virtue, and for the support and maintenance of good order in the church; for which service he was eminently gifted, often expressing his desire that the authority of truth

might be kept up in all our meetings for discipline. He was exemplary in his life and conversation, a diligent and timely attender of our religious meetings, when health of body permitted; and was often favoured therein in public testimony and supplication, much to the comfort and edification of the truly humble worshippers. And although he had a large gift in the ministry, he many times sat meetings in silence, waiting upon the Lord: not being hasty or forward to utter words; being careful not to minister without the heavenly life and power that first raised him up in the ministry, whereby his public service was greatly to the consolation and refreshment of many.

He was, at different times, engaged in the love of the gospel, to visit his friends in his own and several of the adjacent provinces; also in Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina. And having, for some considerable time, been weightily impressed with a sense of duty to pay a similar visit to Friends in Europe, he, with the concurrence and unity of his brethren, took shipping for that purpose in the year 1758, and after a short passage, landed in England; and having pretty generally visited Friends' meetings in England and Ireland and some parts of Wales, he returned to his beloved family, having been from home in that service nearly three years. He produced certificates of Friends' unity and good satisfaction with him, and his public labours amongst them. He was many times engaged in visiting families, being well qualified for that weighty service. He much enjoyed the company and conversation of his friends, was a loving and affectionate husband, a tender parent, and a good neighbour: generally beloved by