Srom f^e feifirarg of Q$cqueaf3eb fig ^im io f 3e feifirarg of (()rtncefon ^^eofogtcdf ^etntndrj^ LIBRARY Of PRINCETON MAR I 2005 . — . — ^ THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015 https://archive.org/details/memoirsoflifegosOOwhee_0 MEMOIKS OF THE LIFE AND GOSPEL LABORS OF THE LATE DANIEL WHEELER, A MIXISTEE OF THE SOCIETY OF FEIENDS. " He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upou a rock, and est! LILsheU my goings. And He hath put a new song in my i louth, eveolBRARY OF PRINCETON praise unto our God."— Psalm xl. 2, 3. MAR I 2005 THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY 'l^tptintd Urn Hit ^oniIoi\ ^iIitiot|. PHILADELPHIA : FOR SALE AT FRIENDS' BOOK-STORE, No. 304 ARCH STREET. PREFACE. JN" presenting to the public the following Memoirs, a few ex- planatory remarks may be requisite. For some years previous to the decease of our honored parent it was evidently a matter which he had much at heart to leave behind him some narrative of his life, no doubt believing that a record, in which might be traced so many instances of Divine mercy and interposition, could not but be instructive and strengthening to others. This work, liowever, tiiough com- menced in the year 1831, was never completed • 'ind it has been our duty to su[if)]y the deticiency from wliatever sources lay within our reach. From the period nt which the aiuobiography abruptly terminates, to the time of his removal to Russia, the recollections of his family, and, in some instances, the memo- randa of his intimate friends, have furnished the only data; but it must be observed, that nothing has been allowed a place which could not be stated with entire confidence; more -HUght undoubtedly have been given, by including incidents not so distinctly remembered, and matter derived from traditional, rather than personal, knowledge, which in the present instance has been carefully avoided. Of the succeeding sixteen years, viz., from 1817, the private correspondence of the deceased aftbrds almost the only materials ; iii iv PREFACE. but as this Avas tolerably copious, and generally written with the entire openness of friendship, it constitutes not the least valuable part of the Work. The narrative of his religious visit to the South Sea Islands, etc., has been carefully revised since its last publication, and some additional matter from the original notes has been inter- spersed. For the closing years of his life, the private journal has again been quoted. The brevity of the American portion of it will, perhaps, be regretted, though easily explained by the increasing age and infirmities of the writer ; but although short, it was thought to contain matter of sufficient interest to warrant its insertion. The record of his last illness has been furnished by the amiable family who were then his kind attendants. Tlie A})pendix will be found to contain several articles, which, though not actually a part of the narrative, are yet interesting in connection with it. The extracts from the notes of our brother Charles, written whilst accompanying his father amongst the islands of the Pacific, exhibit a somewhat succinct view of the condition of their inhabitants, and are the more worthy of notice, as their lamented author was not only himself well quali- fied to observe, but also to estimate the evidence of others. It will be seen that the present work is to be regarded chiefly in the light of a compilation. From the nature of some of the materials, it will also be evident that it has occasionally been as much a duty to omit as in other instances to insert ; but the reader may be assured that the selection has been fairly and impartially made ; and that whenever any alteration has been attempted, it has been merely a verbal correction, without af- fecting the sense of the passage. It is hardly possible that so PREFACE. V near a relation to the deceased should be an entirely impartial Editor, and if any passages should be found indebted for their insertion rather to feeling than to judgment, it is hojied that both the judgment and feeling of the reader will combine to induce him to make some charitable allowance. It remains for me to acknowledge my obligations to all those who have in any way assisted in the present work, and particu- larly to my esteemed friend A. R. Barclay, who has kindly superintended its publication. lu conclusion, I would express my hope that no passage oc- curring in tlie present volume may give just cause of offence to any, ljut that, on the contrary, many may derive from it edifi- cation and comfort. DANIEL WHEELER. Ei'jIUk Month Uth, 1842. A TESTIMONY OF Balby Monthly Meeting, in the County of York, |UR beloved friend Daniel Wheeler was the youngest son of William yj and Sarah Wheeler, of Conduit Street, Hanover Square, London ; and was born there the 27th day of Eleventh Month, 1771. His parents were rather above the middle rank in society, and being consistent members of the Established Church, were strict in conforming to its rites and ceremonies, punctual in attending their place of worship, and careful to train up their children to devotional exercises. Before he was twelve years old, he was deprived of parental restraint by the death of his father and mother ; and was placed at a school at Fulliam, for the purpose of learning navigation, to prepare him for his future seafaring life. Thus left an orphan, through the interest of a relative he was entered on the King's books as midshipman at an early age : whilst he was pre- paring for the service, and before he had completed his thirteenth year, circumstances led to the breaking up of the family circle, giving rise to a long separation from his brothers and sisters, to whom he was very warmly attached. Hu now sailed for the first time, cruising on the coast of Portugal ; and after remaining six years in the navy he finally quitted his ship, and entered the ranks of the army as a private soldier. " When al)out sixteen years of age," he says, " having been unwell, and probably led to reflect a little on that account, I was made sensible of a Divine visitation extended to me at that time; disclosing, with un- dul)ital)Ie clearness, the vanity and emi)tinos3 of every earthly station tarni.shing the j)ride and glory of this perishing world in my sight; and which, though little understood and less regarded at the moment, has since, at difl'erent times, been brought to my remembrance by Him that CONCERNING DANIEL WHEELER, Deceased. vu viii TESTIMONY OP (leclareth unto man what is his thought, that niaketh the morning dark- ness, and trcadeth upon tlie high places of the eartli ; the Lord, the God of Hosts is his name ! When this occurred, although then entered into the bond of iniquity, yet I had not launched so fully into its awful abyss as was afterwards most lamentably tlie case ; and from what I have since witnessed, in unutterable mercy, of the strength and power of redeeming love, a belief is induced that if this warning voice, then sounded in the secret of my sinful heart, had been hearkened unto and wailed upon, my footsteps, even mine, would have been conducted from the horrible pit to which they were fast verging." It was after long exposure to the severity of the weather, during a harassing service in one of the most unhealthy districts of Europe, that Daniel Wheeler was seized with a prevailing fever, which swept away many of his fellow-soldiers ; and, after all prospect of recovery seemed to be gone, he was in mercy raised up from the hospital, where numbers were daily perishing round him, to become in future years the messenger of mercy and glad tidings to others. At this period, however, although he maintained a fair character among his fellow-men, he was living in a state of much estrangement of heart from God, and often striving against his own secret convictions. In the discharge of those duties belonging to his station, he had acquitted himself to the satisfaction of his superiors ; he had been advanced to the rank of serjeant-major, and was afterwards further promoted. In 1794 or 1795 he paid a short visit to his eldest sister, residing near Sheffield, who was married, and had become a member of the Society of Friends by convincement. He was not long allowed to enjoy this interval of quiet before he was summoned to join the regiment in which he had obtained a commission, on its departure for the West Indies. They set sail ; twice the fleet put to sea, and as often encountered a dreadful hurri- cane ; several of the vessels were lost, the troops perishing in them : but Daniel Wheeler was providentially spared, experiencing a narrow escape. Reflecting on these disasters, and the renewed occurrence of wonderful preservation, so unexpected and so undeserved, his heart was touched ; he could not resolve a third time to expose his life as he had done, but determined to quit the army so soon as he could meet with suitable em- ployment. He communicated this resolution to his sister at Woodhouse, near Sheffield, and returned thither, having given up his commission in 1796. His mind was now opened to embrace the principles of Friends, and he attended our meetings at Woodhouse. This excited the ridicule of some of his nearest relatives and companions, whose astonishment was great at the thorough change that soon appeared in him. The work was not suflfered to be long on the wheel ; the efiect was decisive and perma^ BALBY JIOXTHLY MEETING. ix nent, aSljrding a display of Divine power not less remarkable in this rapid conversion than where there has been a more gradual accomplish- ment of its purposes. He made an application to be admitted into membership with Friends: and after a suitable time his request was complied with, in the Second Mouth, 1799. It is worthy of notice that but little, if any, instrumental means was concerned. in this remarkable change. Whilst attending the small and generally silent meetings of Woodhouse, Daniel AVheeler had felt the truth of our principles, and had yielded to the conviction. His was a stability and growth in religion of no ordinary measure. In a very few years after his conviuceraent he was appointed an overseer, and he was indeed a bright example of zeal, sincerity, and love to his friends in that responsible station. An opening to begin business in a small way at Sheffield presenting itself, was readily embraced ; and in this, as in his future undertakings, the Divine blessing appeared to attend him, and to crown his exertions with success. In the Sixth Month, 1800, he was married to Jane I^-ady, the daughter of Thomas and Rachel Brady, of Thome, in whom he found a helpmate indeed, of sound judgment, guileless, and faithful. He remarks in a letter, written after her death, " the heavenly Master's love has never ceased to follow us through all the vicissitudes of time, during a life not a little chequered, for a term of more than thirty-two years and a half, when He was pleased to deprive me of my greatest earthly treasure, and to take back that which He gave: but it was his own, I verily believe, even his, the same who enabled me to .=ay in the moment of my greatest distress, ' Blessed I)e the name of the Lord.' " As a tradestnan he was diligent in business; he was also "fervent in spirit; serving the Lord." By the strictest attention to integrity in all his dealings, he gained the esteem of all with wiiom he had to do. Yet it was easy to see where his heart was fixed: his Bible was his favorite companion, and the few minutes that could be spared at a time amidst his daily concerns were spent in the i)erusal of tlie inspired writings. For some time previous to 1813 the impression had become strong upon his mind that he would be called to advocate the cause of truth and righteousness upon the earth. Very deep were his conflicts, and very close was his application of soul to his heavenly Fatiier for strength to perform his will ; and it was his practice, when he lived in the coun- try, to withdraw early in the morning to a small field near his house for the purpose of religious retirement and j)rayer. He was very watchful lest he should be led away from the grace vouch- safed to him ; frequently refraining from conversation apparently inno- X TESTIMONY OF cent, and in which lio delighted, lost at any unguarded moment he might grieve that Holy Spirit whom he felt to be his comforter and guide. He was recorded as au approved minister in the Sixth Month, 1816. About this period our friend was made sensible that some sacrifice would be called for on his part, as an evidence of his gratitude for the unutterable n)ercy and great condescension of the Almighty in having plucked him as a brand from the burning: and he saw clearly that it was indispensable for him, as much as might be, to separate hiniself from the world and the things of the world by declining his prosperous trade, and retiring with his family into a smaller compass. The extent of his business was becoming a burden. He felt the force of our Lord's decla- ration : " Ye cannot serve God and mammon ; " and his obedience to the requirement was full and unreserved. " Not," said he, " that I have ac- quired a sufficiency, without doing something for my livelihood ; far from it. I have still a prospect of nuiiutaining my family comfortably, with care and industry, leaving the event to Him who knows the thoughts and intents of the heart. I have no desire to accumulate riches for my children; the blessing seldom attends it, and the baneful eflects thereof are too often visible, even in our Society." His mind was thus disposed to withdraw from his concerns in trade, and he was in a state of waiting preparation when an inquiry was made, on behalf of the Emperor Alexander of Russia, for a member of the Society of Friends to superintend some works of drainage and of agri- culture in the neighborhood of Petersburg. Daniel Wheeler offered him- self for the service, and finally accepted the appointment. On the 18th of Sixth Mouth, 1818, he attended the meeting at Shef- field, when he took an affectionate leave of Friends there. He told them that nothing less than apprehended duty could have induced him to take the present step; that four years ago it was clearly intimated to him that it would be required of him to remove into Russia ; and though the prospect was very trying to the natural part, yet, endeavoring to obtain resignation, he had been favored to feel sweet peace. His mind had been deeply affected while sitting' among them, in viewing the prospect before him, when he would be deprived of the precious privilege of thus assembling with his Friends; that he wished none might suppose his case a hard one, for he thought that there was scai'cely a person on the face of the earth who had more largely partaken of the gracious deal- ings and protecting care of a merciful Providence. Twice he had been preserved from shipwreck; he had been favored to escape the devouring pestilence when numbers were falling around him ; and, when many were destroyed by the cruel hand of war, his life had indeed been marvellously spared. And surely the Almighty Being, whose arm had been so often extended for his preservation, when he was running headlong in the paths BALBY MONTHLY MEETING. xi of error, had a right to dispose of the residue of his days, and was worthy of obedience. He shortly after embarked for Petersburg, and took charge of the works committed to him. These ojierations appear to have been con- ducted successfully, much to the improvement of the extensive estates, and to the satisfaction of the parties concerned. There is also ground to hope that his labors will, at a future day, prove a blessing to that empire. On account of circumstances connected with the religious profession of the country, the gospel services of our dear friend were much cir- cumscribed to private interviews ; and in the line of his religious duty he addressed the English residents in that city. The uniformly guarded and consistent life and conversation, the unbending integrity which no self-interest could warp, no influence from without could suppress, will be long had in honorable remembrance in that land, to the glory of that Lord and Master, whom diligently to serve and faithfully to obey was more to our dear friend than the smiles of princes or all that the world could bestow. During the abode of Daniel Wheeler in Russia, he was careful to keep up in his house the regular attendance of meetings for worship, twice on First days, and on Fifth days. An orderly and regular atten- tion to the reading of the Scriptures was daily observed in his family ; nor did they omit the frequent perusal of the writings of Friends. For the distant members of his own Monthly Meeting, he evinced his concern by addressing them once a year, and occasionally at other times; putting them in remembrance of the things which belonged unto their peace. In the Fourth Month, 1825, our friend Daniel Wheeler was liberated by his Monthly Meeting to attend the Yearly Meeting in Dublin, and for other religious engagements in Ireland. He was also concerned, in Third Month, 18.31, to visit Friends in Devonshire and Cornwall, as well as the inhabitants of the Hcilly Islands. These services appear to have been accomplished, much to the satisfaction of his Friends and to the comfort of his own mind. At the end of 18.i2, whilst he was confined by indisposition at the house of a friend in Norfolk, the mournful intelligence arrived iiom Russia of the death of his beloved wife. This wa.s one of the greatest trials that could have i)cfallen him ; but the Almighty hanlic some account of his religious services in this land, of the progress of his illness, and of his interesting expressions when he laid down his head in peace amongst us. He first arrived in this city, on a religious visit to Friends in this country, with certificates of unity from tlie meetings to which he be- longed, on the 1st of the First Month, 1839. During the following spring and summer he attended the Yearly Meetings of Philadelphia, Virginia, New York, and New England. In the Eighth Month he visited the British provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, and in the Ninth Month attended the Yearly Meeting of Ohio. During his religious engagements amongst us he was careful to seek for the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and to move no fiuiter nor further than his way was thus opened. Hence his preaching was sound, IV xvi TESTIMONY OP weighty, and edifying, ministering grace to the liearers, and is fresh in our minds, accompanied by deep and feeling nnity with his religious services. In all his movements he was remarkably watchful to wait for tliat Divine direction which liad so often and so remarkably preserved him in many seasons of peril, during his extensive travels by sea and laud. In consequence of intelligence of the declining health of his son Charles, lie sailed for England on the L-^t of the Tenth Month, and found him in France, where he had gone with the hope of deriving benefit from the climate, and had the satisfaction of continuing with him until the peace- ful close of his life; after which our dear friend again embarked for this country, and arrived in New York on the 28th day of the Fourth Month, 1840. During the voyage he was taken sick, and was so ill on arrival that he was removed, with difficulty, to the house of our friend John Clapp. On the following day he was increasingly ill, and remarked to the phy- sician that he could not endure another such a day. On the morning of the 30th it appeared, from his rapid respiration and the coldness of his extremities, as if he was sinking fast, and it was thought proper to inform him of it : he replied, "All has been done that could be done ; only write to my dear children how it is : the work has been going on with the day. Love to all my friends on this side the Atlantic, as well as the other. It is a great thing to be clear of pain. I desire nothing but the love of my heavenly Father, and I witness it." He revived, however, in the afternoon, so as to write a few lines to his children. On the followuig day he had returns of oppression. On the 3d of the Fifth Month, after being bled, he said, " Without blood there is no cleansing ; " upon whicli one of the physicians remarked, " It is the blood of Jesus that cleanseth us from all our sins." " Yes," Daniel re- plied ; " but not in our natural unregenerate state. If we walk in the light as He is in the light, then I believe it will cleanse us from bur sins : yes," Jie added with much emphasis, " I know it." In the evening, he said he had had a hard struggle, and at one time he did not know but it was the cold sweat of death. On the morning of the 6th he called for his clothes, and having given directions for the disposition of some papers which they contained, he said, " Now I have done with the things of this world ; " and further observed, that he had no wish to live but for the sake of his family and that the Lord Jesus might live in him ; that He had been his guide for many years, and he had declared his name unto thousands ; that he had no hope but in Him, and He was the same Lord over all ; that it was not the prospect of immediate release that led him to speak thus, but it was in his heart, and he must say it while he had words ; with much more, in a very impressive manner and with a strong voice. NEW YORK MONTHLY MEETING. xvii Towards evening his mind appeared to overflow with adoration of the mercy and goodness of his dear Lord and Master, which had constantly attended him in his pilgrimage and crowned him with loving-kindness and tender mercies. He briefly recapitulated what had occurred since he left America, alluding to the coiisolation he had received at the death of his son Charles ; so that he had to rejoice in the midst of grief, saying, " ' The Lord is good to them that love and fear his name : great things hath He done for me ;' things so wonderfully marvellous that they would hardly be believed were I to tell of them. If I have experienced any shortness in my journey Zionward, it has been on my side, and not the Lord's ; for He has been faithful, and his promises have been, and remain to be, yea and amen, forever. Whilst I was on shipboard, and thought by some to be nigh unto death,,how did the Lord appear for my help and consolation ! and since I have been in this chamber, how has He appeared for my comfort in the night season, and I have been enabled to sing hymns of praises and thanksgiving unto Him! When the ship made her soundings, I made my soundings on that Rock which has never failed me, whose foundation" is from everlasting to everlasting. I saw that I should be safely landed, though extremely weak in body ; and was enabled to say, should the Lord see meet to raise me up and strengthen me still to show forth his wonder- ful works to the children of men, or cut short the work in righteousness, Thy will, O God, and not mine, be done. I do not see how the end will be." 9th. — He passed a distressing night, and one time said, " I did not know whether I should live to see the light of another day." lllh. — He said he felt the Saviour to be near him every hour of the day. From this period there was some apparent improvement, and for a time he was more comfortable; but the disease not being removed, his weakness again increased, and on the 29th he was very feeble. At one time he said, as to himself he had no doubt: he had the same faith which had been with him through life, and which was founded upon the gospel of Christ, which enabled him to say with the apostle, "Nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me ; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." 12th of Sixth Month, in the morning, he said, " Perhaps this day will end all your cares and troubles." In the afternoon he said, " It is very doubtful whether I shall be permitted to return to England." In the evening his breathing became more labored : after some time he was in- capable of being aroused, and a little after twelve o'clock at night he quietly passed away, in the GOth year of his age. Throughout all his extreme weakness and great distress that faith and 2* B XVm TESTIMONY OF NEW YORK MONTHLY MEETING. trust in the mercies and promises of his dear Redeemer, which had been so remarkably exemplified during his eventful life, remained firm and unshaken ; and that all things would work together for good seemed to be the prevailing covering of his mind throughout his illness. He had ceased from his many and extensive labors ; and we feel an assurance that he has entered into that rest which is ^prepared for the people of God. His remains were conveyed to Friends' Meeting-house, in Orchard Street, where a large and solemn meeting was held ; in which testimony was borne to the suflSciency of that Divine power by which he was pre- pared for usefulness in the Church and made instrumental in promoting the cause of vital Christianity in the world. After which the corpse was followed to the grave by many Friends and others, and interred in Friends' burial-ground the 15th of the same month. Signed by direction and on behalf of the Monthly Meeting aforesaid, held in New York 7th of Fourth Month, 1841. CONTENTS. CIIArTER I. Introductory Remarks by the Author — His Parentage, Education — Early be- comes an Orphan — Enters the Merchant Service, then the Royal Navy — Is Paid off — Eaters the Army 25 CirAPTER II. The Author goes to Plymouth, thence with his Regiment to Ireland — Kilkenny — Dublin — Harassing Service — Personal Danger — Recruits — Liver- pool— Bristol — Southampton — Embarks thence with Troops for the Cam- paign in Holland 34 CHAPTER III. Nimeguen — Many Dangers — Attacked by Fever — Hospital Treatment, heavy Mortality among the Sick — Disasters of the British Army — Retreat to Bremen — Returns to England ......... 42 CHAPTER IV. Sails with his Regiment to the West Indies — Remarkable Preservation — Serious Impressions — Returns to England — Becomes convinced of Friends' Principles — Received into Membership in 1707 — .Settles in Busi- ness and Marries — .Acknowledged a Minister in 181U . .61 CHAPTER V. Prospect of Duty in Russia — Offers Himself to the Russian Government to Superintend Airricultural Improvements near Petersburg — Voyage to Cron- Btadt, 1817 — Interview with Prince Ualitzin at Petersburg^ also with the Emperor — Voyage Homeward ......... 59 xix CONTENTS. CIIArTER VI. Removes with his Wife and Family to Russia — Voyage Thither, 1818 — Settle- ment at Ochta, near Peteisbuig — Willium Allen and Stephen Grellet — Agricultural Success — Visit from the Kraperor, etc 71 CHAPTER VII. Severe Winter of 1819-20— His AfiFectionatc Address to Balby Monthly Meet- ing— Sundry Letters to his Friends in England — Visit from the Emperor Alexander 80 CHAPTER VIII. Address to Balby Monthly Meeting in 1822 and in 1823 — Visit from the Em. peror, etc. — Great Flood at Petersburg 93 CHAPTER IX. Visits England, 1825 — Returns to Russia — Death of the Emperor Alexander, and Occurrences consequent Thereon — Address to Balby Monthly Meeting, 1826 — Extensive fires, etc. 106 CHAPTER X. Address to Balby Monthly Meeting, 1827 — The Emperor Nicholas — Address, to Balby Monthly Meeting, 1828 — General Correspondence . . . 118 CHAPTER XI. Visits England with his Wife in 1830 — His Affectionate Address to the Mem- bers of the Church of England — Religious Visit into Devonshire, Cornwall, the Scilly Isles, etc 141 CHAPTER XII. Return to Russia, 1831 — Cholera at Petersburg, etc. — Epistle to Friends of York Quarterly Meeting, 1832, etc 152 CHAPTER XIII. Prospect of Distant Religious Service — Resigns his Appointment in Russia — Leaves his Family, and Sails for England, 1832 — His Prospect of Visiting, in Gospel Love, the Inhabitants of some of the South Sea Islands, etc, laid before his Friends 164 CHAPTER XrV. Correspondence — Attends Norwich Quarterly Meeting — Receives Intelligence of the Decease of his Wife and of the Severe Illness of Others in his Fam- ily — Letters to his Absent Children 174 CONTENTS. xxi CHAPTER XV. Journey to Russia in 1833 — His Return, and Preparations for his Long Voy- age— Sails from the Thames the 13th of Eleventh Month, 1833 — Detention off the Isle of Wight from adverse Gales — Letters and Extracts from his Journal 187 CHAPTER XVI. Departure from the British Channel, with a Fair Wind, loth of Third Month, 1834 — Voyage to Rio Janeiro 19'J CHAPTER XVII. Departure from Rio Janeiro — Proceed by the Cape of Good Hope for Van Die- men's Land — Heavy Seas and Stormy Weather — Remarkable Preserva- tion— Continuance of Stormy Weather — Lightening the Vessel — Hurri- cane— Frequently Lying to — Tremendous Storms ..... 211 CHAPTER XVIII. Van Diemen's Land — Anchor off Hobart Town — Meeting with James Back- house and George W. Walker — Aborigines — Illness of Daniel Wheeler — Sail for Botany Bay — Arrival at Sydney — Interview with tiie Governor — Public Meeting at Sydney — Religious Engagements ..... 225 CHAPTER XIX. Sail from Sydney — Arrive off Norfolk I.oland — Parting with James Backhouse and George Washington Walker — Sail for the Society Islands — Equinoc- tial Gale — Enter the Torrid Zone — Maitea — Arrive at Tahiti — First In- terview with the Natives — Visit from the King — Prohibition of Ardent Spirits — Meeting of the Missionaries and Natives at Papaoa . . . 23G CHAPTER XX. Tahiti — Visit of Chiefs — The Young King — Meeting for Sailors — Distribu- tion of Tracts, Bibles, etc. — Temperance Ships — Inlroduclion of Ardent Spirits — Visit to the Schools — Attend the Native Meeting — Visitors on Board — Jolin Davies — Meeting on Board — Importance of Translating and Circulating the Scriptures — Tahilian Council — Native Meeting. . . 210 CHAPTER XXI. Visit to Bunaauia — Native Meeting — Kindness of the Principal Chief — Point Venus — Perilous Situation — Meeting at Point Venus — Visit toPapara — Beautiful Scenery — School alTeahupoo — Meeting of the Natives — Letter from the Native Congregation — Native .Meeting at Papara — Return to the Eenry Freeling — Letter from the Queen of Tahiti 260 xxii CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXII. Sft out for Taiitira — A Native "Feeding" — Meetings at Tautira — Visit to Hitea — Retui-n to the Henry Freeling — Obstructions to the Progress of Re- ligion— Visit to the Queen — Meeting for the White Residents on Board Va.^ Henry Freeling — Letters from Home — Distribution of Books . . 275 CHArTER XXIII. Visit from Missionaries — Baron de Thierry — Meeting in the Chapel — Sail for Eimeo — Letters from Homo — Arrive at Eimeo — School — Native Meeting . 291 CHAPTER XXIV. Eimeo — Meetings with the Natives — A Marai — Return to the Ilenry Freeh ing — Native Meeting, and with the Mission Families — Sail for Huahine — Prohibition of Spirits there — Social Meeting of the Authorities — Disti-i- bution of Tracts — Sail for Raiatea 301 CHAPTER XXV. Raiatea — Native Meeting — A Place of Human Sacrifice — Bolabola — Deso- lating Effects of Intemperance — Meeting with the Natives — Meeting with the Rebel Chief and his Idolatrous Party — Wretchedness of the Inhabi- tants — Distribution of Clothing — Sail for the Sandwich Islands — Flint's Island — Oahu 317 CHAPTER XXVI. Sandwich Islands — Anchor in the Harbor of Honolulu — Native Meeting — Visit from the King — Meeting at the Mariners' Cliapel — Distribution of Tracts, etc. — Native Meeting — Visit of the Governor of Hawaii — Half- Caste Girls' School — Meeting at tlie Chapel — Native Marriages — Meet- ing at the Chapel — Native Girls' School 337 CHAPTER XXVII. Interview with the Queen — Public Meeting — Half-Caste Boys' School — Ad- dress to the Rulers of the Sandwich Islands — Visit from the Mission Families — Meeting at the Chapel — An Infidel Ship's Company — Ap- pointed Meeting — Departure from Honolulu — Hawaii — Anchor in Eala- kakua Bay — Public Meeting — Interesting Opportunity with the Mission Family — Proceed to Kailua — Native Meetings — Visit of the King — De- parture for Waimea 357 CONTENTS. xxiii CHAPTER XXVIII. Waimea — Native Meeting — Sail for Koloa — Volcano — Byron's Bay — Native Meetings — Sail with the Mission Families for Maui — Island of Maui — Anchor at Lahaina — Proceed to Wairuku — School — Meetings at Lahaina — School — Sail for Oahu ........ 382 CHAPTER XXIX. Oahu — Annual Meeting of the Missionaries — Meeting with the Members of the Mission — Addressed by the Senior Missionary — Sail for Tauai — Native Meeting at Kol6a — Waimea — Oppression of the Natives — Final Departure from the Sandwich Islands 396 CHAPTER XXX. Recross the Equator — Ilervey Islands — Visit the Island of Rarotonga — Friendly Reception — School — Native Meetings — Kindness of the Natives — Sail for the Friendly Isles 412 CHAPTER XXXI. Vavau — Wesleyan Missionaries — Native Meetings at Neiafu, Felctoa, and Ilaalaufuli — Appointed Meeting for Seamen — Visit to the Island of Otea — Meetings at Hihifo — At Maliiia — Embarkation of the Mission Families — Sail for Lifuka 427 CHAPTER XXXII. Island of Lifuka — Native Meeting — Distribution of Bibles, etc. — Visit of the King — Meeting with the Missionaries — Sail for Tongataboo — Anclior off the Settlement at Nukualofa — Letter from the Wesleyan Missionaries — Distribution of Clothing and Medicines — Visit to the Heathen Settle- ment at Mua — Restraining Influence of the Missionaries — Native Meet- ing at Nukualofa ........... 444 CHAPTER XXXIII. Tongataboo — Meeting with the Foreigners — Parting Interviews with the Natives and Missionaries — Sail from the Friendly Islands — New Zealand — Anchor in the Bay of Islands — Visit the Mission Family — Native Meet- ing at Koua-Koua — Desolating Effects of Intercourse with the Shipping . 464 CHAP-TER XXXIV. New Zealand — Visit to the Mission-Station at Waimate — War among the Natives — .Meeting with the Mission Families — Distribution of Tracts — xxiv CONTENTS. Native Meetings at Korarareka — Address to tlic Missionaries — Sail from the Bay of Islands — Remarks on tlie Character of the New Zealanders — Anchor off Sydney — Ueligious Engagements there — Return to England . 480 CHAPTER XXXV. Attends the Yearly Meeting in London, 1838 — His Prospect of Religious Ser- vice in America — Visits his Family in Russia, Eighth Month, 1838 — Sails to New York, First Month, 1830 — Travels in the United States— Attends Yearly Meetings of Philadelphia, Virginia, and New York . . .017 CIIArTER XXXVI. Attends New England Yearly Meeting, etc. — Visits Nova Scotia and Canada — Returns to Philadelphia and proceeds to Ohio ; Attends the Yearly Meet- ing at Mount Pleasant — Returns to England 634 CHAPTER XXXVII. Alarming Illness of his Son Charles, then in France — Daniel Wheeler Pro- ceeds Thither before the Death of Charles — Returns to England — Again Sails for New York — Last Illness and Death 548 APPENDIX. Letters of the Empress Elizabeth to her Mother, relative to the Last Illness and Death of her Husband, the Emperor Alexander of Russia . . . 563 Extracts from the Account of the Last Illness of Jane, Wife of Daniel Wheeler, at Shoosharry, in Russia, which is inserted in the Annual Monitor for 1835 563 Statement respecting the Land in the Neighborhood of Petersburg, and its Improvement under the Care of Daniel Wheeler 565 Extracts from the Letters of Charlea Wheeler, Relative to the South Sea Isl- ands, addressed to his Family 565 Index 599 MEMOIRS OF DANIEL WHEELER. CnAPTER L IjrTEODUCTORT ReMAEKS BY THE ArxiiOR — Uls Parestage, Edccatiok Early Becomes ax Orphan' — Enters the Mercuant Service, then the Royal Navy — Is Paid Off — Enters the Army. HAVING frequently derived mucli valuable instruction from the perusal of the narratives of those who have long since exchanged an earthly for a heavenly inheritance, the thought has at times occurred to noe, that a short memoir of my own life, — however evil "the days of the years of my pilgrimage" have been, — might, under the Divine bles.sing, be made in like manner useful to others. But perhajis, from the humiliating conviction, that days as without number have been miserably devoted to madness and folly, in forgetfulness of a loiig-suU'er- ing Lord God, who is abundant in goodness and truth, — the guilty mind would gladly hide the remembrance of these forever in oblivion, and pass over them in silent abhorrence ; or, con.scious that there yet remains a .stubborn and unsubdued residue of human c()rrui)tioiis, — a sense of unworthine-ss and unfitness may have hitherto operated to retard the undertaking; lest the creature should in any degree be exalted, to whom shame only with blushing and confusion of face must ever belong. Whatever may thus far have impeded any attempt of the kind, I am induced, not as a matter of choice, but as a duty, now in the sixty-first year of my age, to commence the work ; humbly imploring the assist- ance of Him, who "knoweth tbe thoughts and intents of the heart," to enable me, as far as it may be carried forward, to accomplish it to his own praise and glory, as a faithful testimony for the advancement of our holy Redeemer's kingdom in the hearts of my fellow-creatures. Although no man can possibly be excusable for having done wrong, because others may have been as bad as him.self, or even worse, — yet the magnitude of the present undertaking would, in my view, be dimin- 3 26 26 MEMOIRS OF DANIEL WIIEELEH. [1771 tO i.slied, if on reviewing writings of a similar kind, anytliing like resem- blance, or a parallel case could be discovered. But, alas! all that have gone before, appear to me to have travelled a much shorter time than myself, in the broad way that leadeth to destruction. Many have yielded again and again to the temptations of the unwearied and in- sidious enemy of mankind, and have been long in the fetters of sin and death ; yet I feel to have surpassed all others, that I have read any ac- count of, in having drawn " iniquity as with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart-rope." I can adopt as my own, I hope in a degree of true abasement of self, the acknowledgment of the apostle, — " this is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief." I was born in London, the 27th day of the Eleventh Month, 1771; my parents, William and Sarah'Wlieeler, were members of the estab- lished religion of the country, and strict adherents to all its rights and ceremonies ; and although not particularly conspicuous as being more religious than others of the same class, yet they were highly esteemed and respected, by a large circle of acquaintance for uprightness and in- tegrity,— of which there are at this day many living witnesses. They had a large family of children, whose minds they endeavored to imbue at an early age with the fear of their great Creator, — taking them regu- larly to attend the performance of public Avorship, and also reading the Holy Scriptures in the family at home ; jiortions of which I well re- member reading aloud when very young. By a document now in my possession, it appears that until some time after my father's marriage, he was not ;n any line of business ; but afterwards, to meet the demand occasioned by a great increase of family, he commenced the wine trade in a select way. To enter into minute family details is not the present object, nor is. it within my reach, being too young, when deprived of both parents, to be able to speak from knowledge of my own. I have but a very indistinct recollection of my father's person, not being quite seven years old when he died, at the age of forty-three years. Some time before his death, our once large family of children was reduced to five only, of whom I was the youngest. We then lived in London, at the Bond Street end of Lower Grosvenor Street; but those parts of, the premises which looked into Bond Street were occupied by another person, as tenant to my father. My mother was endowed with a large capacity, combining great sweetness with firmness of mind : and although an entire stranger to every kind of business, she persevered in an extraordinary manner after the death of her beloved husband, in carrying on the trade for the sup- port of the family ; and so long as she lived, it continued increasingly to flourish, our eldest brother being her assistant in the business. When she was attacked by the illness that deprived her family of their en- deared and only surviving parent, I was sent for home on the mournful 1792.] MEMOIRS OF DANIEL WHEELER. 27 occasion, being then at a boarding-school at Parson's Green, near Ful- hara. Of the loss of such a mother, I was very sensible, being about twelve years old at the time; and as I had a much greater personal knowledge of her worth and solicitous affection, than I could possibly have had of my dear father, the event of losing her made a deeper and more lasting impression. I had had much of her maternal society, and had largely partaken of her constant parental and tender care, of which, perhaps, from being the youngest of the family, I had more than an ordinary share. A clergyman related to my mother by marriage, who resided on a living in the West Riding of Yorkshire, had the whole management of our family affairs, being left sole executor. He came up to London at this eventful moment; and after having examined into the state of things, it was judged eligible that th? business should still be carried on for the benefit of us all, by our eldest brother; whose character at that period, and known capability, seemed fully to warrant such a decision. Shortly after, I was sent again to school ; and our little family band, altliough lamentably reduced, still remained awhile longer unbroken. For a few months after this great bereavement, all things went oaas well as could be expected with our solitary family; but the deep afflic- tion into which it had been plunged, by degrees began to wear away, although for a time it seemed as if it could scarcely be borne, much less forgotten. Our brother, on whose conduct the welfare of the rest greatly depended, thus left without parental control, became less and less atten- tive to business; and gradually sliding into bad habits, and mixing with evil associates, gave way to every excess and indulgence in his power. From his extravagance and negligence, the afliiirs entrusted to hira at home became so much embarrassed, that it was now determined by the executor in trust, that the business should be disposed of; and the nec- essary steps were taken accordingly. It was not long before a person came forward, wlio was competent to purchase the stock on hand, and enter into the trade on his own account. Although by our brother's imprudence, the family were now banished from a comfortable home, and separated, never all to meet again in mutability; yet the business itself received no material check, nor was it for a single hour suspended ; but was afterwards carried on to advan- tage for several years by our successor. When proper arrangements were made, our beloved but unhappy brother sailed for Jamaica, pre- ferring in all probability a foreign clime, rather than endure the reflec- tions which he so justly merited at home, for having thus brought ruin and disfgrace upon a family, whose prospects had been less clouded than those of many others in similar circumstances. It cannot be doubted that mucli sorrow of heart would be his portion : but I had never an opportunity of obtaining much information respecting him, from the time he left England until several years after his death. He died at 28 MEMOIRS OF DANIEL WnEELER. [1771 tO tlie age of thirty-eight years; aud it appears that he had been com- fortably settled for the last several years of his life, and been frequent iu correspondence with those branches of our family that were more stationary than myself My other brother had previously settled in the West Indies. At this time, my eldest sister went to reside with our relative in Yorkshire, to whom she looked up as a' guardian, until married : my youngest sister was at a boarding-school at Putney ; and I remained with the family which succeeded to the business. Having been previously removed from school to assist my brother in the count- ing-house, I had acquired considerable knowledge of its management; it was therefore a convenience to them who were entire strangers to it, and for a time no other occupation offering for me to engage in, I was furnislicd with employment, and had still a comfortable home. Our family compact was now feJtever dissolved; — we were scattered and widely separated from each other, without any near relative in the world. My father was an only son, aud my mother an only daughter, so that we had neither uncles nor aunts; and I believe, in the strict application of the term cousin, not one that could properly be called so: neither were any of our grand-parents living, or had ever been known to us, except our dear mother's mother, who ended her days at our house three years before her daughter's decease. Our family being thus severed from each other, we were cast upon the wide world, as to relatives, in a peculiarly destitute situation; but yet not altogether friendless, — for some who had long been bound to the family by ties of strong attachment, clearly evinced their sincerity, by never withdrawing from the orphan children, (now overtaken by adversity,) that regard and kindness, which liad been extended to their deceased parents in the days of their prosperity; — a test which the friendship of the world can but seldom bear. Having brought my little narrative to this point, it seems necessary to determine in what manner it shall be carried forward, before we proceed any farther. After due consideration, I am of the mind that it should be hereafter confined principally to events relating to myself; only in future bringing into view other branches of the family, when the hand of time shall, through the over-ruling providence of Almighty God, have again led some of us into connection with each other at periods far remote: one of which was made productive of the most striking and important change in the history of my life; and which I humbly hope will lead to the accomplishment of another, transcendently greater and everlasting, at my death. But, reader, if the power to choose were mine, to draw an impenetrable shade over the next several years would best suit my natural inclination ; it would save me many pangs, and I should at once bring thee to the time when I could tell thee with delight, "what the Lord hath done for my soul." But with these years omitted, the long-suffering and unutterable goodness of my gracious God and 1792.] MEMOIRS OF DANIEL WHEELER. 29 Saviour would be eclipsed, his tender mercies would be ungratefully robbed of their lustre, the riches of his grace obscured, and its glory hidden. I must therefore, like the regular and progressive gradations of nature, proceed from those days of childhood and youth, at which I had now arrived, — would that I could say, of innocency. But ah! at this distance of time, I can painfully trace the spriugings up of the evil root, which failed not at an early age to bring forth fruit of those things " whereof I am now ashamed ; " having sorrowfully found from woeful experieuce, that their " end is death." Canst thou then wonder at the shrinking of human nature from the task of thus re-opening a dark picture of guilt? such as I pray it may never be tiiy lot to know, or to have to render an account of as thine own. Tiiough now in full abhor- rence of tlie same, through the mercy of God in Christ Jesus, I have a hope that my sins, though many, will l)o forgiven, and forever blotted out as "a thick cloud;" and that my tribulated soul will yet be cleansed by the precious " blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things thaa that of Abel." This only "cried from the ground" for vengeance against the offender; whilst the blood of Him, who cried, "Father, for- give them, for they know not what they do," cleanscth from all !^in, and was shed for many, for the remission of sins, — yea, for all that repent, believe, and obey the gospel in the secret of their hearts revealed, which is "the power of God unto salvation." But although ready to shudder at the prospect before me, I feel strengthened to proceed, .so far as I may rightly do, from a belief that the work in wiiich I am now en- gaged, is prompted in mercy, and will not be in vain, peradventure to niy.self, if not to another. For if permitted to finish it, I shall have had another opportunity afforded, even at tliis late hour, for repentance, — a truly great and blessed privilege to every sinner. And liow much more shall I owe unto my Lord, if in the course of a diligent search, it should please the " faithful witness," in condescension to discover to the view of my mind sins, which, through the subtle working of the grand adversary, have been partly hidden and imperfectly repented of. For some time after the separation of our family before hinted at had taken place, my attention was fully occupied; until the party, who had taken to the business, became acquainted with its usual routine. The master of the house, holding a post in a public office under government, which required his regular attendance, was absent every day until after dinner; anrl as his family consisted only of very young children, I had no associates but among the servants; whose example did not fail to have in many things a baneful influence on my thoughtless mind, — though at the time imperceptible, — and the consequences unregarded. Yet I was at times desirous that a situation in a well-conducted family, with whom in the days of my parents wo had been intimately acquainted, would offer for me; which in all respects would have been much more 3* 30 MEMOIRS OF DANIEL WIIEEI.EU. [1771 tO guarded, than that in which I was; but in this my hope was disap- pointed. There was a merchant in the city, who had long shown much friend- shij) for us ; on wliom without any particuhir reason I kei)t an eye, as one wlio was likely to befriend me. He I'requently called on business : and one day on perceiving him coming, it occurred to me immediately, that his business was on my behalf. Tliis proved to be the case: for in a short time I was sent for, and informed that he had obtained a situa- tion for me, on board a ship then lying in the Thames, fitting out for Oporto, commanded by a respectable man, a lieutenant in the navy, then on half-pay; she belonged to some merchants with whom he was connected in the import trade. This offer was at once accepted on my part, and I suppose that any other would at that time have been the same, without regard to choice; as I do not remember tliat one occupa- tion had any preference with me rather than anotlier. I am not aware that any attempt was made to dissuade me from this undertaking, by those whose sentiments would have been regarded, or by any other per- son ; so that the needful preparation was immediately made for this unexpected change of station. I should not feel easy without noticing in this place, for the benefit of others, the manifold temptations to which young people are neces- sarily exposed, when brought up to trades similar to that in which I was then employed. From the nature of these trades, there is scarcely a probability of escape from insensibly falling into habits (much more readily acquired than shaken off) of tasting different kinds of wines and strong liquors, which too often leads the way to intemperance. The injurious effects of these practices, and of such exposure at an early age, having been felt and witnessed by myself, make me the more desirous to warn others against the business. But a short time elapsed before I went on board the ship, which, in a few days, proceeded to Gravescud. The weather being rough, we were detained a day or two at the Nore ; and after reaching the Downs, we were again hindered by boisterous and contrary winds for more than a fortnight. From these and other detentions at sea, the ship was too late to procure a cargo in Portugal, which resulted in our wintering in the Douro ; so that before we reached Loudon again, the voyage had occupied fully six months. We were but a short time in the river, before we sailed again on the second voyage; which was completed in less than half the time 6f the former. During our stay in England, my time was taken up in learning navigation; so that I had scarcely any opportunity of seeing either my sister, or any of our old friends. Whilst I belonged to this vessel, we had a providential escape from fire; the danger was greatly increased by the river being frozen at the time: but ■with promjjt assistance from other ships then in the Thames, the ice was broken, and sufficient water procured to extinguish the flames, 1792.] MEMOIRS OF DANIEL WHEELER. 31 before much damage was done. By the time our second voyage was (completed, I had become tolerably accustomed to the situation ; and although we had experienced some rough weather, I was reconciled to it as much as could be expected. Soon after returning to London the second time, I found that some of my friends had succeeded in procuring for me the station of midshipman on board a ship of war, then commissioned at Plymouth, and preparing for the cruisino; service. This affair was brought about bv an intimate friend of my late dear mother, whose brother was appointed to the com- mand of this vessel ; and it was considered by those who felt interested in my welfare, as an important foundation-stone, upon which my nautical career would at a future day be established. The change, however specious in appearance at the time, was to me but as an introduction to a school, which is not often equalled, and but seldom surpassed for vice and im- morality. After the necessary equipments were provided, I took leave of my youngest sister, who was still at Putney at school, and of some of those v;ith whom we were the most intimately acquainted, and I joined the ship at Plymouth. The situation I had now obtained, was for some time much less comfortable than the one in which I had been engaged. Before, I had been placed amongst only a few strangers, but now the crew altogether consisted of many ; and being an entire stranger to naval etiquette, my situation was dull and mortifying; particularly as from my not having completed my fourteenth year, all those of the officers with whom I could use freedom, were several years older than myself. It was not long before we left the harbor, and sailed for the Isle of Man Ftation. This was a stormy and dangerous passage, in which, tlirough Divine mercy, we were favored to witness a marvellous preservation from shipwreck, — the dawn of day discovering to us just in time the small island of Grasholtn; towards which the vessel was drifting in a direct course, and already witliin a short distance of the breakers. We were lying to at the time under two or three storm-sails; but tliere happily being room to wear clear of the rocky crags, tlie danger was soon left behind. After remaining in these parts about fourteen months, visiting alternately the coasts of Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, and putting into a variety of harbors for provisions and water, as occasion re(juired, w.e reached Liverpool in a leaky condition. Here we expected to be re- paired : but instead of being permitted to go into the dock for that pur- pose, instructions were received from the Admiralty to procure an extra pump and proceed immediately to Plymouth ; this, although attended with much risk, was at last accomplished in safety. Whilst in this harbor, interest was made on my behalf with an admiral of considerable estate and influence in the neighborhood, with whom in former days some ofour family had been personally acquainted. Through this medium, I was in a short time received on board a ship of the line, then bearing the flag of a rear-admiral. This advance, under such 32 MEMOIRS OF PAXIEL AV HEELER. [1787 to patronage, was considered to hold out a promising aspect ; but whilst it seemed to pave the way to promotion, it opened at once a door to an ex- tensive range of acquaintance with officers on board, whose circumstances in life enabled them to deviate with less difficulty than myself from the path of virtue; whose example I endeavored to follow, until nothing but the want of means prevented my going still greater lengths than the worst of them. Whilst in this ship, when about sixteen years of age, having been unwell, and probably led to reflect a little on that account, I was made sensible of a Divine visitation being extended to me: dis- closing with indubitable clearness the vanity and emptiness of every earthly station, tarnishing the pride and glory of this perishing world in my sight ; and which, thougli little understood and less regarded at the moment, has since, at diflerent periods of my chequered life, been brought to my remembrance, by Him " who declareth unto man his thoughts, — who maketh the morning darkness, aud treadeth upon the high places of the earth, — the Lord, the Lord of hosts is his name." When this occurred, although then entered into the bond of iniquity, I had not launched so fully into its dreadful abyss, as was afterwards most lament- ably the case; and from what I have since witnessed in unutterable mercy, of the strength and power of redeeming love, a belief is induced, that if this warning voice, then sounding in the secret of my sinful heart, " Behold I stand at the door, and knock," had been hearkened unto, and waited upon, my footsteps, even mine, would have been conducted from the horrible pit to which they were fast verging. I continued nearly six years in the navy: but were all the changes from ship to ship enumerated which took place during that time, and the great variety of incidents which befell me, they would swell this nar- rative far beyond the limits intended: whilst however I am desirous of avoiding the error of gratifying self, or merely amusing others, I beg to be preserved from a greater, — in omitting anything tending in the slightest degree to make known the aboundiugs of that wondrous good- ness and mercy, which followed me all along through an unparalleled course of presumptuous and unrestrained liberty. It may therefore suffice for me to say, that notwithstanding the many and great dangers I was exposed to, and the hardships and suffering I had to endure, through all which I was preserved aud sustained in a manner at this day inconceivable to myself ; yet none of these things were sufficient to soften the rocky heart, or bring me to a sense of my lost condition : for whether on board or on shore, in harbor or at sea, or in whatever country, if I could -meet with associates prone like myself to evil, I was always ready to hasten with them to it, either in word or in deed. An expected war with a foreign power had occasioned an unusually large fleet to collect at Spithead ; but after a time, the differences being adjusted, the ships were dispersed to their respective posts, and that to which I belonged was paid off. She was commissioned again the next 1792.] MEMOIRS OF DANIEL "WHEELER. 33 day as a guard-ship, and I have no doubt that I miglit have resumed my station as one of her mates, had I made application : for with all my private failings as a poor sinful creature, my public character had not suffered in any of the ships in which I had served, but rather the con- trary ; for my pride and presumption had ofteu prompted me in moments of extreme danger, in a daring manner to take the most hazardous post, even when duty did not require it, or warrant the risk. But instead of applying to be reinstated in my former berth, I remained on shore in pursuit of sinful gratifications with increased avidity ; aud going up to London, so much time elapsed before my return, that I never afterwards attempted to procure a situation in the ship I had left, or in any other. In this way I left the service altogether; and would I could say that I left the service of sin at the same time: but I had not then filled up to the brim the measure of iniquity. For some time I remained without any employment ; at length I concluded to go to Canterbury, without any other motive than what arose from examining the names of places to which stage-coaches ran from the inn at which I was then stopping; and as I knew nothing of tliat place, it is very probable that I thought no person there knew anything of me. I now found the disadvantage of not having been regularly brought up to a trade ; and although desirous of getting into some employ, no matter what, — yet for want of this knowledge, I was alike unfit for all ; and I could not bear the thought of making ray forlorn situation known to those who had been the friends of my childhood, amongst whom there is no doubt but helpers would have been found. As my means became every day more scanty, I was at length reduced to complete poverty; and after many fruitless attempts to procure a livelihood, there seemed left to me no other alternative, than that of entering as a volunteer into the army : this plan was accordingly adopted without delay. I must now digress awhile from the narrative, to mention a circum- stance, which the facts just related have afresh awakened and impressed on my memory. Towards the latter part of the time of my being in the navy, it was suggested to my lost and bewildered mind, by the subtle destroyer of men, that nothing short of making away with myself, could extricate me from the difficulties by which I was surrounded, and shelter me from shame and disgrace; and the method of its accomplishment was at seasons hinted at. But, blessed be the name of the Lord God of heaven and earth forever! his invisible arm of merciful interposition preserved me from this dreadful snare; and in the greatness of liis love and strength he hath at this distant jjcriod, put it into the heart of his unworthy creature to record his mighty acts, to his praise and to his glory, with humble and reverend thankfulness. Greatly do I desire, tiiat if this relation should ever fall into the hands of any poor sinners and servants of the cruel taskmastc, as was then my lot, that such maybe hereby strengthened aud encouraged to look unto the Lord their 0 34 MEMOIRS OF DANIEL WHEELER. [1792 tO God for help, even though (hey may be plunged into the very gulf of despair: for "his compassions fail not," they are new every morning ; his tender mercies are over all his works ; and he will give power to the faint, and strength to them that have no might of their own, to resist this, and every other temptation of that wicked one, who was a liar from the beginning. CHAPTER IL The AtixnoR goes to PLYMouxn, thence with his Eegiment to Ireland — KiLKEXNY — Dublin — IIarassing Seuvioe — Personal Danger — Re- cruits — Liverpool — Bristol — SouTnAMPTON — Embarks thence with Troops for the Campaign in Holland. IT was a little remarkable, that, after all the pains I had taken to screen my fallen situation from the knowledge of those who had been acquainted with me, the regiment in which I had engaged proved to be at that very time on duty at Plymouth, a place where, above all oth- ers, I had the greatest number of acquaintances ; but I was so completely metamorphosed in appearance, that I was never in one instance found out by any whom I had formerly known, even when brought into close contact with them. This change of condition, however, wrought in me no change of life. My conduct for a time was almost entitled to the appellation of reformed, but this period was short indeed, for, having speedily acquired a knowledge of all that was required of me in the way of duty, I began to rise above the impi-essions made by difficulties gone by, and again to look forward to a farther participation in the delusive and miserable pleasures of this transitory and wicked world. In less than a year we were ordered to Ireland, and, three transports having arrived for us in Catwater, a short time completed the embar- kation ; we sailed for the Cove of Cork, reaching it in safety after a fine passage. While at sea it was soon discovered that I was no stranger to the management of a vessel, and, though I concealed my having served several years in a superior station, yet I felt so much at home that I voluntarily performed the duty of a sailor during my stay on board, not a little proud of my qualifications. It is most probable that pride and self-conceit were the only motives that prompted these endeavors to be useful ; few, indeed, of our actions, however specious in appearance, are wholly divested of self in some shape or other, when examined in the pure mirror of truth ; such is the depravity of the human heart in its natural state. Having frequently been sheltered before by the coves, bays, and har- bors of Ireland, and frequently been on shore in diflferent places, I was 1794.] MEMOIRS OF DAXIEL TVHEELER. 35 tolerably well acquainted with the character and customs of the people, whose hospitality to strangers has long been acknowledged by all who have visited their shores ; and, although now unable to move in the same sphere as formerly, yet I still found opportunities to indulge the evil propensities of fallen nature. But as the miserable inhabitants in some of the provinces were rapidly ripening for rebellion, our time was mucii occupied by hard and laborious service. After landing at the Passage of Cork we proceeded to that city, but shortly marched forward to Kilkenny. This place was a station that afforded more quiet and comparative ease than any which afterwards fell to my lot, whilst engaged in the regular service; but our stay here was of siiort duration before entering upon the arduous duty of Dublin garrison. The agitated state of public affairs at that period gn-atly augmented our fatigue, and it frequently happened that we were on duty every other night, and this in the winter season. Discontent increasing and disturbances breaking out in the interior of the country, small detachments of troops were despatched from Dub- lin to strengthen the authority of magistrates in their endeavors to main- tain public tranquillity, and to afford protection to the peaceable inhabi- tants from the nightly depredations of numerous gangs of misled and intoxicated desperadoes, to which tiiey and their property were con- stantly exposed under a variety of diabolical pretences. It was niy lot to be chosen with the first of the detached parties, to a share of tliis dangerous and harassing service, on which, such was at one time the emergency, that we were kept on the alert niglit after .night, witliout any intermission for a week together, with only such intervals of rest as could be procured in the daytime. AVIiilst on this expedition, on a par- ticuhir enterprise with a constable, I was to all appearance reduced to the necessity of taking the life of another to save my own. The consta- ble perceiving the danger, had left me alone, when I was suddenly at- tacked by a poor infuriated creature, in a state little short of perfect madness from continued intoxication, supported by several otiiers, but in a less outrageous condition. I kept him at l)ay for some time, but at last he got so near that it became every moment more difficult to avoid being reached by the violent strokes he made with some kind of weapon, I think of iron, which were repeatedly received by the firelock in my hands, then loaded with ball. In this situation there seemed left to lue no otiier than tiie dreadful alternative of siiooting him to save myself. I called in vain in the language of appeal to the other people to inter- fere; they stood by, as if to see how matters were likely to terminate, before they began to act or take a i)art of any consequence eitlior way, whicii they nearly carried too far; but when tiiey saw me actually pre- paring to shoot the man tlu y hastily cried out, " Spare life ! spare life ! " whicli I only wanted their help to enable me to accomplish. They then seized him, and in the midst of the struggle and confusion which look 36 MEMOIRS OF DANIEL WHEELER. [1792 tO place amongst themselves my escape was happily effected. I cannot suppose at that time, when I wanted only the help of other men to ena- ble me to spare life, that the principal motive was other than that of self-proservation, accompanied by fear of the immediate consequences that would inevitably have followed, and must have resulted in my own destruction. Therefore it is greatly to be feared (although that heart must be callous indeed which in all such cases does not recoil from the horrid act), that it was not love to my fellow-creature which prompted the desire in me to spare his life. Let none mistake it as such. I have frequently thought of this circumstance since it occurred, I hope with humble thankfulness to the great Preserver of men ; and now, on com- mitting it to record, as one of those many events in which there was but one step between me and the grave, and whilst shuddering at the strong recollection of it, my .soul magnifies that unmerited and amazing mercy, afresh displayed and multii)lied to my understanding in a twofold view — on the one hand, in withholding me from the crime of taking away the life of a fellow-creature, like myself, "in the gall of bitterness ;" and if I had escaped myself, thus sparing me, at this late hour, amidst the decay of nature, when the shadows of the evening are stretching out and my feet drawing near the margin of the grave, the appalling thought of a brother's blood, yet unwiped away; on the other liand, in rescuing from immediate death two miserable sinners, wholly unpre- pared to die, for, had I taken away the man's life, my own would doubtless have been forthwith sacrificed to the revenge of his enraged companions. Thus, as my history rolls on, the enormous load of debt which I already owe unto my Lord still accumulates, and verily it never can be liquidated, but in that infinite and wondrous mercy, which delighteth to forgive every repenting sinner, who, in the depths of hu- mility and abaseduess of self, has indeed " nothing to pay " withal. On the arrival of some fresh detachments from the garrison, I learned that a vacancy had occurred during our absence on this service, and that the blank was filled up by the promotion of myself. Although this circumstance was of trifling import, yet it served to flatter and feed pride, and eventually to open the way again for a renewal of those evil habits, from which for a time I had been sheltered. As each body of troops was relieved from this extra fatigue at a given time, our turn came in regular course at the expiration of a few weeks, when we again returned to Dublin. Not long after this, inquiry was made for a person qualified to assist in the writing department of the commander-in-chief, under his own personal inspection : I never knew exactly how it was brought about, but in the course of a few days, it was decided in my favor; and I im- mediately entered upon this new and altogether unexpected employment. Being now on most days at liberty at an early hour, and freed from re- straint and control, and from that incessant round of duties, which had before fully occupied my time and attention, and compelled in a degree 1794.] MEMOIRS OF DANIEL tV^HEELER. 37 to orderly conduct, together with having it more in my power by posses- sing greater means, — I soon began to take ray swing in every inordinate gratification to which I was naturally propense, and in which an exten- sive metropolis furnished ample opportunity to indulge; thus adding sin to sin, and making farther woful W'ork for repentance. And although at times, in the midst of these evil practices I was made sensible of con- victing reproofs, sufficient to have awakened any one but myself ; yet they only seemed to deter me for a short interval from persisting in tliein, or until another opportunity offered ; — such was their domiiiiou over me. This course was however at last stopped, by my attendance being no longer necessary at the writing department, together with the sudden march of the regiment to Granard ; but not before my health had l)eguii to sufi'er from my folly. Our stay was not long at this place; for the French revolution, which had occurred about two years before, now began to occasion more fre- quent movements and changes amongst the military. I was engaged in some hazardous enterprises whilst lying here ; and although the town was i^mall, and our time in it short, yet there were sufficient temptations to be found for my unwary feet to fall into. From this place, a part of the regiment, consisting of two hundred picked men and a suitable num- ber of officers, was drafted to serve in an expedition then j)reparing to act in the West Indies. The same quota was selected from every regi- ment in Ireland, then seventeen in number, — and possibly from every regiment in England also. From all the information that I could ever obtain, the greatest part, if not the whole of these poor devoted fellows, then (h;clared to be the flower of the British army, fell victims to the climate and the war. I mention this lamentable fact, although foreign to my subject, to perpetuate all in my power, the ravages of this horrid and desolating scourge of the human race. At the same time, under a deep sense of my then sinful and still sinning condition, my mind is struck with adminilion, that I was not inclu(le