will rather make them Christian, than not to be Christians in the use of them? But such a Christian this young man might have been, who had more to say for himself than the strictest Pharisee living dare pretend to; yet "he went away sorrowful from Jesus." Should I ask you, if Nicodemus did well to come by night, and be ashamed of the great Messiah of the world? And if he was not ignorant when Christ spake to him of the new birth? I know you would answer me, "He did very ill, and was very ignorant." But, stay awhile, the beam is in your own eyes. You are ready, doubtless to condemn him and the young man, for not doing what you not only refuse to do yourselves, but laugh at others for doing. Nay, had such passages not been written, and were it not for the reverence some pretend for the Scriptures, they would both be as stupid as Nicodemus in their answers to such heavenly matters, and ready to call it canting to speak so, as it is frequent for you, when we speak to the same effect, though not the same words: just as the Jews, at what time they called God their Father, despised his Son; and when he spake of sublime and heavenly mysteries, some cried, "He has a devil;" others, "He is mad:" and most of them, "These are hard sayings, who can bear them?"

lets you see the vanity, the folly, the end and misery of these things: This is the Just and Holy Spirit of the Almighty within you: hear him, obey him, converse with them who are led by him; and let the glories of another world be eyed, and the heavenly recompense of reward kept in sight. Admit not the thoughts of former follies to revive: but be steady, and continually excercised by his Grace, "to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world." For this is the true and heavenly nature of Christianity, To be so awakened and guided by the Spirit and Grace of God, as to leave the sins and vanities of the world, and to have the affections regenerated, the mind reformed, and the whole man so baptized into purity and faithfulness towards God and man, as to act with reverence, justice and mercy. To care for very few things; to be content with what you have; to use all as if you used them not; and to be so disentangled from the lusts, pleasures, profits, and honours of the world, as to have the mind raised to things above, the heart and affections fixed there: that in all things you may glorify God, and be as lights set on an hill, whose shining examples may conduce to the happiness of others, who beholding such good work, may be converted, and glorify God the Father of lights, in whom you all would be eternally blessed.

3. To you all, who sport yourselves after the manner of the world, let me say, that you are of those who profess you know God, but in works deny him; living in those pleasures 4. But if the impenitence of any is so great, which slay the Just in yourselves. For though their pursuit of folly so earnest, that, notwithyou talk of believing, it is no more than taking standing what has been thus seriously offered it for granted that there is a God, a Christ, to reclaim them, they are resolved to take their Scriptures, &c., without farther concerning course, and not to be at leisure for more divine yourselves to prove the verity thereof, to your-things, I have this farther to leave with them selves or others, by a strict and holy conversation which slight way of believing is but a light and careless way of ridding yourselves of farther examination; and rather throwing them off with an inconsiderate granting of them to be so, than giving yourselves the trouble of making better inquiry, leaving that to your priests, ofttimes more ignorant, and not less vain and idle, than yourselves, which is so far from a Gospel faith, that it is the least respect you can show to God, Scriptures, &c., and next to a denial of all.

from the Almighty, who first called me to this work; That tribulation, anguish and sorrow shall make their dying beds; indignation and wrath shall wind up their days; and trouble and vexation of spirit shall be the miserable fruits which they shall reap, as the reward of all their wretched folly and rebellion! Be not deceived, God will not be mocked: It is irreversibly decreed; "Whatsoever is sown here, shall be reaped hereafter." And just is the Almighty, to make good his determinations upon such, who instead of employing the time. But if you have hitherto laid aside all tem- given them, to "work out their salvation with perance, reason and shame, at least be intreat-fear and trembling," have spent it in the pleaed to resume them now in a matter of this sures of the flesh, which perisheth; as if their importance, and whereon no less concernment heaven were here. Nor can it seem unrearests, than your temporal and eternal happi-sonable, since he hath thus long waited with ness. Oh! retire, retire; observe the reproofs remission of sins and eternal life in his hand, of instruction in your own minds: that which to distribute to those who repent; that if such begets sadness in the midst of mirth, which will not, to recompense so great obstinacy cannot solace itself, nor be contented below and love of this perishing world, with everimmortality; which calls often to an account lasting tribulation. at nights, mornings, and other seasons; which

5. But I am otherwise persuaded of many;

lamenting on every side, to retain me in the life and practice of the world, I would fling my mother to the ground, run over my father, despise all my kindred, and tread them under my

yea, I am assured the mercies of the everlasting God have been so extended to many, that this will prove an effectual call to bring them out of the ways and customs of this corrupted and corrupting world; and a means for estab-feet, that I might run to Christ." Yet it is not lishing such, who hitherto have been unfaithful to what they have been already convinced of And you, my friends, whose minds have received the alarm, whose hearts have truly heard the voice of one crying in the wilderness, where you have been straying from the Lord, repent, repent! to you, in the name of the great and living God I speak, I cry, Come away, come away; ah! what do you do there? Why are you yet behind? That is not your rest: it is polluted with the sins and vanities of a perishing world. Gird up your loins one and all, eye your light, Christ Jesus, the same yesterday; to-day, and for ever; who hath enlightened every one: Follow him; he will lead you to the city of God, that has foundations, into which the wicked

cannot enter.

It works a far more exceeding weight of glory in the end." This has been both the faith and experience of those, who in all ages, have trusted in God, who have not fainted by the way; but, enduring, have obtained an eternal diadem.

unknown, how dutiful and tender he was in those relations. Not much unlike to this, was that noble and known instance of latter times, in Galeacius Caracciolus, marquis of Vico, who abandoned his friends, estate and country, resolutely saying with Moses, "That he would rather suffer afflictions with the first reformers and Protestants, than enjoy his former plenty, favours and pleasures with his old religion." Nor is it possible for any now to quit the world and live a serious godly life in Christ, without the like suffering and persecution. There are among us also some, who have suffered the displeasure of their most dear and intimate relations and friends, and all those troubles, disgraces and reproaches, which are accustomed to attend such as decline the honours, pleasures, ambition and preferments 6. Mind not the difficulties of your march. of the world, and that choose to live an humGreat and good things were never enterprised ble, serious and self-denying life before the and accomplished without difficulty; which Lord. But they are very unequal to the joy does but render their enjoyment more plea- and recompense that follow. For though there sant and glorious in the end. Let the holy be no affliction that is not grievous for the men and women of old be your examples. present, yet what says the man of God? " Remember good old Abraham, the excellency of whose faith is set out by his obedience to the voice of God, in forsaking his father's house, kindred and country. And Moses, who might in probability have been made a king, by faith in God, leaves Egypt's glory and Pharaoh's favours, and chooses rather to sojourn and travel with the despised, afflicted, tormented Israelites in the wilderness, than to enjoy the pleasures of that great court for a season; esteeming Christ's reproaches greater riches than Egypt's treasures. But, above all, how great was the reproach, how many the sufferings, how bitter the mockings, which Jesus suffered at the hands of his enemies? Yet with what patience, meekness, forgiveness and constancy, did he in all his actions demeanour blessed self-denial: And honour, glory, himself towards his bloody persecutors, "despising the shame, and enduring the cross, for the joy that was set before him? He hath left us this glorious example, that we should follow his steps;" which hath in almost every age been imitated by some. The apostles sealed their testimonies with their blood, and multitudes followed the example of their constancy; esteeming it the greatest honour, as it was always attended with the most signal demonstrations of the Divine presence. How memorable was that of Origen? "If my father were weeping upon his knees before me, and my mother hanging about my neck behind ever. Amen. me, and all my brethren, sisters and kinsfolk

Wherefore, since we are compassed about with so "great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and burden, and the sin and vanities which so easily beset us;" and with a constant, holy patience run our race, having our eyes fixed upon Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, not minding what is behind; so shall we be delivered from every snare. No temptations shall gain us, no frowns shall scare us from Christ's cross and

immortality, and a crown of eternal life, shall recompense all our sufferings in the end.

O Lord God! Thou lovest holiness, and purity is thy delight in the earth. Wherefore, I pray thee, make an end of sin, and finish transgression, and bring in thy everlasting righteousness to the souls of men, that thy poor creation may be delivered from the bondage it groans under, and the earth enjoy her sabbath again: That thy great name may be lifted up in all nations, and thy salvation renowned to the ends of the world. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory for

THE END.

A JOURNAL

OF THE

LIFE, TRAVELS AND RELIGIOUS LABOURS

OF

WILLIAM SAVERY,

A MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST, IN THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS, LATE OF PHILADELPHIA.

COMPILED FROM HIS ORIGINAL MEMORANDA,
BY JONATHAN EVANS.

PREFACE.

ing to many readers, and render the work more acceptable to them.

In perusing so interesting a narrative as is presented in the account of the Christian labours of this worthy minister of the Gos- I was intimately acquainted with William pel, the inquiry may arise, why it has been Savery, and esteemed him as a brother be permitted to lie so long unprepared for the loved. His affable disposition, his catholic public eye? In reply to this it may be re- spirit, and his truly Christian principles, enmarked, that some of his papers were for a deared him to those who knew him, and peculong time mislaid, and when collected, they liarly qualified him as an instrument in the were placed in the hands of several persons Divine hand to draw others into the love of to examine and arrange, neither of whom truth, and into an obedience to the convictions made an essay for accomplishing the task. of the Holy Spirit. His ministry was geneThey were voluminous, and a variety of en- rally more of a doctrinal nature, than that of gagements arising out of the peculiar state many other Friends, accompanied with a ferinto which the religious Society of Friends vent engagement that his audience might be here, has been thrown within the last fifteen brought to an heartfelt experience of the unyears, seemed then to preclude the practica-speakable love of God, in sending his dear Son, bility of undertaking the work. But from the our Lord Jesus Christ, into the world to save conviction that there was much in the papers sinners; of the efficacy of his propitiatory to interest and instruct the seeking, religious mind, I was induced to transcribe those parts, and to endeavour to arrange the whole so as to form a regular account of his life and labours, as far as materials could be obtained. In the course of his travels, he was much more particular in the memoranda he made, than has been customary for Friends in his His submission to the power of divine love station; giving a cursory description of the in his own heart, by which he was brought country, its produce, the value of it, and the out of sin and corruption, and his indefatigahabits of the people where he travelled. This ble devotion to the cause of Christ, present an peculiarity is accounted for by the fact, that instructive example, calculated to invite old his notes were made for the information and and young to diligence and faithfulness in the gratification of his near connections; and it path of manifested duty, that they may become would seem, without any prospect of their lights in the world, and through Divine mercy, publication. Some of those details, which may be partakers of that salvation which is only be found in other works, have been abridged, obtained through our Lord Jesus Christ. though there is more of this description still JONATHAN EVANS. retained than is common in most journals of Friends, but which will probably be interest

sacrifice and the sanctifying power of his Holy Spirit, who hath by his own blood obtained eternal redemption for all that come unto Him in true faith at times declaring with much solemnity and reverence, that he would rather lose all he had in the world, than be robbed of his faith in the divinity of Christ.

Philadelphia, seventh month, 1837.

TESTIMONY of the Monthly Meeting of Friends of Philadelphia for the Northern District, concerning WILLIAM SAVERY.

He laboured diligently in his temporal busiIt appears that he was born in the city of ness for the support of his family, as well as Philadelphia, in the year 1750, and educated for the relief of the poor and distressed, to in the principles of the Christian religion as whose wants his liberal mind was ever ready professed by us; and was placed with a Friend to administer according to his ability; yet this in the country, to learn the trade of a tanner. did not interrupt his steady attention to other On his return to the city in 1771, being natu- religious duties, being diligent in the attenrally of a lively and social disposition, he dance of meetings, and in various services soon joined with those who, being themselves to which he was called and appointed, for the votaries of folly and vanity, encouraged the benefit of society and the promotion of him in a departure from the simplicity of the cause of truth and righteousness. truth; which, aided by his own propensities, In 1802, the neighbourhood in which he drew him into many deviations from the reli- lived was visited with a pestilential disease, gious principles of his education. In this situa- which carried many off in a short time. Not tion he was arrested by the powerfully convic-being easy to leave this scene of woe and tive evidence of the Spirit of truth; and in the year 1778, at a meeting held at Merion after an interment, was much affected, and lasting impressions were made on his mind by that solemn scene, and the testimonies then delivered.

In the autumn of that year, he married in Chester county, and settled within the limits of our Monthly Meeting-spent much of his time in retirement at home, and in the thirtieth year of his age, first opened his mouth in a public testimony; and dwelling inward with those gifts and qualifications with which he was favoured, he became an able advocate for the cause in which he had embarked; and by faithful attention thereto, his labours were blessed to the benefit of numbers, especially amongst the youth, to many of whom he was an eminent instrument of good.

He was engaged to travel much on this Continent in the service of Truth, being several months in each year, from 1789 to 1795 inclusive, absent from home on Gospel errands; and by accounts received, his labours of love were to the satisfaction of those among whom his lot was cast.

misery, he voluntarily resigned himself to visit those in distress, both Friends and others, with advice and counsel, in the love of the Gospel, to the great consolation and comfort of many. A like affliction befalling that and other parts of the city and neighbourhood, in the following year, he was again engaged in the same manner, freely devoting himself, both night and day, to relieve the distresses of others, with which his feeling mind was deeply affected.

In the early part of his sickness he was borne up above complaining, or admitting that he was much out of health, until the disease, which proved to be a dropsy, had made such progress, that it was visible to his friends. He continued to attend to his outward concerns and religious duties; and in some of the meetings which he last attended, was led to open a prospect that his time here would not be long; but, in an animating view of a blessed immortality, signified it was no matter how short, provided this were attained.

He was remarkable for punctuality and uprightness in his dealings; and not long before his decease, said to a friend who often visited Having had his mind drawn into near sym- him, "It is necessary to look to our outward pathy with the Friends at Pyrmont in Ger- concerns, there are so many reproachful failmany-with the entire unity of his brethren ures;" and appeared desirous once more to at home, on the 18th of the fifth month, get to meeting, that he might have an oppor1796, he embarked for Liverpool, and thence tunity to warn such of the elderly part of sosoon proceeded to London, and then to Pyr-ciety who had got into the earth, and of the mont. After paying an acceptable visit to youth who had got into the air. "I thought, the comfort and strengthening of Friends said he, I was once strong for the work, but there, and in some other parts of Germany, he went to Nismes in the South of France, visiting a small company of such as professed with us, in that neighbourhood, much to his own comfort and peace. Then returning to England, he visited many of the principal towns and places in that nation, Ireland and Scotland, and had large public meetings with those not of our Society. Having thus dis

now I am a child, brought back to my hornbook, and have nothing to trust to but the mercy of God through Christ my Saviour." Thus reverently depending, he was preserved to the last in great resignation and composure of mind.

He was mostly confined from the 26th of the third month, except frequently riding out for the benefit of air and exercise, till the 18th

day of the sixth month, 1804, in the evening life in the fifty-fourth year of his age. On the of which he was considerably worse, contin- following day, his corpse, attended by a great ued ill through the night, and on the 19th in number of his friends and neighbours, was the morning, about six o'clock, closed his useful interred in Friends' burial-ground in this city.

THE JOURNAL OF WILLIAM SAVERY.

He was born in the city of Philadelphia, in is in holiness, but fearful of incurring the scoff the year 1750; received an education in the and scorn of the world's deluded votaries principles of the Christian religion, and was should I turn my back upon it. Activity of placed with a Friend in the country to learn spirits, loose discourse and noisy mirth, were the tanning business. Returning to the city my sad refuge to drown serious reflection: yet after the expiration of his apprenticeship, he the worm that never dieth, a wounded conassociated with those, who, like himself, were science, often embittered my sweetest draughts much inclined to vanity and folly; and seeking of pleasure. In this state I was inclined somethe enjoyment of ease and pleasure in a course times in a serious hour to read a pious author, of life far remote from true happiness, he be- which, I think, by the assistance of the gracame less susceptible of tender impressions, cious Helper, was made serviceable to me, and gradually much estranged to the voice being roused to more serious thought than and heavenly care of the great Shepherd of ever before. the sheep. In this situation it pleased Divine "I now saw the iniquity of mispending my Goodness, by the powerful reproofs of his precious time, and refrained from frequenting Spirit, so to break in upon his wandering taverns and places of diversion. I struggled mind, as frequently to bring him to an awful hard to break myself off from my fondness sense of the bondage of corruption wherein for much company, seeing the snare there was he was held, to some glimpse of the peace in it; being apt to relate adventures and tales and comfort consequent upon a life of piety to provoke mirth, and often for the embellishand virtue, and the necessity of labouring to become a participant in that redemption which, through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, is graciously extended to the sincere penitent of every name and nation.

ment of them to strain beyond the truth-I was much concerned to watch over myself in this, which is both dishonourable and sinful. Oh the folly of thus mispending our precious time! how watchful! how careful ought we In a review of the benighted condition in to be of our words and actions; always rewhich he had been involved, and of the exten-membering, that the sacred eye of an all-seeing sion of Divine mercy in plucking him as a God pervades the most secret chambers we can brand out of the burning, he says,—

retire to, and His ear is ever open to hear both the evil and the good. Yea, many of the present day have known, when the terrors of the Lord have overtaken them for sin, and they have had to taste of the spirit of judgment and of burning, that every secret thing has been brought to light, and all the hidden works of darkness have been made manifest; that even for idle words they have had to render an account.

“I may acknowledge, that notwithstanding my revolt and turning aside from the paths of purity and peace, the Lord has been graciously near me all my life long, and has watched over me as a tender Father for good, smitten me by his Spirit when I have been rebelling against his holy law written in my heart, making merry over the Divine witness there; and has reached to me and tendered me in the midst of mirth and jollity. He often followed "When we have long wandered, and got far me to my chamber, and upon my pillow has and wide from the pure path, in which the drawn tears of sorrow and contrition from me, Lord's ransomed children have to walk, though when none have been privy to it but his All- it may seem to have been in small things, yet seeing Eye: so that my days of joy and laugh- they make close trying work for us; and ter have often produced nights of sorrow and weeping. Still I continued sinning and repenting and turning the grace of God into wantonness for a number of years, being at times favoured to see in part, the beauty there

many deep baptisms we have to pass through, before we can witness our sins to be wiped away and cast, as it were, into the depth of the sea. When this is experienced, such have indeed cause to acknowledge with great hu