forward with encouragement and hope towards a brighter period. She was accustomed, both in her ministry and in conversation, to express the great objection she felt to a disputatious spirit, particularly when exercised in matters relating to doctrine, recommending her young friends, who were anxiously inquiring after truth, to wait for the unfoldings of Divine light, which in due time would make known all that was needful for their salvation, if they were faithful to that which was already manifested to them; and stating her belief that such would never be suffered to perish for lack of knowledge. Our dear friend was very exemplary in the attendance of our meetings for worship and discipline, even in the latter part of her life, when her bodily powers were much weakened. She felt a lively interest in the spiritual and temporal welfare of her friends, was ever ready to afford advice or assistance to those who stood in need of it, and with very limited means was an example of contentment, and liberality to the poor. Her correspondence, until within a few years of her death, was extensive, and many of her letters were addressed to those who were in affliction, or who she thought in some way needed her affectionate remembrance or sympathy; and for usefulness in this way she appeared peculiarly qualified. The natural cheerfulness of her disposition, and her uniform kindness and courtesy, endeared her to all who were acquainted with her, and rendered her society both pleasant and instructive. She was firmly attached to the principles of our religious Society, believing them to be in full accordance with the New Testament, but largely cherished Christian love and charity to all those who conscientiously differed from her. In a letter written to a friend in the eightieth year of her age, she says, "I am bound in gratitude to acknowledge the gentle hand of mercy which has guided me hitherto, and joined me in strong affection to the Society, and satisfied my seeking mind as to the genuine gospel principles of salvation." In a memorandum made about the same time, after referring to the earlier part of her Christian experience, she proceeds: "The sinfulness of sin in all its subtleties is not discovered all at once, neither is the efficacy of Divine grace manifested in its fulness, but as we can bear it, obedience keeping pace in deep abasement and humiliation with the Spirit revealed,-God the Father revealing the Son in us, the Light, the Life, the Way, wherein we come to a view, though yet faint and imperfect, of the atoning sacrifice for sin, with the new and living way VOL. XII.-No. 4. cast up for the redeemed to walk in, and whereby we have access to a reconciled God and universal Father. My simple, yet reverent tes. testimony is to the love, the marvellous love of God, as the guide of our youth, and the staff of lengthened years, to those who acknowledge Him in all their ways." Our dear friend was at meeting on the morning of the first-day previous to her decease, and was enabled to address her friends in encouraging language, and spoke particularly to the dear children. The day following she was so unwell that it was thought desirable to send for her medical attendant, and on fourth-day morning, being hardly aware that her weakness rendered it impracticable, she wished to be dressed that she might go to meeting, remarking that many friends were absent attending the yearly meeting, and she wished to assemble with those who remained. To a friend who called upon her after meeting she said, she hoped she should not be cast off in her old age; the friend replied, she believed she would not, that she had done her work in the day. "Ah!" she remarked, addressing herself to those about her, "You will feel a comfort in such a day as this, that you have been engaged in His service." On fifth-day she became much worse, several friends called to see her, with whom she conversed very cheerfully, and although she did not appear aware that she should see them no more, she parted from them very affectionately. Previous to settling for the night, she said to her attendant, "I think thou hast not read to me in the Bible to-day," and expressed a wish to hear a portion of it; the chapter in course was the 14th of John, beginning "Let not your heart be troubled," which seemed very consoling to her; as the reading proceeded she responded to it, and spoke of the boundless goodness, mercy, and power of God, saying, "How beautiful to go to a mansion ready prepared for us, and if such should be my happy experience it will indeed be all of mercy, unmerited mercy." She appeared to be much engaged in prayer during the night. In the morning her bodily powers were evidently fast failing; after this she spoke but little, and about eleven o'clock in the forenoon her purified spirit gently passed away, exchanging, we doubt not, through the mercy and mediation of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, an earthly for a heavenly habitation. She died on the 23rd of the fifth month, 1845, in the ninety-first year of her age, a minister about fifty-five years. 19 A JOURNAL OF THE LIFE, TRAVELS & GOSPEL LABOURS OF A FAITHFUL MINISTER OF JESUS CHRIST, DANIEL STANTON, LATE OF PHILADELPHIA, IN THE PROVINCE OF PENNSYLVANIA. My covenant was with him of life and peace, and I gave them to him, for the fear wherewith he feared me, and was afraid before my name.-MAL. ii. 5. He being dead, yet speaketh.-HEB. xi. 4. His birth and parentage;-apprenticeship;-first I lived there several years, and had no opcoming forth in the ministry;-and first jour-portunity to go to any place of religious worney to Rhode Island;―his marriage and second journey to New England, &c. ship; but the Lord was pleased by his grace and good visitation, to operate on my mind, so that I was made to dread and fear the great In a grateful sense of the many helps and Almighty Being; and it was given me to know, great goodness of the Almighty to my soul, that "God is a spirit, and they who worship whereby he has been pleased from my young him, must worship him in spirit and in truth.” years to incline my heart to fear and serve Through the blessed knowledge of God by his him, it is on my mind to leave some account of holy Spirit, I had great reproof in my own my life, travels and experience; wishing it breast for sin and transgression, and dreaded to may be a means to stir up the pure mind in any, speak bad words, or to do what was evil, and to obey the will of the Lord, and to serve him, was brought by inward conviction to mourn, while they have time and opportunity to per- and seek for mercy for my soul. At a time form the same; for he is worthy to be had in when I heard of the suffering of my dear Saeverlasting remembrance, and is a good re- viour on the cross, and how he suffered unto warder of all the sincere in heart. Although death, my heart was broken before the Lord, they may have tribulations on the earth, they and I went alone and wept, being much affecthave also the company of Christ our dear Re-ed with a sense of his suffering by that hard deemer, who promised to be with his disciples to the end of the world. By the account I have had, I was born in the year 1708, in Philadelphia, in the province of Pennsylvania, of honest parents, Daniel and Abigail Stanton, and it was my hard lot soon to be deprived of them both; my father I never saw, he being lost at sea sometime before I was born; and my mother died when I was a child, so that I have but little remembrance of her. After her death, I met with great hardships, both of body and mind, being destitute of parents, and of brother or sister, that I was in a lonely state, and went to live at several places a short time, the last of which, before I was put apprentice, was in New Jersey, with my mother's brother; during which time I went through great difficulties. hearted people, the Jews, and of his being crucified. Great was the goodness of the Almighty to me, in giving me a sense of many things appertaining to godliness, in the time of this tender visitation. I found by the divine witness in myself, that if I would be a disciple of Christ, I must take up my cross daily, to that which displeaseth God; he being greatly to be feared and obeyed, and was worthy of the deepest reverence that my soul, body and strength could ascribe to his all powerful name. Although it was hard to the natural part to become slain to the recreations and pleasures of this life, fervent were my cries and seeking after the ways of the Lord, and I thought much of eternity in another world. I had heard of many forms of worship, but had no opportunity to be with the people for that service to God, which was a great trouble me go along to meeting, despising my dilito my mind; but at one time I asked leave to gence on that account; but I was enabled go and see a relation, with an intention for him through mercy and grace, to bear revilings as to show me the way to the meeting of Friends, well as many deep distresses, which fell to my which was held at Newtown, in Gloucester lot; being much concerned to seek after the county. He was loath to take the pains to ac- kingdom of God, and his righteousness. Oh, company me, not knowing the solid desire of the inward travail that I underwent, none knew my mind; but through persuasion, I prevailed but the Lord! At an evening meeting near with him to go with me to the meeting, where where I sat, a little way from the door, BenjaI was more desirous to get some good, than to min Kidd, from England, a Friend in the minbe seen of men. We sat in a part of the meet- istry, then on a visit to this province, came in ing together, where we were not much noticed and sat just by me, and in the meeting was by any that I know of, and in this blessed op- eminently favoured in prayer, which I have portunity, through the power of truth, and the many times thought was a particular instance good testimony of that dear servant of Christ, of divine mercy to me, in so deep a travail of John Estaugh, being attended with the authority soul and spirit, as I had to wade through in of the Word of life, my heart was greatly con- several respects at that time. trited and my spirit baptized in the presence of After being some time at the ship carpenters' God. It was a joyful day of good tidings to trade, which was not agreeable to me, I went my poor seeking soul, and the eminent and again to my uncle's, where a Friend from Philpowerful advice, that did attend that worthy in-adelphia came, who having seen me when I strument in the Lord's hand for my salvation, lived in town, would have me to go apprentice has been like "bread cast upon the waters, that has been found after many days." I went from that meeting much satisfied with the way of worship of Friends, and continued earnest in spirit, that I might have further knowledge of the blessed Truth. My inward exercises were a great deal of sorrow and mourning, that I might come forward in the work of religion, and do that which is right in the sight of God. Living with my uncle till near the age of sixteen years, I became uneasy, being desirous to learn a trade, not knowing what I might have to depend on for a livelihood, more than the labour of my hands; although my mother left considerable at her death, under the care of those who she expected would do justly by me; but it proved otherwise, they depriving me of the whole, to a small matter, less than twenty pounds. I went on trial to a ship carpenter in Philadelphia, in condescension to my uncle, it being a trade he rather chose for me, than I did for myself, and was there sometime, though I was soon dissatisfied, both with the trade and on account of the wicked conversation of the people of the yard, who being very vain, were a great exercise to my mind. My master and mistress were kind and friendly to me, which was some comfort; but the greatest satisfaction I had in this world, was that I could attend religious meetings on the first-day of the week. I was often favoured to hear the truth declared in the demonstration of the spirit and power, as also with a secret divine power at work in my heart, which afforded solid pleasure and profit, in the midst of my trials. For being soberly inclined, and delighting to attend religious meetings, I met with scoffings and mockings, and some in an outrage would bid to him, he being a joiner; which I accordingly did, believing it would be of good service for me to have a trade to depend on. I served with him until I was about the age of twenty-two years; and in the time of my apprenticeship, the goodness of the Almighty was great in preserving me through my tribulations, which were various, beyond my setting forth. But the pure love and fear of the Lord, accompanied my spirit, and through the divine appearance of light and grace, I was led in a close walking before him. My understanding was opened to have a sight of the many things, which the Spirit of Truth leads into; some whereof were plainness in speech and cloathing, few words in conversation, watchfulness and prayer, choosing rather to be alone, than in the company of those whose discourse and talking were out of the fear of God. I much delighted in retirement, and often walked alone and poured out my complaints before the All-seeing eye, that knew the condition of my heart, desiring that he would be pleased "to create in me a clean heart, and to renew a right spirit within me." I wanted to know the work of reformation effectually carried on, according to the mind and will of the blessed Truth, and the nearer I kept to what it made manifest, the greater strength and dominion was given me to overcome the defilements of the world; and a concern came upon me in observing the pride and vain glory of the times. I had very few acquaintance, and was rather despised and derided by some, who overlooked the just Witness of Grace in themselves. "I chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin, for a season.' "The sufferings of this present time worketh for us," as the apostle saith, "a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;" and the blessed peace, that our dear Lord gives to those who follow him whilst here, is a reward sufficient to the sincere in heart, to hold out to the end. The countenance and good example of faithful Friends had a great reach on my mind. When I came to be more acquainted with the dealings of the Lord, and could get frequently to religious meetings, and beheld the sitting of his servants, and attendance of his ministers, I could say, as did the queen of the South, who ⚫ came from far to see the wisdom of Solomon, that the one half had not been told me, and one greater than Solomon was in the midst of his people. Praised be his great name, even the name of Christ our dear Lord, that greatly appeared in power and majesty in Sion in those days, to the tendering my heart and spirit before him time after time, and not only eminently visited my soul, by his glorious light and truth, but sent many servants among us, from far and near, filled with gospel rain, to the watering the heritage of God; and the Lord, the master of our assemblies, was pleased to fasten their testimonies as nails in a sure place. words by way of testimony, as they were put in my heart, in a great deal of fear and dread of the Almighty Being. Friends bore with my appearance with much tenderness, and the ministry of those who were largely gifted in the mysteries of the kingdom, and like scribes well instructed thereto, that could bring out of the treasury things new and old, would correspond with what I had to say in the fear of the Lord; which blessed helps, together with the evidence of peace in my own breast, gave a confirmation to my mind, that I was in the way of my duty. After I came forth in this laborious exercise, I dreamed a dream, or saw in a vision, that I was, as a little child born into the world, and my mother was very tender of me, who I have thought to be the church; and there was an enemy that sought my life, as though he would destroy me, but she that was my mother made her escape, and carried me into the wilderness, and we were preserved. At another time when I was much concerned in spirit for acceptance with the Lord, I dreamed that I was travelling in a path, in which I met with some difficulties, but got through them and met with death; a man came with a book, and it was said that my soul was acceptable with the Lord. I have had great cause to speak well of his excellent name for the revealing his secrets to my understanding, as I kept in his holy fear. After many powerful seasons of divine grace, being favoured to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living, as also "to taste and handle of the good word of life," a great concern of soul came upon me to open my mouth About the time that I first appeared in words in a public manner, for the cause of religion, in the congregations of the Lord's people, and and the prosperity of Zion, which was a great sometime before, the glorious day spring from and weighty work for me to engage in. Being on high powerfully appeared amongst us, and one of the meanest in this world, as I thought, several were engaged to speak to the praise of and an apprentice lad, reasons would arise in the Almighty, and to bear testimony to his me against so great a duty, not knowing how I great and good name; three before I appeared, might be used by my master, and whether it and two afterwards; the first were Mary might agree with the unity of Friends, they Nicholls, Benjamin Trotter, and Mary Emlen, being a great and wise people in this city, and the next were Joyce Marriot and Elizabeth by their knowledge and experience, were gifted Widdifield, who continued serviceable ministers with a sight of spiritual things, beyond my low among Friends. I thought it might be said to capacity, as well as zealous for the good cause be a time in some measure of the fulfilling the of God in their day. I waded for a consider- prophecy of the prophet Joel, "I will pour out able time through much trouble and sorrow of of my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and spirit, lest I should go too fast, or before my your daughters shall prophesy, your old men divine Guide, for they who go before they are shall dream dreams, your young men shall see sent, cannot profit the people, or have peace in visions; and also upon the servants and upon themselves, and peace to me and to do the will the handmaids in those days will I pour out of the Lord, was what I most desired. Oh! my spirit." Joel ii. 28, 29, 30. The plainness, the earnest prayers that were in my heart that zeal, and pious example of many Friends in I might be rightly directed in all things, to the those days, made them as lights in this city, honour and praise of my blessed Lord and and instructors to me to follow them, as they master. A degree of his mighty power would followed Christ; and as I kept inward before lay such constraints upon me, that for Sion's the Lord in his fear, he was pleased to reveal sake I could not rest, and for Jerusalem's sake his blessed mind and will, in things concerning I could not hold my peace; so that after many powerful influences of the divine Word, at about the age of twenty years, I appeared in a few words in prayer, at an evening meeting at Philadelphia, and after this, sometimes in a few the Gospel ministry, which is not to be received from man nor in the will of man; but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. As I grew in the gift communicated to me, he was pleased to give me an open door in the hearts of his peo ple; praised be his name for ever more! Sometimes I had drawings in my mind to go to a neighbouring meeting, and what I had to say in their hearing was well received. took my leave of him, his solid advice to me made lasting impressions on my mind. After I had staid some time at this place, and had seen my relations and friends, I returned After I had served out my apprenticeship, I to Philadelphia, where I had known in an exwrought journey-work, and lived with my mas-traordinary manner, the gracious dealings of ter until his death, which was soon after I was free, and then wrought with another Friend in the city some time. Having an opportunity to go to Rhode-Island, the place where my father was born, and several of his relations living there, I was desirous to see them, having an account of some estate that was my father's, laying in that country. On this account, and to see my relations and friends, I took a journey in the year 1731, with Henry Frankland, from old England, who came to America, on the service of Truth, and being about going to those parts, was so kind as to take my company. He was a solid exemplary worthy Friend, whose ministry and gospel labour was to edification among Friends. My undertaking this journey was laid before our monthly meeting, and Friends were pleased to give me a certificate. the Almighty; and I endeavoured to seek counsel of him to know where I had best settle myself in the world. It seemed most suitable for me to continue in this city, where I wrought journey-work at my trade some time; after which I rented a shop, and sat up for myself, humbly desiring of the Lord to add his blessing to my endeavours; not that I craved great things, but that by an honest industrious care I might have what was needful, as food and raiment, and desired "to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God." And the abundant mercies and blessings wherewith he was graciously pleased to make way for me, both in things spiritual and temporal, were and are gratefully to be remembered by me, his goodness and peace being as a stream of living water to my soul, when favoured to drink thereat. I wrought hard at my outward calling when at home, yet not so much confined but that I kept close to religious meetings; in which the good presence of Christ our dear Lord, would many times overshadow them, and I have had to sit under the shadow thereof with great de The first meeting we went to, was at Burlington, and from thence to several others in New Jersey, as Little-Egg-Harbour, Manesquan, Shrewsbury and Woodbridge, and so to New York, to meetings on the main, the yearly meeting at Flushing, and to Friends' meetings light. After such precious meetings with his pretty generally on Long-Island; several of which were much to satisfaction and comfort. I was glad to see and find the near unity that was among Friends, where our lot was cast. people, I found my mind better qualified to attend to my necessary business and the affairs of life. When the motions of truth would spring in my heart to visit religious meetings in places adjacent in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, I freely gave up to go to them, and sincerely laboured therein in the love of truth, in which I found great satisfaction, and with many Friends, the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. I hope in places my labour was of some service; the praise of which I freely attribute to my great Lord and Master Jesus Christ; blessed be his holy name! He sustained and supported me, and through his gifts and grace preserved me in the fear of God; his fear was a fountain of life, as well as unspeakable pleasure in my first setting out in the world for myself. From this Island we went through Connecticut, which was a baptizing time to me, being a young traveller, not much acquainted with the difference of places, and behaviour of people from home. Their conversation, also their principles, through that government, being greatly different from Friends; and although high in profession of religion, they seemed to me very little acquainted with the Light and Spirit of Christ. It was a dark time, in which I went through much deep inward suffering. We passed along until we got to Kingstown, near Rhode-Island, where we had a meeting, and then had one on Connanicut, and attended the Oh! the streams of the celestial fountain or yearly meeting at Newport, Rhode-Island, waters of life stand open to all that are athirst, which was very large, and I hope a good meet- that they may drink; and they may have wine ing to a solid remnant. My friend Henry and milk without money and without price. I Frankland, whom I accompanied thus far, pro- wish that there was a more general thirst in ceeded on his journey to visit Friends in New- the children of men, to drink of this water, England, and I staid in order to get my out- which Christ our Lord has promised to give to ward affairs settled, and to visit several Friends true believers, and that it should be in them a on that Island. One was, that dear and worthy well of water springing up into everlasting life; Friend Jacob Mott, whose countenance shined and he has said of himself, "I am the living and appeared as a follower and servant of bread which came down from heaven, if any Christ; it did me good to see him, and when I man eat of this bread he shall live for ever." |