Library 
 
 of 
 
 HIGH STREET FRIENDS' MEETING 
 
 West Chester, Pa. 
 
 Accession No Z.^-^. . . . Shelf No. f^.9.7... . 
 
CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 
 
 3 1924 083 812 465 
 
Cornell University 
 Library 
 
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 the Cornell University Library. 
 
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 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924083812465 
 
LIFE 
 
 SAMUEL J. LEYICK 
 
 LATE OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA 
 
 J^ Hu^4^ F^.-'/Ae- 
 
 ■ Prefer the Lord's interest, and He will make thy way prosperous" . 
 
 —Stephen Crisp 
 
 PHILADELPHIA 
 WILLIAM H. PILE'S SONS, PRINTERS, All WALNUT STREET 
 
 1896 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 More than two years ago the maiuiacripta of Samuel J. Levick were, 
 by his family, placed in my hauds with the request that they be pre- 
 pared for publication. 
 
 On looking over these papers it was discovered that— excepting the 
 letters— they had nearly all been written before he was twenty-five years 
 of age ; thus leaving the last forty years of his full life to be accounted for 
 by others, in the absence of records made by his own pen. It is true that 
 the "Correspondence" has furnished us with way-marks— though some of 
 them far apart— up to his last decade, and during this period the annual 
 reports of the societies with which he was connected have enabled us to 
 note his activity and usefulness in secular affairs, while the minutes of 
 the Monthly Meeting point to religious service away from home. 
 
 It should be borne in mind that our valued friend— though he wielded 
 a facile pen — was a thinkei', a speaker, and a worker, rather than a writer ; 
 and that during those forty years his time, was so fully occupied that he 
 had little leisure for using his pen except in response to the demands of 
 business, of friendship and of affection. 
 
 The arrangement of the matter, as will be observed, is by subjects rather 
 than by dates ; for as Samuel J. Levick was a many-sided man it seemed 
 desirable to present the different sides in such a way that one would not 
 obstruct nor interfere with the view of another. The order of time, 
 though thus made secondary, is followed- as far as is practicable under 
 each of the subjects. The domestic life, the social life, the bjisiness life, 
 the philanthropic and humane work must all be taken into account, 
 as well the commission to proclaim the Gospel. 
 
IV PREFACE. 
 
 In the first three Chapters are noted his ancestry, his environment and 
 the conditions that accompany a healthy, happy and active boyhood. 
 
 In the Fourth, we must wade through deep watere if we would accom- 
 pany a tender-spirited young man on his religious journey, and know 
 just what he passed through before he reached the broad plane.on which 
 he traveled during the last tweilty-five years of his life. 
 • The Fifth Chapter, while it presents to our view the mature life of a 
 very active man, must be regarded as suggestive rather than minutely 
 histofical : he did so much during those forty years that was not recorded. 
 
 Ih the " Correspondence" the omissions are not indicated by asterisks, as 
 they consist of business or family matters which would not concern the 
 genetal reader; or else of allusions to occurrences whose interest has 
 long since passed the limit of time. 
 
 The "Thoughts on Special Topics" were apparently jotted down as the 
 subjects had taken hold of his niind ; and as some of the papers were 
 without heading, and several of them without date, it is probable that 
 he intended them as mere outlines to be elaborated at some future time. 
 
 Chapter Eighth is the account of his early religious labors from home. 
 Of the later ones the minutes of the meeting, the recollections of his 
 family, and his own letters, have furnished the data. 
 
 The " Sermons" from which the selections have been made — ^and several 
 of them are given nearly in full — it is believed were all delivered in 
 Philadelphia during the late years of his life. It may be said that any 
 Friend's sermon— being intended for the assembly in which it is de- 
 livered — suffers from being placed on paper. The aroma cannot be con- 
 veyed to the reader, even where the words are faithfully reported. If 
 this be true of all Friends' sermons, it is particularly so of Samuel J. 
 Levick's ; for his words seemed to have magnetic force as well as Grospel 
 unction, while the earnestness of his manner was solemnly impressive. 
 
 The Tenth Chapter is a review of the life, with especial reference to his 
 call to the ministry, and his preparation for the work. 
 
PREFACE. V 
 
 There were so many collateral items which though germane to the 
 subject would have broken the thread of the narrative, that an Appendix 
 seemed to be required. 
 
 To those who have been life-long members of the religious Society 
 of Friends, some of the observations and explanations may seem super- 
 fluous ; while on the other hand, many who knew Samuel J. Levick, 
 but who are not acquainted with the usages, the phraseology— the pecu- 
 liarities — of the denomination, may find passages or expressions difficult 
 to be understood. Though both of these classes have been considered in 
 the preparation of the work, still it is possible that some readers may 
 not feel quite satisfied with the treatment of this portion of the subject: 
 those who would become fully acquainted with Friends should see them 
 in their glomes, and in their social gatherings, and observe their inter- 
 course with each other in every-day life. 
 
 Should any reader think that secular affairs have been made too promi- 
 nent, let it be remembered that the Life would not have been true with- 
 out a presentation of this part : should another feel that the early religious 
 experience has been dwelt upon at too great length, let him remember that 
 it was this experience which our friend valued above every earthly con- 
 sideration, &nd which had fitted him for the discharge of his duties as 
 well as for the enjoyment of life. 
 
 Should it appear, on a superficial view, as if different portions of the 
 Life were contradictory to each other, a closer study may reveal the fact 
 that it is the record of a candid man whose heart was right, and who was 
 most esteemed where best known. If all the readers 6f this book had 
 known him of whom it treats, known him in his every-day walk, in 
 the by-ways as well as in the highways, at home as well as abroad, — they 
 would not be likely to stumble at seeming inconsistencies, but would see 
 the course of an honest and earnest man following the golden thread of 
 obedience to the manifestations of duty. 
 
 Hugh Foulke. 
 
 Philadelphia, Pa., Twelfth Montb, 1895. 
 
VI PREFACE. 
 
 Note. — The editor is indebted to numerous friends for information and 
 otlier assistance in the preparation of the work. The correspondents pf 
 Friends' meetings, the librarians of this city, and the officers of the societies 
 of which Samuel J. Levick was a member, have kindly responded to all in- 
 quiries sent to them, and the publishers of books have given " full permission'' 
 to make extracts from their publications. 
 
 Especial mention may be made of the assistance rendered by Howard M. 
 Jenkins in furnishing the sketch (a brief one was requested) of the early es- 
 tablishment of Merion Meeting, also valuable information on sundry points ; 
 by Charles Francis Saunders who kindly assisted in prepaiing some of the 
 papers for the press ; by J . Lewis Crew, President, and by Richard Moore, 
 Secretary of the " Pennsylvania Society to Protect Children from Cruelty ;" by 
 M. V. B. Davis, Secretaiy of the " Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of 
 Cruelty to Animals;" by Charles W. Alexander, Secretary of the "Pennsyl- 
 vania Bicentennial ;" by John W. Jordan of the " Pennsylvania Historical So- 
 ciety ;'' and by the following who have responded to special requests : Charles 
 S. Albertson, Henry T. Coates, Morton C. Coggeshall, Joseph T. P^oulke, Jno. 
 E. Freas, Jane G. Kinsey, Emily R. Lyman, Alfred Mellor, Alfred Moore, 
 Wesley Patterson, L. J. Richards, Adolph Roeder and Samuel Sharp. 
 
 To the different members of the family individual acknowledgments are due 
 for their hearty eooperaiion from the inception to the completion of the work. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 Chapter I. — Ancestry and Parent 
 Chapter II.-^His Father's Family, 
 Chapter III. — Childhood and Youth, 
 Chapter IV. — Early Manhood, 
 Chapter V. — Mature Manhood, 
 Chapter VI. — Correspondence, 
 Chapter VII. — -Thoughts on Special Topics, 
 Chapter VIII. — Religious Visits, . 
 Chapter IX. — Selections from Sermons, 
 Chapter X.— A Retrospect, . 
 
 Memorial, 
 
 Appendix, 
 
 Pages 
 9- 16 
 
 16- 22 
 
 22- 27 
 
 27-154 
 
 154-176 
 
 176-237 
 
 237-261 
 
 2P1-304 
 
 306-358 
 
 358-368 
 
 369-372 
 
 374-423 
 
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 Samcel J. Levick, from a photograph when about sixty years 
 
 of age, ...... Frontispiece 
 
 EiiizABETH W. Levick, from a photograph, . . opposite p. 22 
 
 SAMTjEf. J. Levick, from an ambrotype, when about thirty years 
 
 of age, ...... opposite p. 161 
 
 Mkrion Meeting Hoitsk amd Portion of Graveyard, from a 
 
 photograph, ..... opposite p. 175 
 
 Samuel J. Levick, from a photogra|)h, when about forty-seven 
 
 years of age, ..... opposite p. 219 
 Mkrion Meeting House, from a photograph, . opposite p. 412 
 Facsimile of a Postal, written by Samel J. Leviclc, opposite p. 304 
 
Life of Samuel J. Levick. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 ANCESTRY AND PARENTAGE. 
 
 It has been said that there are comparatively few persons 
 who can name all the eight of their great-grandparents. It 
 is a disadvantage to any one to feel humiliated by an allu- 
 sion to his ancestry ; and it is also a source of regret when 
 progenitors — so far as character and reputation are con- 
 cerned — have left to their posterity a merely negative inherit- 
 ance ; where all that can be appropriated from the family 
 record is only a list of names and dates, health there may 
 be that has been acquired by diligent attention to business, 
 increased by honest gains, and hoarded from generation to 
 generation, yet when we search for some incidents that 
 marked the career of these plodding ones, some index-boards 
 on the highway of life, something to constitute a biography 
 — we gather only statistics; born, went into business, mar- 
 ried, had children, died, left a will ; " only these and nothing 
 more." 
 
 With Samuel Jones Levick the case is very different ; for 
 we find on both sides, a long line of worthy " Quaker " an- 
 cestry, and each family that comes into it adds something 
 
10 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 to the interest of the history, as well as to the variety of 
 intellect and the strength of character. The names of 
 Eevick, Manlove, Hall, Jones, Wetherill, Lewis, Hayes, 
 Fearon, l^oble, Garrett, Lovett, Smith and Yeates, call up 
 memories of records and traditions associated with Kent 
 County in Delaware ; with Montgomery, Delaware, Chester 
 and Bucks Counties in Pennsylvania; with Burlington 
 County in ISew Jersey, and with the city of Philadelphia. 
 The Levicks came originally from France (where the 
 name was written Leveque or Levesque) ; but they had 
 crossed over to England, and had been living in Derbyshire 
 many years before the first one of the name (so far as we 
 know) came to America. It was in the year 1680 that 
 Richard* and Mary Levick settled in St. Jones County (now 
 Kent C^ounty), Delaware. " In the list of grants by the 
 Court of St. Jones, is that to Richard Levick of a tract of 
 land of six hundred acres, called the Shoulder of Mutton, 
 situate and being on the west side of Delaware Bay, and 
 next adjoining land of J. Brinckle, called Lisbon." In the 
 same list of grants there is one for Mark Manlove. The 
 name of Manlove is quite prominent in the records of St. 
 Jones County. "We find that one was a Justice of the 
 Peace, two were members of the Assembly, and one was a 
 Captain in the war of the American Revolution. 
 
 Richard and Mary Levick had a son William, and he and 
 his wife Sarah Levick, had a son William who married 
 * For a more full account of Bichard Levick see Appendix. 
 
ANCESTRY AND PAKBNTAGB. 11 
 
 Susanna Manlove, the daughter of Mark and Anne (Hall) 
 Matilove. William and Susapna Lpvick were the parents 
 of Ebenezer, and the grandparents of Samuel J. Levick. 
 
 We have the information, from those who knew him, 
 that " William Levick, the fether of Ebenezer, was a mem- 
 ber and Eider of the Society of Friends, a man much es- 
 teemed for his neighborly kindness, for his strict integrity 
 of character, and his earnest and useful attachment to the 
 religious body to which he belonged. He was born on the 
 twelfth of Tenth Month, 1738 (0. S.), and died at his home 
 in Little Creek, Delaware, on the t^yenty-third of Tenth 
 Month, 1803. 
 
 " Susanna Manlove, wife of William, and mother of Ebe- 
 nezer, was the daughter of Mark and Aime Hall Manlove, 
 and was born on the twenty-sixth of Third Month, 1752 
 (O. S.). She died on the ninth of Second Month, 1802, more 
 than a year before her husband, though much his junior. 
 In a Memorial respecting her, written by her friend Sarah 
 Covygill,. she is spoken of as a woman of great sweetness of 
 disposition and of marked Christian humility of character." 
 
 At the time of his father's death,, Ebenezer had jnst en- 
 tered upon his thirteenth year, and about three years later 
 he came to Philadelphia and lived with his cousin Rachel 
 Fisher, who like himself, was a native of Kent County. At 
 this early age, and in a strange city, withopt a mother's 
 voice to comfort, or a father's counsel to direct, did the 
 yiouth enter upon his preparation for a mercantile life. 
 
12 LIFE OF SAMUfcL J-. LEVICK. 
 
 What added much to the hard&hip of his case was that 
 merchandise was not the calling of his choice, but was ac- 
 cepted, or submitted to, out of deference to the wishes, and 
 the explicit direction of his deceased father. He had a 
 longing desire to study medicine ; but his father — having a 
 great dread of the associations of the medical lecture-room 
 — had opposed the gratification of thife desire ; and had taken 
 the precaution to insert a clause in his will, which would 
 prevent it after his death. Ebenezer, in after life, " regretted 
 that his early preference had been set aside, and those who 
 knew him best believed that had he been permitted to fol- 
 low his inclination, he would have been both a beloved and 
 a successful physician." 
 
 While living with his cousin he had occasion to transact 
 some business for herj that took him to the house of Mary 
 Wetherill Jones^ where he met, for the first time, her daugh- 
 ter Elizabeth, who afterwards became his wife. 
 
 Elizabeth Wetherill Jones was the " maiden name '' of 
 Sainuel J. Levick's mother. Her ancestry was a remarka- 
 ble one in many respects ; and the family records have been 
 preserved and arranged with a completeness, as well as ac- 
 curacy, that we rarely find in our genealogical researches. 
 Her father's ancestors were Welsh, and her mother's were 
 English; so that we have on one side the names Jones, 
 Lewis and Hayes [her father's grandmothers were both 
 named Lewis] ; and on the other those of Wetherill, Fearon, 
 Noble, Smith, Garrett, Lovett and Yeates. We can name, 
 
ANCBSTK¥ AND PARENTAGE. 13 
 
 not only her eight great-grandparents, but in the Noble 
 family can go back two generations bej'ond Joseph Noble 
 who was her great-grandfather. The Smith line has been 
 traced back to William Smith (Willelmus Smyth it is writ- 
 ten in the old Latin Register of Grraham Church), who was 
 born about A. D. 1570. Elizabeth W. Jones would have 
 had to prefix _^w greats, and her son Samuel six, to the word 
 grandfather, to make it applicable to this ancestor. Again 
 we find that William Yeates of Alborough, England, was 
 the great-grandfather of her great-grandmother. 
 
 Many of these worthy ancestors, both the Welsh and the 
 English, are alluded to in " Besse's Sufferings of Friends," 
 „a8 having been fined or imprisoned for their faithful adher- 
 ence to the testimonies of Friends; and the certificates of 
 removal that they brought when they came to this country, 
 also the stations that they filled in the early Friends' meet- 
 ings in Pennsj'lyania and New Jersey, show the esteem in 
 which they were held by their friends both in the old and 
 in the new country. 
 
 A considerable number of these prominent Friends held 
 civil offices, and one of them is spoken of as the " loved and 
 trusted friend of William Penn." Of the Wetherill's, Chris- 
 topher, his son Thomas, and his grandson Samuel, were 
 members of the Council of Proprietors of West Jersey. 
 David; Jonea, Elizabeth's great-grandfather, was one of the 
 first elders appointed in Haverford Monthly Meeting. The 
 name of his v^ife, Katherine Jones, appears on the record as 
 
14 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LliVICE. 
 
 an " inspector of conversation," also as a " representative to 
 the Quarterly Meeting." 
 
 Haverford, Merion and Radnor, seem to have been favorite 
 localities with these early Welsh settlers. Tradition informs 
 us that they were attracted by the fertility of the soil, and 
 by the abundant supply of pure spring water. The English 
 ancestors were drawn to Burlington Coutity, New Jersey ; 
 though some found their way to Bucks County, Pennsyl- 
 vania. The family history is interspersed with numerous 
 pithy notes as Well as more serious items of interest ; many 
 of the latter having reference to the persecutions that the 
 Friends of that day had to suffer for their faith, and their 
 loyalty in the support of their testimonies^ 
 
 David and Katherine Jones had a son James, who was 
 born in Wales, and who came to this country with his 
 parents in 1699. He married Hdnnah Hayes, lived to be 
 ninety-two years old, and died at his home in Blockley. 
 This worthy couple had a son named Isaac who married 
 Mary Noble Wetherill ; the marriage being accomplished in 
 Friends' meeting-house at Burlington, New Jersey, on the 
 twenty-sixth of Eleventh Month, 1778. The offspring of 
 this marriage consisted of four children the youngest of 
 whom was Elizabeth W. Jones, who became the wife of 
 Ebenezer Levick. 
 
 We should have to go farther back to bring in the Gar- 
 rett, Lovett and Yeates families. The mother of Joseph 
 Noble was Mary Garrett Noble ; and the mother of his wife 
 
ANCESTRY AND PARENTAGE. 15 
 
 was Elizabeth Lovett Smith whose mcfther was Anne daugh- 
 ter of William Yeates of Alborough, England. The one last 
 named is spokeii of as " a worthy Quaker geiitleman of Al- 
 borough." 
 
 To do justice to this family record it should be given in 
 its entirety, which would encroach oh the life of the one to 
 be portrayed iti this book; so we leave the remote ancestors 
 of Elizabeth W. Jones, and refer to her parents, Isaac and 
 Mary Wetherill Jones, whose marriage has already been 
 noted. In speaking of her parents, Elizabeth says : " My 
 parents were members of the religious Society of Friends, 
 as their ancestors had been, from the days of George Fox. 
 Sincerely attached to its doctrines and testimonies^ for which 
 their forefathers had suffered imprisonment and much loss 
 of worldly goods, they were not in the narrow sense of the 
 word sectarian, and numbered among their friends, even 
 their intimate friends, Inany good people of other religious 
 denominations." 
 
 "When in her nineteenth year Elizabeth lost her father, 
 very suddenly ; and her young life heretofore so joyous was 
 now overshadowed by a deep sorrow. She speaks of him 
 as " a tall and very handsome man, with dark hair and eyes, 
 tender and gentle to all, unwilling to hurt the feelings of 
 anyone .... thoroughly honest himself, he was un- 
 suspecting of others, and thus in more than one instance, 
 became the loser, pecuniarily, where he had trusted others 
 in business relations." 
 
16 LIFE OF SAMUEL J, LEVICK. 
 
 The other children had been married before the death of 
 their father, so that after that sad event her mother and her- 
 self constituted the family in their home : thus it was until 
 the time of her marriage, after which her husband and herself 
 lived with "mother" one year, and then moved into their 
 own house. N'ot long after their settlement in their new 
 abode, "mother" came to live with them, and was one of 
 their household for the remainder of her life. 
 
 Mary Wetherill Jones died at the home of her son-in-law, 
 Ebenezer Levick, on the eleventh of Twelfth Month, 1829, 
 and her remains were interred in Friends' Ground at Marion. 
 
 CHAPTEK II. 
 
 HIS FATHER S FAMILY. 
 
 Ebenezer Levick was the son of William and Susanna 
 (Manlove) Levick, and was born at Little Creek, Delaware, 
 on the sixteenth of Seventh Month, 1791. When about 
 sixteen years of age he removed to Philadelphia, and entered 
 upon the preparation for a mercantile life. 
 
 Elizabeth Wetherill Jones was the daughter of Isaac and 
 Mary (Wetherill) Jones, and was born at N'o. 17 Pine Street, 
 Philadelphia, on the fifth of Sixth Month, 1789. 
 
 Ebenezer Levick and Elizabeth W. Jones were married 
 
HIS father's family. 17 
 
 in Friends' meeting-house, Pine Street, Philadelphia, on the 
 first of Fifth Month, 1816. 
 
 For one year after their marriage they lived with Eliza- 
 beth's widowed mother, and then moved to the northern 
 part of the city, where Ebenezer's business was located. 
 
 In the course of time five sons and three daughters were 
 born into the family. Two of the boys died in infancy, but 
 the other six of the children all survived their father, and 
 three of them were spared to comfort their mother to the 
 end of her long period of widowhood which extended over 
 ihirty-seven years. The names of the six in the order of 
 their ages, were Samuel J., William M., James J., Mary J., 
 Elizabeth E., and Anna. Though the youngest of the 
 family, Anna was the first of the six to pass away : she died 
 in 1872. Her husband, J. Lewis Crew of Philadelphia, and 
 their two daughters are still living. William died in 1874. 
 He was a useful member of the Society of Friends, and was 
 frequently called to serve the Yearly Meeting on some of 
 its most important committees ; being esteemed for his ex- 
 cellent judgment, and for his true inwardness as a Friend. 
 His wife was Hannah, daughter of Richard and Sarah 
 Moore, of Quakertown, Pennsylvania: she and their two 
 daughters are still living. The next death in the family 
 was that of Samuel in 1885, and in the following year that 
 of his aged mother. Mary died in 1892 and James in 1893 ; 
 so' that at the present date (1895) the only survivor of the 
 eight children is Elizabeth E. Levick. 
 
18 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 The three sons, as was the case with their father, died 
 suddenly, and all were removed in the midst of their use- 
 ftilness, and before age had impaired their faculties. Wil- 
 liam and Samuel had been together in mercantile business ; 
 but they both left it, and "William studied law. After a 
 thorough preparation he was admitted to the bar and be- 
 came noted as a counselor in office practice. In Orphans' 
 Court business, and in matters pertaining to titles and real 
 estate he was consulted with implicit confidence in his legal 
 knowledge, his good judgment and his strict integrity. He 
 was also for many years a valued member of the City Board 
 of Education. Dr. James J. Levick was one of the eminent 
 physicians of Philadelphia, his professional association being 
 with those who stood in the front rank. As a Welsh his- 
 torian, and genealogist, he was one of the most prominent in 
 the Pennsylvania Historical Society ; and the Welsh Society 
 had few more useful or more esteemed members than he. 
 His work — both the professional and the historical — will 
 long live, and will keep alive his memory as well as his 
 name. 
 
 With the exception of Samuel, all the children passed 
 their entire home life in the city of Philadelphia. 
 
 From numerous passages in the diary of Samuel, as well 
 as from the very interesting " Recollections" of his mother, 
 we are favored with glimpses into the privacy of the family 
 circle, and they give abundant evidence that with much 
 individuality, and great strength of character, there was also 
 
HIS fathek's family. l9 
 
 a high regard for filial duty ; but more noticeable than any- 
 thing else about the household is that it was bound together 
 by the cementing bond of love. Intelleetliality and refine- 
 ment both prevailed; but it was unfeigned aftection that 
 marked the bearing toward each other of parents and chil- 
 dren, brothers and sisters, as well as that which subsisted 
 between the two heads of the family. It would appear that 
 this bond of union existed not only while all dwelt together 
 under the paternal roof; but that it continued to cement 
 them after their paths had diverged, and they had estab- 
 lished themselves in separate homes. Their loyalty and 
 their love for each other seemed to be of the kind promised 
 in the marriage covenant, to continue " until death should 
 separate them ;" and when the separation came, the sur- 
 vivors were mourners indeed and in truth. 
 
 Ebenezer Levick was a prominent merchant of Philadel- 
 phia, and he became one of a company that erected some 
 large tanneries at Pocono Mountain. Though less shrewd 
 than is the ease with many who have been bred to mer- 
 cantile pursuits, he was highly esteemed in business circles, 
 as well as by those engaged in phiUnthropic work ; while 
 among his intimate friends he was known to be generous 
 and genial. His many good qualitifes drew to him a host 
 of friends. He "took a deep interest in the public chari- 
 ties of his neighborhood, and was one of the earliest mem- 
 bers of the Northern Dispensary of Philadelphia, also of 
 the Northern Soup Society, of which he was for some 
 
20 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 years the treasurer. He was of medium height, of a 
 bright, pleasant countenance, with a clear, English com- 
 plexion. He possessed great kindness of heart, combined 
 with much native force of character. He was a loving 
 husband, a devoted father, a useful citizen, and his mem- 
 ory is affectionately cherished both in his own home, and 
 in those of many whom he had kindly cared for, and 
 helped in time of trouble." In his family he was not only 
 affectionate and tender, but very indulgent both as husband 
 and father. His widow says of him, "my children all re- 
 member their father, and what a bright, cheerful disposition 
 his was; how fond he was of them, and how thoughtful 
 always for their best welfare ; how happy he strove to make 
 all at his home, and how that home was, indeed, a truly 
 happy one. Our married life [of thirty-three and a half 
 years] was very happy, although ysre knew many vicissitudes 
 and our cup was not an unmixed one. But, I repeat it, the 
 love and tender care of my husband never failed me, and 
 He who permitted, in best wisdom, trials to come upon us, 
 never left us vTithout some present sense of his loving kind- 
 ness and tender mercy towards us." Ebenezer Levick died 
 suddenly of apoplexy, on the eleventh of Tenth Month, 1849. 
 His widow lived to a good old age, and looked upon 
 several great-grandchildren. Her intellect continued to be 
 clear and bright to the last. For a number of years in her 
 advanced life she was blind ; but at the age of eighty-four 
 an operation was performed, removing the cataracts from 
 
HIS father's family. 21 
 
 both eyes, and thus restoring her sight. It was an entire 
 success, and no unfavorable results followed. Thus for the 
 last thirteen years of her life was she permitted to behold 
 the countenances of her family, and her numerous friends, 
 to see the flowers which she so much enjoyed, to use her 
 pen and her needle, and to read, with her own eyes, the 
 pages of the Sacred Volume. 
 
 After the death of her husband she lived for ten years 
 with her children William and Hannah ; and as their home 
 was near to the North Meeting, she continued to attend 
 that, as she had done during nearly all of her married life. 
 In 1859 she went to live with her son and daughter James 
 and Mary, in their home on the S. W. corner of Twelfth 
 and Arch Streets, and she then became an attender and a 
 member of Twelfth Street Meeting. For the first twenty- 
 eight years of her life she was a member of Philadelphia 
 Monthly Meeting for the Southern District; for the last 
 twenty-seven, that of the Western District; and for the in- 
 tervening forty-two years she belonged to the one for the 
 Northern District. Such is the remarkable record of the 
 Friend who died on the twenty-first of Eleventh Month, 
 1886, aged ninety-seven years, six months and sixteen days. 
 In both intellect and character she occupied a high place, 
 and of her life it may be said that it did no discredit to her 
 distinguished and worthy ancestry. She died at the home 
 of her son, Dr. James J. Levick, and her remains were in- 
 
22 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 terred in Friends' Southwestern Ground, adjaceiit to those 
 of her husband and their daughter Anna. 
 
 Though not prominent in public or organized work, she 
 was much beloved by a large circle of friends who looked 
 upon her in her dignified old age as a link connecting the 
 past with the present, and' as one who was worthy of their 
 respect and esteem as well as of a place in their aflfections. 
 Ancestry, domestic and social environment, character, in- 
 tellect and longevity all combine to render Elizabeth W. 
 Levick worthy of more than a passing notice. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH. 
 
 From his ancestry, his parentage, and his home environ- 
 ment, it may safely be said that Samuel J. Levick had a 
 good start on the journey of life. 
 
 That he appreciated his responsibilities, improved his op- 
 portunities, and endeavored to turn his great energy into 
 channels of usefulness, will appear as we trace his course 
 from gladsome childhood to buoyant and hopeful youth, 
 and thence through the diiFerent stages of active manhood 
 to the close of a full, an eventful, and in the main, a happy 
 life. 
 
I 
 
 ELIZABETH W. LEVICK, 
 
 TAKEN ON HER 90th BIRTHDAY. 
 
CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH. 23 
 
 In the present chapter we read the brief account of his 
 early years, and though there are but few way-marks to 
 guide us, we feel assured from many of his later expressions 
 that there is one thread to be traced all the way along from 
 infancy to manhood ; — obey the law of right conduct — in- 
 cluding obedience to parents and caretakers — rejoicing in 
 all unforbidden things, until a higher law is revealed in the 
 soul ; and then keep a single eye to its revelations. 
 
 Samuel Jones Levick was the second child of Ebenezer 
 and Elizabeth W. Levick, and was born on the thirtieth 
 day of Eighth Month, 1819. The place of his birth was 
 the house — long since removed — on the northwest corner 
 of Second and Callowhill Streets, Philadelphia. 
 
 His mother used to tell of his early attepapts at both 
 walking, and talking, and we learn that he began to go to 
 school before he was four years old. It is thought that his 
 first teacher was Eliza Janney, who was assisted by her 
 mother, and who, in the faithful discharge of her duty to 
 the little ones, was noted for being strict. 'Samuel and his 
 brother William were both left-handed, and the teacher was 
 most persistent in her efforts to correct this irregularity. 
 When they were learning to write she would tie a piece of 
 red flannel around the hand or wrist, in order that they 
 might distinguish the right from the left, and be compelled 
 to use the former in holding pencil or pen. After this good 
 start upon his academic career, it is probable that he at- 
 tended the schools of George Glover, of Thomas Branson, 
 
24 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LBVICK. 
 
 and of Daniel Fuller; and that he was accompanied by his 
 brothers William and James; the latter of whom being 
 several years his junior was no doubt an object of tender 
 care as well as of fraternal affection. One who was an inti- 
 mate playmate of Samuel's at this period, spoke of him as 
 a handsome, rosy-cheeked and very active boy. 
 
 In the Fifth Month, 1832, when in his thirteenth year, he 
 was entered a pupil at Westtown Boarding School, where 
 he remained — vacations excepted — about three years. 
 
 It is probable that he entered his father's counting-house 
 soon after leaving "Westtown, and with his wonted energy 
 and ability applied himself to the acquisition of knowledge 
 in mercantile pursuits. B3' a member of the family we are 
 informed that he was an early riser, and that it was, his 
 practice to go, before breakfast, to market to purchase calf- 
 skins from the farmers, and then sell them to the firm. By 
 these transactions he became initiated into business habits, 
 at the same time that he was earning for himself some 
 spending money. It must have been refreshing to the far- 
 mers to see this rosy-cheeked, healthy and hopeful boy, 
 coming from a refined home at those early morning hours, 
 and in his frank, outspoken manner, negotiating with them 
 for the purchase of the skins ; and while there may have 
 been some who were willing to take advantage of his youth, 
 and his lack of experience, yet the number was probably 
 much larger that would enjoy giving a generous bargain to 
 the frank young customer. 
 
CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH. 25 
 
 From the time of his leaving Westtown until he began 
 to keep a diary we find nothing on record^as to his life, but 
 it is probable that he was, in a business way, occupied with 
 his father, and as the oldest son, looking toward being taken 
 into partnership when he should become of age. Some of 
 his later writings indicate that such, at that time, was the 
 intention of both father and son. At home, no doubt, he 
 occupied the important place that an oldest brother usually 
 does, being looked up to as an example, and beloved as a 
 dispenser of favors. His friends and associates, outside of 
 the family circle, we may imagine were objects of especial 
 interest to him, as he must have been to them ; for he was 
 of a social disposition, free of speech, sympathetic and quite 
 averse to concealment. 
 
 Of his religious impress'ions during the very important 
 period — from sixteen to nineteen years of age — ^it would be 
 instructive as well as desirable, to have some account; but 
 we can only infer from later manifestations, that he was 
 then under the preparing Hand, and that all things were 
 working together for good in the case of one who — through 
 a walk in the strait and narrow way — developed into a 
 higlily favored Gospel minister. 
 
 Once, in a public testimony, he referred to an incident 
 belonging to this period. He went to New York City to 
 transact some business for his father, in that district known 
 as " The Swamp." Just before entering the counting- 
 house of the first merchant that he was to call on, he was 
 2 
 
26 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LBVICK. 
 
 beset by a temptation to depart from the "plain language." 
 He permitted the reasoner not only to approach him, but to 
 persuade him that, in view of his youth and of the seniority 
 of those whom he expected to meet, it would be more re- 
 spectful to address them with the usual compliments, &c. 
 While struggling with this temptation, there was presented 
 to his spiritual ear, in language both clear and emphatic, 
 the following solemn warning: "Choose you this day 
 whom ye will serve!" "If the Lord be God, follow Him : 
 but if Baal, then follow him." He at once heeded the 
 warning, obeyed the injunction, made the choice, and 
 went on his way with a peaceful mind. On entering the 
 counting-house and attending to the required business, he 
 adhered closely to the language in which he had been 
 educated, and was never more courteously treated when 
 engaged in a business transaction. He regarded that inci- 
 dent as a turning-point in his life, and as a test of loyalty to 
 his convictions. 
 
 On another occasion, also in public testimony, he spoke 
 of the sacrifice that he had had to make in laying aside a 
 diamond-pin. It seemed a small thing, and quite harmless 
 — so the reasoner usually argues^ — but he found that his 
 peace consisted in taking up the cross and turning a deaf 
 ear to the pleadings of the enemy. Here, as in the other 
 instance, he was abundantly rewarded ; and by such experi- 
 ences he was being gently disciplined into a life of simple 
 obedience and of unreasoning compliance with every clear 
 
EA-KLY MANHOOD. 27 
 
 maniifestation of duty. In lat^r life, when great liberties 
 were granted hira as to outward things, he could recur to 
 the close Ti^-alking and the strict fidelity of his early years, 
 and receive the answer of a good conscience tor the conrse 
 pursued at both these periods of his life. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 EARLY MAN&OOD. 
 
 On the thirtieth of Eighth Month, 1838, Samuel J. Lev- 
 ick entered upon his twentieth year, and the *:fiv,e years 
 which follow this date embrace so much of his religious 
 experience that the ;period might almost be called that of 
 his spiritmi evokiiion: 
 
 At the beginning of it we find him deeply interested in 
 the " moral reform" movements which were then claiming 
 so much of the- attention of intelligent, huniahe and progres- 
 sive peoplCj and which, at' the. same time, were arousing a 
 spirit of aintagonism that found vent in bitter ;retort, daring 
 threats and frequent afets of mob violence. Incendiary 
 fires, wilfur destruction of property, and even, loss of life, 
 resulted from ■ th,e ■fed.rless. utterances of the . Abolitionists 
 and thevengeful^pdrit of .^heir opponents. The leaders in 
 these t-efornas-^aad Vnost especially 'in the, anti-slavery cause 
 
28 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 — were men and women of great personal courage and high 
 moral character, while their intellectual ability was unques- 
 tioned, even by their enemies. Many of them, however, 
 were "ITltraists," and some went to extremes that the sober 
 thought of after years could hardly justify, and that many 
 of their contemporaries claimed were retarding, rather than 
 advancing, the causes which they were so zealously advo- 
 cating. 
 
 Amid the turmoil that resulted from the agitation of the 
 " reformers" and the intolerance of their combative oppon- 
 ents, the' Society of Friends occupied a peculiar, if not a 
 unique position. They had washed their hands from the 
 stain of slavery; they were opposed to all warfare with car- 
 nal weapons; they had taken an advanced position in the 
 matter of abstinence from alcoholic liquors, and they were 
 friends and helpers to the poor and oppressed of all classes. 
 The city of Philadelphia had long been noted for its be- 
 nevolent institutions, and some of the most efficient and 
 indefatigable workers in these were Friends, so that, of the 
 members of this religious denomination — they object to 
 being called a sect — it might almost be said that humanity, 
 temperance and non-resistance came to them, as did their 
 •membership in the Society, by birthright. With such an 
 inheritance, and with a training favorable to morality and 
 humanity, it was quite natural that they should take an 
 interest in the good works which the " reformers" were 
 endeavoring to promote, and hence it was that in both 
 
EARLY MANHOOD. 29 
 
 branches of the Society were to be found many young 
 people — and some older ones — who attended Anti-slavery 
 and Peace Meetings, and some who joined the "Washing- 
 tonians." 
 
 Having once joined any of these societies, the tendency 
 was forward, and activity in one seemed to prepare the way 
 for joining another, so that agitation was the order of the 
 ' day, and quietness and cautiousness were regarded as evi- 
 dences of apathy. Many zealous ones — ^particularly- among 
 the young Friends — were earnest in their appeals to their 
 more conservative brethren and sisters to join in the good 
 work, and to open Friends' meeting-houses to the lecturers — 
 mostly from 'Eew England — who. were traveling through the 
 Middle States. To these appeals the staid conservatives 
 could only reply, " "W"e favor the cause, but not the manner 
 of advocating it, or the means employed to promote it. We 
 are a peculiar people^ and while we appreciate your earnest- 
 ness, and fully believe in your sincerity, we cannot advise 
 our members to join these organizations, or to countenance 
 them by attending their meetings." 
 
 Such were the existing conditions, in and out of the So- 
 ciety of Friends, when the subject of these Memoirs had 
 attained the age of nineteen years. Being ardent of tem- 
 perament, quick of perception, keenly sympathetic, and 
 aglow with the aspirations of early manhood, it seemed not 
 only natural, but highly probable, that he would become 
 interested in the reformatory movements that were being 
 
30 LIFE QF S'AMCEL -J. LtVICK. 
 
 started or advanced in his native city. With a pure heart, 
 a good conscience, excellent physical health, and great 
 proneness to activity, he ■«vanted to be doiag something for 
 the good of his fellow-man. Here were opportunities by 
 which, his activity could — as he then thought — be turned to 
 good a;ccount, and he was not only ready, but eager to 
 ernbtace them. So, as might be expected, we find him 
 entering heartily into the great work of " Moral Reform." 
 
 On the first day of the year 1839, Samuel J. Levick 
 began to keep a diary, and for nearly two years he made 
 daily entries of the state of the weather, his proceedings, 
 his observations, or his reflections; and not infrequently we 
 find all four in the brief space (it was a prepared diary) 
 allotted to one day. He was minute in his records of the 
 weather, also, of the manner in which he had employed his 
 time, and, while lining in the city, he usually noted the 
 time of his getting home in the evening. 
 
 This record gives us an insight into the society or organ- 
 ized work in which he was engaged, and furnishes us with 
 the names of his co-workers and intimate friends. The 
 reader wiU not feil to observe the indications of his spir- 
 itual growth, as evinced in the account of his Gospel labors 
 in the southern part of the city on First-day afternoons. 
 
 A few of the early entries in the diary are given nearly 
 in full, and, later on, selections are made of such portions 
 as seem to indicate his development during these two years. 
 
EARLY MANHOOD. 31 
 
 THE DIARY. 
 
 Third-day, First Month Ist, 1839. In the morning, clear 
 and cold. Thermometer at nine a. m. fifteen degrees ahove 
 zero. At three p. m. twenty-three degrees. The Delaware 
 fast opposite the city. Ice very thick. The evening passed 
 with sundry persons at Joseph Price's. Home between ten 
 and eleven. 
 
 2nd. In the morning cloudy ; snowed some. . . . Ther- 
 mometer at nine a. m. twenty-six degrees. Spent the even- 
 ing at a meeting of JSorthern Liberties Anti-Slavery So- 
 ciety. Spoke on the question — " In what manner would 
 the abolition of slavery benefit the workingmen of the 
 North?" Home a little after ten o'clock. 
 
 3rd. Morning cloudy and, warm. Thermometer, thirty- 
 five degrees. In the evening attended the meeting of bur 
 Philadelphia Peace Society, held in the Universalist Church, 
 on Callowhill Street. Being President, I introduced to the 
 meeting William Ladd, of Maine, who delivered an address 
 on " The Forming of a Congress of Nations." Home at 
 nine o'clock, or soon after. 
 
 4th. A general thaw; walking very bad. In the evening 
 attended the regular meeting of the Junior Anti-Slavery 
 Society. Discussed the question, " Is slave-holding under 
 all circumstances, sinful?" I took the aflirmative. Some 
 excitement was produced by an appeal from a decision of 
 the chair. Home between ten and eleven. 
 
32 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 5th. Thermometer at nine a. m. thirty-four degrees. 
 Cleared off about noon. Spent the evening at Joseph 
 Price's. They had with them some of their friends from 
 Wilmington, and some who reside in this city. It was 
 a very agreeable company. Home between ten and eleven 
 o'clock. 
 
 First-day, 6th. Fine morning. Froze a little in the night. 
 Attended North Meeting, at which I arrived late. Sarah 
 Hillman appeared in supplication. Afternoon, wrote a letter 
 to a friend; then Thomas 8. Cavender called for me, and 
 we went to "Little Wesley" Methodist Meeting. After 
 their service had concluded, I had something to say to them 
 by way of encouragement, and I felt comforted in being 
 with them. Took tea at James Mott's, and attended Cherry 
 Street Mee;ting in the evening. 
 
 Second-day, 7th. Cloudy morning ; froze some in the 
 night. Received from Abby Kelly, of Middlebury, Vt, a 
 letter, introducing Joseph Wall as an abolitionist, ultraist, 
 &c. Passed the evening at a meeting of the Board of Man- 
 agers of Junior Anti-Slavery Society. I was appointed on 
 three committees — Distribution, Ways and Means, and 
 Moral and Intellectual Improvement of the Colored People. 
 
 Third-day, 8th. A very mild day, like spring. The tow- 
 boats brought some of the vessels that were below, up as 
 far as Walnut Street wharf, and took one down. Ice fast 
 above. Spent the evening at the Colored School, held for 
 the first time in Sandiford Hall, to which it had been re- 
 
EARLY MANHOOD. 33 
 
 moved from Clarkson Hall. At tbe close of the school went 
 home with M. Paxson. 
 
 Fourth-day, 9th. Weather colder, and wind northwest. 
 Took a number of publications to the Northern Liberties 
 Anti-Slavery Society. Passed the evening with father and 
 mother at uncle Samuel Jones's in a large company. It was 
 after eleven o'clock when we arrived at home. 
 
 Fifth-day, 10th. Spent the evening at the school for 
 colored men, under our charge. After school stepped into 
 the meeting of Citj- Anti-Slavery Society. On my way 
 home stopped to see Thomas Brown. 
 
 First-day, 13th. Went with Thomas S. Cavender to 
 Methodist Meeting on Coates Street. Took tea at Jesse 
 Roberts's, and attended Cherry Street Meeting in the even- 
 ing. George Truman spoke. 
 
 Third-day, 15th. Spent the evening in writing, and in 
 arranging my accounts as Treasurer of Junior Anti-Slavery 
 Society. 
 
 Fourth-day, 16th. Spent the evening at the meeting of the 
 Northern Liberties Anti-Slavery Society. Discussion as on 
 the previous evening. Charles C. Burleigh spoke on the 
 affirmative side. 
 
 17th. Went to our school. Spent some time, and then 
 went round to the Workingmen's Anti-Slavery Meeting, 
 addressed by L. Peck. After distributing some papers 
 there, I returned to our school, and closed it by reading 
 from the National Eeader. Came part way home with T. 
 
34 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 S. jCavender, T. Child, L. Peck, George Justice aud Wm. 
 Nichols. 
 
 18th. Spent the evening at the meeting of the Junior 
 Anti-Slavery Society, Discussed the question, " Is Intem- 
 perance. a greater evil than Slavery?" I took the negative. 
 
 19th. Passed this evening at T. S. Oavender's, where I 
 met the Distributing Committee. E. Johnson and T. P. 
 Ellis in attendance. 
 
 First-day, 20th. "Went down town, and stepped into a 
 meeting of colored people on Little Pine Street. Made a 
 few remarks after their service had closed. 
 
 22nd. Spent the evening at Jesse Roberts's in company 
 with Ellen Foulke. A very pleasant evening. 
 
 23rd. In the evening a discussion at the Northern Lib- 
 erties Anti-Slavery Society, " Ought Slavery to be Imme- 
 diately Abolished ?" 
 
 25th. Evening at the Northern Lyceum. A very rainy 
 day. 
 
 EirstTday, 27th. At Sixth Street Meeting in the morning 
 and Cherry Street in the evening. The heavy rain of yes- 
 terday caused the water in the Schuylkill to rise to a height 
 not known to have been surpassed for a period dating as 
 far back as 1798. The damage to merchandise, shipping 
 and buildings, has been very great. The Baltimore & Phila- 
 delphia R. R. bridge was carried away. 
 
 29th. At our school for colored men, met Joseph Parrish, 
 Jr., and R. Knight. 
 
EARLY MANHOOB. 35 
 
 30th. Spent the evening at the Menagerie, in company 
 with several young friends.. I felt as if I could not approve 
 of the practice of confining the beasts, and depriving them 
 of those rights which their Creator gave them to enjoy. 
 
 Second Month 1st., Spent the evening at the Junior 
 Anti-Slavery Society. A fine, large naeeting., I made a 
 few remarks. ... 
 
 3rd. In the morning at Green Street Meeting, and heard 
 a sermon from Stephen- Treadwell. Afternoon, in, company 
 with Joseph Parrish, Jr., attended the colored Baptist Meet- 
 ing. Had a very satisfactory time. Took tea at Aunt Mary 
 Dolby's, and went to Cherry Street Meeting in the evening. 
 Heard a great sermon from Stephen Treadwell. 
 
 4th. In the evening went to the meeting of the Board of 
 Managei's of the Peace Society, and then td the managers' 
 meeting of the !N"orthern Liberties Anti-Slavery Society. 
 
 5th. At the meeting of the County Anti-Slavery Society. 
 : 6th,. Went with Joseph Parrish, Jr., to the meeting of 
 the Association of Friends for Pleading the Cause of the 
 Slave. 
 
 7th. Spent the evening partly at, J. Roberts's, and then 
 went to our school for colored men. After its close met 
 the Board of Managers of the, Junior Anti-Slavery Society, 
 and Committee for Improving the Moral and Intellectual 
 Condition of Colored People. It met at Enoch Lewis's. 
 
 8thi Died, this day, Jonathan Evans, an elder in the 
 Society of Friends. v 
 
36 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 9th. Passed the evening partly at the ITorthern Lyceum, 
 and the remainder at J. Roberts's in company with my 
 friend, Ellen Foulke. 
 
 10th. At Sixth Street Meeting in the morning, and 
 heard Daniel Wheeler, from England. He preached an ex- 
 cellent sermon ; a real old-fashioned Quaker sermon, calling 
 Friends to the light of Christ in their own hearts. In the 
 afternoon at Union Methodist Meeting on Coates Street. 
 In the evening at Cherry Street, where John Jackson 
 preached a powerful sermon. 
 
 15th. The Junior Anti-Slavery Society had a stated dis- 
 cussional meeting. A number of unruly boys and men 
 manifested a dispositioa to disturb us, but we were not 
 prevented from going on with our meeting. While I was 
 speaking, an attempt was made to interrupt, but I heeded it 
 not. 
 
 17th. At Sixth Street Meeting in. the morning. In the 
 afternoon, went to the Zore Methodist Meeting, where I 
 had a satisfactory time. 
 
 19th. In the evening, at a meeting of the Philadelphia 
 Peace Society — a small gathering, but some discussion. 
 When will the people of this so-called Christian land be 
 aroused to the importance of this subject ? 
 
 20th. This eveuing attended a lecture at the meeting- 
 house of our colored friends on St. Mary's Street. 
 
 21st. This evening, while at J. Price's I heard an alarm 
 of fire. I ran with the United States Engine Company, and 
 
EAELY MANHOOD. 37 
 
 assisted in putting it out. Home soon after nine o'clock, 
 and put on dry clothing. 
 
 23rd. Was elected Secretary at the Northern Lyceum. 
 
 24th. At Sixth Street Meeting in the morning and 
 Cherry Street in the evening. In the afternoon went to the 
 " Little Wesley " Meeting, and heard an excellent sermon 
 from a colored friend, named Harris. I spoke to them, 
 calling their attention to the great evils that are covering 
 our brethren in Small Street. Tried to induce them to 
 take some measures to reclaim these erring ones. I had a 
 very satisfactory time with, them. 
 
 28th. Our colored school closed for the season. 
 
 Third Month Ist. Our Junior Anti-Slavery Society had 
 an enthusiastic meeting, and a very large one. The cause 
 is progressing with rapid strides, and we are gratified to 
 think that ere long the day will come when the whole I^Torth 
 will rise up in judgment against slavery. 
 
 2nd. Went to Wilmington in company with Joseph 
 Parrish, Jr., and lodged at Samuel Smith's with our friend 
 Thomas Foulke, who is a teacher in Samuel's school. 
 
 3rd. Attended Wilmington Meeting; visited at Benja- 
 min Ferris's and Samuel Woolstan's and then returned to 
 Samuel Smith's. Our visit has been a delightful one, and 
 I believe it may have a good effect, as the subject of non- 
 resistance was discussed, and its benefits made known. 
 
 5th. Went to the Marshall Debating Society, where the 
 
38 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 question was discussed, " Ought slavery to be immediately 
 abolished ?" 
 
 11th. Spent the evening at a meeting of the Board of 
 Managers of Junior Anti-81a;very Society, at which was of- 
 fered a resolution authorizing two of our raembers — ■ if it 
 should be found necessary— to wait on the Mayor and re- 
 quest him to send some of Ms officers to protect our meet- 
 ing and keep order, and for us to recompense them if 
 thought proper. The resolution was adopted. I am ■eery 
 much opposed to \t. ■ .. - 
 
 14th. Passed the evening at a meeting of the Philadel- 
 phia Peace Society ; but the cause seems to have very few 
 advocates in this city. Five members? and six spectators 
 composed the meetihg, although the notice of it had been 
 published in two of the most widely circulated newspapers 
 in the city. J 
 
 17th. At Sixth Street Meeting in the morning. After 
 dinner went down town among some of my colored breth- 
 ren and sisters, and talked to them of the impropriety of 
 certain courses that they were pursuing. Stayed their meet- 
 ing at " Little "Wesley." Having heard that there was to 
 be a meeting in Small Street, I' Went there, and found 
 a large gathering, composed of those who are debased in 
 sin. They had congregated to hear what the Lord, through 
 his servant, would have to say. Oh ! what a satisfactory 
 time we had ; it was a Season of thankfulness to me, for I 
 
EARLY . MANHOOD, 39 
 
 feel as if some good has been done, and that there is great 
 cause for encouragement in this work. 
 
 19th. Attended Preparative Meeting at Sixth Street, and 
 presented — on behalf of the Female Anti-Slavery Society — 
 a request for the use of the Meeting House for holding a 
 Convention of American Women. It met with great oppo- 
 sition ; not one word being said in favor of it. I was in- 
 duced to rise myself; being the first time that I ever spoke 
 in a Friends' Meeting. Our English Friend, Robinson, 
 being there, came to me after meeting and spoke encour- 
 agingly to me. In the evening attended a meeting for col- 
 ord persons, at Cherry Street Meeting House. It had been 
 called by Lucretia Mott and D. Coates. 
 
 22nd. In the evening at the Reading Aseofiiation at Dr. 
 Joseph Parrish's. Had a very pleasant tiine, and became a 
 member. Home at half-past ten. 
 
 24th. At Sixth Street, in the morning,, and in the after- . 
 noon went down to Small Street, collected some people 
 hastily, and read to them for over an hour. Took supper 
 at James Fortun's, aud then went to our meeting on Small 
 Street, where we had a very satisfactory time;- •- 
 
 26th. This evening at a meeting amongst some of our 
 poor and debased colored people, residing on Small Street 
 and vicinity. '; 
 
 28th. Was at Green Street Meeting, and witnessed the 
 marriage of Henry T. Child and Anna R. Pickering. Signed 
 my name to the certificate as a witness. 
 
40 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 29th. Attended an evening meeting at Cherry Street, 
 appointed by Stephen Tread well, for the young people. He 
 preached a powerful sermon. Called at George Truman's 
 to see Stephen, and had conversation with him on various 
 subjects. 
 
 30th. Having heard that Clementine Roberts [daughter 
 of Jesse] was very ill, I went up there and spent the even- 
 ing. Found her very low indeed. Did not expect to see 
 her again this side of eternity. Little did we think a few 
 months ago that she would so soon be called to render her 
 final account. Time for her has been shoi't. 
 
 Slst. After attending meeting at Sixth Street, called to 
 see how Clementine was ; found her more easy. I asked 
 her if she knew me ; she said " yes !" and having hold of 
 her hand, she raised it up and said " farewell !" The last 
 farewell from one as young as myself impressed me forcibly 
 with the frailty of physical life, and with the truth of the 
 expression, " The young may die." 
 
 Passed the afternoon happily with ray poor colored broth- 
 ers and sisters who reside in the dens of vice and infamy. 
 I read and explained to them, and then pleaded with them 
 as to the importance of making peace with God, ere death 
 shall cut them ofi: Being without help outwardly, I had 
 considerable difficulty in collecting them ; but by persever- 
 ing I had the satisfaction of seeing the room filled in a short 
 time after I began to read ; and it was a source of thankful- 
 
EARLY MANHOOD. 41 
 
 ness unto our Heavenly Father. " The harvest truly is 
 plenteous, but the laborers are few." 
 
 Fourth Month Ist. This morning about five o'clock 
 Clementine Roberts departed this life, aged twenty-one 
 years. Thus we find that " in the midst of life we are in 
 death." In the evening went to Manayunk to speak on 
 behalf of the slave, in a discussion. Charles C. Burleigh 
 was there, and spoke well. Distributed a number of the. 
 "Penna. Freeman," extra. 
 
 3rd. In the afternoon attended the funeral of Clementine. 
 The interment was at the "Western Ground. 
 
 6th. In the afternoon procured tracts to be distributed 
 among our colored brethren. In the evening heard a very 
 interesting lecture by Jos. R. Chandler, at the Northern 
 Lyceum. 
 
 Fourth Month 7th. A fine warm morning. Thermome- 
 ter sixty degrees at nine o'clock. Attended Sixth Street 
 Meeting in the forenoon, and after dinner went with Joseph 
 Parrish, Jr., among the most debased of our colored brethren 
 and sisters, who reside in the vicinity of Small Street. We 
 had about thirty of them collected, and after some reading, 
 talked to them of the importance of a change of life ; en- 
 couraging those who had determined to do better, to proceed 
 on their upward course. My friend Joseph had considera- 
 ble to say. My heart is made glad in being with these peo- 
 ple, and I feel encouraged to prosecute the work. Oh! that 
 there were more who would be willing to assist in it. In 
 3 
 
42 LIFE OF SAMUEL J, LEVICK. 
 
 the evening we went to Joshua Hallowell's, and to Emmor 
 Kimbers', where we met with several of our brethren in the 
 anti-slavery cause, and passed an agreeable evening. 
 
 10th. Left this morning for Boston, via New York where 
 I arrived about two o'clock. Passed nearly three hours 
 running about town, and then embarked on the steamer 
 " John W. Richmond," for Providence. The passage was a 
 rough one, but the quickest ever made by this boat from 
 l^ew York to Providence, via Newport. 
 
 11th. Arrived in Providence a little after five o'clock, 
 and took the train for Boston, which we reached soon after 
 seven. Attended to considerable business during the fore- 
 noon, and after dinner took the train for Lynn, arriving 
 there about half-past three o'clock. Took tea at Ezra 
 Baker's, and in the evening went to an Anti-Slavery meet- 
 ing which was addressed by Wendel Phillips, Oliver John- 
 son and Isaac Collins. Went home with James P. Boyce. 
 
 12th. A stormy morning, and I passed it in walking 
 about among the shoe men of Lynn. Dined at Nathan 
 Breed's, and took tea at D. Chase's, returning to James 
 Boyce's to lodge. 
 
 13th. Went to Boston and attended to some business, 
 also met Edward Quincy, Maria W. Chapman, and several 
 others. Returned to Lynn in the afternoon, and visited at 
 Ezra Baker's. 
 
 14th. Stormed all day. Attended Friends' Meeting at 
 Lynn, both morning and afternoon. Dined at William Bas- 
 
EARLY MANHOOD. 43 
 
 sett's Sind supped at Daniel Johnson's. Passed a very agree- 
 able evening. 
 
 15th. At ten o'clock took leave of my kind friends, and 
 went to Boston, which I left at four o'clock by train for 
 Stonington, Conn. It was half-past eight when we boarded 
 the boat for New York. Spent the evening, till about 
 eleven o'clock, in conversation with a Southern man, upon 
 the evil effects of slavery and the remedy for it. Our steam- 
 er, the " Rhode Island," arrived in New York about six 
 o'clock. Before breakfast took a view of New York, and 
 found it to be a great city. Breakfasted at City Hotel. 
 
 16th. Attended to some business in New York, and at 
 forty-five minutes after four in the afternoon, embarked for 
 Philadelphia, where I arrived at half-past eleven o'clock, in 
 company with Isaac Bassett, of Lynn. 
 
 17th. Attended a sitting of our Yearly Meeting, and 
 spent a part of the evening at home in company with L. B. 
 Peirce and James Btuff. 
 
 18th. Attended Sixth Street Meeting in the morning 
 and heard some excellent preaching; it might have been 
 called real Quaker doctrine. Went to the Yearly Meeting in 
 the afternoon, and heard from the Committee on Slavery an 
 excellent report; but it was too close — especially in regard 
 to the use of the products of slave labor — for Friends gen- 
 erally ; and it could not be adopted. After considerable 
 discussion it was referred to the Committee on Epistles. 
 How sorrowful it is to me to find such a bowing at the 
 
44 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 shrine of Mammon. We do not serve our God who made 
 Heaven and earth, but we serve the god of this world, and 
 to him we bow down continually. 
 
 i 9th. Attended the afternoon session of Yearly Meeting, 
 which closed it for this year. It was a very satisfactory 
 occasion, and a minute was read and adopted concerning 
 slavery. 
 
 20th. Spent the evening at the l»rorthern Lyceum. The 
 question discussed was " Which tends more to the advance- 
 ment of Literature, a Monarchical or a Republican form of 
 (rovernraent ?" 
 
 2l8t. Attended Sixth Street Meeting in the morning 
 and heard Joseph John Gurney preach. He intimated his 
 being about to leave us. In the afternoon Rowland John- 
 son and I visited Small Street, and oh, how we mourned 
 over the degradation, ignorance and vice of these poor peo- 
 ple ! Our hearts' desire is that God may continue to send 
 laborers into this field. We were strengthened by a friend 
 who came to join us, and although differing a little in re- 
 ligious views, we can unite in our efforts in this wide field 
 of labor. 
 
 2Snd. Spent the evening at our Peace Society Meeting, 
 and heard one of the best of lectures on non-resistance. It 
 was delivered by Henry C. Wright. Oh! may there be 
 more who are willing to labor in this field, for, as it seems 
 to me, it is one of our Heavenly Father's planting ! 
 
 27th. Spent the evening partly in going to a fire, and 
 
EARLY MANHOOD. 45 
 
 the remainder at M. Oram's, in company with sundry friends 
 of the cause of the slave. 
 
 28th. At Cherry Street Meeting in the morning, and in 
 the afternoon in company with John Jackson, attended the 
 funeral of Deborah Moulson, John spoke at the grave. 
 On my retui-n stopped at Small Street. I had considerable 
 to say there, and had to come out plainly concerning those 
 rum-selling shops, and to caution the people against going 
 into them. A little tenderness was manifested by some ; 
 may they be aroused and reclaimed from their terrible con- 
 dition. 
 
 29th. After dinner took brother James and Richard L. 
 Bruft'to Westtown Boarding School. Arrived there about 
 dark, and passed the evening with the teachers. Had some 
 very interesting conversation upon non-resistance, and left 
 with them a number of papers for their perusal. 
 
 Fifth Month Ist. Visited the colored public school, on 
 Sixth Street near Lombard, and was truly delighted to see 
 so many children there deriving benefits of which their 
 parents had been so unjustly deprived. Spent the evening 
 at the Association of Friends for Promoting the Abolition 
 of Slavery, and the Improvement of the Free People of 
 Color. It was an excellent meeting. 
 
 3rd. The Anti-Slavery Convention of American Wom- 
 en, who have had their meeting this week, held their ses- 
 sions in a riding-school, the only place which they could 
 
46 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 procure; the meeting-houses of Friends being applied for, 
 but refused. 
 
 4th. Evening. Meeting of the Northern Lyceum. A 
 lecture from Rufus Jones upon the "Dangers besetting 
 Republicanism in the United States." 
 
 5th, Attended Cherry Street Meeting in the morning 
 with Christopher Robinson, of Lynn. Had an excellent 
 meeting. In the afternoon took him to Bethel, and my , 
 friend, Rowland, and myself repaired to our meeting on 
 Small Street. My esteemed brother was called to labor 
 with a forsaken soul, who was visited with sickness in a 
 dismal cellar. Oh ! we know not the amount of suffering 
 these poor people endure ! Where are the Samaritans, 
 who should be pouring the oil into their wounds ? Spent 
 the evening at a meeting on Callowhill Street wharf, ap- 
 pointed by John Jackson and George Truman. It was a 
 satisfactory opportunity. 
 
 6th. A number of our friends left Philadelphia this 
 morning to attend a meeting of the " American States 
 Society," to be held in New York. In the evening met the 
 Education Committee of Friends' Association for Pleading 
 the Cause of the Slave ; then went to a meeting of the Board 
 of the Northern Liberties Anti-Slavery Society. 
 
 7th. Attending to business, also to matters pertaining to 
 Anti-Slavery. In the evening at the County Anti-Slavery 
 Meeting. 
 
 9th. Purchased some free sugar at Lydia White's. 
 
EARLY MANHOOD. 47 
 
 10th. Had the company of niy friend, James Boyce, and 
 later that of William Oliver, from Lynn, Mass. In the 
 evening William and I vrere at the Exchange, at D. Cool- 
 ey's, at a meeting of the Board of Managers of the Moral 
 Reform Society, at the Chinese Museum, and then made a 
 call on Kobert Smith, Editor of Ttie Friend, after which we 
 came home. 
 
 12th. First-day, attended Cherry Street Meeting, it be- 
 ing the week of their Yearly Meeting. Had an excellent 
 meeting. In the afternoon accompanied two Friends to 
 our meeting on Small Street. Had a large gathering for 
 the place ; the people listened with close attention. I said 
 a little at the close. In the evening went with T. M'C, to 
 his appointed meeting at Bethel ; it was large and interest- 
 ing. 
 
 13th. In the evening attended a meeting of the County 
 Anti-Slavery Society, held in Clarkson Hall. A good deal 
 of feeling for the slave was manifested. 
 
 14th. Evening meeting of the Association of Friends for 
 Pleading the Cause of the Slave. 
 
 15th. With T. M'C, at the "Brick Wesley" Methodist 
 Meeting, he having a desire to be with our colored brethren 
 and sisters at their worship. * 
 
 16th. This evening with T. M'C, at the Union Colored 
 Meeting on Coates Street. Full meeting and a satisfactory 
 time. 
 
 17th. This day is the anniversary of the burning of 
 
48 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 Pennsylvania Hall by a mob. In the evening we had a 
 full meeting of the Junior Anti-Slavery Society. It was 
 addressed by C. C. Burleigh. 
 
 18th. In the evening at the l!forthern Lyceum. Small 
 meeting. 
 
 19th. Attended Sixth Street Meeting in the morning, 
 and in the afternoon repaired as usual to Small Street. Al- 
 though outwardly alone, I had strength from above, and, 
 after having read a little from the Bible, I was led to speak 
 to the people for a length of time, to the peace of my own 
 mind. I distributed a number of tracts among them, and 
 then went to St. Mary's Street, where I had some interest- 
 ing conversation with these poor people, for whom my heart 
 yearns. 
 
 20th and 2lBt. Attending the State Anti-Slavery Meet- 
 ing at Norristown. "When the subject of political action was 
 brought up, I spoke at some length. The resolution favor- 
 ing such action was laid upon the table. 
 
 22nd. Passed the evening at Joseph Price's, and had a 
 quiet, satisfactory visit, marked with a considerable degree 
 of seriousness. I felt quite dull on account of the many 
 things I see which wound my feelings. Oh, these cities ! 
 The wickedness, suffering adfl affliction that abound are 
 saddening to contemplate. 
 
 23rd. This evening at Benedict Dorsey's. The conver- 
 sation was upon subjects of vital importance to the human 
 soul. 
 
EARLY MANHOOD. 49 
 
 24th. At "William Dorsey's in the evening. It was 
 passed in a rational manner, much to my satisfaction. 
 
 25th. At Samuel Henzey's this evening. It was a so- 
 cial, friendly opportunity. I have passed these four even- 
 ings with my friends, feeling it was my duty thus to mingle 
 with them socially and converse upon matters of weighty 
 importance. 
 
 26th. Attended Sixth Street Meeting in the morning. 
 In the afternoon went down among the people in the south- 
 ern part of our city. Felt induced to call some together in 
 a yard on Small Street. A woman residing in the next 
 house came and ordered us out. I went out and waited, 
 and, after some time, the so-called owner of the property 
 came and opened it. I commenced speaking, and in a little 
 while the people began to collect. After a number had 
 come in, the same woman that had ordered me out came 
 up and comnienced pushing me. I continued speaking, 
 and soon she left me for a time, and then came back with a 
 rattan in her hand, but she did not use it, only pushed me, 
 and continued doing so until I was in the street. Here I 
 spoke for some time, warning the people to " flee from the 
 wrath to come," and exhorting them to turn unto Christ, 
 the Light within them. After I had spoken some time, an 
 individual who kept a rum-shop came up and pushed me 
 out into the street. But I had already said what I had to 
 say. Some of my hearers took offense at the man's rough 
 treatment of me, and they would have quarreled, but I 
 
60 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 interfered, and insisted that they should not disturb one 
 another. The Lord's power preserved me. 
 
 29th. In the afternoon: started for Richland in company 
 with John C. Lester, who had invited me to go home with 
 him. We stopped over night at Job Mather's, at Whit- 
 pain, where we passed a pleasant evening. 
 
 30th. Proceeded on the journey, traveling slowly and 
 conversing upon important subjects. When we arrived at 
 Quakertown I stopped at John Foulke's, where the evening 
 was passed agreeably and instructively. 
 
 31st. Attended Richland Monthly Meeting of Friends 
 (not our branch), where I was considerably tried in mind 
 concerning so many cases of acknowledgment for marrj'ing 
 out of the Society. 
 
 Sixth Month 1st. Came to the city in company with E. 
 Foulke. We had a pleasant journey of six and a half 
 hours. In the evening went to the Lyceum and attended 
 to my duties as secretary. 
 
 2nd. At Sixth Street Meeting in the morning, and in 
 the afternoon visited our colored friends in the southern 
 part of the city. I gave them some advice, and, I hope it 
 was given in a proper spirit. Those who collected in our 
 meeting were addressed to the^ peace of "toy mind^ My 
 friend, Dillwyn Jones, was with me. 
 
 4th. In the evening at Commissioners' Hall, hearing 
 Joshua Coffin give an account of his journey to and from 
 
EARLY MANHOOD. 51 
 
 •Memphis, Tenn., where he went to bring back a colored 
 man who had been kidnapped from 'Sew York. 
 
 6th. Left the city at eight o'clock in company with Re- 
 becca and Lydia Price, for Wilmington, Del. We went to 
 attend the marriages of the two sisters, Catharine and Eliz- 
 abeth Woolston. The former was wedded to Ellwood Ga- 
 net and the latter to Albert Smith. It was eleven o'clock 
 when we arrived in Wilmington, and on getting to the 
 meeting it was too late to witness the ceremonies. We 
 dined at the wedding house, also spent the evening there, 
 with about one hundred invited guests. An agreeable 
 time. 
 
 9th. Attended Darby Meeting, where John Jackson was 
 much favored in the ministry. In the afternoon came back 
 to the city and stopped in the lower part. Had a satisfac- 
 tory opportunity at the house of a white woman who sells 
 liquor. Then attended our meeting on Small Street, and 
 afterwards went to Shippen Street and addressed a number 
 who had collected in a short time. 
 
 13th. On visiting a sick person in Small Street, I heard 
 of a meeting this evening at "Brick Wesley." I went 
 there, and was so much exercised in mind that I found I 
 could not leave without throwing off my concern by stand- 
 ing up publicly and proclaiming unto the people what the 
 Lord gave me to say. After doing so I was relieved, and 
 went home praising the Lord. 
 
 15th. Went to Burlington in company with Joseph Par- 
 
52 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 rish, Jr., and on the boat met with several friends. Among, 
 them were Sarah Grimke, Angelina G. Weld, J. Healy, 
 John G. Whittier and Ebenezer Hughes. J. P. and myself 
 made a visit at the home of his grandfather, John Cox, at 
 Ox Mead. 
 
 16th. Joseph and myself attended a colored meeting. 
 It is called " Mount Moriah Church." We heard an excel- 
 lent discourse from a Friend named Eobert Evans, and 
 each of us had something to say. My mind was much re- 
 lieved. 
 
 18th. Spent the evening at a meeting of the Philadel- 
 phia Peace Society. 
 
 20th. Passed part of the evening at Joseph Price's, in 
 company with Albert Smith and wife, and gave to the 
 bride some verses that I wrote for her, on her leaving for 
 Poughkeepsie. 
 
 2l8t. Heard Thomas S. Cavender deliver an address on 
 " Slavery," before the Junior Anti-Slavery Society. 
 
 23rd. Went this morning to a little meeting of Friends 
 who assemble at the house of one of their number, on 
 William Street, and hold a meeting every First-day, They 
 are colored, and the one who first called the meeting had 
 applied to be taken into membership with Friends at our 
 Meeting. His application being refused, he got his friends 
 to join him, and hence their present meeting to themselves. 
 In the afternoon Joseph Parrish, Jr., and self went down 
 into the southern part of the city, where we were joined by 
 
EARLY MANHOOD. 53 
 
 Susan Grew and Almira Oram, who were a great acquisi- 
 tion to us in our work. I was instrumental in preventing 
 two white men from injuring each other in a fight. We 
 went around to Seventh Street, below Shippen, where we 
 beheld objects that were soul-sickening. While we were 
 collecting the people, our sisters read to them. Then I had 
 a good deal to communicate unto them, in the love of God, 
 warning them, and calling them unto Christ, their Re- 
 deemer and their Saviour. Almira then' appeared in sup- 
 plication, and we separated in the love of God. Returned 
 to our meeting-place in Small Street, where I had some 
 service to perform for the Lord, much to the peace of my 
 mind. 
 
 26th. In the afternoon rode out to the home of William 
 Rhoads and family, at Newtown, Delaware County, for the 
 purpose of seeing the place and the people [with a view 
 to going there to learn farming]. They treated me very 
 kindly and I remained with them over night. 
 
 28th. In the evening at the Northern Liberties Anti- 
 Slavery Meeting. It was orderly until near the close, when 
 there was some confusion. 
 
 30th. Attended Sixth Street Meeting in the morning, 
 and in the afternoon went down to the field of our labors, 
 in company with Rowland Johnson and Edmund Benson. 
 On our arrival we met Mark Bradway, Almira Oram and 
 Susan Grew. In visiting at one of the houses I found a 
 sick man to whom I was led. to speak of the necessity of a 
 
54 LIFE OP SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 preparation for another life. I then felt drawn into prayer 
 on behalf of himself and familj'. Our friends collected a 
 number on the street, and to these I was led to speak in a 
 voice of warning, " To flee from the wrath to come." It 
 was a quiet and satisfactory meeting. After this went to a 
 vacant lot on Seveiith Street below Shippen, where our sis- 
 ters read to the people while they were collecting, and then 
 there was a time of silence. At length I arose, and was 
 strengthened to give them a word of f>ounsel, calling them 
 to Christ, the way, the truth, and the life; and to the in- 
 w'ard law which He revealed in their hearts. The meeting 
 was closed by prayer unto our heavenly Father, thanking 
 Him for his kindness, and asking Him for strength. The 
 people were orderly and some seemed pouched; it was a 
 precious time. We then went to our Small Street Meeting 
 where we found a large number collected. I left a short 
 message witli them, and found peace in so doing. In the 
 evening attended a meeting at Green Street, appointed by 
 John Jackson. It was a favored time ; the Lord's name be 
 glorified. 
 
 Seventh Month 3rd. Mother and I started on a little 
 journey to Delaware and Chester Counties. We went first 
 to Chester, where Hannah P. Smith joined us and accom- 
 panied us to her father's at Concord; then we went t(j 
 Thomas Marshall's to lodge. 
 
 4th. A pleasant morning, and we left for Westtown, ar- 
 riving there in time for meeting. It was a silent one. We 
 
EARLY MANHOOD. 55 
 
 took the boys to dine with us at the Farm House, and after 
 dinner I took a ramble with Davis Reese for some flowers. 
 Towards evening we left Westtown, and went to West 
 Chester, passing the night at the house of John Roberts. 
 The borough is beautifully situated in the midst of a fine 
 farming country. The air was laden with the scent Of new 
 mown hay, and the abundant harvest was nearly ripe for 
 cutting. 
 
 5th. Came home in the afternoon, and in the evening 
 went to a meeting of the Junior Anti-Slavery Society. "We 
 had an excellent meeting, much to my satisfaction, and to 
 the promotion of the cause. 
 
 6th. In the morning left home and went to Westfield, 
 N. J., to see Nathaniel Stokes, and to ascertain whether I 
 could obtain a situation there to acquire a knowledge of 
 farming. Spent most of the day with him, and met with as 
 much success as I had anticipated. Came home in the 
 evening. 
 
 7th. Attended the colored Friends' Meeting in Kensing- 
 ton, the same that I was at two weeks ago. We had a very 
 satisfactory opportunity, much to my peace of mind. In 
 the afternoon went to the field of our labor, down town, 
 and found much to perform. After our little meeting had 
 g:athered the Lord's power seemed to cover us with a heav- 
 enly canopy. I went there feeling great barrenness, but 
 with Divine strength I was led to cry aloud unto the people 
 and I trust to the sowing of good seed in the hearts of some. 
 
56 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 Our friend Edmund Benson spoke much to tlie purpose, 
 and I was led to thank the Lord for his loving kindness. 
 May He be glorified and to Him be given all the praise ! 
 
 9th. A fine clear morning. Left, by stage, for Quaker- 
 town, where I arrived about noon. The country was beau- 
 tiful, the farmers had just commenced harvest, and all things 
 bespoke our Maker's loving kindness. Visited at Dr. 
 Carey's and Caleb Foulke's, and went to John Foulke's to 
 lodge. 
 
 11th. Went to meeting in the morning, and in the after- 
 noon took stage for Nazareth, arriving there about dusk. 
 Had comfortable accommodations for the night. 
 
 12th. Rode to the Wind Gap where we breakfasted, and 
 I hired a man to take me in a wagon to the tannery. We 
 arrived there about eleven o'clock, and I passed the after- 
 noon and evening pleasantly with the family living there* 
 
 13th. Started homeward. Lodged at Nazareth and left 
 at five o'clock in the morning, arriving at Quakertown in 
 timei for meeting. 
 
 14th. After meeting, attended the Association of young 
 people at Hannah Eoulke's school house. The subject of 
 non-resistance was discussed, and I had an opportunity of 
 giving my views. After supper started with John Foulke 
 for Philadelphia. 
 
 15th. Arrived at home about nine A. M. and found all 
 well. 
 
 16th. Quite, busy in arranging my affairs preparatory to 
 
EARLY MANHOOD. 57 
 
 my departure for the country, to take up my residence 
 there. Although I shall have to deprive myself of much en- 
 joyment by the abandonment of those pursuits in which I 
 have been so actively engaged, yet believing it my duty so 
 to do, I must be content. . . . Passed the evening at a 
 meeting of the Peace Society. C. C. Burleigh spoke. 
 
 17th. In the morning I went to the Jersey market, and 
 engaged a passage to Westfield. About two o'clock in the 
 afternoon I left my father's house, and started for my 
 adopted home in the family of Nathaniel Stokes at "West- 
 field, IS. J. [members of the Society of Friends, belonging 
 to Chester Monthly Meeting]. I arrived there about six 
 o'clock, assisted in hauling some hay, and then passed the 
 evening in conversation with the family. 
 
 18th. In the forenoon we attended the week-day meet- 
 ing at Westfield, which was small, the house being the one 
 that is used for both school and meeting-house. In the 
 afternoon we were busy with the hay ; but though engaged 
 in body my mind was often turned to the great Fountain of 
 light and life, and I found sweet peace. 
 
 19th. A fine morning. Feel a little sore in body from 
 the exercise of yesterday, but comfortable in mind. Oh 
 what a weight is lifted from me. Now, as I believe, if I 
 wait upon the Lord and am watchful, I shall experience a 
 growth in the Truth. 
 
 20th. My health is very good, and I have had strength 
 to perform what labor has fallen to my lot, without much 
 4 
 
58 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 difficulty; for which favor I feel thankful. I have this day 
 had a taste of some spiritual food from the great Father. 
 
 2l8t. First-day. A fine rain last night. Oh how thank- 
 ful we should be to our Heavenly Father for his many mer- 
 cies and blessings. Attended meeting at Westfield. It was 
 a good meeting. Our friend Henry Hartshorn had some- 
 thing to say unto us which was very acceptable. 
 
 23rd. A busy daj' as to the outward, yet my heart has 
 often been turned to God, and I have had sweet consola- 
 tion. 
 
 25th. Our meeting was silent. It was a comfortable one 
 to me. In the evening heard some reading from the Scrip- 
 tures. 
 
 26th. A very warm day, and a laborious one on the 
 farm. Had company in the evening. As I was about to 
 retire, between ten and eleven o'clock, it being very moon- 
 light, I looked out at the window, and a little bird on one 
 of the trees sang very sweetly. 
 
 28th. This morning early started for Philadelphia where 
 I arrived in time for breakfast. Attended Cherry Street 
 Meeting, and in the afternoon, in company with Edmund 
 Benson, went down town, and had a satisfactory time, being 
 favored with an evidence of Divine approval. Next morn- 
 ing left the city at an early hour, and was at home in time 
 for breakfast. 
 
 Eighth Month 4th. Attended meeting, in which I was 
 much comforted, having been blessed with a portion of 
 
EARLY MANHOOD. 59 
 
 heavenly bread. In the afternoon paid a pleasant visit at 
 Henry Warrington's. He and I conversed on the subject 
 of non-resistance. I found him unwilling to admit it to the 
 extent to which I think it should be carried. 
 
 6th. Passed the evening at horhe, and a considerable 
 portion of it was employed in reading the writings of the 
 Apostle Paul. 
 
 10th. In Philadelphia. In the afternoon went to hear 
 John Scobel from England, who has been on a mission to 
 the British West Indies. He gave us a very satisfactory 
 and heart-cheering account of the working of emancipation. 
 I took tea with my dear friend Rowland Johnson, and we 
 spent part of the evening together. We were united in a 
 heavenly feeling, and a desire to walk as our dear Re- 
 deemer wishes us to, was experienced. 
 
 11th. First-day. Soon after breakfast I called on Row- 
 land, and mentioned to him a concern that seemed to rest 
 on my mind, to visit the Moyamensing Prison, for the pur- 
 pose of having a religious opportunity with the prisoners. 
 It was satisfactory to me to learn that he felt a liberty to 
 accompany me. After calling to see a sick man on our 
 way, and conversing with some of the poor creatures who 
 reside in the lower portion of the city, we arrived at the 
 prison, and asking for the warden we were introduced to 
 one of the keepers, the warden not being present. When 
 we stated to him the object of our visit, he inquired wljether 
 were in the practice of preaching, and to what religious 
 
60 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 denomination we belonged ? Having satisfied himself upon 
 these points, and requested us to take seats in the room, he 
 informed us that it was very difficult to speak in the long 
 corridor in which the prisoners are confined. We were not 
 discouraged by this information, but trusted that He who, 
 as we believed, had called us, would make it practicable for 
 us to deliver our message. The keeper then withdrew, and 
 the clattering of the latches and grating of the doors, led 
 us to suppose that he was preparing for our opportunity. 
 After awhile he returned, stating that all was ready. We 
 followed him into a long avenue where were three tiers of 
 cells, one above the other. The doors of the cells were 
 opened about one foot, the opening being toward us. After 
 taking the place assigned, I arose with these words : " He 
 that hath an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit saith 
 unto the" people. Feeling the covering of the Divine Spirit 
 over me, I was strengthened both as to voice and matter, 
 and after having spoken some time I sat down with my 
 mind measurably relieved. After a season of solemn silence 
 interrupted only by the sobs and sighs of these poor crea- 
 tures, my friend Rowland arose, and was much favored. 
 Then I had a little to add, and again we had a period of 
 silence which lasted some time, jvhen I felt bound to ad- 
 dress the Throne of Grace on behalf of these my brethren 
 and sisters, and in thanks to our dear Master who had so 
 manifested himself among us. Rowland also supplicated, 
 after which we were favored with a period of silence under 
 
EARLY MANHOOD, 61 
 
 the covering of which the opportunity closed. I can truly 
 say it was cause for thankfulness unto the great Head of 
 the Church that we were permitted to have such an oppor- 
 tunity with these debased but precious souls. "We were 
 treated civilly by the keeper, and invited to come again ; 
 we thanked him for his kindness, and with hearts full of 
 gratitude to our Heavenly Father, we took our departure. 
 
 In the afternoon when on my way to visit our colored 
 friends in the southern part of the city, I was informed that 
 a colored man, said to be a slave, had recently been cap- 
 tured. On going some distance farther my attention was 
 attracted by a number of persons on the corner of the street. 
 I admonished them not to stand there, as it did not look 
 well on First-day, and invited them to come to our meeting. 
 I then passed up Small Street to Seventh, where I saw a 
 number of persons coming out of a tavern. I went over to 
 talk to them, and one of them, speaking of the capture of 
 the slave, said, " Here is the man who betrayed him ; and 
 he is his brother-in-law." Hot words ensued between the 
 two. I endeavored to prevent them from 'coming to blows, 
 but to no purpose. At length the betrayer took refuge in 
 the tavern, but they pulled him out, and I took hold of him 
 to prevent them from injuring him ; but some one struck 
 him and knocked him down. I assisted him in getting up, 
 and kept the people oiF as well as I could, by talking to 
 them ; but he was several times knocked down, and each 
 time I helped him up. At length I saw my friends -Row- 
 
62 LIKE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 land Johnson and Thomas S. Cavender coming. With the 
 assistance of these two the man was carried up the street, 
 but the crowd came after and occasionally struck him. At 
 length they got him down, but I stood over him, and by 
 continued expostulation prevented them for a time from 
 doing him further injury. While I was thus pleading with 
 them, a white man made his way through the crowd and 
 struck me. I turned round-and walked away, and the men, 
 both white and colored, in the crowd, prevented him from 
 injuring me, though he seemed quite ferocious. Shortly 
 after, the police officers came, the man was taken away, and 
 thus the matter ended. Rowland and myself returned by 
 the scene of the late disturbances, and met one who had 
 taken part in them. I called him to me and told him why 
 I had done as I did. He said they were obliged to me, as I 
 had prevented them from doing what they would afterwards 
 have beep sorry for. I also saw the man who had attempted 
 to injure me ; but he did not now offer me any harm. We 
 passed on to our meeting where a number were collected, 
 and were, being addressed by our sister in the cause, Almira 
 Oram. A colored friend made some reftiarks, and while he 
 was speaking several stones were thrown, one of which 
 struck one of the congregation. I cautioned them to be 
 still, and our friend concluded his remarks. There was con- 
 siderable excitement among the people, but feeling an irre- 
 sistible call upon me to rise, I stood up, and in loud voice — 
 for some of them were a considerable distance off — men- 
 
EARLY MANHOOD. 63 
 
 tioned to them the object of our meeting, and stated that it 
 was open to all to come. A number of persons came in 
 for the purpose of making a disturbance, bringing their 
 dogs along ; but before I had spoken many minutes all was 
 still. The power of the Lord seemed to cover us, and it 
 was a highly favored time. A sister in the work then arose, 
 and although her complexion was darker than ours, I believe 
 her heart had been made white, by the cleansing power of 
 the redeeming spirit of Christ. Several spoke, and oh ! 
 what cause we had to thank our Heavenly Father for his 
 care over us. My heart was humbled under a sense of his 
 preservation through the dangers of this day, and I felt a 
 flow of that peace which the world knows not of. 
 
 12th. My throat felt a little sore from the excessive use 
 of it, on the day preceding. I spent part of the morning 
 in attending to the captured man who is claimed as a slave. 
 In the evening returned to my country home. 
 
 13th. Attended Monthly Meeting at Moorestown. 
 
 14th. My first experience in plowing, and I find that by 
 proper attention I can plow, even sod, quite easily. Passed 
 the evening at home, reading and conversing on religious 
 subjects. 
 
 17th. During the day I was busy plowing. Eeel very 
 well as regards physical health, and very happy in every 
 particular. In the evening read in the life of Samuel Bow- 
 nas, and was much interested ; finding encouragement for 
 my own soul to persevere in the cause of Truth, 
 
64 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 18th. At Westfield Meeting. T. Warrington spoke on 
 the subject of knowing the Lord and serving Him. 
 
 22nd. Down at the landing all day unloading a float. 
 Passed the evening in listening to the reading of Thomas 
 Shillitoe's Journal. It was both interesting and instructive. 
 
 25th. First-day, attended meeting and was much com- 
 forted. In the afternoon feeling as if I must go to Burling- 
 ton, I attended to the impression, and when I got there I 
 found, to my surprise, my dear mother and sister Anna. 
 Our meeting was as unexpected as it was agreeable. Came 
 home by moonlight. The ride was pleasant, and my mind 
 was filled with praise to God for his goodness. 
 
 26th. Attended to my plowing, and can say that I am 
 greatly pleased with my occupation. It aflbrds much time 
 for serious contemplation, and gives the mind an opportunity 
 to soar from Nature up to l^ature's God. Read some in the 
 evening. 
 
 27th. While working on the farm I had a very com- 
 fortable time, and found satisfaction in bringing to mind 
 our dependent situation, and our great need to be thankful 
 for the mercies and favors heaped upon us. 
 
 28th. My dear friend, Rowland Johnson, with me last 
 night. This morning I took him to Moorestown to meet 
 the stage. In the evening there was some young company 
 here, and they seemed to enjoy themselves, but I could not 
 enter into the mirth. 
 
 30th. My twentieth birthday. The weather being very 
 
EARLY MANHOOD. 65 
 
 Stormy I did but little out of doors, but occupied the time 
 in reading to the family, and in writing to my brother Wil- 
 liam, and to my dear friend E. F. 
 
 Ninth Month Ist.. Started for the city quite early and 
 arrived in time for breakfast with my father's family. 
 Found them all well. Attended North Meeting, where 
 Rowland Johnson had a few words to say. . In the after- 
 noon he and I distributed tracts on intemperance, and then 
 went visiting families in our district. Before^ leaving the 
 neighborhood I found I must go to our little gathering, 
 where I had to speak unto the people in the fear of the 
 Lord. I was strengthened for the work, for which let his 
 name be praised. I went home in the evening. 
 
 3rd. Passed the evening in hearing Nathaniel Stokes 
 read in George Fox's Journal, which was very consoling to 
 me. 
 
 4th. Although a daily mention is not made of my feel- 
 ings, yet the Divine Master's mercies are, I trust, apprecia- 
 ted, and my soul daily has sweet converse with the God of 
 ray life. 
 
 6th. Attended week-day meeting, and had an excellent 
 one, in which I was much comforted, my mind being gath- 
 ered to the great Minister of ministers. 
 
 9th. Busy with my team, but while thus occupied had 
 some sweet converse with the spirit of Truth. Oh ! how 
 pleasant it is to feel the incomes of the Divine life in the 
 soul. If we expect to grow in the Truth we must know a 
 
66 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 daily warfare to be kept up against the evil desires of our 
 hearts. Attended Chester Monthly Meeting. In the sec- 
 ond meeting, Ebenezer Roberts made valuable remarks 
 concerning the Queries; that they are a living inquiry 
 unto Friends and not a mere form. 
 
 12th. Went to Haddonfield Quarterly Meeting held at 
 Medford. Heard an excellent communication from William 
 Evans, of Philadelphia, in which the principles of Chris- 
 tianity, as believed by Friends, were held up ; namely, the 
 light of Christ, as it is manifested in our hearts. 
 
 13th. While actively employed on the farm, held sweet 
 communion with the Father of spirits, in which He was 
 pleased to reveal Himself in ray heart. 
 
 14th. Went to the city with a load ; sold out, and in the 
 afternoon accompanied mother on a visit to cousin Lewis 
 Jones. 
 
 15th. In the forenoon attended the meeting oi colored 
 Friends in Kensington. I felt called upon to' say something 
 to them, which I did, and felt peaceful afterward. We had 
 a good meeting. In the afternoon went down town, accom- 
 panied by Rowland 'Johnson and Joseph Parrish, Jr. We 
 had a highly favored time, in which I was induced to ap- 
 pear before the people, and to call them to Christ, the true 
 Light. 
 
 16th. Called at the house of , to see their son W., 
 
 who is very ill, and not likely to recover. It is greatly to 
 be feared he is not prepared for the solemn change. A few 
 
EARLY MANHOOD. C7 
 
 days ago, he was in the enjoyment of health and strength. 
 I sat down by his bedside, and was moved of the Lord to 
 bow in supplication on his behalf. By so doing I found 
 peace of mind. 
 
 17th. Engaged in sundry pursuits on the farm, but felt 
 an assurance of the Divine presence to harmonize all sur- 
 rounding objects. It is this which makes all things unite. 
 
 18th. Passed part of the evening at Dr. Stokes's, where 
 I met a Southern man. We had some conversation on the 
 subject of slavery. 
 
 26th. In the evening, at home, reading and conversing 
 upon religious subjects I was made willing to declare my 
 opinions of the principles of Christ, as revealed unto me. 
 
 Tenth Mo. 3rd. My friend, Joseph Saunders, came here 
 on a visit. I passed the evening with him very pleasantly. 
 
 6th. My friend, Joseph Parrish, Jr., came home with 
 me from meeting. In the afternoon we went to Edward 
 Taylor's for a visit. I think them a very interesting family. 
 At .first there was considerable lightness in our behavior, 
 but it soon became subdued, and we had an instructive as 
 well as agreeable time. 
 
 7th. Passed the day at " lonesome valley" plowing. I 
 M'as led to admire the various colors that marked the foliage 
 of a neighboring wood. The Destroyer had blown upon 
 their liveliness his frosty breath, and warned them of the 
 approach of winter. How abundant are thy witnesses, oh, 
 God ! in teaching thy creatures the certainty of death. 
 
68 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 8th. Although alone as to the outward, yet had the 
 sweet presence of my Redeemer in his spiritual appearance 
 to my view. What a gift to man is the ability thus to hold 
 converse with the Saviour ; and my opportunities for this 
 communion, while engaged in daily labor, make me love 
 my situation. 
 
 10th. Went to Quakertown, Pa., on a visit, and stopped 
 at the house of my kind friend, John Foulke. 
 
 11th. In the morning went down to Aaron Penrose's, 
 
 where I found my dear friend, Ellen , looking very 
 
 much at home, and assisting her sister. Spent the day and 
 evening very agreeably with her. It is pleasant to have the 
 company of one whom I love. Found time to read some 
 from the sermons of the wise and good, and their counsel 
 was very consoling to my mind. 
 
 13th. Attended Richland Meeting, where we had a few 
 words from John Foulke and from Joseph Thorrie ; also a 
 supplication from the latter 
 
 14th. Went to Philadelphia, but before doing so, had a 
 little time with my friend, Ellen, in which we were consid- 
 ering the propriety of our attending the marriage of her 
 cousin, C. G., who is about to connect herself with a slave- 
 holder. Passed the evening at James Mott's and at Emmor 
 Kimber's, in company with Charles C. Burleigh, Elizabeth 
 Whittier and others. 
 
 15th. In the city. At eleven o'clock went to the first 
 
EARLY MANHOOD. 69 
 
 annual meeting of "The Free Produce Association." Had 
 a very good meeting. 
 
 16th. Attended Cherry St. Meeting, which was a favored 
 one; the Divine spirit of Christ being felt and openly attest- 
 ed to by William Healy and others. My friend, William 
 Bassett, from Lynn, Mass., was in attendance. It was the 
 first time he had ever been at a meeting of that branch of 
 the Society of Friends. He was much pleased. 
 
 17th. Called to see my autit, Mary Dolby, whom I 
 found better. We had some very serious conversation on 
 religious subjects. It was satisfactory, I think, to both of 
 us. I believe she has found peace for her soul, and I was 
 encouraged to work out my soul's salvation with fear and 
 trembling. Oh ! the importance of having the day's work 
 done in the daytime. After leaving aunt, I passed an hour 
 very agreeably with my much beloved friend, John Cox, of 
 Burlington. Then went to my Jersey home, where I found 
 all well. I was glad again to be there, after my satisfactory 
 visit in the city. 
 
 18th. Passed the evening in reading agricultural works, 
 as a means of storing my mind with useful information. 
 
 20th. In the afternoon and evening at Henry Warring- 
 ton's, and had considerable conversation with him on reli- 
 gious matters. It was very satisfactory to my mind. 
 
 21st. I find it very comforting, at the end of the day, on 
 reviewing my conduct, to feel a sweet assurance of the 
 Lord's presence. , 
 
70 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 22nd. While at work had ray mind turned inward for 
 communion, and experienced the inshining of the Divine 
 light into my heart. 
 
 24th. At our week-day meeting. In the early part I 
 suffered my mind to run toward things too outward in their 
 tendency; but toward the closel was favored to feel the in- 
 shinings of Divine light shed abroad in my heart. 
 
 27th. Arose early, and went to the city before breakfast, 
 which I took at father's. I went to meeting, and had a 
 comfortable time as regards myself, though the meeting 
 was somewhat disturbed. In the afternoon went to " Little 
 Wesley," where (opportunity being given) we had a highly 
 favored time, let thanks be rendered to the Lord ! This 
 day died my aunt, Mary Dolby, at peace with God and 
 man. She was in the forty-fourth year of her age. 
 
 29th. Attended aunt's funeral. We left the house after 
 ten o'clock, and proceeded to the Arch Street Ground. 
 Here I was under rauch^exercise, but owing to the weak- 
 ness of the flesh, I did not express what was on my mind. 
 Two other Friends each said a few words. I came away 
 feeling the weight of my disobedience, and was much tried 
 in consequence thereof. Went home in the evening. 
 
 30th. A fine, clear morning. I am well in body, but 
 heavy in spirit, feeling that I, yesterday, transgressed the 
 Divine law, as revealed unto me, and thus grieved my 
 Heavenly Father. During the day I attended to my duties 
 
EARLY MANHOOD. 71 
 
 on the farm, and, through adorable mercy, I at length felt 
 a degree of forgiveness for my disobedience. 
 
 Slst. At our week-day meeting I was favored with the 
 inshining of the Divine light to illuminate my heart. In 
 the afternoon, while at woi"k, I enjoyed meditation of a 
 profitable character. 
 
 Eleventh Month Ist. In the evening wrote a long, letter 
 to my friend, Joseph Parrish, Jr. 
 
 2nd. Passed the evening at home reading the Scriptures. 
 
 10th. - First-day. Attended Burlington Meeting, which 
 was a satisfactory one. Dined at cousin Samuel R. Weth- 
 erill's, and lodged at John Cox's. In the morning John was 
 very entertaining, and narrated incidents in the lives^ef those 
 good Priends of last century whom we have an account of, 
 viz : John Wool man and others. I greatly enjoyed hearing 
 such reminisceneqs from him. 
 
 13th. Hauling marl. On the road my mind was drawn 
 to the Great Shepherd of Israel, who daily stands ready to 
 lead his sheep that are willing to follow his leading, to the 
 green pastures and beside the still waters. 
 
 18th. While engaged in hauling I found time for reflec- 
 tion, in which I could say that my spirit held sweet com- 
 munion with the Father of spirits. Such seasons are times 
 of great joy to my soul. 
 
 19th. It is good to be alone, for in the silence of all flesh 
 can be felt the Divine presence illuminating the soul. 
 
 21st. At meeting this morning I had a profitable time, 
 
72 LIFE Of SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 for though the will of the creature would rise up, yet 
 through the goodness of a merciful Creator, I was blessed 
 with a portion of Heavenly food for the poor soul which 
 stands in need of that nourishment to keep it alive. 
 
 23rd. In the city. Passed part of the evening with my 
 very particular friend, Thomas Brown. I regard him as 
 one of the redeemed ones, from whom I have received 
 nauch instruction in spiritual things. 
 
 24th. First-day. Rowland and myself went on a relig- 
 ions visit to Moyamensing Prison. After a time of solemn 
 silence I arose and relieved my mind. Rowland followed : 
 then I felt constrained to bow before the Throne of Grace. 
 R. also supplicated. Being favored with the Divine pres- 
 ence we had a comfortable time, which tended to our soul's 
 peace. In the afternoon I attended Sixth Street Meeting, 
 in which my mind was deeply exercised with the feeling 
 that I must communicate what was given unto me. Though 
 much in the cross, I did express it, and found peace in so 
 doing. 
 
 26th. Had the light of the Lord to fill my soul, and I 
 was made glad. Oh, the joy I have in this peaceful state, 
 while on the road with the team, or when working alone. 
 
 29th. A very pleasant day ; my mind having a taste of 
 the goodness of God, by the operation of his Holy Spirit 
 upon my heart. 
 
 30th. At seasons we are drawn inward, and led to see 
 the beauty of holiness ; but the eneirny desires to draw us 
 
BAKIiY MANHOOD. 73 
 
 off; and if we keep not on the watch, he will draw us 
 away. 
 
 Twelfth Month 1st. At our meeting this morning. It 
 was a silent one, and I had a fairly comfortable time, al- 
 though not sufficiently watchful. 
 
 5th. At our week-day meetings I was favored with an 
 evidence of the Divine presence, and it was shown unto 
 me that the walls between the various sects of professing 
 Christians must be broken down before the kingdom of 
 Christ shall come to be established on earth, as it is in 
 Heaven. 
 
 6th. Engaged in hauling. I find in this occupation 
 much time for reflection ; and at seasons have the favor of 
 tasting a crumb of Heavenly bread, and of sipping at the 
 fountain of pure love. 
 
 7th. In the evening listened to one who was reading 
 some of the testimony given in court at the trial between 
 the two branches of Friends in this State. To my mind 
 there was nothing savory in it ; but quite oth«rw4^e. It is 
 poor food for the soul. 
 
 8th. Went to the city and attended Arch Street Meet- 
 ing. Arrived at home after dark, and passed the evening 
 in reading the Scriptural account of Jesus Christ; his deeds, 
 sermons, commands, &c. It was very instructive to my 
 mind. 
 
 10th. Attended Monthly Meeting at Moorestown. It 
 was to me, a season of spiritual dearth. 
 6 
 
74 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 12th. Haddonfield Quarter, held at Moorestown. It 
 was a very comfortable Meeting. Elizabeth Evans, Eliza- 
 beth Pitfield, and several other public Friends were there. 
 
 15th. First-day. In the morning attended a meeting of 
 colored people at Cinnaminson, and had a little to com- 
 municate to them. It was a satisfactory time. 
 
 18th. "Went to Quakertown, Pa., where I made my 
 home at John Foulke's, and visited round among my 
 friends. 
 
 19th. Met my beloved friend, Ellen Foulke, at her 
 brother Benjamin's. It was pleasant to us to be together. 
 We went to the week-day meeting, which was a comforta- 
 ble one, and returned to Benjamin Foulke's. 
 
 24th. "Went by stage to Philadelphia. We stopped at 
 a public house to change horses, and I, going in to get 
 warm, found a man there fiddling. Almost immediately I 
 was brought under exercise concerning this man, and found 
 that I must take him aside and speak to him for the relief 
 of my mihd. I did so, stating the feeling that had prompted 
 me thus to accost a stranger, and warning him of the 
 awful situation he stood in, being the means of drawing 
 many to that place ; and telling him if he would once take 
 up the cross and follow the Lord, He would find a way for 
 him. He seemed very tender, thanked me for my advice, 
 and said he would try to do better. A fellow-passenger 
 was going to visit near relatives in Philadelphia, whom he 
 had not seen in seventeen years. When a boy he had lived 
 
EARLY MANHOOD. 75 
 
 in tlie city, but having been away so long be had become a 
 stranger; so I assisted him in finding his aunt and sisters. 
 It was a joyful meeting ; they falling on his neck and kiss- 
 ing him. 
 
 26th. Attended Arch Street Meeting where was present 
 Jacob Green, a public Friend from Ireland. He was much 
 favored in ministering, and seemed drawn to some of the 
 young people in an especial manner ; saying that they were 
 called to the work. I dined at father's, visited in the after- 
 noon, and spent part of the evening with John G. Whittier. 
 
 27th. Took tea at James Mott's in company with Charles 
 C. Burleigh, with whom I went in the evening to a meeting 
 of the Junior Anti-Slavery Society, at which he and H. B. 
 Stanton were the speakers. 
 
 28th. Returned to my country home, finding all well, 
 and apparently glad to see me. 
 
 29th. At meeting in the morning, where I received a 
 little food for the soul. Our friaud, T. "Warrington, spoke. 
 In the evening wrote some, and then read in the New Tes- 
 tament. 
 
 31st. The last day of the year 1839. In my diary are 
 recorded some of the events that have occurred. It has 
 been kept principally to give an account of the weather, 
 and of the manner in which I have employed the time. For 
 want of room [space for each day was limited] I have not de- 
 tailed my feelings, nor the exercises of my mind ; but through 
 the mercies and bounteous care of an all-wise Providence I 
 
76 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 have been favored with a good degree of health, and inward 
 as well as outward preservation. On taking a retrospect of 
 my actions I can see that there have been times when, tor 
 want of watchfulness unto prayer, the enemy has drawn me 
 aside from the path of duty, still I have been kept from many 
 of the snares which he has set for the young and inexperienced 
 mind ; and for this preservation may praises, thanksgivings 
 and renown be ascribed unto the Lord. Although sensible 
 of my infirmities and manifold weaknesses, I feel that my 
 time has not all been spent in vain; but it has been my 
 desire, in an humble manner, to advance the cause of Truth 
 and righteoiisness in the earth. Truly it is the desire of my 
 heart that my day's work may keep pace with the day, and 
 that by humility and faithfulness I may endeavor to know 
 the Lord's will concerning me; and when known, that I 
 may faithfully perform the work He has assigned me. Oh, 
 that there may be a progression from one degree of grace 
 unto another; from a babe — as I now feel myself— to a 
 young man, and a strong man in Christ Jesus ! 
 
 1840. First Mouth 1st. I commence the new year 
 with a desire that I may not have cause to look back to this 
 date with sorrow. I feel that I have not been sufficiently 
 devoted to the cause of Truth, and I now desire that I may 
 press forward, " toward the mark for the prize of the high 
 calling of God in Christ Jesus." 
 
 2nd. At our week-day meeting, felt a considerable dearth 
 in spiritual things, but had some comfort. 
 
EARLY MANHOOD. 77 
 
 3rd. Went to the city with marketing. Took supper at 
 father's, and then accompanied mother to a meeting of the 
 Junior Ajiti-Slav&ry Society. It was addressed by Gerrit 
 Smith and James G. Birney. Met with many of my friends, 
 who seemed glad to see rae, - R. Johnson arid myself had 
 some pleasant conversation. 
 
 4th. Came liome in . the afternoon. Had a season of 
 heavenly quiet, wherein I felt greatly comforted. 
 
 5th. Attended Burlington Meeting, where I had a satis- 
 factory time. Then visited at cousin Samuel R. Wetherill's, 
 C. Gaskill's and John Cox's. At the last named place, I 
 met with some Friends from Massachusetts, with whom I 
 had considerable conversation on religious subjects. 
 
 6th. Attended Monthly Meeting at Burlington, in which 
 Joseph Paijr^sh, Jr., and Lydia Gaskill declared their inten- 
 tions of marriage. In the afternoon went home, and my 
 ride was a pleasant one, having my heart filled with Divine 
 love. 
 
 8th. "Was favored with a portion of that Bread which 
 comes down from Heaven, arid which is food for the soul. 
 Oh, how sweet and refreshing are such seasons ! May I 
 seek for them through watchfulness unto prayer. 
 
 9th. At meeting did not feel much strength. How 
 subtle is the enemy of our souls — our unsubdued will — and 
 when it rises up in opposition to the Divine Light in us, 
 and we, through want of faith, give way to its callings, we 
 experience a dearth in spiritual things. 
 
78 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 10th. Passed the evening at Dr. Stokes's, near Moores- 
 town. It is pleasant to me when I cast the eye of the mind 
 around, to find none unto whom I could not stretch the 
 welcome hand of love. This is a sweet feeling, and I desire 
 that I may cultivate it, and be more and more possessed 
 of it. 
 
 14th. Attended Chester Monthly Meeting. It was a 
 strengthening time in the first meeting ; but in the second, 
 when they began to read over the cases under dealing, my 
 heart was pained at the seeming indifiference with which 
 they would disown a member, after paying him one visit. 
 I cannot here express my feelings on this subject. 
 
 16th. Hauling marl, and while thus employed was 
 blessed with a portion of heavenly food. I know that I 
 am not sufficiently watchful, yet have I been thus favored. 
 Such is the boundless goodness of God to poor, sinful man. 
 Passed the evening with Chalkley Grillingham and wife. 
 They are excellent Friends, and their minds seem to have 
 been illuminated with Divine Truth. 
 
 17th. I find T am not sufficiently careful with my tongue. 
 Had company here in the evening, and the conversation ran 
 principally on secular subjects. 
 
 18th. While on the road, a good opportunity was given 
 for silent waiting on the Lord. He is pleased to open 
 rivers of waters to his thirsty children, who seek Him in 
 humility of soul. That I may be more humble is the desire 
 of my heart. Passed the evening with our reading class at 
 
EARLY MANHOOD. 79 
 
 Henry "Warrington's. Some of Samuel Fothergill's sermons 
 were read to edification. 
 
 20th. Passed the evening reading in Sewell's History. 
 . 21st. I can say that this day has not been spent in vain. 
 Although I feel my littleness and unworthiness, yet I am 
 much favored. Oh, may the Lord have the praise! In the 
 evening read in Sewell's History, which is both interesting 
 and edifying. 
 
 23rd. This evening had the company of Chalkley Gil- 
 lingham and Joseph Saunders. Oh, how pleasant it is to 
 mingle with our friends ! 
 
 25th. Went to the city. In the evening I heard of a 
 family in a distressing state of poverty, and Rowland and I 
 went to see them. 
 
 26th. In the morning took some things to the poor fam- 
 ily, and then went to Sixth Street Meeting, where my 
 Heavenly Father called on me to open my mouth and cry 
 aloud to urge my brethren to the cause of Christ. In the 
 afternoon visited some of the poor in their homes, and then 
 went to the meeting on Little Pine Street. After the min- 
 ister had finished his discourse, I was moved to call the 
 company to the Lord Jesus, and to that inward law, which, 
 as dwelt under, would lead out of all unrighteousness. 
 
 27th. Called to see relatives and friends at several differ- 
 ent places. I can say that I have been this day blessed with 
 a portion of spiritual food. 
 
 29th. Attended Orange Street week-day meeting, where 
 
80 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 I had a comfortable time, and felt called to speak a word 
 publicly. Oh, the responsibility which is thus incurred ! I 
 feel that without a Saviour I should die, and without a Ee- 
 deemer I should perish. May I be watchful unto prayer. . 
 
 30th. At our home (Westfield) Meeting, I was much 
 comforted. In the evening read in Sewell's History, and 
 was humbled by the account of the sufferings of the Lord's 
 people in those early days of our Society. I have felt that 
 if we now, with all our blessings, are not found faithful, it 
 will not be well with us. 
 
 31st. Thus I find myself, at the close of another day, 
 desiring that I may walk in the fear of the Lord, being 
 careful not to transgress his holy law, as it is made manifest 
 to me. I feel my weakness, my unworthiness, my short- 
 comings, but that I may be faithful, is the desire of my 
 heart. 
 
 Second Month 1st. It is my desire to live daily in the 
 love of God; and to do this, watchfulness and prayer are 
 necessary. 
 
 2nd. Had a comfortable meeting at Westfield in the 
 morning, and in the evening went with Chalkley Gilling- 
 ham to a meeting of colored people, held in one of their 
 dwelling-houses. After they had concluded their services, 
 I felt moved to get up and call them to Christ within. Also 
 had to kneel in supplication in their behalf. 
 
 5th. Attended Cherry Street Meeting this morning, and 
 was much exercised in mind; so much so that I had to 
 
EARIiY MANHOOD. 81 
 
 stand up and deliver my message. Much inward peace fol- 
 lowed this act of obedience. 
 
 6th. Went to Burlington and attended the marriage of 
 Joseph Parrish, Jr., and Lydia Gaskill. It was a quiet, 
 comfortable meeting, and I was pleased to see a number of 
 our colored friends there. 
 
 8th, In the city. My mind much exercised, and a heavy 
 weight rested upon it. 
 
 9th. Still under a heavy burden of spirit this morning. 
 Went up to see a family of poor people, whom the hardness 
 of the heart of man had deprived of their just earnings. I 
 then went to father's and took a little sleep, but awoke 
 without any relief of mind. In the afternoon went to Green 
 Street Meeting, and was much comforted by a communica- 
 tion from a Friend. I passed the evening at father's very 
 satisfactorily, having some openings in spiritual matters. 
 
 10th. Went home. Felt the necessity for continued 
 faithfulness in all the vicissitudes of life. 
 
 11th. Attended Chester Monthly Meeting, at which Ja- 
 cob Green, a Friend from Ireland, was present. I was 
 much comforted in the meeting, although deeply baptized 
 into feeling, on account of the process of disowning. 
 
 12th. Oh, what sweet seasons I have in solitude! I 
 have this day been favored with heavenly food. 
 
 13th. Joseph Saunders and myself went to the house of 
 Anthony Harris, to read to our colored friends. We felt 
 well satisfied with the evening's employment. 
 
82 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 14th. In the city, among some friends. The company 
 was pleasant, though too much lightness was apparent. 
 
 16th. At Westfield Meeting. It was not, to me, a com- 
 fortable opportunity. But the fault was my own. I had 
 been unwatchfal. Oh, the weakness of human nature ! 
 
 17th. The evening was passed in reading Sewell's His- 
 tory; and being impressed with a sense of the sufferings 
 that Friends had to endure, my mind was clothed with hu- 
 mility. 
 
 18th. While at work, found time for reflection and 
 sweet communion with my Creator. I do not feel that I am 
 making much advancement, but I endeavor to keep near 
 the Lord, who, at seasons, makes himself manifest. 
 
 19th. In the evening went to Anthony Harris's, and 
 found only one person besides their own family. I read to 
 them awhile, and then opened my mind to them on some 
 important subjects; as original sin, and other weighty mat- 
 ters. I felt satisfied that I had gone. 
 
 20th. I have been favored at seasons with great open- 
 ings, and been blessed with much of that inward peace 
 which none know save those who have experienced it. 
 
 21st. Felt the Divine life to arise in me this afternoon 
 and evening. Took supper at father's, and then went to a 
 meeting of our colored friends at Zore Meeting House. I 
 was desirous of coming away, but I had to stay, and the 
 Lord opened my mouth for the encouragement of these 
 dear souls. How can I thank Him for his soodness. 
 
EARLY MANHOOD. • 83 
 
 22nd. In the evening called to see my dear old friend, 
 Thomas Brown. He is a great man, for he has the key 
 that will open the way to life everlasting. 
 
 23rd. In the morning attended North Meeting, and was 
 favored with Divine help. The language that saluted my 
 spiritual ear was " Be still, and know that I am God." It 
 was refreshing to be still, and to wait upon the Lord. In 
 the afternoon I went down town, feeling drawn to a little 
 meeting-house that I had observed some years ago, but 
 knew not that there was any meeting held in it, as I had 
 .learned formerly that there was not; but on going in I 
 found a little company gathered, and, when their services 
 were over, I felt moved of the Lord to arise and speak, and 
 the Lord helped me. I knew not of what name they were, 
 but I felt the drawing cords of brotherly love to unite me 
 to them, and I verily believe that some souls present were 
 humbled. I called them to Christ within, and told them 
 that to know Him they must be bereft of pride. 
 
 24th. Having felt a drawing to attend the Quarterly 
 Meeting of the other branch of Friends (to be held at Mt. 
 Holly) I was much exercised, and very desirous to know 
 and to do my duty in this weighty matter. After carefully 
 weighing the concern, I concluded to start. So Rowland 
 Johnson and myself went on foot to the house of J. Lundy, 
 about five miles beyond Moorestown, where we passed the 
 night. The language of the Apostle came before me, and 
 " I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision." 
 
84 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 25th. "Went to the meeting, which was large, and there 
 was considerable speaking. At length I was moved to say 
 a few words, beginning with the Scriptural quotation, "For 
 the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God." I also 
 had some exercise in the Meeting for Discipline, and came 
 away with the reward of peace. Dined at William Cloth- 
 ier's, where I met sundry Friends, and then came home. 
 
 26th, 27th, 28th and 29th. These four days were passed 
 in a journey to Egg Harbor, and the return. In company 
 with some neighbors, I brought a load of goods for a family 
 that are moving into this neighborhood. While on the 
 road with my team, I found opportunity for quiet contem- 
 plation, which was profitable. During the afternoon of the 
 27th we took a sail on the bay, and had rather an amusing 
 time, but on retiring at night, I felt that I had not experi- 
 enced much growth in the Truth that day. We must daily 
 know our work to go on, and to keep pace with the day. 
 On the homeward journey the traveling was tedious, but I 
 was ^gain favored by being enabled to look unto the Lord. 
 On my return home I was gladdened by acceptable letters, 
 one from Joseph Parrish, Jr., and one from Kezia Foulke. 
 
 Third Month, 1st. Attended our meeting at Westfield, 
 and though somewhat inconvenienced from previous fatigue, 
 I had a comfortable meeting, and my mind was dipped into 
 feeling for this company, who, it was manifest to me, were 
 living too much on the surface, without getting inward to 
 the life. 
 
EARLY MANHOOD. 85 
 
 3rd. Employed all day in plowing. How pleasant it is 
 to have the mind freed from the love of the world, "looking 
 unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith." 
 
 5th. Attended our week-day meeting — a comfortable one 
 to me. Seth Warrington acceptably with us this evening. 
 
 7th. "Went to the city. Passed part of the evening at 
 the house of Dr. Joseph Parrish, whom I found very ill. 
 
 8th. Felt drawn to attend the little meeting of colored 
 Friends in Kensington. Soon after taking my seat among 
 them, my mind was brought under exercif*e, but while I 
 was dwelling under it in silence, a man arose, and, in the 
 course of his preaching, he told them of the necessity of 
 outward baptism. Soon after he had concluded his remarks 
 I arose and began with the words, " "Without faith it is im- 
 possible to please Grod." I told them that outward baptism 
 would not, nay, eould not, cleanse the soul from sin, but that 
 they must know the inward baptism — that of the Holy 
 Spirit. In the afternoon went to Sixth Street, and in the 
 evening to Cherry Street. Both were comfortable meetings 
 to me. 
 
 9th. In the afternoon walked home from the city, and 
 was favored with a flow of love Divine in my heart. 
 
 10th. Attended Chester Monthly Meeting, and I can say 
 it was a time of inward trial. I cannot express my feelings, 
 but I desire to adhere to the Divine principle within me. 
 If it were not for that, how would the poor soul be tossed 
 about ! 
 
86 LIFE OF SAMOEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 12th. Attended Haddonfield Quarter, held at Haddon- 
 field, but, from some cause, was not baptized into feeling as 
 on some other occasions. Dined at Sarah Collins's, where 
 we met with sundry Friends. The social mingling was 
 very agreeable, and I was much pleased with the village of 
 Haddonfield. 
 
 13th. Father and mother came up to visit us. It is the 
 first time that I have had the pleasure of mingling with 
 them at this place. I greatly enjoyed the evening. 
 
 14th. In the evening attended a meeting in a school- 
 house, about five miles distant, to consider whether or not 
 the immediate abolition of slavery would be advantageous; 
 and afterwards felt satisfied with what I had said. 
 
 15th. Attended our meeting this morning, and had a 
 comfortable time, though somewhat tried as to the outward. 
 
 16th. A busy day, but I was favored with a crumb of 
 spiritual bread for the nourishment of the soul. Spent the 
 evening at Gillingham's, and had cause to rejoice that there 
 are those whose hearts are filled with the love of God. 
 
 18th. In company with Nathaniel Stokes, started for 
 Monroe Tannery. On our arrival in Philadelphia we were 
 informed of the death of Dr. Joseph Parrish, who passed 
 away this morning, about three o'clock. He was aged sixty- 
 one years. Thus has the city been deprived of one who, 
 for goodness and high moral excellence, had few superiors. 
 And he has been gathered as a shock of corn fully ripe. 
 So we should not mourn, but look upon the dispensation as 
 
EAKLY MANHOOD. 87 
 
 sent by our Heavenly Father, and be ready to adopt the 
 language, " Not our will, but thine, oh, Lord, be done." 
 We left the city in the forenoon, and proceeded as far as 
 Hartsville, where we dined, and then went on to Bucksville, 
 where we passed the night. 
 
 19th. Rode fifteen miles, to Easton, before breakfast. 
 Then proceeded on our journey, and arrived at the Tan- 
 nery, in the valley of the Pocono, before night. We found 
 all well, and looking for us, at Mountain Cottage, where we 
 stopped and were well accommodated. 
 
 21st. Went in search of trees. We did not succeed in 
 finding any Balm-of-Gileads, but beautiful double spruce 
 were abundant. So we filled the wagon with these. We 
 traveled over about three miles of very rough road. 
 
 22nd. First-day. Left the cottage in the morning, and 
 drove to Stroudsburg before meeting-time. After attending 
 the meeting, we dined at Daniel Stroud's, and then pro- 
 ceeded to l!^azareth, via Water Gap. STathaniel had never 
 before seen this stupendous work of nature. 
 
 23rd. Having passed a comfortable night at Ifazareth, 
 we rode to Bethlehem to breakfast, and jthence on to Qua- 
 kertown in time for dinner. In the afternoon Nathaniel 
 and myself walked over to Joseph Slifer's, to look at his 
 farm. We took tea at Caleb Foulke's, but found my dear 
 E. quite poorly with a cold. Went to John Foulke's to 
 lodge. 1 
 
 24th. Drove to Philadelphia, and had rather an uncom- 
 
88 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 fortable ride, the weather being wet, and our wagon requir- 
 ing some repairs by the way. 
 
 25th. Left the city about twelve o'clock, and got home 
 in time to plant our trees before night. I felt as if I could 
 renewedly thank the Great Protector, who had eared for us 
 on this journey, aind now had safely landed us among our 
 friends. Oh, He will take care of us, if we are but faithful, 
 for He lets not a sparrow fall to the ground unnoticed. 
 
 26th. Seasons of refreshment were aflbrded me while at 
 my daily work. 
 
 27th. Engaged in plowing. Oh, how sweet it is to pass 
 our time in silent communion with the Giver of our exist- 
 ence. It is the height of riches. There is nothing in this 
 world worthy to be compared with it. 
 
 28th. Visited my much beloved brother, Joseph Parrish, 
 who was recently bereft of his father. Had a satisfactory 
 evening with him and his wife at their home. 
 
 29th. Attended Burlington Meeting, which was silent, 
 and returned with my friends to dine. We passed the af- 
 ternoon together very comfortably, and I went home early. 
 
 Slst. Much refreshed with the inflowing of Divine love 
 to my soul. 
 
 Fourth Month, 1st. While on the road was favored with 
 sweet communion with my Maker. 
 
 2nd. At meeting. A comfortable opportunity. In the 
 evening I wrote to Rowland Johnson. It is very pleasant 
 to me to sit down and communicate, with' those to whom I 
 
EARLY MANHOOD, 89 
 
 am joined in a unity of feeling which draws into the bond 
 of brotherhood that only death can sever. 
 
 3rd. Harrowing all day, and found time for seasons of 
 inward retirement. "When I can " look through Nature up 
 to Nature's God," can hear the music of birds, that seem 
 delighted with the return of spring, I feel as if I can par- 
 take of their joy, and unite with them in praise. 
 
 4th. I find the necessity of daily watchfulness unto 
 prayer, that the mind may be kept in a proper state. To- 
 day I have been too much inclined to dwell upon things, 
 not of themselves unlawful, but having a tendency to draw 
 the mind away from its true center. 
 
 5th. First-day. Attended meeting this morning. The 
 forepart was unprofitable, owing to a feeling of drowsiness, 
 but the latter part was very comfortable. I find that if 
 strictly faithful, I shall be cared for by the great " I Am." 
 
 6th. I desire daily that, while attending to my outward 
 duties, I may know a gathering unto the Lord, that the 
 spiritual day's work may be going on, for I feel that I must 
 work out my " own salvation, with fear and trembling," be- 
 fore Him. 
 
 7th. Went out to plow this morning, but fslt a great 
 drawing toward my city home. After I had been at work 
 about two hours, I was called by a voice, which proved to 
 be that of my brother William. I went to him, and found 
 that he had come to inform me of the decease of my niuch 
 beloved friend — may I not ,call him grandfather — John 
 6 
 
90 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 Foulke, who departed this life day before yesterday, in the 
 seventy-third year of his age. I accompanied my brother 
 to the city, arriving at father's in time for dinner. In the 
 afternoon mother and myself started for Richland, to attend 
 the funeral. We stopped over night at William Foulke's, 
 at Gwynedd, and in the evening William and I had some 
 satisfactory conversation on religious subjects. 
 
 8th. Our kind friends gave us an early start, and we 
 arrived at the funeral house before ten o'clock. The gath- 
 ering was large, and we went in to take a look at the face 
 of him whom I had loved. It was now cold and motionless 
 in death. After a time of silence, Joseph Foulke appeared 
 in testimony, soon after which the large company moved to 
 the grave-yard, where we saw deposited the remains of our 
 aged friend, and the cold earth covered over him. We then 
 went into the meeting-house, and gathered into solemn 
 silence. Soon Joseph Thorne spoke, and after him Joseph 
 Foulke. I was much exercised through the meeting, and, 
 when opportunity offered, I arose and called the people to 
 " mind the light," &c. This afforded relief to my mind. 
 
 10th. Took leave of our friends at Richland, and came 
 to the city, stopping a few hours at Edward Foulke's, at 
 Gwynedd, where we were kindly entertained. 
 
 11th. In the city, occupied with business matters and 
 calling on friends. I may here remark that the Lord has 
 been with me through this journey, and I have daily felt 
 the guidance of his Spirit. , 
 
EARLY MANHOOD. 91 
 
 12th. Rowland Johnson and myself went down town, 
 and, after taking some bread to a poor woman who was 
 sick, and whose little boy had met us on the street to tell of 
 their destitution, we went to Moyamensing Prison. We 
 first visited the cell of a sick man, confined to his bed, who 
 was serving a twenty-six years' sentence, and had eleven 
 years yet to serve. I felt much pity for him. On leaving 
 this cell, we were asked if we would like to have an oppor- 
 tunity in a religious meeting with the prisoners, and we 
 answered that we would. So the cell-doors were thrown 
 open, and we took our seats in the corridor. We passed 
 some time in silence, and then Rowland addressed the un- 
 seen company, having considerable to say, and I thought he 
 was much favored, I felt great barrenness, but as the call 
 seemed to be extended, I arose and had a highly favored 
 time — so much so that I was bound to return vocal thanks- 
 giving and praise to our dear Lord for his great goodness 
 unto us. In the afternoon father took me part way to my 
 country home, and I walked the last two miles. 
 
 13th. A very comfortable day. 
 
 14th. Attended Monthly Meeting at Moorestown, and 
 felt much burdened with the spirit of disowning, believing it 
 to be contrary to the true life of Christ. 
 
 15th. Somewhat ailing in body, but felt the assurance of 
 peace of mind — a satisfaction which can only be found by 
 faithfulness to the light of Christ. 
 
 16th. I have desired that my mind might be centered on 
 
92 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 Christ and my soul receive food convenient for it. Spent 
 part of the evening in waiting upon the Lord, and the 
 remainder in writing to some of my friends. 
 
 17th. While on the road had a comfortable time, desiring 
 that my mind might be clothed with the love of God and 
 with thanksgiving for his many mercies heaped upon me. 
 
 18th. In my evening retrospection I thought that I had, 
 during the day, said too much to my horses. I want to be 
 careful that all my actions may be in unison with the alle- 
 giance that I owe to the King Immortal. 
 
 19th. Attended our home meeting in the morning, and, 
 after dinner, Nathaniel Stokes and self drove to the city 
 in time for the afternoon meeting at Sixth Street. 
 
 20th. Attended the first sitting of the Yearly Meeting. 
 It was occupied in sundry ways. In the afternoon the min- 
 utes of tjie Meeting for Sufferings were read, from which I 
 found that a committee of that body had been making some 
 efforts to ascertain the extent of the African slave trade. 
 They reported that about half a million human beings are 
 annually taken from the coast of Africa. 
 
 21st. In both sittings of the meeting very instructive 
 matter was communicated, tending to our edification. 
 Passed the evening at father's with several Friends. 
 
 22nd. Throughout the sessions this day I felt a desire to 
 have my mind turned inward, and I have experienced a 
 renewal of strength. 
 
 23rd. Went to the public meeting at Orange Street, and 
 
EARLY MANHOOD. 93 
 
 a comfortable, refreshing season it was. Also attended the 
 business meeting in the afternoon. My mind has been 
 much exercised in relation to " Free Produce," and the 
 necessity of Friends being more alive to the subject. 
 
 24th. Attended both sessions, the afternoon one being 
 the last of this Yearly Meeting. In the forenoon my mind 
 was again brought under concern in regard to the use of 
 articles obtained by slave labor. I was thinking I should 
 have to give expression to my views, when Enoch Lewis 
 arose and opened the subject clearly, and treated it satisfac- 
 torily. Several Friends spoke approvingly of his remarks. 
 I did not feel easy to leave without bearing my testimony 
 to the truth of what had been said, and expressing my satis- 
 faction that the subject had claimed the attention of the 
 meeting. 
 
 25th. Went home in the afternoon. As the week is 
 about closing, I may say that I feel glad I attended the 
 meeting, as I was strengthened thereby. 
 
 26th. We had a very comfortable meeting; Benjamin 
 Hall, from Ohio, being in attendance. In the afternoon, 
 attended the funeral of Edward Lippincott, son of the late 
 Caleb Lippincott. He has had a suffering time, and for a 
 number of years has been a mute. It was a large gather- 
 ing, and in great weakness I felt that I had to open my 
 mouth, not on account of the dead, but of the living — that 
 there might be among us more watchfulness and faithful- 
 ness to do the Lord's will. 
 
94 LIPB OF SAilCEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 27th. I feel refreshed, both within and without. The 
 fiice of Xatare is so bright, -the trees are in bloom, and the 
 birds, with their merry notes, seem to gladden the heart of 
 man, while my dear Lord has been with me, and I have 
 had to praise his name. 
 
 29th. Xot safficiently watchfbl. 
 
 30th. A feirly comfortable meeting. Yet I eonld not 
 feel that arising of life, that unity of spirit that I so mach 
 love to feel. 
 
 Fifth Month Ist. Went to see Dr. , in relation to a 
 
 poor, hunted colored man whom he had attended when ill. 
 But now he wants Jas pay. 
 
 3rd. A tolerably comfortable meeting. Had the com- 
 pany of Ezra Leeds in the ^ernoon. 
 
 5th. Greatly fevored with the precious visitations of 
 Di^ne love, and strengthened to walk in the way of Truth. 
 
 7th. At our week-day meeting I felt that there was a 
 want of that unity of feeling which is required to make us 
 acceptable worshippers of our Heavenly Father. 
 
 10th. First-day. Walked to the city and attended Cherry 
 Street Meeting, which was a comfortable one, and went to 
 father's to dine. On sitting down at the table, my mind 
 was much tendered, under a sense of the goodness of our 
 Heavenly Father in permitting us all to be together, and to 
 be partakers of so many good things at our father's table. 
 On behalf of my dear brother William, I felt an especial 
 concern for his temporal and spiritual wel&re. In the af- 
 
EARLY MANHOOD. 95 
 
 ternoon attended Green Street Meeting, and had to open 
 ray mouth and give utterance to these words, " Fear God, 
 and give glory to Him, for the hour of his judgment is 
 come; and worship Him that made heaven and earth, and 
 the sea, and the fountains of waters." After meeting went 
 to see a woman who had escaped from slavery, and in the 
 evening attended a meeting of the Committee on Slavery, 
 held in Cherry Street Meeting-house. 
 
 11th. "Went to Fourth and Green Streets, and attended 
 the opening session of the Yearly Meeting, which is held 
 at that place. 
 
 12th. This day attended both sessions of the Yearly 
 Meeting (Fourth and Green Streets), and a favored time it 
 was, many hearts being tendered with a sense of the love of 
 God. In the evening went to my country home, feeling 
 thankful to my Heavenly Father for his continued care 
 over me. 
 
 18th; Engaged in planting potatoes. In the evening 
 took a walk, and was blessed with the inshinings of Divine 
 light, and a flow of Divine love, which tendered my heart, 
 and caused tears of gratitude to flow from my eyes. 
 
 14th. Had a discussion with on the subject 
 
 of religion. It was controversial, and not fraught with 
 advantage. 
 
 16th. Yesterday and to-day in the city. Came home 
 this evening, feeling glad to get into the quiet. 
 
 17th. Attended Westfield Meeting, as usual, but there 
 
96 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 seemed to be a lack of life, either in me or in the meet- 
 ing. 
 
 18th. After a busy day, a peaceful evening at home, 
 feeling renewed cause for thankfulness to my Heavenly 
 Father. 
 
 2l8t. Attended our week-day meeting in the morning, 
 and in the afternoon went to the city, and was at the fune- 
 ral of Ann R., wife of Henry T. Child. The interment 
 was at Frankford, and when the c6mpa,ny went into the 
 meeting-house, I had an opportunity to relieve my mind of 
 an exercise. 
 
 22nd. Hauling during the day, and in the evening con- 
 versed with the carpenters (at work here) on the subject of 
 slavery. 
 
 23rd. Seventh-day evening. Have received much re- 
 freshment this week at my dear Master's table, for which I 
 have cause to be thankful. 
 
 25th. Assisted at the raising of the barn, and in provid- 
 ing the entertainment for the neighbors who came. It was 
 my desire that I might be kept in a state of inward watch- 
 fulness throughout the day, and I can say that I have been 
 cared for. The evening was passed with C. Gillingham 
 and family, to whom I feel much attached. 
 
 26th. While on the road with my team, my heart was 
 expanded with the love of the Father, and, with tears, I 
 put up the petition to Him that He would be with me and 
 my dear brother William, and with all of our family — ^yea, 
 with all the human family. 
 
EARLY MANHOOD. 97 
 
 29th. Had a little life given to my poor soul. 
 
 30th. Went to the city, and returned in the evening. 
 On looking over the day, I find not much to regret. 
 
 Slst. At meeting was somewhat troubled with wander- 
 ing thoughts. Had a communication from T. Warrington, 
 in which he referred to the danger of getting into a luke- 
 warm state, and going to meeting in a formal, way. I felt 
 much unity with his exercise. 
 
 Sixth Month Ist. Wa& dressing the corn -with a horse 
 that loould go too fast. I endeavored to be patient, but 
 found that I was in a poor state as regarded spiritual life. 
 In the evening at the house of a Friend, where there was 
 young company. While they were enjoying themselves I 
 felt quiet and retired. 
 
 2Qd. Rather too much given to hasty speaking while at 
 my work. 
 
 3rd. Had a comfortable season this afternoon, the Lord 
 being near unto me. I feel that I am in the line of my 
 duty in laboring as a farmer. My mind has been much ex- 
 ercised of late, on account of a concern that rests upon it, 
 but I wish to bear it in patience. 
 
 4th. Our week-day meeting rather a dull one to me; 
 I had used considerable exercise before I went, and was 
 somewhat , affected with drowsiness, although I desired to 
 be on the watch. 
 
 Last month will be remembered as one in which much 
 destruction was permitted. The valley of the Mississippi 
 
98 LIFE OF SAMUEL f. LEVICK. 
 
 was inundated, its cities much diamaged, and at Natchez an 
 awful tornado destroyed many lives and much propei'ty. 
 
 5th. Time passes away, one day after another, and we 
 are drawing nearer and nearer to our final destination. 
 My desire is that I may be prepared to inhabit a mansion 
 of eternal peace. 
 
 6th. I have cause to regret that so much of my time has 
 been spent in thinking on subjects that do not tend to my 
 spiritual advancement nor promote the growth of the good 
 seed in me. 
 
 7th. Pirst-day. I have felt very barren, though a part of 
 the meeting was comfortable. 
 
 8th. The passing of day after day reminds me that we 
 are all hastening toward " that bourne from whence no 
 traveler returns." This day I have felt inwardly comfort- 
 able. 
 
 9th. Attended Chester Monthly Meeting. I had re- 
 newed cause to mourn over the spirit that pervades the 
 hearts of some at this meeting. In the evening was favored 
 with the blessed rays of Divine light shining in my heart. 
 
 10th. While at work had a favored season, and was 
 refreshed with Divine love. 
 
 12th. During the day I felt the effects of yesterday's 
 disobedience, but this evening have found some comfort. 
 "We must be faithful, if we expect to have the language of 
 " Well done" applied to us by our Heavenly Father. 
 
 13th. Worked till noon, and in the afternoon went to 
 
EARLY MANHOOD, 99 
 
 the city. I had a pleasant ride, being favored with a sense 
 of Divine love. I feel the necessity of daily walking in the 
 fear of the Lord. Passed most of the evening at father's 
 very agreeably. 
 
 14th. Eirst-day. My mind being drawn to Cherry Street 
 Meeting, I went there, and was favored with Divine light 
 and strength. After a communication from Geo. Truman, 
 I felt in duty bound to stand up, and hand forth to the 
 people what was given me. I did so, to the comfort and 
 peace of my own mind. 
 
 15th. Passed the afternoon and evening at Moorestown, 
 in company with L. B. We conversed on the subject of 
 non-resistance, and I think our interview was a profitable 
 one. If we are faithful, we shall find much to do. 
 
 16th. The day was passed at my plow. In this occupa- 
 tion I find much time for solemn waiting on the Lord. I 
 desire that I may continue to grow in grace, and in the love 
 of our Heavenly Father, even from the babe to the young 
 man, yea, to the strong man in Christ Jesus. But it is only 
 through faithfulness that these states can be attained. 
 
 17th. Went to the city, on my way to Quakertown. 
 
 18th. Took the stage at four o'clock, and arrived at 
 Caleb Foulkes's about noon. Found my dear Ellen very 
 well. 
 
 2l8t. First-day. At Richland Meeting, Joseph Thorne 
 was led to speak to the people in an impressive manner, 
 and, after he had taken his seat, my mind being much 
 
100 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 exercised, I arose with these words, " If any man will come 
 after me," said the blessed Jesus, " let him deny himself, 
 and take up his cross and follow me." I was constrained 
 to speak to them on the subject of attending mid-week 
 meetings. I felt much peace, and was led to kneel before 
 the Throne of Grace on our behalf. Our dear friend, Kezia 
 Foulke, then bore her testimony to the truth of what had 
 been said. 
 
 22nd. Returned to Philadelphia, and in the evening 
 called on Susan Parrish, widow of Dr. Jos. Parrish, whom 
 I found well. 
 
 23rd. Kept office for father while he went to meeting, 
 and a solemn meeting it proved to be. John North, hav- 
 ing something to communicate, had spoken some time, and 
 soon after resuming his seat he fell over. He was promptly 
 assisted and medical aid was at hand, but in less than half 
 an hour he expired. 
 
 24th. At home, and busily occupied with hay-making. 
 We find that each day brings with it its labor, and may we 
 be instructed to continue a daily labor for the salvation of 
 our never-dying souls. 
 
 25th. Passed the evening in reading the Scriptures of 
 Truth. 
 
 27th. May we be careful .to walk worthy of the vocation 
 wherewith we are called, " looking unto Jesus, the Author 
 and Finisher of our faith." 
 
 28th. Wrote to E. F., also to John 0. Lester, and was 
 
EARLY MANUOOD. 101 
 
 much favored with Divine strength. May glory and honor 
 be ascribed unto our Father who is in heaven. 
 
 29th. The time of gathering in the crops is a season of 
 much interest to us farmers. Our Heavenly Father has 
 provided bountifully for us, and our hearts should be filled 
 with gratitude for these great blessings, and surrendered 
 unto Him, that He may preserve us from all iniquity. 
 
 30th, I desire, daily, to be led and guided by the Spirit 
 of Truth. My infirmities are many, yet my dear Heavenly 
 Father, at seasons, refreshes my soul with spiritual food. 
 May glory be ascribed unto Him forever. 
 
 Seventh Month 1st. In silence have I poured forth my 
 soul before the Lord, and He has been pleased to be near 
 me, giving me to partake of the bread of life, which 
 strengthens the soul. 
 
 3rd. I sometimes have seasons of barrenness, owing, I 
 believe, to a want of more watchfulness over my thoughts. 
 
 4th. This evening has been to me one of sweet commu- 
 nion with my Creator, in which He was pleased to be near 
 me, and to speak with me, and I with Him, Such blessed 
 enjoyment is preferable to any that earth can afford. 
 
 5th. I have, for some time past, felt a desire to attend 
 Westfield Friends' Meeting (other branch), and feeling this 
 desire increasing, I went there to-day and had a good 
 meeting. After Chalkley Gillingham had spoken, I felt 
 that I must arise, although it was a trial to the natural man 
 
102 LIFE OP SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 SO to do, but I was obedient, and was strengthened, to my 
 joy and peace. 
 
 7th. Advancing time brings us nearer to the end of our 
 earthly journey. That we may be prepared to go is my 
 desiije. 
 
 8th. Throughout the day found seasons for contempla- 
 tion and meditation, in which my heart could give- praise 
 unto the Lord. 
 
 12th. "Went with Chalkley Gillingham to Frankford, 
 Pa. He attended a meeting of our colored friends, and I 
 went to the Friends' meeting on Unity Street. Thus each 
 of us. performed his individual duty and had his reward. 
 Came home in the evening. 
 
 15th. Brought my sisters, Mary and Elizabeth, from the 
 city to make a visit here. 
 
 16th. Grathering in an abundant harvest, which a kind 
 Father has given : should not our hearts return thanks for 
 his love and goodness unto us. 
 
 17th. One year ago to-day, I placed my foot on this soil 
 as a resident. I can say that I have derived considerable 
 knowledge in regard to the cultivation of the soil, and that 
 it continues to increase, the longer I am engaged in these 
 pursuits. I hope that there has also been a growth in the 
 knowledge of heavenly things. 
 
 19th. Took my sisters with me to Burlington, where 
 we arrived in time for meeting. An excellent meeting it 
 proved to be. A friend from Long Island and our dear 
 
EARLY , MANHOOD. 103 
 
 father, John Cox, appeared in testimony. The latter was 
 remarkably favored, and my soul did feast on his ministry. 
 I was brought to appear before the Throne of Grace and 
 thank the Lord tbat, by his power, the debility of age was 
 led to speak forth with the vigor of youth. 
 
 20th. "What a comfort it is that, while our hands are 
 employed in our daily occupation, the spirit may be in uni- 
 son with our Creator. 
 
 22ud. Went to the city, and prepared for a visit to 
 Chester County. 
 
 23rd. Taking mother and Anna with me, I started for a 
 visit to our Chester County relatives and friends. "We 
 dined at Paoli, and then proceeded to the house of cousin 
 Jabez Jenkins in "West Chester. 
 
 24th. Cousin Mary Jenkins took a ride on our horse, 
 and, after her return, Elizabeth Coates attempted it, but 
 she not being accustomed to horseback riding, nor much 
 acquainted with the management of a horse, he became 
 frightened, and came very near running away with her. 
 I caught him in time to prevent what might have been a 
 serious accident. This experience should be a caution to 
 me and to others, not to let any one unacquainted with the 
 management of horses start off alone. In the evening we 
 went to cousin Abner Coates's. 
 
 25th. Spent a considerable portion of the forenoon in 
 reading the remarks of Joseph John Gurney on the " Sab- 
 bath Day," as he here terms it. After an attentive perusal, 
 
104 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 by which I gained considerable information, I mu8t say 
 that I cannot unite with him in his conclusions with regard 
 to this matter. 
 
 26th. Attended Downingtown Meeting, and was led into 
 much exercise of spirit from a fear that impressed me con- 
 cerning these people. In much humility, I stood forth, and 
 said what seemed to be required of me. In the evening I 
 felt the assurance of having performed my day's work to 
 the honor of his blessed Ifame. 
 
 27th. Reading in Daniel Wheeler's Journal, and visiting 
 several friends in Downingtown. That we may make our 
 " calling and election sure," is the desire of my heart. 
 
 28th. In the morning left Ann Coates's, and proceeded 
 to Westtown School. I spent an hour or more with David 
 Reese, and then had Joseph Stokes called out. He and I 
 went down to the farm-house, and then took a walk to- 
 gether. Toward evening we went over to Israel Howell's. 
 We found his daughter very ill indeed, but she is ready to 
 leave this world for a " more exceeding weight of glory."* 
 
 29th. Went to Concord, and I attended the mid-week 
 meeting of the other branch of Friends. Though few in 
 number, we had a comfortable meeting. Philena Marshall 
 spoke at some length, after which I, feeling a word to 
 arise in the life, gave it forth. It was by way of encour- 
 agement, not to grow weary in well-doing, but to " press 
 
 * She died on the fifteenth of the following month, making a peaceful close. 
 (See account of Mary Mott Howell in " Piety Promoted," Vol. V.) 
 
EARLY MANHOOD. 105 
 
 toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in 
 Christ Jesus our Lord." The afternoon was passed pleas- 
 antly at Ellis Marshall's. 
 
 30th. Went to Wilmington, Delaware, to visit at S. 
 Woolston's. Also called on some other friends. Had con- 
 versation with Philena Woolston on spiritual things. 
 
 31st. Drove to Philadelphia, stopping at Chester to dine 
 and visit. It was about sunset when we reached father's ; 
 all well. We have had a very pleasant time, nothing hav- 
 ing occurred to mar the enjoyment of our visit; and I may 
 say we have renewed cause for thankfulness unto Him who 
 watches over his family and keeps them as in the hollow of 
 his holy hand. 
 
 Eighth Month 1st. Although 1 had left my Jersey home 
 only on the 22nd ult., yet I went back to-day to visit the 
 family. Dined with them, and passed part of the after- 
 noon ; then called at Chalkley Gillingham's and went thence 
 to Camden via Moorestown. I arrived at the ferry in time 
 to get over ; so went to father's, and was occupied in get- 
 ting ready for a long trip westward. 
 
 2nd. First-day. H. T. Child, K. Johnson and self went 
 to Moyamensing prison in the morning. On our way down 
 I felt the weight of the undertaking very much, and in fear 
 and trembling desired a proper qualification to perform the 
 duties assigned me. After taking our places we sat awhile 
 in solemn silence, when I felt bound to arise, and in the 
 power of the ever-blessed Truth to proclaim the glad tidings 
 7 
 
106 LIFE OP SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 of the Gospel to the people. Rowland followed me and 
 spoke very impressively. Then I was led to approach the 
 Throne of Grace, and was favored to perform the solemn 
 service to the glory of Him to whom it is due. 
 
 [In the autumn of 1840, S. J. L. went with his father on 
 a journey to what was then " the West." See Appendix]. 
 
 Fifth Month 7th, 1841. Believing that it will be right 
 for me to keep an account of the passing time, I have com- 
 menced this morning, at my new home — called " Spring 
 Lawn" — hoping that there may be nothing written but 
 what is consistent with the light of Truth. 
 
 Since my journey with my father to the Western States, 
 I have passed most of my time in the • city, though fre- 
 quently absent for short periods. I was much engaged in 
 seeking a farm that would be suitable for a home, as I had 
 a prospect of settling myself in the spring. After a con- 
 siderable search, my father and myself decided upon pur- 
 chasing the farm of , near Moorestown, If. J., and a 
 
 few miles distant from that of Nathaniel Stokes, where I 
 obtained my knowledge of farming. It is a valuable prop- 
 erty, and the price was agreed upon. It was late in the 
 autumn when we decided to take it. About that time I felt 
 a drawing to pay a visit, in the State of Delaware, to the 
 neighborhood where my paternal grandparents had resided ; 
 also to attend the Southern Quarter and some of the meet- 
 ings composing it. My aunt Deborah Levick and my friend 
 Rowland Johnson were with me at the Quarter, and R. ac- 
 
EARLY MANHOOD. 107 
 
 companied me as far as the meeting at Little Creek. I bad 
 considerable labor to perform at these meetings, as an in- 
 strument in the Lord's hand to call the attention of the 
 people to that Light which enlightens every rational being, 
 and which, if abode in, will lead to that city which needeth 
 not the light of the son by day, nor of the moon by night, 
 " for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the 
 light thereof."' 
 
 I visited the meetings at Camden and Smyrna, and at 
 the latter place, before going into meeting, the Friend at 
 whose house we were stopping called me aside to deliver to 
 me a cautionary message. He stated that a meipber had 
 expressed to him a desire that I would not speak on the 
 subject of slavery, and had requested him to inform me to 
 that effect ; adding that, if I did, it would create an excite- 
 ment. He then referred to the treatment to which Daniel 
 N^eal had been subjected when traveling in company with 
 Lucretia Mott a short time before. He was " tarred, feath- 
 ered and ridden upon a rail." I replied to this Friend that 
 I knew not whether I should say a word in the meeting; 
 neither did I know of what nature it would be if I should 
 have anything to offer; but such as it should be, I must 
 speak it. He said no more on the subject. Thus we see 
 the fear of man — how it tends to bind us to the earth, and 
 to shut our months and cause us to cease pleading for the 
 poor and oppressed, and showing to the oppressors their 
 sins. Such situations are trials of our feith ; and if we dq 
 
108 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 not stand near the God of our lives, we shall find that the 
 enemy will have power over us, and we shall feel weak in- 
 deed. But, thanks be to my dear Heavenly Parent, He was 
 with me on this occasion, and He qualified me to bear testi- 
 mony to his glorious Truths. In the language of lamenta- 
 tion I was called upon to address them, even as the blessed 
 Jesus did the people of Jerusalem. " O Jerusalem, Jeru- 
 salem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them 
 which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered 
 thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens 
 under her wings, and ye would not." 
 
 FromiSmyrna I went to Cantwell's Bridge, where the 
 meeting was small, but to me it was an interesting one. I 
 went home with John AUston and stayed over night; then 
 took the steamboat for Philadelphia. 
 
 During the winter I endeavored to make myself useful in 
 visiting the poor, and supplying them with wood, from an 
 association of which I was a member. 
 
 I attended several meetings in the neighborhood of the 
 city, and had a favored religious opportunity at the board- 
 ing school for girls, kept by my friends John and Rachel 
 Jackson at Sharon Hill. 
 
 Various matters of personal interest occurred during the 
 winter, though I was not much of the time away from the 
 city. As the season advanced I began to prepare for farm- 
 ing, also to look toward the accomplishment of our mutual 
 intention — that of marriage — with my dear friend Ellen 
 
EARLY MANHOOD. 109 
 
 Foulke. Accordingly, in the early part of Second Month, 
 we laid our intentions of marriage before Richland Monthly 
 Meeting, of which she is a member. I may here mention 
 that I had left the N'orth Meeting, of which I was a birth- 
 right member, and had had my name entered as a member 
 on the books of Green Street Monthly Meeting. 
 
 Soon after this, on paying a visit to the farm for which I 
 had contracted, I found qmte unsettled about part- 
 ing with it; and before I left him, he seemed inclined to 
 annul the contract which we had made. Such a change 
 was quite unlocked for, and I knew not just how to pro- 
 ceed at so late a date. On returning to the city, and inform- 
 ing father what had transpired, I gave him a great surprise. 
 Like myself, he was much disappointed ; but though our 
 plans were thwarted, the uncertainty did not produce un- 
 easiness in my mind, for my dear Master was pleased to be 
 with me, and my spirit^was calm and composed in the be- 
 lief that the Lord would make a way for me, even where 
 there appeared to be no M'ay. Time went on, and the matter 
 remained in a state of suspense, until the evening" previous 
 to the day of my departure from the city to accomplish my 
 
 marriage. Then I received word from that he had 
 
 decided to keep the farm. Thus was I thrown out of a home 
 for my wife and myself, just on the eve of our marriage, 
 and when I thought I had a desirable one provided. But 
 the Lord was with me, and his holy power strengthened 
 me, causing me to feel a quiet confidence that a way would 
 
no LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 be opened for us. On arriving at the home of my dear 
 Ellen, I informed her of what had taken place, and she 
 seemed to bear it as if knowing that there is One who 
 takes care of his children. 
 
 Some inquiry had been made about a farm near this place, 
 and my intended father-in-law informed me that he thought 
 it could be obtained for us. 
 
 Fourth Month 3rd, 1841. Ellen Foulke and myself were 
 united in marriage at Eichland Meeting. The meeting was 
 a comfortable one, and my mind was kept in a holy calm, 
 the strength of Israel's Shepherd being measurably bestowed 
 upon us. The remainder of the day was passed at the house 
 of my father-in-law, Caleb Foulke, in a becoming manner. 
 In the evening, before the company separated, we gathered 
 into silence, and the wing of Divine love being spread over 
 us, we were tendered under its influence. Our friends 
 Joseph Thorne and Rowland Johnson ministered unto the 
 company, and my spirit being bowed, I kneeled in vocal 
 supplication. May glory, honor and praise be ascribed to 
 Israel's unslumbering Shepherd for this favored opportunity. 
 Thus closed our marriage-day ; a day to be remembered by 
 us as one having the seal of Divine approval stamped upon 
 its proceedings. May the good Father, by his Holy Spirit, 
 qualify us to do our part in advancing his glorious cause. 
 After passing a few days with our friends at Quakertown, 
 we went to Philadelphia and spent some time in visiting 
 our friends in the city. In regard to a home we were still 
 
EARLY MANHOOD. Ill 
 
 in a state of uncertainty, and it was not until about two 
 weeks after our marriage that we knew where we should be 
 settled, "We then purchased from Joseph and Mary Slifer, ■ 
 a farm of eighty-five acres, situated in Richland Township, 
 Bucks County, Pa., about one mile from Richland Meeting- 
 house, and from father Foulke's. We named our newly 
 acquired possession " Spring Lawn," and settled upon it on 
 the eighth day of Fourth Month, 1841, In the first few 
 weeks of our home-making and farming we had our trials 
 and discouragements; my dear wife was ailing for a con- 
 siderable time, the weather was wet, the season backward, 
 and I lost a valuable horse. I want to be instructed by 
 these dispensations, for I feel that I am young, and, being 
 now the head of a household, I realize my lack of experi- 
 ence. But through all we have abundant cause to adore 
 the Father of Mercies for his provident care over us ; so 
 may praises be ascribed unto his great and glorious name. 
 
 Our grandmother Green departed this life last Fifth-day, 
 at the age of eighty-six years, and a sister of hers died a 
 few days before, at the advanced age of ninety-seven. Re- 
 markable instances of longevity. 
 
 Fifth Month 25th. I have attended all the sessions of 
 our Yearly Meeting in Philadelphia (Fourth and Green 
 Streets), and felt comforted in being there, though we had 
 to deplore the low state of society, as shown in the reports 
 from the difierent quarters. A worldly spirit seems to have 
 
112 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 eaten up the good seed of the kingdom that has been sown 
 in the heart of every creature. 
 
 26th. Wrote to my friends, Rowland JohnsoD and Wil- 
 liam Ellis, two to whom I am closely allied in feeling, as I 
 believe that they are endeavoring to do the Lord's work. 
 I desire that they may be kept near the watch-tower of safety 
 — even Christ, the power of God — and by meekness and 
 humility to know a being led in his paths, which are, indeed, 
 paths of peace. In the afternoon, mother, brother William 
 and sister Anna arrived from the city. We were much 
 pleased to see them ; as to have the company of those to 
 whom I am so closely allied by consatigninity, I number 
 among my many blessings. 
 
 27th. Attended meeting this morning, and felt that we 
 were lean and poor. Oh, saith my spirit, that we may be 
 more alive! Clouds appear to obscure the spiritual hori- 
 zon, and the light of the Sun of righteousness seems to be 
 shut out from my vision. But, let us not faint in the win- 
 ter season, neither take our flight on the Sabbath-day ; but 
 wait, keeping low, and the Lord will, in his own time, arise 
 for our deliverance. 
 
 28th. Last night I was awakened from a sound sleep, 
 and alarmed to find my dear E. coughing, and raising blood 
 from the lungs. This morning she appears to be quiet and 
 composed, though very weak. A holy calm has pervaded 
 my own mind since recovering from the shock at first ex- 
 perienced. 
 
EARLY MANHOOD. 
 
 29th. I can, in truth, say, that hard things are being 
 made easy, and crooked things straight to me ; and although 
 my beloved one has been, and still is, poorly, yet I believe 
 that all things will " work together for good to them that 
 love God." I feel that I am not as good, nor as much con- 
 cerned about good as I ought to be ; yet my hands hang 
 not down, for I believe that way will be made for me, if 
 only I am more watchful and quiet ; more willing to take 
 up the cross and keep humble. My prayer is so to be. 
 
 30th. First-day. Attended meeting, in which I experi- 
 enced great want and inward hunger for the bread of life, 
 which led me to fear that I should have to go empty away. 
 But the Lord — oh, blessed be his name ! — in the richness of 
 his mercy and love, saw meet to open his storehouse, and to 
 pour out upon us a portion of Heavenly bread, with a com- 
 mand to me to distribute it. In great fear I bore my testi- 
 mony, and the Lord's power was over us so perceptibly that 
 some were tendered" under this love. The reward of obedi- 
 ence crowned my labors, which was a great comfort to me 
 in this season of outward trial. On returning home found 
 my dear wife quite comfortable, though at times suffering 
 from oppression, as was the case during lasfnight. 
 
 In the afternoon G. B. called to see me, and we conversed 
 about the things which appertain to the welfare of the im- 
 mortal soul. Called in the evening to see our afflicted 
 neighbor, William Mause, whose daughter Ann died quite 
 suddenly; another daughter is lying very ill. 
 
114 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 May these dispensations have an influence over all our 
 minds, that we may search them to find whether our lamps 
 are trimmed ready for burning. Search me, Lord, and 
 prove me, and if there be anything wrong in me, purge 
 Thou it away ! 
 
 31st. Attended the funeral of Ann Mause, and at the 
 grave was led to call the attention of the people to the neces- 
 sity of an individual examination of their states. Many- 
 young people were there, and were much tendered. May 
 praises be ascribed unto our God. 
 
 Sixth Month Ist. I record the kindness of our neighbors, 
 assisting us in diflEerent ways. 
 
 2nd. Attended the funeral of the other daughter of Wil- 
 liam Mause. It was a baptizing time. I was enabled to 
 relieve my mind. I want to be faithful in doing what seems 
 to be required of me ; though I know that of myself I can 
 do nothing to advance my Master's cause. 
 
 3rd. Fine clear morning. Took my dear wife out. 
 
 4th. Thomas Wickersham, of Beaver Falls, Penna., was 
 at our Monthly Meeting, and was lively in testimony. It 
 was a comfortable meeting. 
 
 5th. My dear wife is quite weak, but improving. I at- 
 tended a public sale and made some purchases. I find the 
 necessity for care lest we get off our guard at such places. 
 
 6th. First-day. At our meeting I was brought under 
 exercise on account of a lack of proper observance of the 
 hour for gathering. In the line of obedience I was favored 
 
EARLY MANHOOD. 115 
 
 to lay the concern before Friends, knowing that we poor 
 creatures can only do our part by being willing to do what 
 the Lord assigns us. If there were more indwelling of spirit 
 we might be in a state of fitness to do what may be called 
 for at our hands. 
 
 7th. A fine clear morning. I took my dear wife down 
 to see her sister, Marietta Penrose. While at work on my 
 farm, was favored with a portion of Heavenly bread, which 
 was very refreshing to my soul, 
 
 8th. Felt a holy calm cover my mind, which is worth 
 more to possess than all the world. A peace with all men ; 
 no angry, jealous nor envious feelings pervade the breast, 
 but quiet reigns. It is a peace that the world knows not 
 of; that it can neither give nor take away. 
 
 25th. The health of my dear wife appears to be improv- 
 ing. Since my last entry, father and Aunt Deborah have 
 been up to see us, also my sister Elizabeth. I have at sea- 
 sons been brought under exercise in our meetings, on ac- 
 count of our indifference to the things appertaining to the 
 salvation of our souls. Unless we are alive and diligent we 
 cannot expect to be joining with the Heavenly host in ascrib- 
 ing glory to God. For myself I have desired to be found 
 walking in the light, and keeping strictly in the jiath of 
 duty, without swerving either to the right hand or the left. 
 It requires daily watchfulness to prevent the enemy of our 
 soul's peace from insinuating himself into our hearts. A 
 man's worst enemies are those of his own household; they 
 
116 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 are within himself; his own will, his natural propensities — 
 all good of themselves — when he looks to himself as the 
 director, move not in harmony, but engender strife and dis- 
 cord, whence flows that long list of evils with which earth 
 is filled. But the power to subdue these internal enemies 
 is given to all those who seek the Lord with their whole 
 heart. 
 
 Seventh Month 4th. For a week past we have been 
 busily engaged in hay-making. . Our bountiful Creator has 
 blessed us with a crop, and we have been favored to gather 
 it in good order, without over exertion on the part of any 
 of the laborers. I have feared that there are some who, at 
 these seasons, exact too much labor from those they have 
 employed. While industry and energy are necessary in the 
 accomplishment of any kind of business, yet I believe our 
 beneficent Creator never designed that a man should so 
 labor as to make life a burden. The spirit of self-aggrand- 
 izement has so powerful an influence over our minds, that 
 we forget that peaceful, sober, quiet way which always 
 marks the path of those who walk in the light of the Sun 
 of Righteousness. My desire is that J may not be carried 
 away with this spirit, but may walk in the light which has 
 been given unto me for my director. It is my concern daily 
 to seek the Lord, and to be watchful over the thoughts that 
 take possession of my mind. 
 
 I have passed through various exercises since the last 
 entry was made in my diary, and though feeling weak, I 
 
EARLY MANHOOD. 117 
 
 have been enabled to press forward. I, have been concerned 
 that we may be naore plain and circumspect in our outward 
 lives ; and especially in our apparel ; believing that every 
 unnecessary appendage about our attire has a tendency to 
 bind heavy burdens upon the poor, and to oppress the needy. 
 
 Last Fifth-day my mind was brought under exercise on 
 account of the smallness of our meeting. As all that we 
 have is the Lord's, we need not hesitate to leave our crops 
 while we go to wait upon Him, and thus fulfill his require- 
 ment, tor He does not require of us anything that is not of 
 itself right and proper. If we endeavor to walk in obedience 
 to the law of the Lord, we are in a condition to receive the 
 blessings enumerated in the First Psalm. 
 
 My dear wife and myself, accompanied by our sister 
 ElizabetJi and Jackson Moore and Hannah, went to Plum- 
 stead, and attended the funeral of Ellas Carey. On the fol- 
 lowing day. First-day, attended the meeting at Buckingham, 
 where I had an exercising time. I was led to call them 
 into their tents, as Israel of old was called, that they might 
 be instructed in the ways of Truth. We visited among our 
 relatives, and came home on Second-day. 
 
 Eighth Month 18th. Since the date of my last entry it 
 has pleased my Divine Master to call me from home. In 
 company with my esteemed friend, John C. Lester, I visited 
 "Western Quarter. The Meeting was large, a great many 
 young people being present, and to these my mind was par- 
 ticularly drawn. They vpere called to enlist themselves 
 
118 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 under the banner of ijpe Prince of Peace, whose battles are 
 not with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood, but 
 with meekness, gentleness and long persuasion, his followers 
 are drawn away from the " lo-heres" and the " lo-theres," uiito 
 Hira, the Captain of their salvation. We were favored with 
 the outpourings of the Holy Spirit. I found it to be my duty 
 to return home immediately after the accomplishment of the 
 service for which I had been called away. Since then I have 
 attended our own Quarterly Meeting, held at Gwynedd. 
 It was a baptizing time, and we had with us some of the 
 Lord's servants, who had been made willing — like James 
 and John — to forsake all and follow the Lord Jesus. With 
 Divine assistance, I was enabled to speak with boldness the 
 truth unto the people. I feel humbled under a sense of the 
 Lord's power over my weakness, that I should be called to 
 arouse the people to a feeling of their condition, and to 
 plead with them to return, repent and live. 
 
 Ninth Month 10th. Left home to attend Salem Quarter, 
 toward which my mind had for some time been drawn. In 
 Philadelphia I was joined by my friend, Henry T. Child, 
 who accompanied me on the visit. The Quarter was to be 
 held on the twelfth, and on the evening previous we arrived 
 at Salem, where we were kindly entertained at the home of 
 Samuel Hackett and wife. Next morning, on going to meet- 
 ing, an esteemed Friend very kindly came to me as a stranger, 
 and invited me to go in with him, insisting — contrary to my 
 desire — on my taking my seat in the upper gallery. I com- 
 
EARLY MANHOOD. 119 
 
 plied with his wish, but before I had long sat there, I found 
 that my peace consisted in moving my seat lower down, to 
 a place corresponding to the one in which I usually sit. I 
 made the change, and was rewarded with the peace that 
 results from obedience. I make a record of this incident, 
 and leave it as a caution for the elders that they may not 
 cause either the stumbling or the wounding of those who 
 are young in the ministry. 
 
 After a brief communication from my companion, I was, 
 under deep exercise, led to ask the people, What is the Gos- 
 pel ? and to answer the query by endeavoring to show them 
 that the true Gospel is the power of God unto salvation, that 
 it is preached to every rational creature under Heaven, from 
 the least to the greatest, and that it cannot be learned in the 
 schools of men : for none know it save those to whom the 
 Father reveals it by the operation of the Holy Spirit in 
 their hearts. But He does not reveal this Gospel in the 
 heart that has not first undergone the purification alluded 
 to by John the Baptist, " I, indeed, baptize you with water 
 unto repentance : but He that cometh after me is mightier 
 than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear ; He shall 
 baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire ; whose fan 
 is in his hand, and He will thoroughly purge his floor, and 
 gather his wheat into the garner ; but He will burn up the 
 chaflF with, unquenchable fire." Here we see the preparation 
 that is necessary before we can become acquainted with this 
 blessed Gospel ; and the mission of the Apostles, eighteen 
 
120 LIFE OF 5A1IVKL J. LKVICK. 
 
 hundred years ago, was to call the atteution of the people 
 to this preparatioD, as a meaus to the great end of receiving 
 a knowledge of the Grospel. 
 
 How does this compare with what, in this day, is preached 
 as Gospel? Who are the promolgators of it? A learned 
 disquisition on Scriptare is as different from a call to a selt- 
 denying lite, as the accomplished theologian is from the illit- 
 erate fishermen of Galilee ; and thus the miuds of the hearers 
 are led into a labyrinth of ailment and away irom the plain 
 path of doty, that would guide them to peace. 
 
 Tenth Month 18th. Jud^ng from the temperature, ami 
 from the faded leaf, the season is approaching when the 
 streams will he locked in icy fetters, and when man will be 
 driven by chill winds to seek the shelter of his habitation. 
 How wonderful are the workings of au Almighty Hand, and 
 in beholding them how plainly we may see our own little- 
 ness. It was He who said, " Let there be light, and there 
 was light,'" that formed man from the dust of the earth, and 
 it is in Him that we live and move and have our being. And 
 now, as the season is drawing to a close, I here bear my 
 testimony to the great goodness of my Heavenly Parent in 
 blessing me with an abundance of the good things of this 
 life. But what enjoyment can I have in the possession of 
 these outward ^fts, unless I feel that they are the Lord's, 
 and are to be used in such a way as will promote the ad- 
 vancement of Truth, and redound to his glory. They have 
 not been given us to riot in, or to take wholly unto our- 
 
EARLY MANHOOD. 121 
 
 selves : for the stranger that sojourneth with thee is to be 
 fed, the poor are not to be turned empty away; the cries 
 of the hungry soul for the bread of Life must be satisfied ; 
 and unto the poor the Gospel must be preached. In the 
 proper discharge of all these duties the Spirit of my Heav- 
 enly Father must direct me, or I shall surely fail. I seek 
 not for worldly honor nor greatness ; if I may be favored 
 with strength to perform thy requirings, and only thine, the 
 end of my living will be accomplished, and my desires grati- 
 fied ; for to serve the Lord is my chief delight. 
 
 Often have I cause to realize my weakness and short-com- 
 ings; for though r feel myself bound, in the love of the 
 everlasting Gospel, to open my mouth in the assemblies of 
 the people, yet I also feel the need of being taught and hum- 
 bled still more before my Almighty Parent, that there may 
 be nothing left in me, which his holy controversy is against. 
 I feel willing to leave all at his requiring, and for his holy 
 cause, knowing that He is a rich rewarder of all those who 
 diligently seek to serve Him. If, now, I am to perform the 
 service which seems to be required of me — to attend Balti- 
 more Yearly Meeting — may I be clothed with the mantle 
 of humility, and have my feet shod with the preparation of 
 the Gospel, so that I may not run where I am not sent, nor 
 utter what is not given me to say. Then shall I stray not 
 from his holy habitation, neither shall the Truth be dishon- 
 ored by me. I am blessed with an affectionate and sym- 
 pathizing wife, who, though weak in body, objects not to 
 8 
 
122 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 my going, but who is a strength unto me. What shall I 
 render unto the Lord for all these favors. 
 
 Eleventh Month 5th. In the renewings of Gospel love, 
 I have paid a visit to Baltimore Yearly Meeting. The pros- 
 pect of leaving my family and my affairs brought me into 
 serious concern, and to a close examination of the matter to 
 try to ascertain whether it was the voice of the True Shep- 
 herd, or that of the stranger, which was calling me to this 
 labor. At length I was, I believe, fiilly convinced that it 
 was the Father of all our sure mercies that was calling me 
 to the work ; and then I was made willing to go ; and now 
 that I have" returned, I have renewed cause to feel satisfied 
 of the requisition. 
 
 During the sessions of the meeting we were favored with 
 the abundant overshadowings of Divine love, whereby the 
 messengers were qualified to open in clearness the mind 
 of our Heavenly Father concerning his children there as- 
 sembled. The gathering was large, and Friends from va- 
 rious parts of the vineyard were there. 
 
 Eleventh Month 18th. Since my return from Baltimore, 
 I have been engaged in my various duties on the farm. I 
 regard business, which is pursued for the maintenance of 
 our families, as a part of the duty devolving upon us, and 
 as necessary to be performed as is any other duty. I have 
 often noticed, in reading the lives of eminent Friends, ser- 
 vants of the Lord, that the mention of this part of their obli- 
 gation has been omitted, either by themselves, or by those 
 
EARLY MANHOOD. . 123 
 
 who compiled the accounts ; but to me it seems to be im- 
 plied in the second of the two commandments on which 
 " hang all the law and the prophets." " Thou shalt love the 
 Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and 
 with all thy mind. This is the first and great command- 
 ment. And the second is like unto it. Thou shalt love thy 
 neighbor as thyself." Do not the obligations growing out 
 of these two commandments require the faithful performance 
 . of both religious and secular duties ? In gathering iu the 
 crops I feel that I have been blessed in the outward, and 
 that from season to season the Lord is not unmindful of his 
 dependent children ; but that while He provides for our 
 creaturely wants, He will make us inwardly comfortable if 
 we only surrender the government of our lives to Him. In 
 sitting in some of our meetings lately I have felt them to 
 be void of life and power. Doubtless the void is owing to 
 the weakness of myself, and perhaps others. Oh ! how the 
 seed have to travail in secret, bemoaning this state of indif- 
 ference. Then, again, there are seasons in which we are 
 favored to have the dews of Heaven fall on us, and refresh 
 us as does the outward dew the parched and dried grass. 
 I often feel the necessity of more inward waiting on the 
 Lord, that we may become acquainted with his holy requir- 
 ing, so that if He should favor us with any openings, we may 
 be prepared to receive them. It is my conviction that if we 
 were oftener found in a state of readiness to hear the teach- 
 ings of the Father, we should oftener be called to the per- 
 
124 IJFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 formance of duties. These might be different in their char- 
 acter in different individuals, but all, if faithfully attended 
 to, would redound to the glory and honor of the great " I 
 am." 
 
 "We have, living in our family, and assisting on the farm, 
 a young man who is a member of the Society of Friends. 
 His name is H^Tathaniel Kinsey. A few days ago, while he 
 was at work in the field, aman came up, and accosted him 
 by telling him that he must either pay his militia fine — for 
 having failed to appear on training day — or else go to jail. 
 N. informed him that he could not pay the fine, so he was 
 taken away by the collector. The two went together to 
 Richard Moore's, and the collector took his son, Jackson 
 Moore, on the same claim. The aged grandmother of N. 
 came out into the road to speak to him and to advise him 
 to stand firm. From myself the officers distrained property 
 to the amount of ten or twelve dollars, though the fine is 
 only two dollars. 
 
 20th. While on the road to-day, I had a time of favored 
 communion. The Lord will take care of his children and 
 lead them in paths of safety. Our two friends who were 
 taken to Doylestown and cast iato prison, remained there 
 about one week, when the Judge of the Court, hearing of 
 their confinement, came and released them. 
 
 1842. First Month 6th. At the commencement of a 
 new year, I desire that we may feel renewed aspirations to 
 our Heavenly Parent, that He will continue his watchful 
 
EARLY MANHOOD. J 25 
 
 care over us. I feel the responsibilities of my changed situ- 
 ation, and that on account of the blessings wherewith I have 
 been blessed, a greater degree of dedication is necessary to 
 enable me to perform whatever service may be called for 
 from me. 
 
 7th. I went to Philadelphia for the purpose of bringing 
 home my dear wife, who has been making a visit to my 
 parents. 
 
 8th. Attended three meetings, morning, afternoon and 
 evening, and was favored to do my duty to a comfortable 
 degree of satistaction. In the evening I was led to call the 
 attention of the people away from the lo-here's and lo-there's, 
 for it is a day of great running to and fro. There are many 
 false teachers who would fain lead the people away from 
 the Christ within to a standard which has been erected by 
 the doctors and teachers of the day. Oh, may there be a 
 turning to that which is good and pure, and which will lead 
 us to the door of the true Sheepfold ! 
 
 15th. First-day evening my wife and sielf are alone at 
 our home, and the reward of peace for obedience, sweetens 
 my enjoyment. On our return from the city we stopped to 
 see a friend who seems to be suffering under the vail of con- 
 demnation, and is at times very low and depressed. We had 
 a comfortable time with him and his family, and I believe 
 that as faithfulness is abode in, light will break out of ob- 
 scurity, and brightness as at noon-day, and that he will be 
 led to acknowledge his last days are his best days. 
 
126 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 This morning I attended the funeral of a Mennonite neigh- 
 bor, at which I was led to declare the truth of the everlast- 
 ing Gospel; then went to our own meeting, where a view 
 was presented to my mind, respecting the preparation of 
 vessels made of clay. It appeared to me that this prepara- 
 tion is an apt -representation of the necessary work to be 
 performed on the mind of man, before he can become fitted 
 as a vessel for usefulness in the Lord's house ; and that there 
 is a difference between heiug fitted for use, and being useful; 
 the one must be experienced before the other can be prac- 
 tised. 
 
 26th. Last week I joined a committee to pay a visit to 
 our members at Stroudsburg. My companions in this ser- 
 vice were Richard Moore and wife, Joseph Thorne and 
 wife, George Custard, Lydia Green and John C. Lester. 
 We arrived on Fourth-day evening, and on the following 
 day attended their Preparative Meeting. The Friends were 
 late in collecting, so that it was a long time before the 
 meeting became settled, and I was led to open to them 
 the necessity of parting with all they had that the Lord's 
 holy controversy was against. In the business meeting 
 much instructive counsel was handed forth by some of the 
 members of our Committee. Friends appeared glad of our 
 company, and we visited among the families to our satisfac- 
 tion. 
 
 Ninth Month 14th. After nearly nine months that have 
 gone unaccounted for, I feel willing to sit down this even- 
 
EARLY MANHOOD. 127 
 
 ing, in the silence of all flesh, hoping to be favored to make 
 a profltable note of the events with which the period has 
 been fraught. 
 
 On the tenth of Third Month a daughter was born unto 
 us, and the sense of being brought into the state of a parent 
 filled my mind with emotions such as I had never before 
 experienced. The grave responsibilities of this station 
 loomed up before me, and with the view, came a deep 
 sense of my inability, of myself, to perform the duties that 
 would devolve upon me as a true parent. Under a deep 
 sense of this inability, desires were begotten in me that He 
 who had watched over me would watch over her and keep 
 her from all harm. And now that six months of her life 
 have passed, I ask of thee. Oh, Lord, should she arrive at 
 an age to need a father's care, that Thou wilt be pleased to 
 direct me in training her in the way in which Thou would 
 have her to walk. So that, Oh, Lord, she may be influ- 
 enced to follow the sound of Thy voice, to hearken to Thy 
 calls, that she may come to rest under the fold of Thy love, 
 and have Thy provident care round about her. 
 
 During the spring and early summer the health of my 
 wife rapidly declined, and it became evident that the mortal 
 disease, pulmonary consumption, had fastened itself upon 
 her. Much was done to arrest its progress, but all to no 
 avail, and after months of suffering, patiently endured, she 
 was released from the shackles of mortality. Her death 
 occurred on the morning of Eighth Month 13th, 1842. 
 
128 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 Thus, at the early age of tweaty-six years, was she called to 
 join the innumerable company composed of all nations, 
 kindreds, tongues and people, that surround the Throne of 
 the Lord God and the Lamb, having palms in their hands, 
 and sounding the praises of Him that sitteth on the throne 
 forever and ever. 
 
 Yes, thus, in the bloom of life, was the companion and 
 wife of my youth taken from me, having lived in the mar- 
 ried state one year, five months and nine days. May I not 
 call them precious days ? Yea, they were such, on many 
 accounts, although many of them were days of physical 
 suffering for her, and of great anxiety for me, yet, through 
 the mercies of an Almighty and benevolent Heavenly Par- 
 ent, I trust they wrought in us a love for Him, which was 
 to her more than health, wealth or any outward gift could 
 furnish. Before passing away she was favored with an evi- 
 dence that, having fought a good fight, having finished her 
 course, having kept the faith, there was laid up for her a 
 crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous 
 Judge, would give unto her. Blessed be his name. There 
 is such a crown laid up for all them that love his appearing, 
 even the inward, spiritual appearing of our Lord and Sav- 
 iour Jesus Christ. Many precious opportunities we had 
 together, as I sat at her bedside, and was impressed with 
 her patience, meekness and great resignation during the 
 long period of her illness. The sweet serenity with which 
 she was favored, clearly proved that she had not been fol- 
 
EARLY MANHOOD. 129 
 
 lowing cunningly devised fables, but the Lamb of God, 
 through whose mediatorial offices she knew the record of 
 her transgressions obliterated, and her spirit made white as 
 snow. Had she not known her will to be slain ? A dying, 
 as it were, on the cross of all that was creaturely, and a 
 rising into newness of life with her Redeemer, knowing 
 her conscience sprinkled with that blood which speaketh 
 better things than the blood of Abel, even the blood of the 
 new covenant which was made when the Lord declared, 
 " I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in 
 their hearts, and will be their God, and they shall be my 
 people ?" " I will forgive their iniquity, and remember 
 their sin no more." On one occasion she told me that she 
 had felt a desire " to get about again this summer," but 
 that now she had given that up, and hoped she might be fa- 
 vored to give up all willingly; that she trusted J would be 
 willing to give her up freely. On my informing her that, 
 with the Lord's assistance, I hoped I should, as I desired 
 his will might be done in me, she seemed comfortable and 
 composed. At another time, speaking to me concerning 
 our dear child, she said she wished her to be brought up in 
 the fear of the Lord and in the love of the ever-blessed 
 Truth. She then addressed me as follows : " My dear hus- 
 band, pleasant, very pleasant has been the time we have 
 lived together. It has been short, but very comfortable. 
 May thou be strengthened to bear up under this great 
 trial." At different times she made many excellent re- 
 
130 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 marks to those around her. In the latter part of the time 
 her sufferings were very great, and she seemed desirous 
 that, ivhen He pleased, she might be released. The last 
 night of her life was one of much bodily suffering, and as 
 the morning began to dawn, while yet all Nature seemed 
 hushed, as if scarcely awakened from its slumbers, she 
 pointed at the open door, and said, " Beautiful ! Beautiful !" 
 Then, as if alluding to herself, added, "Peace! Peace! 
 Happy!" These were her last expressions, and after lying 
 quietly for some time, her spirit winged its flight to God, 
 who gave it. Thus, before having completed my twenty- 
 third year, am I left with a tender babe, who has not a 
 mother to love and to care for it. Yet thankful I am in 
 the belief that He who heareth the young ravens when they 
 cry, and feedeth them, will provide for my precious little 
 one. And as she is now with my parents, I feel well satis- 
 fied with her earthly care-takers. As regards myself, I feel 
 bound to leave on record, for the encouragement of others, 
 that the Lord has blessed me during this dispensation, 
 which so soon separated me from her to whom I had been 
 attached since my tenth year, and to whom my attachment 
 grew stronger and stronger as the years rolled on. I am 
 willing to give my experience for the benefit of others, that 
 they may be encouraged to look to our Heavenly Father 
 for his direction in this very important proceeding. During 
 the winter previous to our marriage I was led, one day, to 
 cry unto the Lord for his guidance in this weighty matter. 
 
EARLY MANHOOD. 131 
 
 when approval seemed clearly to be given in answer to my 
 cry, and liberty to proceed. And now, blessed be his most 
 adorable name, I am favored to bear up in the midst of my 
 affliction, and to feel how destitute I shpuld be without Di- 
 vine support. Persuaded I am that, through the aid of the 
 Holy Spirit, my dear companion was, in a great degree, the 
 instrument that led me away from those desires and aftec- 
 tions which, had I followed them, would have deprived me 
 of access to the Fountain of Life, at which I am, at times, 
 permitted to drink for my spiritual refreshment. May 
 glory, honor, praise and renown be ascribed unto Him who 
 is Lord over all, blessed forever and ever. 
 
 During the illness of my dear wife our friends were very 
 kind to us, and their sympathy was comforting, as their 
 assistance was helpful. Our near relatives, both hers and 
 mine, were much with us during this long season of afflic- 
 tion. My dear mother strengthened us by her presence, 
 care, counsel and assistance, for she was much attached to 
 my precious Ellen, as were also my father, brothers and 
 sisters. This parental, brotherly and sisterly affection was 
 truly comfortiiig to me in my sore affliction. How good it 
 is at such times, and at all times, to have this family love 
 abound. And my desire is that it may continue and 
 strengthen as the years roll on, that we may be a little 
 flock, banded together by our Heavenly Parent's love, so 
 that when we have to know a separation from our earthly 
 parents, we can look to Him for preservation and direction. 
 
132 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LBVICK. 
 
 Our aunt, Lydia Green, is one whose name I cannot men- 
 tion but with feelings of gratitude, for her untiring labor 
 and care in nursing my wife. Truly she was a mother to 
 her and to my little^girl. May the blessing of heaven rest 
 upon her for thus caring for me and mine, poor creature 
 that I am. I would also mention my dear father and 
 mother Foulke, also sisters and brothers -in-law, for their 
 kindness and sympathy in this time of trial. After the 
 decease of my beloved wife, my mother and aunt Lydia 
 Green remained with us for some time, and my friend, 
 Kezia Foulke, who has been as an elder sister unto us, 
 came to assume the responsibilities of housekeeper. At 
 length I took my mother and my child to Philadelphia, 
 and left them at father's, which is to be the home of my 
 dear little daughter. Thus am I stripped of my outward 
 companions, and I often look upon my habitation as a 
 lonely one, as it would be, were it not for the kind care of 
 an ever-watchful Parent, who looks with compassion on his 
 children, and visits and refreshes them with the tendering 
 influences of his love. My spirit has been bowed before 
 Him, that I may be kept from straying, knowing that there 
 are enemies on the right hand, and on the left, some of 
 whom may be clothed with the paraphernalia of the Lamb's 
 followers and appear as mouth-pieces unto the people — 
 blind guides, as I fear — ^but, for myself, I am impressed 
 with a sense of the necessity of watchfulness unto prayer. 
 During the time of my wife's illness, and since her re- 
 
EARLY MANHOOD. 133 
 
 moval from among us, I have been but little from home. 
 But in our household, and in the small meetings at Rich- 
 land, we have been favored, by the Dispenser- of all Good, 
 vdth the breaking of bread for our refreshment. 
 
 Ninth Month 21st. I see the necessity now, as much as 
 formerly, for Israel to dwell alone from the strife of 
 tongues, for the tongue is an unruly member, and it has 
 never been ta,med by man. It is this tonguey spirit, this 
 noisy spirit, that is now going abroad, and that will be 
 likely to ensnare some who, as I believe, were designed for 
 vessels of honor in the Lord's house. In view of this strife 
 of tongues, may the true Israel dwell in their tents until 
 they are commanded by the Captain of their soul's salva- 
 tion to go forward and wage war against the enemies of 
 Truth and righteousness, having a protective armor against 
 all danger so long as they follow the leadership of One who 
 jiever lost a battle. 
 
 On last Seventh-day week I went to "Warminster, and on 
 the following day attended Horsham Meeting. I was led to 
 sound an alarm among them, lest they might bring them- 
 selves to the belief that there is no truth in that which we 
 call Truth, or that there is no God. By dwelling in the 
 gift I was enabled to discharge my duty towards them to 
 my own peace and satisfaction. 
 
 On the following First-day I attended Plymouth Meeting, 
 and feeling called to open my mouth among them, I was 
 getting along satisfactoi-ily, until I came to a passage of 
 
134 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 Scripture which I feared to quote, lest I might not give it 
 correctly; here, I left my Sure Guide, and hearkened to 
 my own understanding. I soon found my way closed up, 
 so I took my seat, feeling much bowed down on account of 
 my wickedness and folly. Thus, for want of obedience, 
 was the work marred, and Truth prevented from rising 
 into that dominion which, I believe, it would have done if 
 I had kept close to my Guide. By this experience I am 
 taught the great necessity for watchfulness and care. 
 
 Tenth Month 7th. To become rightly qualified to labor 
 is a matter of vast importance; for, persuaded I am, that 
 there are many who are desirous to labor, and who are 
 laboring, but who yet lack that essential qualification for a 
 laborer in the Lord's vineyard, true humility. There is a 
 simple, humble, waiting state, that must be known and felt, 
 before we can come to know the pure Word administered. 
 My soul desires for the children of men that they may be, 
 taught by the Teacher of teachers, the Minister of ministers, 
 who would open to their minds that which is Truth indeed, 
 and would confer upon them knowledge which would be as 
 a treasure that no man could take from them. If the people 
 were seeking for Truth through this channel there would 
 be less looking unto men, and less heeding of the opinions 
 of men, but a seeking for Christ, the pure Word, the only 
 true Light. For being the Son of the Father, who is wholly 
 Light, He, the Son, must be Light, and his life is the light 
 
EARLY MANHOOD. 135 
 
 of men. This life must be felt in us, before we can know 
 our life to be " hid with Christ in God." 
 
 As a traveller M'ho desires to enter the Canaan, the land 
 of plenty, my soul is often bowed under a sense of our 
 many infirmities, even such as Israel of old had to contend 
 with in their journey to the Promised Land. We find that 
 safety attended them as they abode under the cover of the 
 pillar of cloud by day, and followed the pillar of fire by 
 night. And this is the alone safety for the spiritual Israel 
 in this, our day. This pillar is a figure, a type of Christ, 
 who was, who has been, and who still is, the Teacher of his 
 people himself. Let us, then, come to know Him to be 
 our Teacher, and the Director of our lives; for then shall 
 we be wisely instructed and safely led, even though we may 
 feel that of fathers and mothers there are none, and that 
 the love of many has waxed cold ; yet, by following this 
 unerring Guide, we shall be conducted safely through this 
 life, and, at the end of the journey, landed on that shore 
 where the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are 
 at rest. 
 
 At our last Monthly Meeting we had the company and 
 Gospel labors of Rachel Hicks, of Westbury, Long Island. 
 She was called upon to sound an alarm to such as were at 
 ease ; who were dead as to a knowledge of the true and sav- 
 ing faith, who were listless and idle as regards the impor- 
 tant work ot the soul's salvation. My spirit could bear 
 testimony with her spirit to the existence of such a state 
 
136 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 among us; and the necessity ou the part of some for an 
 arousing lest they sleep the sleep of death, and awake in 
 the confines of a never-ending eternity, without having oil 
 in their vessels with their lamps. 
 
 Last First-day I was at Byberry, attending the funeral of 
 a worthy Friend and elder, James Walton. I went in com- 
 pany with brother Benjamin. G. Foulke and his wife and 
 sister, not knowing, until we came into the neighborhood, 
 of the death of our friend. The interment was before meet- 
 ing, and the large concourse of people in attendance filled 
 the meeting-house very fiill. Jesse Kersey, Edward Hicks 
 and John Comly all appeared in testimony, as did also Mary 
 Pike, sister of the deceased. I was brought under much 
 exercise on behalf of those who, with myself, were in the 
 morning of life, that we might be willing to surrender our 
 whole hearts unto the keeping of the Shepherd of Israel 
 who watches over his children both by night and by day ; 
 and as I beheld our fathers in the Truth following the re- 
 mains of a beloved brother to the grave, the prayer of my 
 spirit was that He who had been their morning light, their 
 noontide Director, and was now watching over them in 
 their eventide, would be pleased to be with his lisping chil- 
 dren who are just coming forward in the solemn service of 
 the ministry. We had a solid, comfortable meeting, and 
 my soul was led to adore Him who was pleased to be mouth 
 and wisdom, tongue and utterance unto his little ones. May 
 everlasting praises be ascribed unto Him who is forever 
 
EARLY MANHOOD. 137 
 
 worthy of honor and praise from the workmanship of his 
 holy hand. Amen. 
 
 Yesterday, at our own meeting, a marriage was solemn- 
 ized, and many were in attendance. The solemnity of the 
 marriage covenant, and the vast importance of its proper 
 observance were livingly opened to the view of my mind,, 
 and I was led to show that as w^e deem it essential to call 
 upon the Lord of Heaven and earth to witness our promises ; 
 so to fulfill them we must know our lives to be directed by 
 his holy law. As those in the marriage relation are thus 
 directed, harmony and peace 'will flow around them, and 
 they will be united in that love, which being bounded by 
 the love of God, will prove to be a strength unto them in 
 the hour of affliction, and the language of their spirits will 
 be, not our wills but Thine, O Lord, be done. 
 
 Tenth Month 27th. At our Preparative Meeting the three 
 Queries were answered, and we were favored to consider 
 seriously our besetments : that freedom which the Truth 
 gives was felt to be among us. 
 
 Our neighborhood has been saddened by the sudden de- 
 cease of a young man, near my own age, and an only son. 
 His funeral was a very solemn occasion, and many were the 
 eyes from which flowed tears of sorrow. The message of 
 the Lord was sounded among the gathered multitude, and 
 the day was one that, I trust, will not soon be forgotten. 
 
 My mind has, latterly, been brought under. much exercise 
 in view of an obligation resting on me to pay a visit, in Gos^ 
 9 
 
138 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 pel love, to the meetings composing the Southern Quarterly 
 Meeting, and have some meetings out from among Friends 
 in that part of the country. The undertaking has seemed 
 weighty, but as I dwelt under the concern, He whom I 
 delight to serve has shown me in the clearness, that it is his 
 • requiring; so that, when the time shall arrive, I expect to lay 
 it before my friends for their serious consideration. We are 
 poor finite creatures; and when I have looked at myself, and 
 beheld my youth, my weaknesses, and my short-comings, I 
 have felt ready to cry out. Surely it is not I who am thus 
 called. "When in Philadelphia, recently, I saw my beloved 
 friend, Rowland Johnson, who informed me that he had been 
 under a concern to pay a visit to the Southern Quarter, and 
 its branches. It seemed like a confirming evidence of my 
 concern being in the life. 
 
 Eleventh Month 4th. Our Monthly Meeting, and a day 
 to be remembered by me. We had the company of our 
 friends Joseph Saunders, Silas Edson and Isaac C. Parry. 
 In obedifence to what I believed to be a Divine requirement 
 I laid before my friends the above-mentioned concern. Sol- 
 emn, indeed, were the feelings that pervaded my mind, but 
 I was enabled to rise above discouragement; atid my friends 
 expressed much unity with my prospect, and encouraged 
 me to pursue it, granting me a minute accordingly. My 
 friend John 0. Lester expressed a willingness to accompany 
 me in the proposed visit, and a minute to that effect was 
 
EARLY MANHOOD. 139 
 
 prepared for him. " Return unto thy rest, my soul ; for 
 the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee." 
 
 Eleventh Month 9th. Since Monthly Meeting my time 
 has been much occupied in preparing for leaving home ; as 
 I deem it important to try to leave all things in such a con- 
 dition that none will be likely to suffer during my absence,' 
 but that all will be provided for, as comfortably as circum- 
 stances will permit. 
 
 First Month Ist, 1843. This is the first day of the week, 
 of the month, and of the year. We have had a favored 
 meeting ; the blessed Head of the Church was pleased to 
 pour out of his Spirit upon us, and to unfold his wonder- 
 working power on our minds. The past year is one not to ■ 
 be forgotten by me ; for I have known a separation from a 
 beloved companion, the wife of my youth, and at a period 
 when there had been added to the chain of our affection a 
 link in the form of a dear child. But so it has been ; and 
 as it is impossible to change the decree, it is our duty to 
 bow in humble submission to the Divine Will. No human 
 being save myself knows the loss that I feel, as one alone ; 
 but I can say that, the good Master is often pleased to be 
 near me, and to refresh me with his presence. I trust that it 
 has had a refining tendency, and that it has made me more 
 humble ; experiencing greater desires to be found doing the 
 will of my Heavenly Parent. 
 
 8th. Attended Abington Meeting of Friends, having 
 felt a concern to do so, also to visit a young man, one of 
 
140 LIFE OF SAMUKL J. LEVICK. 
 
 their members, who has gone contrary to the order of So- 
 ciety. My friend, John C. Lester, accompanied me, and it 
 pleased the great Head of the Church to be with us, so that 
 through the operation of his Holy Spirit I was enabled to 
 relieve my mind by handing forth such as was given me for 
 that assembly. A favored meeting it was ; and I have re- 
 newedly been made sensible of the importance of being 
 instant in season, in attending to the manifestations of duty. 
 Went to the city in the afternoon, attended Cherry Street 
 Meeting in the evening, and returned home next day. 
 
 15th. Attended Upper Dublin Meeting when on my way 
 to the city. The gathering was not Y^ry large, but we had 
 a comfortable meeting. I was led to speak of the prepara^ 
 tion of glass, and its manufacture into different kinds of ar- 
 ticles, as beautifully illustrative of the state that every mind 
 has to pass through before it can become fitted to be a 
 useful vessel in the Lord's house. Glass admits the light 
 and keeps out the cold; and there may be some persons 
 ;who are afraid to allow themselves to be wserf, lest they 
 might get broken ; but these would be entirely safe so long 
 as they kept in the Father's house ; for nothing can destroy 
 or even hurt us so long as we remain there; and though 
 often used, and for a long time, no wear will be apparent in 
 the vessel. In the evening of the same day I attended the 
 Arch Street Meeting of Friends in Philadelphia, having for 
 some time past had my mind turned to that meeting. It 
 was under much weight and bowedness of spirit that I en- 
 
EARLY MANHOOD. 141 
 
 tered the house and took my seat among the people, feeling 
 entirely willing either to keep silence, or to do whatever I 
 might be called upon to perform. It was not until toward 
 _ the latter part of the meeting that I found I must needs 
 break through the outward silence of so large a gathering 
 of people. As there was, on my part, a waiting and a de- 
 pending, the power was afforded me to throw off the con- 
 cern that had taken hold of my mind. After I had taken 
 my seat a degree of solemnity appeared to cover the meet- 
 ing ; but I attributed this not to myself in the least, but to 
 the power of the Holy Ghost in the hearts of the people. 
 Feeling drawn to appear in vocal supplication, though a 
 close trial to the flesh, I threw myself wholly upon ray 
 Heavenly Parent for support, and He was pleased to give 
 all that I needed. May the tribute of praise and thanks- 
 giving be ascribed unto Him who is Lord over all, blessed 
 forever. I am of the belief that there were precious plants 
 in that assembly ; and my desire for these is, that the Lord 
 may water them, and that they may grow as willows by the 
 water-courses, whose branches spread far and wide. I re- 
 tired that night with a crown of peace covering my mind — 
 a precious privilege, and one that we cannot, of ourselves, 
 command. 
 
 I paid a visit of one week to my father's family, and a 
 satisfactory time it was of mingling with my near and dear 
 relatives. 
 
 22nd. Feeling drawn thereto I attended Friends' Meeting 
 
142 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 at Moorestown, N". J. It was a favored meeting, wherein 
 we were baptized with the holy baptism, and permitted to 
 drink of the spiritual Rock that followed Israel, which Rock 
 was Christ. Chalkley Gillingham also appeared in testi- 
 mony, and our friend, Mary S. Lippincott, was much fa- 
 vored in her approaches to the Throne of Grace in vocal 
 supplication. I dined with Isaac and Mary S. Lippincott, 
 and in th6 afternoon had a religious opportunity with their 
 pupils (they have a boarding school for girls), which — though 
 quite a trial to me to ask for — ^proved to be a comfortable 
 season. May the Good Shepherd watch over these lambs, 
 and may they be willing to be led by his direction to follow 
 the sound of his voice. 
 
 Fourth Month 2nd. During the time that has elapsed 
 since my visit to my father's family, I have been mostly at 
 home, save the attendance of my own Quarterly Meeting, 
 held at Abington, and of Bucks, held at Wrightstown. 
 Both of these were in Second Month, and at the latter I 
 had the company of my much esteemed friend, George 
 Custard. It was a large gathering, but the wing of Ancient 
 Goodness overshadowed us, and qualified the handmaidens 
 of the Lord, who were in attendance, to divide the Word 
 aright. Most of the vocal service seemed to rest on Mary 
 Rowland and Mary S. Lippincott, though there were others 
 who had to bear a portion; and throughout the meeting we 
 were favored with seasons of solemn quiet, which is the case 
 
EARLY MANHOOD. 143 
 
 where there is a tarrying at Jerusalem until there is received 
 a qualification from on High. 
 
 In Third Month at Haddonfield Quarter; it was a fairly 
 satisfactory meeting, but the love of the world is too much 
 engrossing the time and the attention of many, prevent- 
 ing that earnest engagement of spirit which was so marked 
 a characteristic of the early Friends. In my own sitting- 
 room I have been much instructed in viewing a tender 
 plant that stands in the window. Avoiding the darkness, it 
 bends its branches toward the light of the sun ; thus main- 
 taining a healthy existence; yet man, who is endowed with 
 rational powers, turns his back upon the Light, and chooses 
 to walk in darkness, because his deeds are evil — yes, because 
 his deeds are evil, he is unwilling to allow the Lord of life 
 and glory to enter into his heart and there to sway the 
 sceptre of righteousness. But our deeds must be brought 
 to the light, and they loiU be brought there, either in mercy 
 or in judgment. 
 
 "Within the past two weeks I have attended the funerals 
 of two aged members of the Mennonite persuasion. They 
 were neighbors of mine, and men who have lived lives of 
 righteousness, setting a good example to those around them. 
 One of them felt it to be his duty to wear his beard ; and it 
 being, like his locks, silvered with age, gave him a venera- 
 ble appearance. His name was Casper Yeother, and he 
 died in his ninety-second year. The other was Christian 
 Zetty, aged seventy-six years. Both of them were intimate 
 
144 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 friends of our late father in the church, John Foulke. At 
 tliese funerals I had something to say to the people ; and 
 although they are accustomed to the German language, and 
 many of them understand but little of the English, yet there 
 seemed to be an open door in their hearts. 
 
 Having for some time past felt a concern resting upon 
 my mind to have some meetings among the people around 
 about us, who are not of our profession, and having ex- 
 pressed it to my friends at Monthly Meeting, and received 
 their approbation, we held one, last First-day, at the house 
 of Saul Fellman at Bunker Hill ; and a very satisfactory 
 meeting it was. Quite a number attended, and solemnity 
 covered the company. Our own meetings, latterly, have 
 been to me very precious seasons, both when permitted to 
 enjoy them in silent waiting upon God, and when prompted 
 by a sense of duty to be a mouth-piece unto the people. 
 I fully believe that if there is only a willingness to surrender 
 their all unto the Lord's keeping, there will be raised up 
 among us sons and daughters who will be qualified to 
 hold up the ensign unto the people. "Within the last year 
 we have had several appearances in the ministry, and my 
 secret breathings for these are that they may be strength- 
 ened to be faithful ; but most especially do I crave that I 
 may be preserved in the right path. O Father, into thy 
 hands I commit my spirit, so that thou mayst keep me low 
 and humble, closing my ear to flattery and praise, in order 
 that I may grow in the knowledge of the Truth, and may 
 
EARLY MANHOOD. 145 
 
 wax stronger in the love of thy holy law. May I be slain 
 unto the world, its love and its desires, and thus be fitted to 
 be a partaker of the Heavenly enjoyment which is in store 
 for all that love Thee. Unto Thee, Father, we will ascribe 
 glory and honor, thanksgiving and praise, now, henceforth 
 and forevermore ! 
 
 Fourth Month 6th. This day I have been the recipient 
 of favors of such a character as to cause my heart to over- 
 flow with gratitude to Almighty Goodness for continuing 
 his remembrance of one so little and so unworthy as I feel 
 myself to be. At our little mid-week meeting, in the silence 
 of all flesh, my spirit was refreshed, and I was encouraged 
 to a faithful perseverance in the path allotted me. I was 
 also drawn into near and deep sympathy with different 
 spiritual states there present ; and the secret breathings of 
 my spirit to the Father were that He would be pleased to 
 remember his little ones, his dependent ones ; and for those 
 who are not yet fully engrafted on the fruit-bearing vine, 
 the desire was that they might close in with the proffers of 
 redeeming love. 
 
 After these secret aspirations I was drawn out into the 
 expression of a few words for the encouragement of some 
 who may be disposed to look at their brethren with a feel- 
 ing of " what shall this man do ?" To such the language 
 was, " If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to 
 thee ? Follow thou me." Great peace followed this little 
 exercise. In the afternoon I was at Benjamin G. Foulke's, 
 
146 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LBVICK. 
 
 where we had read the " Short Account of a Long Journey 
 from Babylon to Jerusalem." It was instructive and edify- 
 ing. Our dear sister-in-the-Truth, Hannah B. Lester, was 
 of the little company, and after the reading we had a 
 precious opportunity — chiefly a silent one — wherein the 
 covering of solemnity seemed to be spread over us. 
 
 My kind friend, Kezia Foulke, continues with me, pre- 
 siding over my household, and her company has been a 
 great strength to me. Friends of the neighborhood have 
 also been very kind, and I feel myself as comfortable as 
 could be expected for one in my situation. Oh, how satis- 
 fying it is to have a Friend that sticketh closer than a 
 brother, and One on whom we may rest all our burdens! 
 I cannot express my gratitude for the favors conferred 
 upon me. 
 
 Seventh Month 28th. I have had, during the past three 
 months, provings, turnings and baptisms, both on my own 
 account and for the gathering of the precious children into 
 the enclosure of Divine love. 
 
 In the Fifth Month I attended our Yearly Meeting, 
 which was to me a refreshing season, for self-abasement 
 covered my mind and melted my spirit in humble grati- 
 tude. Our spirits were harmonized together, and I believe 
 it was good for me that I was there. 
 
 In the latter part of the same month I went to Bucks 
 Quarter, held at Buckingham. It was the largest collec- 
 tion of people that I have ever seen at a meeting outside of 
 
EARLY MANHOOD. 147 
 
 the city. The Great Shepherd was pleased to bless and 
 to break bread among us, I trust, to the strengthening of 
 some who were present. I have had two meetings among 
 those not of our Society, which were fairly satisfactory. 
 
 How many false standards of religion are held up before 
 the people ! One that is just now popular, and that has 
 many votaries, is the standard of modern morality ; claim- 
 ing that if we are what is termed temperate, benevolent, 
 &c., that this is all that is reiquired of us, even though full 
 of pride and evil-speaking. With these there is a danger 
 of becoming self-conceited, self-righteous and rich in their 
 own .possessions. Ah ! such can never enter into the king- 
 dom of heaven. When the message of the Lord is pro- 
 claimed among them, bearing testimony against this, as not 
 being the true i-est, they seem not to comprehend the warn- 
 ing, or at least not to regard it as the Word of Life. The 
 desire of my soul for this class is, that the Lord may anoint 
 them with the eye-salve of his kingdom, that they may see 
 Him, the Bishop of Souls, to be beautiful and altogether 
 lovely ; that they may know a being born again, not after 
 the flesh, but of the incorruptible seed and Word of Life. 
 Until the children of men are both willing and obedient, 
 the Lord's kingdom cannot come, nor his will be done on 
 earth as it is in heaven. There is in us an ability that is 
 always ready to do, and always qualified to do. We must 
 know this to be laid down, even at the feet of the Master, 
 that we may receive from Him the wisdom which is from 
 
148 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LBVICK. 
 
 above, which is "first pure, then peaceable," &c. This 
 wisdom, so different from the human, is, indeed, "full of 
 mercy and of good fruits," and as it is sought and abode in, 
 it will enable us to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim 
 liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to 
 them that are bound. 
 
 With my brother, Benjamin G. Foulke, for my compan- 
 ion, I have attended Friends' Meeting at Salem, 'N. J., and 
 in the afternoon of the same day the one at Wilmington, 
 Del. We were enabled to accomplish the journey between 
 the two meetings through the kindness of our friend and 
 relative, Aaron B. Ivins, who took us to Pennsgrove, and 
 from Newcastle we were forwarded by a man named Saw- 
 yer, whose wife is a Friend. Both husband and wife were 
 strangers to us. On our return to Philadelphia we found 
 my father seriously ill, so that we hastened home, and 
 informed mother, who had been staying at my house dur- 
 ing my absence. Father has been a very healthy man, and 
 having a good constitution, he recovered from this attack, 
 though it was a severe one. 
 
 If i nth Month 10th. During the past month great spirit- 
 ual dearth and want have been experienced. This condition 
 followed a state of great plenty that had been enjoyed for 
 some time before. During this time of poverty the enemy- 
 has made his appearance, and presented himself to me in 
 many specious ways, until I have, at times, almost been 
 .brought to believe that no good thing had ever been my 
 
EARLY MANHOOD. 149 
 
 portion to bear unto the people. But the Lord, who knows 
 the wants of his children, will, in his own time, appear in 
 their assemblies, and will manifest himself among them by 
 the breaking of bread, even that bread which is a strength 
 to the famished spirit. But it must be in his time, and we 
 must patiently abide in the time of our want, as well as 
 rejoice in the season of plenty. 
 
 Having, for some time past, felt my mind drawn to visit 
 Friends and others within the limits of Baltimore Yearly 
 Meeting, I laid the concern before our last Monthly Meet- 
 ing. After a time of deliberation on the subject, a minute 
 of unity and concurrence was granted, which, according to 
 our good order, was presented to the Quarterly Meeting, 
 when my concern was opened there. In this meeting there 
 was a time of silent waiting, but way did not open for grant- 
 ing the necessary certificate of procedure, and I am satisfied 
 that it was the wisdom of Truth that the matter should go 
 no farther at this time. I felt how essential it is for those 
 who are fathers in the Church, as well as for all of us, to 
 keep near the holy Fount, for thus is preservation extended 
 to the children. The decision of the meeting was not the 
 result of any unkind or improper feeling toward me, but of 
 a desire to be governed by the mind of Truth. The way 
 had, in some measure, closed up in my own mind, but fear- 
 ing that my misgivings were caused by my own weakness 
 and reasonings, I was afraid to withhold the concern, and 
 so I thought best to lay it before my friends, believing that, 
 
EARLY MANHOOD. 151 
 
 assemblies, a willingness to gratify this desire. Thus there 
 is fostered in both speaker and hearers, a growth of that 
 spirit which must die before Christ shall become our chief 
 
 joy. 
 
 My spirit travails in exercise on account of the beloved 
 youth, living as they do in a day when the means which the 
 enemy of all righteousness is using, are so plausible, so in- 
 sidious in their character, that the spiritual sense of these 
 precious young people, has become blunted, and they have 
 grown so wise in their own conceits that they do not hearken 
 to the voice of the Lord, nor are they willing to listen to 
 his qualified instruments, where the message or its delivery 
 does not please their critical but vitiated taste. How subtle 
 are the devices of the reasoner to draw the children away 
 from the Father's house; even making some believe that 
 they are already in possession of the riches of the kingdom ; 
 and encouraging others to believe that the course they are 
 pursuing will lead them, eventually, to the Heavenly Jeru- 
 salem. 
 
 My prayer for these deluded ones is that they may with- 
 draw as to the other side of the mountain ; that they may 
 often be found on the watch tower, watching for the ap- 
 proaches of the enemy, and at the same time waiting to 
 hear the voice of the beloved of souls. Here and here only, 
 is preservation ; and it is to this place of safety that I would 
 invite our young people, and include myself in the invitation. 
 
 For those who are farther advanced on the journey of life. 
 
152 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 as well as in religious experience, and who should be ready 
 to take their places in the fore-front of the battle, so as to 
 ward off the enemy, and prevent encroachments upon our 
 Zion, 1 have been deeply concerned lest the love of the 
 world, and the pursuit of its riches, should so benumb their 
 spiritual energies, as to mar their usefulness in the Church, 
 and deprive them of the power to become valiants in the 
 Lamb's warfare. "Awake, awake, put on thy strength, 
 Zion ; put on thy beautiful garments, Jerusalem, the holy 
 city : for henceforth there shall no more come unto thee the 
 uneircumcised and the unclean. Shake thyself from the 
 dust; arise, and sit down, Jerusalem : loose thyself from 
 the bands of thy neck, captive daughter of Zion." Then 
 will the mourners and the heavy-hearted in Zion cry aloud 
 and rejoice; their wailing and lamentation will be turned 
 into rejoicing when they behold those that had been dead, 
 to be made alive, and to be adorned with the white robe, 
 which is the clothing of the saints. 
 
 That all the sons and daughters of men whose eyes have 
 been in a measure anointed with the eye-salve of the King- 
 dom, whereby they have been enabled to see the emptiness 
 of all worldly enjoyments, would be clothed with the white 
 robe, and come to the marriage supper of the Lamb ; then 
 would they be ready to be used for the hastening of the day 
 " When the kingdoms of this world are become the king- 
 doms of our Lord and of his Christ ; and He shall reign for 
 ever and ever." But this day can never dawn until we are 
 
EARLY MANHOOD. 163 
 
 found willing to be faithful, and to know of a truth that the 
 Lord of Heaven and earth is our God. 
 
 Thus has my* spirit been drawn to write this evening, not 
 knowing when I took my pen what I should write, nor do I 
 know to what purpose I have written it. 
 
 During the past few months I have been mostly at home, 
 though I have had some service at meetings in Philadel- 
 phia, at Huddonfield Quarter, and in visiting the Monthly 
 Meetings of my own Quarter. Truly it may be said "The 
 ways of Zion do mourn because " so few " come to her 
 solemn feasts." At Haddonfield we were baptized together 
 into much nearness and tenderness, and the call was ex- 
 tended to those who were asleep, to awake,' and Christ 
 would give them light ; the youth were exhorted to bow 
 their necks to his yoke, and their backs to his burdens ; 
 while the mourners in Zion were encouraged to hold fast 
 the profession of their faith without wavering. 
 
 Oh, the exceeding goodness of God to his creature man ! 
 I have to speak of it; my soul must bear testimony to it, 
 for when I was an hungered, He fed me; when I was thirsty 
 He gave me drink; when my soul was sick and under the 
 bondage of sin. He visited me, and poured in the oil and 
 the wine to heal, after that He had purged me by the fire 
 of his love ; yea and He continues to care for me still. I 
 would that every sin-stricken and tried soul would come 
 to the Physician of value, and be healed of its maladies. 
 " And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him 
 10 
 
154 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the 
 water of life freely." 
 
 [This is the last of the Diary. It closes with the year 
 1843.— Ed,] 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 MATURE MANHOOD. 
 
 As the Diary of Samuel J. Levick ends with the year 
 1843, the leading incidents of the remaining forty-one years 
 of his life were not consecutively recorded. Indeed, many 
 of them were not recorded at all, but have been retained in 
 the memory of those who were intimate with him, and who 
 were interested in his proceedings, as well as impressed by 
 his individuality. 
 
 At the beginning of the year 1844 he was a widower, 
 living on his farm at Richland, while his infant daughter 
 was tenderly cared for by his mother and sisters, at their 
 home in Philadelphia. 
 
 In the autumn of this year he was married to Susanna 
 Morris Mather, of Whitpain, Montgomery County, Pa., a 
 member of Gwynedd Monthly Meeting. Her parents were 
 Charles and Jane (Roberts) Mather, and her great-great- 
 grandmother, for whom she was named, was Susanna Mor- 
 ris, an eminent minister in the Society of Friends. 
 
MATURE MANHOOD. " 155 
 
 With the approbation of the Monthly Meeting, her mar- 
 riage was accomplished at the house of Jane Mather, who 
 was a widow and a chronic invalid, being so disabled by 
 rheumatism that she could not get to the meeting-house, 
 and hence had not been present at the marriages of two of 
 her daughters. But as the Discipline had been altered, Su- 
 sanna could be married at home, an arrangement that was 
 very satisfactory to both mother and daughter, as well as to 
 the company assembled on the occasion. . The Mather 
 homestead came from their Eoberts' ancestors, and it has 
 been in the family for several generations. The home- 
 name of the place is " Woodlawn," and the house stands 
 on a part of the Roberts tract, which is now almost in- 
 cluded in the flourishing settlement of Penllyn. 
 
 By this marriage Samuel became a double brother-in-law 
 to Benjamin G. Foulke, and between the two there was a 
 bond of brotherhood which only death could sever. A few 
 years later Benjamin became an elder by appointment — for 
 he was already one by qualification — and the two were in 
 close sympathy in their religious exercises as well as in fra- 
 ternal affection. 
 
 Samuel took his wife to " Spring Lawn," his Richland 
 home, where they passed the first four years of their mar- 
 ried life. That the union was a happy one need not be told 
 to those who knew them, but if testimony were wanted to 
 substantiate the fact, it could be found in fullness in the 
 unpublished portions of the correspondence. 
 
156 ' LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 At this time, though only twenty-five years of age, Sam- 
 uel J. Levick was a recorded and very acceptable Gospel 
 minister. Having so recently trodden the slippery paths of 
 youth, and not merely encountered, but overcome, many 
 temptations, he was well qualified to address the young, for 
 he could appeal to them as one of them, could point out 
 the dangers to which they were exposed, and then, in a 
 clear, cogent manner, direct them to the one way of escape, 
 and to the terms by which they might obtain an entrance 
 to the pathway of safety. After having thus presented the 
 dangers and hardships of the bondage, and pointed to the 
 means by which they might escape from it, he would, in 
 gentle, persuasive tones, invite them to enter upon the path 
 of peace, assuring them, from his own experience, that they 
 would, in very deed, receive "beauty for ashes," and be 
 ready to marvel that they had even hesitated before mak- 
 ing the all-important choice. 
 
 In mixed companies, such as assemble at funerals, he was 
 often highly favored to warn, and if need be, to alarm, 
 some, and then to close with a fitting application of the 
 consolations of the Gospel. In the year 1848 he attended 
 a large funeral at Plymouth, Pa. The deceased was a 
 young man who had lived a circumspect life, and passed 
 peacefully away. At the house Samuel sat with the family, 
 and spoke to them in a very comforting manner, but at the 
 meeting-house, to the assembled multitude, he had a mes- 
 sage of alarm to deliver, and in giving it, it would seem as 
 
MATURE MANHOOD. 157 
 
 if he had kept nothing back. On the following day (First- 
 day) he attended a neighboring meeting, in which he was 
 remarkably favored in explaining the position of the elder 
 brother in the parable of the Prodigal Son. Thus, in less 
 than twenty-four hours, were delivered three discourses, 
 each totally different from the others, and all leaving so 
 good a savor as to bear evidence of their origin, and to con- 
 vince that each one was adapted to some spiritual state or 
 states present when it was delivered. 
 
 Being a full believer in the Friends' idea of a proper 
 qualification for the ministry — that the minister must hand 
 out to the assembled multitude, or to the individual in pri- 
 vate, just what is given him to deliver; and that, to the 
 strictly obedient, the time for the offering, as well as the 
 matter, will be made known — he had faith that he would 
 be sustained in whatever he was called upon to do, though, 
 to the eye of the natural man, the labor might appear ardu- 
 ous and the obstacles in the pathway to its performance 
 almost insurmountable. 
 
 In the year 1849, when on a religious visit in Western 
 New York, he was at the house of his friend, Sunderland 
 P. Gardner, when he felt an impression to walk out and 
 meditate upon what might be required of him. Soon after, 
 getting into an open field, he saw, at some distance, smoke 
 arising from a ravine, and was impressed to go in the direc- 
 tion of that smoke, although he saw neither habitation nor 
 human being. On getting nearer to the ravine, he discov- 
 
158 LIFE , OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 ered that the smoke arose from a hovel, toward which he 
 went, not knowing who inhabited it, nor why he should go. 
 On arriving at the hut he knocked at the door, and when it 
 was partly opened, inquired, "Who lives here?" "Nobody 
 but me and the cats," was the response that came from a 
 gruff voice. The door was then dosed against him, but he 
 opened it and stepped in, when the occupant, who was a 
 hermit, as Samuel afterwards learned, walked out and shut 
 the door after him. Samuel followed him, and told him 
 that he had come to see him and would like to speak with 
 him. " Who sent you here ?" was the only reply. Samuel 
 told him that no one had sent him, nor did any one know 
 of his coming. Again the misanthrope went into his dis- 
 mal abode, and again was the door closed between him and 
 his visitor. A person of weaker faith, or of less courage', 
 would probably have given out at this point, feeling that he 
 had done what he could. But not so with Samuel Levick. 
 He again went in where he knew he was so unwelcome, 
 and was confronted by the question " Didn't Gardner send 
 you here?" The indications were very unfavorable for 
 having a religious opportunity; for, in addition to the gene- 
 ral appearance of squalor, a gun stood in the corner, and 
 the hermit was so irascible that, when the tongs fell on the 
 hearth, he swore violently. But Samuel was persevering, 
 as well as persuasive, and at length the man appeared to 
 believe him, and to accept for truth his statement, " No 
 human being sent me here, and no one outside of this 
 
MATURE MANHOOD, lo9 
 
 house knows of my being here." Outward quiet being 
 thus secured, the way was opened for Samuel to deliver a 
 very solemn message. He told the desperate man that this 
 would be his " last call," and warned him of the awful con- 
 sequences of not heeding it. Tbe listener soon calmed 
 down, appeared serious, and was left in a quiet, if not a 
 contrite, frame of mind. 
 
 It was near nightfall when Samuel returned to join his 
 friends in the social circle, and on telling them where he 
 had been and what had been his experience, they were 
 greatly surprised, as this hermit was considered one of the 
 most dangerous men in that part of the country; so defiant 
 that all the neighborhood stood in awe of him. 
 
 That the visit was not without some good results was 
 evident — as Samuel was afterwards informed — from the 
 changed manner of this heretofore desperate man. 
 
 This is only one instance, though a striking one, of the 
 strength of that faith by which our friend was led into the 
 by-ways of religious labor, and enabled to overcome all fear 
 of consequences, so that; by child-like trust and unreasoning 
 obedience, his religious habits were first formed, and then 
 strengthened, until he became a young man, and a strong 
 man, in the Master's service. 
 
 In 1848, Samuel, with his family, left Spring Lawn, and 
 moved to Philadelphia, where he joined his brother Wil- 
 liam in mercantile business. As both of the brothers were 
 faithful attendants of mid-week meetings, they thought it 
 
100 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 best to belong to different Monthly Meetings, so that no. 
 business engagements should prevent either from meeting 
 for worship with the few that usually assembled for that 
 purpose in the middle of the week. 
 
 A few months later Samuel and his family moved to 
 Camden, N". J,, within the limits of Camden Preparative 
 and Haddonfield Monthly Meeting, of. which they soon 
 after became members. 
 
 By this removal they were brought into neighborship 
 and close intimacy with that worthy elder, William Fol- 
 well,* and the fellowship between elder and minister 
 proved to be lasting as life. The disparity in their ages, 
 instead of being a hindrance, seemed rather to be a further- 
 ance to the close relationship which they mutually enjoyed. 
 
 An extract from the minutes of Genesee Yearly Meeting, 
 in 1849, shows that " Samuel J. Leviek, a minister, and 
 William Folwell, an elder and companion of, S. J. L., 
 attended the meeting with minutes from Haddonfield 
 Monthly Meeting, N^ew Jersey." It would appear from 
 some letters written by Samuel at the time, that they 
 attended most, perhaps all, of the meetings composing 
 Farmington and Scipio Quarters. 
 
 During the summer of 1849 the cholera prevailed, both 
 in Philadelphia and in Camden, and Samuel had his family 
 removed to Woodlawn. They were favored to keep well, 
 
 * His sister, Elizabeth Pittield, was a favored minister, belonging to the 
 North Meeting in Philadelphia. 
 
MATURE MANHOOD. 161 
 
 as was he himself, though he remained in the city, except 
 over First-days. His letters at this time speak of the epi- 
 demic, and his remarks on the subject indicate that, while 
 seriously impressed, he was not needlessly alarmed, by the 
 unusual mortality. 
 
 In 1850 they again moved to Philadelphia, and became 
 members of Cherry Street Meeting. One who was a con- 
 stant attendant of the meeting at that time, well remembers 
 the powerful communications of Samuel J. Levick in the 
 large meetings for worship, also the earnestness and the zeal 
 which he manifested while participating in the transaction 
 of the business in Monthly Meetings. Though only thirty- 
 one years of age, he was one of the most staunch, conserva- 
 tive and interested members of that meeting and of Phila- 
 delphia Quarter. Being strong in his convictions, he was 
 earnest in manner, powerful in expression and influential 
 with the concerned Friends. 
 
 In 1857 he removed with his family to Quakertown, 
 where again they became members of Richland Monthly 
 Meeting, and where they continued to reside for seventeen 
 years. 
 
 Here came the first household sorrow to himself and his 
 present wife. Their youngest son, James J. Levick, Jr., 
 died at the age of six years. The death occurred on a 
 First-day morning, and when the struggle was over, the 
 bereaved father felt that it would be right for him to attend 
 his meeting. He did so, and was greatly favored in testi- 
 
162 Lli'B OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 mony, so that, probably, many hearts were touched by this 
 pathetic evidence of his fidelity to the promptings of duty. 
 
 A few years later there was a break in the family circle, 
 occasioned by a marriage. Samuel's oldest child and only 
 daughter, Jane Foulke Levick, was married to Edwin A. 
 Jackson, of E^ew York City. The marriage — with the ap- 
 probation of the Monthly Meeting — took place at the house 
 of her father, and soon afterwards she went with her husband 
 to N'ew York, where. they have ever since resided. 
 
 The family now consisted of Samuel and Susanna and 
 their four sons, Lewis J., Charles M., Samuel J., Jr., and 
 William M., Jr. 
 
 Both of the parents being favorable to a liberal education 
 and desirous to have the individual preferences of their 
 sons carried out, it became a matter for careful and delib- 
 erate consideration to decide upon the institutions in which 
 they should be placed to finish the scholastic part of their 
 education. In view of these conditions, "William finished 
 at Friends' Central School in Philadelphia; Charles at 
 Friends' Boarding School in Providence, R. I. (at which 
 institution his brother Samuel was at one time a pupil); 
 and Lewis and Samuel at Haverford College. The selec-' 
 tion of these institutions evinces not only good judgment 
 on the part of the parents, but also the confidence they felt 
 in the training given by Friends in both branches of the 
 Society. 
 
 On leaving school and college the sons all inclined to 
 
MATURE MANHOOD. 163 
 
 business in the city, and, as tlie parents desired to have 
 theni at honae, the family moved to Philadelphia in 1874, 
 though for several years after, they continued to pass their 
 summers at Quakertown. 
 
 A second family bereavement was the death of the son 
 Samuel, which occurred in 1880. He died at Quakertown, 
 after a short illness, leaving a widow and three children. 
 This unexpected and very sad event was a great blow to 
 the parents, who were preparing to go on a religious visit 
 to some of the meetings in the State of ]!^ew York. 
 
 Though often called away from home on Truth's ac- 
 count, Samuel did not neglect his temporal concerns, but 
 was " diligent in business," as well as " fervent in spirit." 
 While the higher duties always took the precedence, the 
 lower were by no means disregarded. 
 
 During the period from 1861 to 1865 our country was 
 passing through the ordeal of a " civil war." A man of 
 Samuel Levick's keen intellect, quick perceptions and ar- 
 dent temperament, must not be supposed to have been an 
 idle spectator to the thrilling incidents of those eventful 
 times, nor an indifferent reflector upon the effects which 
 they were likely to produce. Some of his more cautious 
 friends were disposed to remonstrate with him, when they 
 heard of the interest that he was manifesting in the strug- 
 gle; but he loved his country, and he abhorred slavery. 
 So be felt that the one should be preserved and the other 
 destroyed, though, as a Friend and a humane man, he 
 
164 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 deplored the means employed, and greatly desired that 
 the effusion of blood might be stayed. On this grave 
 subject his expressions were as frank as his convictions 
 were strong. It was near the beginning of the year 1862, 
 when visiting at the house of a friend in Hew York, that 
 he remarked (in substance) : " I felt, at the breaking out of 
 this war, that it was the beginning of the end of American 
 slavery." About one year after this remark was made, the 
 Emancipation Proclamation went into effect. 
 
 He was often in Washington, and he had personal inter- 
 views with every President from Lincoln to Arthur. His 
 admiration and esteem for Abraham Lincoln were very 
 great, and between the two there seemed to be a bond of 
 sympathy^ which was strengthened by the freedom of their 
 intercourse. He had several interviews with the President 
 and with Secretary Stanton, in reference to the attitude of 
 Friends 'toward the administration, and to their peculiar 
 position with regard to war and to slavery. 
 
 Near the end of the year 1874 he was elected a member 
 of the Board of Managers of the Pennsylvania Society for 
 the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and, in the year fol- 
 lowing, he succeeded Prof. Pliny Earle Chase as Secretary 
 of the Society. He filled this place during the remainder 
 of his life, and the value of his services therein to the cause 
 of humanity may be estimated by an examination of the 
 Annual Reports for those ten years. His life, which had 
 heretofore been active, now became a very busy one, for 
 
MATURE MANHOOD. 165 
 
 not only was the time occupied, but his daily duties were 
 fraught with grave responsibilities, the discharge of which 
 required vigilance, courage, decision, prudence and — above 
 al 1 — conscien tiousn ess. 
 
 He had frequent opportunities to mingle with the humane 
 men of his own and of other cities, to compare sentiments 
 with them and to give them the benefit of his experi- 
 ence connected with the great work in which he was so' 
 deeply interested. On the other hand, his duties not infre- 
 quently brought him into near contact with some of the 
 coarsest and most depraved men to be found outside of 
 prison bars. When the mute appeals of the dumb creation 
 demanded his intercession on their behalf he was fearless in 
 the discharge of his duty, whether it required him to stop 
 cruel or careless drivers on the street, to apply the law to 
 boys who were torturing cats, to visit the slaughter-house 
 where needless suffering was inflicted, to spy out the dark 
 dens where brutal sports were connected with gambling, 
 or to appear before the courts and give testimony against 
 those who had been caught in the meshes of the law and 
 were undergoing trial for cruelty to animals. 
 
 Great personal courage did it require on the part of this 
 vigilant secretary to go to the cock-pit — as he did on one 
 occasion — near* midnight, taking with him officers for the 
 arrest of the principals who had provided this cruel, as well 
 as unlawful, entertainment. So skillfully was the affair 
 planned and so fully was the plan carried out, that the men 
 
166 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 arrested were convicted and punished according to law, and 
 about thirty fowls were captured and sent to the Alms- 
 house.* 
 
 To those unacquainted with the work done in and by 
 this Society, it would be a matter of surprise to learn the 
 number of complaints and arrests which are annually made 
 in order to lessen the sufferings that are willfully, thought- 
 •lessly or needlessly inflicted upon the brute creation. 
 
 The details of suffering in many of the cases investigated 
 by the efloLcient oflicers of the Society are so realistic and so 
 harrowing that we almost shrink from reading the account 
 of them. "We may state, in general, that suffering has been 
 greatly mitigated, that the inflicters of it have, in many 
 cases, been punished, that the law has become a terror to 
 evil-doers, and that civilization has been advanced by the 
 well-direct-ed and untiring efforts of this Society.f 
 
 * In one of the Reports of the Board of Managers, we find it stated that 
 " The experience of those engaged in the cruel practice of dog and cock- 
 fighting, owing to the numerous arrests made, followed by convictions and 
 penalties, with loss of their stock from confiscation, which the law requires, 
 has led the principals to extreme caution and secrecy." 
 
 t The founder of this Commonwealth would probably have been sorely 
 distressed if he could have foreseen that, in two hundred years from the time 
 of his landing and making his treaty with the Indians, such brutal sports as 
 cock-fighting and dog-fighting would be practised in his beloved Philadelphia, 
 or that the cruelty and the avarice of man would require over-exertiou of 
 horses, or would inflict upon them sufiering caused by beating, or by ill-fitting 
 harness; that cattle and swine would sufier from hunger and thirst while 
 making long journeys in crowded cars ; that cats (and some of the lower 
 orders of animals) would be subjected to torture in order that vicious men 
 and boys might enjoy the brutal pleasure of seeing them suflTer pain. On the 
 
MATURE MANHOOD. 167 
 
 III the autumn of 1877 " a call was issued by the Illinois 
 Humane Society, inviting the different Societies on the 
 continent for the Protection of Animals to send delegates, 
 to meet at Cleveland, Ohio." Edmund Webster and Sam- 
 uel J. Levick represented the Pennsylvania Society in the 
 convention. This assembly resolved itself into an organiza- 
 tion known as the International Humane Society, of which 
 Samuel J. Levick, of Pennsylvania, was made Treasurer, • 
 also appointed one of the Advisory Council and one of the 
 Committee on Legislation.* Holding these three official 
 positions, he attended the second annual meeting, which 
 was held in Baltimore. For the next six years annual 
 meetings came in the following order : Chicago, Philadel- 
 phia, Boston, Buffalo, "Washington and Pittsburg. To all 
 save one or two of these conventions, Samuel J. Levick 
 was a delegate, representing the Pennsylvania Society. 
 
 He was also one of the charter members of the Pennsj-l- 
 vania Society to Protect Children from Cruelty, incorpo- 
 rated on " the 10th day of March, 1877," and, during the 
 
 other hand, what interest (as we have good reason to believe) would Penn 
 have taken in aiding a society formed for the express purpose of correcting 
 these abuses. What hearty support would he have given to the worthy men 
 of Philadelphia who have labored so faithfully in this cause. It is probable 
 that no humane work ever accomplished or attempted in this city would have 
 been more in accordance with his wishes, or more heartily sanctioned by his 
 approval, than that carried on by the Pennsylvania Society for the Preven- 
 tion of Cruelty to Animals. 
 
 * Edwin Lee Brown, of Illinois, was chosen President; Abraham Frith, of 
 Massachusetts, Secretary ; and George T. Angell, of Massachusetts, one of the 
 Advisory Council. Henry Bergh, of New York, and Coleman Sellers, of 
 Pennsylvania, were among the Vice Presidents. 
 
168 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 remainder of his life, he. was one of the Board of Managers 
 of this society. " He manifested an abiding interest in the 
 purpose for which it had been organized, being seldom 
 absent from the meetings, and taking an active part in the 
 debates. His voice was ever raised to protect the suffering 
 child and to shield it from the hard hand of its cruel master." 
 It may be said that he was one of the pioneers in the 
 movement which resulted in the formation of this society. 
 His friend, John D. Wright, who was an active worker in 
 the one in New York, was visiting in Philadelphia, when 
 he and Samuel had some conversation on the benefits to be 
 derived from the existence of such societies, especially in 
 large cities. The conversation resulted in calling a meet- 
 ing in Friends' Meeting-house on Race Street. This meet- 
 ing, of which Samuel J. Levick was chairman and John D. 
 Wright one of the speakers, was held on the twenty-first of 
 Mnth Month, 1876. It was followed by one, a week later, 
 in a hall on Chestnut Street, which was the forerunner of a 
 series of meetings that led up to the permanent organiza- 
 tion of the society, of which Ex-Mayor Daniel M. Fox was 
 made President and Benjamin J. Crew, Secretary.* 
 
 * This Society, as may be seen by a reference lo its reports, has done a 
 vast amount of good by interference and protection in cases of cruelty prac- 
 tised upon helpless children ; but what it has accomplished negatively, or by 
 intimidation, can neither be recorded nor estimated ; for the knowledge that 
 such an organization exists is a source of terror to those who could not be 
 reached by moral suasion, or tendered by the piteous cries of their own off- 
 spring, but who regard the agents of the Society as the custodians of a rod for 
 punishment, which is ready for application whenever the law shall be vio- 
 lated in the treatment of children. 
 
MATURE MANHOOD. 169 
 
 Being strongly attached to his native city, his native 
 State and his worthy ancestors, who were among the early 
 settlers, also having a profound respect for the memory of 
 "William Penn, Samuel J. Levick took an active interest in 
 the Pennsylvania Bi-Centennial Association, and, at the 
 request of its President, Edward C. Knight, was made one 
 of the Executive Committee. His wonted energy was 
 given to the work devolving upon him in this position, and 
 his ability and efficiency were appreciated by the other 
 members of the committee, as well as by the President.* 
 
 He manifested a lively interest in the public schools, and 
 in every agency which he thought would promote the wel- 
 fare and increase the happiness of those who were in the 
 morning of life. While his own children were carefully 
 educated in institutions conducted by Friends, he was not 
 indifferent to the needs of the many who were receiving 
 
 * [The following note is taken from a pamphlet entitled " Pennsylvania's 
 Bi-Centennial," which has kindly been furnished by one of the members of 
 that Association. — Ed.] 
 
 " The Bi-Centennial Association of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania," 
 whose purpose is to secure a proper commemoration of the Two-Hundredth 
 Anniversary of the founding of the City of Philadelphia and the Common- 
 wealth of Pennsylvania by William Penn, was chartered by the Court of Com- 
 mon Pleas of the County of Philadelphia, on January 29th, 1881, and is 
 officered as follows : 
 
 Pbesidbnt— Edward O. Knight. 
 
 Vice Pbesidents.— Hon. Henry D. Moore, Professor Franklin Taylor, Profesor 
 
 E. D. Cope, James C. Thompson, and Clayton McMlohael. 
 Tbeastibeb. — J. Thomas Stavely. 
 Rkcobding Secbetaby.— Charles W. Alexander. 
 COKRESPONDiNG Seceetabt.— Clifford P. MacOalla. 
 Genebal Managee.— Alexander P. Colesherry. 
 
 11 
 
170 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 instruction in the excellent public schools of his native city. 
 Indeed, he was an earnest advocate for the " common 
 school" system, which he regarded as essential for the edu- 
 cation of those who were soon to become American citizens, 
 but whose environment, without this powerful auxiliary, 
 might be such as to foster ignorance and vice in the days 
 of their youth, to be followed by idleness, criminality and 
 defiance of law, in the prime of their manhood. For this 
 class he regarded the public school as invaluable. 
 
 While thus interested in schools for training, and in 
 societies for protecting the youth, he never lost sight of the 
 very great importance of having them reared in a well- 
 ordered home. With his usual candor, he was free to ex- 
 press his opinion as to the delinquency of those occupying 
 the responsible station of parents, who neglected their chil- 
 dren, or who left them to be cared for by hirelings. Or- 
 ganized beneficence he thought highly commendable, but 
 those who engage in it should look at home first. Children 
 should receive from their parents a full measure of loving 
 sympathy, and such advice as would enable them to find 
 the pathway of uprightness and to walk steadily therein ; 
 while, in return, they should render filial affection and 
 unquestioning obedience to those whom Providence has 
 placed over them as caretakers. 
 
 Such were the sentiments of Samuel J. Levick, as ex- 
 pressed in public discourses and in private conversation, 
 on the mutual obligations of parents and children ; and he 
 
MATURE MANHOOD. 171 
 
 believed that, as these were fulfilled, they would prepare 
 the way in the youthful mind for the reception of the 
 higher law which, by the work of grace, would, in due 
 time, be revealed to it. "First the blade, then the ear, 
 after that the full corn in the ear," was a text that he often 
 quoted and fittingly applied to early religious experience. 
 
 It is a source of regret that we have not more from his 
 pen during the later years of his life, but his mission then 
 seemed to be to mingle with the people and to do what 
 good'he could in his. daily walk among men, in social con- 
 verse, in private interviews and in public discourses. Those 
 who were privileged to sit under his ministry at the time 
 referred to, can testify that he was much favored in the 
 exercise of his gift, so that large assemblies were often sol- 
 emnized thereby, as was evident from the stillness that 
 prevailed after he had taken his seat. 
 
 He seemed to be especially favored in his communica- 
 tions delivered in Race Street Meeting on Fourth-days, 
 when several,, hundred school children were present and 
 were attentive listeners to his exhortations. The older 
 ones often spoke of these interesting sermons, and some 
 who are now in the meridian of life still recur, with feel- 
 ings of satisfaction, to the impressions made upon their 
 minds in those weekly gatherings. A very considerable 
 number of the pupils were not Friends, but were the chil- 
 dren of parents belonging to other religious denominations, 
 and were accustomed to go to the " Sabbath School" con- 
 
172 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 nected with the church which their parents attended ; but 
 the discourses of Samuel J. Levick were as well adapted to 
 these young people as they were to the Friends. Being 
 catholic in spirit, non-sectarian in sentiment, sympathetic 
 with the young, apt in illustration and free in expression, 
 he seemed to be an instrument well qualified to proclaim a 
 Gospel message in these mixed but interesting assemblies. 
 
 In Meetings for Discipline he manifested an abiding in- 
 terest in the subjects that came before them, and when he 
 expressed a sentiment therein, it was usually given with an 
 earnestness that carried with it the weight of his own con- 
 viction. " Speak unto . . Israel that they go forward." 
 " Ye have encompassed this mountain long enough," was 
 with him a sentiment, an exhortation and a rule of action. 
 
 Of his last illness there is not much to be said, except 
 that it found him prepared for the solemn change. He had 
 settled his outward affairs to the best of his ability, and his 
 inward accounts had been balanced day by day on his jour- 
 ney through life, from the time of his fiill convincement 
 that his will was not his own. He did not forget the day of 
 his espousal, when he had offered up his young heart — a 
 full surrender — on the altar of obedience to manifested 
 duty. Then, after passing through deep waters, he experi- 
 enced just what it meant to have his feet placed upon the 
 rock, even that rock which no storms can shake, no earth- 
 quakes overthrow. 
 
 On the eleventh of Fourth Month, 1885, he awoke in the 
 
MATURE MANHOOD. 173 
 
 morning, feeling not so well as usual, and very thoughtful 
 as to his ability to attend a funeral in the country. But in 
 this, as in other cases in which religious service was in- 
 volved, he had only to consult the Oracle — laying aside 
 human reason and surrendering his own will — which he 
 did, and found that it would be right for him to go. In 
 the evening he came home, fatigued in body, but having no 
 doubt that he had been in Ms place that day. Next morn- 
 ing he felt excused from going to meeting (it was First- 
 day), and rested quietly at home. On Second and Third- 
 days he went, as usual, to the office of the society of which 
 he was secretary, and on Third-day evening he left it for 
 the last time. During the remaining fi.ve days he had seve- 
 ral attacks of oppression, which seemed to indicate that the 
 end was not far distant and that it might come suddenly. 
 His brother, vy^ho attended him professionally, sought to 
 relieve the oppression, though he knew that his treatment 
 of the case could be only palliative — there was no hope of 
 cure. 
 
 On Seventh-day, the 18tb, Samuel took an opportunity 
 with his wife, to tell her that he had settled his outward 
 aftairs, that it seemed to him as if his work was done, and 
 that he felt very peaceful. Having thus informed her that 
 he was aware of his situation, and perceiving that she was 
 much overcome, he did not press the matter farther, but 
 seemed to be as cheerful afterwards as' he had been all 
 through his illness. That night, for the first time, he was 
 
174 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 unable to lie down; but on First-day morning he was so 
 much more comfortable that he remarked, " I feel well 
 enough to go to meeting." 
 
 Between the spells of oppression he did not suffer much 
 — at least did not manifest suffering — ^but mingled with his 
 family in his usual bright and cheerful way. His daughter 
 and her husband were visiting at his house, having come 
 from N^ew York before he was taken ill, and were with him 
 during the last week of his life. By a remarkable coinci- 
 dence they were the only persons present when he passed 
 away. 
 
 On First-day evening he went to the tea-table with his 
 family, and mingled pleasantly with them during the meal. 
 On returning to the sitting-room, he thought that a little 
 exercise might be beneficial, so he walked several times 
 across the room, supported on the arm of his wife. The 
 doct<Ji"'came in, and told him that he was better, to which 
 he readily assented, and then directions were given as to 
 what should be done in case of a recurrence of the oppres- 
 sion. His wife, soon after the doctor's departure, went into 
 another room to prepare the medicine which might be 
 needed during the night. His son Charles had gone away 
 a short distance, and his children, Edwin and Jane Jackson, 
 were sitting by him when they observed the change. Jane 
 quicklj- called her mother, who hastened to return, but only 
 to iind that all was over. There had been no spasm, no 
 
m 
 D 
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 I 
 
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 z 
 
 z 
 O 
 
 f- 
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 z 
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MATURE MANHOOD. 175 
 
 struggle. He died in his chair, and his countenance wore 
 an expression approaching a smile. 
 
 " How many fall as sudden, not as safe." 
 
 His death occurred at his residence, in "West Philadel- 
 phia, on First-day, the nineteenth of Fourth Month, 1885. 
 If he had lived four months and eleven days longer, he 
 would have been sixty-six years old. The funeral took 
 place on the following Fourth-day, at Merion Friends' 
 Meeting-house, and the large number that assembled to 
 pay their tribute of respect to the departed, gave evidence 
 of the esteem in which he was held. Many were there who 
 lamented the loss of an eminently useful citizen, while, in 
 the Society of Friends, it was felt that a prince in Israel 
 had fallen. 
 
 In the ministry, both branches of Friends were represented 
 on the occasion, and the testimonies borne made a solemn 
 impression upon the large assembly. 
 
 The interment took place in the ground adjacent to the 
 meeting-house, where a number of his worthy ancestors had 
 been buried. 
 
 As the company were dispersing, a relative privately 
 quoted the text, "And they buried him . . . among 
 the kings, because he had done good in 'Israel, both toward 
 God and toward his house." 
 
 The mature life of Samuel J. Levick came to a sudden — 
 it would seem irreverent to call it untimely — close; and 
 though lacking but a few years of the allotted period, he had 
 
176 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 neither the appearance nor the manner of an old man, but 
 retained a freshness and vivacity that seemed like perennial 
 youth; 89 that, in the absence of dates, the observing 
 stranger who met him on the street, the friend who en- 
 gaged him in conversation, or the many who listened to his 
 public discourses, would not have been surprised to hear 
 him say of himself: 
 
 "I stand on life's meridian height." 
 
 ■ The few days of his isolation from his many friends had 
 not prepared them to part with him, or to regard as an in- 
 valid one who had been so active and so sprightly ; hence, 
 when they call up to view his beaming countenance and 
 remember his strong personality, they think of him not as 
 of one worn out in the service of life, but quietly released 
 from his labors to receive the reward of " Well done." 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE. 
 
 No Date. 
 
 To M. G. 
 Dear Friend: — After an evening passed in free and 
 open converse on the nature of Truth, and on its work- 
 ings, I feel free to write to thee that thou may know that I, 
 Samuel J. Levick, do not feel that any good thing is of 
 me, or that I have power to do or to think any good thing. 
 
CORUESPONDENCE. 177 
 
 But I do know that it has pleased the Almighty God to 
 give unto me a life which is not natural, and, therefore, not 
 visible, which is of his own right-hand planting, and which, 
 having come from Him, is pure, for He is pure. And, 
 being of Him who hath all power, it — the life — has power 
 over all other lives, over the life of sin, over all the powers 
 of darkness. He, the Author of this life, is also the Pre- 
 server of it, for He keeps it and feeds it, and no man is able 
 to pluck it out of my Heavenly Father's hand. IsTow, the 
 world has not this life, neither has thou come to it in 
 knowledge, or thou would know it to keep thee, as I have 
 known, and do know it, to keep me. But I have travailed 
 with thee in great tenderness and love, and my spirit has 
 been dipped into feeling with thine, believing that it is the 
 will of heaven to give thee to know of this life ; also, that 
 thou art loved of the Lord, and by me in this life ; and my 
 spirit travails with thee that this life may be brought forth 
 in thee. Oh, then thou wilt witness the vail of the temple 
 to be rent, and the everlasting covenant of life to be given 
 — a covenant", that cannot be broken ! The law will be writ- 
 ten in the heart, and the Word will be nigh, in the heart 
 and in the mouth. . The old heaven and the old earth will 
 pass away, and a new heaven will be opened where Christ 
 sitteth, where his glory and power will cover thee, where 
 thou will rest in the enjoj'ment of his glorious presence. 
 Oh, that thou may " press toward the mark for the prize of 
 the high calling of God in Christ Jesus !" 
 
178 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 Now, the fear that rests with thee, as to the danger of 
 the state alluded to, is groundless ; for " pride goeth before 
 destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." But they 
 who are in the redeemed state, having parted with all their 
 possessions, all of self, have nothing to be proud of. They are 
 poor, having nothing of their own. This poverty is neces- 
 sary to the receiving of the precious gift, and those who are 
 not poor in spirit cannot have it bestowed upon them It. is 
 only, the poor in spirit that are to possess the kingdom of 
 heaven. 
 
 Now, this stripping which we are called to undergo, is 
 that which brings us under trial; for it is hard to give up 
 all, to lay all our crowns at his feet. But such are the 
 terms. There is no other way. After having made the 
 surrender, we find that He gives " beauty for ashes, the oil 
 of joy for mourning, and for a spirit of heaviness the gar- 
 ment of praise." Those who are thus clad, thus endowed, 
 are prepared to " mount up with wings as eagles," to " run 
 and not be weary," to " walk and not faint." 
 
 I have felt it was right that I held up the 'excellency of 
 this gift before thee and you, that you may all be encour- 
 aged to seek Christ, our Holy Redeemer, and receive Him 
 in the way of his coming. There is, in the blessed Truth, 
 a reality that is worth parting with all to receive. Oh, 
 the rest, the peace, that is experienced when the true Sab- 
 bath-day dawns ; that day which is blessed and sanctified of 
 God, and to be kept holy unto the Lord. Be not anxious. 
 
CORRESPONDENCE. 179 
 
 Mary seated herself when she knew that the Lord was com- 
 ing, and waited until He called for her. As soon as she 
 heard that He had called for her, " she arose quickly, and 
 came unto Him." ]|^ow, this is the duty. To go out and 
 meet Him when He calls for us. 
 
 Without knowing thee in person, I have felt with thee in 
 our religious meetings, and I feel drawn in freedom, which 
 the love of God gives, to go and visit thee, feeling that thy 
 spirit is tender. 
 
 In much nearness I am thy well-wisher in the Truth of 
 God, Samuel J. Lbvick. 
 
 No Date. 
 To J. B. C. 
 
 Esteemed Friend: — Thy communication of the twenty- 
 first instant came to hand yesterday, and I am glad that 
 thou felt at liberty to address me. It is my hope that I 
 may always be willing to receive inquiries, and, if able, to 
 furnish any information that may tend to enlighten the 
 minds of my fellow-men, to be as free to impart it as I am 
 to be instructed by them. 
 
 Thou art one of a class' of our members that I feel sym- 
 pathy with, believing them to be honest in their inquiries, 
 and desirous to be found doing that which they believe to 
 be right. Thou art zealous in thy endeavors to promote 
 those works which have for their object the increase and 
 the spread of righteousness and peace. I can heartily sym- 
 pathize with thee and with those who are like-minded, and 
 
180 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LBVICK. 
 
 can understand your feelings; for it has been with me as 
 thou has inferred, that I have stood as one of the active in 
 the works of anti-slavery and non-resistance, and have been 
 joined with others for the promotion of them. I have even 
 seen the day when I felt that I could not, by an act of 
 my own, aeknoivledge fellowship with the Society of Friends, 
 but that I must stand aloof from them, because of their 
 (as I then thought) apparent apathy toward these reforms. 
 But it is meet that I should come directly to thy queries, 
 and answer them as I now view the situation. Thou art 
 " desirous to know" my " opinion respecting the position of 
 the Society of Friends at the present time, and the course 
 to be pursued by those who feel it their duty to act in some 
 more efficient way than, it seems to many, the Society is 
 now doing." 
 
 I presume thou desires to know my opinion respecting 
 the position of the Society of Friends in relation to the 
 subjects of anti-slavery and peace. In reply, I will state 
 that I believe, as a bodi/, as a whole, there is in the Society a 
 strong, an increasing feeling on these subjects, a feeling 
 that will enable it — as light and' ability are furnished — to 
 bear to the nations of the world a testimony against the 
 great evils of war and slavery. But, while I believe this to 
 be the case M'ith the Society, as a body, I do painfully ac- 
 knowledge that there are, even among those who appear 
 active, evidences of a want of a living concern for the testi- 
 monies that we are professing to bear. If we believe, as I 
 
COREBSPONDENCE. 181 
 
 do, that the Spirit of Truth dwells in the heart of the true 
 Friend (let rae he nnderstood), and that those who dwell in 
 the light and are led by the Spirit of Truth are the tnie 
 Friends; then we must admit that these, and these only, 
 who are guided by this light, constitute the Society of 
 Friends. And, as this Spirit will lead and guide into all 
 Truth, it gives to every possessor of it a testimony to bear 
 in accordance with itself. Those who are not guided by 
 the Spirit of Truth are not in unity with the Society, 
 though they may claim a right of membership. Yet the 
 IMng members feel no unity with their conduct; no more 
 than they feel with that of the living members. These 
 nominal members, who are ready to work without any in- 
 ward call, are generally known for their much-speaking, 
 and they would make it appear that they speak the mind of 
 the body. 
 
 The distinguishing principle of the Society of Friends is, 
 that the Spirit of Truth is given to man for a director, and 
 that, if we are the children of God, we will walk by this 
 Spirit, and know it to be the governor of our lives in all 
 our movements. When we come to be thus governed, we 
 shall find that all that is good in us Avill be strengthened, 
 and we shall be neither barren nor unfruitful, but " always 
 abounding in the work of the Lord." I have confidence to 
 believe that this Spirit is the governor of very many within 
 our pale, and with these I have unity. These, being living 
 members, cannot be dead to the cause of suffering human- 
 
182 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 ity, or to any other cause which keeps the Truth in bondage 
 to the spirit of anti-Christ. There are but two spirits 
 in the world — one is of Christ, the other of anti-Christ. 
 War, slavery, self-sufficiency, pride, vanity, intemperance, 
 licentiousness, etc., are not causes, but effects, of the spirit of 
 anti-Christ on the mind. In this, I trust, we can all unite. 
 And, such being the case, we must admit that they can be 
 overcome by the Spirit of Christ, and only by this. "We 
 must have Christ in us, and He must be our director in the 
 work. We must, therefore, perceive that all that is in us 
 that opposes bis kingdom being established, must be re- 
 moved, or we must, at least, be in such a state as to desire 
 its removal. This, as I believe, is the ground upon which 
 the Society of Friends has stood from its first rise, and upon 
 which it now stands. The means that the Spirit of Christ 
 uses to perform the work of reformation are different from 
 those used by man, who engages in the work, " regardless 
 of superior strength, and vainly trusts his own." If we are 
 laboring without the Spirit of Christ, we are under the 
 influence of the spirit of anti-Christ. But mark — I do not 
 say that those who are co-laboring with those who are not 
 Friends, are acting against Christ. No; I make no such 
 charge against them, but would have them query whether 
 or not the actions of the organizations in which they are 
 working are after the Spirit of Christ. Individuals may be 
 innocent, but is the basis of the organization laid on the 
 alone sure foundation ? Do they acknowledge that the im- 
 
CORRESPONDENCE. 183 
 
 mediate revelation of Christ's will to us shall be our alone 
 motive to action, or are they based on a very different 
 foundation, viz: That man's knowledge of the evils of 
 war, slavery and intemperance is a sufficient reason for his 
 crying against them ? They speak of doing the work of 
 Christ, of endeavoring to hasten the day when Christ's 
 government shall be established, when the sword shall be 
 beaten into a plow-share, and the spear into a pruning- 
 hook, and men and nations shall learn war no more. But 
 all this good work is to be done without the assistance of 
 Christ; for many, very many, who compose these reform 
 societies, and whose sentiments give a bearing to their 
 course of procedure, positioely deny that Christ's Spirit does 
 teach the people immediately. How, therefore, can the 
 true Friend unite with these, while he believes that, to per- 
 form any work for Christ, it must be done with the aid of 
 his -Spirit ? 
 
 It was not until I saw things in this light that I could 
 understand why I should not unite, or continue united, 
 with those who do not acknowledge the necessity of having 
 the aid of the Spirit of Christ, in order to promote the 
 works of righteousness. I may say that I never felt con- 
 demnation for what / had done, for I felt that I had done 
 my duty, according to the light then given me. But it was not 
 while I was working with the societies that I saw things 
 thus ; and when I felt it my duty to be more quiet, there was 
 no reason shown me why I should be so. But in time it 
 
184 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 was made apparent, and I now feel I can do all that is 
 required of me as a member of the Society of Friends, 
 without being connected with any outside body that has 
 been organized to promote reforms. 
 
 And, my friend, I believe, as thou has thy mind gathered 
 more into a state of silent waiting, thou will be brought to 
 see that it is not the amount of labor we perform that is 
 acceptable, but obedience to the JDivine command in all that we 
 do. Then thine eye will be opened to see that there is 
 room and opportunity in thy own Society for thee to per- 
 form whatever services thy Almighty Parent is requiring at 
 thy hand. As thou art obedient to his requirements. He 
 may perhaps enable thee to open the eyes of others, even 
 those who are now lukewarm, to see the importance of a 
 more faithful observance of our testimonies. Well do I 
 remember my feelings in the days of my great zeal in the 
 anti-slavery cause. I looked upon the Society of Friends, 
 and felt chilled on beholding the apathy of so many of its 
 members, while I stumbled at the inconsistencies of many 
 more. Some seemed to be swallowed up in political strife, 
 some in the spirit of the world, and some who were almost 
 willing to unite with the slave-holder for purposes of 
 gain. The query in my mind was, How can I unite with 
 these ? Well do I remember the reply that came to this 
 query. Are there not those in the Society with whom thou 
 art united? Are not the principles of this people thy prin- 
 ciples ? And, if not among these, where can thou find any 
 
CORRESPONDENCE. 185 
 
 people with whom thou can unite ? Thou art not called to 
 unite with those who are stifling the Divine principle by 
 their worldly-mindedness, nor yet with those who are seek- 
 ing to tear down anti-Christ by thdr own strength, in the 
 activity of the creature; but to the Society of Friends, 
 to the true seed, to those who are following the Lamb 
 whithersoever He leadeth. Since this view was opened to 
 me, I have found that there is life in the Society of Friends, 
 in the body, and I have labored, as ability has been given, 
 for the establishment of Christ's kingdom in the hearts of 
 the children of men, and I now feel willing to go whereso- 
 ever the Master may send me, for the purpose of doing his 
 will. But I should fear to go without his commission, lest 
 my labor be fruitless, and, peradventure, myself perish in 
 the attempt. 
 
 I well know the nature of the human heart when warmed 
 with sympathy for the oppressed and afflicted, and the 
 natural disposition to censure those who may not feel as we 
 feel. Oh, let us beware of this untempered zeal ! I well 
 remember how I felt toward many of those who were 
 fathers in the Truth. I judged them as being pro-slavery, 
 because they did not think as I thought. Yet, on a more 
 intimate acquaintance with them, I found that they were 
 alive to the subject, but were not at liberty to do as I did. 
 
 I am, very truly, thy friend, Samuel J. Levick. 
 
 12 
 
186 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 1844. 
 
 Dear G.: — Thou art nearly attached unto me in the 
 love of the Gospel of Christ, which has breathed into my 
 spirit a living desire for thy salvation and thy correct walk- 
 ing. I feel solicitous for thee, that thou may lay aside all 
 feelings of jealousy or party supremacy, and that the eter- 
 nal law of God may be thy only guide. Before this can 
 take place, thou must cease to confer with flesh and blood, 
 must lay aside those feelings which belong to the creature, 
 and must abide under the revealed will of thy Heavenly 
 Father. He hath, if I mistake not, opened thy eye to see 
 into his kingdom, but thou has not yet left off looking 
 with thy other eye upon the earth. Hence it is, that thou 
 art stumbling over the forms, the doctrines, the beliefs of 
 man. Thou art accepting as doctrine the commandments of 
 men, from which both eye and ear should be turned, so that 
 the Lord of Hosts may be thy director, thy counselor, thy 
 judge. Behold how it was with the child, Jesus, when 
 questioned, reprovingly, for having left his parents. His 
 only explanation was the query, " Wist ye not that I must 
 be about my Father's business ?" Oh, this is what we must 
 do ! I care not what be the course, whether it be this name 
 to religion, or that name, or whether it be to be alone, 
 only so that we are about the " Father's business." This 
 business will not be to preach for doctrines the command- 
 ments of men, but by his holy Spirit He will give thee to 
 see that humble obedience to his manifestations, regardless 
 
CORRESPONDENCE. 187 
 
 of the praise or censure of men, will be thy lot. Then will 
 thou behold that He is not a Jew that is one outwardly, 
 that circumcision or uncircumcision profiteth nothing, but 
 a new creature. Then will all things become new, and all of 
 God. Thy views will be changed, education will give place 
 to revelation, thou will be qualified— whether required or 
 not — to give " a reason for the hope that is in thee," fOf • 
 thou will find that the mysteries which godliness presents 
 to thy mind will vanish as the morning dew before the sun. 
 Art thou not, my brother, conferring too much with flesh 
 and blood ; looking with that eye that is on the earth ? Oh, 
 what a concern I feel on this account, for I believe the Lord 
 would call thee into his work and service, if thou would 
 look only to Him with the single eye of faith, and not 
 regard apparent consequences ! I know thy difficulties, for 
 I have passed measurably through the same dispensation. 
 
 Oh, G , my spirit has been thus baptized when there 
 
 was none to comfort, save One! But oh, blessed Com- 
 forter, He would come, and pour the oil and the wine into 
 my wounded spirit ! Wounded, not by an enemy, but by 
 those most beloved, and hence the keener and harder to 
 bear. But oh, thrice and forever blessed be his name, 
 by humbly submitting, hard things were made easy and 
 crooked things were made straight ! Added to these trials, 
 was my own exercise of spirit at that time, in regard to 
 other things, and the load was about as heavy as my poor 
 body could well bear. I grew pale and thin. Another 
 
188 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 sacrifice was now called for. I must leave my home, with 
 all its ties, and go among strangers ; must forsake my for- 
 mer associations, my friends and my business prospects — 
 and these were not mean ; must leave my father in the 
 decline of his life, when my assistance would have been 
 especially valuable to him. I, the eldest of their six chil- 
 dren, must leave my father and my mother, and find a 
 home elsewhere. This was a proving dispensation, but 
 thanks be unto my Holy Sustainer, He was my strength 
 and my support. He comforted me, He fed me. And 
 when it was accomplished, when the hour came, and I was 
 separated, the sweet reward that I had ; words cannot ex- 
 press, nor language convey my feelings. Such has been 
 my experience. The reward for this surrender is being 
 more and more felt, and I trust this will not be the end of 
 my labors, for my friends now see that there is a reality in 
 the religion that I profess. 
 
 My brother, I do not advise thee to go contrary to the 
 wishes of thy parents or thy friends, but if the voice of thy 
 God say go, or say stay, obey it; for in obedience thou will 
 find peace. But, I beseech thee, go not back unto the beg- 
 garly elements, and let not the language of Paul to the Ga- 
 latians be applicable in thy case, "Having begun in the 
 Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?" I want 
 .thee, my brother, to be a preacher of operative righteous- 
 ness, an upholder of the simple Truths that Jesus taught, 
 which are love, forgiveness, obedience, etc. It is not in cir- 
 
CORRESPONDENCE. 189 
 
 cumcision, for the Apostle said to tliem that were circum- 
 cised, " Christ shall profit you nothing." I would have 
 thee let these things alone, or, at least, until instructed as 
 Peter was when the query was put to him, " "Whom say ye. 
 that I, the Son of Man, am ?" 
 
 With loving interest, I am 
 
 Thy friend, 
 
 Samuel J. Lbvick. ,' 
 
 Spring Lawn, First Month 23rd, 1844; 
 
 To William M. Levick. 
 
 Dear brother : — I trust that, while life is ours to enjoy, 
 the feeling of brotherly affection may never know an ebb- 
 ing in either of our bosoms, and the most certain way 
 whereby it may be preserved unimpaired and known to, 
 flow in a clear and unrippled current, is for us to make the 
 Lord our God; to know Him to be the Governor of our 
 thoughts, our actions and our lives. Then, although dis- 
 tance may separate us, and the pathways of life which we 
 tread be different, still will the fraternal affection remain 
 unimpaired. 
 
 We shall remember the days of our childhood, when all 
 were canopied under our parents' roof, the seasons of enjoy^ 
 ment that we then experienced, the fond care and parental 
 solicitude that were manifested for our welfare, and these 
 memories will increase our desires to do all that we can to 
 repay those tender and watchful guardians of our youth by 
 
190 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 walking in the fear of the Lord, by inclining our ear to 
 his voice, and by loving each other. By pursuing such a 
 course, with the blessing of a kind Providence, we shall 
 cause the latter days of our parents to be peaceful, and, by 
 adding to their happiness, increase our own. 
 
 I .can truly rejoice, and in my heasrt thajik the God of 
 our lives that thou art so comfortably settled in the married 
 
 state I believe that an unseen Hand pointed 
 
 out, that an invisible Power directed thy steps in that im- 
 portant procedure, and hence arises the query, What shall 
 I render unto the Lord for so many blessings? The answer 
 is. The heart. Surrender the heart unto his keeping. If 
 this be complied with, if He have the first place in both 
 your hearts, you will be brought into the possession of all 
 the enjoyment (worthy of that name) that this world can 
 afford. Such happiness I crave for myself, and I desire it 
 •.for, you, for you hold a near place in my affections. 
 
 I desire, particularly, that we may be preserved from, out 
 of, and above the spirit of contention or strife concerning 
 Divine things (a kind of strife with which the world of 
 mankind is now filled), so that in quietness we shall experi- 
 ence a being fed, day by day, with the heavenly manna, 
 whereby our strength will be renewed and ability furnished 
 us to journey forward toward the spiritual Canaan, the land 
 flowing with milk and honey. 
 
 Thy brother, in much affection, 
 
 Samuel J. Levick. 
 
CORRESPONDENCE. 191 
 
 Salem, Ohio, Ninth Month 1st, 1845. 
 
 My Dear Wife : — Thou will perceive by the heading of 
 my letter that I have arrived at the destined place. 
 
 I am comfortably accommodated at the house of Joseph 
 Ingram, whose wife was a Heacock, and came from our 
 neighborhood. Elizabeth Haviland, from Poughkeepsie, is 
 lodging here, also a friend named Atkinson, with some of 
 his family, also several others. The house is full. The 
 strangers in attendance at the Yearly Meeting are Samuel 
 and Elizabeth Comfort, Joseph Horner, Sarah Brown, from 
 Goose Creek, Va., and a Friend from Indiana. 
 
 "We left Pittsburg on J'ifth-day, and proceeded to New 
 Brighton, where we tarried over night with a Friend 
 named John Pugh, and then came on to Columbiana, and 
 stopped at the house of William Mcholas. On Seventh- 
 day morning we came to Salem. 
 
 Our Select Meeting was small, reports being received 
 from only three out of the five Quarters. Those of us who 
 are strangers here were dipped into exercise and sorrow of 
 spirit. It appears that they have not appointed any elders 
 for some time past. The meeting was harmonious, and it 
 closed comfortably. Yesterday being First-day, was the 
 time for public meeting. It was held in the new house, 
 which was crowded to excess, and very many had to remain 
 outside. It pleased the Lord to open the mouths of his 
 children to the declaring of the Ever-blessed Word. In the 
 forenoon the labor seemed to devolve chiefly on one who 
 
192 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 felt himself unfitted for the task. But — to the praise of 
 Him who is ever worthy — ability was furnished for the 
 work. The afternoon session was as large as that in the 
 morning, and the labor was more divided, several of the 
 Lord's devoted servants taking part. There was no mani- 
 festation of unruly spirits, but all was quiet, and Truth rose 
 into dominion. 
 
 The weather is fine. On Seventh-day there was a slight 
 shower, which laid the dust and cooled the air, but they 
 had not had any rain of consequence since the early part of 
 spring. Except a small section of country among the 
 mountains, we found it very dry all the way from Cham- 
 bersburg to Salem. 
 
 Stephen Foster and Abby Kelly are in the neighborhood, 
 and it is expected that an effort will be made by some of 
 the members here to get permission for them to hold meet- 
 ings in Friends' meeting-house, between the sessions of the 
 Yearly Meeting. There is a warm feeling here of a " re- 
 form" character, but those of us who are strangers all speak 
 the same language in relation to it, though very little 
 has been said publicly on the subject. An earnest desire 
 pervades my spirit that we may be preserved from all strife, 
 and the hope that we may seems to be strengthened by the 
 number of Friends who appear to be rightly concerned and 
 who feel the necessity of being forbearing. 
 
 Friends are very kind to us, and my way seems open. I 
 have met with some who formerly lived in our neighbor- 
 
CORRESPONDENCE. 193 
 
 hood, and they made man^' inquiries. Yesterday I met an 
 old acquaintance of father's and mine, who lives in Alle- 
 gheny City, and who invited me to stop at his house on my 
 return. I accepted the invitation, and expect to be there 
 next First-day. His name is John Denning. Thee may 
 direct thy letter to Pittsburg, as that and Allegheny are as 
 one, being joined by bridges. 
 
 I have met cousin Richard Roberts and his sons, who 
 inquired concerning all of you. 
 
 Divine strength and consolation have been meted out to 
 me and have enabled me to feel myself comfortable in a 
 land of strangers. Desiring the same for thee and for all of 
 you, as well as the preservation of your health, with the 
 salutation of dear love to thee and our precious child, and 
 to all my brothers, sisters, relatives and friends (for they 
 all feel very near), I am thy husband, 
 
 Samuel J. Levick. 
 
 Salem, O., Ninth Month 4th, 1845. 
 
 My Dear Wife: — My heart overflowed with gratitude, and 
 I was humbled in the renewed evidence, furnished by thy 
 very acceptable letter, of the love and mercy of our Heav- 
 enly Parent. That thou, with me, has been a partaker of 
 his rich bounty, and been fed from his Heavenly table, is 
 cause for increased faithfulness to every manifestation of his 
 holy will. 
 
 Now, for a little account of how we have been proceeding. 
 
194 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LBVICK. 
 
 The Yearly Meeting is — for this place — very large. They 
 hold but one session daily. On Second-day, after the pre- 
 liminary business had been disposed of, the epistles were 
 all read, and a committee was appointed to essay replies. 
 Then the Clerk intbrmed the meeting that there was, on the 
 table, a communication addressed to the Yearly Meeting, 
 from " Green Plain Quarterly Meeting of men Friends," 
 signed also by a number of women Friends. The announce- 
 ment called forth much expression. Several Friends stated 
 that there was no such Quarterly Meeting ; others that the 
 paper ought not to be read. Its advocates, on the contrary, 
 claimed that it should he read ; that they wanted to see the 
 issue, and so on. Much excitement prevailed, and it seemed 
 to increase, until at length, I felt it to be my place to arise 
 and make the proposition that the matter be referred to the 
 representatives from the different Quarterly Meetings. This 
 proposition was favorably received, and generally united 
 with, and the meeting directed that action to be taken. So, 
 for the time, the matter was settled. The representatives 
 have not yet made their report to the meeting. 
 
 N^ear the close of Second-day's session, a request was made 
 
 that , [an Anti-Slavery lecturer, not a Friend] 
 
 might have the use of the meeting-house, hetween the ad- 
 journments of the Yearly Meeting's sessions. The request 
 was not granted. 
 
 On Third-day morning the Representatives reported their 
 nominations for Clerks ; presenting a new name for head 
 
CORRESPONDENCE. 195 
 
 Clerk, and retaining the former assistant. This was not 
 satisfactory to the discordant, or liberal element; but the 
 appointments were made and the meeting settled down. 
 The state of Society was then taken up, and we had a very 
 comfortable session until just before the close, when a Friend 
 arose and stated that he had been requested to ask this meet- 
 ing whether could have the use of the house — 
 
 in the evenings, when not occupied by Friends — to hold 
 meetings in. This produced a warm time, and my very soul 
 was pained by the conduct of some Friends, whose remarks 
 produced lightness among the younger portion of the meet- 
 ing. In the midst of this disorder it seemed to be my place 
 to arise and call attention to the profession that Friends 
 make of being a deliberative people, and to the claim that 
 their Meetings for Discipline are deliberative bodies. My 
 exercise-^eeme^ to quiets the -.raging storm. Samuel Comfort 
 also labored amongst them, and the meeting calmed down 
 
 under the decision not to grxmt thg.. request for 's 
 
 meetings. 
 
 Fourth-day, Select Meeting convened at eight o'clock, A. 
 M. It was a highly favored opportunity. On Fifth-day the 
 session was pretty satisfactory; Friends were more calm, 
 and the meeting was brought under exercise in relation to 
 a more guarded education of the youth, so that a Commit- 
 tee was appointed to draft an essay to be sent down to the 
 subordinate meetings. The subject of slavery was intro- 
 duced, and a Committee was appointed to give attention to 
 
196 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LBVICK. 
 
 it. It was very comforting to observe, during the consid- 
 eration of this subject, that there w^as no agitation in the 
 meeting; and I am encouraged to believe we shall yet be 
 preserved. It would be sorrowfully lamentable if anything 
 like a division should occur, and I know that Friends gen- 
 erally are not desiring anything of the kind. There appears 
 to be much freedom and very little acrimony among the 
 members of this Yearly Meeting; but more conciliation 
 would be desirable, and gathering into, quietude is much 
 needed. Those of us who are strangers among them, all 
 breathe the same language. I have felt that I am in my 
 place, and my earnest desire is that I may be preserved unto 
 the end. 
 
 I was very glad to hear that you are getting on so com- 
 fortably, and that thou art well. Be careful, and do not 
 over-exert thyself. I have been well, except a slight cold, 
 which is now better. Tell G. that I am pleased to learn 
 that he has been so industrious, as well as kind and atten- 
 tive, also all the rest of the family. The blessing of the Lord 
 will rest on them. 
 
 My heart was made glad on hearing that our cousin, S. 
 A. Cernea, passed out of time with the bright promise of 
 the spirit land in view. Tell brother Benjamin that hia 
 letter was acceptable, and that his care for you during the 
 time of my absence will be appreciated by Him who seeth 
 in secret, and rewardeth openly. 
 
 This morning we have public meeting; the weather is 
 
CORRESPONDENCE. .197 
 
 cloudy with the appearance of rain. And now, dearest 
 wife, hoping that ere long we may be permitted to enjoy the 
 society one of the other, and be more fitted to appreciate the 
 favor by our faithfulness to our Master, with a heart full of 
 love to thee and our daughter, also to sisters, brothers, rela- 
 tives and friends, I am thy husband, in much aiFection, 
 
 Samuel J. Levick. 
 
 « 
 
 P. S. — Thee may inform father's of my whereabouls. 
 This will probably be my last letter on this journey. A 
 Friend named Nathan Pusey has oflered me a seat in his 
 carriage from here to Pittsburg. We expect to reach that 
 city next First-day. S. J. L. 
 
 Keunett Square, Pa., Tenth Month 7th, 1846. 
 
 My Dear Wife : — Having this morning a few minutes to 
 spare, I embrace the opportunity for writing to thee. With 
 the exception of a slight cold that I have, we are quite well. 
 
 After leaving thee we proceeded to Plymouth, met Joel 
 Lare, obtained a carriage, and without much difiiculty in 
 finding our way, arrived a little after nightfall, at the house 
 of our friend, I. Howell, where we were kindly entertained. 
 Next morning we proceeded to Westtown Boafding School, 
 where we attended meeting to our satisfaction, and were 
 kindly treated by all. After meeting we journeyed on our 
 way till we came to the home of a Friend, named Abraham 
 Darlington, and though not acquainted, we introduced our- 
 selves, and were made very welcome. In the afternoon we 
 
198, LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 passed on to Centre, and stopped at the house of Jesse and 
 Alice Chandler, the latter being an approved minister in our 
 Society. In the morning we attended Chester Monthly 
 Meeting, which was not large, and I was led to open the 
 necessity for more labor in the vineyard of their own hearts. 
 We had a comfortable meeting, and returned to our lodgings 
 to dine. John Chandler, whom we had met on First-day, 
 came here to meet us, and to pilot us to his house, where we 
 tarried over night, and next morning went to the Monthly 
 Meeting, held at Kennett Square. It was pretty large, and 
 might be larger, if only Friends were faithful. Evidences that 
 love and unity do not sufficiently abound, were both felt and 
 heard. I was led in a plain way among them, to the peace 
 of my own mind. Our friend Joel is favored to move along 
 in his gift, to our satisfaction, and to the people's edification. 
 We dined at Jonathan Lamborn's, at the Square, and in the 
 evening visited Samuel Martin's school for young women, 
 Avhere we had a very satisfactory religious opportunity. 
 From the school we came to the house of James Phillips 
 and wife, a newly married couple, at whose home we now 
 are, and are kindly entertained. Thus far we have moved 
 along, and have found the hand of the great Helper to be un- 
 derneath, sustaining us, and enabling us to do the respective 
 duties assigned us. May glory and honor be ascribed to 
 the Lord forever and foreverraore. 
 
 My mind often turns to thee, my beloved wife, and to our 
 little one, and I feel anxious to hear from you, as 3'ou were 
 
CORRESPONDENCE. 199 
 
 both ailing when I left home. I hope you are now better, 
 and I desire that the consolation of Israel may be thine, 
 enabling thee to bear, with patience, my absence ; and then, 
 when I may be released, and permitted to return to the 
 wife of my bosom, we may enjoy each other in that love 
 which is stronger than death. 
 
 In much affection, thy husband, 
 
 Samuel J. Levick. 
 • 
 
 Fallowfield, Pa., Tenth Month 10th, 1846. 
 
 My Dear Wife: — Since last writing to thee we have been 
 pursuing our journey among the Monthly Meetings of 
 Western Quarter, and this day closes our service in that 
 line. Many and various have been the baptisms that it has 
 been my lot to pass through, both in public and in pri- 
 vate opportunities, and this day have the arrows been 
 pointed and shot at me. But, dear wife, they have fallen 
 harmless at my feet. To-day I sat mostly in silence, re- 
 viving only a message that was sent to me several years 
 ago by my friend, Henry W. Ridgway. It was that " a 
 man cannot be a Quaker preacher and an anti-slavery lec- 
 turer." I told Friends that I had, in my own case, discov- 
 ered its truth ; that now, just as in former times, a minister 
 could not say, act or move, only as he tarried at Jerusalem 
 until endued with power from on high, 
 
 "We expect to attend meeting here to-morrow morning, 
 and one at Doe Run in the afternoon; on Second-day one 
 
200 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 at Oxford, and so on ; closing our labors among the subordi- 
 nate meetings at Unionville, on First-day, one week from 
 to-morroW, and then at the Quarter at London Grove on 
 Second and Third-days. Gladly would I now return unto 
 my family, did I not feel, in the bonds of the Gospel, yet re- 
 strained. Great has been the weakness that doth abound, 
 but the Lord has been our shield and buckler, and still con- 
 tinues to be with us. Blessed be his adorable name. The 
 close and heavy portion of the labor seems mostly to de- 
 volve upon me, though much unity and harmony subsist 
 between us as fellow-laborers. I refer to Joel and myself. 
 We have met with many precious Friends, who have been 
 
 very kind to us. We passed one night at 's, I trust, 
 
 to profit. 
 
 We are now at Gideon Peirce's, and this letter will be 
 mailed from Coatesville. Letters directed to me, in care of 
 John Chandler, Kennett Square, Penna., if mailed by the 
 middle of next week will be likely to be received. We are 
 all well. Please give this information to Hannah Custard. 
 
 I must close, with much love to all, holding a full share 
 for thyself. You have had fine weather, and I suppose the 
 farming operations are progressing favorably. 
 In much affection, thy husband, 
 
 Samuel J. Lbvick. 
 
CORRESPONDENCE. 201 
 
 Centerville, Del., Tenth Month 15th, 1846. 
 
 My Beloved Wife : — I received thy truly acceptable letter 
 this morning, on my way to meeting, and was glad to learn 
 that you were all well and were getting along pretty com- 
 fortably. 
 
 "We have been moving around, and to-day attended Cen- 
 ter Meeting, the place at which we began to visit the 
 Monthly Meetings. To-morrow we expect to be at Ken- 
 nett. Seventh-day at Marlborough, First-day at Unionville 
 in the morning, and Kennett Square in the afternoon. 
 Second and Third-days at the Quarter at London Grove, 
 then Cain Quarter, and then home, home. Should nothing 
 unexpected occur, we shall go directly on from Cain Quar- 
 ter, and so reach Quakertown on Sixth-day, to-morrow 
 week. 
 
 We still continue to receive our daily supply of heavenly 
 food sufficient for all our wants ; and truly we have much 
 need of it, for I have never been on a journey where more 
 of suffering and exercise were my portion. But, blessed be 
 the name of the great God! He has been sufficient for 
 every emergency. 
 
 We have been very busy ever since we left home, in 
 attending meetings and visiting families. Sometimes we 
 have attended two meetings a day. Friends have been 
 very kind to us, the weather mostly pleasant, and our 
 health continues to be good. 
 
 Last Third-day was a stormy one, and, after attending 
 13 
 
202 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 meeting in the morning, we drove half a mile to a Friend's 
 house, and remained there until the fury of the storra had 
 abated. On starting out we found what havoc the wind 
 had made. Trees were lying across the road, fences had 
 been carried away, barns unroofed, sheds blown down, &c. 
 Our meetings have been large, and the family minglings 
 interesting. But, oh, it has been deeply trying to my best 
 feelings to find how the enemy of souls has set up his king- 
 dom in the hearts of many, leading them to believe that ihdr 
 own powers are sufficient for all things, their reason a compe- 
 tent guide. I fear that this spirit is encouraged, this belief 
 sustained by a spurious ministry. Oh. for the preservation 
 of the flock ! I believe the Lord is working by his Spirit 
 among this people, and that some of them will be brought 
 to see through all this mystery, Babylon, and will be 
 brought out of it. We have met with some precious chil- 
 dren, with whom my heart has been dipped into near and 
 dear sympathy, and I have desired their preservation. 
 I am, in near affection, thy husband, 
 
 Samuel J. Levick. 
 
 Spking Lawn, Eleventh Month 4th, 1846. 
 My Dear Friend, T. B. L.: — A short time previous to 
 my leaving home on a religious visit to the meetings com- 
 posing Western Quarter, I received a letter from thee 
 expressing pain that I had become satisfied with the " anti- 
 Ohristian doctrines" of , as delivered at our last 
 
CORRESPONDENCE. 203 
 
 Quarterly Meeting. I was gratified to perceive this feeling 
 of care over me, for I am always glad to be reproved and 
 counseled by thee or by any of my friends, as I deem it an 
 evidence of their love. 
 
 As regards my views, they have undergone no change 
 lately on any particular point, and not any since our last 
 Quarter. Nor have they been influencted by the -sentiments 
 expressed by , to whom thou alludes as having pro- 
 mulgated " anti-Christian doctrines." 
 
 I have views, and the origin of them in my mind, I be- 
 lieve to have been from the light of Christ in my soul; 
 "When in Philadelphia, soon after our last Quarter, I met 
 with a beloved friend, who asked me what I thought of 
 
 the discourse of at the Quarterly Meeting and of the 
 
 views that he had advanced. I told him I was satisfied, be- 
 lieving there was nothing new in them. Now this is what I 
 consider not new : That men might be Christians, or disci- 
 ples of Christ, and yet not see it to he wrong in all cases to re- 
 sist evil. I suppose thou would not be willing to say that no 
 Friend was a Christian while the Society recognized the 
 propriety of holding slaves or of assisting Friends to pur- 
 chase rum to give unto their men during harvest. 'At least 
 I am not prepared to pronounce this anathema against all 
 the worthies of that day. Doubtless slavery is maintained 
 by the spirit of violence whose basis is the sword, and 
 Friends, as they were faithful to the light of Truth, were 
 led out of it. But until they saw it to be evil, it was not 
 
204 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 accounted to them for unrighteousHess. While I think that 
 they had not arrived at the ■perfection of the Christian char- 
 acter, yet their fruits showed that they vi ere faithful through 
 persecution, and that even unto death. So, as it is clear to 
 my mind, we have no right to judge but that they filled up 
 the measure of grace aftbrded fthem, and in the end sat 
 down at the right hand of God. As I am unwilling to 
 charge them with not being Christians (being obedient to 
 what they knew), so, also, I am unwilling to make the 
 charge against those who, equally faithful to what they 
 know, may not hesitate to defend themselves, their families 
 and their firesides. 
 
 These are my individual views, given to another individ- 
 ual. As a minister of the Gospel, I have never felt called 
 upon to give publicity to them. The character of the 
 Truth is to lead those who follow it out of all strife, oppres- 
 sion and contention, and into the experience of a growth 
 from the state of a child unto that of a young man, and so 
 on. Having by the love and mercy of God seen the peace- 
 able and forgiving character of the Gospel, I feel it to be 
 my duty by example — and sometimes by precept — to hold 
 up to others its beauty and its non-resistant character. But 
 if my brother knows it to be his duty to give pub- 
 licity to such views as thou alludes to in thy letter, he must 
 be the judge. "When I am asked for my opinion of these 
 views in the abstract, and when I reply that I am satisfied, 
 basing my satisfaction on the ground that, to me, they were 
 
CORRESPONDENCE. 205 
 
 not new, am I to be charged with falling down and worship- 
 ping at his shrine ? I hope to be preserved from falling down 
 at any man's shrine, or from worshipping any image or any 
 particular view or doctrine that man may choose to declare 
 or set up. And may I also be preserved from assuming the 
 judgment seat, thus condemning and endeavoring to pull 
 down any man or any doctrine, because, in my child-like 
 state, I may not comprehend it. I know what I have to 
 do, if I do right, and that is to sit as at the feet of the Mas- 
 ter, there waiting to hear his voice and to know his mind 
 and will concerning me, and, as it is made known, to be 
 faithful in doing it. This faithfulness may require me to 
 abide in silence in his courts, or to mingle with my breth- 
 ren and invite, encourage and persuade them to come, taste 
 and see. Sometimes ability may be furnished the poor in- 
 strument to remove the film of education, superstition, 
 ignorance or crime that may cloud the vision of some and 
 prevent them from seeing the beauty and the excellency of 
 holiness. 
 
 I am satisfied that if the members of our Society would 
 walk more in obedience to the in-shinings of that Light 
 which shines in darkness, and the darkness comprehends it 
 not, they would more and more become children of the 
 Light, would move only under its heavenly influences, be 
 satisfied with its teachings and have more confidence in its 
 power. They would find it would furnish the means for 
 pulling down all the strongholds of sin and Satan that 
 
206 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 abound. I believe there is need for the utterance of the 
 call, " Come out of Babylon, my people !" "We talk too 
 much, we find fault too much, seeing others' faults more 
 than we do our own, and, with the beam in our own eye, 
 we go to work to pull the mote out of our brother's eye. I 
 would that we' had, like our Divine Master, confidence in 
 the power of Israel's God. For if He had not had this 
 confidence, the mighty works done through Him would 
 never have taken place. It is only as self is humbled and 
 prostrated that we can have confidence in Him, and power 
 given by Him, for in the other state it is all in ourselves. 
 
 If thou has objection to make against any of the views 
 advanced in this letter, please make them as objections to 
 
 my views, and not to those of , or of any other man. 
 
 If it be his views thou does not like, let thy objection be 
 made to hira. 
 
 I have endeavored to write a plain letter, expressing to 
 thee my views and feelings, and I shall willingly receive 
 from thy hand whatever thou may feel right to give to me. 
 
 With a salutation of love to thyself and family, I remain 
 thy friend, Samuel J. Lbvick. 
 
 Canandaigtta, N. Y., Sixth Month 8th, 1849. 
 
 My Dear Wife: — We arrived at the house of our friend, 
 
 William E. Burling, yesterday afternoon between four and 
 
 five o'clock, having travelled four hundred and eighty miles 
 
 in twenty-seven hours. The ride in the cars from Troy to 
 
CORRESPONDENCE. 207 
 
 Canandaigua was very dusty ; the rest of the journey com- 
 fortable, and the sail up the North River was very enjoyable, 
 as the moon shone brightly and the scenery is truly grand. 
 On arriving at Amboy, and going aboard the boat, I met 
 our friends, Elisha and Sarah Hunt, accompanied by their 
 daughter, Matilda Underwood, and had their i3ompany dur- 
 ing the remainder of the journey. We arrived in New 
 York between five and six p. m., and took the Troy boat at 
 six. We had an hour and a half from the time of landing 
 at Troy, until the cars left for Canandaigua at six a. m. I 
 had slept well on the boat, having a quiet room to myself — 
 and was prepared for the long ride of two hundred and 
 thirty miles on the cars. Notwithstanding the dust, we had 
 a pleasant time together. 
 
 I feel much better than when I left home. I trust that 
 the Shepherd of Israel may protect thee and our little ones, 
 also that He will watch over me, make a way for me, cover 
 me with the mantle of his love, and enable me to return 
 with the reward of peace. 
 
 With much love to you all, I am thy abseiit husband, 
 
 Samuel J. Leviok. 
 
 Fabmington, N. Y., Sixth Month 11th, 1849. 
 
 To William M. Levick. 
 
 Dear Brother William.: — As I have time this afternoon, I 
 thought I would embrace the opportunity to inform thee of 
 our movements. On Fifth-day evening we arrived safely at 
 the house of William E. Burling, who took us to meeting 
 
208 LIFE OP SAMUEL J. LBVICK. 
 
 on Seventh-day. We had an excellent Select Meeting. On 
 First-day morning there was a great gathering of the people. 
 It was thought two thousand persons were in and around 
 the house. We had a favored meeting ; Truth reigned over 
 all. In the afternoon we attended South Farmington, very 
 much to our satisfaction. The stone seemed to be rolled 
 away from the well's mouth, and the Spirit of the Lord 
 poured forth. Elisha and Sarah Hunt were in company. 
 This morning the business meeting opened very comfortably, 
 and the prospect is that we shall have a good Yearly Meet- 
 ing. We have none of the disorganizers present. They 
 held a meeting last week. Two of the speakers who at- 
 tended it are still in this part of the country, but not at 
 our meeting. The only strangers present except E. and 8. 
 Hunt and ourselves, are Johnathan and Katie Hazzard, from. 
 Cornwall, IS. T. They are substantial Friends. Much love 
 and unity seem to prevail among Friends here, thus strength- 
 ening the belief that we shall have a good Yearly Meeting. 
 I cannot see when I shall get home, but I now think it 
 will be as soon as I feel clear of this people. We have been 
 quite well since we left home, and I feel much better than I 
 did at the time of starting. Friends are very kind, and we 
 are making our home, in company with E: and S. Hunt, at 
 Walter Lawrence's. This is a beautiful country, and Friends 
 all seem to be well off, and to have an abundance of the 
 outward comforts of life. On receipt of this, please write 
 to me, and direct to Rochester, N. Y. 
 
CORRESPONDENCE. 209 
 
 With much love to all of father's family, aud my dear 
 daughter, I remain, thy brother in much affection, 
 
 Samuel J. Levick. 
 
 Pabmington, N. Y., Sixth Month 17th, 1849. 
 
 My Beloved Wife: — First-day morning, before meeting. 
 As a few moments are to spare, I thought it would be pleas- 
 ant to hold a little communion with thee, with whom aud 
 toward whom, and our dear children, my heart yearns with 
 tender affection. It is more than a week — ^yes, ten days — 
 since we bade each other farewell, and I have not heard 
 from thee since; though I hope to receive a letter at meet- 
 ing, this morning. 
 
 We have both been very well, and our Divine Master has 
 been with us, to our humbling admiration. The Yearly 
 Meeting closed last Fifth-day, and throughout the several 
 sittings nothing but love and unity marked the proceedings. 
 May gratitude be ascribed to Him from whom all bless- 
 ings flow. On Fourth-day afternoon we attended Macedon 
 Meeting, which was a remarkably favored opportunity. 
 The Gospel flowed freely, I trust to the watering of many 
 minds. The Lord has been -s^onderfully pleased to be with 
 me, and to turn the hearts of the people toward me, in that 
 many have been reached. There seems to be a door open 
 for the Holy Word, and my soul has been bowed in pros- 
 tration before his power. After meeting I went home with 
 
210 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 Seth W. Bosworth, where I met with many precious Friends. 
 It did my heart good to mingle with this family, and with 
 their visitors. Among the latter were a number of Cana- 
 dian Friends with whom I have been joined as was the soul 
 of David knit to that of Jonathan. Oh, how precious it was 
 to be together, and how hard to parti We were drawn 
 near together, and thee and our little ones were felt to be 
 very near in a season of supplication before Him who con- 
 descended to bless us. We have been made to feel that we 
 are in our places at this time. 
 
 This morning we go again to Farmington Meeting, which 
 will make the third time that I have attended a public meet- 
 ing in that house. I had hoped I could have passed away 
 after the meeting last Fourth-day, but I am not permitted 
 so to do. On Sixth-day we attended Williamson Meeting, 
 which was a season of deep and trying labor. This is the 
 
 neighborhood in which lives ; and after meeting I 
 
 was informed that he was present. Oh ! it was a very plain 
 time, and my heart was dipped into great tribulation ; noth- 
 ing but barrenness and dryness spread itself over us. 
 
 Last evening, attended a meeting at Palmyra — but more 
 when I get home, as I must now go to meeting. This af- 
 ternoon we are to go to Eochester, where a meeting has 
 been appointed at six o'clock. To morrow there are to be 
 meetings at Wheatland and Mendon, and on Third-day one 
 at Canandaigua. Thence we go to Waterloo and Scipio, 
 and from the latter place start for home, hoping to be with 
 
CORRESPONDENCE. 211 
 
 you the last of the week. So, with much love to thee and 
 our dear ones, I remain, 
 
 Thy aflectionate husband, 
 
 Samuel J. Levick. 
 
 Rochester, Second-day morning. Received thy letter yes- 
 terday. Pleased to learn that you are well. Took tea last 
 evening with cousins "William and Mary Hallowell. They 
 were v^'ell and very kind. We are well. 
 
 Philad'a, Seventh Month 2nd, 1849. 
 
 My Beloved Wife: — It was pleasant to hear, through 
 mother, on Seventh-day evening, that you were all well. 
 Health is a great temporal blessing, and to keep it we see 
 that many endeavors are made. Fear seizes hold of the 
 strong man when ajiy little. distm-bance gives eyidence that 
 something is out of order. Physicians are applied to, and 
 their nostrums arc swallowed; much money being expended 
 to make whole that which is halt. It is true health is a 
 great blessing ; and we might reasonably hope to preserve 
 it, if we would only let our moderation appear in all things. 
 I trust that care which is requisite will be extended by thee 
 over thyself, and our little ones, as well as over D. 
 
 We have the cholera, here in the city, as much as at any 
 previous period this season ; but it seems to be confined 
 mostly — though not wholly— to the low and intemperate. 
 In Camden some cases have occurred among our friends. 
 
212 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 Mary Browning's sister died of it last week, and Deborah 
 Lippincott and Kezia Cole have had it. I attended Camden 
 Meeting on Fifth-day, and again yesterday, when I went 
 home with William Eolwell and passed the remainder of the 
 day. My own health is good, and I desire its preservation. 
 Speaking of health, there is a health which is of more 
 value than that of the body; even tha,t health which was 
 referred to when the language was addressed, " art thou in 
 health, niy brother V Alluding to the health of the soul, 
 the immortal part. It is of great value to feel and know 
 that we are well ; that all is well. To know our peace to be 
 made with our Heavenly Father, and with all mankind, is 
 more to be desired than corn, oil or wine. To feel this health 
 is worth more than the possession of worlds, for worlds could 
 not purchase it. Adorable be the name of my Heavenly 
 Father, it has been my privilege so to feel since my return, 
 and my heart has been made glad in the belief that my 
 name is written in the " Lamb's Book of Life." Oh ! what 
 is it not worth to feel this trust? What sacrifice is too 
 great, what toil too much, what privations ought we not 
 willingly to endure, that we may feel and have the evidence 
 that we are children of our Father in Heaven. Here then 
 we may say, Come life or death, come riches or povertj-, 
 come prosperity or adversity— ^having an anchor to the soul 
 both sure and steadfast, we shall know peace and resigna- 
 tion, enjoyment and love to cover our minds. That we may 
 unitedly be partakers of this pure feeling, this Heavenly 
 
CORRESPONDENCE. 213 
 
 love ; that it may be our concern to be filled with that which 
 will make us fruitful in the field of oflE'ering, and joyful in 
 the house of prayer, is the earnest desire of my soul. As we 
 walk in the light of the Love of God, and keep his com- 
 mandments, we shall come to know an enlargement of this 
 love, and an increase of strength to resist the temptations 
 that surround us. 
 
 With love to thee, to our dear ones, to grandfather, to 
 cousin Ellen Hallowell, and to all the rest, I am, in the 
 bonds of true afiection, thy husband, 
 
 Samdel J. Levick. 
 
 PHilada., Pa., Seventh Monti 26th, 1849. 
 To . 
 
 Esteemed Friend: — Thy interesting and acceptable letter 
 
 came to hand this evening. I perceive by the heading that 
 
 thou art in Dutchess County, and I am glad that thou art 
 
 there, for I thought thy pallid cheek needed the invigorating 
 
 influence of country air to renew if to its wonted hue. 
 
 There is, too, in the quiet retirement of the country, that 
 
 which is congenial to a mind seeking Truth. In the dark 
 
 solitudes of the forest, when shut out from the hum of busy 
 
 life, and from the excitement that surrounds us in the city 
 
 — when naught is to be heai^d but the rustling of the branches 
 
 stirred by the breeze, or the happy and melodious notes of 
 
 the warbler, or the lively chirping of the squirrel — we see 
 
 and feel in everything around us, that one great Power made 
 
 us all. 
 
214 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 As we are thus turned to look to Him we love, and as 
 the heart is poured forth in true devotion, it will breathe 
 the language, " Holy Father, make me as thou wouldst have 
 me to be." Then do we feel that we have been brought by 
 the power of his love into a state of willingness to be formed 
 by his Holy Hand ; that we have given up our wills to the 
 direction of his pure Spirit. Amid forest surroundings, 
 seated on a fallen, tree, I have, passed hours of joy, and have 
 shed tears of gratitude, for the seasons of Heavenly love and 
 favor which I have been permitted to enjoy. At such times, 
 when my heart has been filled with love, and my sympathies 
 have gone out to the whole human family, I have looked on 
 mankind and beheld inconsistencies and diversities of belief 
 — the same which have cast a disheartening influence over thy 
 mind — which, at that stage of my experience, I was unable 
 to understand. But I soon found that if I was vcillingly 
 obedient, standing ready to do that which was opened to 
 my view, and made '{(lain — even if it was to be still, and not 
 do anything, or to withdraw from that in which I had been 
 engaged, and which had seemed right at the time — a covers 
 ing of peace and joy would come as a mantle over mj' spirit. 
 
 The most important duty to be performed, the most val- 
 uable lesson to be learned, is to be still; that is to know a 
 quieting of the active reasoning power of the human mind. 
 " Be still, and know that I am God," was an injunction 
 given to a people in a former day. It is only as we become 
 still that we can know the Truth, or can approach our Heav- 
 
CORRESPONDENCE. 215 
 
 enly Father. What I mean by we is the natural man; our 
 own reasonings and deductions can never give us a knowl- 
 edge of the Truth ; and while we seek to arrive at it through 
 this medium we shall ever fail to attain. This is the cause 
 of such a diversity of opinion among men, as to " what is 
 Truth." One man, by his powers of mind, by reading, etc., 
 draws one conclusion, another man another conclusion, and 
 a third still a different one ; yet they all claim to be in the 
 Truth, all think they have the Truth ; they are even ready 
 to make sacrifices for the Truth as they view it. 
 
 A true knowledge of God is not to be attained by the 
 natural man. He can, by his reasoning powers, draw cor- 
 rect conclusions concerning natural things; indeed, these 
 powers have been given him by the Creator for this very pur- 
 pose ; to supply his wants, and to place him above the brute 
 creation ; but they will never enable him to arrive at a 
 knowledge of the Truth. In order to attain this he must 
 experience another birth ; not a natural, but a spiritural one, 
 effected by the Holy Spirit upon that (in man) which is pure 
 and passive to its power. Man must know a willingness to 
 be given up entirely into the hands of his Heavenly Father. 
 If this Power is allowed to operate, the result is the birth of 
 the immortal life, the child of God, that which can know the 
 Truth, and which can enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. 
 This child does not depend on reason, nor does it reason con- 
 cerning the things of God. The food of this child is the 
 bread of life, which is dispensed by its Creator, and which 
 
216 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 comes from Heaven. Its teacher is Christ, and in bis school 
 it pfogresses from lesson to lesson, until its comes to know 
 (not merely to believe, but to knoio) what Truth is. 
 
 All who have been thus begotten, thus nourished, and 
 thus taught, know one another, and speak the same language, 
 according to their growth from a child upward. 
 
 I am thy sympathizing friend, 
 
 Samuel J. Levick. 
 
 Eighth Month 7th, 1849. 
 My Beloved Wife: — Yesterday afternoon I attended the 
 funeral of our esteemed friend, Matilda Underwood [daugh- 
 ter of Sarah Hunt], that dear young woman who was with 
 her father and mother and ourselves in our visit to Genesee. 
 I had not known of her illness, nor did I hear of her death 
 until oneo'clock yesterday, and the funeral was to meet at 
 three. I procured a horse and sulky, and by much exer- 
 tion arrived there about half an hour late. It was a solemn 
 season ;■ a trial to me to part with one in the morning of her 
 day, and one whom I highly esteemed. Her dear mother 
 and sister, also her father [Elisha Hunt] hore up in a won- 
 derful manner. Her mother told me that it was a Heavenly 
 precious time, that she had a clear view that all was well 
 with the departed. Great, indeed, is the trial but who could 
 ask to have her back again. I felt glad that I had the op- 
 portunity of being present, for it was a favored, solemn 
 season. Her disease was remittent, running into congestive 
 
CORRESPONDENCE. 217 
 
 fever. She was ill only nine days. Thus was a bright 
 flower plucked in all its bloom; yet she lives where her 
 beauty and loveliness can never fade. 
 
 Hoping to hear from thee soon, with a heart full of love 
 to thee and our dear little ones, and to all inquiring friends, 
 I am, in much affection, thy husband, 
 
 Samuel J. Levick. 
 
 Parkesbubg, Penna., Tenth Month 24th, 1850. 
 
 My Dearly Beloved Wife : — I am here waiting for dinner, 
 in company with "William E. Bailey and wife, on our way 
 from Cain Quarter, held at Sadsbury. It has been a day of 
 close dealing, but, blessed be God, his power carried me 
 over all, to the declaring of his great word of life and salva- 
 tion, to the solemnizing of many minds. 
 
 I feel — if it were consistent with the Divine will — how 
 gladly would I come to you this evening, instead of sending 
 this messenger; but the Lord ordereth otherwise; and I am 
 bound for his cause, and the precious testimony of Truth. 
 
 I am on my way back to London Grove, and the prospect 
 is to attend meeting at Kennett Square on First-day, and to 
 be at home on Second-day if the Lord will. 
 
 I am, and have been, very well. I arrived at West Ches- 
 ter about six o'clock, and chose the Mansion House for my 
 place of entertainment while in that town. In the morning 
 I attended meeting, and after dinner started for "William E. 
 Bailey's. The distance is about fourteen miles, and I had a 
 14 
 
218 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LBVICK. 
 
 ride of one mile, thus making a walk of thirteen miles. I 
 was not much fatigued, and slept well. I have been taken 
 care of. 
 
 I remain in the bonds of near affection, thy husband, 
 
 Samuel J. Levick. 
 
 Whbeung, W. Va., Eighth Month 2l8t, 1866. 
 
 My Dear Wife: — ^After a refreshing night's sleep, I sit down 
 to inform thee of my whereabouts. I arrived here last even- 
 ing after a very pleasant day's ride. I had good company 
 all the way.. On the ears, met Edward Parrish, who was 
 on his way to Detroit to attend a pharmaceutical convention, 
 also the wife of Edward Walton, who was going to N^ew 
 Brighton to visit her moth^. I had her company as far as 
 Pittsburg, and Edward's to Wellsville. At Pittsburg I met 
 Elida John, with wife, daughters and niece, bound for Ster- 
 ling, 111, When we left Pittsburg, the heavy, leaden clouds 
 portended rain ; and soon it began to fall, and continued for 
 some time ; but at length the clouds dispersed, the sun shone 
 out, and beamed brightly on the placid waters of the Ohio, 
 along whose banks we wdre whirled at a rapid rate of speed. 
 
 The crops look fine, and the green apple orchards bend- 
 ing and breaking under their loads of fruit, were beautiful 
 to behold, 
 
 I discovered that the cars did not make any comiection 
 from Bellaire last evening, but I found, on the train, a man 
 who kindly put me in the way to reach my destination 
 
CORKESPONDENCE. 2J 9 
 
 without any difficulty. He advised me to go to Wheeling, 
 remain there over night, and in the morning take the stage, 
 which goes directly past Joseph Mead'e house. I gladly 
 followed his advice, fl,nd now I am here, stopping at the 
 Grant House. 
 
 I have been called to breakfast, my trunk must be ready, 
 and the stage is to start in an hour from this tinue. . . . 
 
 With much love to all my friends, thy affectionate hug- 
 ba.nd, 
 
 Samtjei- J. Lbviok; 
 
 Mt. Pleasant, Ohio, Eighth Month 29th, 1866. 
 
 To Jane F. Levick. 
 
 My Dear Daughter .-^It is now more than a week since 
 I left my home, with its dear ones, the thoughts of whom 
 till my heart, and my secret prayers often arise to my Heav- 
 enly Father, that- preservation may be extended unto you all. 
 
 Two sessions of the Yearly Meeting have been held, and 
 now (Fourth-day morning) we are ta have a meeting for 
 worship. Since I wrote to you at Lloydsvilie, I have had a 
 very interesting time among Friends and others. On Sixth- 
 day evening last I attended an appointed meeting in the 
 Methodist Meeting-house, at St. Clairsville. It was a sea- 
 son of Divine favor, such as it has not often been my lot to 
 experience. The people appeared very tender, and express- 
 ed a desire that my lot might be cast among them again. 
 
 While in St. Olairsvilie we were entertained at the home 
 
220 LIFE OF SAMUKL J. LEVICK. 
 
 of Jane Edgerton, who is a relative of brother John 0. Les- 
 ter's, being the diaughter of Issachar Foulke, who removed 
 to Ohio, from' Eichland, many years dgo. When I went to 
 her house I did not know of this relationship. 
 
 On Seventh-day morning, Benjamin Tomlinson and my- 
 self left St; eiairsville, on horseback ; the horses having 
 been provided for us by Samuel Tomlinson, the Friend at 
 whose house we are now stopping. The distance was over 
 ten miles, and the road such a one as thou never saw. The 
 hills very, very steep, and the great rain that occurred a few 
 weeks agb has made them almost impassable for equestrians. 
 We got through safely, however, and arrived at Mt. Pleasant 
 in time to attend the Select Yearly Meeting. A small One 
 it was ; and to me a very trying one. I obtained very little 
 relief from expression — a' great contrast with the me^'ting 
 held the evening before. Returned to S. T.'s, and on First- 
 day morning attended a large meeting in' the old meeting- 
 house at Mt. Pleasant, where formerly had stood many of 
 the noted ones among Friends, but now they are gone. In 
 the afternoon had an appointed meeting' for Friends and 
 others; and the invitation was extended to "Orthodox" 
 Friends, some of whom were in a,ttendance. Of this num- 
 ber was Caroline E. Talbot, who spoke most interestingly. 
 She is a dear Friend, and so sweet-spirited. She wanted to 
 take me home with her, but I did not go then. 
 
 We have, at Yearly Meeting, the company of Benhet 8. 
 Walters and Nathan Thomas, from Iowa; Rebecca John 
 
CORRESPONDENCE. 221 
 
 and Cllas. Teas and wife, from our own Yearly Meeting, 
 and several other Friends. The burden of the word has 
 rested principally on myself in the public meetings, which 
 have been comfortable. Last evening I had an appointed 
 meeting about two miles from my lodgings, at a place called 
 Berg, or Hole in the Grmnd. The company was an , inter- 
 esting one, and the Word flowed freely toward them. "We 
 were baptized deeply together, and the meeting closed 
 under a solemn feeling, 
 
 I often experience a d.eep sense of outward-loneliness, and 
 at times feel alinost discouraged by the prospect of the, work 
 that is before me. 
 
 Write to me at Barnesville, Belmont Co., Ohio; after that 
 at Columbus, and still later at Springfield. I have not yet 
 heard from you. I am getting along right well as to the 
 body. 
 
 With a great dear of love, thy father, aflectionately, 
 
 Samuel J. Levick. 
 
 EocHESTEK, Penna., Ninth Month let, 1866. 
 
 To Lewis J. Levick. 
 
 My Dear Son : — We arrived here safely, and have to wait 
 for the cars to take us to New Brighton, where a meeting 
 has been appointed, at my request, for this afternoon. We 
 left Wheeling, Va., this morning, having had a meeting 
 there last evening in a Presbyterian house of worship. I 
 
222 LIFE OF SAMUBil. J. LEVICK. 
 
 expect to be »t Salem, O., to morrow, attending the meeting 
 there in the forenoon, and I am lookiag-to see whether way 
 will open for a meeting at Damascns in the evening. This 
 is where those Friends called " Garneyites " are to hold 
 their Yearly Meeting next week. 
 
 Thy letter was received, and it« int^esting. contents 
 noted. It is the only letter I have had from home. I was 
 very glad to hear that you were all well, and getting on so 
 satisfactorily. I am not feeling very brisk this morning, 
 having taken some cold, but I think I shall be better this 
 evening. The Yearly Meeting closed on Fifth-day after- 
 noon, in a very solemn manner, and in the evening I had 
 an appointed meeting at Harrisville, and yesterday morning 
 one at Farmington, on the way to Wheeling. As thou sees, 
 my iace is now turned homeward, and if I could I would 
 come. Oh, I have had the Divine Arm around me, and 
 • his ipresenee has be&n the crown ajad diadem of all our 
 meetings I Friends are very kind, and I have not wanted 
 for way to attend to all my duties, yet I often feel a deep 
 sense of loneliness. I hardly think I shall go to Zanesville, 
 but if I feel better I may go by way of Springfield, and rest 
 there a day or two. Benjamin Tomlinson is with me, and 
 he is a very kind and attentive companion. If I go on, I 
 think he will accompany me. I am writing on my carpet- 
 bag, in the station .... 
 
 My dear wife, my heart salutes thee in dear love. The 
 Lord has caused my cup to run over, and I feel that I must 
 
OOKRESPONDBNCB. 223 
 
 stand resigned to his will ; for I well know that if I should 
 consult my own feelings I should soon be at home. 
 "With a heart overflowing with love to you all. 
 
 Samuel J. Levice. 
 
 DAMtAscns, O., Ninth Month 3rd, 1866. 
 
 My Dear Wife : — Thinking from the chaa?acter of the letter 
 that I wrote to thee and Lewis, when I was at theRoehester 
 depot on Seventh-day, that you would be anxious to hear 
 from me, I sit down this morning to give thee fresh tidings, 
 "We are now at the house of our friend, the widow BrufF, 
 where iather and I stopped twenty-six years ago, and where 
 he came near being seriously injured by a heifer. Thou 
 has heard me spealc of the occurrence. 
 
 "When I wrote on Seventh-day, I was not feeling very 
 well, but on arriving at IsTew Brighton we went to Thornton 
 Walton's, where a good repast and a comfortable nap so 
 refreshed me that I attended the meeting appointed to con- 
 vene at half-past one o'clock. Thornton's wife was a school- 
 mate of thine at Martha Hampton's at Buckingham. Her 
 name was Bean. 
 
 Leaving New Brighton about half-past three o'clock, we 
 arrived at Salem about half-past five, and went to John 
 Satterthwaite's, where we remained over night. On First- 
 day morning attended Salem Meeting, and in the afternoon 
 were brought to this place by Barton Heacock, son of 
 Ifathan Heacock, who was once at our house. I had rather 
 
224 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 looked toward having a meeting here, but way does not 
 seem to open for it, at this time. I am here mingling with 
 ^ those Friends called " Gurneyites " who have come here to 
 hold their Yearly Meeting. A large number of ministers 
 are in attendance. Last evening was passed very pleasantly 
 with these Friends, and in answer to inquiries made, I had 
 the opportunity of opening out many views, and perhaps of 
 dissipating some prejudice. The evening closed very com- 
 fortably, and I had a pretty good night. I seem to be im- 
 proving in health, and feel quite comfortable this morning. 
 I remain thy dearly attached husband, 
 
 Samuel J, Lbvick. 
 
 Near AliUANCE, Ohio, Ninth Month 4th, 1866. 
 
 To Charles M. Levick. . 
 
 My Dear Son Charles: — Having yesterday, at Damascus, 
 written a letter to thy dear mother, and now thinking that 
 it will be pleasant to thee to have a letter from me, I sit down 
 to write. 
 
 I feel my heart drawn toward you all in great nearness, 
 and I doubt not that thou and all the rest are doing what 
 you can to make your dear mother comfortable ; also that 
 you are attending to business, so that w6 may have some- 
 thing provided for the support of these poor bodies. 
 
 I have, until now, been traveling through a beautiful and 
 fertile country, but a very hilly one. Here the surface and 
 soil remind me of our own neighborhood. The corn 
 
CORKESPONDBNCE. 225 
 
 crop is very good, and the people are abundautly blessed 
 with enough to eat; but, as is too much the case in our sec- 
 tion, they are careless about the one thing needful. I never 
 traveled so much through a farming country, and saw so 
 little going on in the earth ; so little work. True, it is a 
 wool-producing district, and I have seen thousands of sheep 
 climbing the hills, and grazing in the rich, green pastures. 
 Farming land here is almost as high-priced as it is with us. 
 
 Tell thy sister and thy brother Lewis that I am in the 
 neighborhood where R. P. lived and died. 
 
 I left Damascus yesterday morning, baving there met with 
 a number of agreeable Friends, and among them two from 
 Maine, who were the parents of one of Lewis's college-mates, 
 who died last fall. His mother gave me his photograph for 
 Lewis, and I enclose it in tbis letter. 
 
 My friends, Joseph S. Hartley and Benjamin Tomlinson, 
 have gone ,to Alliance this morning to ascertain whether 
 they can obtain a suitable place for a meeting this evening, 
 and if they succeed in finding one, they will appoint or give 
 notice of the meeting, and we shall go there from this place. 
 The distance is about three and a-half miles. I have some 
 prospect of stopping, this afternoon, at a large school for 
 both sexes, which is in this neighborhood. 
 
 Tell thy mother I met with Caroline E. Talbot yesterday, 
 and she told me that she had written to her. I was very 
 glad to learn this, for if her letter did mother as much good 
 as what she said did me, I know it must have been good to 
 receive it. She is an unassuming, delicate little woman. 
 
226 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 Under the pleasant atmospheric influences around me, I 
 feel right well this morning, and have concluded to defer 
 m^y visit to cousin John Thomas's at Springfield, and to go 
 forward to Chicago, and thence to West Liberty, Iowa. 
 Prairie Grrove Quarterly Meeting is to be held near West 
 Liberty, next Seventh, First and Second-days. I shall pro- 
 bably remain in Iowa a week or teu days, and then go 
 directly to Richmond, Ind., stopping only at Eall Creek on 
 my way. 
 
 I think you may venture to send a letter to me at West 
 Liberty, and another at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. I shall write 
 to John Thomas, requesting him to forward my letters, also 
 to the Postmaster at Columbus, Ohio. 
 
 I am affectionately, thy father, 
 
 Samuel J. Lbvick. 
 
 Chicago, III., Ninth Month 7th, 1866. 
 
 To Samuel J. Lbvick, Jr. . 
 
 My Dear (Son Samuel: — This morning finds me in the 
 metropolis of the West, having arrived here last evening 
 near ten o'clock. We came from Alliance, Ohio, in about 
 sixteen hours. 
 
 When I wrote to thy brother Charles I spoke of my 
 friends having gone to Mt. Union to make arrangements 
 for a meeting. It was appointed at the Methodist Meeting- 
 house, and a very interesting occasion it proved to be. It 
 was attended by hundreds of young men and young women 
 
CORKBSPONDBNCB. 227 
 
 who are students at the college ; and these, together with 
 the inhahitants of the village, made a very large gathering. 
 Gospel truths were poured out freely, and to many it was a 
 season that I think will not soon be forgotten. 
 
 The next day we returned to Joseph Hartley's and at- 
 tended the little meeting called Cope's Run. In the evening- 
 went to Alliance Where a meeting had been appointed for 
 us, in the Methodist place of worship. It was a' good-sized 
 company of people, who were evidently strangers to our 
 manner of worshipping in silence, so I introduced myself by 
 reading ray certificate, which appeared to be satisfactory. 
 After a time of silence I found my way open to unfold unto 
 them the Gospel of life and salvation, showing the necessity 
 of coming to Christ, and drawing water from the wells of 
 salvation. It proved to be a favored time; oh! may the 
 glory he ascribed unto our Heavenly Fatker to whom alone 
 it is due. It is no slight trial, my son, to appear before 
 hundreds of strangers, all'watching to see what can be found 
 fault with. 
 
 We had a pleasant ride, yesterday, through Ohio and In- 
 diana, and this morning at nine o'clock we start for Daven- 
 port, Iowa ; we are due there at half-past five o'clock this 
 afternoon. To-morrow morning we expect to go to West 
 Liberty, near which place the Quarterly Meeting of Prairie 
 Grove is to be held on to-morrow and the two following 
 days — Seventh, First and Second-days. 
 
 I am with much affection, thy father, 
 
 Samuel J. Levick. 
 
228 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 BiTRUNOTON, Iowa, Ninth Month 17lh, 1866. 
 
 My Dear Wife : — A few hours ago, I wrote, with a pencil, 
 some lines, informing thee that we were about to depart 
 from the State of Iowa. That note was written at Mt. 
 Pleasant, and now we are here waiting for the train which 
 is to take us to Chicago, at which city we expect to arrive 
 in the morning. We are looking forward to having a meet- 
 ing appointed there to-morrow evening, if way should open 
 for it. From Chicago we purpose going to Indianapolis, 
 and thence to Richmond. 
 
 Last Third-day afternoon, under the care of Abhei- Pope, 
 who resides near West Liberty, we proceeded to Atalissa 
 and attended a meeting, appointed for us, in the Presby- 
 terian Meeting House. The gathering was not large, but 
 the meeting proved to be very satisfactory. Returned to A. 
 Pope's to lodge, and in the morning (having sent word 
 before, and having the way made open), we went to Spring- 
 dale Meeting of " Gurney Friends" — so called here — in 
 company with STathan Macy, one of their members, at whose 
 bouse we stopped on our way to the meeting. , Friends re- 
 ceived us kindly, placed us at the head of the meeting, and 
 were very kind after meeting, inviting us to their homes. 
 We accepted the invitation of Dillworth Schooley, and after 
 dinner rode seven miles to a meeting appointed among them 
 at Honey Grove. We were a little late in reaching the 
 place, and found the house filled. We soon gathered into a 
 precious solemnity, and oh ! what a tendering season we 
 
CORRESPONDENCE. 229 
 
 were pei-niitted' to enjoy. The word of life flowed out,* and 
 we were deeply baptize^ together. Many of their members 
 were absent, having gone to their Yearly Meeting at Osca- 
 looea. 'We returned to Nathan Macy's, and stayed over 
 night. In the evening I had a very sweet, refreshing op- 
 portunity' with three young people; It was worth the visit 
 here, to have this Heavenly season. N'eXt morning we went 
 to West Branch Meeting, " Guriiey Friends,^' where there 
 was quite a gathering of peclple. Here we found rather 
 more resei-vedness, than at the other meetings, still we were 
 welcomed, and a very comfortable season was our portion. 
 We dined with a Friend named Jonathan Wilson. Both 
 he and his wife treated' us very kindly. At this meeting, 
 and at Springdale, I met my mother's^friend Anabella Winn, 
 wife of Thomas Winu. She was very kind, and desired the 
 blessing of the Holy 0n6 upon me. 
 
 From West Branch we returned' to West Liberty, and 
 stayed all nigh^ with Thomas Brown who, on Sixth-day, 
 took us through a beautiful country to Iowa City. In the 
 evening we had a favored meeting in the Methodist Meet- 
 ing-house, and went to lodge at the house of a " Gurney 
 Friend" named Richard Sanders. We were very kindly 
 entertained, and oh Seventh-day morning we took bur de- 
 parture from Iowa City for Prairie Grove; the distance being 
 forty-five miles. Soon after we had started rain began to 
 fall ; and a rainy day it proved to be. It was about nine 
 P. M. when we reached Caleb RuSsel's, where we were 
 
230 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 kindly taken in and cared for. Pirst-daj we attended Prairie 
 Grove Meeting. It was a good-sizf d company, and we felt 
 very comfortable in being with them. In the afternoon we 
 rode to Mt. Pleasant, a town of several thousand inhabitants, 
 where we had a meeting appointed for the evening in the 
 Campbellite Meeting House. The gathering was large, and 
 it proved to be a remarkably solemn, quiet meeting. There 
 are several Friends residing in Mt. Pleasant. Whom should 
 I meet here, but Newton Thompson and family, at whose 
 house we were entertained. They have nine children, and 
 are comfortably situated. On Second-day (to-day) we dined 
 with the wife of Bennet S. Walters who resides at Prairie 
 Grove in a comfortable home. We left the place about 2.30 
 P. M. and came here. 
 
 Since I last wrote thee, we have been passing through the 
 most beautiful country for agricultural purposes that I have 
 ever seen. We are both very well, and have been so during 
 all the time that we have passed in this State. 
 
 I feel thankful to our Heavenly Father for his bountiful 
 goodness in taking care of us, and making a way for us to 
 discharge the duties placed upon us. May the praise be 
 ascribed to Him who alone is worthy. 
 
 With my heart full of love to you all, and with desires 
 
 for your ppeservatioB, thy husband, in the bonds of true 
 
 af^tion, 
 
 Samubl J. Levick. 
 
 Write to Richmond, Ind, ; to Waynesville, O. ; and later 
 
 to Springfield, 0. 
 
COBRESPONDBNCE, 231 
 
 Chappaqua, N. Y., Eighth Month 'Srd, 1867. 
 
 My Dear Wife : — Her? we are at Esther Haviland's, ex- 
 pecting to attend an appointed meeting this evening, at a 
 new building called the Union Meeting-house. 
 
 I suppose you have heard, by Benjamin's letter, of our 
 safe arrival at Purchasfe, where we were kindly efltertained 
 by our friends, William Sherwood and wife, at whose house 
 we made our home while, visiting in that neighborhood. 
 "We saw David Barnes and family, Solomon Haviland and 
 his sons, Mellis Tilton and wife, James Burdsall and wife, 
 and our New York friends, John L. (arriffen and wife, and 
 her sisters, Mary and Jane Haydock. 
 
 We have had very interesting and favored opportunities 
 in the meetings, as they came in course — also an appointed 
 one at White Plains — and last evening one at Mt. Kisco : 
 we are now stopping at the country home of Phebe Haight, 
 the mother-in-law of Effingham Cock, where they — Effing- 
 ham and family — spend their summers. Many have been 
 the inquiries for thee from the different friends whom we 
 have met, and much regret has been expressed because 
 thou art not with us. 
 
 So far, I have been right well, and have got along very 
 comfortably. We expect to attend the regular meeting at 
 Chappaqua to-morrow morning, and an appointed one at 
 Amawalk in the afternoon, then to go on to Quaker Hill, at 
 which place Kine Partners Quarter is to be held- on Seeond- 
 day. My Heavenly Shepherd has been to me mouth and 
 
232 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 wisdom, tougue and utterance, and the solemnizing influ- 
 ence of his pffesence has been the " crown and diadem" of 
 our assemblies, I trust, to the refreshing of the weary 
 travelers. May the praise be asfcribed to Him, and Him 
 alone. Frteiids are very kind, and we have great cause to 
 be thankful. Between meetings my time is much taken 
 up, as I find many inquiring minds, and much opportunity 
 for this kind of service. 
 
 As I am called to tea, I must now close. I have re- 
 gretted not getting to see sister Hannah Lester before I 
 left. Hoping you are all getting along well, I conclude 
 with a heart full of love to you and to inquiring friends. 
 Thy husband, in much afi'ection, 
 
 Samuel J. Lkvick. 
 
 PouGHKEBPSiB, N. Y., Eighth Month 10th, 1867. 
 
 My Dear Wife : — The steamboat Daniel Drew, brought us 
 to this place about one o'clock this afternoon. 
 
 Yesterday, after attending meeting at Hudson, we crossed 
 the river, and had a very satisfactory appointed meeting at 
 Athens, in the evening. The notice was short, but the 
 house was filled, and among the company I believe there 
 were many who were seeking Truth. We passed the night 
 with our friends, Abraham Lawton and family. 
 
 At Hudson we met with George Truman and wife, who 
 are visiting" meetings in this part of the country. This is 
 the only place, at which we have met them. It was Stan- 
 
CORRESPONDENCE. 233 ' 
 
 ford Quarterly Meeting, held, this time, at Hudson. It was 
 
 a small gathering — greatly contrasting with our Quarter — 
 
 ♦and most of the time in the first meeting was occupied by 
 
 , though I found opportunity for the relief of my 
 
 much exercised mind, and in the women's meeting, after 
 the shutters were closed, I had a very satisfactory service. 
 Several of the Yearly Meeting's Committee were in attend- 
 ance, and of the number were our dear friends, Rachel 
 Hicks and Eobert R. Willets. Truly the condition of our 
 Society is very weak in these parts, and unless a change 
 should take place, their meetings must, ere long, go down. 
 Still, I hope that there may be those found who will be 
 willing to raise the standard of Truth among them. 
 
 To-morrow we are to attend meeting here in the morn- 
 ing, and one at Pleasant Valley at four o'clock in the after- 
 noon. After this we go to Isaac Merritt's to lodge, then 
 have an appointed meeting at Oswego on Second-day even- 
 ing ; attend the meeting at Nine Partners on Third-day 
 morning, and have one appointed at Hart's Village (not 
 among Friends) in the evening, then return to this city, 
 where we may attend the Monthly Meeting. After leaving 
 Poughkeepsie, our prospect is to cross the river and go 
 down to Marlborough, thence to Cornwall and Clove, then 
 recross the Hudson and hold an appointed meeting at 
 Peekskill on Sixth-day evening; on Seventh-day to pass 
 through New York, on our way to Shrewsbury, in order to 
 attend the meeting there on First-day. This will close the 
 15 
 
234 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 service, and then I want thee to come down to Long 
 Branch, and let us have a few days together, enjoying the 
 ocean. Probably brother James or some of the family may 
 be going down on Seventh-day, and thou, can accompany 
 them, and come on to Shrewsbury to meet me. "We expect 
 to stop at the home of Thomas Williams, or at that of Ben- 
 jamin W. Corlies, where we shall be glad to meet you, or 
 at Shrewsbury Meeting on First-day. 
 
 I have been very well, not having suffered any from 
 hoarseness this time. Brother Benjamin is also well and 
 his company and service have been grateful to me. 
 
 [In 1873 Philadelphia Yearly Meeting appointed a Com- 
 mittee to visit the Indian agencies under its charge. In 
 pursuance of this appointment, they went, in the Sixth 
 Month, to Nebraska and Kansas. Samuel J. Levick was 
 one of this Committee.] 
 
 Great Nemaha Agency, Nebraska, Sixth Month 21st, 1873. 
 My Dear Wife : — We arrived here night before last, after 
 a very pleasant ride from Omaha. Our route lay along the 
 valleys of the Missouri, the Platte and the Nemaha Rivers, 
 to White Cloud, in the State of Kansas. Here we were 
 met and conveyed to the Agency, arriving there after dusk. 
 We found Deborah F. Wharton and her daughter-in-law, 
 Susan Wharton, also her grand-daughter, Hettie Thurston. 
 All well. Yesterday morning, soon after breakfast. Agent 
 Lightfoot, with David Petitt and myself, started out to 
 take a view of the Agency, to see the Indians in their 
 
CORRESPONDENCE. 235 
 
 homes, and to examine their improvements. We were 
 much interested in our trip, having an opportunity of see- 
 ing the Indians in their different conditions. Among the 
 first that we visited was a family living in a bark house. 
 They were just eating their breakfast, sitting down on the 
 ground. They had some visitors, and the head of the fam- 
 ily, having been away, his countenance gave evidence that 
 he had been using " fire-water." We did not tarry long, 
 but went on to another home, which was very different. A 
 snug log-house and a flourishing garden, with a variety of 
 vegetables. Both the corn and the potatoes on the reser- 
 vation are the finest that we have seen this season. After 
 having visited a number of houses whose interiors looked 
 snug and comfortable, we went to the school-and-mission- 
 house for children. In the latter part of the afternoon we 
 held a council with the lowas, where were all their chiefs 
 and head men and braves. Speeches were made by some 
 of us, and replies came from all the chiefs and from one de- 
 posed chief. He and several of the others were attired in 
 the Indian costume. The opportunity was interesting and 
 satisfactory. 
 
 We now start for the Sac and Fox tribe, to hold a coun- 
 cil with them this afternoon. On Second-day we are to go 
 to the Otoe Agency, where we shall probably be detained a 
 day or two, and then start homeward on Fifth-day, arriving 
 in Kansas City on Sixth-day evening. Should it seem to be 
 feasible, Ave shall try to reach Richmond, Ind., so as to pass 
 
236 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 First-day there, and then go right through to Philadelphia. 
 "We may, however, have to remain over First-day in St. 
 Louis. The weather, though warm, is delightful, being 
 tempered by a fine breeze. 
 
 As the time has come for us to go, I must conclude. So, 
 with much love to you all, I am thy affectionate husband, 
 
 Samuel J. Levick. 
 
 Otoe Agency, Sixth Month 25th, 1873. 
 
 My Dear Wife: — We arrived at this place night before 
 last, having made the journey from the other agency in one 
 day. About seventy miles of the way, we came by rail, 
 and thirty by wagon. Yesterday we were very busy ex- 
 amining into the condition of things, and riding round over 
 a portion of the agency. 
 
 Here we see Indian life in all its native conditions. They 
 live, most of them, in their original way in wigwams and 
 lodges,, in village style, with all its accompanying filth. 
 These villages are occupied by several families, each having 
 its place. The wigwams are made of wooden frames, lined 
 with skins, and covered on the outside with a thick cover- 
 ing of sods. The only light is admitted by an opening at 
 the top, which serves also as an outlet for the smoke. The 
 fire is made in the middle of the ground-floor. A long 
 entry leads to each of the wigwams. They are quite high, 
 and on the outside, at a little distance, look like huge hay- 
 stacks. Here we see the Indian dressed in his native style; 
 the men — many of them — wearing nothing but a cloth 
 
CORRESPONDENCE. 237 
 
 around their waists, and a blanket thrown loosely over 
 head and shoulders. Some wear only the cloth, without 
 the blanket appendage. The squaws and girls wear loose 
 dresses and slips, and the boys wear shirts, sometimes with 
 the additional blanket. The small children run about with- 
 out any clothing. Many of the men have their heads 
 shaved, leaving only a small tuft of hair; both head- and face 
 are painted red. Many of them wear red leggings^ and red 
 and green blankets abound. They are an indolent tribe. I 
 have seen but two men at work since we carne here ; one 
 was dressing his potatoes, and the other, an old man, was 
 making arrows. 
 
 Our friends Jesse and Sybella Greist have been very kind 
 to us, and they are doing all that they can to make us com- 
 fortable. Our presence adds much to Sybella's cares, and 
 for this reason, if no other, it would seem desirable to make 
 our stay as short as may be, in order to get the necessary in- 
 formation. But aside from this I am quite anxious to reach 
 home. Deborah Wharton was quite poorly yesterday, but 
 is better this morning. The weather is very fine, being 
 warm and clear. Seventh-day night and First-day it rained ; 
 but with this exception I have not had a rainy day on this 
 journey. The country here is very fine, and a delightful 
 breeze is blowing most of the time. 
 
 We have a council with the Indians this morning at nine 
 o'clock, so I must get ready to go. 
 
 -With much love, thy husband, 
 
 Samuel J. Levick. 
 
238 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 CHAPTEK VII. 
 
 THOUGHTS ON SPECIAL TOPICS. 
 
 MY TWENTY-FIRST BIRTH-DAY. 
 Thus has ended the thirtieth day of Eighth Month, 1840 ; 
 it being the first of the week, and the first of my entrance 
 upon legalized manhood. I cannot say that I had been 
 looking .forward to it with any more anxiety than to any 
 other birth-day. In fact nearly half the day had passed 
 before "I thought of it. I am not one of those who believe 
 that a youth steps from boyhood to manhood in one day ; 
 but, on the contrary, that the development is gradual, 
 and that every day is a factor in the transition. I regard not 
 this day as the entrance-gate to freedom, or to such liberty 
 as would absolve me from giving heed to parental advice, 
 or solicitation ; for I feel that my status in these particu- 
 lars is the same that it was a year &go. It is true that I 
 now occiipy a different position, and stand in a different 
 relation to the community in which I live, and to the relig- 
 ious Society of which I am a member — as I am now amenable 
 to both of these for my conduct — but I do not expect to 
 change, in the least, my bearing toward either of them, 
 though I do desire to be found walking in more faithful 
 obedience to the law of my Heavenly Eather, written in ray 
 heart. I firmly believe that this law, as revealed to us in- 
 dividually, and followed by us faithfully, is sufficient to lead 
 
 and guide into all Truth. 
 
 Samuel J. Leviok. 
 
THOUGHTS ON SPECIAL TOPICS. 239 
 
 LABOEINQ WITHOUT A CALL. 
 Addressed to Young Friends. 
 
 "-When the Son of Man shall come in his glory, and all 
 the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne 
 of his glory ; and before Him shall be gathered all nations : 
 and He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd 
 divideth his sheep from the goats ; and He shall set the sheep 
 on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the 
 King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of 
 my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the 
 foundation of the world. . . . Then shall He say also 
 unto them on the left hand. Depart from me, ye cursed, into 
 everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. . . 
 and these shall go away into everlasting punishment, but 
 the righteous into life eternal." 
 
 It is with me thus to write this day, for my spirit has been- 
 bowed, in view of the nature of man's transgression of the 
 law of his God. How insidious are the means used by the 
 old enemy of man's peace, to draw him away from the Lord, 
 his Creator, and thus produce enmity between him and his 
 God. 
 
 For you, children, who are in an especial manner the ob- 
 ject of his embrace, for you, are these lines penned. My de- 
 sire for you is that Satan may not have you to sift you as wheat 
 is sifted, and to destroy the seed of the Kingdom that has been 
 sown by the good Husbandman in your heart — hence I feel 
 
240 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 to warn you of his devices. The means he is now employ- 
 ing are not those to lead you into any apparently wicked ways ; 
 it is not the gratification of your sensual appetites, of your car- 
 nal desires, that is leading you astray; oh, no; but a more 
 deceitful course is he taking, by presenting evil in a refined 
 dress, and calling you to the performance of " good works ;" 
 even to upholding the glorious principles that Jesus Christ 
 bore testimony to. It is not in breaking the commandments 
 of the law, but in doing the works called for by the Gospel, 
 that the enemy of man is slaying thousands. Oh, see how * 
 artful are his ways, for it remains to be true that he is the 
 most subtle of all the beasts that the Lord God has made ! 
 He is now trying to teach you that by obeyivg him., you can 
 do justly, become temperate, plead the cause of the poor and 
 oppressed ; yea, even love your enemies, and have a knowl- 
 edge of God. Thus, dear children, though you see him 
 not, and know him not, is he stealthily leading you awaji 
 
 Mine eye having been opened to see these things, in the 
 love of the Gospel I write unto you to warn you and to as- 
 sure you that this seducer is the father of lies ; that he is, 
 and ever will continue to be, a liar, for the truth is not in 
 him. 
 
 Oh, ye sons and daughters who are thus being led captive, 
 for you is my spirit under deep exercise, and I feel called 
 upon to write to you, and to remind you that the Lord your 
 God is watching over you for your redemption, and that " it 
 is not in man that walketh to direct his steps" aright. The 
 
THOUaHTB ON SPECIAL TOPICS. 241 
 
 outward acts of the Gospel may be done in our own will ; 
 but to be availing they must be performed in the Spirit of the 
 Gospel ; for as faith without works is dead, so likewise works 
 without faith are dead; and here is the evil spoken of; we 
 are resting on works ; the activity of the natural man has 
 opened a way for the enemy to come into the mind, and to 
 lead it astray into the performance of labor as a good work. 
 But no work is really good unless it has been blessed ; and 
 the Lord will never bless that which He has not called for. 
 I allude to spiritual labor at which you may be toiling, but 
 not receiving any reward. 
 
 The cause, dear children, of your being thus led captive 
 by the prince of the power of the air, has been the want of 
 your keeping silence before God. Ye have not waited for 
 Him ; ye have not learned patience, one of the great virtues, 
 one of the essential ingredients in the character of the Lamb's 
 followers. I have known this from experience ; and I now 
 believe myself bound to write and declare that it is not the 
 amount of labor we perform that will be accotinted unto us 
 for righteousness, but in what we do, being done by and 
 under the immediate direction of our Heavenly Parent ; and 
 that one of the most important lessons we have to learn in 
 our Christian travel, is that of being willing to do nothing ; 
 to be still. " Be still, and know that I am God" was a Di- 
 vine injunction; and from it we learn that without a still- 
 ness of all that would be active, we cannot know God. Such 
 has been the experience of the Lord's servants in all ages ; 
 
242 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 the prophet of the Lord knew it, when he commanded, 
 "Keep silence before me, all ye islands, and let the people 
 renew their strength." If this was necessary for a renewal 
 of strength, how much more so to obtain that strength in 
 the first place, that we may be able to wield those potent 
 weapons which will ward oif the assaults of him who is the 
 enemy of our soul's peace. 
 
 I write thus, not because I wish to discourage any in the 
 performance of a duty that the Lord is requiring at their 
 hands, be it seemingly great or small ; but that ye may know 
 that many who are laboring are receiving no reward. 
 
 Like the children of Israel, you have, because of the fam- 
 ine, gone down into Egypt, and have there increased and 
 multiplied, and a king has arisen who knew not Joseph ; 
 and you will, sooner or later, feel the persecuting power 
 inflicted upon you. Oh ! then, come out of Egypt, and pre- 
 fer rather to suffer with the Seed in traveling through the 
 wilderness, than to remain where you are ; knowing that 
 the Land of Canaan has been promised unto our fathers, 
 even a land flowing with milk and honey. Then will you 
 see that the weapons of the Lord's warfare are not carnal, 
 but spiritual, and mighty, through God, to the breaking 
 down of the strongholds of oppression and violence, of hatred 
 and debauchery, with which the land is filled. The Hivites 
 and the Perizzites and the Amorites — all these enemies will 
 be destroyed by the power of the Lord. It was only as 
 Israel dwelt alone, separated from the surrounding nations, 
 
THOUGHTS ON SPECIAL TOPICS. 243 
 
 that they overcame their foes ; it was only as they followed 
 the pillar of cloud by day, and the pillar of fire by night, that ■ 
 they were safe; and we see the evils that befel them for 
 want of patience, even after they had beheld the fire of the 
 Lord upon the mount, and had heard the thunderings and 
 the voice — yet, because their leader tarried, they became 
 impatient, and demanded that a god should be made, and a 
 golden calf was made ; and even this people, that had been 
 so highly favored, worshipped it ; and said, " These be thy 
 gods, O, Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of 
 Egypt." Such was their idolatry, even after they had be- 
 held the Almighty Power of God, so marvellously displayed 
 unto them. May not we, of the present day, find deep in- 
 struction in this account, and learn from it the necessity of 
 being patient, and of not desiring to awake our beloved 
 " until He please." If we can only learn the important 
 lesson of tarrying at Jerusalem until " endued with power 
 from on high" — well will it be for us ; for then shall we be 
 preserved in safety, and " the arrows of the enemy will fall 
 
 harmless" by our side. 
 
 Samuel J. Levick. 
 
 First Month 10th, 1844. 
 
 "MIND THE LIGHT." 
 
 Whatever makes manifest or plain, is Light. God is 
 
 represented as Light ; therefore, the word itself represents 
 
 God. " God is Light, and in Him is no darkness at all." 
 
 Every measure of Light is that much from God. Then let 
 
244 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 none reject these rays as they come to them. The child 
 receives them through the parent and through everything 
 which he sees or hears that is good, even from the pages of 
 a book. These varieties of Light may properly be called 
 reflected Light, inst as the moon, which to us appears lumi- 
 nous, reflects the light of the sun. This reflected Light 
 makes many things appear measurably plain by removing 
 a portion of the darkness and lighting up what would 
 otherwise be obscure. 
 
 We know that, as human beings, our first condition is 
 the darkness of ignorance. We come into the world 
 ignorant, and it is only as the Light dawns upon our under- 
 standing, that we begin to comprehend natural things. 
 This is the twilight of our childhood. Then the reflected 
 Light from our parents, our teachers, our books, and what- 
 ever other influences for good may be around us, is sufli- 
 cient for us to walk by until the direct Light begins to dawn 
 upon our spiritual understanding. This last is " The true 
 Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the 
 world." " For the commandment is a lamp, and the law 
 is light, and reproofs of instruction are the way of life." 
 It should be every man's duty to seek to know, and, know- 
 ing, to obey this law. It is given to a man just as plainly 
 as a parent makes known his will or law to his child, and 
 it is especially adapted to our present want. It should be 
 the purpose of every son of Qod, every one who has experi- 
 enced the new birth, to bear witness to his (spiritually) 
 
THOUGHTS ON SPECIAL TOPICS. 245 
 
 younger brethren of the importance of hearkening unto 
 and obeying the voice of God, so that they may live in the 
 enjoyment of all the good things of the Father's house, and 
 by keeping in that safe habitation, without even the desire 
 to wander away, they may know what it is to enjoy the 
 Father's presence in their youth, their manhood, and their 
 old age. This is the nearest approach that can be made to 
 heaven while in this state of being, and the only limit to 
 the measure of our enjoyment, will be our capacity to 
 receive it. 
 
 It is time to have religion sifted from all the rubbish 
 with which it has been covered by designing, selfish men 
 whose interest lies in keeping it thus covered. If it were 
 presented in its true light and made to appear Jm5< what it 
 is, there would be many more than there now are who 
 would embrace it, and it would also be found that many, 
 very many, have it without knowing what they possess ; so 
 different is the treasure occupying a secret place in their 
 hearts from that which is described in learned disquisitions 
 upon religion. 
 
 If we are honest in our profession, and sure of the pos- 
 session of this treasure, we shall want all others to enjoy it 
 with us. We shall desire to keep nothing back that might 
 be of benefit to them, but — as we may feel commissioned 
 to do so — we will say unto the people, far and near, " Mind 
 that which makes manifest, for that is Light." 
 
 Samuel J. Levick. 
 No Date. 
 
246 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 A KNOWLEDGE OF RELIGION. 
 
 We do not need to have multiplied theories or specula- 
 tions concerning religion — for the world is full of these — 
 but we do need that mankind should be instructed to attach 
 great importance to the value of time, and to place a true 
 estimate on the worth of life. 
 
 Teachers of what is called religion are often more inter- 
 ested in promulgating their own theories and in proselyting 
 to their own sects, than they are in acquainting themselves 
 with a knowledge of Truth and then instructing the people 
 therein. It is, indeed, lamentable that this knowledge 
 should be so lightly esteemed and so little possessed by the 
 world. Mankind, for centuries, have been led to look to 
 the priests and theological teachers for spiritual instruction, 
 when — sad to contemplate — ^too few of these have had any 
 to impart, and these few have possessed it in but small 
 measure, and have been unwilling to give outthe little that 
 they had. The disposition still exists among some who are 
 called ministers of the Gospel to keep the minds of the 
 people in darkness, in order that they may have the greater 
 hold upon them, for they know that the acquisition of a 
 true knowlege of religion elevates man and turns him from 
 a dependence on his fellow-man to a trust and confidence 
 in God. 
 
 While it is our duty not to reject any means, but to make 
 use of all that are within our reach which can confer on us 
 
THOUGHTS ON SPECIAL TOPICS. 247 
 
 this knowledge, still it remains to be a truth that the know- 
 ledge itself ever has come, and ever must come, from God. 
 We know that there are forms of it that come to us through 
 instruments — such as anointed Gospel messengers, the ex- 
 perience of all good men, and, most of all, the Bible, whose 
 contents are so fiill of instruction — ^yet the saving know- 
 ledge of God must come to us, as it came to his saints and 
 children in the past, by the revelation of his will in the 
 soul. " Because that which may be known of God is mani- 
 fest in them, for God hath showed it unto them." "He 
 hath showed thee, 0, man, what is good, and what doth the 
 Lord require of thee but to do justly, and to love mercy, 
 and to walk humbly with thy God." 
 
 Now there has been no change with God, for in Him 
 " there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." 
 
 Samuel J. Lbvick. 
 No Date. 
 
 RISE AND DECLINE OF FRIENDS. 
 
 [Written on the margin of a Pamphlet entitled " The De- 
 cline of Friends ; Causes and Remedy."] 
 
 The cause of the Rise of the Society of Friends was obedi- 
 ence to duly to God, the great Teacher of mankind. 
 
 The cause of the Decline, or absence of growth in the 
 Truth, is that its members, as a whole, lack obedience to 
 duty to God and love other things more than they love 
 Him. Jesus said, "He that'loveth father or mother. 
 
248 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 son or daughter (objects of strongest earthly affection), more 
 than me, is not worthy of me." 
 
 In Nature, like causes produce like results. Equally true 
 is this in Divine things. Samuel J. Levick. 
 
 HOME DUTIES. 
 
 My mind has been impressed with the importance of a 
 subject which, I fear, does not receive from many of us 
 who are parents. the consideration Avhich it deserves. 
 
 I refer to our duties at home, within our family circle, 
 for in this sphere are to be found resting upon us obliga- 
 tions, for the discharge of which we shall be held to a strict 
 account. The duties that we owe to our children are so 
 imperative that nothing short of actual disability can ex- 
 cuse us for their non-performance, while the consequences 
 involved in their neglect are so far-reaching that we cannot 
 even estimate the injury that may result. 
 
 The object of our great Creator in assigning to our care 
 these tender plants, was not that we should be wholly 
 engrossed in providing outward substance for them and for 
 ourselves ; and yet, to judge from the actions of many pa- 
 rents, it would appear as if they thought that such was the 
 case. Neither did he confer upon us feelings of sympathy 
 in order that others should be the objects of it, and our 
 own families excluded. Nor did He give us powers of 
 mind to be cultivated for our own gratification and to the 
 
THOUGHTS ON SPECIAL TOPICS. 249 
 
 detriment of our children. ISay, verily; but, on the con- 
 trary, we are placed as delegated shepherds and shepherd- 
 esses, to watch over the flock of our own household, to 
 observe the early budding and growth of their tender 
 minds and to train them in a way and manner that will be 
 pleasing in the sight of Him who gave them. 
 
 Is it not apparent that such watching and such training 
 cannot be given to our children without time and atten- 
 tion? But, according to the generally prevailing custom of 
 those who abound with the good things of this life, the 
 child, from the time of its birth until it is considered old 
 enough to have a governess, is consigned to the charge of 
 nurses, who, from their lack of knowledge, and often of 
 piety, are ill qualified to discharge the duties of care-takers. 
 
 When the school-going period arrives, but little opportu- 
 nity is afforded, and still less is taken, for close companion- 
 ship with the parents. The mother may be so occupied 
 that she cannot answer a simple question put to her by her 
 child, while the tather is so taken up with business that he 
 has no time to be "bothered" with childish inquiries, so 
 the little one, repulsed by both parents, but even yet eager 
 for information and craving sympathy, turns to the nurse, 
 or to the kitchen-maid, and receives such as she has to im- 
 part. The father has, or takes, time to go to a political 
 meeting or to the club-room, and the mother to a meeting 
 of the sewing society or to a sociable, or the two may go 
 together to a lecture or to some place of amusement, thus 
 16 
 
250 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 making home rather a dreary place for the children, exec 
 as the " servants" choose to enliven it. 
 
 Accustomed to such an environment, and in view of su 
 examples, the children, while growing up, imbibe a love i 
 excitement and a distaste for the monotony of home-li: 
 instead of becoming inured to domestic attachments ai 
 domestic duties which would fit them for their places 
 heads of families when they come to have homes of the 
 own. Thus their craving is to get away of an evening ai 
 to mingle with the throng at a party, a theatre or a popul 
 lecture. Home seems to be disregarded, its duties lost sig 
 of, and — for want of cultivation — but little real afiection 
 felt by the children for their parents. Father is essenti 
 as the family treasurer, and mother as superintendent 
 the " servants," while hxnne is a convenient place to lodj 
 and to take meals at. The parents are ready to marvel th 
 the children have so little desire for their company, and sti 
 less regard for their wishes. 
 
 Dear parents, what more could you expect? What hi 
 been done by you to make home a place to be preferre 
 before all others and your society the most to be desired I 
 your children? Have ambitious temptations for the dispk 
 of wealth been resisted and desires been moderated, so thi 
 fewer hours would be needed in business, and thus mar 
 more enjoyed at home? Have you so cherished the heart 
 best affections that your presence in the family circle hi 
 gladdened those who were awaiting your coming? An 
 
THOUGHTS ON SPECIAL TOPICS. 251 
 
 have parents and children together been made partakers of 
 the heavenly joy spread around them ? 
 
 The self-searching, the close scrutiny, required to enable 
 you to give candid answers to these questions may prove 
 profitable as well as painful, and to all who are parents good 
 may come from such an examination. Let those of us who 
 are husbands and fathers gladly hasten from the exchange, 
 or turn away from the excitement of the busy throng, to 
 enjoy the company of our wives and the innocent prattle of 
 our children, and let both fathers and mothei's feel the 
 weight of the responsibility that rests upon them as care- 
 takers of those who have been committed to their charge. 
 If we really love our families, let us manifest our love by 
 being more at home, and thus having more of their company. 
 If we would curtail our wants and live in more simplicity, 
 so that less of our time must be dievoted to business, then 
 would there be a decided change in family affairs and a 
 realization of what is meant by family affection. .Then 
 should we be found gathering our children- around us, 
 joining with the younger ones in their juvenile pastimes, 
 having some instructive work read aloud by one of the 
 older, and — most profitable of all — sitting down with them 
 for seasons of retirement, wherein we could, in the silence 
 of all flesh, crave that the Divine blessing might rest upon 
 them, and upon us in our efforts for their welfare. 
 
 Samuel J. IiEvick. 
 No Date. 
 
252 LIFE OP SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 A PHILANTHEOPIC UNION OF FRIENDS.* 
 
 I have no doubt But that the concern has had its spring in 
 honest hearts, earnestly desiring to be working in the line 
 of duty ; but I think that the subjects, or the propositions 
 concerning them, will not prove conducive to unity, nor pro- 
 mote religious growth, in the present condition of our sev- 
 eral Yearly Meetings. 
 
 We cannot hold too closely to the views originally uttered 
 by the founders of our Society, that they believed them- 
 selves called to revive, and present to the world " primitive 
 Christianity ;" or in other words, the Truth as it is in Jesus, 
 as presented in his life, and recorded in the Holy Scriptures. 
 Do we not believe that there is contained in this holy life 
 all that is necessary for the development of the perfect man? 
 " For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, 
 which is Jesus Christ." This is the " Rock of Ages." 
 
 It cannot be denied that " darkness covers the earth, and 
 gross darkness (the minds of) the people ;" that this dark- 
 ness can only be dissipated by light ; and that only the pos- 
 sessor of this light can be instrumental in leading others to it. 
 
 The " Address " commences " A desire has arisen with 
 us that mir Society may return to its early faithfulness, en- 
 ergy and usefulness, and more ftilly accomplish its mission 
 in aiding by practical labor in raising the average standard 
 of the world's morality." 
 
 * Suggested by an "Address" to the Yearly Meetings. 
 
THOUGHTS ON SPECIAL TOPICS. 253 
 
 In this first paragraph there is an acknowledgment that 
 the Society has wandered away, or gone from that which it 
 early possessed, and which tnade it a light in the world. 
 Hence it is, that before it can perform its former work of 
 "faithfulness," etc., it must return to its "first love;" and 
 should it not therefore be the duty of those who are sensible 
 oi itB dqaarture, to engage the attention of the. Society to/this 
 subject? Is it not with us as a Society, as the Lord said 
 through the mouth of his prophet : " For my people have 
 committed two evils : they have forsaken me, the Fountain 
 of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cis- 
 terns, that can hold no water" ? Can the Society labor ef- 
 fectively until it shall have returned f Before entering into 
 the field of labor " outside of our own membership," ought 
 not our efforts to be directed to the work within? This 
 (purpose to go out to reform the world, before we have cor- 
 rected our own backgiiding), is one of the' inconsistenoifis 
 that the " Address " bears on its face, and must so strike 
 the observant mind. Had it called the attention of our 
 members to the departures among ourselves, and proposed 
 some means whereby we might return to the faithfulness, 
 energy and usefulness of the early Friends who endeavored 
 to aid in raising the standard not only of the world's morality, 
 but also of the world's religicm; had such been its purpose, 
 it would, I think, meet with a favor,able reception. Those 
 sons of the morning promulgated a knowledge of the Truth, 
 presenting- to the world the glorious character of the Gospel 
 
254 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 covenant which breathes " Glory to God in the highest, and 
 on earth, peace, good will toward men." 
 
 Could the "Address" have pVesented the condition of our 
 Society as living in the light of the blessed Gospel day, and 
 bringing forth the fruits thereof; of being redeemed from 
 the frailties.of our human nature, and disentangled from the 
 meshes of worldliness; then it might have invited us to 
 enter into the broad field of the world's labor, and have 
 been received with some measure of consideration. Certain 
 it is, that but little in the work of enlightening the world 
 around them can be expected of any society, or any people, 
 who are themselves astray, and in the dark. 
 
 "We should place ourselves in a new position by calling 
 into action for reforming others those who are not led by 
 that which led the fathers of this people, and made them a 
 light in the world. Their " faithfulness; en'ei'gy and useful- 
 ness" aided "by practical labor in raising the sftandard of the 
 world's morality " on those lines which the Light pointed 
 out to them, enabled them to spread the knowledge of re- 
 ligious Truth. 
 
 I am abundantly satisfied that " like causes will produce 
 like effects :" and were the members of our religious Society 
 to-day minding the light, and walking in the light, they 
 would be a people zealous of good woi'ks. Smne such there 
 are in all parts of the heritage ; and wherever they are, they 
 are found doing their duty. 
 
 To present such an "Address" to the Society in its pres- 
 
THOUGHTS ON SPECIAL TOPICS. 255 
 
 ent eoudition is but to stir up a chaotic element composed 
 of those who have not yet come under the forming power ; 
 or, if under it, are not -^ei formed ; and hence they are unac- 
 quainted (except it may be with its beginnings) with that 
 which has made righteous men and women " fruitful in the 
 field of offering, and joyful in the house of prayer." 
 
 The diversity of sentiment produced in our Yearly Meet- 
 ing by the reading of the "Address," the different elements 
 that it brought out, how some regarded it, and how it was 
 viewed by others, made it very apparent that harmony of 
 sentiment did not exist, and that unity of action was scarcely 
 possible. 
 
 To my own mind this effect (produced by the reading of 
 
 the "Address") only manifests the state of the body, and 
 
 shows that there are in the religious Society of Friends those 
 
 who do not have to return, but who have not yet come to the 
 
 knowledge of that which made the Society in its early day 
 
 so bold, earnest and faithful in the promulgation of Truth 
 
 and righteousness in the earth. 
 
 Samuel J. Lbvick. 
 1879. 
 
256 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 OUR INDEBTEDNESS TO WORTHY ANCESTORS. 
 
 [Addressed to the grandchildren of Charles Stokes, when 
 assenibled at the home of their grandfather, in Rancocas, 
 N". J., on the occasion of the sixty-fifth anniversary of his 
 marriage, Tenth Month 15th, 1881.*] 
 
 I am one of a younger generation, but it has been my 
 privilege — and I regard it as a high one — to be acquainted 
 with our dear friend, your grandfather, for a period of about 
 forty-five years. 
 
 Our acquaintance was made as I was approximating to 
 manhood, when going around with my friend (known to 
 most of this company), Joseph Parrish, Jr., of Burlington. 
 Both Joseph and myself were interested in promoting the 
 welfare of the colored people, and we occasionally visited 
 one of their settlements called Timbuetoo, not far from this 
 
 * Charles Stokes and Tacy Jarrett were married in Friends' Meeting-honse, 
 at Horsham, Penna., on the eighteenth of Tenth Month, 1816. In the later 
 years of their life, it wa£ their practice to have their descendants, and some 
 invited friends, assemble at their home on the Seventh-day of the week which 
 came nearest to the date of their marriage anniversary. The first of these re- 
 unions was held in 1863, and the last, in 1881. The last jke occurred after 
 the death of the beloved wife ; and in about four months after the last one, the 
 husband also passed away. Tacy died in her ninety-second year, and Charles 
 in his ninety-first. They were both widely known, and much beloved. The 
 last of these annual gatherings took place at the house of Charles Stokes, in 
 Rancocas, N. J., and after dinner the company assembled in the parlor, where 
 addresses were delivered by Charles Stokes, Eli K. Price, Samuel J. Levick, 
 and Franklin T. Haines, M. D. 
 
THOUGHTS ON SPECIAL TOPICS. 257 
 
 place. On our journeyings to and fro we would stop and 
 rest at the hospitable abode of our friends Charles and Tacy 
 Stokes, who then lived on their farm. Then and there it 
 was my privilege to listen to the words of counsel and wisdom 
 from the lips of him at whose house we are now assembled. 
 
 The impressions then made upon my youthful mind have 
 not been effaced. As time has rolled on, weiave been for 
 many, many years brought closely together, being members 
 of the ,same branch of the religious Society of Friends, and 
 associated in committees of its annual assemblies. Such as- 
 sociation teaches men, when convened for the consideration 
 of the subjects presented, that there must be, yea, that there 
 necessarily will be, diversity of sentiment, even where there 
 is an entire honesty of intention ; but, while it has not al- 
 ways been our lot to see eye to eye, I can say that the 
 friendship, formed in my youthful days, for this patriarch, 
 has never diminished; but, on the contrary, has waxed 
 stronger as time has rolled on, and year has been added to 
 year. 
 
 As I have looked around, I have discovered that there 
 are, among the living, only one or two persons, besides our 
 dear Friend, who were members of the Select Yearly Meet- 
 ing of friends in Philadelphia, when I was introduced into 
 that body, nearly forty years ago. Thus is time hastening 
 on in its flight, and ere long the places that have known 
 us and the duties that have been assigned unto us will fall 
 to the lot of others. 
 
258 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 When I look back at the course pursued by my dear 
 aged friend — during almost half a century — and remember 
 his fidelity to duty, his firmness and integrity of purpose 
 in the plain exemplification of that which he deemed right 
 and proper to promote the welfare of the religious body 
 that he had been appointed to represent — I have ever found 
 that those proceedings in which he has concurred, the senti- 
 ments which he has expressed, have been profitable unto 
 me. I have received benefit from those evidences which 
 have characterized his life. 
 
 Now, what I desire for you who are to come after him is 
 that you may derive instruction from his example ; that you 
 may — as he has done — allow your hearts to come under the 
 control, the government, of that wisdom which is from 
 above ; that it may be your director in all things ; for, after 
 all, though we may make use of all the means that the 
 schools afford, in storing the mind with such knowledge as 
 appertains to and fits us for life; yet to have our talents 
 rightly directed, so that they may shine as our Creator, 
 in conferring them upon us, designed they should, it is es- 
 sential that we allow Him to be the Guide, the Director 
 of our lives. Nothing short of this can qualify any man 
 or woman properly to discharge all the duties that belong 
 to this state of being; and my own experience confirms 
 me in the belief that so far from taking from us any legiti- 
 mate enjoyment, it is this and this alone that can prepare 
 both heart and mind to enjoy all that is good in this life. 
 
THOUGHTS ON SPECIAL TOPICS. 259 
 
 I feel, as does the friend [Eli K. Price] who preceded 
 me, that it is a great privilege to be here to-day, mingling 
 with friends whom I have long known, and whose names 
 have descended to them from those who were steadfast in 
 their love to G-od and to their country. How strikingly is 
 this love exemplified in the life of our dear, aged friend ; 
 not only in the discharge of his dutifes, but als6 in his build- 
 ing on a sure foundation, and conforming his will to the 
 conditions before presented. 
 
 If this land of ours that we all love shall continue to be 
 a beacon light to the nations afar ofiF; if its glory is to re- 
 main undiminished; if its star is to shine on with unceasing 
 splendor ; the men who are to guide it in the States, who 
 are to be found in the legislative halls, its lawgivers and 
 directors, must be governed by that principle, that power, 
 to which I have' alluded. 
 
 When we look back and trace out the foundations of this 
 Government, w^hen we go back to the beginning and con- 
 template the wisdom, and the high sense of justice of those 
 men and women who crossed the Atlantic and landed at 
 Burlington — ^your ancestors and mine — when we look back 
 and see the fabric they reared when they vested the power 
 of the Government in the people; we discover that then 
 and there it was that they gave forth, for that little colony, 
 laws which had on them every impress of libert}', and which 
 were for the good of all mankind, l^o man was to be in- 
 carcerated — no matter how grave the charge against him — 
 
260 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 without a trial before a jury of twelve of his neighbors; and 
 the untrarameled right to worship Almighty God according • 
 to the dictates of his own conscience was secured to every 
 one. 
 
 " Thus they laid," writes one referring to their code, " a 
 foundation for after ages to understand their liberties as 
 men and Christians, that they may not be brought into 
 bondage but by their own consent ; for they put the power 
 ■in the people, that is to say, to meet and choose one man 
 for each proprietary who had subscribed to the concessions. 
 All these were to meet as an assembly, to make and repeal 
 laws, to choose a governor or a commissioner and twelve as- 
 sistants to execute the laws during their pleasure, so that 
 every man was capable to choose or be chosen." 
 
 We have received these legacies from our fathers as the 
 original laws of ISew Jersey, and- the name of William Penu 
 is attached to those declarations and records as taking a 
 prominent part in the settlement of this State, as he did in 
 founding the province of Pennsylvania. Therefore if you 
 desire to see those principles and liberties preserved, you 
 must stand up for the right ; and you must remember also, 
 that there is not anything in the religion of your fathers that with- 
 holds or relieves you from the discharge of your duties, both civil 
 and political. 
 
 Remember this, and be thankful that you spring from 
 men who sacrificed all they held dear, even to their lives 
 and liberties, in order to maintain the rights of man, and 
 
RELIGIOUS VISITS. 261 
 
 especially- the great principle, that men should be permitted 
 to worship Grod according to the dictates of their own con- 
 sciences. 
 
 CHAPTEK VIII 
 
 RELIGIOUS 'VISITS. 
 
 Account of a Religious Visit to Southern Quarter and its 
 Branches, Performed in Eleventh Month, 1842. 
 
 Believing it to be in the wisdom of God that his children 
 should keep an account of his dealings with them, from 
 time to time, I have made the following record. Those who 
 are to come after us may find instruction and encouragement 
 in going over the lines of our experience and seeing how 
 tenderly the Most High deals with his children. They may 
 also learn, not only that He has power to bring low, but also 
 to exalt, and that now, as in days past. He will be " mouth 
 and wisdom, tongue and utterance" to his dependent little 
 ones 
 
 I left home on the ninth of Eleventh Month, to attend 
 the Meeting of Ministers and Elders of Abington Quarter. 
 This was the first Select Quarter that I ever attended, and 
 it pleased the Father of all our sure mercies to extend the 
 overshadowing influence of his love over us, whereby we 
 were baptized together into a oneness of feeling. Oh, may 
 
262 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 the disposition be more cultivated to gather into this in- 
 ward, retired state, in which alone we can have access unto 
 our Creator, the only Fountain of light and life ! On the 
 following day was held the General Quarterly Meeting, 
 which was eminently favored, particularly the meeting for 
 worship. Although there was but little said, the covering 
 was very precious — ^yea, the silence, the feeling, was more 
 precious than words. 
 
 Having obtained, at our last Monthly Meeting, a minute 
 to visit the meetings composing Southern Quarter, as way 
 might open, I was, at Horsham (where the Quarterly Meet- 
 ing was held), joined by my companion and dear friend, 
 John C. Lester. We proceeded to Abington, where we 
 met our friend and co-worker, Rowland Johnson, to whom 
 a minute had been granted by Abington Monthly Meeting 
 to travel in the same field of labor. 
 
 Thus we left Abington and proceeded to Philadelphia, 
 where ,we remained over night at my father's. There 
 seemed to be much interest and desire felt by my endeared 
 parents for our spiritual welfare. On Seventh-day morning, 
 the twelfth of the month, we went, with our horses and 
 wagon on board the steamboat, which took us to Delaware 
 City, and thence we drove to Appoquinomink, arriving, 
 before nightfall, at the house of our friend, John Alston. 
 We found him alone, being a bachelor, and his housekeeper 
 having left him, but we and our horses were well cared for. 
 
 On First-day morning my mind was much bowed under 
 
RELIGIOUS VISITS. 263 
 
 a sense of the Yeightiness of our undertaking, and the earn- 
 est breathing of my soul was, that the Father of our sure 
 mercies would be pleased to remember his little ones — three 
 young people — and keep us in the hollow of his Holy Hand; 
 that, by dwelling in the valley of humility, we might, in 
 meeting and out of meeting, be .kept as becomes the fol- 
 lowers of the precious Son of God; that the lamb-like spirit 
 might be our covering, so that, though required, to be wise 
 as serpents, we might also be harmless as doves. While 
 dwelling under this concern, my spirit breathed forth the 
 following secret aspiration, Oh, my God, may Thou, who 
 hast been pleased, in days past, to remember thy child, be 
 pleased to be with him on this journey, keeping down every 
 feeling and desire that has not its birth in thy kingdom! 
 For thy cause's sake, oh, Lord, and for the honor and glory 
 of thy ever-blessed name, let thy light shine around our 
 path, that thereby we may be- kept from straying — and 
 unto Thee we will ascribe all glory, honor, thanksgiving 
 and praise, now, henceforth and forevermore. 
 
 Eleventh Month 13th. I'irst-day. — ^Attended the meeting 
 at Appoquinomink. For the place, it was a large gathering, 
 and ability was furnished to proclaim the everlasting Word, 
 although there appeared much coldness and apathy on the 
 part of some. Brother Rowland was favored to speak to 
 some spiritual states present, and the meeting closed sol- 
 emnly and to our satisfaction. May all honor and glory be 
 ascribed to Him who is forever worthy. 
 
264 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 In the afternoon we proceeded on our journey, and went 
 as far as Michael Offley's, near Smyrna, where we tarried 
 over night. 
 
 Second-day, the 14th. — We left M. O.'s early this morn- 
 ing, and are now at Jabez Jenkins's, at Camden. Thus are 
 we favored to proceed, relying on the Great Care-taker for 
 help and instruction, believing that, as there is an abiding 
 close to the gift, we shall be able to know and to keep our 
 proper places. ^At Camden Monthly Meeting, we found 
 that the wedge of gold and the Babylonish garment had 
 been " hid in the earth in the midst of" Achan's tent, even 
 the tents of some who compose this meeting. The call was 
 extended that they should give up these hidden things, so 
 that the people should not be detained. There were pres- 
 ent a number of young people, and the Word of the Lord 
 was to them in an especial manner calling unto them to 
 submit their necks to the yoke and their backs to the bur- 
 den, so that thereby a preparation might be experienced 
 that would enable them to stand as testimony-bearers, yea, 
 as standard-bearers of the great truth of the immediate 
 teachings of the Father unto his creature, man, and of the 
 sufficiency of this power of itself to lead and direct into all 
 Truth. 
 
 Returned to J. J.'s to dine, and were occupied during the 
 afternoon in obtaining information relative .to our route; 
 also in writing letters. Previous to our departure we were 
 favored to draw nigh together in a precious ' opportunity 
 
RELIGIOUS VISITS. 265 
 
 with the family, wherein the power of Truth was Bolemn- 
 ized to some minds present, who were the younger mem- 
 bers of the family. The wife and mother. Patience Jen- 
 kins, is a precious Friend, being concerned for the advance- 
 ment of Truth. Her spirit has been a source of strength to 
 us on our journey. Oh, saith my soul, may all such be 
 strengthened- in holding up the precious testimonies of 
 Truth in this land, for few do we find among Friends who 
 seem to have the cause sufficiently at heart ! We left this 
 house with our spirits bowed unto the Father of mercies for 
 thus condescending to be with his poor, dependent ones, 
 enabling them to proclaim his precious Word. 
 
 From Camden we went a short distance, to the home of 
 Warner Mifflin, a son of the Warner Mifflin who, in his 
 day, was a faithful servant of his Divine Master. Especially 
 faithful was he in bearing his testimony against that great 
 evil which then did, and which yet does, cover this land, 
 even that system which makes man like unto the beast that 
 perishes, a chattel to be bought and sold by his brother-man. 
 Man, that was made but a little lower than the angels, 
 crowned with glory and immortality, is subject to enslave- 
 ment because he belongs to the African race. In traveling 
 through this State, and finding the feeling that exists— even 
 among members of the Society of Friends — toward this 
 down-trodden people, my soul has mourned. The whites 
 seem to look upon them as creatures made to labor, to be 
 scolded and to be harshly treated. I am aware that much 
 17 
 
266 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK, 
 
 depends on our environment, and hence I can understand 
 how the effect of this system upon their neighbors, may 
 have had its influence upon Friends. Nevertheless, I do be- 
 lieve that, if a closer attention were paid to the Light that 
 we profess to believe in, and to follow, there would be a 
 coming out from many of the customs that cling to this 
 institution. Oh, that my people might live alone, that Is- 
 rael might come out from the abominations of the land, and 
 be a people zealous of good works ! 
 
 In this neighborhood I was bowed in spirit under a great 
 weight of exercise, on account of one who was recently dis- 
 owned from the Society of Friends for the use of ardent 
 spirits. Oh, how my poor soul travailed for this man, who, 
 in an outward sense, is a great person and is possessed of a 
 vast fund of knowledge ! We had a religious opportunity 
 with him, in which we were favored to gather into silence, 
 and power was given to speak the truth in much plainness. 
 The lofty mind was humbled, the high spirit was brought 
 down, and tears flowed from his eyes. Oh, may the Lord 
 still continue this visitation of love to his soul, so that he 
 may yet shine as a light in the firmament of celestial bright- 
 ness. 
 
 Being ready to leave Camden and its vicinity, we jour- 
 neyed on to a place called Wheatleysburg, where we got 
 something for ourselves and our horses to eat. Some of the 
 country through which we passed is so desolate that the 
 land is too poor to cultivate. We passed through several 
 
RELIGIOUS VISITS. 267 
 
 villages and at length arrived at the house of William 
 Maloney, where we were very kindly entertained. Next 
 morning we rode twelve miles, to North West Fork, and 
 attended meeting held in a house that formerly belonged to 
 the Nicholites, but for many years now it has been owned 
 and occupied by Friends. A Monthly Meeting is held 
 there. The meeting was small, only about thirty or fort^ 
 persons present, but there seemed to be some life there, and 
 I was, in much humility, favored to proclaim the ever- 
 blessed Truth among them. The business meeting was 
 held in joint session. After meeting we had a favored 
 opportunity at the house of a Friend named Joshua Noble, 
 and then proceeded to Jacob Leverton's, where we lodged. 
 His wife is a concerned, lively Friend, who, I believe, is 
 earnestly engaged for the cause of Truth and righteousness. 
 They labor under many difficulties and discouragements. 
 They live seven miles from meeting, are in the decline of 
 life, and Jacob is somewhat feeble. The environment of 
 slavery exerts a very prejudicial influence in these parts 
 against the cause of Truth, as Friends' manners are, in a 
 measure, conformed unto the system. Oh, that faithfulness 
 were abode in against this crying evil that brings desola- 
 tion, both spiritual and temporal, upon those who are con- 
 cerned in it ! 
 
 On Fifbh-day morning we proceeded toward Third Haven, 
 and arrived there in time for meeting. This meeting also 
 is small, but as there was an abiding in the gift a qualifica- 
 
268 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 tion was experienced to bear my testimony to spiritual, 
 silent worship, as the medium through which God com- 
 munes with his rational creature, man. Ability was fur- 
 nished to call the attention of the people to this testimony, 
 feeling that, even among Friends, there is too little faith in 
 this, the only true medium by which the Father can be 
 ^rivorshipped. At this place we stopped at the house of a 
 young couple where the wife is a member, and the husband 
 interested in Friends, They seemed very glad to have us 
 ;with them. After dinner we went with a Friend named 
 Thomas Hopkins, to his house, where we lodged, and next 
 day rode to the home of John Norris, at Cecil. Much of 
 the country through which we passed bears on it the ap- 
 pearance of sterility. There were large fields some of which 
 contained more than one hundred acres ; and, in some places 
 the public road was obstructed by gates. Villages in this 
 country are scarce : we stopped to feed our horses, at one 
 called Church Hill, where we were met by a man under the 
 influence of liquor, whose behavior toward us was very 
 trying. Finding that we were Pennsylvanians, and taking it 
 for granted that we were Abolitionists, he attacked us with 
 abusive words, and defiantly declared that he would know 
 our business. We abode in the quiet, and said not one word 
 to him, except at parting, when we bade him farewell. Oh, 
 how thankful I felt that we all kept quiet ; it was silence that 
 preserved us, probably, from personal injury ! Thus have 
 we been marvelously kept from the mouth of the lion, and 
 
RELIGIOUS VISITS. 269 
 
 the paw of the bear. Thence, we proceeded on our journey 
 and arrived at John JS'orris's before sundown. After a toil- 
 some day we were kindly made welcome by these Friends. 
 The weather last night and to-day has undergone a great' 
 change, and it is now quite cold. In the morning we went 
 to Monthly Meeting at Cecil, where a small company was 
 gathered, and ability was furnished to preach the Gospel 
 unto them. It was shown that the reason why their num- 
 ber was so small, and there was so little life among them, 
 was on account of their lack of faith, and for the want of 
 abiding in and under the light of Christ. That with some 
 there was too much dabbling in political strife, and that 
 they were too busy about many things. It appeared that 
 there were some who were sensible of it, and felt it to be 
 so; yes, convinced I am that this is one of the causes of the 
 prevailing dwarfishness among Friends, not only in these 
 parts but elsewhere. Having so much to do with the worldy 
 its ways and its forms, the desire for popularity and self- 
 aggrandizement, has destroyed the life ; and having nothing 
 else to stand on they are in a more helpless condition than 
 any other people, thus proving that we cannot serve God' 
 and mammon. Other denominations of professing Christen- 
 dom — not claiming that they wait for the power of Truth to 
 direct them — can go forward in their work ; and so we see 
 a great deal of labor, and apparently many gathered. But, 
 do we see by their fruits that there is a walking as Christ 
 walked ? Do we see that humility is the garment with 
 
270 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LBVICK. 
 
 which the members of the professing religious Church are 
 clothed ? Do we see them abounding in the fruits of the 
 spirit, love, joy, peace, holiness, loving their neighbors as 
 themselves ; doing justly, loving mercy, and walking hum- 
 bly before God and man? The daily lives — of many at 
 least — jvill hardly ^ve an affirmative answer to these queries. 
 But the power of the ever-blessed Truth remaius the same, 
 and were we clothed with the same lamb-like spirit which 
 characterized the blessed Master we should be qualified, as 
 He was, to be faithful to our calling in doing the Lord's 
 will. As this qualification is experienced, as men are faith- 
 ful to that which has been made manifest ; persuaded I am 
 their lives will be useful, and their light will so shine that 
 others, seeing their good fruits, will be led to glorify God, 
 our Creator. This is what is wanting ; living faith ; and if 
 we have even as much as may be comparable to a grain of 
 mustard-seed, we may say unto this mountain, "Be thou 
 removed, and be thou cast into the sea," and it shall be 
 done. 
 
 After meeting we returned to J. Norris's, and then, in 
 the afternoon, went to see Sarah Turner, widow of Joseph 
 Turner, who was a minister of the Truth in this neighbor- 
 hood. She is bright and lively, attends meeting regularly, 
 and has her domestic concerns well regulated. The colored 
 people living with her were well dressed and tidy ; a matter 
 that is much neglected in these parts, even by some who 
 make a profession of Christ. Children, small and large, 
 
RELIGIOUS VISITS. 271 
 
 boys and girls who have to perform labor, are not supplied 
 with good warm clothing; and I fear that some of them 
 have not the same kind of food to eat as is served to their 
 employers. Now this is not in accordance with the religion 
 of Jesus Christ, which I believe would lead us to treat and 
 to feed oar laborers as well as w^ do ourselves. We must 
 love mercy, and if we lack this we lack one of the essen- 
 tials of the Christian character. 
 
 Eleventh Month 20th. First-day. — Our meeting was 
 large, and was attended by many professors of religion who 
 were not of our denomination. There seemed to be great 
 darkness in the minds of the people, and I had to arise with 
 this language : " Darkness covers the earth, and gross dark- 
 ness the people;" ajud why? for the reason that the people 
 " love darkness rather than light, because their deeds are 
 evil." Power was given to show whereof the darkness con- 
 sisted, that it was because their dependence was outward ; 
 that they were like the blind man formerly; but that there 
 is a power now, that is able as it was in the days of Jesus 
 upon earth — as there is faith in it, and willingness to be led 
 by it — to open the blind eye, that has been closed by sin and 
 transgression. They were told that the Gospel is not sec- 
 tarian in its character, but that all sectarianism is opposed to 
 the kingdom of Christ ; that we came among them not to 
 call to any sect, but to the baptism of Christ; which was 
 not an outward, elementary one, but an inward, spiritual 
 one. There seemed to be a willingness to hear what we 
 
272 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 might have to communicate, and our testimonies were borne 
 against all oppression, and against all war and violence as 
 opposed to the peaceable kingdom of Christ. I was led to 
 call them away from so much dependence on man, and to 
 invite them to the fountain of Divine life. 
 
 We took dinner at James Bowers's, and immediately 
 after started for Chestertown, where a meeting had been 
 appointed. There was a misunderstanding with regard to 
 the time ; the meeting had been gathered about half an hour 
 when we arrived. We were, however, favored to gather 
 into silence, and my mind was soon clothed with feeling, 
 and ability was furnished to proclaim to the people the ever- 
 blessed truths of the Gospel. There were no Friends present, 
 save the few that came along with us. Oh, how my mind 
 was enlarged toward this company of strangers and how 
 precious was the feeling that covered our spirits! After 
 meeting many of them seemed tender, and manifested much 
 feeling. We were asked if we could not stay until evening, 
 and preach again for them. We told them we could not 
 stay, but that even if we should do so, we could not promise 
 to preach for them. 
 
 From this place we proceeded down to Chester Neck, and 
 lodged at the house of one of our own members. Here we 
 were favored to gather into silence, and the word of the 
 Lord unto our host was, " Ye have made my Father's house 
 — which should be a house of prayer — a den of thieves." In 
 the morning we attended meeting, which proved to be the 
 
RELIGIOUS VISITS. • 273 
 
 hardest and the coldest of any company that we have yet met 
 with. The building is in a very dilapidated condition, the 
 wall being cracked open several inches, from the roof to the 
 floor ; and a fire-place in one corner of the room was quite 
 inadequate to warm it. The physical discomfort, however,- 
 could have been borne ; but the house was a true index to 
 the minds of the people. I had to tell them, if it was 
 words they were seeking for, we had not many for them ; 
 but that they must make an acquaintance for themselves 
 with God, their Creator. We were glad to return from this 
 cold place, and after eating our dinner we rode to Center- 
 ville, the county seat of Queen Anne's County, where we 
 had a meeting in the Court House. This is a neighborhood 
 in which there are no Friends, and we found it to be a 
 priest-ridden, slave-holding community, and the sword of 
 the Spirit had to be used, to the cutting asunder between 
 the joints and the marrow, calling the attention of the people 
 to the gross, inconsistencies of the Christian Church, many 
 of whose ministers, it is to be feared, preach for hire and 
 divine for money, though the Gospel of Christ is a free 
 Gospel, preached in the heart of every rational creature, ir- 
 respective of color or clime. It was also presented to them 
 that all wars and oppression stand opposed to the peaceable 
 kingdom of Christ; that slavery and injustice stand opposed 
 to the peaceable and humane doctrines and practices of 
 Jesus, who taught his disciples to do justly, to love mercy, 
 and to walk humbly with God, as was said by the prophet 
 Micah. 
 
274 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 After this meeting we rode seven miles to the. house of 
 our friend, Thomas Hopkins, where we were kindly cared 
 for, and ourselves and our horses made comfortable after 
 another hard day. Our friend, T. H., had made the ar- 
 rangements for the meeting at the Court House, and after- 
 wards piloted us to his own house. On Third-day morning 
 we left this hospitable abode, and went to Third Haven, 
 where we had a meeting in Friends' Meeting-house at eleven 
 o'clock. This proved to be a very satisfactory opportunity, 
 and the language of encouragement was held out to the 
 beloved youth. An invitation was extended, and the power 
 of the ever-blessed Truth seemed to reign over all, to the 
 humbling of our minds, and the contriting of our spirits 
 before the Almighty power of God. Oh, may these dear 
 ones be strengthened to give up all their beloveds, and to 
 stand firm in the liberty of the children of God ! Oh, may 
 the Father of all our sure mercies extend the overshadowing 
 wing of his love to these, that thereby the waste places of 
 our Zion shall be restored, and her walls built up ! We re- 
 turned to 's to dine, and had some conversation with 
 
 him relative to his holding slaves. He seemed tender on 
 the subject, and disposed to do right. The afternoon was 
 passed in writing letters in reply to those just received from 
 home. Our families were all well, and seemed to be getting 
 on comfortably. How thankful, we should be to the great 
 Care-taker for his superintending care over them and our- 
 selves. 
 
RELIGIOUS VISITS. 275 
 
 In the evening we had a meeting at Easton, which was 
 email, owing in part to there not having been sufficient 
 attention paid to giving notice, leaving it to Friends, etc. 
 On Fourth-day morning we started for the Trap, nine miles 
 from Easton, in a neighborhood where there are some 
 Friends. Here we had a meeting composed of Friends and 
 others. ^ It convened at eleven o'clock, in the Methodist 
 Meeting-house, and a very comfortable meeting it was. 
 Truth rose into dominion, the weak were comforted, and 
 unto the poor the Gospel was preached. "We dined at the 
 house of Daniel Bowers, a valued Friend who has been 
 called to the ministry ; and who, I believe, if faithfulness is 
 abode in, will stand firm for the testimonies of Truth, and 
 be a shining light in his neighborhood. We also met, at 
 this place, James Bartlett, who has appeared, vocally at 
 times, in the, ass^mhlies of the people, and who is a shining 
 light. 
 
 We next proceeded to Cambridge Ferry, on the Choptank 
 River, opposite to Cambridge. Leaving our horses and 
 carriage at the Ferry, we took a sail-boat to go across, but 
 owing to the calm we had to depend upon the oars with 
 which the boat was provided. Arriving at Cambridge about 
 sun-down, we found the house prepared, and at the ap- 
 pointed hour quite a number of people gathered. It was 
 the first Friends' meeting held at a house of worship in this 
 place, and much prejudice exists in the minds of the people 
 against " the Quakers." As we were favored to be fools in 
 
276 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 the eyes of some, but strong in the cause of Truth, ability 
 was furnished to show up the inconsistencies of the Chris- 
 tian Church, and the simplicity of the Truth as it is in 
 Jesus. After meeting we were invited by some who were 
 in attendance to go home with them to lodge ; but we felt 
 most easy to return to our rooms at the tavern. Here sev- 
 eral came in, and it was permitted us to open unto them 
 our views on some points. We found much prejudice ex- 
 isting in the minds of many against Friends; and they could 
 scarcely believe that we were of that Society ; and thus it 
 was our privilege to show them how greatly we had been 
 misrepresented. Oh, how darkness covers the minds of the 
 people in these parts! They are so blinded to the pure 
 word of Divine life, that they look to their teachers, and de- 
 pend on them for instruction and for direction. Thus the 
 blind lead the blind, and both fall into the ditch. 
 
 Having cleared ourselves of this people, we returned to 
 the ferry on the opposite shore. Our transit this time was 
 very different from the one that we had the day before. In- 
 stead of a calm surface, the wind had arisen, and the waves 
 rolled high. The white-caps curled their crested heads over 
 the blue waves. Our captain was an aged colored man who 
 had been on this ferry for more than thirty years, and he 
 took us safely over, having gone into the mouth of a creek, 
 and ascended it some distance before we could land. 
 
 Being again in possession of our horses and carriage, we 
 took the road and traveled nine or ten miles to James 
 
RELIGIOUS VISITS. 277 
 
 Maloney's, where we were kindly entertained, and, after 
 passing several hours with the family, we proceeded on our 
 journey. "We crossed the Choptank Kiver on a scow, and, 
 on reaching the shallows near the shore, my companions 
 were carried on the backs of the men, who, with bare feet 
 and rolled pantaloons, waded to the dry land. I rode out 
 on one of the horses. Thus have we been enabled to get 
 along through many difficulties, and now we find ourselves 
 journeying homeward in the enjoyment of that peace which 
 the world- cannot give, neither can it take away. It was 
 after nightfall when we arrived at Jonathan Twiford's, and 
 we felt it comfortable to be in the society of such valuable 
 Friends. The wife, Elizabeth Twiford, is a minister in 
 very good esteem. Both husband and wife are descendants 
 of the Nicholites, and they are now far advanced in life and 
 much enfeebled, but are resting in the hope of a glorious 
 immortality. How encouraging it is to see those M'hose 
 earthly lives are drawing to a close, abiding their time and 
 waiting trustfully till their change shall come. Oh, how I 
 desire that I may be found abiding in and under the same 
 Almighty Power, so that, when done with time, I may 
 have the blessed assurance of, a happy immortality ! We 
 remained with these Friends over night, and in the morn- 
 ing attended Marshy Creek Meeting, and a precious meet- 
 ing it was. The house was full, many of the company 
 being of the Methodist persuasion, and the power of the 
 Everlasting Word was proclaimed in their hearing to the 
 
278 LIFE OF SAMUEL J, LEVICK, 
 
 humbling of many minds. Oh, how comfortable it was to 
 my mind to feel this precious influence ! It seemed as 
 though I could not leave my seat, and the people also 
 seemed to be much under this precious feeling. In the 
 performance of our duty we had borne our testimonies 
 against the great inconsistencies of the professing Christian 
 Church, holding up the purity of true spiritual worship, as 
 beautifully exemplified in the memorable interview of the 
 woman of Samaria at Jacob's Well, showing that, as she 
 was willing to leave all and to obey the command of the 
 Divine Master, she became also a preacher of the Divine 
 Word, and that on this rests the true qualification of a min- 
 ister of the Gospel of Christ. This, and much more, was 
 given to be held up to the people, and it seemed as if a 
 door of entrance was opened into their hearts. Oh, saith 
 my soul, that the Lord may pour of his Spirit on his sons 
 and his daughters, so that they may know a qualification 
 experienced to speak boldly for the cause of the ever- 
 blessed Truth. But this pouring will never be known nor 
 felt only as we are willing to hearken to the still, small 
 voice that has been known as a swift witness for Truth in 
 each of our hearts. For thus it was that the holy men and 
 women of old came to be mighty prophets and prophetesses 
 in the land. 
 
 It was thus that Moses became a deliverer of his breth- 
 ren ; it was thus that Joseph was made the instrument in 
 the saving of his father's house ; it was thus that Joshua 
 
RELIGIOUS VISITS. 279 
 
 was made willing to say, " Choose you this day whom ye 
 
 will serve; but as for me and my house, we 
 
 will serve the Lord ;" it was through this that David was 
 made a conqueror over the enemies of Israel, when, dis- 
 carding Saul's armor, and with naught but a shepherd's 
 sling and a few smooth stones chosen from the running 
 stream, he slew the mighty Goliath of Gath; it was through 
 this abiding and listening that Samuel, when but a child, 
 was called to bear the Lord's testimonies unto his rebellious 
 people ; and from him down to a Daniel and a Ruth and 
 the many servants of the Lord, even down to his Son, 
 Jesus Christ, who, though a Son, was obedient in all things. 
 And now we are called to follow the same rule and to walk 
 in the same way. By obedience to this rule, or law, Ste- 
 phen was enabled to bear being stoned to death, and many 
 of the Lord's dedicated servants in that day and since have 
 been strengthened to endure much for the cause of Truth 
 and righteousness, which they held to be more dear than 
 their natural lives. And we find that the operation of this 
 power was not confined to that primitive day, but that 
 faithful subjects have been found in later times, for we see 
 a Fox, a Penn, a Burrow, a Scott and many others, willing 
 to suffer persecution for the cause of Truth, in their day. 
 
 After this favored meeting we dined near the meeting- 
 house with a Friend named Corkin, and then rode a few 
 miles to Jonah Kelly's, where we stayed over night. In 
 the afternoon made a visit to a poor widow, whose husband 
 
280 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 had died very suddenly a few days before. ■ How my heart 
 was drawn into feeling for this lone one, who so lately had 
 been enjoying the society of her youthful companion, with 
 their first-born at their side, and now a widow, cast upon a 
 cold and friendless world. The consolation of the Gospel 
 was held out to her, and she was encouraged to put her 
 trust in Him who is a husband to the widow, a father to 
 .the orphan and a comforter to all those who have been be- 
 reft. She is not a Friend by profession, but we felt it our 
 duty thus to visit her, and we were satisfied in so doing. 
 The evening was occupied in a manner, I trust, to edifica- 
 tion. 
 
 On Seventh-day morning, the twenty-sixth, we rode five 
 miles to North West Fork Meeting. The meeting-house 
 here was formerly owned by a people called Nicholites,* who 
 were very plain and exemplary in their habits, and after the 
 death of their founder they joined themselves to Friends. 
 Here we had a large meeting, and Truth's power was 
 known and felt. Thus have we cause to rejoice in the 
 power of the Eternal Truth, that has so marvelously en- 
 abled us, while among this people, to perform our duty, 
 though, at times, in much weakness and bowedness of 
 spirit. May all honor and praise be ascribed to Him who 
 alone is worthy. After meeting we returned, by the road 
 we came, to the house of a Friend who has an aged and 
 
 * An interesting account of the Nicholites may be found in " Friends' Mis- 
 cellany," Vol. IV. 
 
RELIGIOUS VISITS. 281 
 
 greatly afflicted mother. She is quite feeble, and has for 
 several years been suffering with a cancer of the eye. We 
 had a very solemn and refreshing opportunity, in which we 
 were favored with the renewed presence of the Master of 
 Assemblies, who was pleased to tender our hearts and unite 
 our spirits, so that we were enabled to give thanks and to 
 ascribe praises unto Him who has been pleased to be with 
 and to remember his little dependent ones. Surely this 
 was a brook to the weary traveler on his way, surrounded 
 as it is by trials and deep exercises. After this opportunity 
 we retraced our steps to Nathan Corkins, where an evening 
 meeting had been appointed, and a very memorable one it 
 proved to be. There appeared to be nearly two hundred 
 persons present, the sexes being about equally divided, and 
 some of them had come from five to eight miles to attend 
 the meeting. My mind was drawn into deep exercise and 
 travail of spirit, and the blessed Master was pleased to be 
 near and to cover us with his mantle. I arose, with the 
 observation that, from the feeling that covered my mind, 
 and from the precious covering which was spread over us, 
 it was evident that the Great Shepherd was here in pur 
 very midst, that the people of Nineveh had repented at the 
 preaching of Jonah, and that a greater than Jonah was here 
 in our very midst ; yes, standing among us, ready to teach 
 and to direct his children in the way that they should go. 
 My tongue seemed to be loosened by the power of Truth, 
 and in a marvellous manner was ability furnished to pro- 
 18 
 
282 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 claim the Word of the Lord among them. My companion 
 also had acceptable service, and the meeting ended in good 
 savor. 
 
 We remained over night at Friend Corkin's, and in the 
 morning, First-day, rode fourteen miles to the house of 
 William Maloney, where we stopped and left our horses, and 
 wfent on foot to Center Meeting. Although the weather was 
 cold and windy, the house was soon full. Among those 
 assembled were many people of color, and they were, most 
 of them, well dressed and very orderly in their deportment. 
 My mind was drawn to call attention to the day, it being 
 what is termed by many of the professing Christian people 
 the Sabbath day. I was abilitated to show, to the relief of 
 my own mind, that the mere assembling of ourselves to- 
 gether, or the mere abstaining from outward labor, never 
 has been, and never can be, the keeping of the Lord's Sab- 
 bath. The Sacred History gives evidence that, although 
 thus kept with punctilious exactness, it did not please the 
 Lord; for behold, in time, the flood swallowed all, save 
 righteous I^Toah and his family. I was led to show forth 
 the views that we, as a people hold, that we should consider, 
 not only one day in seven as holy, but that all are worthy of 
 being so regarded, and that, before we can come to know a 
 keeping of the true Sabbath of the Lord, we must know a 
 cessation from all sin, from all our own willings and run- 
 nings. 
 
 After meeting we returned to the hospitable home of 
 
RELIGIOUS VISITS. 283 
 
 William Maloney, where we dined, and then proceeded on 
 our journey. In the evening had a meeting appointed in a 
 Methodist meeting-house at Denton, the county seat of 
 Caroline County. Arriving at the place before dark, we 
 put up our horses and had them fed, and we ourselves par- 
 took of the hospitality of a kind young man and his wife, 
 who did all in their power to make us comfortable. The 
 meeting was a satisfactory one to me, evidence being fur- 
 nished that there were minds willing to receive the truths 
 that were declared in their hearing. Some Friends reside in 
 the vicinity of this town, and there is a house near in which 
 they hold their meetings. We went home with Samuel 
 Dunning, where we lodged and were kindly entertained. 
 
 Second-day, 28th. — We started this morning toward the 
 Quarterly Meeting, which is to be held this week. Leaving 
 the State of Maryland and entering Delaware, we traveled 
 on till we arrived at Henry Cowgill's, where we dined, 
 and then proceeded to Camden, where we stopped at the 
 house of Isaac Dolby. All the household were very kind 
 to us. Oh, it is a great privilege to enjoy that freedom 
 which gives us a home-feeling at the houses of our friends, 
 when we are wayfarers and far distant from our own homes! 
 Surely thus it should be, and were there more abiding at 
 the Fountain of Divine life this feeling would be better 
 known and more felt among us. Yea, we should be knit 
 together by an indissoluble band which could not be sev- 
 ered save by the hand of death. 
 
284 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 Here we received letters from home, informing us of 
 their being all well. Oh, how thankful we should be for 
 the favors dispensed, and how willing we should be to 
 spend and be spent in the ever-blessed cause of Truth and 
 righteousness! My heart overflows with gratitude unto 
 the Author of my being for thus aiding us and providing 
 us with all needful things. We have all had excellent 
 health and have been favored to move along in harmony, so 
 that I believe we can unite in saying it has been good for 
 us to be here, for we have been strengthened together and 
 united more and more in love to one another. 
 
 Third-day, 29th. — ^Left Camden in the morning and pro- 
 ceeded to Little Creek, where the Quarter is to be held, 
 the Select Meeting being to-day. Here we met with our 
 friend and elder brother in the Truth, George Truman, 
 who is on a religious visit to the meetings composing this 
 Quarter. He had good service here, and it appeared to be 
 my duty to stir up Friends to increasing faithfulness. The 
 meeting was a comfortable one, and the presence of the 
 Great Head of the Church was felt and his power seemed 
 to cover our minds. We were entertained at the house of 
 Michael Offley, Jr., where we tarried over night, and in 
 the evening had a very comfortable sitting in the family. 
 There were several young people present, and to one young 
 woman, in particular, the Word of the Lord seemed to be 
 directed, and her attention was called to the preparation 
 that the clay undergoes before it is fitted for the use of the 
 
RELIGIOUS VISITS. 285 
 
 potter, then its being moulded into a vessel, and the various 
 processes which it passes through — the drying and glazing 
 and burning — vsrere shown, as beautifully illustrative of the 
 states which the mind has to undergo, in being prepared as a 
 vessel of honor in the Lord's house, and then, after all these 
 processes have been passed through, it only stands ready for 
 use. 
 
 Fourth-day, Eleventh Month 30th,— This day attended the 
 Southern Quarterly-Meeting. The weather was very stormy, 
 which occasioned much suffering for the poor horses, there 
 being no sheds or shelter provided for them. Does not true 
 religion teach us to be kind to all the creation, and is it not 
 a truth that "a merciful man is merciful to his beast?" This 
 was a favored meeting. Our friend, George Truman, was 
 enabled to open and enlarge upon the Truths of the Gospel. 
 "We, too, endeavored to do our duty, and I felt my mind 
 drawn, in a plaia way, to remind Friends of the duties they 
 owed to their children, of bringing them to meeting, &c., 
 and not only to their children, but to those they had the 
 care of, regardless of the complexion ; also, of being more 
 careful of their cattle, not depending entirely upon boys or 
 hired men, but giving attention to the matter themselves. 
 For want of this care, T believe, much suffering is occa- 
 sioned, and some poor animals die from lack of proper atten- 
 tion. This is a matter that is too much neglected in these 
 parts, and, if Friends are faithful in doing their duty to the 
 dumb creation, they will set a good example to their neigh- 
 
286 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 bors. True religion is a vital principle, and its effects upon 
 the individual will be seen and known by others. It will 
 teach us justice, mercy, humanity, forbearance, brotherly 
 kindness and charity. 
 
 We returned to Manlove Hayes's, where we remained 
 over night ; next day attended the Youth's Meeting. This, 
 also, was a favored time, and the stream of Divine love 
 flowed freely, to the watering of many minds. Oh, it was 
 a refreshing season ! The Word of the Lord was shown to 
 be " sharp, and sharper than a two-edged sword," etc. May 
 all praise be ascribed unto Him who alone is worthy. After 
 meeting we went to Sarah Cowgill's. She is a mother in 
 our Israel, and, as she had been an intimate friend of my 
 grand-parents, William and Susanna Levick, she gave me 
 a short memoir of them, written by herself. 
 
 In the evening we attended a meeting at Dover. It was 
 appointed by George Truman, and was held in the State 
 House. To my mind, it was a favored time. I felt drawn 
 into much exercise and travail of soul, and was led, in the 
 early part of the meeting, to remind the people that God 
 was to be worshipped, not only in houses erected for that 
 express purpose, but that, anywhere and everywhere, when- 
 ever the mind was brought into a state of humility and 
 bowedness of soul, worship might be performed, and though 
 we recommended and practised attending places for Divine 
 worship, yet it was not necessary to go to these houses to 
 hear the Gospel preached. The blessed Son of God showed 
 
RELIGIOUS VISITS. 287 
 
 this in his character and in his labors among the people. 
 The memorable Sermon on the Mount, wherein He pro- 
 nounced the several beatitudes, was delivered, not in a 
 gaudy church, so called, decked and adorned with velvet 
 and fine paintings, and filled with the music of the organ. 
 J^o ! Upon the unchiseled rock He stood for his pulpit, 
 with the blue vault of the heavens for his canopy, and with 
 no other music than the winds, as they passed through the 
 cedar and fir tree, and sweeping down the mountain side, 
 carried to the assembled multitude the harmony of heaven's 
 own temple. There stood the Man of Ilfazareth and pro- 
 claimed those glorious truths, such as had never before 
 fallen from human lips. And were they human lips? Yes, 
 they were a part of that body, human and Divine, on which 
 had descended the Spirit, like a dove (the emblem of inno- 
 cency and love); and thus qualified. He spake as never man 
 spake, pronouncing the blessing of heaven on those who 
 were found loving the Lord — bearing testimony to the pur- 
 ity, the peaceableness of the dispensation which He came to 
 usher ^n and to which He called the people. And not only 
 on the mountain, but on the briny deep stood the blessed 
 Son of God, that meek and holy Lamb, and from those 
 same lips declared the Truth to fallen man. JSTow let us 
 compare these surroundings and this teaching with the 
 . costly edifices called churches and with the received opin- 
 ions that abound in the professing Christian world. 
 
 Thus was I abilitated to hold up the omnipotence and 
 
288 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 omnipresence of the Lord, his Spirit filling all space, like- 
 wise the heart of man if willing to receive Him in the way 
 of his coming. George followed, and was much favored in 
 presenting to view the simple doctrines that we, as a people, 
 hold. At the close of the meeting we felt satisfied with our 
 labors, and jjarted with our dear friend George, he pursuing 
 his journey one way, and we ours the other. We returned 
 to Camden, and, on the following morning, in company 
 with Isaac Dolby, started for Milford, where we arrived 
 about noon. We stopped at the house of an ancient Friend, 
 named Oliver, the only family of Friends residing in the 
 place. In the evening we had a religious o'pportunity with 
 this family, and, oh, what deep and trying seasons the poor 
 soul has to pass through in these precious opportunities — 
 for precious I have felt them to be, although under much 
 suftering! In this instance it appeared that the word of 
 the Lord was to one who was not present with us, but 
 whom I felt I could almost speak to, without seeing ; and 
 without any outward knowledge of his being in an adjoin- 
 ing room, I felt that I would have him invited in. I found 
 him there, and had to proclaim, in great fear and trembling, 
 the mighty word of God unto him. The man is not a 
 member of the Society of Friends. After this memorable 
 opportunity we went to a meeting which (previous to our 
 arrival in Milford) had been appointed for us, in the Meth- 
 odist Meeting-house. There were many present, and, with 
 some, there was much openness. To me it was a solemn 
 
RELIGIOUS VISITS, 289 
 
 and interesting time, for the influence of Divine love was 
 felt to be over the assembly. The minister was very kind 
 to us, but I felt much shut up when in his company, for I 
 could not find much congeniality of feeling with him as re- 
 gards true, vital religion, though he had been a birth-right 
 .member of the Society of Friends. 
 
 On the following morning we left Milford, and before 
 noon arrived at Camden, where we were again favored with 
 letters from home, and were made thankful that our fami- 
 lies were getting along so well in our absence. Surely the 
 hand of the Lord is directing us, and He will not allow his 
 dependent ones to want long, but He will satisfy them with 
 living bread that comes from his holy habitation, and nour- 
 ishes the soul up to everlasting life. This being First-day, 
 we attended Camden meeting, and had expected to hold an 
 appointed meeting at Dover in the afternoon or evening. 
 But this expectation was not to be verified. At the meeting 
 held in the State House on the previous Fifth-day evening, 
 our friend, George Truman, in bearing his testimony against 
 original sin, had used some expressions that the high pro- 
 fessors did not like, and they denounced his doctrine by 
 calling it hard names. Owing to the ill-feeling of these 
 people, and to a want of faith on the part of Friends, we 
 were prevented from having our meeting. But feeling that 
 the burden did not rest upon ourselves, we passed on, and 
 went to Little Creek that evening. On the day following 
 we visited at the houses of several Friends, and were kindly 
 
290 LIFE OP SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 cared for by our friend, John Cowgill. In the evening we 
 attended a meeting at Leipsic, appointed for us in the Meth- 
 odist meeting-house. My mind was led into a view of the 
 true and only qualification of a Gospel minister, showing 
 unto the people that the Spirit of the Lord, and this only, 
 can qualify for so important a work and service, and that 
 the minister must show forth, by his life and couversation, 
 the purity of the Truth. After I had taken my seat there 
 was much stillness and solemnity for a time, and then 
 
 brother R arose, and, though the doctrines advanced 
 
 were true of themselves, some of the hearers became dissat- 
 isfied and left the house, so that the meeting did not end 
 satisfactorily. 
 
 On the following morning. Third-day, the sixth of Twelfth 
 Month, we went to Smyrna and had a meeting, which was 
 the smallest that we have attended since we left home. I 
 had a short testimony to deliver for the encouragement of 
 one or more to faithftilness in the duty assigned them, even 
 though it may be greatly to the humbling of the creature, 
 for this is the operation of the Truth, to humble the man 
 and to exalt the Spirit of God in him. After dinner we 
 rode twelve miles to Millington, where we had a meeting 
 in a Friends' meeting-house, though the meeting has gone 
 down for lack of members to attend it. We had a comfort- 
 able sitting, and it ended in good savor. We tarried here 
 over night, and in the morning started toward home, arriv- 
 ing at John Allston's about noon, and having a meeting in 
 
RELIGIOUS VISITS. 291 
 
 the Methodist meeting-house at Middletown in the evening. 
 This was our last meeting previous to getting to our homes, 
 and in it we were renewedly favored to experience the over- 
 shadowing influence of his power who has been pleased to 
 be with us throughout our journey, strangers in a strange 
 land. And here, at the close of our labors, the presence of 
 this Power was felt to cover the assembly and to salute my 
 own mind with the welcome language of "Well done, good 
 and faithful servant, .... enter thou into the joy of 
 thy Lord." My soul is filled with thankfulness for the 
 preservation that we have experienced. It has, indeed, 
 seemed marveloiis, for oft-times I have had to use the 
 battering-ram against their " enclosed cities," and yet have 
 not been wounded by any of their spears, though I have 
 had, many times, for the cause of Truth, to appear as a 
 fool in the eyes of the people. And, now that our labors 
 among these people are over, I can look back with a feeling 
 of satisfaction that I have been with them, and I am fully 
 aseured that, if faithfulness is abode in, there will be raised 
 up "judges as at the first, and counselors as at the begin- 
 ning," who will build up the waste places of Zion and make 
 whole the breaches in her walls. Oh, the joy my poor soul 
 feels ! It is such as the world cannot give, neither can it 
 take it away. Precious privilege! It is worth ten-fold 
 more toil and privation than have been ours to endure in 
 obtaining it. 
 
 "We returned to J. Allston's, where we remained over 
 
292 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LBVICK. 
 
 night, and on Fifth-day morning left for home. In the 
 evening, after a toilsome day's journey, we arrived at the 
 village of Darby, Pa., and received a hearty welcome from 
 our valued friends, John Andrews and family, with whom 
 we stopped for the night. On Sixth-day morning we went 
 to Philadelphia, where I found my father's family not very 
 well, but all glad to see us return. Even my dear little 
 daughter seemed glad to see me, and I can truly say the 
 jpy was mutual, for I feel her to be the closest object linked 
 to my heart. Precious babe ! May heaven's protective 
 wing be thy protection, and carry thee safely through this 
 state of being. 
 
 My companion, John C. Lester, had been separated from 
 his family four weeks — a long time for him — and he was 
 desirous to hasten homeward. I, too, wanted to see my 
 home and my friends, so our stay at father's and with my 
 dear babe, was quite short. In the afternoon we left the 
 city and journeyed northward to the home of Job Mather, 
 the brother-in-law of my companion. Here it appeared as 
 if, in truth, we were nearing home. Oh, what a solace to 
 the mind thus to meet with those who can enter into sym- 
 pathy with us in our trials and baptisms. Such I felt we 
 met in this family, whose widowed mother has known by 
 experience what it is to endure suft'ering, having been 
 almost helpless for many years, yet bearing her affliction 
 with much patience and resignation. 
 
 On Seventh-day morning, the tenth of Twefth Month, 
 
KELIGIOUS VISITS. 293 
 
 we started for our homes, which we reached soon after 
 noon. My dear companion and myself found all well in 
 our households, and very glad to embrace us in that love 
 which emanateth from God, the Eternal Father of light 
 and love. Truly, it is with gratitude that my soul is bowed 
 unto Thee, oh, Lord, for thy pi-ovidential care over thy 
 child, in great degree preserving him from right-hand and 
 from left-hand errors. And may the tribute of praise and 
 thanksgiving be ascribed unto Thee, now, henceforth and 
 forevermore. Amen ! 
 
 [The following Epistle having its origin in a concern that 
 impressed the mind of our friend after the foregoing jour- 
 ney seems to belong, as a sequel, to his account of the visit.] 
 
 An Epistle to Noeth West Fork Monthly Meeting of 
 Feiends in Maeyland. 
 
 Richland, Penn'a, Fourth Month 2nd, 1843. 
 Beloved Friends : — My mind has been often drawn toward 
 you, since my return from your neighborhood, and par- 
 ticularly has it been at this time, with fervent desires for 
 your growth and preservation in spiritual things. 
 
 And this growth that is spoken of, is it not from that of 
 a child unto that of a young man, unto that of a strong man, 
 even unto that of a pillar in the Lord's house that can go 
 no more out ? Ye who are fathers and mothers answer ; 
 for he who addresses you feels as a child. The growth of 
 the Divine birth in the soul— this very important process 
 
294 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 which must be known to go on, bringing every thought and 
 desire into subjection — is what should be most diligently 
 sought after; and the Apostle Paul told the Galatians how 
 it might be attained, also what course would not attain it, 
 when he said " For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the 
 flesh reap corruption ; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall 
 of the Spirit reap life everlasting." 
 
 Now this is the way, dearly beloved, wherein we must 
 walk to win Christ, if our hearts ha,ve been united unto 
 Him through the overshadowing of the Holy Ghost, and 
 the Babe immaculate has been born in us — this is the way 
 that He can grow, this is the way that He alone can have 
 the government of our lives; by our not sowing unto the 
 world those blessed gifts and endowments which a bountiful 
 Father has blessed us with ; but by using them as He de- 
 signed they should be used. Are we not sowing to the 
 world, when we use our endowments only in the advance- 
 ment of its kingdoms, in the accumulation of its riches, in 
 the love of its titles or of its applause, in conforming unto 
 its customs, its fashions, or its religion ; and if we thus sow 
 — thus use our talents — shall w;e not of the world reap cor- 
 ruption ? But if, on the contrary, we use our abilities as 
 they should be used, in visiting the widow and the father- 
 less — all the afilicted — and keeping ourselves unspotted from 
 the world ; in turning a deaf ear to the voice of the tempter, 
 and being like Moses wrho — though brought up in the house 
 of Pharaoh, and styled the son of Pharoah's daughter — pre- 
 
RELIGIOUS VISITS. 295 
 
 ferred " rather to suffer affliction with the people of God 
 than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season :" — if we are 
 thus willing rather to suffer with the Seed than to, enjoy 
 the pleasures of sin for a season (and they are poor at best, 
 and only for a season) we shall know a growth in the Divine 
 stature ; for by partaking of the pure milk of the word a 
 strength will be given that will enable us to lay aside the 
 sins that do so easily beset us — be these of whatever charac- 
 ter they may — and to " press toward the mark for the prize 
 of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." 
 
 Oh ! my dear friends, ye know not the tender solicitude, 
 the love, that is felt for you by a brother who, although 
 poor and weak, feels his heart to glow with love and fervent 
 desires for your everlasting welfare ; you whom I address as 
 children in the Truth — for I believe you feel yourselves as 
 such — hold fast the profession of your faith without waver- 
 ing; let not heights, depths, things present, or things to 
 come, separate you from the love of God, and from " the 
 word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give 
 you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified." 
 
 Ye who have already turned from the world and its ways, 
 look not back: remember Lot's wife, how she was trans- 
 formed into a pillar of salt — comparable to a stationary state 
 — for ye are fleeing from spiritual Sodom; ye have been 
 called to flee from the destruction that awaits those who 
 have shut their ears from hearing the voice of the Lord, 
 and who are walking in wickedness, having their hands 
 
296 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 stained with oppression. These are robbing the poor of his 
 wages, and keeping back the hire of the laborer, whose cries 
 have j-eached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth ; and ye are 
 called upon to be faithful in bearing your testimony against 
 their abominations, which are so grievous in the sight of 
 the Lord. 
 
 Ye travelers Zionward, continue to keep your eye single 
 to the Captain of your souls' salvation, and — though there 
 may be seasons of drought, of hunger and thirst, of storm 
 and of calm — be not discouraged, even when your enemies 
 may surround you as a host, and when there may appear to 
 to be no way of deliverance. That Arm of Power that has 
 been with you, will not forsake you in the hour of trial, or 
 the time of affliction ; but will be present to give bread to 
 the hungry and water to the thirsty ; and to say unto those 
 of a fearful heart, be strong, fear not, for I the Lord am thy 
 God, " I, even I, am the Lord ; and beside me there is no 
 Saviour." 
 
 And ye who are fathers and mothers, strengthen the chil- 
 dren ; take them by the hand and lead them along ; comfort 
 them in the hour of trial when their faith seems weak; 
 and be ye helpmeets one to another, parents and children, 
 brothers and sisters, all being concerned for the welfare of 
 Zion, and for the restoration of her waste places. 
 
 And, dear Friends, remember your tender offspring; 
 neglect not to bring them with you to our solemn meet- 
 ings; and often at your own homes draw your families 
 
EBLIGIOUS VISITS. 297 
 
 together for silent waiting on Almighty God. A blessing 
 will attend such care, and the seal of Divine approval will 
 rest upon your minds for your faithfulness toward your 
 children. 
 
 And forget not that those who are the children of others, 
 but who have been placed under your care, are entitled to 
 your oversight and instruction. Endeavor, therefore, to do 
 your duty to these, and to bring them up in the nurture and 
 admonition of the Lord, encouraging their attendance at 
 your religious meetings, providing suitable clothing for them 
 to wear when they come, and bear in mind that you are 
 placed as stewards over them. 
 
 If such be your concern ye will be neither barren nor un- 
 finiitful, but abounding in the work of the Lord. 
 
 With a salutation of love, I bid you farewell, and am 
 your friend, 
 
 Samuel J. Levick. 
 
 Memokanda of a Journey to Salem Quabtee and Some of its 
 
 Beanches. 
 
 Second Month, 1844. 
 Having had it on my mind to pay a religious visit to 
 Friends and others within the limits of Salem Quarter, I 
 laid the prospect before Friends of our Monthly Meeting, 
 and received a minute of their unity and concurrence there- 
 with. Having attended our Quarterly Meeting, I proceeded 
 thence to Philadelphia to meet my friend, Thomas B. Long- 
 19 
 
298 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 streth, who was to join me as companion in the service. As 
 he was not expecting to leave the city until the following 
 Third-day, and could not conveniently go sooner, I started 
 alone, on Seventh-day afternoon, and went to Woodbury. 
 Although a stranger at this place, I was kindly received at 
 the home of Joseph Ogden, where I was entertained and 
 from which I went to meeting on First-day morning. I felt 
 a burden of spirit, and was abilitated to find a measure of 
 relief. But the call was yet here, and, after weighing the 
 matter, I felt most easy to appoint a meeting to be held 
 here on Third-day evening. This appointment having been 
 made, I returned to the city on First-day afternoon, and 
 arrived in time to attend the evening meeting at Cherry 
 Street. It was a large gathering, and the power of Truth 
 spread itself over the assembly, in which some were called 
 to bear testimonies. I went to father's and remained till 
 Third-day afternoon, when my companion joined me, and 
 we proceeded to Woodbury, where we stopped at the house 
 of our friend, William Cooper. The evening meeting was 
 large, and, after we had sat awhile in silence, there was 
 felt to be a cfowrf, resting over us, but, in due time, it seemed 
 to pass away, and then the power of Truth rose into domin- 
 ion, and ability was ftirnished to proclaim the truths of the 
 everlasting Gospel. The declaration of the Apostle Paul 
 was held up to view, " When it pleased God to reveal in 
 me his Son, Jesus Christ, I conferred not with flesh and 
 blood, but gave up to the heavenly vision" — showing forth 
 
RELIGIOUS VISITS. 299 
 
 that it must be the revelation of the Lord's will (which 
 must be known and attended to) that can bring man to a 
 knowledge of God ; that it was by his not conferring with 
 flesh and blood that he was brought so fully to realize that, 
 where I am there shall ye be also. An enlarged view was 
 taken of the importance of obedience to the gift of God and 
 to the revelation of his will. The meeting was favored with 
 much solemnity, and broke up under the precious covering. 
 
 Here we met with Anna Morris and her companions, 
 Hannah North and William Griscom, traveling under a 
 concern, in the same field of labor as ourselves. 
 
 Fourth-day, Second Month 14th. — ^Left Woodbury for 
 Woodstown, arriving at the latter place in time for dinner. 
 The Select Meeting of Salem Quarter was held in the after- 
 noon, and there were evidences of life manifested among 
 us. The meeting was composed chiefly of those in the elder 
 walk, and my spirit was drawn into sympathy with them. 
 It seemed to be my place to hold up to them the impor- 
 tance of encouraging their children in the performance of 
 duties that may rest upon them, so that there may be raised 
 up "judges as at th^ first, and counselors as at the beginning," 
 who will bear the burdens of the Church and carry forward 
 the glorious ensign of Truth and righteousness, high above 
 all forms and ceremonies of a corrupt profession. Oh, how 
 my spirit travails for the right training and advancement of 
 the rising generation ! Much, I believe, depends upon the 
 care exercised by those who are parents, that they should 
 
300 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 be as nursing fathers and mothers, guarding their offspring 
 from the snares and pitfalls that an artful enemy has laid to 
 entrap them. Many are watching as with an eagle's eye, 
 the conduct, the example, of those in the station of parents, 
 for if these should stumble and fall, the cries of the children 
 will go forth. Oh, dear fathers and mothers, lay these 
 things closely to heart, examine carefully the ground upon 
 which you stand ! See whether your example is of that 
 character which says, in the line of conduct, follow us, as 
 we follow Christ. 
 
 Next day was the General Quarterly Meeting, which was 
 large, and several strangers were in attendance. Testimo- 
 nies to the truth of the Gospel were borne by exercised 
 minds, and I, being privileged to remain mostly in silence, 
 found it to be a season of renewal of strength. Just at the 
 dose of the first meeting I felt to encourage Friends to re- 
 main still, and not to throw off the covering that had been 
 spread over us, but rather to seek to know an increase of 
 the solemnity, whereby ability might be experienced to 
 transact the business of the Church in the fear of the Lord. 
 In the second meeting my mind was led to hold up to 
 Friends the importance of bringing those that are young 
 early into usefulness; for the young man, like the young 
 horse, if left to go without restraint until he has much age 
 on his side, becomes hard to manage and not willing to 
 come under the controlling influence of those who should 
 lead and guide him. The young were encouraged to come 
 
RELIGIOUS VISITS. 301 
 
 under the restraining hand of Divine power early in life, 
 whereby the yoke would become easier and the burden 
 lighter to be borne than would be the case if not taken 
 upon them until after the habits had been formed and the 
 heart had grown obdurate. 
 
 We stopped at the house of Josiah Davis, where we were 
 kindly cared for. In the afternoon we went on to Penn's 
 Neck, where we tarried over night with Samuel Holmes 
 and his interesting family. We had a religious opportunity 
 with them, in which it pleased the Father of all our sure 
 mercies to bless and break his bread among us. The hearts 
 of some of the young people were tendered and melted 
 under this power, and they were encouraged to give up to 
 his work and service in the morning of life. Next day we 
 had an interesting meeting at Friends' meeting-house on 
 the Neck. Ability was furnished to hold up the purity and 
 excellence of the dispensation of the Gospel, and to encour- 
 age Friends to faithfulness, although they were few in 
 number and had no outward ministry; yet, as they were 
 faithfulj they would know a being fed with the heavenly 
 manna — the Lord from heaven. 
 
 We dined at Joseph Taylor's and then went, in company 
 with Anna Morris and her companions, to Salem, stopping 
 and taking supper at Joseph Bassett's. Our meeting at 
 Salem was in the evening, and it was both large and inter- 
 esting, Truth seeming to have the victory. I was led to 
 declare the language of the prophet, who said, " Who is 
 
302 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 blind, but my servant? or deaf, as ray messenger that I 
 ^ent," etc., showing forth the truth of the declaration that 
 it was necessary that the Lord's servant should be deaf 
 and blind to external circumstances, in order that the eye 
 and ear might be opened by the operation of the Divine 
 Spirit. That, after being thus opened, the eye must be 
 blind to all sights save the view of the path of duty, and 
 the ear must be deaf to all voices save that of the Most 
 High, before the servant could minister to the wants of the 
 people. Although the company was composed of a variety 
 of classes, yet the meeting was orderly and solemn. We 
 lodged at George M. Ward's, where we had the evidence 
 that the feeling of Gospel love flowed unto us from the 
 hearts of himself, wife and family. 
 
 Seventh-day, Second Month 17th. — We left Salem about 
 nine o'clock in the morning and proceeded to Alloway's 
 Creek, where we were entertained at the house of our 
 friend, Joseph Thompson. Here we met with a dear sister, 
 with whom my mind was brought into near sympathy, be- 
 lieving that she had known something of deep baptisms and 
 sufferings. I was led to hold out to her the language that 
 was given me, even that she had been heard, and that the 
 Lord was with her, and to encourage her to faithfulness in 
 all things, believing that she has been and is faithful. 
 Since the time of our visit I have heard that she has had 
 many deep trials to endure, and that she has been called to 
 the service of the ministry. May the Lord be her shield 
 
RELIGIOUS VISITS. 303 
 
 and bnekler, and may He keep her in the day and hour of 
 trial. 
 
 Our appointed meeting at this place was in the afternoon. 
 Here we had to bear testimony against the love of the 
 world, and the deceitfulness of riches, which, as they take 
 possession of the mind, lessen our love for the cause of 
 Truth and righteousness. Thence we proceeded to Green- 
 wich Meeting, which we attended on First-day. In the after- 
 noon crossed the river Cohansey, and attended an indulged 
 meeting, where Truth rose into dominion and, I trust, the 
 everlasting Gospel was preached to the comfort and encour- 
 agement of some minds. Continuing on our journey, we 
 had meetings at Bridgeton, Bueksbottom, Port Elizabeth, 
 Penn's Oreek, Cape May Island, Cape May Court House, 
 Beesley's Point, and Tuckahoe. Some of these occasions 
 were truly memorable as displays of Divine love and regard. 
 Though many with whom we mingled were strangers to the 
 Truth, as professed by us, yet we found an openness to re- 
 ceive it, the minds being comparable to the parched ground 
 which takes in the rain that descends upon it. From Tuck- 
 ahoe we turned our faces homeward, attending the Monthly 
 Meeting at Salem, and having an appointed meeting at 
 Woodstown in the evening. Our next meeting was at 
 Upper Greenwich, and in the evening of the same day we 
 had one at MuUica Hill. Both of these evening meetings 
 were very satisfactory, and the last one seemed to crown all. 
 
 Here closed our labors on the present mission, and the 
 
304 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 next morning found us wending our way homeward. When 
 I reached my habitation I found all well, and doing well, so 
 that I had renewed cause to return thanks unto my Heav- 
 enly Parent for his great love and care over us, preserving 
 our health and enabling me to return with the reward of 
 peace. 
 
 In Eighth Month of the same year I again went to Salem 
 Quarter, and visited some of the above-mentioned places, 
 mostly along or near the coast, and inhabited by those who 
 are not Friends. This service, also, was attended with 
 much peace. Samuel J. Levick. 
 

 
 .0 
 
SELECTIONS FROM SERMONS. 305 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 SELECTIONS FROM SERMONS. 
 
 Deliveked Fifth Month 9th, 1869— Place not given. 
 
 I am rejoiced in spirit by the renewing evidence which is 
 afforded in the congregation here assembled, that there 
 exists in the human mind a desire for Truth. This desire 
 is exemplified by the large number of those not of our fold, 
 who have come to sit with us this morning. Eor we, as a 
 people, offer but little, so far as outward surroundings are 
 presented, that is attractive to the natural man, who is look- 
 ing outwardly ; who is seeking gratification for eye and ear, 
 and entertainment for the intellect. As you are aware, 
 there is not present with us the pictured window, the music 
 of the organ, nor the trained voices of a choir; nor is there 
 any one here who has prepared a discourse for the occasion ; 
 so far as such preparation is concerned we are all alike. We 
 have come here to wait upon God, looking unto Him for 
 instruction, and knowing, from our own experience, the truth 
 of the Scripture declaration, " For where two or three are 
 gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of 
 them," we are willing to come together in his name, and 
 wait for his teaching. 
 
 We recognize, my friends, that there is no teacher com- 
 parable to the Divine Teacher ; and if we are only willing 
 to look to Him, to draw nigh unto Him, and to seek an ac- 
 quaintance with Him, He will be found of us. At the same 
 time we, as a people, have recognized that it has pleased 
 
306 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 God to qualify, from among those who have learned in his 
 school, men and women to bear witness of what they them- 
 selves have tasted of " the good word of life and the powers 
 of the world to come." 
 
 And what a high position does this people occupy, relig- 
 iously, before men, by its profession of having but one pre- 
 siding Power acknowledged, and that Power is Jesus Christ, 
 the Head of the Church. 
 
 When assembled, as we are this morning, there is no re- 
 straint imposed upon any of our members, or upon any of 
 those who inay meet with us, save the restraint of Divine 
 Love ; for we recognize that where this moves and operates 
 upon the hearts of any who are thus gathered, whether it 
 be the lisping babe, or the man strong in the knowledge of 
 Truth — ^young or old, male or female, here we stand upon 
 common ground ; so that if it please God to move the hearts 
 of any, they are recognized as having the right to bear wit- 
 ness to the Truth ; to speak unto others the good things 
 they have learned in the school of Christ. We invite all 
 whx> have hem thus moved to testify according to their meas- 
 ure, whatever it may please God to give unto them. 
 
 You see by this, beloved brethren and sisters, at least in 
 a measure, wherein and how this people in their coming 
 together for Divine worship, differ from all other professors 
 of religion, for generally ministers are appointed, and none 
 have the right to speak save him who has been intrusted 
 with the duty. We think that this manner of assembling 
 and waiting is in harmony with the practice of the early 
 Christian Church ; whilst that generally prevailing among 
 the professors of Christianity to-day is more in keeping 
 with the practices of the Jewish people, antecedent to the 
 
SELECTIONS FROM SERMONS. 307 
 
 outward advent of Jesus Christ. ITovv, we know that the 
 religious world— I do not refer to the Orientals, to the in- 
 habitants of Africa, or to those of the isles afar off— save 
 the Israelitish people, claim to be Christians ; and however 
 various may be their practices or forms of worship, all take the 
 name of Christ. Has the matter ever been brought to your 
 attention so as to cause you to reflect and to examine how 
 far the present forms of worship comport with the teachings 
 and the practices of the early Christian church ? Had the 
 disciples of Jesus Christ their temples of religion as the peo- 
 ple now have ? If so, did they enter into them in the man- 
 ner and with the forms that now prevail ? "Was it deemed 
 requisite that a man should be qualified by scholastic attain- 
 ments, by study and preparation, to preach to the people 
 understandingly ? "When we turn to the record of the Old 
 Testament, and learn of the practices of the Jewish Church, 
 we find that there was an acknowledged priesthood, that the 
 house of Levi held that rank, and that the priests received 
 their portion, their tithes, from the people, for the discharge 
 of those duties, which the office imposed upon them. Here 
 we find the temple worship ; here we find the singing men 
 and singing women ; here we find the people collected 
 together to hear the words that came from the priest. 
 
 But is this acknowledged in the New Testament as the 
 Christian religion ; or was it the great mission of Jesus 
 Christ, the Son and Sent of the Father, to draw, to bring, 
 to turn the minds of the people, /rom the temple worship, 
 from outward cei'emonies, from ritualism, and from all the 
 various forms connected with the Jewish Church ? Was it 
 not his mission to turn, to draw, to bring the people home 
 to the fountain of living water, as He declared to the woman 
 
308 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 of Samaria, when He asked her for water at Jacob's well ? 
 But she iu her sectarian prejudice, was at once prepared to 
 inquire of Him how it was that He, a Jew, should ask water 
 of her who was a woman of Samaria. Jesus, in reply, said 
 to her, " If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that 
 saith to thee, Give me to drink, thou wouldst have asked of 
 Him, and He would have given thee living water." 
 
 The testimony which is given me to bear this morning, 
 before this large assembly, is the great mission of Jesus 
 Christ to the souls of the children of men, in his inward ap- 
 pearance. And when we come truly to know and understand 
 Him as the Son and Sent of the Father by our faith in Him; 
 when we come to recognize Him, not only by the sight of 
 the eye, and by the hearing of the ear ; but when we come 
 to know Him for ourselves, then will we be ready to bear 
 our testimony, as did the woman at Jacob's well. 
 
 And what was the testimony that Jesus brought unto 
 her ? " Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again, 
 but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him 
 shall never thirst ; but the water that I shall give him shall 
 be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." 
 It remains as true to-day as it was when He uttered it, that 
 those who drink of the water that He gives them shall nerer 
 thirst. 
 
 Herein is the superior glory of the Christian covenant 
 over any of the past covenants of God with man. Whilst 
 the manna which God gave to Israel in their outward jour- 
 ney furnished them food for the time, it had to be gathered 
 enery day ; but Jesus declared the character of his mission 
 which He came to fulfill, when He said, " Your fathers did 
 eat manna in the wilderness and are dead. This is the 
 
SELECTIONS FROM SERMONS. 309 
 
 bread which cometh down from Heaven, that a man may 
 eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came 
 down from Heaven ; if any man eat of this bread, he shall 
 live for ever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh, 
 which I will give for the life of the world." " I am the 
 Bread of Life." 
 
 Therefore is it, my beloved people, that I feel moved this 
 morning, by the warmth of the Father's love, to stand before 
 you, and to invite you to Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth, 
 and the Life. I feel that there are now present many who 
 might apply to themselves the language of the Psalmist, 
 "As the hart panteth after the water-brooks, so panteth my 
 soul after thee, O God." But you, like the woman at 
 Jacob's well, have day after day been drawing water, and 
 finding that it does not satisfy. But there is offered unto 
 the children of men, a day of great rejoicing, of great joy; 
 for there is born unto them, in Bethlehem of Judea, a Sav- 
 iour, Christ, the Lord. He is constant, and is now as ready 
 as He ever has been to save ; and He is calling to every sin- 
 cere seeker, " Give me thy heart." 
 
 This is the earnest appeal that is given forth from the 
 source of all Goodness, and it is. sounding from the river 
 even to the ends of the earth, " Give me thy heart;" suffer 
 me to rule there. Oh, that we were this very morning 
 ready to do it ! There are those here who are hungering 
 and thirsting, and who have not been satisfied ; they may 
 belong to different persuasions — our own not excluded — 
 and be of various classes ; for the name that we have to re- 
 ligion is of little moment, it is the heart which God looketh 
 at, for He is no respecter of persons ; " But in every nation 
 he that fearetb Him, and worketh righteousness is accepted 
 
310 LIFE OF SAMUEL J, LEVICK, 
 
 with Him." Blessed be God, his mercy is not limited by 
 name or nation ; nor is it confined to any kindred, tongue 
 or people ; but is free for all human beings, wherever scat- 
 tered over this habitable globe. Yea, througho'ut the uni- 
 verse, wherever the glorious light of the sun shines, there is 
 God. Wherever his rational creatures exist, there is the 
 light of his pressnce shining into .their hearts ; and if they 
 are only willing to receive this light in the way of his de- 
 signing, in the measure of grace given unto them, they shall 
 know the way in which He would have them go, and know- 
 ing it, they will walk therein. 
 
 I am fully convinced that there is a vast body of people 
 up and down the land, who are not satisfied with the prac- 
 tices, the ceremonies and the teaching of religion in many 
 of the churches. No, they are not satisfied, and it was not 
 intended that these things should satisfy the cravings of the 
 soul. The law which came by Moses was not intended to 
 make the comers thereunto perfect, but it was to be unto them 
 as a schoolmaster to bring them on ; and just so it is to-day. 
 God's ways are as they ever have been ; there is nothing new, 
 there is no other way given- whereby we may come to a know- 
 ledge of Divine Truth. There is one way open to all, and of 
 this way it is said, " The wayfaring men, though fools, shall 
 not err therein." But, as it is with everything else, we must 
 apply our hearts to it. We cannot expect to become learned 
 in matters pertaining to God, if we pass away our time, from 
 day to day, from week to week, from month to month, and 
 from year to year, unconcerned with regard to things of a 
 religious character. ~So, not at all. And yet how common 
 it is for a man to feel that it is time enough for him to enter 
 upon a life of religion. This is one reason why there are so 
 
SELECTIONS FROM SERMONS. 311 
 
 many people in the world devoid of it. Another reason 
 why the subject is so little understood by many is that they 
 leave others to do the work for them — at least in a measure 
 — and rest satisfied with the feeling, I will pay a learned 
 man to do this work; he may examine the matter, and 
 then come and tell me what to do, and I will do it. 
 
 Is such religion in harmony with the 'teachings of Jesus 
 Christ? Listen to Him, beloved friends, and hear his declara- 
 tion, " If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, 
 and take up his cross daily and follow me." Is this in ac- 
 cordance with much of what we hear at the present day ? 
 Are men taught that they must do this work themselves — 
 that no one else can do it for them ? That they must work 
 out their own soul's salvation with fear and trembling? Are 
 they taught that, if they would attain the end, they must 
 start at the beginning ? Wq know that it was necessary for 
 every one of us, when we were children, to learn our 
 A B C's, and, my friends, it is to-day just as necessary for 
 us to learn the A B C of religion, if we would ever come 
 into the knowledge of the Truth " as the truth is in Jesus." 
 
 And what, is the A B C of religion ? It is obedience. 
 " Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right." 
 " Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be 
 long upon the land which the Lord thy (rod giveth thee." 
 
 This is the first commandment with promise, and it is as 
 necessary to-day as it was when given through Moses, that 
 all should understand and obey this injunction, if ever they 
 would advance in the way of holiness. While the children 
 should honor and obey their parents, we, who are fathers 
 and mothers, should exercise ourselves in training up our 
 children " in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." 
 
312 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LBVICK. 
 
 This is a duty, for the discharge of which God, our Creator, 
 will hold us responsible. We can make no excuse for any 
 neglect in this particular, for the cares of the world are of 
 secondary importance to this great duty. When we are 
 entrusted with the keeping of an immortal soul that God has 
 formed and that He desires should live with Him through- 
 out the boundless ages of eternity, can we satisfy ourselves 
 that anything else that we can do for that being is of as 
 much importance as to train him up in the way he should go ? 
 
 God gives to every one who cometh to Him in Christ 
 grace and strength to do his will. Every mother and every 
 father now present, by applying to the Source of all good- 
 ness, may be taught how to fulfill the trust committed to her 
 and to him. 
 
 Do you remember how, in olden times, God commanded 
 the Israelites that they should write the law on the door- 
 posts of their houses, teaching it unto their children? "And 
 ye shall teach them diligently unto your children, speaking 
 of them when thou si.ttest in thine house, and when thou 
 walkest by the way, when thou liest down and when thou 
 
 risest up And thou shalt write them upon the 
 
 door-posts of thine house, and upon thy gates." And, to- 
 day, this is binding on the Lord's Israel. Oh ! is it any 
 wonder that the young grow up in ignorance, when there 
 is no care given to them in the instruction that is necessary 
 for them ? 
 
 Ah, my friends, what a solemn feeling comes with the 
 thought, " Where are those lambs that were entrusted to. 
 thy keeping?" Do I see them walking in the way they 
 should go? Or do I see that they have strayed from my 
 ways, and that they are wandering on the barren mountains 
 
SELECTIONS FROM SERMONS. 313 
 
 and over the desolate plains? Fathers and mothers here 
 assembled ! I would that every one of us who occupies the 
 position of parent should be awakened to a solemn sense of 
 the responsibility that attaches to fatherhood and to mother- 
 hood, so that when we come to lie upon a death-bed, and to 
 feel that our life is going out, we may have the conscious- 
 ness that we have endeavored, yea, have labored, to discharge 
 these duties in the sight of God, Far better than the pos- 
 session of wealth will it be for us in that s(demn hourr— 
 though we may have less of worldly store to leave our chil- 
 dren — ^to feel that we have led them, not to court earthly 
 treasure, but to seek the riches which are incorruptible, 
 and which fade not away. 
 
 Now, the indebtedness and the obedience of children to 
 their parents are strikingly typical of what we owe to our 
 Heavenly Father. I desire that we should consider this, and 
 then look on the other side, and see how far our care and 
 oversight of them has been typical of the Good Father's 
 watchfulness over us. Oh ! that we could feel our responsi- 
 bility as parents, and our dependence upon the Great Parent, 
 that we would obey his voice, and thus learn to do those things 
 which belong unto our peace. I stand not here, this morning, 
 as the advocate of any sect or people, or in the name of any 
 party. Far from it. But I feel my heart moved by the love 
 of Christ to invite all to come to Him, the fountain and 
 source of all Truth. I desire that the young may begin 
 aright, and may join in this blessed work, for I feel moved 
 to invite you to come to know the Lord Jesus Christ. And 
 now let me say to you, beloved young people, that He is not 
 a hard Master. Do not for a moment think that He is. 
 But, on the contrary, that He is a rich rewarder of all that 
 
 20 
 
314 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 seek Him, if they seek aright. The wise king said of wis- 
 dom, " Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths 
 are peace." And so you will find it with the ways of reli- 
 gion and the paths of obedience. I have trodden in these 
 paths in my early life, and have found them to lead to hap- 
 piness. I stand before you a witness of this, for, before I 
 had reached the age of my majority I found His cords draw- 
 ing me, and they drew me into ways of pleasantness and 
 into paths of peace. Therefore, my ardent desire for you is, 
 that your feet may be turned into the narrow way ; that you 
 may this day choose whom you will serve, and that your 
 choice may be that of Joshua of old, "As for me and my 
 house, we will serve the Lord." Oh, never, never will you 
 fregret this choice, for He will malce you to lie down iu 
 green pastures. He will lead you beside the still waters, and 
 his presence will prove to you a joy far exceeding all things 
 else. Then you will rejoice in God your Saviour and be 
 prepared to raise your voices in praise and thanksgiving 
 to his great name. 
 
 Look around and see the fields ofjabor. The sickle is being 
 extended over the land, and the fields are white unto the 
 harvest, but how few are the laborers. Oh, I feel within me 
 this morning the drawing cords of Divine love, and I would 
 to God I could awaken in you the desire to go hand in hand 
 with Him. The command of our Saviour is preceded by an 
 invitation and followed by a promise, " Come unto me all 
 
 ye that labor and are heavy laden Take my 
 
 yoke upon you, and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly 
 in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls." Oh, that 
 you may have more of a sober and wise mind, that you may 
 learn the things of God, believe in the Divine Teacher, and 
 
SELECTIONS FROM SERMONS. 315 
 
 be led aright; so that, when hungry and thirsty souls shall 
 copie, there may be found some loving hearts that have 
 been disciplined in the school of Christ, and that may 
 strengthen these famishing ones by giving unto them the 
 bread and the water of life. 
 
 Remember it was unto those who had given bread to the 
 hungry and water to the thirsty, and who had visited the 
 sick, to whom was extended the welcome language, " Come, 
 ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for 
 you from the foundation of the world." 
 
 Remember, also, that it was the testimony of our blessed 
 Saviour, of Him who had come from the bosom of the 
 Father, " Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much 
 fruit; so shall ye be my disciples." Now the fruits of reli- 
 gion are righteousness and joy in the Holy Ghost. 
 
 Deliveeed in the City op Philadelphia, time and place 
 not given. 
 
 We meet to-day when it is popular to be called a Chris- 
 tian. It was not so some eighteen or nineteen centuries ago, 
 if we may judge by the records of the past, as we find them 
 in the Holy Scriptures. Then the prominent and popular 
 religion was Judaism, and those who were willing to be 
 called the disciples of Jesus Christ were looked upon by the 
 great, and the wise and the good (so esteemed) as having 
 forsaken the religion of their fathers and gone after strange 
 teachers, or a strange, Teacher. We note that there had been, 
 prior to the coming, or outward advent of Jesus Christ, a 
 voice heard in the wilderness, John the Baptist, crying unto 
 
316 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 the people, " Prepare ye the way of the Lord ; make his 
 paths straight." And there were those who heard John, 
 and they went "and were baptized of him in Jordan, con- 
 fessing their sins." But John spoke of another, of One that 
 was to come after him ; concerning whom he said, " I, in- 
 deed, baptize yon with water unto repentance, but He that 
 Cometh after me is mightier than I, wljose shoes I am not 
 worthy to bear. He shall baptize you with the Holy Gho&t 
 and with fire, whose fan is in his hand, and He will thor- 
 oughly purge the floor and gather his wheat into the gar- 
 ner, but He will burn up the chafl'with unquenchable fire." 
 And we find, in the course of a short time, it came to pass 
 as John had declared ; for there came to this people another 
 ambassador or prophet, even He of whom Moses in his day 
 had spoken unto the children of Israel, "A prophet shall the 
 Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto 
 me. Him shall ye hear." But Moses himself was a leader 
 of Judaism and was, in his time and in after-time, accounted 
 the great leader whom God, by his power, had fitted and 
 prepared for the service assigned him. He was an instru- 
 ment in the Lord's hand, in bringing his people, Israel, out 
 of the land of Egypt, for he led them forth, he went before 
 them and, in the wisdom of God, he was appointed to lead 
 the people from a land of darkness and oppression to the 
 land of Canaan, the land of promise. We read of this great 
 teacher, that, early in his mission, he could declare, " I will 
 sing unto the Lord, for He hath triumphed gloriously. The 
 horse and his rider hath He thrown into the sea." His 
 prophetic vision could see afar off the coming of the Mes- 
 siah, so beautifully referred to by Isaiah, " The Spirit of the 
 Lord God is upon me, because the Lord hath anointed me 
 
SELECTIONS FROM SERMONS. 317 
 
 to preach good tidings unto the meek. He hath sent me to 
 bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the cap- 
 tives and the opening of the prison to them that are bound ; 
 to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord and the day of 
 vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; to ap- 
 point unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them 
 beauty for- ashes, the oil of joy for mbtirfiing," the garment 
 of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be 
 called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord that 
 He might be glorified." This was the character of the mis- 
 sion of Jesus Christ. He was sent of God, What more 
 forcible language could be used to bring to the view of the 
 people his mission, than his own words, " To this end was I 
 born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should 
 bear witness unto the Truth." He was to perfect the work 
 of God, to hold up before the people the way whereby they 
 might be brought into the possession of the fullness of the 
 love of God. This was his work. It is 'popular to-^ay to 
 be called a Christian. But it is one thing to be so called, and 
 quite another to be possessed of Christianity. Our Lord 
 himself pointed out the difference between professing to be, 
 and being, a Christian. " Not every one that saith uuto me. 
 Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven ; bixt he 
 that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." In 
 the former days there were those who were ready to say, 
 " Let us be called by thy name to take away our reproach." 
 Beloved friends, I am not here to sit in judgment upon any 
 of you. God forbid ! Such is not my mission. There is 
 one who judgeth, and that is God. I view this interesting 
 assembly here gathered as followers of Jesus Christ — no out- 
 ward power held over them, no penalties attaching unto 
 
318 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 them for non-attendance ; when I look upon this company, 
 composed, as it is, of men and women most of whom are 
 past the meridian of life, I am impressed with the sense that 
 you have not come here this morning merely to be found 
 doing what is needed to maintain respectability in your 
 neighborhood, but I am induced to believe that there are 
 much higher motives which have prompted you to come and 
 sit down with us, in silence, to wait upon the Lord. I believe 
 that the Lord God Almighty, who is ever moving upon the 
 hearts of the children of men everywhere, by his Holy Spirit, 
 is touching your hearts and making you feel the touches of 
 his love, accompanied with an earnest desire that you may 
 be more steadfast in your purpose, more decided Christians. 
 Yea, that there is something within you begetting a desire 
 to be brought into possession of that which satisfies the soul. 
 We receive you to worship with us without regard to out- 
 ward relationship, whether you believe with this Society or 
 not; for in the feeling that prompted you to come here at 
 this time I recognize the wonderful goodness of that Al- 
 mighty Power that sees everything as it isj and that looks 
 upon all his creatures everywhere only with the eye of love, 
 the eye of pity. I am concerned, if possible, to awaken in 
 you, more and more, a sense of the great importance of an 
 acquaintance with God ; to assure you that He is open to the 
 same inquiry that was made by the keeper of the prison to 
 Paul and Silas, " What must I do to be saved ?" Aye, there 
 is no thought which can enter into the heart of man so im- 
 portant, so vital as this. No, none other. For, to my under- 
 standing, that very thought of being saved, should form the 
 great, the most important part of our concern in this life. 
 Saved from icAa< .? Why saved from and delivered out of 
 
SELECTIONS FROM SERMONS. 319 
 
 that thraldom, that power which would lead us to do any- 
 thing that is contrary to the will of God. For we know, 
 beloved friends, that, while there is that within us which 
 allows us to follow the beck or the call of another, and to 
 turn aside from the Divine requirements, we need to be 
 saved. How we should feel comforted when we remember 
 that the love of God has exemplified itself unto the sons and 
 daughters of men, in that He gave into the world his only 
 begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, "that whosoever be- 
 lieveth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." 
 Note the promise, " should not perish, but have everlasting 
 life." I am a believer in this doctrine. I am a believer in the 
 declaration recorded, for I recognize, " There is none other 
 name under heaven given among men whereby we must be 
 saved." 'No, my friends, none other name than his name, 
 which exemplifies his power, " For it is written, As I live, 
 saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me and every tongue 
 shall confess to God. So, then, every one of us shall give 
 account of himself to God." 
 
 In thus bearing my testimony to you this morning, it is 
 not that I have received it by tradition nor learned it in the 
 schools of men, but I have felt it and realized it by the reve- 
 lation of the power of God in my heart. For I know, from 
 a measure of that love of which I have spoken, which spreads 
 from river to river, from sea to sea, from ocean to ocean, to 
 the uttermost parts of the earth, that that love has poured 
 itself into my heart; that it has satisfied my desire; that, by 
 the light of it, the things that were obscure have been made 
 plain ; and, standing here, I can bear my humble testimony 
 to the power of this blessed Truth that " God so loved the 
 world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever 
 
320 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting 
 life." 
 
 But I do not now speak of this everlasting life — nor do I 
 believe that it w^as intended to be so presented — as if it were 
 only attainable when the earthly life shall have ceased. Oh, 
 no ; its great and grand glory is that it is vouchsafed unto 
 us here, for it is here vre need it, and here is where we ought 
 to enjoy it, in the measure permitted to be enjoyed while in 
 the body. 
 
 Then let us, my beloved friends, be willing to hearken 
 unto the voice of the Lord, for it comes to us in many ways. 
 It speaks to us in the night ; it comes to us as the heavenly 
 messenger; it comes with the light of its own glory, inviting 
 us to taste, see and thus know for ourselves that the Lord 
 is good. Let us listen to this voice and follow it, for it is as 
 essential to-day that we should follow our Lord and Master 
 in spirit, as it was that the fishermen of Galilee should fol- 
 low Him when in the body. Nothing short of a willingness 
 on our part to do this can make us worthy to be numbered 
 among the disciples of.Jesus Christ. But mere assent, mere 
 acknowledgment with the tongue, is not that which does the 
 work. A correct belief, valuable as it is, does not make a 
 Christian. We must know the child born, the Son given 
 in us, and that the government of our lives rests upon his 
 shoulders, before we can feel that we are saved. If we feel 
 in our hearts the power of God to be our power, so that 
 when we are tempted it will enable us to say to the tempter, 
 " Get thee hence, Satan," then are we sate in the keeping of 
 our Lord, " For, in that He himself hath suffered being 
 tempted. He is able to succor them that are tempted." And 
 this succor will be given to those, and those only, who are 
 
SELECTIONS FROM SERMONS. 321 
 
 willing to deny themselves, to take up their daily cross and 
 follow Him. 
 
 Our Heavenly Father comes as near to his children to-day 
 as He has ever done, and He pours in the light of his pres- 
 ence and power upon the sons and daughters of men as 
 freely as He has done in any age of the world. 
 
 It is amply sufficient for every one who is willing to be 
 brought under the influence of that power, that light and 
 that presence. Blessed be God, He so loved the world, and 
 all that come into the world, that He gave his beloved Son 
 for our salvation. 
 
 My brethren and sisters, the glory of our faith and the 
 possession of it are worth more to you and to me and to 
 mankind than anything else can be worth, because such an 
 attainment is a victory over the things of this world, over 
 all the powers of darkness. It lifts us to the position which 
 God designed that every man should occupy. " If the Son, 
 'therefore, shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." 
 
 "Why should men be spending their time, the prime of 
 their manhood, in working, striving, laboring night and day 
 for that which, as we all know, perisheth? When we come 
 to compare the transitoriness of the things of this world with 
 the joy of possessing eternal life, is it not marvellous that 
 intelligent men, the world over, should spend their strength, 
 their manhood and all they ha^e, in the pursuit of that 
 which vanisheth like an ignis-fatmis, which leads but to be- 
 wilder, and which dazzles but to blind ? 
 
 Look at the world to-day ; grasping, reaching out, over- 
 reaching and toiling after riches which, after all, must perish. 
 Such acquisition does not lift a man up in the sight of God, 
 but often just the contrary. I would not apply this remark 
 
322 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 to what a man need possess, and what he may acquire by 
 energy, by improvement, by a proper exercise of the talents 
 and the powers that have been bestowed upon him ; but 
 when he devotes all his available time to the amassing of 
 wealth, and in doing so loses sight of the great work of 
 making his " calling and election sure" — what is his life but 
 a blank in comparison with what it ought to be ? 
 
 Only contemplate for a moment, every heart here filled 
 with the power of the Holy Ghost ! What a power ! it would 
 go out in all directions, in the inviting language, come 
 brother, come sister, " Come ye, and let us go up to the 
 mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob ; 
 and He will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his 
 paths ; for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word 
 of the Lord from Jerusalem." 
 
 When we consider how much we already possess, not only 
 of material wealth, but also of talent and opportunity, and the 
 blessings that have been poured out upon us ; and then realize ' 
 how much "more we might do, than we are doing, to smooth 
 down the asperities of life — I feel that these thoughts should 
 drive away sectarianism,, where it exists; for that spirit fre- 
 quently produces controversy and hatred, and when these 
 take possession of a man, they make him narrow-minded, 
 and — according to his opportunity — a persecutor. This was 
 exemplified in the treatment given to our Saviour, who was 
 persecuted because his teachings differed from those of the 
 priests who were established in their sectarianism, and who 
 hated the new doctrine which He taught. But what could 
 they say ? for He had exemplified his power by his works. 
 He had opened the eyes of the blind, had made the deaf to 
 hear, and, in their very sight had the sick been restored to 
 
SELECTIONS FROM SERMONS. 323 
 
 health. This evidence, with that of the five barley loaves, 
 and the two small fishes, manifested to the people the power 
 of the living God in him ; for He showed by his works, and 
 testified by his words, that He did not speak for himself, 
 or act by his own power. " I can of mine own self do no- 
 thing; as I hear I judge, and my judgment is just; because 
 I seek not my own will, but the will of the Father which 
 hath sent me." With all this evidence multiplied again and 
 again, the chief priests conspired to take his life, even when 
 the secular ruler would have spared Him. I would rather 
 fall into the hands of any other class to be judged, than into 
 those of a sectarian believer. What darkness covers that 
 mind which is under the thick vail of sectarianism ! Re- 
 member how it was with those Jews, when Pilate wanted 
 to release Jesus, for he found no fault in Him. The 
 people, urged by the priests, cried out, release unto us Bar- 
 abbas. And why did these priests object to having Jesus 
 released ? Was it not because they were fearful that his 
 preaching, together with the miracles He had performed, 
 would take away their power from the Sanhedrim, draw away 
 the worshippers from the temple, and cause them to lose 
 their influence ? Do we think there is nothing of this kind 
 in the world now ? Until a man is willing to come under 
 the government of God, until he is made to believe, until he 
 is willing to deny himself^ and take up his daily cross and fol- 
 low the Lord Jesus Christ, he does act out this kind of spirit. 
 The natural man is selfish and oppressive ; he loves his own 
 way more than he loves God. It is terrible to behold, when 
 we cast our eyes about us, and see what has been done in 
 the name of religion. I do not marvel that men are turned 
 away from coming to know, and to listen to religion, when 
 
324 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LBVICK. 
 
 they have looked at the actions of many who profess, and of 
 some tvho teach it. But when you want to see portrayed 
 the character of true religion, turn and look at the teachings 
 of Jesus Christ. The light that He exemplified was the light 
 of the Father ; He was of the Most High God ; born not 
 of the corruptible, but of the incorruptible ; He and his 
 Father being one. 
 
 Ifow, my Friends, I want you to understand that that 
 same Almighty Power is here this morning, teady tO' con- 
 fer this work, this love, this power, upon you ; to give you 
 in time a sufficiency of it to enable you to work out your 
 soul's salvation with fear and trembling. And I tell you 
 there is no other way by which you can obtain this than by 
 taking hold of Jesus Christ, by hearkening unto the voice of 
 God; by bringing yourselves, even as. the Virgin Mary 
 brought herself, under submission to the power of the High- 
 est. When you do this, saying in your hearts, '* Be it unto 
 me according to thy word," then will the Almighty Power 
 of God be exemplified in you ; you will know the child born 
 in you ; you will know the government of your lives to rest 
 upon his shoulders, and that He is the Counselor and the 
 Prince of Peace, who will destroy all enmity between you 
 and your God ; and you will experience that peace of which 
 Jesus said, " Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto 
 you ; not as the world giveth give I unto you. Let not 
 your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." 
 
 It is the desire of my heart to have an increase of this 
 kind of religion ; to have more Christians ; and I should be 
 willing to be spent if I could persuade my brethren every- 
 where to listen to the invitation of the Saviour himself, 
 " Come unto me all ye that, labor and are heavy laden, and 
 
SELECTIONS FROM SERMONS. 325 
 
 I will give 3'ou rest. Take my j-oke upon you, and learn of 
 me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest 
 unto your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is 
 light." Our God wills not the death of any, nor that any 
 should perish, but that all should return, repent and live. 
 Kemember this, my friends, all ye that are heavy laden. 
 Oh ! could some who are here this morning realize the joys 
 of Heaven, and the peace which fills the heart that is pre- 
 pared to receive it ; even the peace of God — you would be 
 willing to part with everything you have, and to say take it 
 all ; only give me that peace which I crave. Turn over the 
 pages of Holy Scripture ; read the various illustrations there 
 in the book of Job. How striking and how beautiful they 
 are, when realized and brought home to our individual ex- 
 perience. " I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear; 
 but now my eye seeth thee ; wherefore I abhor myself, and 
 repent in dust and ashes." Such, my beloved friends, will 
 be our acknowledgments, when we bow and submit oui*- 
 selves to the living God. Then his glorious light and power 
 shall come shining around about us, and we can in truth 
 say, " N"ow mine eye seeth thee." And let us remember 
 that after Job's afflictions, the blessings of the Lord were 
 multiplied unto him, and his last days were his best days. 
 
 Such is the character of the Christian religion, and a glo- 
 rious one it is. 
 
 And this land— ^the land of our birth — great and powerful 
 as it is, may, by our submitting to his will, and following 
 his leadings, become an earthly kingdom of our Lord and 
 of his Christ ; for when righteousness shall have spread its 
 panoply over the hearts of the people, the beams of the ris- 
 ing sun will penetrate the dark recesses of sin and selfish- 
 ness, and the name of the Lord will be extolled everywhere. 
 
326 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 A DlSCOUKSE DELIVEEED IN ChERRY STREET (END OF) MEETING 
 
 House, Philadelphia, on First-day Morning of the Yearly 
 
 Meeting week, 1883. 
 
 The religious Society of Friends — of wiiich we form a 
 part — do not profess to be the followers of any man, but we 
 do claim that we are called upon to present the Truth as it 
 in Jesus Christ. We deem it our duty thus to present it ; 
 and while we do not ignore God's love and care to the chil- 
 dren of men, as they are shown unto us on the pages of the 
 Old Testament, it is the glory of the Neio that we have felt 
 to be our mission to revive, in the simplicity and spirituality 
 of the Truth as it is in our Lord Jesus Christ; in his birth, his 
 life, his work, his death and his resurrection. We believe, 
 as we reverently read the New Testament, that in the record 
 there presented, in the incidents there narrated, we have wit- 
 ness to show how the work of God is to be perfected in the 
 heart of man. For, as our Lord declared to the woman at 
 Jacob's well, so we also declare that God is a Spirit, and they 
 that.worship Himacceptajbly must w;0rship Him in spirit and 
 in truth ; that it was not the purpose of Jesus Christ in his 
 outward adveut, to decry or to destroy the work that had 
 gone before Him ; that it was not his mission to speak lightly 
 of the covenant which God had made with his people afore- 
 time ; for it pleased God in his love to select, in the ages 
 past, servants for the ushering in of the light, even as the 
 light of the sun is ushered in by the dawn on the horizon. 
 Soj by the rising of the Sun of Righteousness, the darkness 
 was to be dispelled; when there would be no more need of 
 ministering priests as teachers and guides, no need, of look- 
 ing for the law written upon tables of stone, but they were 
 
SELECTIONS FROM SERMONS. 327 
 
 to realize the truth of the doctrine which had never before 
 been so presented to the people — That which was to be known 
 of God was to be made manifest in the hearts of men. "What a 
 perfect manifestation of God's love we have in the plain 
 though comprehensive declaration of the prophet Jeremiah, 
 " The days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new 
 covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of 
 Judah; not according to the covenant that I made with 
 their fathers, in the day when I took them by the hand to 
 lead them out of the land of Egypt ; because they continued 
 not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the 
 Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the 
 house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord ; I will put 
 my laws into their mind and write them' in their hearts, 
 and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a peo- 
 ple ; and they shall not teach every man his neighbor, and 
 every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord ; for all shall 
 know me, from the least to the greatest. For I will be mer- 
 ciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their ini- 
 quities will I remember no more." 
 
 What a potent thought is this ; but is it embodied as it 
 should be in the teaching of to-day ? Is this the thought 
 that is being spread out before the people everywhere ? Even 
 though, according to history, we are living in the nineteenth 
 century, we look around, and what evidence do we see of 
 the growth of the great doctrine which was presented to the 
 world by our Lord Jesus Christ; the temple is here, and 
 the temple is there ; and the priest still ministers at the altar. 
 Is this in accord, beloved friends, with the teaching of 
 Jesus Christ ? Was it not rather his mission to bring the 
 work of God home to every heart ? Was it not his purpose 
 
328 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 to call the attention of the peoplo to the Avord nigh them ? 
 Even as the apostle declares concerning the righteousness 
 which is of faith, that it speaketh on this wise, " The word 
 is nigh thee, even in thy mouth and in thy heart : that is, 
 the word of faith, which we preach." This is the faith that 
 the people of Grod, who are called Friends, have ever taught, 
 and when they depart from this great thought they turn from 
 the faith of their fathers. It was because the early Friends 
 proclaimed this truth in a dark age, that they suffered per- 
 secutions; aye, ..persecutions without number. It was be- 
 cause they presented it unto the people that anathemas were 
 hurled at them, and the priest-s in their pulpits cried out 
 against them, and said, " Cursed be the people that say, 
 'The Light of Christ is sufficient;' and let all the people 
 say. Amen !" 
 
 Doubtless there are many here this morning — individual 
 minds whose training has been in another school than the 
 one in which many of us have been trained — who have had 
 stamped upon their early lives the idea that reli^on, and es- 
 pecially the religion of Jesus Christ, consisted of a long 
 train of articles of belief; and here, in this declaration of 
 our Lord, the whole matter is made so plain that even a 
 child may understand it; "Not every one that saith unto 
 me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven ; 
 but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in Heav- 
 en." "What a far-reaching thought this presents to us to- 
 day. No matter what our condition in life, whether in- 
 structed in the things which have been of old, or not; here 
 is the whole summing up of the character of the religion of 
 Jesus Christ; and this is what we desire to present to the 
 people in our words and by our practice. It covers the 
 
SELECTIONS FROM SERMONS. 329 
 
 whole ground. Is there anything more to be desired, than 
 to enjoy our Heavenly Father's kingdom and government ? 
 Is not this a great matter to every one here this morning? 
 Is there anything that we can desire more than to be citizens 
 of his government ? "We are then as those who have no other 
 need , neither do they need the light of the sun nor of the 
 moon, for the glorj7 of God doth lighten it, " and the Lamb 
 is the light thereof;" a light that dispels all darkness, that 
 makes plain the path, so that none have occasion at all to 
 stumble. We are alike interested in this great work, each 
 and every one of us here this morning; and as the Master 
 said in addressing his little company, so do I feel it in my 
 heart to say unto you, " Fear not, little flock ; for it is your 
 Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." Yea, to 
 give it to his children the world over, wherever they are 
 found willing to seek Him, and to obey his commandments ; 
 willing to regard everything else as secondary, that they may 
 be numbered among his children. Can we conceive any- 
 thing of more vital import than the relation of man unto his 
 Maker; the position that has been assigned him in this 
 world ? What is offered unto all of us here ? The Master, 
 in speaking unto the people, said, " Take my yoke upon you 
 and learn of me ; for I am meek and lowly in heart ; and ye 
 shall find rest unto your souls." 
 
 Do we believe this promise ? Are we looking for its ful- 
 fillment here? Or, are our minds still so clouded and ham- 
 pered by tha effects of education and tradition, that we are 
 not looking for the glory of the kingdom of heaven here ? 
 Do we believe it possible, in the nature of things, for us to 
 enjoy the glory here ? 
 . When I turn over the pages of Holy Scripture, and read 
 
 21 
 
330 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 the teaching of Jesus Christ therein presented to my under- 
 standing, the idea is clear to my mind that his mission was 
 to declare that the kingdom of God is already in every man, 
 and that all we need to 'know or to learn is, What is his 
 'pleasure ? The reason why we do not know his will, his 
 pleasure, and that his kingdom is within us, is, that dark- 
 ness still covers our minds. It is becausg the glorious day 
 has not yet dawned, although we may view it as afar off. A 
 mountain in the moonlight, outlined in beauty, may seem 
 to be a great way off, but when the sun ascends and floods 
 it with light, we see how near it is. Even so it is with the 
 Sun of Righteousness. It so clears our vision that we are 
 ready to join in tUe anthem, " Great and marvellous are thy 
 works. Lord God Almighty. Just and true are thy ways, 
 thou King of Saints !" Then we feel the influence of the 
 Spirit, and, as in the far-off distance, seem to hear the ho- 
 sannas of the great multitude which John saw in the vision, 
 saying, " Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, 
 and unto the Lamb." 
 
 And, dear friends, to whom my heart goes forth in that 
 love which knows no measure, I would that we strive, as 
 well as desire, to become inhabitants of this glorious city, 
 that we may come to know for ourselves that the Lord 
 liveth, and that, because He lives, we live also.; that we 
 have known, our robes to be made white in the blood of the 
 Lamb. We are not ashamed of our faith, for there is nothing 
 new in it — ^it is unanswerably the Truth of God. There were 
 many thousands who were ransomed and redeemed. And 
 how were they redeemed ? Was it not by that power, that 
 love which God hath given for the ransom of all mankind. 
 " For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten 
 
SELECTIONS FROM SERMONS. 331 
 
 Son, that whosoever would believe in Him should not per- 
 ish, but should have everlasting life." Go back to the time 
 of the Apostles — men like ourselves — and read their testi- 
 mony as to how they were delivered ; then turn to the Old 
 Testament, and you may find where Moses sang, " He found 
 him in a desert land, and in the waste, howling wilderness ; 
 He led him about,-He instructed him, He kept him as the 
 apple of his eye;" and where the Psalmist gives his own 
 experience, " He Ijrought me up, also, out of a horrible pit, 
 out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock and estab- 
 lished my goings. And He hath put a new song in my 
 mouth, even praise unto our God. Many shall see it, and 
 fear, and 'shall trust in the Lord." Such are the songs of 
 the ransomed and redeemed of the Lord. But we cannot 
 bring ourselves up. God has not given unto man, naturally, 
 the ability to deliver himself from the power of sin, but we do 
 believe that men can be saved, and that the power which 
 saves is offered freely unto all men, without money and 
 without price'; that the love of God for his creature, man, 
 whom He made in his own image, is such that He wills not 
 that any should perish, but that all should return, repent and 
 live. 
 
 Let us not be understood here as presenting the thought 
 that that Son, that Saving Power, was only known to the 
 world nineteen hundred years ago. Wo, my brethren, God's 
 love for man has been the same from the beginning, and the 
 blessed Jesus himself said to the Jews, " Before Abraham 
 was, I AM." The Most High, speaking to Moses, said, " I 
 AM that I AM," and He said, " Thus shalt thou say unto 
 the children of Israel, "'I AM hath sent me." 
 
 It is only sin which separates us from God. So, if there 
 
332 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 are aiiy here who feel that their sins and iniquities are to- 
 day separating them from their God, let me say to such, 
 the way is open ; for do we not find it recorded, " Though 
 your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow ; though 
 they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." There 
 must be a condition attained which recognizes the power of 
 Qod, open to any man, to put away evil. This is the first 
 step, " Cease to do evil," and know ye that, as ye ask aright, 
 grace will be given unto you for all your needs. 
 
 The second step is, " Learn to do well," and, " though 
 your sins, be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; 
 thQugh they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." So 
 the coyering or hiding or blotting out of sin does not rest 
 with ourselves, but with the merciful God, whose love is so 
 great that, with the Prodigal Son, we may approach Him 
 and say, " Father, I have sinned against heaven and before 
 thee." But why should it be so necessary to speak of this 
 part of the subject? How much more comforting is it to 
 refer to the goodness of God, to speak of his love, of his bless- 
 ing, to tell how He blesses his children, to say that his blessing 
 is with us every morning, and that He never turns any away. 
 I love to speak of the Truth, presenting — unto the young 
 especially — ^the goodness of God and his love; that He never 
 turns a deaf ear, but is ever ready to hear ; that his love is 
 ever going out to his people, and that He preserves them in 
 the hollow of his hand. If we go away, it is our going away, 
 for He does not drive any away. He never imposes anything 
 upon his children, beyond w^hat is for their good. 
 
 I want to encourage you to turn away from the gratifica- 
 tion of any wrong desires that come springing up in the 
 human heart. Prefer rather to live by his love; prefer to 
 
SELECTIONS FROM SERMONS, 333 
 
 walk in the narrow path that He hath marked out for his 
 children, and you will then " grow in grace and in the knowl- 
 edge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." Then will you 
 perceive that the pathway marked out for you is a bright 
 one. You will come to see its loveliness, to be introduced 
 into the association of the children of God and counted 
 worthy to be numbered among them; Thus you willcpme 
 to realize the pleasant paths of the Christian, come to realize 
 religious thought- growing in your minds and filling them- 
 with " the peace of God, which passeth all understanding," 
 come to experience that " a day" — yea, even an hour — " in 
 his courts is better than a thousand." Then will you desire 
 more than aught else to be numbered among his children. 
 Then you will love all who sufter and will feel the mantle of 
 charity covering your spirit — a feeling that will cause you 
 to look upon the poor sinner with an eye of pit3' rather than 
 of censure. Then will you find that your greatest joy is in 
 the house of the Lord, waiting upon his precious word and 
 being permitted to adopt the pray6r taught by our blessed 
 Saviour : 
 
 " Our Father which art in heaven. Hallowed be thy name. 
 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in 
 heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us 
 our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into 
 temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the king- 
 dom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen." 
 
334 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 Dblitered at Fkiends' Mebting-House, Gikabd Aventte, - 
 Philadelphia, Sixth Month 17th, 1883. 
 
 We have met here this morning for the important purpose 
 of waiting upon Almighty God, the Author of our being, to 
 whom we owe all our blessings. It is well for us thus to 
 present our bodies. It is well for us thus to come together, 
 to wait upon Him, for He remains to be the Teacher of his 
 peopk himself, and, possessing all power. He sees and knows 
 us just as we are. It is one of the greatest blessings that 
 He has conferred upon the children of men, that He is the 
 Teacher of his people himself; that, to-day. He dispenses 
 milk to babes and meat to strong men. It is thus that all 
 are ministered unto. As the wise parent discriminates in 
 the character of the food to be given to the children, adapt- 
 ing it to their varied conditions, so does our Heavenly Par- 
 ent adapt the food, the spiritual food, unto his children. 
 How comforting it should be to us to remember that we are 
 not dependent one upon another to know the Lord, " for 
 they shall all know Me, from the least of them unto the 
 greatest of them, saith the Lord." My own experience con- 
 firms the truth of this, for I remember, from very early life, 
 the tender impressions made upon my mind whilst in that 
 babe-like condition, and I believe, as the Scriptures bear 
 witness — speaking figuratively' — that, "As the mountains 
 are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his 
 people from henceforth even forever." And as He is always 
 near us, so is He ever ready to minister to our wants. This 
 belief constitutes one of the cardinal principles of the relig- 
 ious Society of Friends. They recognize that there has 
 been no change, through the various periods of time, in the 
 
SELECTIONS FROM SERMONS. 335 
 
 manner of God's dealing with his creature man ; but, as the 
 Holy Scriptures bear witness, that He is " the same yester- 
 day, and to-day and forever," and that in Him " is no vari- 
 ableness, neither shadow of turning." This being the case, 
 it may be well to bring to our remembrance the events of 
 the past, as the accounts thereof have been handed down 
 from generation to generation in the volume of the Holy 
 Scriptures. These sacred writings bear witness to the in- 
 struction of God to his creature man; and, symbolical as 
 they are, in those early days of written records, in no better 
 way could the dealings of the Most High with the human 
 family have been presented. For, as God is a Spirit, so the 
 operations of his power in our hearts must be of like char- 
 acter. And hence we find it recorded in the pages of Holy 
 Writ that He visited the children of men, that He spake to 
 Adam in the Garden of Eden, and gave unto him his com- 
 mandments, in order for the preservation of life, and that, 
 through all after-periods of time, God spake unto his ser- 
 vants often through the great leaders of the people, that they 
 should speak unto those around them. And, as the people 
 hearkened unto the commandments of God, coming from 
 their teachers, they experienced preservation of their lives. 
 
 Trace it down through rarious portions of the Sacred 
 Record, but most especially in the early pages, and we find 
 God making himself known unto Abraham, Isaac and Ja- 
 cob ; how He communed with them and showed them what 
 He required at their hands. After that period of time, com- 
 ing down to the descendants of Jacob, we follow Joseph into 
 Egypt, where he was to be the preserver of life, for there 
 was a famine in the land, and the Lord made use of Joseph, 
 who had been sold by his brethren into the land of Egypt ; 
 
336 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK, 
 
 how God helped him in the land of bondage ; how, though 
 badly treated and confined within the prison-walls for years 
 by the inscrutable workings of that Power which knoweth 
 all things and seeth all things, ultimately Joseph became the 
 instrument of the Lord, not only in saving the people of 
 Egypt, but also in saving his father's house ; how, in after 
 years, the children of Jacob multiplied in the land of Egypt, 
 but when there arose a king who knew not Joseph, the 
 Egytians — instead of having a regard for those whose ances- 
 tors had been instrumental in preserving the lives of their 
 people — persecuted the Israelites, making of them servants, 
 and exacting from them hard things. Yes, and the record 
 tells us that they imposed one condition after another, even 
 to the taking away of the straw that was to make part of the 
 brick. But their cries " entered into the ears of the Lord 
 of Sabaoth," and, in his own time. He raised up a deliverer. 
 
 It is not necessary to enter into a full account of the find- 
 ing of Moses, the son of an Israelitish woman ; how he was 
 preserved by this daughter of Israel, who, looking upon the 
 child, beheld his comeliness, his beauty, and, in the spirit of 
 maternal affection, sought his preservation and laid him in 
 the flags; how, in the workings of that Power, the ark con- 
 taining him was seen by the daughter of Pharaoh, as she 
 was walking on the river-bank ; how he was cared for by her, 
 and, when of proper age, educated in the arts and the lore 
 of the Egyptians. 
 
 In the course of events, owing to surrounding circum- 
 stances, he fled, and we find him keeping the sheep of 
 Jethro, his father-in-law, on the plains of Midian, where he 
 became a shepherd. Let us look at the occupation of a 
 shepherd, one who watches over his flock. What a beautiful 
 
SELECTIONS FROM SERMONS. 337 
 
 type is this of the character of our God, who is often spoken 
 of as " The unslumbering Shepherd of Israel," slumbering 
 not, neither by night nor by day, but forever watching over 
 his people everywhere. For He has his eye over all his 
 creatures, and when any of them go astray like sheep, He 
 reaches out the crook of his love, seeking to gather them 
 within the green pastures and beside the still waters, where 
 rest the children of the heavenly kingdom. 
 
 As we trace the wonderful power of God in his dealings 
 with these Israelites, we see, later on, where He met with 
 Moses, keeping the sheep, and there informed him, by the 
 burning bush, what he was to do. And Moses heard the 
 voice of the Lord, saying, " Put off thy shoes from off thy 
 feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground." 
 Yes, for God was there, his power and presence were there, 
 and, therefore, in that relation, it loas holy ground. More- 
 over, he said, " I am the God of thy father, the God of 
 Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. And 
 Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God." 
 
 Let us look at things as they are, and let none of us feel 
 that the former day was different from our day. It is the 
 disposition of the children of men to-day to look upon the 
 people that lived at that time and the ministrations and dis- 
 pensations meted out to them as different from those of 
 to-day. There is an idea now that God is not the same, that 
 He does not appear or speak unto us as He did unto the 
 people of old. My own experience has taught me that He 
 is the same. I know very well that He spake unto me in 
 the morning of my life, and that He has made known his 
 will concerning me as clearly as anything I have ever found 
 recorded upon the page of Holy Writ or that was ever 
 penned. 
 
338 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 Farther on we read from the familiar record that the Lord 
 sent Moses; that there were long pleadings between him 
 and Pharaoh concerning the children of Israel, which is but 
 the Lord's pleading with the people to come out from under 
 the dominion and power of the flesh, representing man in 
 that condition wherein he is in bondage, serving a master 
 other than God. And when Pharaoh refused to let the Is- 
 raelitish people go, that they might sacrifice unto the Lord 
 their God, one dispensation, one affliction, one trouble fol- 
 lowed another, until, ultimately, there appeared to be a 
 willingness wrought to let the people go. Let us bring this 
 home, for these efforts must be applicable to people's states 
 and conditions at the present time. Let us apply them to 
 ourselves, let us — ^looking into our own hearts — see whether 
 the good — comparable to the Israelitish people in Egypt — 
 is being oppressed and held in bondage by the Pharaoh who 
 is our ruler. Whilst the precious seed is thus oppressed, 
 there is a power ruling over it comparable to the natural 
 man — for the natural man, that which is of the earth, earthy, 
 is an oppressor — and Pharaoh is here represented as such. 
 
 The things there written illustrate to us that, though we 
 may teel ourselves bound with " the lust of the flesh, the 
 lust of the eyes and the pride of life," and that these have 
 dominion over the good in us, holding it in subjection, so 
 that.it is not permitted to free us from abuses and sins, yet 
 remember, my brother, my sister, there is a Power superior 
 to any finite power pleading with thee. Pharaoh, as king 
 of Egypt, represented the finite power, ruling the lords of 
 state. Yet even that power was ultimately brought into 
 subjection to the greater One. When the children of Israel 
 passed out on their way, Pharaoh and his hosts sought to 
 
SELECTIONS FROM SERMONS. 339 
 
 pursue them, and the record is that the Lord made a way 
 for hie people, but the chariot wheels of the Egyptians 
 dragged heavily, and the sea, that had rolled back to make 
 way for the children of Israel, closed again, and the hosts 
 of Pharaoh were overwhelmed. 
 
 I am no atheist. On the contrary, I am a believer in the 
 power of God. Human wisdom may look at this account and 
 question it, but to the anointed eye of the believer it exhibits 
 the power of the Almighty. It exemplifies for our consid- 
 eration that, as we obey his commandments — ^though the 
 way may not appear plain, though difilculties may seem to 
 be insurmountable — we shall be safely led along until we 
 have made our escape from Egypt and from the tyranny of 
 its king. Though the wisdom of the world is disposed to at- 
 tribute these occurrences to natural causes, I am a believer 
 in the Almighty power of God, and that with Him there is 
 nothing impossible. Men may become so steeped in sin, 
 such slaves to their propensities, as to feel that they are 
 hopelessly under the dominion thereof and ready to cry out, 
 " O, wretched man that I am ! "Who shall deliver me from . 
 the body of this death !" There have been such conditions, 
 and there may be such to-day. Men who feel themselves 
 bound as with fetters, having surrendered themselves up to 
 the gratification of self, so as to shut out the face of God, 
 and gone on from one condition to another, disregarding the 
 manifestation of his purposes, until they have become entan- 
 gled as in a net, from which they cannot extricate themselves. 
 But, thank God ! there is a power that is sufiicient.. The 
 arm of the Lord is held out and goes reaching, reaching out 
 for the liberation of every one who has been made sensible 
 of his condition and who is willing to look unto this Source 
 for deliverance. 
 
340 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 But there may be other doctrines preached, other thoughts 
 preseilted, and there may be held out the idea that we can 
 save ourselves. Do not the evidences of the past clearly 
 demonstrate that man, of himself, is a very finite creature ? 
 E'ow I want us to remember that God wills not the death of 
 any, but that it is his purpose that we should all return, re- 
 pent and live. When men seek by their finite powers, how- 
 ever much these may have been cultivated, to adduce argu- 
 ments or to deduce conclusions concerning religion, let them 
 bear in .mind the great truth that " The wisdom of this world 
 is foolishness with God." 
 
 I might continue to trace the history of the workings of 
 this Power from generation to generation, for therein is 
 clearly demonstrated and exemplified what is necessary for 
 preservation, also that God taketh care of his people. In 
 the journey of the Israelites you may read the journey' of 
 your own life, as I have of mine. The history of that people 
 is but the reflection of what is constantly going on in and 
 for man. There do we see exemplified the weakness of 
 human nature ; there do we see the disposition to disobey 
 the commandments of God ; there do we see his condescen- 
 sion in supplying their needs and even their desires when 
 these were not in rebellion against his will. He gave them 
 manna and quail, and, when they were thirsting, the flinty 
 rock gave forth its refreshing waters when smitten by Moses 
 at the command of the Most High. He also gave unto them 
 an unerring guide, even the pillar of fire by night and the 
 pillar of cloud by day. Thus is it shown that, though we 
 may backslide from Him, He still helps us. Such is the 
 love of God and such his care over the workmanship of his 
 hand. And they are as great to-day and the manifestations 
 
SELECTIONS FKOM SERMONS. 341 
 
 of himself unto the sons and daughters of men — if they give 
 attention thereto — are as possible to us as they were to the 
 Israelites when they were led out of Egypt and into the 
 Promised Land. 
 
 Now, my dear friends, turn to the history of the life of 
 Abraham, and you discover that, as he was faithful to the 
 commandments of God, he was called the father of the faith- 
 ful. In obedience to those commandments, he did not refuse 
 to comply even to spare his son, the child of his old age, but 
 was ready to offer him up. And those who are obedient 
 and faithful, as was he, are called his seed, and in every 
 nation, kindred, tongue and people these exist, and are 
 under the Almighty's protection, his power reaching out to 
 such. 
 
 We also find in the record that there were thousands who 
 did not aclinowledge God, but who worshipped the work 
 of men's hands. Pause here. Let us look and inquire 
 whether we are free from idolatry. Let us examine as to 
 what constitutes idolatry. Is it that we should have a statue 
 upon a pedestal to fall down and worship it ? Is that the 
 requisite to being an idolater ? It might be well for us to 
 pause and look into the mirror in our own hearts, before we 
 hurl the verbal arrows of our indignation and scorn at intel- 
 ligent people who are found worshipping idols. My friends, 
 I sometimes think, when I read the views of certain men, 
 or hear them expressed, that we have idolatry to-day. If 
 we are leaning upon and trusting in our own opinions, im- 
 ages that have been formed in our minds, or if we are ready 
 to worship the dogmas and opinions of other men — which 
 are the images that have been carved out in their minds — if 
 we defend these, guard them and are tenacious of them. 
 
342 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 what are we doing ? Whatever we love most, thxit we wor- 
 ship. This proposition must be admitted by all who have 
 given the subject careful thought. Let us not be disposed 
 to look with so much indignation upon the people of the 
 past or upon the Orientals of to-day because they worship 
 idols. We may not practice our idolatry in the same way, 
 our images may not be of the same kind asiare theirs whom 
 we so freely censure, but let us examine ourselves honestly 
 in the search for our idols. I want us to look at these things, 
 for I am interested that we should become the children of 
 our Heavenly Father. In standing here this morning my 
 concern is that we may individually come into the posses- 
 session of the pearl of great price, that we come to know 
 our Eedeemer, who loveth us and who gave his life that we 
 might be saved. As the great truths of Holy Scripture are 
 brought to our view, we should try to know where we are 
 and what is our condition. Whether we are like the chil- 
 dren of Israel when they were in bondage, or whether we 
 have witnessed our deliverance and are on the journey trav- 
 eling toward the Promised Land. Whether we still have 
 stumbling-blocks, or whether, through the mercy of God in 
 Christ Jesus, we have known the shackles to be broken, 
 known an overcoming of the enemies of Israel, and, having 
 traversed the wilderness and crossed the Jordan, spiritually, 
 have found an entrance into the Promised Land. 
 
 The religion that I am interested in building up is of that 
 character which is presented upon the pages of Holy Writ, 
 with the promises of eternal lite. Now, no man can do the 
 work of religion for us, for we are all called to work out our 
 own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is Qdd which 
 worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. 
 
SELECTIONS FROM SERMONS. 343 
 
 The all-wise God not only brought out the children of Israel, 
 with Moses for their leader, but He gave them the law; yet 
 this was not perfect, but for the bringing in of a better hope. 
 
 In the records we find that John the Baptist came as " The 
 voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of 
 the Lord, make his paths straight." We discover that this 
 voice was listened to, for the people were baptized by John 
 in Jordan, confessing their sins. We feel better for it when 
 we have confessed our sins. This is an important step, and 
 after this it would seem that we are in a condition to hear 
 the voice of another. In the course of time, as we read, oc- 
 curred the birth of Jesus. How beautiftil a type his life is, 
 beautiful and true. Born of the Virgin Mary, who, when 
 the angel of the Lord visited her and informed her what 
 should come to pass, queried how this thing could be, which, 
 to her natural understanding, seemed to be so incomprehen- 
 sible. Yet, in humble trust, she bowed to the will of God, 
 and surrendered herself with this expression, "Be it unto 
 me according to thy word." 
 
 There are those who would deny the truth of God, but / 
 own the record just as I find it there. 
 
 Now how far have we traveled on this interesting jour- 
 ney? Where are we to-day? In our peculiar conditions, 
 probably no two of us are exactly alike, no two have at- 
 tained to the same degree of growth. But have we been 
 faithful to what has been manifested ? Have we hearkened 
 to the voice of God ? Remember, " No man can save his 
 brother or give to God a ransom for his soul." But there 
 is a Saviour, there is a Redeemer, and that Saviour, that 
 Redeemer, is Christ the Lord. Blessed be God, who so 
 loved the world that He hath given this Saviour into the 
 
344 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 world, that whosoever is willing to receive Him, in the way 
 of hie coming, shall not perish, but shall have everlasting 
 life. This is the interesting part. I want you to bear in 
 remembrance this very word, shall, not will, have eternal life, 
 but shall have it. Now this constitutes the glory of the religion 
 that is presented unto the world in the life of the Son of God, 
 Jesus Christ. His mission, as it is recorded on the page of the 
 New Testament, was to put an end to sin and to deliver us 
 from the dominion, and power of the devil. "What do we 
 know about this precious Saviour ! Have we the evidence 
 that He has been brought forth in our hearts? Have we 
 known the Child born, the Son given, and is the govern- 
 ment of our lives resting upon his shoulders ? Are we, from 
 our hearts, ready to call Him the Mighty God, the Everlast- 
 ing Father and the Prince of Peace ? Note the expression, 
 " The Prince of Peace," because it is He that makes the 
 peace, and no man is at peace unless he has come to know 
 the begotten of the Father brought forth within his soul. 
 There is no peace short of that which emanates from this 
 source, that peace of which the Master said, " Peace I leave 
 with you, my peace I give unto you ; not as the world giveth, 
 give I linto you." 
 
 My brethren and sisters, my heart travails this morning 
 in solicitude for us all, that we may come to be the children 
 of our " Father which is in heaven ; for He maketh his sun 
 to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the 
 just and on the unjust." Oh, the love of God ! It surpass- 
 eth all understanding. For, as one formerly declared, "Eye 
 hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the 
 heart of inan, the things -which God hath prepared for them 
 that love Him." Oh, that I could, by any words of mine, 
 
SELECTIONS FROM SERMONS. 345 
 
 stir the hearts of some that are present this morning, to let 
 go their hold upon the world, so that they may come to ex- 
 perience the power of the Lord Jesus, declaring " I am the 
 resurrection and the life. He that believeth in me, though 
 he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever liveth and 
 believeth in me shall never die." Oh, this glorious Chris- 
 tian faith, to which is attached the promise, " Shall never 
 die." Thank God, there is a power that man may possess 
 here, may live in the world, surrounded by the wickedness 
 thereof, and yet be preserved from sin. 
 
 My friends, how are we to come into possession of the 
 pearl of great price ? Are not the terms for obtaining this 
 most precious treasure the same as they have ever been ? 
 The Master said, "He that loveth father or mother more 
 than me is not worthy of me ; and he that loveth son or 
 daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that 
 taketh not his cross and followeth after me is not worthy of 
 me." He names the dearest objects of human affection, 
 thus clearly illustrating that if we love anything more than 
 we love Him we are not worthy of Him. 
 
 Search yourselves, prove yourselves. For it is by search- 
 ing and proving ourselves that we come to know ourselves. 
 The Apostle queries with the Corinthians, " Know ye not 
 your own selves how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye 
 be reprobates ?" Let us not here misunderstand the mean- 
 ing of Paul, and think that he intends to convey the idea 
 that Christ is not in the reprobate. No, no ; but what He 
 means is that the reprobate does not know that He is within 
 him. But He is there, and it is his presence that causes a 
 stir, an uneasiness in the soul of the reprobate. 
 
 As the words have come into my mouth I have given 
 22 
 
346 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LBVICK. 
 
 them utterance. I have but one purpose, but one object in 
 view, and that is, to do what I can to persuade men; to call 
 their attention to the source whence all good comes ; to en- 
 courage, to exhort them, to let nothing hinder, but to pur- 
 sue a straightforward course, and so travel on as to come 
 into the possession and enjoyment of eternal life. It was 
 for this purpose that man was created, to come into and to 
 enjoy eternal life; a condition of which it maybe practically 
 said that " The wicked cease from" troubling and the weary 
 are at rest;" where the soul is at rest in the arms of its Re- 
 deemer. 
 
 I know there is much in the world to attract and to allure, 
 to draw away from this peaceful, as well as safe, condition ; 
 but my dear young people, my, desire for you is, that you 
 will enter into covenant, as did the people at the exhortation 
 of Joshua, " The Load our God will we serve, and his voice 
 will we obey." And as you are faitbful in keeping this 
 promise, you will receive that which was given to Israel for 
 an everlasting covenant. "Unto thee will I give the land of 
 Canaan, the lot of your inheritance." Then " Choose you 
 this day whom ye will serve." You will never regret it, for 
 as you advance on the journey of life you will see how many 
 are holding back and risking the dangers of delay. You 
 may call to mind some one, very dear to you, who has 
 been removed in the morning of life, thus bringing you to 
 face the solemn reality that, whilst the old nmst die, the 
 young may die. Then how wise it would be for you to 
 make the choice now, and to live with your hearts so given 
 up to serve your God, that no matter when the call may be 
 extended to you, you may be prepared to render up with 
 joy your earthly lives. 
 
SELECTIONS FROM SERMOJSTS. 347 
 
 And, dear fatliers and mothers, you — with whom I class 
 myself — must depart, and the places that know us now will 
 soon know us no more forever. Oh, that we may have fur- 
 nished us the blessed evidence that we are at peace with our 
 God! 
 
 Selections Taken Fkom Discourses Delivered at Different 
 Times During the Last Two Years of His Life. 
 
 God is a God of love, not of hatred. His dealings with 
 manldnd exemplify this. It is not the will of our Creator 
 that any man should perish. We were not brought into the 
 world for such a purpose. • If any one fall short of the pur- 
 pose of his creation the fault must lie at his own door. 
 There may be conditions around him — the example of others 
 for instance — exerting their influence, but it is his own fault 
 if he accept not the free grace which would give him 
 strength to resist such influence. Just in proportion as the 
 world violates the -commandments of God, must every vio- 
 lator carry with him a certain measure of the responsibility, 
 not only in its application to himself, but also in the eflfeet 
 produced by his example upon others. 
 
 'How, is it not a marvel that any responsible human being 
 should be willing to live without God in the world ? Does 
 he think that the gratification of " the lust of the flesh, and 
 the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life," will yield him a 
 return worthy of the name of enjoyment ? Does he stop to 
 consider that, while partaking of this gratification, he is 
 constantly in danger, and that, if he pursue the course to its 
 goal, he will find it the entrance to a state of misery ? 
 
348 LIFE OF SAMUEL 3. LEVICK. 
 
 Would he rather fall into the hands of men. than to be under 
 the protection of the All-beneficent Creator ? Why, how 
 can any one be so deluded ? There are few men but would 
 deprive us of a gr«at many good things which God would 
 not deprive us of. Then, why should we be living without 
 God in this world, when, to fulfill the purposes and enjoy 
 the works of his creation, we must know Him ? 
 
 Now, He is not afar off from any of us, but stands ready 
 to help us, offering himself to be the director of our lives. 
 Then, why should we refuse his guidance? He never gave 
 to any man a law, nor imposed upon him a prohibition that 
 was riot for that man's good. Men may make laws and may 
 prohibit free action altogether, in order to keep you entirely 
 under their own control, but Divine Goodness never treats 
 his children in that way. The Omniscient One knows our 
 diverse peculiarities and temperaments, and, taking us just 
 as we are. He imposes those, and only those restraints 
 which are necessary for our preservation. Then, why 
 should we even hesitate about submitting to his prohibitions 
 and obeying his laws ? The young man or the young woman 
 who makes it the primal consideration of life to hearken to 
 and obey the voice of God — which speaks by impressions 
 made upon the soul — will be kept in safety and will not lose 
 any of the joys of earth that are worth retaining. 
 
 There may be restrictions imposed upon us at one stage 
 of our experience for our benefit just at tlMt time, and if we 
 resignedly accept them (making no attempt in our own will 
 to remove them), they may, at the proper time, be taken 
 away by the same Hand that placed them upon us. Then 
 other duties, positive or negative, may be required of us, 
 and we must be faithful to these. As we thus go on from 
 
SELECTIONS EROM SERMONS. 349 
 
 Stage to stage we experience a spiritual growth, whereby we 
 can comprehend the necessity, and appreciate the force of 
 the command given to Moses, " Speak unto the children of 
 Israel that they go forward." There are men who have 
 been encompassing one mountain all their lives, and who 
 are still there, like the Israelites who were disposed to tarry 
 where they were., rather than, to journey toward- the Prom- 
 ised Land. But, my friends, it requires much care and close 
 watchfulness on., our part to see the right time to go forward. 
 For if we anticipate it, we go without our G-uide, and- get- 
 ting bewildered, wander aimlessly in an unknown way 
 until we lose sight of both faith and hope. 
 
 Men who have their own purposes to serve will try to 
 make you believe that religion is here or that it is there, and 
 that you should come hither or go thither to find it, but I 
 feel to say to the young of this assembly. Mind your own 
 business, and let every other business alone. Do not, like 
 Martha, be troubled about many things, but do those things 
 which are shown to you to do, and avoid~doiflg those which 
 you should not do. Our allegiance to God may be estimated 
 by our obedience to his commands, without regard to what 
 the world may say. 
 
 What a great matter it is to be a truly religious man. No 
 importance need be attached to the name — there were twelve 
 tribes of the children of Israel. If it suit a man to belong 
 to one tribe or to the other, we have nothing to do with 
 that, for there is but one Father and we are all his children. 
 But, my friends, the natural man is in the dark, and he must 
 remain in the dark until the light of the Son shines into his 
 soul. This is " the true Light which lighteth every man 
 that Cometh into the world." It shows us how we should 
 
350 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 walk, but if (taking the advice of the tempter, who would 
 have us know good and evil for ourselves) we turn from it, 
 we commit sin, for sin is the transgression of the Divine law. 
 
 There are many who go through life sinning and repent- 
 ing, a state they should not remain in, for there is a higher 
 one, a more settled one, beyond it. N'ow the glory of our 
 religion > its importance and its value to every son and every 
 daughter of Adam is the sublime idea that we are to enjoy 
 heaven — so far as we are capable of coming into the enjoy- 
 ment of God's love — all the days of our life. This, we believe, 
 was the purpose of the Great Creator when He gave us 
 being. He has never turned one of his children out of his 
 house. Those who are not in the house of God have wan- 
 dered away from it of their own accord, like the Prodigal 
 Son, because they love other things more than they love 
 home. But even these wanderers can return and be under 
 the influence of that love which goes out to all, for God wills 
 not the separatioti of one soul from Him. The appreciation 
 of God's love knocks to atoms a belief in the doctrine that 
 some are born to be saved and some to be damned. This 
 doctrine had its i-obt in the miiids of men, where it had been 
 planted by human volition. And how contrary is it to the 
 teaching and to the mission of Him who came from the 
 bosom of the Father (and who could declare, I and my 
 Father are one), in order that none might perish, but that 
 all should be saved. 
 
 How, what I feel in my heart to call our attention to is the 
 Word, or Son, which, in the beginning, was " with God," 
 and which "was God." And this Son was sent into the 
 world'that " whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, 
 but have everlasting life." This clear and comprehensive 
 
SELECTIONS FROM SERMONS. 351 
 
 statement of the Evangelist leaves none without the pale of 
 the means of salvation, while it assures us of the purpose for 
 which the Saviour was sent. And why sent for this pur- 
 pose? Because God so loved the world. Oh, wonderful 
 love! "Would that we could, appreciate the fullness of it. 
 
 Here we are, spending our time in pursuits that do not 
 bring peace to the soul nor advance it in the way of salva- 
 tion. Some are troubled with one thing, and some with 
 another thing. But the Great Forerunner said, "And now 
 also the ax is laid unto the root of the trees. Therefore 
 every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down 
 and cast into the fire." When the tree falls the evil falls 
 with it, so that a man cannot any longer be drunken, pro- 
 fane or licentious, for the ax has been applied to the root 
 of the corrupt tree, which is his heart. We may be temper- 
 ate, so far as alcoholics are concerned, and may boast of 
 being so, but, before we can labor aright in the cause of 
 temperance, we must part with many things that we love 
 too much. This is what is retarding our progress, w^e are 
 not willing to give up our beloveds, even though we may be 
 convinced that they are idols, and to accept the terms so 
 plainly laid down by Him who should be our Master. " He 
 that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of 
 me ; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is 
 not worthy of me ; and he that taketh not his cross and fol- 
 loweth after me is not worthy of me." Surely this makes 
 the matter plain — that we are not to love anything more 
 than we love Him, and that the condition upon which we 
 can give our hearts to Him must be a surrender of all that 
 we have, so that we can say, " Here am I ; take me and do 
 with me according to thine own good pleasure." Before a 
 
352 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 man can come into the enjoyment of heaven he must be 
 willing to part with everything that he holds dear. 'No man 
 can serve two masters. He " cannot serve God and Mam- 
 mon." We are apt to love the adulation, the praise, of men. 
 We desire to have certain things said of us and certain 
 things done to us, so that we may be known as distinguished 
 men. While in such a state of mind how liable we are to 
 be carried away. 
 
 Now, what we need to acquire is a knowledge of the Truth, 
 as it was portrayed in the life of Jesus Christ and proclaimed 
 by Him and his Apostles. Such knowledge will make our 
 lives broader, so that we shall n^.^t be alone Baptists, Meth- 
 odists, Presbyterians or Episcopalians, but all will be the 
 children of our Father who is in heaven. And when we 
 have attained to this relationship our love goes out all 
 around. When we come to have this kingdom of heaven 
 within us our spiritual eye will be opened to see so clearly 
 that we shall no longer be blinded by sectarianism, but shall 
 know that the Son has illuminated our :.earts to that degree 
 that we can discover the servants of God and extend to 
 such the right hand of fellowship wherever they may be 
 found. 
 
 I glory in that declaration, "And ye shall know the Truth, 
 and the Truth shall make you free," for when the Truth 
 shall make a man free then is he free indeed My beloved 
 friends, it should be the aim of each one of us to become a 
 freeman in the Truth. 
 
 We have the promise of Holy Scripture that " They that 
 wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength," and it is for 
 the renewal of our spiritual strength that we have come to- 
 gether this morning. 
 
SELECTIONS FROM SERMONS. 853 
 
 We do not deem it necessary to have preaching or any 
 other human instrumientality for the performance of wor- 
 ship, for the Scripture saith, " But the anointing which ye 
 have received of Him abideth in you and ye need not that 
 any man teach you, but, as the same anointing teacheth you 
 of all things, and is Truth and is no lie, and even as it hath 
 taught you, ye shall abide in Him." Again, we have the 
 authority of Holy Writ for the promise, . "And they shall 
 teach no more every man his brother, saying. Know the 
 Lord ; for they shall all know me, from the least of them 
 unto the greatest of them ; for I will forgive their iniquity, 
 and I will remember their sin no more." 
 
 I am aware that there are degrees of religious experience ; 
 that it may dift'er in different individuals, and in the same 
 one at different stages of his advancement ; that, owing to 
 disobedience, to some transgression of the Divine law, a man 
 may be groping in the dark and reaching out for a human 
 hand — a preacher — to guide him and lead him along in some 
 line oi belief , some doctrinal instruction. But remember, as it 
 has been in the past so it is to-day, that this darkness is the 
 product of sin or transgression. For, in the beginning, 
 before sin had entered into the world, it was not so. God 
 dispenseth to every living soul a measure of light, a measure 
 sufficient for the condition of that soul, let such condition be 
 what it may. I would have us understand that God speaks as 
 intelligibly to the soul, and his voice is as capable of being 
 understood by it, as does the earthly parent speak to his child 
 in an audible voice and in language that the child can com- 
 prehend. Before God spake unto Adam he had made him 
 a living soul, and there is no evidence in the record but that 
 Adam understood the voice of God. So, wheii He created 
 
354 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 each one of U8, He planted in us an ear to hear his voice, 
 and if we do not willfully close this ear, but leave it open to 
 hear, and, having heard, if we receive and obey the instruc- 
 tions, we are just where He would have us to be. Oh, could 
 I, this morning, awaken in the minds of all a sense of the 
 in\pprtance of our being individually aroused and convinced 
 of the truth that a knowledge of religion, though not of our- 
 selves is in ourselves, " Because that which may be known 
 of God is manifest in them, for God hath showed it unto 
 them." We have no need to ascend into heaven to bring 
 Christ down from above, neither to descend into the deep 
 to bring him up from thence, for, as it is written, " The 
 Word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth and in thy heart; that 
 is the Word of faith which we preach." There was no eftbrt 
 on the part of Paul, when he wrote this to the Romans, to 
 draw them and bind them to an organization, nothing of 
 that kind, but his great concern, and that of his co-laborers 
 in the Church, was to impress upon the minds of the people 
 that the Saviour — by and. through whom they might be 
 brought from darkness into light and from the dominion and 
 power of Satan into the marvelous, light ^of the Truth of God 
 — was not far from any of them. Then was the Truth pre- 
 sented to the people in all its beautiful simplicity. But now, 
 after the lapse of so many centuries, we find there is a dispo- 
 sition to hold up schemes, plans, confessions of faith, and 
 elaborate systems of religion, that appeal to the intellect 
 rather than to the heart. Why is it that the people are will- 
 ing to be entertained by intellectual discourses, rather than to 
 listen to the plain truth, which brings conviction to the heart? 
 Why do they call upon those who " sew pillows under arm- 
 holes," instead of turning inward and listening to the 
 
SELECTIONS FROM SERMONS. 355 
 
 Teacher who would show them their real condition and 
 make plain the way of escape from the dangers that now 
 await them. 
 
 When we look around and see how much teaching of " re- 
 ligion" there is, and how much expense is involved in being 
 a Christian, the view is, indeed, discouraging, and marjy 
 become disheartened and turn away from all church organiz- 
 ations. Oh, that these, and that all of us, would take les- 
 sons from our inward Teacher, who would first point to the 
 line which separates Truth frbrti error, and having made 
 this plain, would then supply lis with grace sufficient to 
 enable us to keep on the right side of the line. If we de- 
 sire to have Christ for our Teacher we must enter his school, 
 where we shall find that the rules of discipline are all summed 
 up in one word, and that word is the all-important one, obe- 
 dience. Observe this, and our daily lessons of instruction 
 will broaden out before us and we shall feel our spiritual 
 part expanding and strengthening, until we can realize what 
 is meant by a groiMkin holiness. 
 
 I believe there are in this assembly not a few who desire 
 to be found walking in the way of well-doing, and whose 
 morning aspirations often ascend to the Father in the unvo- 
 cal but soul-felt language. Teach me thy will, make known to 
 me thy statutes, be my Guide and my Deliverer, that my soul may 
 lice. If such be the secret prayer of your hearts, dear friends, 
 whoever you are, wherever you are, no sectarian walls can 
 separate you from me, or us from each other. The love of 
 God, when it fills the heart of man, breaks down every bar- 
 rier; it obliterates all names; it reaches "from sea to sea and 
 from the river to the ends of the earth." 
 
 As we advance from one condition to another we are en- 
 
356 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 abled to speak of " that which was from the beginning, 
 which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, 
 which we have looked upon and our hands have handled, 
 of the Word of life. That which we have seen and heard 
 declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with 
 us. And truly our fellowship is with the Father and with 
 his Son, Jesus Christ." The work of religion will thus be 
 discovered to be a very simple one. And let us remember 
 that it is God's work with ourselves, that it is not the culti- 
 vation of the moral or of the intellectual powers, but the 
 listening to the voice of God as heard in the secret of the 
 soul. 
 
 It is well for us to read the Holy Scriptures and reverently 
 to accept what we find there recorded, but, at the same time, 
 to remember that, though we may read them from youth to 
 old age, they cannot save us, for there is but one thing that 
 can save us, and that is the power of God. I want that we 
 should understand these things, for my spirit at times tra- 
 vails in concern for the influences which are so moving the 
 people in this day to teach religion, to explain the Bible. 
 But when we attempt to explain anything so sacred how 
 important it is that we explain it aright, for otherwise our 
 explanation may do harm instead of good. There is grave 
 danger of the young having stamped upon their understand- 
 ing thoughts and opinions which spring from minds that 
 have not been enlightened by the influence of Divine grace. 
 Here comes the difficulty. The natural man can give only the 
 letter. He cannot make clear the meaning, the interpreta- 
 tion of that which holy men of old wrote or " spake as they 
 were moved by the Holy Ghost." If there is to you or to 
 me, value in that Holy Book, with a capacity to comprehend 
 
SELECTIONS FROM SERMONS. 357 
 
 the depth of ita meaning, it is as we come to be illuminated 
 by God's power. , For it is as this power breaks through the 
 shell or letter that.we can get at the kernel which is encased 
 therein. Hence, how important it is that those who attempt 
 to explain the meaning of the Holy Scriptures should them- 
 selves first have their understanding enlightened by Him 
 who would enable them to penetrate the shell, and thus find 
 the kernel. By all means let our children. rearf these sacred 
 writings, and let us have them read in our families and in 
 our schools, and there let the matter rest, saying to the adult 
 young people, a§ Paul did to Timothy, "And that from a 
 child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able 
 to make thee wise untp salvation through faith which is in 
 Christ Jesus." 
 
 It is he who has grown up by faith, grown in grace, who is 
 able to understand aright the writings of the holy men of 
 old, who " spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." 
 Until our ej-es are anointed with the eye-salve of God's king- 
 dom and we come to receive instruction from on high, we are 
 unable to crack through the shell of the Scriptures and to 
 extract from th^m the spirit or kernel ; and when we, in our 
 unenlightened state, attempt'to explain them to others, is it 
 not like the blind leading the blind ? 
 
 When we come to realize the wisdom, power, love and 
 grace of God, and are made willing to learn in the school of 
 Christ, we shall be preserved from teaching for doctrine the 
 commandments of any man, for we shall have the discerning 
 spirit that will enable us to discriminate between those whom 
 the Lord has anointed and those whom He does not anoint. 
 
 "We may remember it is recorded that there were shep- 
 herds who watched their flocks by night, to whom the angels 
 
358 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 declared that there had been born in Bethlehem, Christ the 
 Lord, and that there was where they should find Him. 
 These were they who, when they beh'eld the Babe, fell 
 down and worshipped Him. I would to God that each of 
 us may come to know the birth of this blessed Babe in our 
 souls. Oh, come, come, surrender self, and let the blessed 
 Saviour be brought forth in you and know Him as " -Won- 
 derful," " Counselor," " The Mighty God," " The Everlast- 
 ing Father," " The Prince of Peace." I desire not to 
 multiply words, but that we should weigh the value of the 
 religion of our Lord Jesus Christ, of which every one of us 
 may become the possessor, and by so doing he will add to 
 his happiness in the present state of being, and, on arriving 
 at the end of life's journey, will be permitted to join the 
 innumerable company of the redeemed, who "sing the song 
 of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, 
 saying, " Great and marvellous are thy works. Lord God 
 Almighty. Just and true are thy ways, thou King of 
 Saints !" 
 
 CHAPTEE X. 
 
 A RETROSPECT. 
 
 Having followed our friend through the different stages 
 of his life, we are now prepared for a Eetrospect, In order 
 to discover the sources of the influences by which it was 
 molded we must view that life from three distinct points. 
 
 As is the case with most lives, ancestry and environment 
 
A RETROSPECT. 359 
 
 played an important part in the molding, but far above 
 either of these, and more potent than both of them com- 
 bined, was the influence of the Holy Spirit. In tracing the 
 lines of his experience, unless we keep in view these three 
 factors, we fail to form a true estimate of his character or to 
 judge of his conduct aright. Inherited traits, surrounding 
 conditions and-devoted attention to the inward voicfe, made 
 Samuel J. Levick the natural man, the social man and the 
 Gospel minister that he was. 
 
 His ancestry was French, English and "Welsh,* and those 
 who knew him intimately could scarcely fail to observe the 
 marked traits attributable to these three sources. He was 
 alert, vivacious and social. He was candid, persistent and 
 tenacious of rights. He was brave, honorable and very 
 tender-hearted. Not only could the racial traits be noted, 
 but also the characteristics of certain individuals from 
 whom he had descended, though several generations re- 
 moved. In " Besse's Sufferings of Friends" may be found 
 the names of a number of his ancestors who evinced unusual 
 courage and unshaken loyalty to their convictions, while 
 they suffered the distraint of their property, the deprivation 
 of their liberty, or left their native land to find an asylum 
 where they would not be persecuted for conscience' sake. 
 
 In " Piety Promoted" is a very interesting account of 
 Peter Fearon (son of John and Elizabeth Fearon, the great- 
 great-great-grandparents .of Samuel J. Levick), who came 
 out in the ministry before he was twenty years old, who 
 traveled extensively and who was highly esteemed as a min- 
 ister and as a man. In the life of this Burlington Friend, 
 
 * The Levicks /ar bade were French ; the Manloves, Wetherills, Nobles and 
 Fearons were English ; the Joneses, Lewises and Hayeses were Welsh. 
 
360 LIFE OF SAMUEI, J. LEVICK. 
 
 who died one hundred, and thirty-three years ago, we may 
 trace parallels to the experience of his late relative.* 
 
 "We also find that three successive generations of the 
 Wetherills. were members of the " Council of Proprietors of 
 West Jersey," thus showing that they took an interest in the 
 affairs. of State as well as in those pertaining to the Society 
 of Friends, Samuel J. Levick fully" believed in the senti- 
 ment, traditionally accredited to William Penn, that " It is 
 neither a sin nor a fault to do what good one can in any 
 government." 
 
 His Welsh ancestors'were among the most worthy of that 
 very good people that ever landed upon our shores. The 
 journals of Friends traveling in the ministry refer to the 
 meetings at Merion, Haverford and Radnor, in terms which 
 give evidence of their appreciation of these Welsh worthies, 
 some of w4om ministered "in their native British tongue." 
 
 Passing from his ancestry to his surroundings, we find 
 him in a well-ordered home, the oldest (living) child of 
 watchful and tender parents, who sought to direct his phe- 
 nomenal activity into channels of usefuln^ess, and, without 
 too much restriction of his boyish love for sports, to keep 
 him within the pale of consistency for a child of concerned 
 Friends. At a suitable age, he was placed at Westtown 
 Boarding School, where, for three years, he was surrounded 
 by infiuences that were calculated to preserve hira in the 
 path of uprightness and to strengthen his loyalty to the So- 
 ciety of Friends. The school, the home-department, the 
 vigilance of the care-takers, the reading matter accessible to 
 the pupils, and, added to all these, the religious meetings, 
 were favorable to the preservation of innocence and to a 
 
 * See " Piety Promoted/' Vol. iv : p. 422. 
 
Ai RETROSPECT. 361 
 
 preparation for the reception of the higher law when it 
 should be revealed to them. 
 
 On leaving Westtown, the youth of sixteen returned to his 
 parental home in the city, and was there ready to learn 
 something new. The counting-house opened to him and 
 his father was his kind and interested instructor. He took 
 to business eagerly, and looked hopefully at the prospect 
 before him. The time soon came — sooner to him than to 
 many others — when he felt that he was a young man, and, 
 being socially inclined,. he enjoyed the society of those who 
 were of his own age, as also of many who were older. It 
 was then that he became so interested in the "moral reform" 
 movement, for it ministered to three of his desires, activity, 
 sociability and benevolence. When the business duties of 
 the day were over and the evening meal had afforded oppor- 
 tunity for pleasant family mingling, he felt ready for some- 
 thing else. Then it was highly gratifying to him to attend 
 a " reform" meeting and there to associate with those who, 
 like himself, were interested in the work of relieving the 
 oppressed and of elevating the degraded. 
 
 When in his twentieth year — looking toward a mercantile 
 life, and expecting to be taken into the firm with his father 
 on attainiiig his majority — a great trial came upon him as 
 an impression of duty. This very unexpected check seemed 
 likely to blight his prospects of business, to separate him 
 from the societies of which he was so active a member, to 
 deprive him of the social intercourse which he so much en- 
 joyed, and — more than all the rest — ^to take him away from 
 his home. The Friends' faith, which he had received by 
 inheritan'ce, imbibed with his ■ education and* adopted from 
 iionest conviction, was with him no mere fancy, no specula- 
 23 
 
362 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LBVICK. 
 
 tive theory, no rationalistic proposition to be subjected to 
 analysis and thus proved to be either true or false, but on 
 the contrary, it was a vital reality, which he could no more 
 overlook nor gainsay, than he could disbelieve in his physical 
 existence. 
 
 A fundamental and the distinguishing tenet of this faith is 
 a belief in the Divine Immanence, or the presence and ope- 
 ration of the Holy Spirit in the heart of man. With his 
 attendance at Friends' meetings, his acquaintance with th.pir 
 literature, his three years at Westtown Boarding Schooland 
 his guarded home-training, we may infer that one of his 
 keen susceptibility had received many tendering impressions, 
 and that he had learned from experience, as well as from 
 what came to him through books., sermons and parental pre- 
 cept, that it is of the utmost importance to give heed to the 
 still, small voice which may be heard in the secret of the soul. 
 This voice now. spoke to him, and the message which it 
 brought was most unwelcome to the natural man, since it 
 conflicted with his inclination, and the, requirement seemed 
 as unreasonable as the me-3sage was unwelcomei It said to 
 him that he should leave the city and learn to be a farmer. 
 
 In after years he told a member of his family that when 
 he first felt it would be required of him to leave his fond 
 parents, his brothers and sisters, his comfortable home, a 
 choice circle of friends, a promising business prospect, and 
 the many interests which he had in the city, he , mentally 
 exclaimed, " How can this be ?" so great was the trial to, 
 him and so contrary to reason did the requirement seem. 
 But at length it became so evident to him that he must go, 
 that, in simple obedience,,he yielded to the impression with- 
 out knowing why he should be thus led. He trusted, obeyed. 
 
A RETROSPECT. 363 
 
 and found pekce. His will was to be 'disciplined, and' it ^-as 
 better for him not to kiiow, nor to see,' what wa6 in itorc 
 for him, but to keep faiSthol'd of the Hand that was le'ading 
 him, and, with child-like confidence, to trust that he wotild' 
 be led aright. Now, in the retrospect, it all seenis plain; 
 but then he was walking by faith, and not by sight. As he 
 continued thus to walk, his spiritual expfe^ri'en^ie deepened, 
 he not only sought, but enjoyed, s'eas'ons of retirement, and, 
 as religious I'abQr opened befope himj he sky^ that'he'was to 
 go when aiid where the Master sent hini, arid that works, 
 how^ever good in themselves, would nbt be accounted his to 
 do, unless he had been called to engkge in them. In after 
 years how manifest was it to his friends, as w*ell as tci him- 
 self, that his 'getting away froha the city just' when he did 
 was in the ordering of a Wisdom superior td'h'is own, for it 
 not only bi'oiight his wiUunder th^ discipline 'of the cross, 
 but also provided for him a situation which was most favor- 
 able to his spiritual development. Day by day h6 was learn- 
 ing that it was gqod for him to be alone and to be s^ill. 
 When following hia plow hewa's favored, as his spiritual 
 ear was attuned, to Ji^ar that inward voice which spake tp.him 
 and counseled him as an earthly parent does his child. 
 
 Three lessons to be lea'rned by every one who feels called 
 to the work of the rninistry in the Society of Friends — a 
 surrender of the will, an endeavor to be quiet, and a strict -^ 
 attention to the inward voice^wete theh' given to him, and 
 it may be said that he learbed them with thoroughness and 
 fidelity. By this schooling tlie strong will of the natural 
 man was br'otight into subjection, the active worker found 
 that he must first become a passive listener, and the young 
 man, rich in possessions of various kinds, was made willing 
 
364 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 to sell all, take up his cross and follow his Master. His fre- 
 quent allusions to the favored seasons of spiritual commu- 
 nion that he enjoyed while working on the farm or Avhile 
 hauling on the road, indicate that these showers of blessing 
 fell -upon thirsty ground, for his heart was mellowed and 
 tendered thereby. 
 
 In that portion of the Diary referring to his first marriage 
 there is much that is instructive as well as pathetic, for his 
 reflections on this weighty subject evince the care that he 
 exercised to obtain " Divine permission" before, proceeding 
 to the fuffillmeot of those intentions which had beieu prompted 
 by inclination and sanctioned by human judgment. The 
 account of the illness and death of his wife give's us an idea 
 of his deep sense of bereavement, also of the necessity that 
 was laid upon him (rendered the more imperative from the 
 request of his companion that be would give her up) to en- 
 deavor to attain a state of resignation. This state he regarded 
 as something entirely different from a philosophical accept- 
 ance of the trials of life — for he was no rationalist — his hope 
 and his trust being those of the Christian believer. 
 
 His second marriage also was a truly happy one, and his 
 domestic life during those forty years was one of calm sun- 
 shine, save for the cloud occasioned by the loss of two sons. 
 These bereavements were, indeed, close trials to the parents, 
 but they Icnew in whom they trusted, and this knowledge 
 sustained them " in sorrow's darkest hour." Home, to Sam- 
 uel J. Levick, was a favored place and a choice retreat after 
 mingling with the busy throng in the secular affairs of life, 
 or after the suffering that he sometimes had to endure in get- 
 ting down into the state of a meeting for worship. On some of 
 his later journeys in the ministry his wife accompanied him. 
 
 I 
 
A RETROSPECT. 365 
 
 and when she remained at home .her sympathies went with 
 him, for though she always gave him up freely to travel on 
 Truth's account, yet she had an abiding sense of the hard 
 labor that he often had to perform in religious assemblies 
 before his burdened spirit could obtain relief. 
 
 As a business man his course has been followed, as office- 
 boy, farmer,jjmerchant and secretary; and none whp knew 
 him in any , of these stations could charge him with being 
 slothful or fndifferent to his duties. ]S"either could tie have 
 been called a hard task-master, nor have been regarded as 
 despotic toward those who were in his employ. He looked 
 upon wage-earners, however menial their employment might 
 seem, as helpers rather than as servants; and he rejoiced in 
 seeing these and all others, wham he could influence, in a 
 condition to enjoy life and to get from it the very best that it 
 is capable of yielding. The thought that all human beings 
 have one Father was ever present with him in the discharge 
 of his duties, and regulated his treatment of those who, 
 humanly speaking, were under his control. 
 
 He was also very considerate of the comfort of domestic 
 animals, from the time when he iirst began to be responsible 
 for their keeping : and in later years, when his official po- 
 sition gave him the power and furnished him with the op- 
 portunity to plead their cause, it did not change his feelings 
 toward the brute creation, but only placed him in a larger 
 field as their defender and guardian. 
 
 To say that he was a patriot would be stating a truism, 
 rather than adding anything to what he himself has said. 
 He loved his country and desired that it might be blessed 
 with peace and prosperity. He also felt that we should be 
 grat&ful for our civil righls, as well as for those which permit 
 
366 LIFE • OF- SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 US to worship without the trammel of established Church or 
 priestly domination. On this subject, as upon all others on 
 which he; expressed a sentiuient, he was candid and out- 
 spoken; for. while honestj, courage and benevolence had 
 abundant room in th^t heart, policy, hesitation and duplicity 
 found no place. His words, like his actions, were without 
 a mask, and thus borq testimony to the transparency of his 
 character,/, Wherx he opposed raen or measures he did it 
 qpenli/, and, after having stated his ^position as well as his 
 oppo§itij[)u, he met his opponents/as friends, not as enemies, 
 and by his frankness and cordiality, he would convince them 
 that he p.aj:ted, from them and from the subject " with malice 
 toiyard none, with charity for all." 
 
 As a.ppblic-spirited citizen, a philanthropist and a humane 
 man, hig reputation rests on the solid basis of merit, and 
 during the, last ten years of his life his efforts for the better- 
 ment of society might have permitted him, without arroga- 
 tion, to express the sentiment so often quoted, " I am a man, 
 and whatever concerns humanity is of interest to me." 
 
 It was, however, as a minister of the Gospel that he was 
 niost widely and most favorably known in the Society of 
 Friends, ancj in this responsible station he occupied a posi- 
 tion pec.ulia,r to himself. His early and ftill surrender having 
 aftbrded the necessary preparation, he canae forth when 
 called ;„he deepened in spirituality as he trod the narrow 
 way; he profited by experience; and, as the years rolled on, 
 he gradually broadened out in Christian charity for all. 
 While fully convinced, that the faith of Friends is sound 
 and. Scriptural in its basis, and that it was the one for him 
 to adopt, he did not condemn or judge harshly those who 
 had been differently educated, but by word and by action 
 
A RETROSPECT. 367 
 
 he plainly demonstrated that it is not only possible, but en- 
 tirely consistent to be loyal to our own religious denomina- 
 tion without being uncharitable toward others-^in short, to 
 be a denominationalist without being a sectarian. 
 
 Although often called to go among those of other denomi- 
 nations, and to appoint meetings in their houses of worship, 
 there is no account of his ever having given offense on these 
 occasions. On the contrary, they were am .ng' his most 
 favored opportunities, proving tendering to many hearts, 
 solemnizing to large assemblies, and yielding to the laborer 
 the precious reward of peace. 
 
 In common with the early Friends, he was a firm believer 
 in the record of the Holy Scriptures, as well as in their spir- 
 itual application to mankind in the present day, and in all 
 ages of the world. He also believed that the spiritual eye 
 must be anointed before the inward meaning of these Sacred 
 Writings can be understood so as to explain it to others for 
 their edification. "While very favorable to human learning, 
 and desirous that all, in their youthful days, might have the 
 opportunity to receive a liberal share of it, he was decidedly 
 opposed to the application of intellectual analysis or schol- 
 arly acquirements to the deep things of the Spirit. 
 
 As he was no man's copy, neither did he call upon others 
 to imitate him, but, with all the earnestness of Gospel au- 
 thority, he did appeal to them to " hear and obey" the 
 Inward Teacher, as by so doing they would experience 
 preservation on their perilous journey through life, and at 
 the end thereof be prepared for a happy eternity. 
 
 But the end crowns all: and the "peaceful" feeling that 
 pervaded the mind of our dear friend when there came to 
 him the presentation that his work was done, gave evidence 
 
368 LIFE OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 that an early and full surrender, followed by a long period 
 of faithful service in the Master's cause, had been accepted ; 
 and that, without regrets or fears to disturb him, he was 
 ready to hear the call and, in trustful faith, to adopt the lan- 
 guage of one of the early Friends, " I am sick in body, but 
 the Lord reigns gloriously in Zion. His power is over all 
 his enemies, I have sweet peace with Him that is the 
 Redeemer of Israel, and am now waiting for my Pilot to 
 conduct me to my long home." 
 
MEMORIAL OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. [)69 
 
 Memorial of Samuel J. Levick. 
 
 In conformity with the custom in our religious Society of 
 placing on record, for the encouragement of survivors, memo- 
 rials of deceased Frien'ds'who had in their day been con- 
 spicuous standard-bearers therein, we believe it right for us to 
 prepare this simple testimony t-oncerning- our late esteemed ' 
 friend, Samuel J. Levick. 
 
 He was the son of Ebenezer and Elizabeth W. Levick, 
 members of the religious Society of Friends, and was born 
 in Philadelphia, Eighth Month 30th, 1819. The guarded 
 care and training of his parents were as a hedge of preserva- 
 tion to their children, and helped to fit them for usefulness 
 in mature years. 
 
 From his infantile days Samuel was susceptible to the 
 tender influences of the Heavenly Father's love, and being 
 of a sensitive nature, his .sympathies were enlisted for the 
 poor, even in childhood. Li early youth he became inter- 
 ested in the colored people living in the lower part of the 
 city, mingling with them in their homes on First-day after- 
 noons, and reading to them and instructing them. He 
 afterwards procured a room, where others joined him in the 
 work of collecting and teaching them such lessons as would 
 advance and elevate them in life. He was a member of the 
 Junior Anti-Slavery Society, and was interested in other 
 associations having for their object the amelioration of the 
 condition of the human family. 
 
 Li the spring of 1841 he was married to Ellen, daughter 
 
370 MEMORIAL OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 of Caleb and Jane Foulke, of Quakertown, Pa., and settled 
 near there as a farmer. In a little more than a year after- 
 ward, this beloved companion was removed by death. He 
 subsequently married Susanna, daughter of Charles and .Jane 
 Mather, and continued to reside at Quakertown until 1848, 
 when they moved to Philadelphia. In 1857 they returned 
 to Quakertown, where he was engaged in business until 
 1874, when they again removed to this city, where he re- 
 sided the remainder of his life. 
 
 As he was faithful and obedient in youth to what he felt 
 called to engage in, he was fitted for a more extended field 
 of labor, and he became a public ambassador for Christ in 
 Ju& twenty-first year ; continuing in the work of the minis- 
 try for over forty-five years. Ilis gift therein was acknowl- 
 edged by Richland Monthly Meeting in Fourth Month, 
 1842, and confirmed by Abington Quarterly Meeting of 
 Ministers and Elders, in Fifth Month of the same year. He 
 did not shrink from declaring the whole counsel of God, 
 according to his understanding thereof, boldly and forcibly. 
 Earnest, animated, eloquent and frequently pathetic, bear- 
 ing the magnetism of his warm heart to his hearers, he was 
 an attractive preacher, especially to the young. His com- 
 munications were generally of a practical character, fre- 
 quently giving evidence that they were in the demonstration 
 of the spirit and with power, and when fully equipped in the 
 armor of his Lord and Master, no greater valiant could be 
 found in his service. His interest in the free ministry ot 
 the Gospel, and his faith in its conformity to the teachings 
 of Christ, were unbounded. Satisfied that the religious 
 Society of Friends was the one with which he should be 
 connected, and fully recognizing the ground of its establish- 
 
MEMORIAL OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 371 
 
 ment, he was yet no sectarian, but mingled freely with peo- 
 ple of all denominations, regarding all as children of the 
 same great and good Father. At times he felt called to 
 appoint meetings among those of other societies, which were 
 very satisfactory ; calling his bearers not to any creed or 
 form of worship, but ever encouraging them to live up to 
 the teaching of that Power which enlightens the conscience. 
 In our mid-week meetings at Race Street he was particu- 
 larly favored of latter years in addressing the hundreds of 
 school children there assembled, clearly presenting to their 
 comprehension many of the undisputed truths of the Gospel, 
 acknowledged by all Christian sects. He traveled much in 
 the work of the ministry, having visited all the Yearly 
 Meetings except Illinois, and very many of the meetings 
 composing them, and his company and services in the min- 
 istry were welcomed wherever he went. While he was not 
 without his seasons of trial and deep proving, he was ever 
 able to rise above these, and being blessed with a remarka- 
 bly cheerful disposition, he looked upon the bright side of 
 life, and feeling that he had a right to enjoy the good things 
 thereof without abusing them, he practically carried out 
 this view in his intercourse with the world. 
 
 Samuel J. Levick was a man of strong and earnest con- 
 victions, and very plain and outspoken in the expression of 
 his views. He was not a man to withhold his thought lest 
 the candid expression of it should make him enemies. Many 
 with whom he did not agree in sentiment were inclined to 
 think him too earnest and persistent in the expression of 
 his convictions, but perhaps this should be overlooked in one 
 so thoroughly hone.st and open in all his words and actions, 
 who never spoke disparagingly of any in their absence. His 
 
:\7'2 MEMORIAL OF SAMUEL J. LEVIOK. 
 
 Strong will and impetuous temperament were often a source 
 of anxiety, and we should mention as instrumentalities of 
 great help to him the steady discretion and wisdom of some 
 of his nearest friends, and the meek and quiet spirit of his 
 wife. He was deeply interested in public affairs, both na- 
 tional and local, active in the work of organized charities 
 in our city, and in the progress and education of youth. 
 For several yearShe'was the efficient Secretary of the " So- 
 ciety for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals," holding 
 this position at the^time of his death. 
 
 He was one of the delegates to Washington from our 
 Yearly Meeting in 1865, to express our sympathy with the 
 government aftei^the assassination of President Lincoln. 
 
 A week previous to his death he suffered from an attack 
 of oppression, to which he was subject, but was able to be 
 about the house most of the time. While sitting in his easy 
 chair at the close of a quiet First-day, he was peacefully 
 gathered to his rest, on the nineteentli of Fourth Month, 
 1885, in the sixty-sixth year of his age. His funeral, at Old 
 Merion Meeting House, was largely attended, and testimo- 
 nies were borne by several Friends in the ministry from dif- 
 ferent meetings. 
 
 Read in and approved by the Monthly Meeting of Friends, 
 
 of Philadelphia, held First Month 16th, 1889. 
 
 Alfred Moore, i ^, , 
 o T A y Clerks. 
 
 Sarah J. Ash, j 
 
 Read in and approved by Philadelphia Quarterly Meeting 
 of Friends, held Second Month 5th, 1889. 
 
 Isaac H. Hillborn, 
 
 Annie Shoemaker, ' 
 
 
APPENDIX 
 

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APPENDIX. 375 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 THE MORBIS ANCESTEY. ' 
 
 Susanna Morris Mather, who in 1844 became the wife of Samuel J. JL.evick,. 
 was the great-great-granddaughter of Susanna (Heath) Morris, an eminent 
 minister in the Society of Friends. This w:prthy Fyiend (for whom Susanna 
 Mather was named) was the wife of Morris Morris, who gave the land on which 
 the Friends'. Meeting-house, at Eichland, was built, and who endowed the 
 Friends' School at that place. The sons of Samuel and Susanna Ij^evick at- 
 tended this school, and played on the ground which had been donated to 
 Friends by their great-great-great-grandfather. Tracing backward the lineage 
 of these children, we find that their mother, Susanna Morris (Mather) Levick, 
 was the daughter of Charles Mather, whose parents were Isaac and Mary 
 Mather ; and Mary Mather was the daughter of Joshua Morris, wio was the 
 son of Morris and Susanna (Heath) Morris. 
 
 Hannah B. Lester and Jane M. Foulke (sisters of Susanna M. Levick) also 
 lived at Bichland, and had children attending this school ; so that at oije time 
 there were as many as fourteen of the descendants of Morris and Susanna 
 Morris who were pupils jn the Bichland Friends' School. 
 
 JOB BOBEBTS. 
 
 WIDELY KNOWN AS "THE PENNSYLVANIA FARMER." 
 
 Job Roberts and Mary (Naylor) Roberts were the grandparents of Suss|,nna 
 M. Levick; her mother, Jane (Roberts) Mather, being their only child (ex- 
 cept one who died at two years of age). The home in which Susanna Ijved 
 from the time of her birth to that of her marriage, was called " Woodla^n,'' 
 and the house stands on a part of the Roberts tract, .known as "jWoodlawn 
 Farm.'' It is situated in Whitpain Township, Montgomery County, Eenna, 
 Both the father and the grandfather of Job Roberts lived on this farm.. The 
 father died in his ninetieth year, the grandfather in his ninety-sixth, and .Job 
 himself (who died on the twentieth of Eighth Month, 1851) was in his ninety- 
 sixth year. The house in which he was born and in which he died, has, in- 
 serted in the gable, a date stone, engraved A. D.. ]„715. 
 
 "In the year 1791, Governor Mifflin appointed him a magistrate of the 
 county, and for a period of twenty-nine years he acted [in that] position with re- 
 markable credit and carefulness." The appointment had come to him unso 
 licited, and when he voluntarily resigned it, much regret was expressed. 
 
376 APPENDIX. 
 
 As a pioneer iu advanced ;igiiculture, he stood easily foremost in the State 
 of Pennsylvania for the time in which he lived, and it may safely be stated 
 that no man in this Commonwealth, since his death, has originaterl as many 
 important improvements in agriculture as he did during his long and neefnl 
 life. Inventors are often visionary, and not ulvxiyt practical ; but Job Roberts 
 presents us with an instance of one who combined mature deliberation and 
 excellent judgment with foresight, originality, ingenuity and great energy. 
 We have had many theoretical farmers, and very many practical ones, but in 
 him the two were combined. He lived long enough to see his inventions 
 extensively used and highly commended, and his theories put into practice by 
 the most intelligent farmers,.tliroughout the state. As u writer his style was 
 attract! v»'5->for.'th<M}gh. his. scholastic opportunities had been limited, his origi- 
 nality, close observation and analytical intellect enabled him to say just wliat 
 he wanted to, and to say it in such a manner as to be easily understood, and to 
 impress the reader with a sense of the earnestness and ability of the writer. 
 His great work "The Pennsylvania Farmer," will be likely to live, and to 
 stand as a monument, not merely to the memory, but to the /arsiyhtednesii of 
 its author. As a fitting close to this brief notice, the following extract from 
 "Historical Collections of Gwynedd," by Howard M. Jenkins, is a[ipended : 
 
 " Early in life he showed both mechanical and agricultural enterprise. He 
 did much to improve the methods of farming, planted hedges, introduced the 
 feeding of green fodder to cattle, instead of grazing, built a barn which was 
 enormously large, according to the usual standard, but which he soon had full 
 of crops ; and introduced, almost, if not quite, as early as Judge Peters, the 
 use of gypsum, or land plaster. In a volume which he published, in 1804, 
 called 'The Pennsylvania Farmer,' he said he had raised from ten acres of 
 land five hundred and sixty-five bushels of wheat; and afterward, about lo'M, 
 as he stated to the late Hon. Job R. Tyson,* he secured three hundred and 
 sixty bushels from a lot of six acres. He was one of the first in Pennsylvania 
 to introduce and breed Merino sheep, and during the movement to establish 
 the manufacture of silk, he was one of its most zealous promotei-s. ' Various 
 articles of silk manufacture, such as cloth, stockings and other parts of dress,' 
 were still in existence in 1856, of a date as far back as the Revolution. In 
 17S0 he drove to Gwynedd Meeting in a carriage of his own manufacture, and 
 this, it is said, was the only carriage then, and for twenty-five years after, seen 
 at that meeting. .... Altogether, his learning, his enterprise, his 
 abilities and his fine character, made him a notable figure of his lime." 
 
 * Job Uoberts TyS(m, a nephew of Job Roberts, and a member of Congness, 
 "in the fifties," owned and occupied thla^ home after the death of his niicle. 
 
APPENDIX. 377 
 
 WOODLAWN. 
 
 This place— several times referred to in the " Life" — was the home of Jane 
 Mather, the mother of Susanna M. Levick. Jane's great-grandfather lived 
 on this farm, and several of her great-grandchildren have resided in her old 
 home since her death ; thus making &men succcssitie- gtneraXwna that have had 
 Woodlawn for their place of abode. There are two large, old-fashioned stone 
 mansions, which— for distinction's sake — may be called the Eoberts and the 
 Mather homestead. Or, as they are usually designated, " Woodlawn Farm" 
 and " Woodlawn." 
 
 Job Koberts, "The Pennsylvania Farmer," named his home "Woodlawn 
 Farm ;" and when his only child, Jane, was married to Charles Mather, he 
 erected for them, on the eastern part of his farm, a house similar to the one in 
 which he was living. Into this new and spacious dwelling Charles and Jane 
 Mather moved, the year after their marriage, and in it they lived to the end 
 of their earthly journey. They were married in 1807, and Charles died in 
 1830. His widow survived him seventeen years. It was here, in the Mather 
 homestead, that all of their eight children were born, and that they all lived 
 until marriage or death caused their removal. There were six daughters and 
 two sons ; and of the eight, three are still living : Job Koberts Mather (who 
 owns and occupies the home), Jane M. Foulke, of Quakertown, Penna., and 
 Susanna M. Levick, of Philadelphia. It was in this house that Susanna Mor- 
 ris Mather was married to Samuel J. Levick, on the seventeenth of Tenth 
 Month, 1844. Her mother was carried down-stairs that she might be present 
 at the marriage, which took place in the parlor. [Jane Mather was, for many 
 years, so disabled by rheumatism, that she could not help herself, and the 
 many visitors at her home could not fail to be impressed with the uniform 
 patience, the cheerful demeanor of the chronic invalid, and the devoted at- 
 tention of her daughters, who so tenderly ministered to her wants.] Susanna's 
 son, Lewis J. Levick, and his family, at one time made Woodlawn their sum- 
 mer home, his' children being the seventh generation that has lived there. 
 Lewis, himself, well remembers his great-grandfather, Job Roberts, as do sev- 
 eral others of the great-grandchildren, thus making four generations that have 
 mingled pleasantly together in one or the other of the mansions on Woodlawn 
 Farm. The Eoberts homestead is now owned (and occupied during part of 
 the year) by the family of the late Moncure Eobinson. 
 
 Before leaving this old home it should be noted that the generous hospi- 
 tality dispensed here, has left its impress on a large circle of friends (as well as 
 on the descendants), who have heard their parents, or their grandparents, speak 
 of pleasant visits at Woodlawn. 
 24 
 
378 APPENDIX. 
 
 PENLLYN. 
 
 Approaching, but not encroaching upon, Woodlawn Farm, is the collection 
 of beautiful homes (it would be a misnomer to call it a vUlage), known as 
 Penllyn. This settlement takes its name from the station on the North Penn- 
 sylvania Bailroad (now a part of the Beading system), around which it has 
 grown up. In the year 1848 was published a map of Montgomery County, and 
 many of the subscribers to said map chose home names for their places, to be 
 engraved upon it. George Spencer, Jr., called his home Penllyn, as the house 
 stands on the site of the one erected by his great-great-great-grandfather, 
 Edward Foulke, who came from Wales in 1698. This Edward Foulke traced 
 his ancestry — far back — to Rhirid Flaidd, Lord of Penllyn, so there seemed 
 to be an appropriateness in the name. When, in 1855, the railroad station 
 was erected on a part of this farm, it was named Penllyn ; the euphony of 
 which was acceptable to the neighbors, though some found difficulty with the 
 orthography, but on being told that it was good Welsh, they soon learned to 
 spell it correctly. 
 
 RICHAED LEVICK. 
 
 [One of his great-great-grandchildren contributes the following notes con- 
 cerning this early Delawarean. — Ed.] 
 
 In reference to ray great-great-grandfather, Kichard Levick, all the infor- 
 mation I have concerning him, is what I found in " Scharf's History of Dela- 
 ware from 1609 to 1888." On page 1031 it says : " In 1683 William Penn or- 
 dered that a town be laid out for the Governor, to be called Dover, and that 
 the court-house and prison be built on the cross street of said town. The lo- 
 cation of the proposed town was not, however, determined at that time. A 
 settler named ThomaB Williams had located a tract of four hundred acres 
 called Tidbury, on the south side of Dover Eiver, and a branch now known 
 as Tidbury Branch, of which one hundred acres were purchased by Richard 
 Levick, who, in 1684, with his wife, donated it to the county. The proffer 
 was made by Levick in open court, and William Clark, the county surveyoi-, 
 was instructed to resurvey the land of Tidbury, together with that of Abraham 
 Pratt, and whatever cleared land was vacant ' for the good town of Dover.' 
 Although this site was not adopted, it was popularly regarded as the prospective 
 county seat." 
 
 A note at the bottom of the page says : 
 
 "In a deed, executed May 2nd, 1688, Saramarke, an Indian, conveyed to 
 Norton Claypoole a tract of land ' on this side of Dover River, about three 
 
APPENDIX. 379 
 
 miles from the place that Dover towne is intended to be built.' The part of 
 Tidbury tract selected was in Murderkill Hundred, on the road from Dover 
 to Frederica, and on the high land between Tidbury branch and Five Points, 
 and is said to be the highest point of land in the county. It was one and a 
 half miles from navigable waters, and a better location in several respects than 
 the present site.'' 
 
 The only other item which I have copied [from the same work, p. 1029], 
 concerning Eichard Levick,* is that his name is found among others signed to 
 a petition to Governor Andross, dated " February 4, 1680," asking for a more 
 convenient place for holding court, as the difficulty of getting there from their 
 homes was very great, owing to the condition of the roads through which they 
 had to travel to reach there. E. R. L. 
 
 WILLIAM LEVICK'S KINDNESS. 
 
 EXTRACT FROM THE " RECOLLECTIONS OF ELIZABETH Vr. LEVICK." 
 
 "As illustrating this neighborly kindness, a little incident in the life of Wil- 
 liam Levick [Samuel's grandfather] may be here recorded. Passing by the 
 house of one of his poor neighbors he found him in great distress, and learned 
 that he was almost without food for his children, and that his only cow had 
 just died. Returning to his home he selected one of his best cows from the 
 herd and ordered his man to drive her to his neighbor. His daughters learn- 
 ing what was going on, remonstrated with their father, and asked that some 
 other cow than " Fill-pail," as she was called, might be sent. His reply was, 
 " Johnny Hill has no cow, we have many cows ; ' Fill-pail' is the very kind 
 of cow that he needs ;" and " Fill-pail" went to him. 
 
 SAMUEL W. JONES. 
 
 Samuel J. Levick was named for his mother's only brother, Samuel Weth- 
 erill Jones, a well known and highly esteemed citizen of Philadelphia, who 
 died on the twenty-first of Eleventh Month, 1870, in the ninety-third year of 
 his age. He and his wife, Mary Coe Jones, celebrated the sLxty-eighth anni- 
 versary of their marriage, on the seventh of Fourth Month, 1870. They were 
 married in Friends' Meeting-house, Burlington, New Jersey, and George 
 Dillwyn, the eminent minister, appeared in supplication on the occasion. Sam- 
 uel W. Jones was, like his sister Elizabeth, a life-long resident of Philadel- 
 phia. An obituary notice of him which appeared in the Philadelphia Press, 
 
 * The name here Is written Levick*. 
 
380 APPENDIX. 
 
 closes with this paragraph, " It is not our purpose unduly to eulogize the dead 
 and yet it is hut just to say that after a long business career, after a very long 
 private life, there remains of our friend and fellow-townsman, the gratefiil 
 memory of a spotless reputation, and of an integrity of character which 
 knew no decay in a life extending over nearly a century." 
 
 A LETTER FROM THE MOTHER OF SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 Philadelphia, Eighth Month 12th, 1866. 
 
 My Dear Samuel : — 
 
 It is a long time since I have seen thee, and I have been wondering why it 
 was so. I felt quite disappointed thee did not get here last week, as it was 
 thy usual time for giving us a call, but as thee did not come, thought I would 
 try to write a few lines to thee, though my writing days seem to have passed. 
 I very seldom write a letter now, my sight being so poor. 
 
 I heard thee had some prospect (though I have not heard whether it was 
 concluded upon) to pay a visit in a distant land. I hope the concern is a right 
 one, and although thee has arrived at years of understanding, yet perhaps a 
 little advice from an aged mother may be accepted by thee. I know thy natural 
 disposition is social, but I want thee to be careful, in traveling along, not to 
 talk too much in the cars, particularly on politics, as there seems great com- 
 motion in the political world at this time ; neither on war ; and as thy view 
 is to teach others, I hope thee may be taught by the great Teacher himself, 
 who may go before and preserve thee in the right way, the way everlasting, 
 and when thy visit is accomplished, thee may return in peace, that peace the 
 world cannot give, neither take away. 
 
 Feeling my mind turned toward thee, I felt most easy to drop these lines, 
 hoping they may not pass away like the morning dew, but be like " bread 
 cast upon the waters, found after many days," and when thy mother's head is 
 laid low, thee may remember her great desire that her children should walk 
 in the Truth, and though she be absent from them, tJiey are not forgotten by 
 her. 
 
 I should like to know when thee expects to leave. 
 
 James left us on Fifth-day last for Long Branch, and I expect William went 
 yesterday to Atlantic CSty, as he expected to. Uncle and Aunt as well as 
 usual, also J. L. C's family. And with love to you all, I remain as ever, 
 
 Thy affectionate mother, 
 
 E. W. L. 
 (Aged seventy-nine years.) 
 
APPENDIX. 381 
 
 THE RESTORATION OF MOTHER'S SIGHT* 
 
 BY JAMES JONES LEVICK, M. D. 
 
 And they brought her the dear old Bible 
 
 And she opened the Book aright, 
 And read from its blessed pages — 
 
 " God said, let there be light !" 
 Then we knew that his finger had touched her. 
 
 Had given her back her sight, 
 That her blindness was gone forever, 
 
 That " her evening time was light !'' 
 There was light that day in our dwelling, 
 
 In other eyes than hers. 
 And songs of sweet thanksgiving 
 
 From grateful worshippers. 
 And all day long in our hearing, 
 
 There were — or there seemed to be — 
 Sweet voices which chanted the old-time words, 
 
 " I was blind — ^but now I see !" 
 Sweet voices which chanted the old-time words, 
 
 " I was blind — but now I see !" 
 
 And so from that day onward 
 
 Came slowly to her sight 
 The rich bright hues of autumn. 
 
 The winter's robe of white ; 
 Fresh bloom of early spring-time, 
 
 Warm summer's wealth of flowers. 
 The glories of the daylight. 
 
 And sunset's golden hours ; 
 Faces of those who loved her, 
 
 Needle and book and pen. 
 The firm step for the faltering. 
 
 New health and strength again ! 
 
 [*Elizabeth W. Levick, of Philadelphia, who had been blind for several 
 years, had her sight restored by an operation, when in her eighty-fifth year.] 
 
382 APPENDIX. 
 
 AN EXTRACT 
 
 FROM THE "recollections OF ELIZABETH W. LEVICK." 
 
 " I think it was nearly ten years from the time that the first diminution of 
 sight was noticed until I was entirely blind. 
 
 " I have more than oilce been asked what were my sensations during this 
 period of blindness, and what was its effect upon my mind. There was, I ac- 
 knowledge, a sense of dependence and a feeling of timidity, but there was also 
 a wonderful sense of peace — I had almost said of happiness — with it. It was 
 as if an inward sense had been found in the place of the outward one, which 
 was lost, so that I cannot at all look back to the time of my blindness as one 
 of unmixed darkness and gloom. But it was, of course, a great deprivation 
 to me, who had always led the active life I had. To be cut off from my nee- 
 dle, my pen and my books, to take no step alone, to have even my food cut up 
 for me as for a child ; ... to see nothing of the bright, blue sky, and the 
 flowers of which I had always been so fond ; all these things were, I say, 
 great deprivations. But, I must repeat it, there was with the blindness a 
 sense of calm, peaceful happiness, which I cannot forget, and which, if it be 
 always present with the blind, is a wonderful compensation for the loss of 
 sight." 
 
 WILLIAM M. LEVICK. 
 
 Samuel J. Levick keenly felt the bereavement occasioned by the death of 
 his brother William, which occurred on the tenth of Sixth Month, 1874. 
 There was only a year and a half difference in their ages, and they were very 
 closely united, until death severed the bond. Although William was the 
 younger, Samuel appreciated his calm deliberation and good judgment, and 
 was wont to pay great deference to his wise counsel. The difference of tem- 
 perament in the two seemed to strengthen the bond of affection. 
 
 During the firet twenty-two years of his life, William M. Levick was a 
 member of the Monthly Meeting of Friends for the Northern District of Phila- 
 delphia. In his twenty-third year he ceased to attend that meeting and had 
 his name entered upon the books of the Monthly Meeting of Friends held at 
 Green Street, Philadelphia. Of this meeting he continued to be a consistent 
 and active member for the remainder of his life. Both he and his wife being 
 much given to hospitality, they entertained many country Friends, and in this 
 way, as well as by their stations in the meeting, they exercised an influence 
 which was widely felt. Friends from different parts of the country — some 
 
APPENDIX. 383 
 
 from other Yearly Meetings— could speak of the comfortable, home-like feeling 
 which they enjoyed when under the roof of William and Hannah Levick. An 
 aged minister, who was often their guest, took pleasure in referring to Wil- 
 liam's familiarity with the writings of the early Friends and the facility with 
 which he could find in them a passage or a sentiment when wanted. 
 
 The following extract from an article in one of the daily papers shows the 
 esteem in which William M. Levick was held by one who was not in any way 
 associated with the Society of Friends : 
 
 '' Eulogy of the dead is so common, and often so undeserved, that the sensi- 
 tive mind shrinks from a public notice of a departed friend. But there are 
 occasions when men are taken away about whose lives there has rested none 
 of the glare and show which forced recognition, but whose loss is felt and 
 deplored by hundreds in the quiet, retired paths of life, trodden by the great 
 majority of mankind, and their worth has been such that simple justice seems 
 to demand more than the usual record of their departure. Such an occasion 
 is presented in the death of William M. Levick. 
 
 " By birth, education and matured conviction, a member of the religious 
 Society of Friends, how he lived in honest accord and consistency with his 
 professions, and in unselfish usefulness and the maintenance of good works, can 
 be best vouched for by those of the same household of faith. Many who dif- 
 fered from him in education and belief, of whom the writer is one, delight to 
 remember and bear witness of his. remarkable freedom from bigotry, cant and 
 uncharitable constructions of other men's motives and opinions. He seemed 
 to be imbued with that charity which thinketh no evil. 
 
 "As a member of the legal profession, and confining himself exclusively to 
 office practice of that branch of the law, having to do with real estate and the 
 administration of estates, he wielded an influence and was in the control and 
 direction of interests to an extent totally unknown nor dreamed of by the. 
 members who met with him as the quiet, unobtrusive business man. 
 
 " He was not given to demonstrations of his influence and business, as the 
 manner of some is. Indeed, he had, in all respects, to be known intimately to 
 be understood and appreciated. 
 
 " Within the sacred enclosure of the family circle, where the real man is 
 revealed, his death brings a sorrow with which the stranger may not inter- 
 meddle, and of which more than a mention is here out of place. 
 
 " May the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who has in wisdom 
 stricken them, bind up their broken hearts, give them strength for the burden 
 He has cast upon them, lift up the light of his countenance upon them, and 
 give them peace." 
 
384 APPENDIX. 
 
 JAMES J. LEVICK, M. D. 
 Dr. James J. Levick died suddenly on First-day, the twenty-fifth of Sixth 
 Month, 1893. His funeral, on the following Fourth-day, was at Friends' 
 Meeting-house on Twelfth Street. It was very large. 
 
 [From the Philadelphia Dally Evening Telegraph, .Tune 27th, 1893.] 
 
 In Mbmoriam. 
 
 Dr. James Jones Levick, who died suddenly on Sunday, was one of Phila- 
 delphia's most prominent physicians. He was born in this city July 28, 1824. 
 His early education was completed at Haverford College, and soon after this 
 he commenced the study of medicine, under the supervision of the late Dr. 
 George B. Wood, who was his preceptor, and graduated at the University of 
 Pennsylvania in 1847. 
 
 He soon built up a large and lucrative practice, which he retained until his 
 death. , 
 
 He was elected a member of the medical stafl' of the Pennsylvania Hospital 
 in 1856, and served a period of twelve years and five months, resigning in 
 1868. He had previously served the Hospital as a resident physician during 
 the years 1849 and 1851. 
 
 Dr. Levick was elected a Fellow of the College of Physicians in April 
 1851 ; he was for forty-one yeai-s physician to the Magdalene Asylum ; physi- 
 cian to the Wills' Eye Hospital from 1853 to 1865 ; a member of the American 
 Medical Association since 1864, and of the Academy of Natural Sciences of 
 Philadelphia since 1865. In 1855 he was elected a member of the Historical 
 Society of Pennsylvania, and in 1 853 a member of the Philadelphia County 
 Medical Society. 
 
 Dr. Levick was a frequent contributor to the medical journals, and his 
 papers on various medical subjects commanded widespread attention in this 
 country, as well as abroad. He wrote in 1861 a most valuable and important 
 paper on " Epidemic Influenza and Its Treatment." Dr. Levick was an au- 
 thority on historical subjects, especially on the early settlers of Pennsylvania. 
 He wrote a paper on the early physicians of Philadelphia, which was ex- 
 haustive, instructive, and most entertaining. This was prepared at the request 
 of the Association of the ex-Resident Physicians of the Pennsylvania Hospital, 
 and read by him at the first meeting of that Association. • 
 
 He was early identified with the Welsh Society, and became one of its most 
 prominent members, as his grandfather was before him. His last literary 
 work, read before the Historical Society, which is now in the printer's hands. 
 
APPENDIX. 385 
 
 is entitled "The Early Welsh Quakers and Their Emigration to Pennsyl- 
 vania." 
 
 Dr. Levick, as a teacher of medical students, in the amphitheatre, and at 
 the hedside of the patient, was unsurpassed. His delivery was clear, concise, 
 and thorough. He was a member of what in olden times was known as a 
 Quiz," the reputation of which was known all over the country, and was con- 
 tinued until the methods of medical education were radically changed. 
 
 The friendships so formed among the younger medical men oontinned until 
 the present. 
 
 The Welsh mottoes which adorn the Bryn Mawr Hotel were devised by 
 Dr. Levick, who spent part of two summers in Wales, going over the country, 
 freshening old memories, and securing historical data. He was a most pru- 
 dent, safe and conservative physician, and was constantly sought by his fellow- 
 practitioners in consultation. Dr. Levick was a man of excellent literary 
 attainment, was poetical, and wrote considerable which might suitably be pre- 
 served. In disposition, he was markedly social, was a good entertainer, a true 
 and loving friend. He died a member of the religious Society of Friends, in 
 which he had a birthright, whose views were his, not only by education, but 
 by strong conviction. 
 
 A WESTERN TOUR.* 
 
 This journey, through portions of the States of Pennsylvania, New Jei-sey, 
 New York, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Virginia was made, in company with 
 my father, in the Autumn of 1840. 
 
 Leaving Philadelphia on the third of Eighth Month, I went by stage to 
 Quakertown, Penna., where three days passed pleasantly with kind friends. 
 On the sixth [ took the stage for Easton. , As we were passing through a por- 
 tion of Bucks County, one of the passengers, an Irishman, remarked that he 
 had not seen any good corn since he left Pennsylvania. At Bethlehem, a young 
 clergyman took passage with us, and he and I soon became acquainted. At 
 Easton we stopped at the same inn and continued our conversation through 
 the evening. Much was said by both, and I found him a learned disputant in 
 the schools of man, but quite the reverse in the school of Christ. We conversed 
 on various subjects connected with the Christian religion, and I hope the in- 
 terview was not unprofitable. He seemed pleased that we had met. 
 
 * Made by Samuel J. Levick when twenty-one years of age. 
 
386 APPENDIX, 
 
 On the following morning I left Easton for the Monroe Tannery, where 
 father joined me. During our stay, George Dillwyn Jones, brother James and 
 myself, went up the mountain, and by strolling after berries, we should have 
 lost our way had it not been for the precaution which I had taken to blaze the 
 trees with my knife. I mention this for the instruction of those who may read 
 this account. .\ few days later, James Bear and myself took a walk up Bear 
 Mountain, and an interesting one it proved to be. It was one of those after- 
 noons of the late summer, when a clear atmosphere and a bright sky mark the 
 approach of autumn. The beauty of the landscape was enhanced by the dis- 
 tinctness with which distant objects could be seen. We regaled ourselves with 
 whortleberries — which were abundant — and witli clear cold water from the 
 brook. In the distance we saw the Neversink Hills, which stretch across the 
 northern part of New Jersey, while southward was a fine view of the Delaware 
 Water Gap. We feasted our eyes from this natural observatory until the sun 
 began to lengthen out our shadows, and the ruddy appearance of the western 
 sky reminded us of approaching night. On the homeward journey we heard 
 the distant sound of a bugle, reminding us of what we had read about the Al- 
 pine Shepherds calling their flocks at eventide, by blowing the familiar horn. 
 The shades of evening were gathering when we reached our comfortable quar- 
 tei-s, somewhat fatigued, yet pleased with the afternoon's excursion. 
 
 On Seventh-day afternoon, I went to Eaaton, where father joined me on the 
 following day, and, for about six weeks, we were traveling companions. 
 On Second-day we went to New York, by stage as far as Bound Brook, cars 
 thence to Elizabeth Port, and steamboat up the bay to the great commercial 
 city. Before arriving at the pier we saw, in the distance, a, large, moving 
 object, which, on nearer view, proved to be the trans- Atlantic steamer, Presi- 
 dent. We went to Castle Garden to see the great leviathan come in. The 
 arrival was announced by the foolish practice of firing guns. Crowds of peo- 
 ple had gathered to witness the landing . . . We chose for our stopping 
 place the Merchants' Hotel, a very comfortable hostlery of which Charles 
 Wyckofl' is the proprietor. In the afternoon went to " The Swamp" — the 
 great mart for leather merchants — and in the evening, after a walk, retired 
 early to our comfortable beds. The gentle Morpheus, administering his spirit, 
 we were soon wrapped in his arms, and thus remained until awakened by the 
 light of another day. . . Third-day, eighteenth, we left New York for a 
 sail up the noble Hudson. Our steamer was the favorite one, named Tlie Troy. 
 It is three hundred feet long, and plies between New York and Albany. We 
 took passage for Poughkeepsie and had the pleasure of meeting some friendsi 
 
APPENDIX. 387 
 
 who were bound for the same place. So we formed a company of six to enjoy 
 together the scenery on the banks of the grandest of American rivers. 
 
 After passing the Palisades, we came to an expansion of the river, known 
 as Tappan Zee. On the east bank stands the village of Tarrytown, near which 
 the youthful Andre wa-s captured, and had to pay the forfeit of his life for 
 being a spy. A little farther north is Sing Sing, where there is a prison hav- 
 ing eight hundred separate cells, and incarcerating nearly one thousand pris- 
 oners. Having passed tlii-ough Haverstraw Bay, we came to the Highlands) 
 which extend for miles along the river, and at one place have a height of fifteen 
 hundred feet. These mountain barriers are supposed by some geologists to have 
 arrested the coiu-se of the river, and caused it to form a lake, which covered 
 the land to a considerable distance north and west ; but owing to some con- 
 vulsion of nature, they gave way, and thus the water of the lake escaped, and 
 went south to New York Bay. Among the Highlands on the west side of the 
 river, at a place called West Point, is the U. S. Military Academy. 
 
 Above these mountains the river is wider, and the country more level. 
 Newburg stands on an acclivity, and has eight thousand inhabitants. Beyond 
 it is Milton, said to be half way between New York and .\lbany. At Pough- 
 keepsie, our friends and ourselves went ashore, and at Hoyt's Hotel found good 
 entertainment. The afternoon and evening were passed very agreeably at the 
 house of our friend, Samuel Smith. About ten P. M. father and self boarded 
 a boat for Kingston, where we stopped at Pardee's Hotel and rested comforta- 
 bly. In the morning our landlord supplied us with a horse and buggy, to go 
 to the tannei-y at Napponock. It was about noon when we arrived at the vil- 
 lage, and found Judge Ludnum, to whom father had a letter of introduction 
 from Valentine Everit, of New York. The Judge was very courteous, and 
 disposed to give us all the information that we desired concerning " Cox's 
 Roller and Belt System of Tanning." After taking us to Shock's Tannery, 
 where this system is in operation, he went with us to several places of interest 
 in other lines of business. One of the buildings visited was a stone one, five 
 stories in height, and formerly used as a tannery. In the upper part of this 
 structure, father trod on a loose board and came near being precipitated into 
 the vats below, but was saved by timely assistance which I was enabled to ren- 
 der him. From Napponock we went to the Laokawack Tannery, with a horse 
 and vehicle furnished us by the Judge, and also provided with a letter from 
 him to the foreman. We found the latter not only well acquainted with his 
 business, but also accommodating, and disposed to give us the full benefit of 
 his knowledge of tanning. The building is a wooden one, two hundred and 
 fifty feet long and a story and a-half high, containing one hundred and forty 
 
388 APPENDIX. 
 
 vats, and haring a capacit; for tanning twenty thousand sides of leather at 
 one time. After making our observations we returned to Napponock, and 
 passed the evening at the hotel, partly in listening to a conversation carried 
 on by the landlord and one of his guests, on the subject of religion ; the re- 
 marks of both were good. Before retiring we accompanied the Judge on a 
 walk through the village, and then took leave of him. 
 
 Next day we drove back to Kingston, and went thence to Albany, by the 
 favorite steamer, The Troy. We had a fine view of the Catskill Mountains in 
 their grandeur, and after passing Athens, Hudson, Kinderhook and other land- 
 ings, we came in sight of Albany. This city, like most of those on the Hud- 
 son, is situated on rising ground, so that it shows to good advantage from 
 th& river. We stopped at the American House, kept by Job Thomas, and 
 after supper took a stroll through the city, visiting the State House, City Hall, 
 etc. Albany impressed me as being a place of great wickedness — so much pro- 
 fanity and bad conduct made it unpleasant even to the visitor. On retiring to 
 our room, and examining the beds, we found them infested with red arjfg, which 
 are a great annoyance to the people of this place. These little disturbers of 
 rest were so numerous that we applied to our landlord for a change of room, 
 where we (or rather I) slept soundly. On Sixth-day morning we took the 
 train for Utica. 
 
 Soon after leaving Albany we were taken down an inclined plane similar to 
 the one on the Schuylkill, near Philadelphia. The soil, as far as Schenectady, 
 appeared sandy and sterile ; but after getting fairly into the valley of the 
 Mohawk, the land looked as if rich and well tilled. Broom-corn was abund- 
 ant and luxuriant. Our car was divided into three compartments, and I was 
 pleased to note that one of them contained two colored men along with the 
 white passengers. Soon after leaving Schenectady, however, I observed that 
 the whites had all left the compartment, and that an Indian family and the 
 two colored men were ihe only occupants of it. On inquiring into the matter 
 I learned that the whites had complained of being compelled to ride with 
 "niggers," and so the conductor had ordered the Indian and his family to 
 come into this compartment, giving up to the whites (who were unwilling to 
 ride with " niggers") the places which they had been occupying. Thus we 
 see that Indian and African come under the same ban of proscription. 
 
 Before reaching Utica, I met, on the train, James C. Fuller, on his retui-n 
 from " The World's Convention," recently held in London, for advancing the 
 cause of universal freedom. We dined together, and then called on William 
 Godell, editor of The Friend of Man, with whom we conversed until time to 
 take the train for Syracuse. I soon entered the compartment occapied by my 
 
APPENDIX. 889 
 
 dusky brethren, and on opening the door, one of them said to me, "Are you not 
 afraid to come in here ?" On assuring him that I was not, he bade me welcome 
 among them. Both of these colored men appeared to be respectable, and their 
 conversation proved them to be quite intelligent. They were on their return 
 from a convention which had been held at Albany, for the purpose of endeav- 
 oring to induce the Ptate Government to grant to them, more fully, their po- 
 litical rights. We conversed on various subjects. I also talked with my Indian 
 brother, >vho is a chief of the Onondago tribe. He desired to know if I was 
 one of those who was going to assist in their emigration. 1 told him I was 
 not. On my asking if they were going West, he said they were divided as to 
 choice of settlement, though most of them would go to Canada, if the rulers of 
 the United States insisted on their leaving New York ; but added, that they 
 wanted to stay. I then asked whether, if they removed to Canada, they would 
 not have to come under the control of the British Government? He answered 
 that he supposed they would. I enquired why not settle in this country, and 
 be subject to the United States Government? His reply was about as follows, 
 " No, Americans treat Indians so bad. They hate Indians. White men think 
 they got better color than Indians, so they want Indians away." As he had a 
 son along with him, I asked him if they taught the young Indians to fight. 
 He said, " No, we think it wrong to fight." Woe ! woe ! may be unto thee, 
 thou land of niy birth, if thou continuest to trample on the rights of an inno- 
 cent and peaceable people, who, when our fathei-s landed on these shores, 
 destitute and far from home, took them in, clothed and fed them. And now, 
 my country, in the days of thy prosperity, canst thou turn away the depressed 
 sons and weeping daughters of those who were the benefactors of our forefa- 
 thers ? Canst thou remove them from their homes, and the graves of their 
 sires — by them held so dear — Oh ! where are thy feelings of gratitude ? Have 
 they been swallowed up in thy eagerness for possessing a tract of land which 
 is as a speck on thy vast domain. And now, if thou hearkenest not to the 
 cries of the poor, our God, who sees their afflictions, will come down for their 
 deliverance, and with an outstretched arm, will rescue them from their op- 
 pressor, or thou wilt feel his chastening rod ! . . . Between Utiea and 
 Syracuse we passed the Oswego Indian Reservation, and here the chief and his 
 family left the train. At Syracuse we were detained awhile, and the mingled 
 cries of hackmen, hotel-runners and packet-agents, filled our ears. After a 
 time of this confusion we got started on the Auburn cars, and in the course of 
 a few hours arrived at that city, and were piloted to the American Hotel, 
 which is an excellent house, being well ordered for the comfort of the traveler. 
 Next morning, at eleven o'clock, we took the stage for Waterloo, a distance 
 
390 APPENDIX. 
 
 of fourteen miles. On the way, crossed Cayuga Lake, on a bridge more than 
 a mile in length, and halted at the town of Cayuga. At Waterloo we stopped 
 over two days to visit friends ; dividing the time among the three families 
 Richard and Sarah Hunt, George Prior and wife, and the daughters of Thomas 
 M'Clintock. These young women — whose parents had gone on a journey — 
 set before me some eatables, not polluted by the foul stain of slavery. I par- 
 took of the repast with real enjoyment. We were kindly cared for at all three 
 of the places. On First-day, father — not feeling well — rested, and I went to 
 meeting with Richard Hunt. On Second day afternoon we took leave of our 
 kind friends and went by stage to Rochester. This is a fine agricultural coun- 
 try, and the lakes are a source of admiration to the traveler. They also are 
 uliiked as feeders to the canals. The timber, most abundant, is black ash and 
 maple. During the afternoon, in the stage, we had a discussion on slavery, 
 which gave me an opportunity to express my sentiments on this grave subject. 
 We passed through Geneva and Canandaigua, and arrived at Rochester about 
 half-past eight o'clock. 
 
 This place, which has grown up in a few years, is now quite a large town, 
 and has very extensive flour mills and some other manufactures. At present a 
 great work of engineering is being carried on here. The Erie Canal is to be 
 enlarged, and taken by a viaduct over the Genesee River. 
 
 On Third-day morning left Rochester for Niagara Falls, via Lockport. We 
 passed over the Ridge Road, a sort of natural turnpike, extending sixty miles 
 on the top of a ridge that, in many places, is not any more than wide enough 
 for the road, the banks descending on either side. The road-bed is level, and 
 hard as a turnpike. Probably never before did I see so much fruit in one day 
 — apples and peaches — ^the trees bending or breaking down with their weight. 
 Traveling rapidly for staging, we arrived at Lockport before five o'clock, and 
 rode up to take a view of the series of locks from which the place takes its 
 name. 
 
 This is one of the great works of man, and it shows his ability to overcome 
 the obstacles that impede his progress. Here we see the water of the Erie 
 Canal, and the boats that pass over it, raised » distance of eighty feet by a 
 series of live connecting locks. At five o'clock we boarded the train for Niag- 
 ara Falls, and in about two hours arrived at the village which bears tha* 
 name. During the day we had traveled nearly one hundred miles, sixty-four 
 being by stage, so we felt willing to leave our view of the Fall* until morn- 
 ing, though already had our ears been saluted by the sound of their roaring. 
 We took lodgings at the Eagle Hotel— a good house, with attentive officers — 
 and passed the evening in writing and in conversation. Our fatigue being a 
 
APPENDIX. 391 
 
 sufficient opiate, we were aaleep soon after retiring. As the morning sun shone 
 through our window, the low, dull sound of the cataract fell upon our ears, in- 
 forming us that we were at Niagara. Having taken our breakfast, and sup- 
 plied ourselves with a guide-book, we proceeded, in company with a friend, to 
 view one of Nature's mighty works. The first curiosity that attracts our 
 attention is the "Rapids," or the river above the Falls, making its way 
 among the masses of rock. These rocks, which are thickly studded from 
 shore to shore, for some distance above the Falls, arrest the flow of the water 
 in its rapid descent, and cause the spray to rise to the height of many feet. It 
 appears to the spectator as if each wave was trying to pass its fellow, in haste 
 to reach the seething gulf below. So great a volume of water pouring over 
 the rocks with such velocity, gives to the scene an a\yfully grand appearance. 
 Here we crossed a bridge to what is called Goat or Iris Island, paying twenty- 
 five cents each, and recording our names in a book kept by the custodian. He 
 also has quite a variety of articles for sale, among which walking-sticks figure 
 largely. Father purchased one of these, and found it very helpful. We fol- 
 lowed a hard, beaten path, made so by the footsteps of the many pilgrims who, 
 like ourselves, had been to pay homage (to use a quoted expression) to this 
 wonderful work of an Almighty Hand. We soon came to the brink of Eibbon 
 Fall. Here we stood in silent admiration, and viewed the mighty column rolling 
 in stately gi-andeur, down, down, into the sounding gulf. Leaving this part of tlie 
 island, we proceeded a short distance, and came to a wooden structure known 
 as the Biddle Staircase, so called from Nicholas Biddle, of Philadelphia, 
 who contributed the money to build it. Descending these stairs, we went to 
 the Cave of the Winds, where, owing to the structure of the rocks, there is a 
 great rushing of air from under the Falls On the other side of the staircase, 
 we have a view upward of the Canadian Fall. There is some danger incurred 
 in standing here, owing to the liability of portions of rock that overhang the 
 bank, to fall. It is a limestone formation, and the moisture to which it is ex- 
 posed, may at any time cause it to crack and fall to the earth below in pieces of 
 various sizes. The next point of especial note was Terrapin Tower. This 
 structure is built of stone. It is reached by crossing a short bridge, and as- 
 cended by a spiral staircase on the inside. The balcony at the top is sur- 
 rounded by an iron railing, and from it the visitor has the finest view of tlie 
 Falls to be obtained on the American side. 
 
 The river here is about three-fourths of a mile wide, and the. peculiar curve 
 in the rock-bed over which it falls, has given to it the name of Horse-shoe, 
 though it is more generally known as the Canadian Fall. Here we stood, look- 
 ing down upon the great sheet of water, roDing in majestic grandeur into the 
 
392 APPENDIX. 
 
 depth below, and sending up its cloud of spray. The morning being a bright 
 one, rainbows were added to the view, so that we had the awful grandeur of 
 the cataract, the delicate beauty of the mist, and the brilliant effects of color 
 to complete the picture. No speech can express, no pen portray, no pencil 
 delineate the beauty, the wonder and the awe-inspiring grandeur of Niagara 
 Falls. 
 
 Descending from Terrapin Tower, and recrossing the little bridge, we passed 
 on around Goat Island, viewing the Cascades and the Eapids, and then re- 
 turned to our hotel. Immediately after dinner we went down a short distance 
 below the Falls, and descending a flight of steps, stood at the margin of the 
 river, awaiting the return of a row-boat from the Canadian side. It soon ar- 
 rived, and in company with some others, we seated ourselves in it, and paid 
 eighteen and three-quarters cents each for the ferriage. Some of our company 
 received not only the moisture of the spray, but also the water that splashed 
 from the river. I, luckily, escaped the latter, but a young German who sat 
 next to me, was not so fortunate. In a few minutes after leaving the shore of 
 our own country, we were landed in the dominion of the youthful Queen. Al- 
 most the firat object that attracted our attention was a soldier, whose plaid scarf 
 and frock showed that he belonged to a company of Scotch Highlanders. These 
 British soldiers are placed at the ferry to prevent the escape of young Canadians 
 vyho might be inclined to desert from the array and go over to the United 
 States. Thus we see the means employed by sovereigns to keep the young 
 men who have once entered the ranks bound to their servile calling. But, as 
 an offset to the military despotism, it was a gratification to know that I was in 
 a country which is a secure asylum for the poor, hunted, down-trodden, 
 afflicted slave. How it gladdens my heart to feel that there are on this globe 
 places where slavery cannot exist. The poor fugitive from bondage puts his 
 foot on the soil of Canada, or of any other British possession, and that moment 
 he is free. But, to return to the narration of our journey. After passing 
 along some distance, we had a full front view of the middle Fall on the 
 American side. After enjoying this view, and trying to take it in, we passed 
 on to Table Rock, which is probably the best point of observation for a down- 
 ward look at the Falls The grandeur here displayed far surpasses the power 
 of mj/pen to describe. The deep-green waters crested with white foam, dash 
 over into the seething gulf below, while the rainbow, with its gorgeous color- 
 ing, lies on the surface of the river, and extends its graceful arch above and 
 around us. Eetuming to the ferry, we cross to the American side, and take 
 our leave of " Niagara's rolling flood" and " thundering cataract," pondering 
 
APPENDIX. • 393 
 
 with awe the wonder-working of that Power that "gathers the wind in his 
 fists," and holds the waters " in the hollow of his hand." 
 
 About five o'clock we took the train for Buflfalo and were hurried along over 
 a rough road, to the busy and promising mart which stands at the outlet of Lake 
 Erie, and which, in my view, is destined to be one of the largest cities of the 
 Western World. Amid much confusion we got into a hack which took us to 
 the American House, a capacious and excellent hotel. 
 
 Fifth-day, Eighth Month 27th.— At nine A. M. we boarded the steamer 
 Missouri for Cleveland. We had a pretty full company of passengers and 
 much freight, and the boat had a way of careening at times. But the lake 
 being calm, the passage was a pleasant one. Several landings were made before 
 coming to Erie, where, the stay being long enough to take on wood, we walked 
 up to the town, and, to our surprise, met the English Friends, Thomas and 
 Elizabeth Robson, who are travelling on a religious visit in this country. 
 They were accompanied by Aaron Wills, of Eancocas, New Jersey. After a 
 short conversation with these Friends, we returned to the landing, where our 
 boat was still moored, and the deck-hands were carrying wood on lighters. 
 Jt was near dusk when our comfortable steamer left Erie and steered for 
 Cleveland. When securing quarters for the night I found myself in company 
 with an agreeable man from New York State, who was on his way to Michi- 
 gan, to secure health by going among sickness. He is suffering from an affec- 
 tion of the liver, and is going into a malarious district to contract chills and 
 fever for the purpose of changing his disease. He is taking this course by 
 the advice of his physicians. We had a good deal of interesting and profitable 
 conversation. He is an Abolitionist, and a very well-disposed man. He wor- 
 ships among those called Presbyterians. He mentioned, among other matters, 
 having met Joseph John Gurney, who had had a meeting in the " Presbyterian 
 Church" at their place, and he told how much they liked the sermon. He also 
 spoke of Gurney's book on " The Sabbath," and how much he was pleased 
 with il. Just at this point our conversation was interrupted by the steward, 
 who wanted to put the beds in place for the night. We got separated, and I 
 saw him not again. He impressed me as being a sincere and worthy man. I 
 retired early, and consigned myself to the care of Him who slumbereth not, 
 neither by day nor by night, believing that He would care for us. We arose 
 about sunrise, and going out on deck, saw, in the dim distance, the spires of 
 Cleveland. An hour later we landed and went to the American Hotel (this 
 seems to be the popular name for hotels in these parts), where we breakfasted, 
 and made inquiry concerning stages, etc. We learned that our most direct 
 route would be down the Ohio and Erie Canal, which connects the waters of 
 
 25 
 
394 APPENDIX. 
 
 Lake Erie with those of the Ohio River, and is three hundred and thirty-four 
 miles in length. We took passage for Maesillon, and in the early evening left 
 Cleveland ou one of the canal-packets, gliding smoothly along, at the rate of 
 four miles an hour. The captain makes comfortable provision for his passen- 
 gers and keeps things snug and orderly on the boat. The table is bountifully 
 supplied with good food, and the sleeping arrangements are such as are com- 
 mon on these packets. Each pallet is hung on catches to the side of the boat, 
 and suspended by ropes, and there are three tiers of them. Between Cleve- 
 land and Massillon the distance is sixty-five miles, and we passed through about 
 fifty locks. At the summit we were four hundred and sixty-nine feet higher 
 than when we left Cleveland, and the water of Summit Lake flows either way, 
 to the Ohio or to Lake Erie. In the descent we went through sixteen locks 
 in the space of ten miles. This canal cost over eight millions of dollars. The 
 scenery along the banks is rather monotonous, though occasionally we saw a 
 well-cultivated farm. The trees are mostly beech and maple, with some oak and 
 hickory. Massillon, however, is in the midst of a fine wheat country, which is 
 inhabited by a hardy yeomanry, mostly of German descent. The town is only 
 thirteen years old, but for its size it is the busiest place we have seen since 
 leaving home. As we had two hours before stage time, I made a pleasant call 
 on Robert Folger and his sister. The distance to Paris is about twenty miles, 
 and on the way we stopped for supper at Canton, the county-seat of Starke 
 County. The only passenger with us in the stage was quite disposed to con- 
 verse. He and I talked anti-slavery, and he and father, politics- The latter 
 .seems to be the all-engrossing topic at this time, as a President is to be elected 
 in a few weeks. If I were a politician I could talk a good deal, but, as it is, I 
 keep pretty quiet when the conversation takes a political turn. Damascus, 
 which is our objective point, is fifteen miles beyond Paris, and, as no public 
 conveyance goes there, we engaged a German to take us in a farmer's two- 
 horse wagon. After passing through » wooded country, we came to Mount 
 Union, and stopped to water the horses at a tavern with the sign of " Temper- 
 ance House." Water was provided for us and for our horses, and, as is my custom, 
 I offered a piece of money to our landlord as a compensation for his trouble. 
 " What is this for ?" said he. I told him it was for him. " What, have you had 
 something to drink?" he inquired, looking very earnestly at a cupboard, the 
 door of which was closed. I told him, " No.'' "Then," said he, " I don't want 
 this." Surprised I was to hear a temperance (?) tavern-keeper ask a temper- 
 ance man if he had had anything to drink. If this is the policy pursued by 
 their temperance tavern-keepers, I fear that the came will not make much pro- 
 gress in Ohio. After passing along a level road, interspersed here and there 
 
APPENDIX. 395 
 
 with a piece of wooden turnpike, or corduroy, we came out into an open coun- 
 try with fine farms, and soon arrived at the house of our friend, James B. 
 Bruff. In the afternoon attended a meeting at Damascus, appointed by a, 
 Friend from Indiana. He gave us excellent advice. I may remark that this 
 day (Eighth Month 30, 1840) is my twenty-first birthday. 
 
 Eighth Month 31st. — This morning, as father was standing in the road, he 
 attempted to assist some men who were driving an infuriated cow. She ran 
 at him, and would in all probability have gored him, had she not stumbled and 
 fallen to the gi-onnd ; for he had fallen and sprained his ankle in his attempt 
 to get away from her. Thus, as it seemed, by Divine interposition, was my 
 dear father preserved from serious injury. Truly we have renewed cause to 
 thank the Father of mercies for his care over us and for this remarkable 
 preservation. The poor animal was foaming with rage, so that her drivers 
 were obliged to abandon their undertaking and leave her in a field. 
 
 In the afternoon Evi Stratton took me to Salem. It is an enterprising 
 place, and in the midst of a fertile country. Returning to Damascus, we 
 remained one more night with our kind friends, the BrufT family, where, for 
 the thr^e days that we visited them, we were made to feel so welcome that, for 
 the time, we called their house home. From every member of the %nily — 
 from father and mother down to the youngest child — we received evidences of 
 real kindnens. On the last day of onr visit, the English Friend, Elizabeth 
 Robson, had an appointed meeting at Damascus, in which she delivered a 
 good discourse. 
 
 In the afternoon Aaron Woolman kindly took us to New Garden, where we 
 remained over night at the hotel. In the morning early we started for New 
 Philadelphia, our landlord taking us in his open wagon. Rjiin came on, but 
 a large umbrella kept all three of us diy. At Waynesburg we dined, and again 
 started out in the rain, but soon it ceased, and the road being a good one, we 
 travelled comfortably to Zore, where we stopped and had an opportunity to 
 see this settlement. It is peopled by a community called Zorites, a secession 
 from the Lutheran Church. They have " all things in common," and number 
 nearly four hundred members. Formerly they forbade marriage, but now they 
 have abandoned that anti-Christian notion. They keep no swine, neither do 
 they eat of its flesh. They have large herds of cattle and flocks of sheep in 
 charge of keepers. I also noticed the fine appearance of the draught-horses. 
 They have well-equipped flour mills, an iron foundry and a tan-yard, also a 
 store and a spacious tavern, both well kept. A company of women were 
 spreading flax on a green sward, preparatory to its being made into linen, 
 of which they manufacture a large quantity. Their chief man is J. M. Bei- 
 
396 APPENDIX. 
 
 railer, who lives in a large house, and has a, garden far surpassing any one 
 that we have seen since leaving home. 
 
 At New Philadelphia we boarded the packet for Hebron, and passed a quiet, 
 comfortable night. 
 
 Fifth-day, Ninth Month 3rd. — A fine morning found us travelling with 
 more ease than speed. During the day we passed several thriving villages. 
 The scenery along the Lycking Creek is quite romantic. The banks rise 
 almost perpendicularly to a considerable height, and are lined with a sand- 
 stone rock, which has a honey-combed appearance. This rock is extensively 
 quarried and sent up and down the canal. There are also coal-mines in the 
 vicinity. 
 
 About noon an exciting incident occurred on board the boat. A company 
 seated at a table had become much absorbed in a game of cards, when the 
 steward disturbed them, in order to make preparation for dinner. One of this 
 company was the custodian of a prisoner, but he had become so much inter- 
 ested in the game, as to neglect keeping a watch over his charge, and the lat- 
 ter, seizing the golden opportunity, had made his escape. It was thought he 
 had been gone about an hour before the officer was aware of his absence. 
 
 Toward evening I had a conversation with a young man who had never 
 before been in company with a Friend. We talked on religious subjects, and 
 he seemed to be glad of the opportunity. . It was about ten p. m. when we ar- 
 rived at Hebron, and took lodgings at a place which looked rather untidy, but 
 we slept pretty soundly until morning. Another passenger had also stopped 
 here over night, and after breakfast, we three took a private conveyance for Co- 
 lumbus, at which town we arrived about noon, the journey having been made 
 over the National Road. We took a walk through the town, looking at the 
 buildings of most interest. The bridge over the Scioto River is a substantial 
 structure, being one of those on the National Road, built by the United States 
 Government. We saw the partly-built State House, which is lying in an un- 
 finished condition, owing to the " hard times." This being a " general-muster 
 day," the streets were thronged with militai-y, and our ears were filled with the 
 noise of drum and fife. We stopped at the National House, opposite to which 
 the militia mustered, and as is usual on such occasions, brawling and fighting 
 (not under official orders) resulted. The clubs and guns flew in various direc- 
 tions. After supper we started for Springfield in a stage, which was large and 
 full of passengers. As night put on her sable mantle, our company was hushed 
 in silence. Many miles were passed in this way, and as the stage occa-sionally 
 stopped, the yawning travellers— oureelves included — would tumble out to 
 stretch their cramped limbs. 
 
APPENDIX. 397 
 
 Arriving at Springfield about two o'clock A. m., we took lodging at the 
 Buckeye House. Here we hired a man to take us out to the home of our 
 cousins, John and Eebecca Thoma-s, where we enjoyed a visit of four days. One 
 evening I went with Palmer Thomas to a Dunkard meeting, the first one that 
 I ever attended. They worship in the dwelling-houses of their members. This 
 meeting had been called for a stranger who was among them. As they came 
 into the house, the men saluted one another by the hand, and by a kjss. After 
 some time passed in silence, they had service in German, a hymn, a chapter 
 in the New Testament, a period of silence, and a sermon. Though ignorant 
 of the language, I was convinced that the stranger delivered a powerful dis- 
 course. Then began the English service. First, an excellent discourse, then 
 several prayers, and lastly a hymn, after which the meeting closed. I was 
 much impressed with the simple and solemn worship of these people. On 
 Fourth-day, our kind relatives took us to Dayton, and on our arrival, we found 
 hospitality, as well as shelter, at the house of our relative, Edward Edmund- 
 ,son. The city was crowded with strangers, who had come in anticipation of a 
 great Whig meeting, to be held on the following day. The time chosen was 
 the anniversary of " Perry's victory on Lake Ei-ie." During the evening and 
 throughout the night, throngs of people were coming into town, and, as the 
 morning dawned, all the avenues were crowded with vehicles, horsemen and 
 footmen, making their way toward the place of celebration. The estimates of 
 the number of human beings in the vast throng, varied from sixty thousand to 
 a hundred thousand, many of whom were women. Although we could hear 
 the music and the hurrahing, yet I did not feel at liberty to take any part in 
 this demonstration, not even so much as to be a looker-on. 
 
 Notwithstanding the noise that filled the air, we found ourselves, in the 
 evening, quietly enjoying the company of the Edmundson family. They had 
 a visitor, who seemed desirous to introduce the subject of slavery. He advanced 
 arguments, and I endeavored to answer them. So we had a discussion, all in 
 good feeling, that continued nearly an hourj when he appeared desirous to turn 
 the conversation into some other channel. The evening being far spent, we soon 
 retired, and on the following morning made preparations to leave Dayton for 
 Richmond, Ind. Our road, for more than half the distance, was a poor one, 
 as they are making a turnpike of it, and we were obliged in several places to 
 leave the main track, and go into the fields. The soil is alluvial, and being 
 softened by recent rains, the wheels of our stage sunk to a considerable depth, 
 and having a full load of passengers, the lumbering vehicle dragged heavily. 
 We traveled all day, and arrived at Richmond just as the sun set. The coun- 
 try around this place is beautiful ; the fine farms and snug buildings give to it 
 
398 APPENDIX. 
 
 such au air of neatness and thrift that the passer-by would suppose he was 
 traveling through an old settlement. Two nights and the intervening dayj 
 passed here, were pretty fully occupied. After taking a walk around the 
 town, we visited the White Water River. Here is an interesting field for the 
 geologist, as there are imbedded in the rock, at a distance of fifty or sixty 
 feet from the surface, shells and other petrifaction.s. I collected a number of 
 specimens, and could have spent the day here, in search of these fossils, but 
 our time being limited, we had to make the most of it. I hired a horse and 
 vehicle, and went abont two and a half miles out into the country, to visit 
 Alice Foulke and her daughtei-s. While in the city, made several social calls, 
 and after a few hours' sleep at the hotel, took stage at two o'clock in the morn- 
 ing, for Cincinnati. We had a long, fatiguing day of staging, but we were not 
 uncomfortably crowded. As the shades of evening gathered, and dim twilight 
 was becoming shrouded in the gloom of night, the lights of Cincinnati came 
 into view, and soon we were surrounded with houses, and being jolted over the 
 rough streets. The stage took us to the Dennison House, where we secured 
 lodgings. After supper I went to a colored meeting for worship, where I 
 found a-sseinbled a respectable-looking company of well-dressed, orderly peo- 
 ple. We passed three nights and two days in this city, attending to business 
 matters, sight-seeing and making arrangements for our homeward journey. 
 One afternoon, under the guidance of Samuel Tucker, we took a general view 
 of the city and suburbs, looking at the mills and the public buildings. There 
 is, pervading Cincinnati, an air of neatness which reminds one of Philadel- 
 phia. The next afternoon we went to Covington, Ky., and on our way, meet- 
 ing one of the officers of the Branch Bank of the Nortliern Bank of Kentucky, 
 he took us into the building, and treated us with much politeness. He was 
 formerly an Eastern man. We could soon look around Covington, for although 
 as old as Cincinnati, it is no larger in proportion than Camden is to Philadel- 
 phia. Although the Ohio town and the Kentucky town possess nearly the same 
 natural advantages, yet the former has greatly outstripped the latter in growth. 
 This difference is pointed at, by travellei-s and people generally, as being due 
 to the effects of slavery. I have no doubt that such is the case, for we see 
 that, wherever it touches with its poisonous fangs, the sting leaves a blight. 
 
 Being about to turn our faces homeward, we spent some time in endeavoring 
 to ascertain which route would be most desirable. At length we decided to go 
 by way of Dayton, Columbus, Steubenville and Pittsburg. 
 
 Fourth-day, Ninth Month 16th. — This morning, left Cincinnati for Colum- 
 bus. We had a comfortable stage-load of pleasant people. But it usually 
 takes some time for passengers to get acquainted with each other, and the 
 
APPENDIX. 399 
 
 present company proved no exception. As the sun approadied the meridian, 
 and we Lebanon, clouds began to gather, and soon a refreshing shower laid the 
 dust, and made traveling quite pleasant. We dined at Lebanon, which is the 
 county-seat of Warren County, and is surrounded by a ricli and highly culti- 
 vated country. 
 
 At Dayton we took supper, and then began to stow away in the different 
 coaches for the night. It fell to our lot to be two of twelve that filled the in- 
 side of a coach, with several on the outside, and a quantity of baggage. We 
 were pretty closely packed, but this is what travelers must expect, and they 
 should cheerfully accept just such accommodations as they find. During the 
 evening I passed an hour in a quiet, wholesome conversation with one of the 
 passengers. Our subject was slavery, and it was broached by my asking him 
 whether there were many slaves in their neighborhood. He replied in the 
 afiirmative, and, smilingly added, that you do not like. I told him we did 
 not, and that we thought slavery was wrong. He said he thought so too, 
 that it was both a political and a religious evil, and that he would be willing 
 to release the slaves, if they could be removed. I endeavored to show the im- 
 policy and the impracticability of such a plan. He said he hoped I did not 
 encourage the course of the Abolitionists. I told him I thought he was unac- 
 quainted with\heir principles, and then informed him that their purpose was 
 simply to call the attention of the people to the subject, to show the sinfulness 
 of slavery, and hence the duty of immediate emancipation. He said he would 
 have no objection to that, for it would be right. He had thought that we 
 wanted to interfere in a 'political way, in regard to the States. He seemed quite 
 thoughtful, when, in a spirit of entire friendliness, we left the topic, and talked 
 pleasantly of other matters. As the night advanced, we managed to get an 
 occasional doze, by leaning two heads together for mutual props. It was about 
 eight o'clock A. M. when we arrived at Columbus, where we breakfasted, and 
 our company separated. The stage for Hebron was a coach intended to carry 
 seven passengei-s, and there were nine of us. One of the number remarked that- 
 he thought they must be acquainted with the African slave trade, or they 
 would not think of thus packing human beings. We had only twenty-seven 
 miles to go by this conveyance, and the time soon passed. 
 
 At Hebron we bargained with our landlord for a conveyance and driver to 
 take us to Newark, the county-seat of Lycking County. Here we met a young 
 man who had baggies for sale, and as we were looking toward purchasing onC) 
 our meeting resulted in his making a sale, and our possessing a buggy. On the 
 following morning we boarded the canal-packet Swan, for New Philadelphia. 
 The passage occupied about twenty-foul- hours, and nothing of especial mo- 
 
400 APPENDIX. 
 
 ment occvirred on the way. The captain was polite, and the passengers were 
 sociable. 
 
 On arriving at New Philadelphia, we went to a hotel, which proved to be 
 our place of abode for three days. This prolonged 'stay was owing .to our ina- 
 bility to accomplish some business. We had the experience of passing a First- 
 day at a tavern. I walked to a retired spot, where some time wa-s passed in 
 silent meditation. Second-day, we were still unable to accomplish our busi- 
 ness, but I improved the time by trying some horses, and afterwards purchased 
 one, of whose capabilities I shall have occasion to speak hereafter. On Third- 
 day, about noon, we gladly left the place in our own con veyance, and having 
 traveled twenty-six miles, came to a good tavern, where we were well accom- 
 modated for the night. In the morning we drove to Cadiz, from which town 
 we made a detour, to visit our relatives, Isaac Whelden and family, who live 
 seventeen miles di.stant. The road was hilly, but we reached our destination 
 before night, and met with a cordial reception. After an agreeable visit of 
 two nights and a day, we took leave of these relatives, probably not to see 
 them again in mutability. 
 
 Beturning to Cadiz, we pursued our journey, and stopped over night at the 
 village of Bloomfield. The roads, though hilly, were not bad. In this section 
 beds of bituminous coal abound, and we saw in many places the well cultiva- 
 ted field under which its owner has a coal-hole, or shaft, dug horizontally into 
 the hill. This region of soft coal embraces a large area, included in the east- 
 ern part of Ohio and the western part of Pennsylvania and of Virginia. At 
 Steubenville, we crossed the Ohio on a horse-boat, and steered our course for 
 Pittsburg, stopping over night at a farm-house-of-entertainnient, where I found 
 the advantage of being accustomed to the care of horses ; for had 1 not at- 
 tended to mine she would have fared poorly. Next day the roads were slip- 
 pery from rain, but we traveled on, and arrived at Pittsburg about four o'clock. 
 
 We saw the beginning of the Ohio River, formed by the junction of the Al- 
 legheny and Monongahela. On the strip of land between them stands the 
 city of Pittsburg, with its dense columns of smoke, issuing from numerous chim- 
 neys. This smoke obscures the view of the hills that lie beyond the city. On 
 the south side of the Monongahela is Birmingham, a place of considerable 
 mauufacturing. It is connected with Pittsburg by a bridge and by a horse- 
 boat. We chose the latter for crossing, and being quickly ferried over, drove 
 to the Exchange Hotel, an excellent house, at which we found all that we 
 could wish in the way of traveleiV comforts. Father, not feeling well, had 
 decided to return by stage, and thus get home sooner than he could by our 
 own conveyance. On Second-day, besides making several business and .social 
 
APPENDIX. 401 
 
 calls, we found time to take a general view of the city,' also to cross over to 
 Allegheny, which is connected with Pittsburg by several very fine bridges, 
 the i-iver being half a mile wide. Of Pittsburg, I may say that it is a place 
 of much manufacturing, and owing to the almost exclusive use of bituminous 
 coal and the high hills surrounding the city, it appears to be overhung by a 
 cloud of smoke. 
 
 Third-day, Ninth Month 29th. This morning 1 took leave of father and 
 of Pittsburg, and started for Philadelphia, with my little horse, Nelly, my 
 buggy, and a small quantity of baggage. The stage in which father had taken 
 passage was to start at noon. The weather was fine, the ride a pleasant one, 
 and I made thirty-four miles during the day ; stopping for the night at -a pub- 
 litt house, about three miles east of Greensburg. The house is fairly well kept 
 though owing to my request to liave a room to myself, 1 was put into one whose 
 furniture con.sisted of a bed, a chair and a hen's nest in the fireplace. The 
 whiteness of the eggs rendered them quite conspicuous. After leaving this 
 place, I was soon among the mountains, and during the day — which was the 
 last of Ninth Month — 1 crossed Chestnut Ridge and Laurel Hill, stopping for 
 the night at a tavern near Stoy's Town. 
 
 Fifth-day, first of Tenth Month. — Starting early, I proceeded to the foot of 
 the Allegheny Mountain, and there stopped for breakfast. This mountain, on 
 its western side, rises so gradually, that though eight miles from base to sum- 
 mit, a horse can trot over a considerable portion of the distance, and the land 
 is cultivated to the top. Before night 1 arrived at DafTenbaugh's tavern, where 
 the accommodations are excellent. 
 
 Sixth-day morning the weather was fine, and again taking an early start, I 
 drove to Bloody Run before breakfast. This day I was fairly among the 
 mountains, crossing several ranges ; the most prominent being Scrub Ridge, 
 and Sideling Hill. The beauty and grandeur exhibited among these won- 
 drous works of nature are very impressive ; we see the beautiful valley, bloom- 
 ing like a garden with cultivation, a silvery sti-eam meandering through it, 
 and surrounded by massive hills that look as if they would mock the power 
 of man to scale their summits ; the beauties of autumn rested on the dense 
 forest, and the shrill note of the jay-bird, as he flitted from tree to tree, called 
 the attention of the traveler from the silence that reigned around. Whilst 
 among these mountain wilds, where once the savage war-whoop of the Indian 
 was echoed from hill to hill, and listened to in dread silence by the inhabitants 
 of the valleys below ; where the wild beast of the forest roamed undisturbed, 
 where the nimble deer tripped from glen to glen, and ate his meal quietly 
 and alone — my mind was led to contemplate, and I thought, who could behold 
 
402 APPENDIX. 
 
 yon mountain, its summit liid by tlie clouds of heaven that descend and en- 
 velop it ; and the neaiei- hills, locked in each other's embrace — I say, who 
 could behold all these evidences of grandeur and of power, and yet doubt the 
 existence of an Almighty Creator? 
 
 Pursuing my journey, 1 arrived, sometime before night, at McConnelstown, 
 situated at the foot of Cone Mountain. In the morning it was raining, but 
 before long, the wind came rustling down the mountain side with fury, and 
 the clouds began lo break away. The views from this " Cone" are very fine. 
 We ascend four miles without any intermission ; and on the east side it is 
 about the same. After making the descent I had a pleasant drive to Cham- 
 bersburg. This is a large town aud a place of considerable business. In the 
 afternoon 1 drove to Cat's Town, a small village, and stopped at Green's tav- 
 ern. It being Seventh-day evening, I made inquiry as to whether there wa.s a 
 Friends' Meeting, that I could attend on First-day. On ascertaining that there 
 was one, at Monallen, about nine miles distant, and not much out of my way, 
 1 obtained the needful directions for finding the place. Thei'C was present at the 
 meeting, William Ellis, a minister, who is traveling on a religious visit to 
 some of the meetings composing Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. His companion 
 is Caleb Ogburn. After meeting, I went home with John Wright, and stayed 
 until next morning. The-se Friends were very kind, and I enjoyed my visit. 
 On Second-day I went from Monallen to Columbia, passing through a well 
 cultivated country and through the borough of York. It was about sundown 
 when I reached the long covered bridge over the Susquehanna — one of the 
 longest in this country— and crossing it, found myself in Columbia, which is 
 quite a busy place. I stopped at Evan Green's, passing a pleasant evening 
 with the family, and remaining there until next day. 
 
 Third-day, drove to Bird-in-Hand, and made a visit with Daniel Gibbons 
 and family. The traveling Friends that I had met at Monallen also came, 
 and they continued to be my companions for the remainder of the journey. 
 Xext morning our kind host and hostess gave us an early start, so that we 
 might get to Sadsbury Monthly Meeting. We stopped in Lancaster City, 
 where I found a letter from father, informing of his safe arrival at home. 
 This information was very gratifying. 
 
 At the Monthly Meeting, William Ellis had some service to perform. We 
 dined with a Friend named Moore, and then drove to James Fulton's at Fal- 
 lowfield, where we passed the night and were kindly entertained. On Fifth- 
 day morning we started for Philadelphia, and after passing through the bor- 
 ough of West Chester, and through several villages, we arrived at my home 
 
APPENDIX. 403 
 
 about dusk. As the two traveling Friends were strangers in the city, I invited 
 them to come with me to father's, and they accepted the invitation. 
 
 And now that I have returned to my home, and to my friends in tliese parts, 
 my heart overflows witli gratitude to the .\lraighty Power that has blessed me 
 with health, and extended his protecting care over me throughout this long 
 journey. 
 
 Samukl J. Levick. 
 Tenth Month 2'ind, 1840. 
 
 [Though many details have been omitted in transcribing the account of 
 this journey, many have been retained because of the old-time int^est ihey 
 may have for readers who are accustomed to traveling in Pullman cars, and 
 to stopping at the great caravansaries, which have taken the place of the inns 
 of fifty yeai-s ago. The friends and relatives visited have been named, as their 
 », posterity may be gratified to learn— through this channel— of the cordial wel- 
 come extended, and the generous hospitality dispensed by their worthy an- 
 cestoi-s to appreciative guests.— Ed.] 
 
 EXTRACTS 
 
 FROM tHE LAST "ANNUAL REPORT" SIGNED BY SAMUEL J. LEVICK, .SECRE- 
 
 TABY OF THE SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OP CRUELTY TO 
 
 ANIMALS. — 1885. 
 
 "At no period since the incorporation of the Society, has there been so uni- 
 versal an acknowledgment on the part of oar citizens, of its importance and 
 usefulness, or greater care manifested in observing a proper treatment of ani- 
 mals. Nevertheless, the number of complaints received at our office, the act- 
 ive work performed by our agents, and the number of arrests and convictions, 
 amply illustrate the necessity for its maintenance and an increase of its re- 
 sources, to enable it to enlarge its sphere of usefulness. 
 
 "Owing to our limited means, our woi-k has been confined principally to 
 the city and the adjacent counti'y, although we have agents in several of the 
 large towns within a radius of fifty to seventy miles of the city, whose services 
 have resulted in the arrest and conviction of offendei-s in a number of cases, 
 some of which have been of a most flagrant character. 
 
 "Since our last report we have received five hundred and seventy-one com- 
 plaints, representing six hundred and nine cases of cruelty. ... In ad- 
 
404 APPENDIX. 
 
 dition to the foregoing cases, all of whieli were carefully investigated by our 
 agents, twelve liundred horses and mules were turned out of harness as unfit 
 for work ; pads were ordered in twelve hundred and thirty-eight instances, 
 where the harness rubbed sore parts ; three thousand and six warnings were 
 issued to thoughtless and careless abusers of animals, and two hundred and 
 twenty-six suffering animals were killed in a humane manner. 
 
 . . . " We have been persistently engaged in efforts to prevent the cruel 
 sport of dog and cock-fighting ; the secrecy that surrounds these sports and the 
 unwillingness of those connected therewitli to furnish the Society with the time 
 and place of their occurrence, make it very diflicult for us to arrest and bring 
 to justice this class of offenders. Particularly does this apply to dog-fight- 
 ing, the remote places chosen and the short time occupied, almost prevent 
 the apprehension of those engaged therein. We occasionally see notices of 
 their liaving occurred, but no clue is given whereby the violators of the law 
 may be arraigned. ■* 
 
 " With the equally cruel sport of cock-fighting we have been more success- 
 ful, although we are constantly on the lookout for others that we have not 
 been able to locate. . . . 
 
 "On ■ , one of our agents ascertained that a number of imported 
 
 chickens (which had recently arrived from Europe) would be fought in this 
 city. Acting on this information, he made a thorough invffltigation and found 
 
 that a large cocking-main would take place at . . . . On the night 
 
 of , our agents assisted by a squad of police, . , . successfully 
 
 raided the place and captured ninety-five persons, engaged therein ; also twen- 
 ty-three game fowls, gaffs, scales, sheai-s, and all the paraphernalia connected 
 therewith. At first they met with a stout resistance, but the wrong-doers were 
 overpowered and conducted to the station-house, where a hearing was given 
 them al two A. M. . . . Eighty-two immediately paid their fines, and the 
 rest were committed to prison in default. The twenty-three cocks were con- 
 fiscated and turned over to the Society, according to the ' Act of Assembly,' 
 
 . . . and mercifully killed, so as to prevent any possibility of their again 
 being used. 
 
 "Also on the evening of , our agents, assisted by a squad of po- 
 lice . . . raided a ' free and easy saloon,' . . . where they arrested 
 twenty -six men engaged in cock-fighting ; they also captured all the birds, 
 gaffs, etc. Among the incidents of this raid was the finding of one man hid- 
 den in a trunk, with the lid securely fastened, who was almost suffocated when 
 released ; and another, wedged in under a partition so tight that he was ex- 
 tricated with great diflSculty. The Magistrate . . . after a hearing, fined 
 all assembled, and two were committed to prison in default 
 
APPENDIX. 405 
 
 " The fear of being arrested and exposed, doubtless deters many, especially 
 among the young, from entering places where those unlawful exhibitions are 
 given — it may be clearly perceived that the influence of the Society, in this 
 particular, is producing good results. 
 
 " We continue to notice a great improvement in the treatment of horses 
 employed in the various departments of business and pleasure, in which this 
 noble animal proves such an important factor. The whip is still found in the 
 hands of thoughtless, passionate and cruel men and boys — an increase of the 
 latter class of drivers being noticeable during the past year, especially on carts. 
 Of thdr thoughtlessness, and their cruel use of the whip, our agents greatly 
 complain ; and horse-owners should consider that the loss which they sustain, 
 and the injuries which the animals receive from this class of drivers far exceed 
 the pecuniary gain supposed to be realized by the employment of boys in this 
 capacity. 
 
 " Reliable information enables us to assert that the cruel and shameful prac- 
 tice of ' docking' and ' nicking' — that is, cutting off a portion of the tail of the 
 horse — - .... has been again introduced into our city. How an en- 
 lightened community can tolerate such barbarity, or accept such a ' fashion' is 
 beyond our comprehension. . . . This Society — through its Board of Mana- 
 gers — embraces the present occasion to express their unqualified condemna- 
 tion of this practice, and as this brutality is perpetrated in the seclusion of 
 stables, hidden from the public eye, it offers a liberal reward to any person 
 who can furnish such reliable information as will enable it to arrest and con- 
 vict any one violating this law of the State It is the purpose of 
 
 the Society to use all legal measures to bring offenders of this class to justice, 
 and thus stamp out, in its incipiency, a cruel and disgraceful custom, and it 
 solicits, therefore, the aid of all our citizens to assist therein. Not only is this 
 practice cruel, but lastingly injurious to the horse, as has been demonstrated 
 by the highest veterinary authority. 
 
 " We still continue our attention to the yards where cattle, sheep and swine 
 are received, unloaded and reloaded ; most of which are transported long dis- 
 tances in the cars. While we notice improvement in the general care mani- 
 fested, yet much suffering continues— an improved form of cars, the adoption 
 of which we have been looking forward to for a long time, whereby food and 
 water may be dispensed in transit, has not as yet been introduced, or in but 
 few instances. Scarcely a week passes but our agents report loss of life, dis- 
 abled, crushed and smothered cattle, sheep and swine, as a result of defective 
 stock-cars 
 
 " The recjuirement that the law of kindness should be observed in our inter- 
 
406 APPENDIX. 
 
 course, not only with each other, but in our treatment of all creatures, espe- 
 cially those which surrender their lives for our pleasure and maintenance, 
 would seem to be apparent to every thoughtful mind ; yet the facts which are 
 daily presented on our highways, of wanton abuse, demonstrate that the edu- 
 cation of many has been greatly neglected on this very important subject. . . 
 " By order of the Board of Managers, 
 
 Samuel J. Levick, Secretary." 
 
 REMOVAL OF THE PENN COTTAGE, 
 i In 1883, this old land-mark, which had stood about two hnn'lred years, was 
 removed from Letitia Court to Fairmount Park. There was a large gathering 
 assembled to celebrate the removal, and among the addresses delivered on the 
 occasion, were those by the brothers, Samuel J., and Dr. James J'. Levick. As 
 it happened, it was the first time that both had ever spoken in public at the 
 same meeting. Their grandfather, Isaac Jones, was a member of the Welsh 
 Society, whose meetings were held in this building, and their faither, Ebenezer 
 Levick, took much interest in it. On thu occasion, Samuel's son, Lewis Jones 
 Levick, and his son, Henry Lewis Levick, were present, thus making five gene- 
 rations of Samuel .1. Ijcvick's family that had been associated with "The Penn 
 Cottage." 
 
 [Sunday Dispatch, May 2(th, 1883.] 
 THE PENN COTTAGE IN THE WEST PARK. 
 " The removal of the house of William Penn from Letitia Couft to the Park, 
 which has now been accomplished, will add a feature of histojjcal interest to 
 the public enclosure which cannot fail to be a matter of imj)ortance to the 
 people at all times hereafter. This is the oldest house in Philadelphia. What 
 is yet more notable is, that it was the first brick house built in the city. In- 
 deed, Gabriel Thomas, who wrote in 1698, and who came over with Penn in 
 the Welcome, says that the cellar for the use of this house was the first dug in 
 Philadelphia. Some tradition is claimed to establish the fact that the first 
 house built was by Andrew Griscom. But there is no direct proof on the sub- 
 ject. The house was not finished when Penn arrived. He lived in Fairman's 
 house, at Shackamaxon, for some time, and was there during the winter of 
 1682-'8.3. He probably did not get into his own house until the spring pf the 
 latter year, four or five months after he came to Pennsylvania. The Proprietor 
 
APPENDIX. 407 
 
 lived in that house some sixteen months. When he sailed for England on the 
 16th of August, 1684, he gave to his cousin and secretary, William Markhami 
 the right to live in that house. Markham was also Deputy Governpr. The 
 building was used for public purposes, and one matter of great interest in rela- 
 tion to its history, which has scarcely been alluded to in connection with the 
 removal, is, that it was the first State House of the province of Pennsylvania, 
 ante-dating the State House in Chestnut Street fifty years. There is no city 
 in the United States which can show a relic more interesting. The gentlemen 
 who have contributed the money toward its removal have been actuated by no 
 consideration other than public spirit and the cultivation of a proper regard 
 for the memories of the past. The assistance of able architectural knowledge 
 ha* been obtained. When completed, the Penn cottage, in Fairmount Park, 
 will look much moi-e like it did in its early period than it has in its present 
 situation for more than one hundred and fifty years. The place where it will 
 be situated is near the Girard Avenue bridge, on the Lansdowne drive. It is a 
 matter of regret that it cannot be said that it would be nenr Lansdowne. The 
 latter building was totally destroyed by the Park Commissioners when they 
 firet took possession of the ground. The interior had been burned out, it is 
 true, but the walls were standing in good condition, and the mansion could have 
 l-een rebuilt. If that had been done, this prospective removal would have 
 given three Penn memorials to the Park : The c( ttage of William Penn, the 
 Proprietor, built 1682-'83 ; Lansdowne (1774-'75), the seat of Governor John 
 Penn, son of Eichard: and Solitude (1785), "the box"— so he called it— of 
 John Penn, son of Thomas, the poet and scholar." 
 
 [From the Philadelphia Inquirer, June 24th, 1894.] 
 " In 188.3, the historic old Penn Cottage, which for generations had stood in 
 Letitia Court, was removed to Fairmount Park, and erected in a prominent 
 situation about 100 yards from the Zoological Gardens, upon a high blutf 
 near the Lansdowne drive. It is unfortunate that this house was ever 
 removed from its original situation, as it is undoubtedly one of the most inter- 
 esting buildings in Philadelphia, having been at one time the residence of the 
 - founder of the city, but at the same time it is fortunate that it was preserved 
 at all, as when the property was sold it was fully expected that this ancient 
 historic relic would be demolished to make room for storage warehouses. 
 
 " It was only through the intervention of Henry T. Coates, the well-known 
 publisher, that the house was saved. Mr. Coates fortunately realized that its 
 destruction would be a great loss to Philadelphia, and through his energetic 
 solicitations it was consequently preserved intact, and removed to its present 
 situation, at a cost of about 3)4,000. 
 
408 APPENDIX. 
 
 OP HISTORIC INTEREST. 
 
 "It has been asserted by some historians that Penn'g Cottage was the first 
 house erected in the city. It must have been commenced before Fenn's arrival 
 some time during the year 1681. 
 
 " In regard to the material used in the construction of the cottage, Watson 
 says that some of the finer fittings of the interior were imported in the first 
 vessel, but the bricks which compose its walls were likely made in this city. 
 The House erected for the Governor was plain in appearance, and small. It 
 was two and one-half stories in height, with garret room and small back build- 
 ing. The doorway was in the centre, with a bracketed porch-roof above it. 
 There were rooms on each side. 
 
 "At what time this house was finished Ls not known. It must have been, 
 however, after the Proprietor's arrival, October 24, 1682, and it is likely Penn 
 did not occupy the house until 1683. Penn's entire family were at that time 
 in England, and he kept something like " bachelor's hall." 
 
 " When he returned to the old country, he commissioned the Provincial 
 Council to act in his stead, and made Markham secretary, assigning him the 
 use of his mansion during his absence. This little house was, therefore, for 
 some time the State House of the Province. It was the place where the 
 officers of the Government met and where the Provincial Council deliberated, 
 
 " When Penn came to Pennsylvania the second time he brought his wife and 
 daughter, Letitia, and whilst in the city transferred the cottage in Letitia 
 Court to his daughter on the 29th of March, 1701. Letitia resided in the 
 house but a very short time, as she conceived no fondness for America, and 
 returned to England at the very earliest possible opportunity. 
 
 "After her death the property in Letitia Court passed through a various line 
 of ownership. Finally, about 1800, the old house fell into neglect, and its 
 historic character became lost altogether. Even its exact location was for a 
 time in doubt, and just previous to its rejuvenation and removal to Fairmount 
 Park it was used as a low groggery." 
 
 SAMUEL J. LEVICK, 
 
 IN HIS HUMANE, PHIJ^ANTHROPIC AND PATRIOTIC WORK. 
 
 " For rulers "are not a terror to good works, but to the evil." That the law 
 should be a terror to the evil-doer, and that those who administer it should 
 
APPENDIX. 409 
 
 be faithful to their trust, were two co-ordinate sentiments in which Samuel J . 
 Levick fully believed, and which he endeavored to act out in the discharge of 
 his duty, both officially and voluntarily. 
 
 He was alert in the discovery of wrong-doing, persistent in his investigation 
 of it, and fearless in bringing the offender to justice. It was, however, against 
 the practice, not the person, that his strong character and his executive ability 
 were arrayed ; against the crime, not the criminal ; for he would not have any 
 one punished from vindictive motives, but in order to reform the wrong-doer, 
 to prevent a recurrence of the offense, and to secure the welfare of society. To 
 protect the weak against the oppression of the strong, to preserve the unsus- 
 picious from the power of the deceiver, and to insure the safety of life and 
 property in the midst of a lawless element that is kept in check only by fear 
 of the magistrate and of the power that he wields, was, in the opinion of this 
 indefatigable worker, the function of the civil law and the duty of those ap- 
 pointed to. execute it. 
 
 It was on this account that he was so desirous to have suitable persons chosen 
 for official positions, and then, when the responsibility was placed upon them, 
 to give them the support that their merits claimed and their station required; 
 for he believed that such support, freely, reasonably and wisely rendered, will 
 insure " a government of the people, by the people and for the people."* 
 
 A EECOEDED MINISTER. 
 
 Samuel J. Levick became a minister by record in the year 1842, before he 
 was twenty-three years old. His gift in the ministry was acknowledged by 
 Richland Monthly Meeting, held Fourth Month 29th, and the acknowledg- 
 ment confirmed by Abington Quarterly Meeting of Ministers and Elders, held 
 Fifth Month 4th. 
 
 At the Monthly Meeting, held Eleventh Month 4th of the same year, 1842, 
 he obtained his firat minute for religious service from home. It was "to 
 attend the meetings composing Southern Quarterly Meeting, and have some 
 meetings out from among Friends in that part of the country." 
 
 His last minute from Richland Monthly Meeting bears date of Seventh 
 Month 31st, 1874, when Samuel J. Levick and his wife, Susanna M. Levick, 
 were set at liberty to " visit and appoint some meetings within the limits of 
 New Yoi'k Yearly Meeting, and also to appoint meetings within the limits of 
 New England States.'' This minute was returned Second Month 4th, 1876. 
 
 * Notwithstanding ttie interest which he felt in the selection of good rulers, 
 he was very tender toward those Friends who did not feel at liberty to exercise 
 the right of suffrage, advising them to attend strictly to their scruples, and thus 
 preserve a conscience void of offense. 
 
 26 
 
410 APPENDIX. 
 
 From Haddonfield Monthly Meeting he obtained one minute. It was 
 granted Fifth Month 22nd, 1849, and returned Seventh Month 10th, 1849. 
 Allusion to this journey (within the limits of Farmington Quarter, etc.) is 
 found in the " Correspondence." 
 
 His most extensive journey with a minute was performed in 1866, when he 
 attended and appointed many meetings in Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. While 
 out on this visit he attended several meetings (some of them appointed at his 
 request) among the Friends of the other branch ; he also appointed several in 
 the worship-houses of other denominations. 
 
 The only religious visits of which he kept a continuous account were the 
 early ones to Southern and to Salem Quarter. His only reference to the later 
 ones is in the " Correspondence." He attended all the Yearly Meetings except 
 Illinois, of the branch of Friends to which he belonged, and the one in New 
 York several times. 
 
 The last three minutes granted him by Race Street Monthly Meeting were 
 as follows : 
 
 Seventh Month 20th, 1881, for himself and wife " to attend Westbury and 
 Purchase Quarterly Meetings, and to visit and appoint a few meetings within 
 the limits of New York Yearly Meeting." 
 
 Fifth Month 24th, 1882, for himself, accompanied by his wife, " to attend 
 the Yearly Meeting of Friends of New York.'' 
 
 The following is a copy of his last minute, which was dated Fifth Month 
 21st, 1884: 
 
 " Our fi-iend, Samuel J. Levick, a minister in unity with us, informed the 
 meeting of a prospect he had of attending the approaching Yearly Meeting of 
 Friends to be held in New York, accompanied by his wife, Susanna M. Lev- 
 ick, an elder of this meeting, and also of appointing some meetings within the 
 limits of that meeting, as way may open. Unity was expressed with him in 
 his concern, and he is encouraged to puraue his prospect as Truth may direct." 
 
 [From the Richmond (Ind.) Palladium.) 
 '• Samuel J. Levick said : ' We are given but one day at a time, and if we 
 can say when we retire that we have not knowingly done any man injustice, 
 and have made the best use of the time, we shall be happy, and the world will 
 be the better for our having been in it. >Such is not beyond the reach of any 
 one, old or young, and those who strive after it will attain it. Go about your 
 own business without meddling with the affairs of others ; do not make it 
 necessary for the Master to rebuke you as he did Martha, for busying herself 
 too much. "A little learning is a dangerous thing," and worketh great mis- 
 
APPENDIX. 411 
 
 chief. It was a little learning on the part of the scribes and priests that cru- 
 cified Jesus; it was a little learning that set our forefathers to discussing 
 theology and made it necessary that we should sit here and our brethren a 
 few squares away to ti-ansact the business that had been done by one meeting. It 
 is a little learning that makes infidels discover errors in the Bible, where none 
 exist. It is a litle learning that prompts us to dictate to our brothers, and it 
 iB a little learning that keeps us from Christ. The /ear of 6od in the soul is the 
 only true wisdom, and it is that we must seek.' " 
 
 [From the same.] 
 MEETING FOR BUSINESS MEN. 
 " Samuel J. Levick conducted a large meeting for business and young men at 
 the Eighth Street Meeting House that evening, which was productive of much 
 good. He took for his text that passage from the New Testament where the 
 meeting between Jesus and the woman at the Well is described. His sermon 
 did not deal with abstruse or doctrinal questions, but was a plain, earnest ex- 
 hortation to accept the waters of life, and know the blessing of a walk free 
 from sin. Had space permitted, the Palladium would have given it verbatim, 
 but there is a limit to the capacity of even a newspaper, and it was impossible 
 to give it the space we desired." 
 
 [From a local paper. 1 
 " Samuel J. Levick addressed a large assemblage on Sunday of last week, in 
 this ancient house [Merion Friends' Meeting House]. He reminded his young 
 friends that their religious creed should have a great influence upon the social 
 economy of the people, regulating not only their course of action, but their 
 mode of thinking, that the greatest enemy of true religion is pride, and that if 
 not stoutly combated it usurps the moral nature and sentiments of man. He 
 laid down the principles he professed, and combated in good plain English the 
 follies and wickedness of the church, all having their origin in pride, splendid 
 church edifices, fashionable dress, ostentatious show, high living and the ex- 
 citements of worldly amusements, all as nourishing a family of evils which 
 finally overwhelm the true fountain of revealed knowledge." 
 
 A MEETING. 
 Once, when out on a religious visit, Samuel and Susanna Levick attended 
 the small meeting of Friends at Orange, N. J., on a First-day morning. After 
 meeting they went, with Giles H. and MariannaW. Coggeshall, to their pleas- 
 ant home in the village of Bloomfield, and during the afternoon, Samuel men- 
 
412 APPENDIX. 
 
 tioned to one of the family, that he fdt drawn toward the congregation of a 
 Presbyterian place of worship near by. The matter seemed to drop, as no 
 particular time was specified, but Morton C. Coggeshall, son of Giles and 
 Marianna, quietly left the company, and called upon the minister of this con- 
 gregation, returning, at tea-time, with a message from "Dr. Kennedy" to 
 Samuel J. Levick. This message was a kind greeting, accompanied with the 
 information that that evening would be a suitable time for the " Friend" to 
 have a meeting with them, if he felt free to come, and they would suspend 
 their service to make way for him. He went. " Dr. Kennedy," in introducing 
 him, informed the congregation that it was the practice of the Friends to begin 
 their worship with silence. The information being heeded, and the practice 
 respected, there followed a time of very solemn silence, after which Samuel was 
 highly favored in testimony, and his Presbyterian brother offered a fervent 
 prayer. The opportunity was, to Samuel, a, relieving and very satisfactory 
 one, and at its close the minister and many of the members expressed their sat- 
 isfaction, accompanied by an invitation to visit them again, if ever he came 
 that way. 
 
 MERION MEETING HOUSE. 
 
 The meeting at Merion was undoubtedly held soon after the settlement of 
 the Welsh Friends, in 1682, the year of William Penn's fii-st arrival. The 
 pioneers of these colonists were the company who came in the ship lAon, and 
 reached the Schuylkill on the thirteenth of Sixth Month (August, O. S.), 1682. 
 They numbered about forty persons, and represented seventeen families, Ed- 
 ward Jones being, perhaps, the most prominent person among them. 
 
 At the house of Hugh Roberts, which must have been near the present Mer- 
 lon Meeting House, as his land adjoined that on which it stands, the earliest 
 meeting at Merion of which a record is preserved was held on the second 
 Fifth-day in Fourth Month, 1684. Tliis was the Monthly Meeting, and we 
 may feel confident that meetings for worship had previously been held at the 
 same place. 
 
 There is a well-preserved tradition, and, on the whole, strong evidence, that 
 part of the present meeting-house was built in 1685, and that it was enlai-ged 
 latei-, probably in 1713. Minutes of the Preparative and Monthly Meetings 
 indicate this. But tliere is also a preserved record of a marriage at " Friends' 
 public meeting-place at Merion" as early as 1693, so that an earlier structure, 
 probably of logs, may have preceded the present house. 
 
 Presuming the correctness of the date 1695, as that of at least a part of tlie 
 house, it is the oldest building for Divine worship in Pennsylvania. It is of 
 
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 Z 
 
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APPENDIX. 413 
 
 stone, and in a good state of preservation. The interior appearance strongly 
 suggests that the northern part (containing the '' gallery" for ministers and 
 elders, and some of the benches for other Friends), is the original structure of 
 1695, and that the southern part is the addition, made probably in 17in. 
 
 In 1695, half an acre of ground was conveyed by Edward Reese to the trus- 
 tees of Merion Preparative Meeting for graveyard purposes. He was one of 
 those who came in the Lion, and an acceptable minister. Later, other pieces 
 of land, and funds for the maintenance of the property, were given by different 
 Friends. The venerable house, with its surroundings, forms one of the most 
 interesting places to Friends to be found on the western side of the Atlantic. 
 
 IJ. M. J. 
 
 WELSH ANCESTRY.* 
 
 " This love of ancestral history, which, more or less, exists in every breast, 
 was, by the Welsh people, in every way fostered. Family records were care- 
 fully preserved, and noble birth and generous descent esteemed above all 
 things. . . . Indeed, so fully recognized is this trait of the Welsh 
 character, that the expression, ' As long as a Welsh pedigree,' has passed into 
 a proverb. 
 
 " It might well be supposed that the early Quakers, who had renounced the 
 pomps and vanities of the world, would regard with indifference and aversion 
 these ' vain genealogies,' which were so eminently fitted to gratify tlie pride 
 of the creature. Such, however, does not seem to have been the case in 
 Wales, and the early pedigrees of the Lloyds [et al.'] . . . were as 
 carefully preserved by their peaceful Quaker descendants as they had been by 
 their warlike ancestors. Even in the early printed memorials of Philadelphia ■ 
 Yearly Meeting, in several of them it is stated, apparently with much satis- 
 faction, that the subject of the memorial 'belonged to an antient family.' 
 
 " John ap Thomas . . . was an earnest, consistent, self-sacrificing 
 Friend, but he clung to his ancestral history with all the tenacity and pride 
 of a genuine Welshman. [Then follows the] ' Pedigree of John ap Thomas 
 ap Hugh, of Merionethshire, North Wales.' " 
 
 Brief extracts from a paper prepared by Dr. James J. Levlck, for the Femir 
 sylvania Magazine of History and Jiiography. It is entitled "An Old Welsh Pedi- 
 gree." It was afterwards printed separately, and a copy of this p.imphlet has 
 at the top of Its title-page the following inscription, probably written by Dr. 
 Levick himself, "Samuel Jones Levick. Presented by the author, his brother, 
 James Jones Levick, Tenth Month 14th, 1884," 
 
414 APPENDIX. 
 
 OBITUARY TRIBUTES. 
 " Pesnsylvania Society for the Peevention op Cruelty to Animals." 
 [Copy of Minutes.] 
 
 "A special meeting of the Board of Managers, called by Vice President M. 
 Richards Muolcle, to express the feelings incident to the sudden demise of the 
 late Secretary, Samuel J. Levick, was held April 21, 1885, at 5 o'clock P. M. 
 M. Richards Muckle in the chair, in the absence of the president. 
 
 " Present, M. Richards Muckle, Coleman Sellei-s, Levi Knowles, T. Morris 
 Perot, Edmund Webster, Edward C. Knight, J. Lewis Crew, William Wat- 
 son, Robert R. Corson, Craig D. Ritchie, Aaron B. Ivins, Mrs. Coleman 
 Sellers and Solicitor Wendell P. Bowman. 
 
 " On motion, Aaron B. Ivins acted as Secretary. 
 
 "On motion, a Committee of three, consisting of Coleman Sellers, Craig D. 
 Ritchie and Robert R. Corson, to which Vice President M. Richards Muckle 
 was added, was appointed to prepare resolutions adapted to the gravity and 
 solemnity of the occasion. 
 
 " The following resolutions, as prepared by the Committee were then read 
 and unanimously adopted : 
 
 "Whereas, 'The Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to 
 Animals' has heard of the sudden decease of its Secretary, Samuel J. Levick, 
 now be it 
 
 "Resolved, That this Society hereby desires to express its deep sense of the 
 loss it has sustained by the unexpected death of its late Secretary ; 
 
 " Resolved, That during his long connection with the Society, Mr. Levick 
 proved himself, in many ways, a faithful and efficient officer, one to whom the 
 interests of the dumb creatures were very dear, and a diligent laborer at all 
 times and in divers ways, to relieve and alleviate animal sufTerings ; 
 
 " Resolved, That this Society truly sympathizes with the family of the de- 
 ceased in this, their sudden and unlooked-for bereavement, and tenders to 
 them its affectionate sympathy ; 
 
 " Resolved, That the Board of Managers attend the funeral in a body, and 
 that a copy of these resolutions, properly engrossed, be sent to Mr. Levick's 
 family. 
 
 " On motion, adjourned. A. B. Ivins, 
 
 SecreUiry." 
 
APPENDIX. 415 
 
 " Philadelphia, April 21st, 1885. 
 " Mrs. .S. J. Levick : 
 
 " Dear Madam: — I have beeu directed by the Board of Managers of this 
 Society to forward you the enclosed Resolutions referring to yonr honored 
 husband, and my respected friend. 
 
 "Assuring you of ray sympathy also, I am, 
 
 " Very respectfully, 
 
 I'. M. Howell, 
 
 Clerk S. P. a A." 
 
 [From the Evening Reporter, Burlington, N. J.] 
 "A Friend to Animals at Best. 
 
 "At a meeeting of the Executive Committee of the S. P. C. A., held Tues- 
 day, April 21st, the following resolutions were adopted: 
 
 " Besolved, That this Society learns with much regret of the sudden death 
 of Mr. Samuel J. Leviek, for many years the indefatigable and efficient Secre- 
 tary of the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals ; 
 
 " Resolved, That, in the death of Mr. Levick, the Burlington County Society 
 sustains the loss of a warm friend, whose interest in its organization and wel- 
 fare will always be gi'atefully cherished, and the Society at large, a representa- 
 tive worthy of the highest emulation ; 
 
 " Resolved, That these resolutions be published in our local papers, and a 
 copy sent to the family of the deceased. 
 
 " By order Ex. Committee. R. B. Carter, 
 
 Sec. Ex. Com. 
 
 "Aside from the noted philanthropist, Henry Bergh, Esq., the founder of 
 the Society P. C. A. in this country, no man was more enthusiastic in the 
 humane cause than Samuel J. Levick, who in all the relations of life was 
 characterized by his broad and generous sympathies. At the first public 
 meeting of the Burlington Society P. C. A., held Tuesday evening, Nov. 20th, 
 1883, Mr. Levick was present by invitation, and addressed the meeting in an 
 exceedingly pleasing, interesting and encouraging manner. 
 
 " In the decease of Mr. Levick the brute creation loses a true and devoted 
 friend." 
 
416 APPENDIX. 
 
 " Western Pennsylvania Humane Society. 
 " PirrsBURG, Pa., April 24, 1885. 
 " Mrs. Samuel J. Levick : 
 "Dear Madam: — We have received the sad intelligence that your es- 
 teemed husband died suddenly, on Sabbath evening last. He has been a 
 faithful and true Christian man, active in every good work. His labors in 
 behalf of God's defenseless creatures have been most persevering and grand. 
 
 " I am instructed by the Western Pa. Humane Society to express to yon 
 their deep sympathy in this, your great bereavement, 
 " Yours, truly, 
 
 Leonard H. Eaton, 
 
 President." 
 
 At a stated meeting of the Board of Managers, held May 12th, 1885, the 
 following communication was read from the Western Pennsylvania Humane 
 Society of Pittsburg : 
 
 " To the President and Members of the Pennsylvania Society P. C. A. — We have 
 learned with much regret of the death of your Secretary, Mr. Samuel J. Lev- 
 ick. His long service in humane work, his deep sympathy with every form 
 of suffering, and his perseverance under all circumstances, rendered his life of 
 great value to society. 
 
 " I am instructed by the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society to convey 
 to you the deep sympathy of its members with you, in the loss by death of 
 this valuable officer. 
 
 " Yours, truly, 
 [Signed] Leonard H. Eaton, 
 
 President." 
 
 [From Friends' Intelligencer.] 
 " Decease of Samuel J. Leviok. 
 
 ''A severe shook amongst our religious body, and a painful announcement 
 to many outside of it, was occasioned by the decease of our friend, Samuel J. 
 Levick, on First-day evening last, at his home in West Philadelphia. He 
 had been seriously ill for only three days, having been seized by an attack of 
 heart trouble on Fifth-day evening, though some premonitions of this had 
 previously been observed. 
 
 " Samuel was the son of Ebenezer Levick, of Philadelphia, and was bom in 
 this city in the Eighth Month, 1819. In early manhood he was much inter- 
 ested in the welfare of the colored people, and, more than forty yeare ago, it 
 
APPENDIX. 417 
 
 was his practice to visit them in their homes and impart religious and other 
 instruction to them. He was one of the foundera of the ' Junior Anti-Slavery 
 Society of Philadelphia ' Soon after his marriage he removed to Richland, 
 Bucks County, where he remained for more than thirty yeara engaged in the 
 tanning business. Returning to Philadelphia, he accepted the position of 
 Secretary of the 'Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals,' which was 
 offered to him, and for which, as an executive officer, he was admirably fitted. 
 In this field he showed much zeal and energy, and probably no one, except 
 Mr. Bergh, of New York, has done more to prevent suffering among the brute 
 creation. Of his service as a minister in the Society of Friends we cannot 
 here undertake to speak fully. It is, however, just to say that his sermons 
 were earnest, clear and forcible, and that he was particularly favored to inter- 
 est young hearers, and often to favorably impress those not of our Society. He 
 was a positive and energetic worker, in whatever field of labor he felt called 
 upon to enter, and his loss from the already depleted ranks of our ministry 
 will be severely felt." 
 
 An Extract. 
 
 "At New York Yearly Meeting of Ministei-s and Elders, held the 23rd of 
 Fifth Month, 1885: 
 
 "The Minutes of our last Yearly Meeting were read during our morning 
 ession. 
 
 " We were reminded by the record, of the attendance last year of one (Sam- 
 uel J. Levick) who has since been called from works to rewards. His Gospel, 
 labors have been feelingly adverted to, and his last visit and testimony among 
 us has been cited as emphasizing the rich possession of the Christian religion. 
 ' The kingdom of God is within you.' 
 
 " While experiencing the bereavement, we were animated to greater dedica- 
 tion by increased individual obligation now, as humble, willing instruments 
 in promoting, with Divine aid, the service called for by our Heavenly 
 Father." 
 
 The TESTiMONy of an Elder. 
 
 [One who often sat under the ministiy of Samuel J. Levick during the latter 
 part of his life :] 
 
 "Samuel J. Levick was a full believer in the record of the Holy Scriptures, 
 not doubting or caviling at what he could not comprehend, but reverently leav- 
 ing thai, he quoted freely from the portions that had been opened to his spir- 
 itual understanding. 
 
418 APPENDIX. 
 
 " In his ministry he was sound, clear and forcible, and the exercise thereof 
 was very frequently accompanied with a baptizing and tendering effect upon 
 his hearei's. When occasion required it, he shrunk not from boldly and fear- 
 lessly expressing what he felt commissioned to say to the audience. 
 
 " On one occasion, after having clearly set forth the views and principles of 
 Friends, he paused and added, ' If this be heresy, let it be, but so worship I 
 the God of my fathers. And though, among the high-professing religionists 
 of the day, we may seem to have no place, yet we need not be discouraged at 
 this, for the Blessed Master himself said, " The Son of Man hath not where 
 to lay his head." If then, our Lord and Master should thus feel, need we ex- 
 pect to be greater than He 7 And as long as we confide in Him, it matters 
 not by whom we are recognized, or by whom despised.' 
 
 "Another time he commenced by saying, 'The Lord is the Teacher of his 
 people himself,' and alladed to this declaration as being one of the distin- 
 guishing views of Friends. He also referred to the gi'eat excitement in refer-, 
 ence to the new version of the ' Scriptures.' He then said, whilst valuing 
 these writings as being able to make us wise unto salvation, through faith in 
 Christ Jesus, he feared that the letter of them was too much depended upon, 
 without coming to the ^•piritual application. He compared the ' Scriptures' to 
 a nut, the shell of which v/as the written words, giving an account of events 
 and of the times in which they occurred, and the kernel the work of God, 
 whose power preserved them through all. This power is still able to make 
 wise those who believe, for it is in consonance with that received from the 
 Great Teacher. He then very feelingly exhorted all to come to Him who is 
 wooing us to love Him, and whose tender mercies are over all his works, so 
 that He is caring for all and causing his rain to fall upon the just and upon 
 the unjust, renewing the earth for the benefit of man, and noting the fall of the 
 sparrow, which, as well as man, is the work of his creation. 
 
 " On another occasion, when exhorting to the importance of a preparation 
 for the life to come, he bore a strong testimony against deferring the work and 
 thinking to do it hereafter ; also against a belief in spiritual mediums, as held 
 by some. He exclaimed, ' Such things are a fallacy. and a delusion ! Who ever 
 saw any that returned to tell what is going on in the world of spirits, and 
 what is the condition of those who are now resting from their labors ? As to 
 consulting mediums — as they are so called for a more refined name than that 
 of witches — we have but one account in Holy Scripture where allusion is made 
 to these, and that is where Saul went to consult the Witch of Endor. And 
 why did he do so ? Because he who had been chosen of the Lord for a mighty 
 work, forsook the Most High, went into paths of wickedness, and becoming 
 
APPENDIX. 419 
 
 jealous, and not knowing of whom to take coutisel, lie turned to the spirits of 
 the dead. Oh, the jealousy that he felt towards David, after the battle with 
 the Philistines, when the cry went forth, " Haul hath slain his thousands, but 
 David his tens of thousands." . . And what was the end of him 
 
 who forsook the Lord, his God? He fell upon Mount tiilboa, where there 
 was neither rain, nor dew nor fields of offering. 
 
 " ' I never before have felt called to speak publicly on this subject — spirit- 
 ualism — and I here leave it for your consideration.' 
 
 " It was afterwards found that there was present a man who had lost his 
 right of membership in the Society of Friends on account of his holding and 
 advocating these views." 
 
 SAMUEL J. LEVICK. 
 
 In the days of my youth it was my privilege often to sit under the ministry 
 of this gifted Friend. Then I did not feel that I knew him pei-sonally ; but 
 I could testify that his sermons were impressive as well as interesting. In 
 large assemblies he could arouse the lukewarm, impart seriousness to the frivo- 
 lous, make the worldly-minded feel uneasy, urge the hesitating, appeal to those 
 who felt terrified at the sight and with a sense of their sins ; and then— as one 
 commissioned by the Great Physician — he could pour the oil of joy into the 
 wounded hearts of the mourners in Zion. The stillness that would pervade an 
 assembly after he had taken his seat, was an evidence of the baptizing power 
 of his ministry, and of the seals that it had impressed on many hearts. 
 
 In our meetings for discipline he seemed to have a clear insight into the 
 temptations that beset the young, and the ability to adapt his language and 
 his illustrations to their comprehension ; while his we (instead of you) gave the 
 assurance of his sympathy with them in their trials, as well as his vigilance 
 over their walking, and caused his earnest, yea, his pathetic appeals to '' fasten 
 as a nail in a sure place." So forcibly could he apply the Queries, and so feel- 
 ingly bemoan the low "state of Society,'' as indicated by the Answers, when 
 there was great delinquency, that the young man who could not, or who would 
 not, look into the mirror of his own heart, and .see his short-comings, must be 
 either callous, or dull of perception. 
 
 In later years I came to know him socially, and to be in his company at 
 Friends' houses after meetings, also to visit at his own home, and see him in 
 
420 APPENDIX. 
 
 his family , and such acquaintance had a tendency to verify the statement so 
 often made in his ministry — that the path of the righteous is not a gloomy 
 one, but that it is filled with all the true joys that this life can afford, while 
 the absence of the/jfae ones preserves the wayfarer from present dangers and 
 from many future pang.s. 
 
 In conversation he was not a hobbyist, but he could take up the topic that 
 othei's had started, and contribute to the general fund of information. In mat- 
 tei-s purely secular he had good judgment, and gave ample proof that he had 
 been an observer of men qnd of their actions ; and that he knew how to draw 
 conclusions from well-established premises. He was able in argument, and 
 had he been a barrister, or a statesman, instead of a minister, he would have 
 been powerful in the arena of debate. 
 
 A man whose profession required him to study persons closely, and to read 
 characters analytically, remarked of Samuel J. Levick, that he was compara- 
 ble to " the head-light of a locomotive." The comparison is. a forcible one, and 
 its application is easily made by those who have observed how this light pene- 
 trates into the very depths of darkness, and enlightens the Wiiy in advance of 
 the train that is following. 
 
 In the social circle where lie was present the conversation never seemed to 
 flag, nor to descend to the commonplace; but without seeming didactic he 
 could raise it to a plane that would invigorate thought, and invite remark from 
 the young and inexperienced inqnirer, as well as from the sage and the veteran. 
 But perhaps the greatest charm of his conversation was his sincerity : he 
 could express ooncnrreiice without flattery, or dissent without contradiction; 
 but his hearers were not left in doubt as to his opinion on the subject under 
 discussion. The exception to this coHoquial freedom was when he was under 
 religious exercise ; for then his silence was easily understood, and the whole 
 company would soon get under the weight of it. Greatly was he favored both 
 in pertinent testimony and fervent supplication in some of these family oppor- 
 tunities : there are those now in advanced life who can recur to the solemn 
 impressions made upon their youthful minds on these occasions. 
 
 The business man and the philanthropist (as he appeared in his connection 
 with the Sodetiei) have been described by others ; but the writer of this little trib- 
 ute of esteem and affection would rather portray the Samuel J. Levick that he 
 knew, as a minister, a social man, a family man and a friend. In each and in all 
 of the.se relations he occupied a most worthy place. As it was not his purpose, 
 neither should it be ours, to exalt the creature ; yet we may call aj^tention to his 
 own expressions, which point to the means by which he became the eminent 
 minister and the useful man that he was ; and we who were his contemporaries — 
 
APPENDIX. 421 
 
 though his juniors— and who watched his course with interest and instruction, 
 can emphasize the sentiment that "An early surrender, followed by a constant 
 endeavor" insures a safe passage amid the dangers of life, brings a joyful old 
 age, and at the end of the journey gives peace with a hopeful trust. 
 
 H. F. 
 
 A TRIBUTE. 
 
 [From one who knew him intimately, and who conversed with him on the 
 last day of his life.] 
 
 Samuel J. Levick passed away peacefully and painlessly. With the history 
 of the life thus closed we were well acquainted. We, who were closely asso- 
 ciated with him, knew how serious had been his early manhood, and how, from 
 a sense of religious duty he had left a good home, had abandoned the opportuni- 
 ties of the city, and the prospect of a promising business career, and had adopt- 
 ed a simple, country life, that he might walk more fully in harmony with the 
 Divine Will, which he desired should govern his every thought and action. 
 We knew that at the early age of twenty-three he was an acknowledged minis- 
 ter in the religious Society of Friends ; and we also knew how earnestly he 
 labored — then, as in after years— for the good of the church ; how zealously he 
 strove to break the bonds of the slave ; and how staunch an advocate he was for 
 universal peace. How he deepened in spirituality ; how circumspect was his 
 daily walk among men; and how, when sore bereavements and trials beset 
 him, he was able to rise above them all; yes, and how faithfully he obeyed 
 the dictates of a sensitive conscience, as he endeavored in a humble and willing 
 spirit to fulfill the requirements laid upon him. Thus it was that he experi- 
 enced a growth in grace and in spiritual knowledge and understanding. 
 
 We who knew of this early life, its sacrifices and its spiritual baptisms, were 
 able— because of this knowledge — to realize how he had passed from one con- 
 dition of religious growth unto another ; from the child Unto the man. When 
 the stature of the man had been attained, it was a vigorous manhood, broad and 
 catholic. Then it was that his field of labor enlarged ; he took a marked in- 
 terest in the social and the political problems of his day, and in many branches 
 of secular work, without allowing them to encroach upon his religious duties. 
 By nature he was well fitted for the former, and by grace he had grown to be 
 a strong man in Gospel service : the one called for outward observation and 
 decisive action, while the other required passivity and the introspection of " an 
 
422 APPENDIX. 
 
 anointed eye ;" and probably no man more appreciated the importance of keep- 
 ing the two kinds of work distinct from each other, and each in its proper 
 place. He not only knew but he fell what it is to " Kender unto Caesar the 
 things which are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's." 
 
 A man of exalted patriotism, he earnestly and eloquently strove to impress 
 upon his hearers — and especially the youthful ones — that they should zeal- 
 ously guard the institutions of the government under which they live ; and 
 particularly that they should appreciate their religious and civil liberties 
 which permit every human being in this country to worship God untranxmeled 
 by bigotry, and to enjoy the security of his home, unfettered by despotism ; 
 privileges which have been won by many sacrifices and by much suffering. 
 He very often quoted the sentiment " a government of the people, by the peo- 
 ple and for the people ;" also the Scripture text " Righteousnes.s exalteth a 
 nation ; but sin is a reproach to any people.'' 
 
 Generous and sympathetic to a fault, he was yet a man of strong convictions, 
 and he possessed the courage of the same. Gifted with keen foresight, he 
 lacked tact. Aggressive in advocating reforms, his straight-forward character 
 forbade diplomacy. 
 
 He bore a practical as well as a theoretical testimony against " tale-bearing 
 and detraction,'' and such subjects of conversation were never permitted in his 
 family circle. 
 
 Within a few years of three-score and ten, Samuel J. Levick did not die an 
 old man, but .rather as a young man, both mentally and physically. " Keep 
 young, do not grow old," was a favorite saying of his ; also that " Wisdom is 
 gray hairs, and an unspotted life, old age." Having a bright, cheerful dispo- 
 sition, he loved to surround himself with the young, whom he encouraged and 
 sometimes joined in their amusements. 
 
 It was to him a very solemn and impressive opportunity to address the 
 scholars of the " Friends' Central School" — nearly two thousand in number — 
 who attend the mid-week meeting at Eace Street. That he was much favored 
 on these occasions, many who have heard him have borne testimony. 
 
 Xon-sectarian in his views, with a deep love for his fellow-man, and an 
 '' abiding faith in the immediate revelation of the Saviour in the heart of each," his 
 ministry was not so much to expound doctrines as it was to teach a practical 
 religion ; one that is helpful in every-day life, and that has in view the bright 
 prospect of the Spirit Land. 
 
 His forceful and often eloquent discourses commanded the attention of his 
 hearers. 
 
 At no time nor place did he seem more gifted than when attending the meet- 
 
APPENDIX. 423 
 
 ings in the old Merion Meeting House, near Philadelphia. Standing where 
 William Penn had stood, when he preached in the same bnilding two hun- 
 dred years before, and with the knowledge that in the quiet, plain grave-yard 
 near by lay the remains of many of the founders of the Friends' Meetings 
 in Philadelphia, as well as founders of this great Commonwealth — his ances- 
 tors among them — it is not surprising that he should be drawn to call the atten- 
 tion of his hearers to the record of the lives of these men.* With an earnest- 
 ness and a flow of language that none who heard him can ever forget, he 
 would impress upon his audience the value of the precious boon of their 
 religious liberty, secured for them by the faithful obedience of these forefathers 
 to the law written in their hearts, — and then he would urge all to " press toward 
 the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." 
 
 L. J. L. 
 Phila., Pa., Twelfth Mo, 13th, 1895. 
 
 *He had requested that his body be burled at Merion, where the remains of 
 many of his kindred (Including his grandmother, Mary Wetherill Jones) had 
 been Interred. At the time of his funeral, as the company came out of the grave- 
 yard, his brother, Dr. James J. Levlck, wrote on a slip of paper And handed it 
 to one of the family the following quotation : 
 
 "And they buried him . . . among the kings, because he had done good in 
 Israel, both toward Grod and toward his house." 
 
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