•YADJE-wapnEasainnr- ILHIBI^^mT •

*934

1803. 1887.

JOHN BUTLER.

SKETGJ1 OF |1I3 LIFE

HIS CHILDREN.

••  Not severed in thy death,
Be it our joy to fcnow our life in Him
Who is thy life, thy Lord and ours, in whom
The Church redeemed ia one in earth, in Heaven/
—J, B. Braithwaitk.

columbtjs, o.;
WM, G. HUBBARD & 00.,
iSgo

^%%m¥^

DEDICATED
^Po the A\err^ory of a Liovecl Father

BY HIS CHILDREN.

"Oh ! marvelous outpouring- of Hie treasures new and old,
Oh ! largeness of His bounty, paid in the King's own gold,
Oh ! glorious expansion of His mysteries of grace.
Oh ! radiant unveiling of the brightness of His face.

^&g£

^^^

^INDEX.^
Introduction  4
Childhood  9
Pioneer Life  14
In the School Room  20
Home Life  24
Correspondence With E. Tatum  ,  29
Marriage  38
The Angel of Death  48
Visit to Philadelphia  62
Care for the Indians  72
Seventy-fifth Birthday  88
Birth-day Poem  89
Friends in Ohio During the War  1 22
The Freedmen  137
The Indians  .„  148
Other Church Work  165
Doctrinal Views  176
Last Sickness  1 84

^Swsfwfc*'

Thy dear one is with Jesus now !
Seeing Him face to face,
Gazing upon His own beloved brow,
Watching his smiles of grace ;
Hearing the Masters voice in all its sweetness,
Knowing him now in all its own completeness ;
With Jesus now, with Him forever !
Never to leave Him, — grieve Him never !
Could God Himself give more? His will
Is best, though, we are weeping still.
F. R. H.

^^^I^^^

vTjOST rBLiESSEl) FOr^EvEfy

The prayer of many a day is all fulfilled.
Onlv by full fruition stayed and stilled ;
You asked for blessing as your Father willed ;
Now He hath answered,
"Most Blessed Forever !"
Lost is the daily light of mutual smiles,
You therefore sorrow now a little while,
But, floating down Life's dimmed and lonely aisle,
Gomes the clear music
"Most Blessed Forever !"
From the great anthems of the crystal sea,
Through the far vistas of Eternity,
Grand echoes of the word peal on for thee,
Sweetest and fullest,
"Most Blessed Forever! "
F. R. HAVERGAL.

CHAPTER I.

CHILDHOOD.
PPER EVESHAM is the name of a
quiet Quaker settlement and meet
ing, that, almost a hundred years-
ago, had existence, near the banks-
of the Delaware river, in the State
of New Jersey ; and here, on the
13th, of 4th mo., 1796, Benjamins
Butler, son of John and Eleanor
Butler, was united in marriage, after
the usage of Friends, to Hannah
Webster, daughter of Thomas and Sarah Webster.
These were the parents of our beloved father, John
Butler, who is the subject of this little sketch, and
who was born at this place, on the 14th of 6th mo.,
1803, being the 5th of a family of ten children,

IO JOHN BUTLER.
whose names and dates of birth and death are as fol
lows : —

NAME.

BIRTH.

DEATH.

9th mo., 15th, 1797.
2nd mo., 1st, 1799.
3rd mo., 18th, 1800.
1st mo., 2nd, 1802.
| 6th mo., 14th, 1803.
7th mo., 14th, 1805.
9th mo., 22nd, 1807.
6th mo., 20th, 1809.
10th mo., 7th, 1811
10th mo., 5th 1814.

4th mo., 19th, 1886.

Ellen Butler 

9th mo., 5th, 1803.

Hannah Butler 

3rd mo., 28th. 1841.

John Butler 

12th mo.. 12th, 1887

Meribah Butler 

Sarah Butler 
gth mo., 5th, 1843.
Lydia Butler 
William Butler 
2nd mo., 3rd, 1877.'
Our father's memory never reached back to the
place of his birth, as, early in his babyhood the fami-
ily removed and settled about nine miles west of the
city of Philadelphia, near the present location of Hav-
erford College, where they remained about six years.
Being poor in this world's goods, but bouyant with
hope and energy, begotten of love and necessity, our
grand parents achieved that, which, to less persistent
hearts, would seem impossible.
Our grandmother's feats, especially, have been re.
peated to us, as showing indomnitable courage and a
will equal to all events.
At that time marketing was a source of livlihood to
many in limited circumstances, within reach of Phila
delphia, and often our grandmother would leave her
sleeping household at two o'clock in the morning with
a load of poultry and other marketing previously pre
pared by her own busy hands ; and through the dark
ness, a lone woman, she would ride the nine miles,
exchange her produce for needed articles that could
CHILDHOOD. 1 1
not be manufactured at home, and return in time to
get dinner for her husband and children, who were
equally busy about the work in the house and in the
field, while she went this round.
This was not an occasional event, but something
that must be done once or twice each week, almost
the long year through, in summer's heat and winter's
cold ; and which must have taken much heroic cour
age, decision, and alertness, that have measurably
passed away with that generation.
As time passed on, and the family increased, it was
considered necessary to change their home again.
This time, (with a sense of great responsibility,) to
try the perils of the western wilds, beyond the Alle-
ghanies. On the 25th of 4th mo., 181 1, when our
father was nearly eight years old, they left this home,
of which "little John" had but shadowy recollection,
for the new and distant State of Ohio.
Accordingly, their sole earthly possessions, — not
including the cow and colt which walked it through,
— was snuggly stowed in one wagon ; and, with eight
children, — one of which was a babe in the mother's
arms, — and brave and hopeful hearts, the journey was
undertaken, and proved, as years rolled by, a good
exchange. Some notes and descriptions from our grandmother's
record and other sources, of their journey through the
Alleghany Mountains, show her appreciation of the
beautiful in nature and her sense of the grandeur of
the wonderful works of God, as well as the practical
view of the situation. She tells of stopping at the

12 JOHN BUTLER.
"Sign of the Hat," and paying thirty-one cents for
lodging and horse feed ; also another night at the
"Sign of the Indian King," where "the people were
very clever for money enough." The lodging in some
places she thought poorly worth the charges. She
puts on record each cent of tollage paid on the public
highways, which sounds small to us compared with
such fees of this day, but which were plenty for the
advantage of the road. She also gives an accouut of
an accident which occurred on a stony piece of road,
where our father was jolted from his seat, and, falling
under the wagon, his head caught between the spokes
of the wheel, which his brother Lawrence seeing, and
speaking sharply to the horses, stopped them just in
time to save his neck being broken ; and she thank
fully records the fact that his life was thus spared to
them. On the 29th of month she records: "All well,
and all asleep but myself; about eleven at night. The
children were very lively and much delighted on the
mountains, picking of flowers ; the colt also lively and
travels well."
But this journey, like all others, came to an end,
after hardship and wearing responsibility on the part
of parents, and a good, novel time for children, — see
ing many new and wondrous things, that no doubt
enlarged their ideas of the magnitude of this world.
Our father used to tell of the solid satisfaction they
took in floating sugar troughs (confiscated from the
forests) on the rivers and streams, along whose ver
dant banks their trail lay, and the delightful freedom

CHILDHOOD. 13
of roaming the whole day long at their own sweet
will, — discovering what had been already found by
multitudes of travelers before them, and enjoying the
purest pleasures that earth knows, — that of the united
delights of a loving band of children of the same
household. Their first stopping place after reaching the desired
land, was in Butler township, about one mile east of
Damascus, where they remained one year; then re
moved to Goshen township, near the present site
of Goshen Meeting House ; and there in the dense
forest surrounded by nature's uncultured handiwork,
began the real struggles and anticipated joys of pio
neer life.

*->&£&<

^^7<^-

CHAPTER II.

PIONEER LIFE.
k& LIFE, amid the forest giants and all
that it required to overcome the diffi
culties of such a situation, was well
calculated to develope and strengthen
the traits of character that constitute
a true, resolute manhood, that is ac
customed to admit of no imposibili-
ties, when there is need of action ;
and so it told on all the after years of
father's life, who inherited from his
mother the traits of conscientious firmness, mellowed
by unbounded love and affection from his father ; and
with him, through life, it was only needed to con
vince him of what was the right thing to do, and his
decision was made without regard to circumstances.
The little family now settled at Goshen, where it

M

PIONEER LIFE. IS
seemed right to remain, and at once set about secur
ing a home. They bought eighty acres of a Friend
named Stanley, at what seems a meagre price for ex
cellent wooded land, something over three dollars per
acre, — agreeing to work out part of it. But with the
quiet, steady energy of our grandfather, and the help
of each interested member of the household, this was
soon achieved, and the clearing process began, the
magnitude of which we, of this generation, have but
little conception. The idea was to annihilate as much
of this royal timber as they could, in the least possible
time; and the descriptions of the log-rollings and eve
ning burnings is a thing to be wondered at, — the
young people often coming together on such occasions
for an evening's enjoyment.
The girls of those days did not withhold their hands
from outdoor work, — even the arduous task of log
rolling, at which some became quite expert.
It seems a great extravagence to us now, the
wasting of these forests, but sawmills were rare in
those days, and if they had been more frequent they
could not have utilized the vast amount of wood that
must get out of the way of crops. When the trees
were chopped and burned, and the ground ready to
till, there were the stubborn stumps that must be pa
tiently dealt with for several years more, and the
plowing and sowing around them required a steady
nerve and patience that is not taxed in the farming of
to-day. The gathering and threshing of grain was, of course,
done in a very simple way, — flailing the wheat from

1 6 JOHN BUTLER.
the straw, and winnowing out the chaff; but the neigh
bors, though at a distance, were always ready to
4 'change work," and heavy tasks were thus made
light, while love and good-will prevailed. Then the
grinding of the wheat and corn could not be done at
home; and we well remember feeling almost terrified,
as our father would tell us of his being sent seven
miles through the unbroken forest to the mill, trusting
to the blazed or chopped trees to find the way, often
hearing the doleful, vicious cries of wolves and wild
cats. He would go on horseback, with bags of their
own and their neighbors' grist piled before and behind
him. Sometimes he would have to wait for the grind
ing to be done, and part of his journey came after
night. It took pluck and courage for a boy of from
nine to fifteen years to go, undaunted, through the
uninhabited gloom of such a trip.
Mixed with the sterner duties of forest life, were
the pleasures of going to school in the little log school
house, with its crude attempt at training ideas, its un
comfortable seats, and undue amount of discipline and
rules, but school, for all this, with the enthusiasm of
learning all that was taught, and the fun and satisfac
tion known only to a lot of children at school.
In the home, it took close contrivance and economy
to make ends meet ; but the looms were kept busy
working up the fleeces of their little flock of sheep
and crops of flax into grrments, that, when once made,
did service for a satisfactory length of time, and paid
for making. The cooking did not consume so much
time as when there is more variety, and answered a

PIONEER LIFE. 17
better purpose in building up bone and muscle, for
the labor that came to each.
Life was not all sober plodding within this little
garrison of fun-loving children, and the stories of our
aunt Lydia's dressing in one of her brother's clothes
in order to surprise her sisters, at the loom, with, with
the belief that their beau had arrived prematurely, and
then being herself badly scared and scouted by the
large dog. who did not recognize the aparition as a
family visitor , and also the celebrating of father's
tenth birthday, when, in a romp, one sister dragged
him from the room where the surprise, was and another
shut the door, almost taking off the end of his big
toe, changing this day of mirth and feasting into a
day of mourning, or at least weeping far a while. All
of these and many other incidents savor of the spirit
of misehief that descends on the children of the rich
and poor alike.
Out of doors the farming and hunting went on in
good heart. The crops and orchards, as well as the
flocks, were often injured by wolves and bears and
deer, the wild cats and coons, that abounded in the
forest and ravaged at will; the lambs of the flock, and
often good sized pigs were carried off and eaten.
The price of domestic aniotials sounds very low to us
now, but was just as hard for them to pay, as higher
prices at this date, with the corresponding value of
everything else. At one time they were willing to
pay thirteen dollars for a cow, recommended as being
extra for butter; ordinary cows selling for eight to ten
dollars, and other stock in proportion.

10 JOHN BUTLER.
Thus the years rolled by, and the family affairs
moved on, each year adding more comforts, and less
ening the novelties of pioneer life. The little meeting
near by was dilligently attended twice each week, by
parents and children ; and, we doubt not, that from
earnest, honest hearts, there went up to God that
worship that is in spirit and in truth, and which alone
is acceptable to the Father of all our sure mercies.
To this meeting our father always turned with pecul
iar love and interest all through life, long after almost
all the companions of his youth and young mahhood
had grown gray and passed away from their earthly
heritage, and were sleeping in the quiet hillside grave
yard, with his own loved family connection, he would
fondly speak of his old home meeting at Goshen, and
the days of blessing to his soul, passed there.
In the year 1 8 1 8, the family circle was broken by
the marriage of their loved sister Hannah to Robert
Ellyson. She was only sixteen years of age, and the
link taken from the household chain was keenly felt
by all ; but it was only the beginning of like events,
and in 1820 our uncle Lawrence left the home roof, —
married Sarah Votaw, and settled at New Garden.
During these years of youth and gaiety, there would
be corn huskings in the moonlight evenings, with all
the innocent enjoyments of such occasions ; and quilt-
ings, where the young men had the privilege of com
ing to supper and spending the evening hours in com
pany with the girls of their choice. Father used
often to tell us of these times, and we could trace in the
twinkle of his clear, blue eyes that he and the rest of

PIONEER LIFE. I9
them had indulged, to some extent, in the same
pleasures and dreams, reaching into the future, that
possess the youthful hearts of all generations.
On the 28th of 8th mo., 1825, our father was mar
ried to Drusilla Fawcett, daughter of Richard and
Eunice Fawcett, of Salem. Their friendship had been
formed while attending school at Salem, and the con-
sumation in marriage was a happy event.

9,*p »nn tnrnjn iy<MUiiJiriiii.7»w'J'.'^>MM.^>AVJj>;OI7^TCT?TFi»^iUV^T^.I»)'J*.l'MW*JJA'*/^iv'j<!CT^?

/®s>zm±z

CHAPTER III.

IN THE SCHOOL ROOM.
UR FATHER proved an apt scholar in
the limited course given in the Gosh
en school, and early in his young
manhood was chosen by the trustees
of that institution to serve as teacher.
He showed an aggressive spirit by in
troducing regular classes in grammar
and geography, which were considered
unnecessary by those sturdy pioneers.
but which soon carried with it the
conviction that it was an improvement, and was duly
appreciated by all concerned.
The community was rapidly increasing by the com
ing in of good, substantial Friends and others from
Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and New Jer
sey, all seeking to reap the benefits of this liberal soil,

20

IN THE SCHOOL ROOM. 21
and among whom there was a mutual desire for im
provement, all wishing their children to have advan
tages, of which they had been deprived. And so the
little school house was brightened up, but still retain
ed its Puncheon floor and benches without backs, over
which each pupil hopped nimbly into place. The huge
open fireplace, up whose monstrous chimney throat
roared and cracked the blaze and smoke, and much
of the heat, too, of such a fire as would astonish the
children of to-day, and suggest the idea of a house in
flames. This fire consisted of an immense back-log,
sometimes put in place by the help of a horse, then
heavy and-irons, or fire-dogs, as they were often call
ed, set firmly against the back-log, a good-sized front
stick with a filling between of sticks as large as one
would care to carry. When this pile was fired it last
ed for a considerable length of time, and gave to the
room an air of cheerful warmth. The windows were
simply a long horizontal row of window panes, filling
the space of a log left out for this purpose, arid which
did not, of course, admit of any great amount of light,
but served the purpose of the keen, young eyes that
depended upon it. The process of teaching school
was entirely a different thing from what it is to-day.
There were no blackboards, no maps, or charts. The
ciphering was all done at their seats on slates, each
one working independently of all the rest ; but, by
far, more attention was given to penmanship and or
thography than at present. The Friends' monthly
meeting schools were then the best in the country,
and attracted many besides their own members, as

2 2 JOHN BUTLER.
they were organized many years before the present
excellent public school system.
Among father's pupils were the names of many of
the pioneers of Goshen township, and in the carefully
preserved "List of Pupils" are to be found the names
of one hundred and ninety-three different persons who
were placed under his care during the time he acted as
teacher, some of whom were students, nearly or quite,
all the time. Among these names were the Lang-
staffs, Ellysons, Tatums, Shreeves, and Stanleys, and
many others we do not recall, but all of whose lives
father traced with interest as far as practicable. The
teacher at noon or recess, or at the close of school,
had quite a task sharpening goose-quill pens, ruling
paper, and setting copies for the scholars, unless he
chose to carry this work home with him, which father
did not often do, wishing to read and study in the
evenings and early mornings. Thus, early in life, he
acquired a habit which he followed almost to its close,
and by the means of which he furnished his mind with
much substantial knowledge. It was during these
years that he gave special attention to history, both
ancient and modern, and, in our school days, we al
ways found father a good encyclopedia in studying
our history lessons. His advice to his children and
grandchildren often was to fill up the fresh pages of
our mind and memory with such matter as would give
strength and usefulness, and which we would not re
gret in our future lives. He taught Goshen school
ten consecutive winters, both before and after his
marriage, — laboring on the farm during the summer

IN THE SCHOOL ROOM.

23

season, and gathering ideas from any available source
to be used for the benefit of his pupils. He enjoyed
the school room, and ever had a peculiarly strong
interest in young people and nothing delighted him
more than seeing a school room filled with wide
awake, interested children.

\W.?$g,

^^t^^^^^¥^^^^<^

CHAPTER IV.

*M

HOME LIFE.

N A LOG CABIN erected not many
paces from his father's door, intne deep
shadows of the grand old wood, our fa
ther began, his home life, in the yeaj
1825, with his fair young bride, whose
honest heart was content with the boon
of love, and very simple though home
like surroundings. They each had a few
books of their own, and, in those days,
when literature was scarce, they felt no
delicacy in borrowing and lending, such as was in the
little community. Thus gleaning valuable knowledge
beyond their own small library, and commencing the
practice of reading aloud in the evenings while the
little house-wife busily plied the needle and knit the
blue gray stockings. Through all the seasons there

24

HOME OF JOHN BUTLER.

HOME LIFE. 25
was work for all ; the school to be taught in the win
ter, and farm work through the warm season.
Thus the days sped on, and on the 29th of 5th mo. ,
1826, there came into the happy home a little brown-
eyed daughter, whom they named Asenath, and who,
during her life, filled the place of the first born in her
father's heart. During these days of prosperity in the
, new home, the hand of affliction was being laid on the
faithful and loving head of the old home, and on the
8th of 8th mo., 1828, our grandfather, Benjamin But
ler, was gathered Home, in his sixty- sixth year, leav
ing hearts to mourn, but not without hope that he
had joined his risen Lord. He was laid in the grave
yard near by, the first of the family to pass away in
this new land.
Father had laid by a little sum of his school wages
and decided to purchase a tract of land four miles east
of Goshen for a home, and, consequently, in 1828 he
bought of Jonathan Lupton one hundred and forty-
eight acres of land, and proceeded to clear a little spot
and erect a good log house with one large room below
and tw-.i small ;ne and a hall up stairs.
In 1830, when this home was completed, except
doors and windows, there was added to the little fam
ily at Goshen a baby boy, whose eyes first opened on
this world on the 29th of 5th mo., 1830, just four
years to a day younger than his sister. They called
him Benjamin for his loved grandfather, whose grave
was still fresh in the little cemetery close by.
Over these days of unwonted brightness a cloud
(3)

26 JOHN BUTLER.
was gathering, soon to burst on the threshhold of this
home, and the young mother and loving wife was
called away from these earthly scenes of joy to a far
brighter home in the Paradise of God, leaving the
blessed testimony that her sins had gone beforehand
to judgment, and that it was well with her, A few
of her expressions during her sickness that have been
left on record will best tell her spiritual condition.
To her husband she said : "I do not want thy mind
to be too much taken up with the things of this world."
"Train them (the children) up in the nurture and ad
monition of the Lord." "Give them an education in
school learning according to thy ability." To her
brother David she remarked: "Though I have found
it hard to part with my husband and tender babes,
yet now I feel resigned to give up all. " Near her
close she said : "I see no terror in death, neither do
I see anything worth staying for. My peace is made,
and I am waiting the appointed time." Thus, in her
twenty- sixth year, she closed this life, with a most
blessed assurance of faith, and death became the
doorway into Life.
To the stricken household there seemed no bright
ness left, and the anguish of those days almost over
whelmed the bleeding heart of the husband and fath
er, who had not at this time learned to lean on the
One who promises to be the present helper. Little
Benjamin was taken to the home of his grandfather
Fawcett, at Salem, and faithfully cared for, especially
by his aunt Esther, who afterward married Elisha
Bracken, Asenath remained with her father in our

HOME LIFE. 27
grandmother's home. And thus they were provided
for by kind relatives, whose love and smypathy alle
viated many a heartache, and to which our father
looked back with a grateful memory through all his
long life.
In the year 183 1 there seemed to be almost a scourge
of fever in this retired settlement, which was introduc
ed" by a person coming from the yellow fever districts
of the South, and which, in many respects, was like
the yellow fever, but was generally called typhoid,
and of which many were very fearful. Father went
among the sick, nursing day and night, and after be
ing much worn contracted the disease, and laid sick
a long time, dispaired of by all. Many died at this
time, but in the unerring wisdom of the Disposer of
events, his life was spared. It was during this illness
that the Holy Spirit, afresh, visited his heart with
convicting and enlightening power, giving him such
a vivid sense that there was no salvation except
through repentance and faith in the shed blood of
Christ Jesus, that he gave his heart to the Lord
and realized receiving in exchange a new heart
that loved and trusted Him who died that he
might live. His happiness was almost ecstatic, and
lasted thus for some length of time, and he thought
there would be no more contention with the evil one ;
but one day, when his strength was sufficient, he was
helped upon a horse for a little ride in the open air,
when the horse made a mistep, jolting him, and in an
instant, involuntarily, his anger was stirred at the
horse, and though he uttered not a word he fell into

28 JOHN BUTLER.
such condemnation that he was tempted to believe
the whole experience was a delusion, for he had
thought the sin was all washed away, but found, in
the test, there was a root still left ready to spring up.
He was wonderfully humbled, and for days sought to
restore the sweet peace he had known and lost, coun
selling with some of his older friends who had been
longer in the way, for he felt that he could not live if
not delivered from his arch enemy. The answer final
ly came, the Lord giving him this test : "In that day
there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David
and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for un-
cleanness," Zach. xiii. i. And he was set free, never
doubting from that time on through all his experience
the Lord's power to keep his trusting children. Thus
early in his Christian course he learned the double
work of grace, that was not taught so emphatically as
of later years, but which was contained in the blessed
Bible, and was, no doubt, granted to many earnest,
humble seekers after truth.
On the 29th of 12th mo, 1833, our father's sister,
Ann Butler, was married to Clark Trescott, of Salem,
and another one of the loving home band stepped out
from the mutual enjoyment of the hearth-stone with
sadness mingled with her joy.
Early in this year, father met with and made the
acquaintance of Elizabeth Tatum, who had recently
come from Woodbury, N. J. , to live with her parents,
who had previously moved West and were living near
Goshen. They were mutually interested in both lit
erary and religious subjects, and their acquaintance

HOME LIFE. 29
soon ripened into a friendship that meant much to
them both ; though, she being in delicate health,
hesitated to entertain thoughts of anything more seri
ous. The months passed by, and, though they fre
quently visited together, they kept up-a correspond
ence which was carefully preserved among our dear
Father's papers, and which shows, on the part of each,
a deep solicitude to know their Heavenly Father's
will in the matter of their union. The following in
sertions will give their style of expression and train of
thought. They were written a few months before
their marriage. The first is from our mother, and
will explain itself: Goshen, 2nd mo., 19th, 1834.
The sheet thou intrusted me with, my dear friend,
contained much that was interesting and instructive,
and whilst engaged in reading it, fervent desires were
begotten in my heart that the earnest solicitude (ex
pressed by thy dear departed wife) for the best and
eternal welfare of thyself and children might not be
forgotten or lost upon us. In reflecting upon thy
loss, what a great consolation, I thought, it must have
been to thee to have witnessed the comfortable close
of such a friend. How much easier the separation
from those who are dear to us when we are persuaded
they have entered that city, the inhabitants whereof
no longer say, "I am sick." O what is more to be-
desired than to live the life of the righteous, to die
their death, and join the dear worthies who have gone
before us, in praising Him who sitteth upon the

30 . JOHN BUTLER.
throne. Next to the Holy Scriptures, I prize such
reading1 as "Piety Promoted," "Youthful Piety," and
"Memorials" of those who have escaped from earth
and gone to Heaven, the habitation of redeemed spir
its. It sometimes seems to me rather cause of rejoic
ing than mourning when I hear or read of a happy re
lease ; but nature often weeps when the pillars are
removed, and promising plants cut off in the spring
time of youth and loveliness ; as, also, when those in
the middle walks of life are taken from us in the height
of their usefulness and activity. But He, who doeth
all things well, sees meet sometimes to deprive us of
those who are most dear to us, to show us how de
pendent we are upon Him for all our blessings. At
others, when the affections are too much placed on
things below, He is, in mercy to our souls, pleased to
remove them far from us, and give us to see that He
is able to do what He will with His own, for we may
remember "Ye are not your own, ye are bought with
a price." And, O, when we reflect on the price, is it
not astonishing, my dear friend, we are for a moment
unwilling to surrender ourselves unto His service, who
bought us with His own precious blood, who died that
we might live, even unto Him and not unto ourselves,
gave Himself for us, came to redeem us ; yes, and
ftom all iniquity, and purify us unto Himself. O may
He, in adorable mercy, be pleased to cleanse us from
all sin, and then preserve us therefrom. That part of
the memoir respecting the dress of thy dear children,
was particularly grateful to my mind, having felt much
on that subject, as thou knowest. I was, whilst read-

HOME LIFE. 3 I
ing it, ready to exclaim, Surely, as it was the dying
request of their mother (thy dear wife) my dear J 
will join in endeavoring to dress them consistently,
and training "them up in the nurture and admonition
of the Lord." Ah, my dear friend.it feels to me a very
serious thing even to think of having the charge of thy
children, when led to look towards it, and I do be
lieve we only can expect to do our duty by them, as
we are concerned to live under the guidance of His
blessed Spirit, who alone can abilitate to do His will
concerning ourselves or in regard to others. O, then,
with Holy help, may we, my dear friend, become de
voted followers of Jesus, and then shall we fill the
places assigned us with propriety. If it is the will of
Him whom, I trust, we both desire to serve, to join us
in Himself, may He so dispose us to bear each other's
burdens as to cause us to be true helpmeets ; and
through a constant endeavor to abide on the watch
tower, may our prayers for preservation prove avail
ing. Let it ever be the desire of our hearts, my dear
friend, to watch over each other for good, to help in
stead of hinder in the way of holiness. On my own
deficiencies, the poor mind often dwells, but when en
abled to look in faith for help a ray of hope arises that
if the fault is not my own, that He who supplieth the
needy will send help from His holy sanctuary.
From thy sincere friend,
With her love. Elizabeth Tatum.
The following is father's reply to the above, written
after the close of his day's work as teacher, in the
school room.

32 john butler.
Third Day Evening, at the School House,
25th of 2nd Mo., 1834.
My.Dear Elizabeth: — When retrospection claims
her right, and I view the actions and transactions, the
pleasures and pains, the joys and sorrows, of which
my life has been doomed to be full, (in a special man
ner a few of the last years of it, ) my mind is often
bowed down under a sense of the goodness and mercy
of an Allwise Disposer of events. Believing, as I
do, that if we are enough resigned and willing to bear
His turnings and overturnings, to be anything or noth
ing, as He wills, hard things will be made easy, and a
way will be made where we saw no way ; and, like
the good Apostle, we will be made to "glory in our
afflictions." Had I the pen of a Fenelon, a Cowper,
a Young, or a Pope, together with their talent to gov
ern it, until I could delineiate some of the more strik
ing and prominent occurrences of my past life, it
would be, I think, some alleviation to myself, and
perhaps interesting to some of my relatives and
friends. Yet, I do not wish to be understood as envy
ing those talents, for I believe we, every one, have a
talent committed, for the due improvement of which
we are accountnble to Him, who is the giver of every
good and perfect gift. I have long been in the mind
that there is a right and a wrong way ; or, in other
words, that there is a sphere marked out for each and
every one of us by the great Potentate of Heaven and
earth, for which we have talants to fill with consist
ency, and in which sphere we may pass to our own
p3ace and to the honor of our dear Lord and Savior.

home life. 33
May thou and I, my dear Elizabeth, endeavor to live
so near the Divine source as to experience that condi
tion to be ours which is spoken of by the Apostle, of
"coming in the unity of the faith, and of the knowl
edge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the
measure of the statue of the fullness of Christ," etc.
After returning home from thy father's, First day
evening, I proceeded to the perusal of those several
peices of writing committed to my care, and, agree
ably to thy request, the smallest of them, after a care
ful looking over, was committed to the flames. The
other unsealed one was read with interest, for which I
feel thankful. And the letter that thou had sealed and
addressed to me, was doubly interesting to me, as it
contained a comparison of sentiments between one on
whom my affections were first placed, and who was
every way worthy of them ; and thou, my dear E — ,
towards whom I have been looking as her successor,
and not only a companion, but unity of sentiments
which I have many times thought since being ac
quainted with thee. Thou hast, my dear friend, many
times, when speaking on the subject of worldly pos
sessions, brought past times very fresh to my view.
There was such a similitude of opinion and manner of
expressing it, that it seemed sometimes almost the
same, which circumstances have awakened feelings of
a very peculiar character. I do not wish thee, my
dear friend, to think that I have the least desire to
have my children dressed any other way than plain.
I have always desired that superfluities might be kept
off of them, and that they should be clothed in a manner

34 JOHN BUTLER.
becoming the profession we are making ; and I think
with one or two exceptions they have been. The
bonnet thou wast speaking of was not such as her
grandmother or I entirely approve of, and she was not
permitted to use it for some time on that account.
I hope and trust that thou wilt ever find me willing
to join in endeavoring to dress them consistently, and
"training them up in the nurture and admonition of
the Lord."
What abundant cause we have for thankfulness to
the great I AM for his miny repeated and num
berless blessings. O how my soul rejoices when I
consider that He is all and all ; that He is omniscient,
omnipresent, and almighty ; that he is ever ready to
assist those who ask a-right; that although He is
sometimes pleased to withdraw His presence for a
season from us, yet, will He, as confidence is placed on
Him, deliver from every temptation, and guide us safe
ly through the wilderness of sin to the Promised Land.
As the honor of our great and gracious Master, and
the happiness of our immortal souls, are the objects
which most interest us while on earth, how indespen-
sably necessary it is for us to have our minds so cen
tered in Divine love as to be not only protected from
taking wrong steps in conduct, but also to be preserv
ed from wrong thoughts, for, "from the abundance of
the heart the mouth speaketh." I have often, of late,
thought of the comparison of the mind to a watch,
drawn by John Churchman, which is as follows : "In
a watch it is needful that all the inward parts, which
are so curious, should be enclosed from damps, vapors,

HOME LIFE, 35
motes and dust, otherwise it would become deprived
of its motion, and be useless tor keeping time. So with
those who labor in the Church of Christ, it is needful
that their minds be enclosed in the bosom of Truth,
in humble retirement, to be preserved from the vari
ous cumbers, cares and temptations of the world,
which would otherwise clog their minds and deprive
them of true spiritual sense and motion."
The state of society affairs, in many places, at the
present time, is a subject of much sorrow and mourn
ing to all who feel truly concerned for the cause of
truth and righteousness in the earth. The walls of our
Zion which have been so shattered by the deluge of
of infidelity, have in some measure been rebuilt, yet
we have an unwearied enemy, who is endeavoring to
lay waste to the Lord's heritage ; and if he cannot
accomplish his ends in one way, he is not lacking to
devise another. Hence the necessity of the injunc
tion, "Watch and pray lest ye enter into temptation."
We have, for a few days past, been reading the his
tory of Joseph's life, and it has renewed my belief in
the sentiment contained in this line of the poet : "The
good can never be unfortunate," for in all his trials
and hardships the Lord was with him, and even when
in his most abject condition of life he was made instru
mental in promoting and establishing a belief in his
God, by whose assistance he was enabled to interpret
the dreams of the butler, the baker, and Pharaoh.
Those words of thine, my dear E — , claimed my par
ticular attention, where thou said, "It feels to me a very
serious thing even to think of having the charge of thy

2,6 JOHN BUTLER.
children." It is an undertaking that demands serious
consideration, which I have, every reason to believe it
has had from thee. I am in hopes thou wilt not find
it to be a task any harder than there will be ability
given to perform aright. Thou hast many times ex
pressed thy fear of thy capability or suitableness of
being placed at the head of a family, and I think we
should, in all our movements, be careful to go no fast
er than our blessed Master is pleased to open the way.
But if He does open the way, and is pleased to go
along with us, may we, with the faith of Gideon, fol
low His directions, and as He fought the battle for
him, so will he for us, if our faith and love wax not
cold. Notwithstanding, I know it is very necessary that we
should make provision for these poor tabernacles,
which are lent us to dwell in while we are making pre
paration for another world ; yet it is thy spiritual as
sistance that I have craved, and in which I trust I
shall not be disappointed, if it is the Lord's will for us
to be joined in marriage.
From thy ever well-wishing friend and true lover,
J. B. to E. T.
Thou requested me to write thee a good, long let
ter. One part of thy request is fulfilled, at least, in
respect to the length.
One more extract from a letter written by our dear
mother w ill show the depth and honesty of her desire
to be right with God in preference to any pleasures
coming through earthly gain or distinctions of men :

HOME LIFE. 37
Goshen, 4th Mo., 7th, 1834.
As to what thou hast of worldly possessions, it nev
er stood the least in my way. Ah ! I never expect to
find that in worldly treasures, which will make me hap
py, or satisfy the longings of an immortal soul. Why,
my dear friend, I care far more about what thou art,
than what thou hast! I do want us to be humble
Christians, then we shall experience that "Godliness
with contentment is great gain." We both do feel, I
trust, we have in our little much more than we de
serve ; and if we are but favored to act our parts well
the necessities of life will not be denied us, unless, in
best wisdom, for our benefit. The Lord is very good,
He even careth for the sparrows, and shall He not
care for us, if, as obedient children, we do His will,
and in faith look unto Him for all our supplies.
In looking toward my being a member of thy fam
ily, my dear friend, I want thee te have no anxious
thoughts, neither do I want thee to go to any unnec
essary expense about anything on my account. Let
us be satisfied to live in a humble way, and endeavor
to be in ourselves more in substance than show.
Oh let us try to live as sojourners here, looking to
ward a, better country, that is an Heavenly, I do
much desire for myself and for thee, my dear J — , we
may strive hard to live loose from the world and its
various entanglements ; that by so doing, when the
messenger of death may summon us to appear before
the just Judge, we may be in a state of preparation,
and be able to render an account with joy, and not
grief. How often has it been the secret petition of

38 JOHN BUTLER.
my soul that my sins may all go beforehand to judg
ment, and not follow after. May we help with our
little might to loosen each other from the things of
time, and not be too much as another tie to earth. Ah!
I have feared this for myself, that I should cling close
to thee, my dear friend, and the things that might add
to thy comfort ; but feel as if I can do no other than
look to Jesus for help to keep the affections placed
where they ought to be. I often think, dear J — ,
what a great favor it is, ' 'whilst our hands are lawfully
engaged, our hearts may be in Heaven." And whilst
we are busied about the things that appear needful for
our poor earthly tabernacles, O may we ever be con
cerned for our immortal souls, and daily ask for that
which will sustain the divine life therein.
From thy sincere friend, Elizabeth Tatum.
On the 2nd of 7th mo., 1834, John Butler was uni
ted in mairrage with Elizabeth Tatum, daughter of
George and Beulah Tatum, at Goshen meeting house,
the wedding company and dinner being at her father's,
two and one-half miles Northeast of Goshen. The
next day they went to the home he had made ready
four years before, on his farm southeast of Goshen,
and where, for fourteen years, they enjoyed the inde
pendence, and underwent the hardships of the early
settlers, for this home was still surrounded by the un
molested forest trees, The two orphan children were
brought home, and again had the care and counsel of
a true mother's heart, who loved them as her own.
Asenath was eight and Benjamin four years of age at

home life. 39
this time ; and the family thus united were a content
ed group in this isolated home, while the real business
of living called out energy, contrivance, and originali
ty, that gives strength to men and women, and culti
vates contentment, which is a jewel in cot or palace.
The trees that had stood monarch for so many gen
erations must now give up their- places, and let the
warmth of the sunshine penetrate the soil; and soon
were to be seen broad corn and wheat fields, inter
spersed with stumps, as by little and little the new
home spread its benison abroad, and life was a happy
reality, with much ahead to accomplish of interest to
all. Our father made several pieces of furniture for the
house, and many little conveniences about the home
were fashioned by his own busy hands — the stand
around which they sat of evenings, a corner table,
some book shelves, and many other things that added
to their comfort, without much additional expense.
On the ist of ioth mo., 1834, three months later
than our parents marriage, father's sister, Meribah
Butler, was married to James Farmer. They also
were married at Goshen, and settled at Salineville.
On the 25th of 1st mo., 1836, their first child was
born and named George, in honor of his grandfather
Tatum. This little stranger brought new light and
joy, as well as added care to the household, soon de
veloping into an interesting and interested member of
the busy circle.
During these early years of their married life, our
parents attended meeting at Goshen, entertaining many

40 JOHN BUTLER.
friends and frequently traveling ministers in their hum
ble home, and were interested in all the affairs of
church and schools. Mother's sister, Rebecca Tatum,
afterward the wife of Barnabas C. Hobbs, made her
home with our parents a part of the time, and was a
careful helper in the throng of cares that came with a
large family and work of the farm, added to which
was the cheese making, as it was the custom of farm
ers in those days to use their surplus milk in manufac
turing cheese fot family use.
The nth day of 8th mo., 183 7. their son Richard
was born, who was a delicate little fellow from his
birth, and always regarded as a transient blessing.
Their next child was a daughter, born the 1 6th of
9th mo., 1840, whom they named Drusilla, for that
other Drusilla who had been the partner of our father's
early joys.
The boarding school was in operation at Mt. Pleas
ant at this time, and our parents, wishing to give their
children better advantages for an education than were
afforded in their own community, took their daughter
Asenath there to attend school. The only way to
reach the boarding school was by private conveyance,
and so father went and came on those trips in his car
riage, always prompt to his duty by his children, not
counting the sacrifice, but earnestly and gladly doing
what he believed to be the right thing to do. His son
Benjamin was also a student at this school a few years
later, and then was sent to Richmond Boarding
School, now Earlham College. Father often would
say he was thankful for the influence of good schools,

HOME LIFE. 41
and he thought parents were accountable for the sur
roundings of their children.
In the autumn of '41, the oldest two children were
taken sick with a violent form of dysentery ; and af
ter only a few days' sickness, with all possible effort
made to arrest the disease, their suffering ceased, and
their redeemed spirits went back to God who gave
them. The 30th day of 9th mo. , 1841, George died
in the morning, and Richard in the evening of the same
day ; and the grief that fell across the threshhold of
the home when those two little sons stepped from
their earthly to their Heavenly heritage never ceased
to leave its shadow on the hearts of their parents,
though both could "kiss the Hand that held the rod''
and say through their blinding tears,
"Though tempted and tried,
There is One at our side,
And never, in vain, shall his children confide,
He shall save and defend,
For He loves to the end.
Adorable Master and and glorous Friend !"
On the 5th of 7th mo., 1842, their daughter Beu-
lah was born, bearing the name of her grandmother
Tatum, and to them was the promise of all they could
wish in a child. Two years later, on the 2nd of 10th
mo., 1844, there came into their home-nest another
little son, over whom they rejoiced and christened
Josiah. Though these years were crowded with responsibil
ities and pressing home cares, to provide for the tem-

42 JOHN BUTLER.
peral needs of the eager little lives that were added,
year by year, to the family, there was no worry, but
the spirit of congenial love and mutual delight in all
that came ; each day's blessings and labors were re
ceived and completed, with a trust for new strength
should another day dawn upon them. Amid all this
restless, prattling little group our mother found time
to read and write a good deal, keeping up her corres
pondence with many friends and relatives. And it
surprises us, in this day of labor-saving arrangements
of all kinds, to read the amount of her own composing
as well as transcribing which she did, besides the knit
ting and sewing, never neglecting the best interests of
her children by her attention to her literary persuits.
On the 28th of 8th mo., 1845, their daughter Asen
ath was married to David Park, and settled almost in
sight of home.
The next child was a daughter, born the 23rd of
8th mo., 1846, and to whom they gave her mother's
name — Elizabeth Tatum.
As the family grew, and this home was evidently
crowded, father decided to build a more roomy habi
tation ; and so they selected a spot a little to the north
and there built the brick house, where there was am
ple room for comfort and a margin for romping chil
dren. The 30th of 1 2th mo., 1847, their daughter Lydia
was born. And early in the spring of '48 the family
of six children were transferred to the new home,
with many regrets amang the older members of the
circle, at leaving the spot that was embalmed with the

HOME LIFE. 43
memory of much that could not be taken from it to
the new abode. But trees had previously been plant
ed, and it was soon a home, in the dearest sense of that
word. It was during this year that father made his first
trip as traveling companion for a minister beyond the
limits of his neighboring meetings. At this time he
accompanied Jesse Stanley through the meetings, vis
iting many of the families composing Alum Creek
Qarterly Meeting, making the entire journey on horse
back. He records this little visit, which took him
from home amid a throng of pressing business: "I
believe the Lord went with us on our journeys, and
has mercifully taken care of my dear family in my
absence, and I feel great peace in having made this
little sacrifice."
On the 9th of nth mo., 1849, their youngest child
was born, and named Hannah Webster, for her grand
mother Butler.
Father writes in his diary a little earlier than this,
8th mo., 14th, 1849, ''Attended our Quarterly Meet
ing, at which we had the company of our valued Gos
pel ministers, Benjamin Seebhom and Robert Lind-
sey, of England, and William Pierson, from Indiana.
Benjamin was favored, in a remarkable manner, to
hand forth Gospel truths, to the comfort and' encour
agement of many present. May praise and thanks
giving be given to Him from whom all our sure com
forts come."
The years that follow this date were times of deep
trial in regard to church affairs ; and our father's spir-

44 JOHN BUTLER.
it was often bowed within him as he saw the Lord's
heritage laid waste by contention and strife among the
brethren. He writes under date, 7th mo., 8th, 1850,
' 'Dark clouds still appear to hang over our poor So
ciety, but I have, at times, a hope and even a belief
that the Lord will scatter them, and not permit them
to burst in full force upon us. May humility more
and more abound, is often my earnest desire."
While passing through deep waters in regard to the
church, the home-life moved joyfully on. The family
was large, requiring the help of two girls in the kitch
en, as mother's health was quite poor. Grandmother
Butler was now an inmate of the home, occupying the
front room, afterwards used as parlor. For several
years, as the children were growing old enough to be
gin to be taught from books, the large room down at
the "old house" was used as a school room for a se
lect school, made up of the family children who were
old enough and quite a number of the neighbors' chil
dren. And in this little institution the younger set
of children, except the youngest, laid the foundation
of the education, more or less, they afterward ob
tained. The teachers were usually young women,
selected by the parents of the children. The whole
affair was rather crude, public punishment at times
prevailed, much to the physical inconvenience of the
youthful band. Some times the penalty for an offence
was being shut in a closet, where the well-filled dinner
baskets were stowed away. On one such occasion a
roguish boy emptied two of said baskets of their con
tents, and then had to take the two bereft young gen"

HOME LIFE. 45
tlemen home with him to dine. At another time the
transgressor would be doubled up under the teacher's
desk, and one little lady rose up from this uncomfort
able position, overturning the table, and demolishing
inkstand and whatever else it contained. Another
wee girl was much given to making wry faces, for
which she would be seated among the boys, but being
too young to be at all effected by this change of sur
roundings, she would be thrust with her face jam into
the "idlers corner," and required to stand until the
authority saw fit to let the little weary form sit down.
But the impressions and knowledge received during
these school days was lasting, and the recollection of
them is a pleasant spot in the memory of those chil
dren, now grown gray.
The dicipline in our home was firm and even. Our
parents acting in exact harmony, and if we some
times thought the lines were laid down a little rigidly,
there was always such a strength of love underneath
that we had confidence, and in obedience to the laws
given out to us we could but see, in retrospect, the
wisdom of their plans. Even in our very young years
we could often see that it pained our parents loving
hearts to disappoint our unwise, childish desires; but
in after years we call them blessed for the loyal love
that, more than all else, helped them to be true to
their convictions of right.
On ioth mo., 2nd, i£50, their son Benjamin was
married to Hannah Stanley, daughter of Isaac and
Elizabeth Stanley, and settled one-half mile east of
the home.

46 JOHN BUTLER.
In the year 1854 came the terrible separation in
Ohio Yearly meeting, the spirit of which had been
convulsing the church for the past nine years, and
which the accuser of the brethren had been busy
to bring about.
He records, 9th mo., 1854, "Returned from the
Yearly Meeting overwhelmed with grief and sorrow on
account of a separation having taken place there, oc
casioned by a spirit of misrule and insubordination
working in the minds of some of the former leaders
of the Yearly Meeting. A time of grief, mourning
and deep discouragement."
Will here insert a short extract from our mother's
diary, entered a little later. She writes, 12th mo.,
18th, 1854, "Ah ! it is close work when we come to
leave all for Christ's sake, but if only disciples of the
blessed Jesus there is nothing to fear, for His sheep
hear His voice, and follow Him, whithersoever He
leads, but the voice of a stranger they will not follow.
Oh ! my poor soul is filled with thankfulness in be
lieving He was near to help and comfort in this try
ing time. O may I 'trust and follow. ' May neither
things present nor yet to come ever be able to separ
ate me from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus
our Lord, and —
"If but my fainting heart be blest,
With Thy sweet Spirit for its guest,
My God to thee I leave the rest.
Thy will be done.

HOME LIFE. 47
Renew my will from day to day,
Blend it with Thine, and take away
All that now makes it hard to say
Thy will be done."
"Oh all that is within me covets all that do not see
things as they really -are, may yet be blessed with
clear and true discernment. Oh ! may I be more and
more devoted to His service, who is indeed a 'refuge
in time of trouble. ' "
In our father's household, it was grief indeed, as our
parents could not conscientiously see things the same.
But through all these months of trial, and through
all the years that followed, their children never heard
a single sentence of the parents' views on these mat
ters, and the family life moved steadily on, with ap
parently cheerful hearts, though, as we grew older,
we could but know the sorrow they had borne in se
cret, while, to us and in all the duties of home, both
religious and domestic, their lives were one, and their
prayers went up together for the conversion of their
children to God. Both lived for years in the hope,
almost amounting to faith, that the two branches
would be sifted and brought together, but which was
never realized.
The little school in the old house served its day,
and was laid aside, and the children sent to the Gosh
en school, which had been put upon a better basis,
and now stood as "Goshen Preparative Meeting Free
School." The four older children were taken to "room" at
"Uncle Joshua Shrinn's," as he was familiarly called

48 JOHN BUTLER.
by all, and who, with his faithful wife, "AuntAbbie,"
kept a boarding house, and, through many years,
made a home for teachers and students, patiently
bearing with the frivolities of youth, and sympathiz
ing with or teasing the home-sick little hearts as the
notion might be, but always trying to draw out any
talent we should possess.
On 2nd mo., 3rd, 1856, father writes in his diary :
"Took leave of my beloved mother Tatum and affec
tionate sister Sarah Stanley (formerly Tatum) and her
valued husband, Robert Stanley. It was an affecting
time, not soon to be foagotten. May the Lord pre
serve them in obedience to His most holy will, as I
believe He has in former days, and may He draw me
closer and closer unto Himself, that all my dependence
may be placed on Him and Him alone, enabling me
to see clearly my daily and hourly duties. And, O,
most holy Father, grant unto me to experimentally
know of regeneration being continually carried on in
my heart, that thereby I may be preserved from bring-
reproach on the blessed truth as it is in Jesus."
The next entry in his diary was made 3rd mo.,
19th, 1856. "My dear mother (Butler) deceased this
morning about one-half past six o'clock, in the eighty-
fifth year of her age."
She had been one of our home circle for the past
few years, receiving the loving care of a devoted son,
and now was gathered Home in a ripe old age with
the redeemed beyond the flood.
Only a few days later he records, 3rd mo., 24th,
1856: "Our dear and beloved daughter Beulah de-

HOME LIFE.

49

ceased this morning about half past nine o'clock, in
the 14th year of her age. A time of very close trial,
and looking into my past life, especially of latter times,
to see whether I had been in way of duty toward those
two loved ones, as a son and father, who have so soon
been taken from us ; and notwithstanding I thought
while they were living I was doing my duty pretty
well, yet I now see some things to regret ; and as it is
too late to make amends to them, I pray the Lord
may forgive, and enable me to be more aroused to the
performance of every duty that devolves upon me."
This young daughter was taken sick while attend
ing school at Goshen. She had staid with and cared
for a school girl friend who was lying very sick with
fever, and who died shortly afterward. Beulah con
tracted the disease, and laid some weeks at uncle
Joshua's, but seeming a little better, and begging so
much to be taken home, her parents protected her
the best they could, and gratified her wishes ; but she
did not live long afterward, and her beautiful young
life was transferred from this world in the morning of
her days, leaving a sweet memory to fill the saddened
hearts of the household.
The reaper Death seemed hovering about our home
and our father again records, 4th mo., 21st, 1856:
"Our dear mother Tatum died at our house this eve
ning about ten o'clock, in the sixty-sixth year of her
age. I had not to charge myself with omissions toward
her though a great trial to part from her."
This grandmother was at our house on her way to
visit relatives and friends in the East, but the Lord

50 JOHN BUTLER.
saw good to take her to Himself in the midst of active
life, and she gladly laid her armor by and went to her
eternal rest.
This was a year of great sadness in the home, but
father never allowed his life to be paralized by grief,
and, though with a heavy heart, he met the duties
that came upon him with earnest hope and unwaver
ing trust in Him, to whom he had committed the
keeping of his way, remembering the promise —
"As thy days thy strength shall be;
This should he enough for thee.
He who knows thy frame will spare
Burdens more than thou canst bear."
During the year 1857, our parents made another
visit to relatives and friends in Philadelphia and New
Jersey. On these occasions some one suitable must
be provided to oversee the little ones, and larger ones,
left behind. And Jane Everson, a middle-aged single
woman, who had helped frequently in the family at
other times, would often take the situation and wield
just as much authority over the noisy group as we
thought would agree with father's and mother's rules,
and we, being judges, generally had pretty free time.
At other times when our parents took trips from
home Mary Woolman would stay to steer the domes
tic ship, and rather seemed to enjoy, for a short time,
the change from her quiet home of four single sisters.
In their early married life, our parents twice made
the trip over the Alleghany Mountains in their car
riage. Once accompanied by grandmother Butler.

HOME LIFE. 51
The description of these mountain rides was one of
the stories with which our mother entertained her chil
dren of evenings, and we never tired of what seemed
the dangerous passages in the journey.
During the. time their own children were growing
up, — our parents took into their home several young
boys at different times, whose own homes were brok
en up by the death of one or both parents, — among
' these was John Stanley and Edwin Coppock, the
latter of whom was an inmate of our home nine years,
and later in life was one of the number who joined in
the famous John Brown raid, a notice of which will be
given more particularly in another chapter. Then our
cousin, Samuel Trescott, lost his mother, and lived
with us for some time, attending school in winter and
helping on the farm during the warm season. Between
these boys and our parents there existed a warm at
tachment through all the years that followed, the first
two having died years before our father's death.
The social and religious duties of life were delight
fully blended in father's character, and he never felt
fully satisfied with a visit without the things pertaining
to the everlasting life were talked of, and that he could
feel that he had been benefitted by giving or receiving
counsel. He loved to take his children with him where
he thought they would gain instruction and 'enjoy go^
ing. He records, 7th mo., 29th, 186 1, at three o'clock
p. m.: "Started, accompanied by my daughters Eliza
beth and Lydia for Morrow county to attend Alum
Creek Quarterly Meeting, and to visit our dear broth
er and sister, Robert and Sarah Stanley."

52 JOHN BUTLER.
"Eighth mo., 6th, 1861 : In looking over this lit
tle trip, after reaching home, I feel comfortable in the
belief that I was preserved from doing any harm, and
had the satisfaction of meeting with and making my
home with my dear brother and sister, Robert and
Sarah Stanley, who, I think, are earnest in endeavor
ing to know and do their Master's will. May we all
be preserved in the truth. I also had the company of
my Other dear friends of that Quarterly Meeting.
"Eighth mo., 29th, 1861 : Left home with my
daughter Drusilla to attend Ohio Yearly Meeting.
Stopped at Mechanics town to feed, at a widow John
son's. Her son, who will not be seventeen years old
until First month, next, has enlisted and gone into
the army, and many others about the same age have
gone." His soul was deeply stirred at the havoc made among
the young men of our country by the civil war, and
through it all he bore his testimony in favor of peace,
as he believed our Lord has laid it upon His follow
ers to do.
He writes 2nd day, 5th mo. 26, 1862: "Left my dear
wife and children about one half past twelve o'clock,
accompanied by my daughter Drusilla, with a pros
pect of visiting our dear brothers and sisters and oth
er relatives and friends located in Indiana, Illinois and
Iowa. Was taken by my kind son Benjamin to Alli
ance, where we met with my old friend, Elizabeth
Ellyson, who expects to go with us to Iowa. Took
the cars about five o'clock p. m., and arrived atCleve-

HOME LIFE. 5J
land one-half past six. Went to Brother James Farm
er's, and had a pleasant evening."
On their way through Illinois, they visited father's
brother, our uncle William Butler, then residing
at Dixon. The record of this visit, throughout,
is a time of enjoyment and thankfulness to his Heav
enly Father for it all. He writes, 4th day, 6th mo.,
11,1862: "All well; still clear and pleasant. Lydiaand
Hannah Mathers came last evening to brother Law-
rie's, and in the morning came to brother G. P.
Woods to see me. Had a very pleasant visit. They
have some very close trials. May the Lord sanctify
it to them is my desire. At the proper time went to
Monthly Meeting ; had a large, good meeting ; saw
many of my old Goshen, Springfield, and Salem
friends, whom, I do believe, as a general thing, are in
an improving condition, spiritually and temporally.
This seems encouraging, and makes my heart rejoice.
May the Lord preserve them in unity and true charity,
not in unity of wrong things, nor in that kind of
charity that strengthens wrong things and doings, but
that which' preserves in the unity of Christ's spirit and
the bond of peace. After meeting returned to broth
er G. P. Woods' to dine. Here also met some of my
old friends again. I and E. S., who had recently lost
a child and feel to mourn its loss, J. and M. S. also,
and some others, a time of much feeling, to meet and
part again."
After reaching home he writes : "In this
little, or big, trip of social visits among my
dear relatives and worthy friends, my heart has

54 JOHN BUTLER.
often been humbled under a sense of the great good
ness and loving kindness of my Heavenly Father, in
preserving us in good health, and opening the hearts
of all to receive us with kindness and love, and now
to Him be all the praise and honor, if any good has
been done in the way of stirring up the pure mind in
those with whom I have mingled. "
The two years following this date were much taken
up in traveling, on behalf of the Church, in reference
to war troubles, and in the interests of the multitudes
of suffering Freedmen in the South. He went with
his son Josiah to Vicksburg, and from there to Paw-
Paw Island, fifteen miles north, in the Mississippi riv
er, where he was located as teacher of the Freedmen
during the winter of '64 and '65. Father was from
home for several weeks, visiting many camps, where
the poor, distressed colored refugees were huddled
together waiting for the reward of their dear bought
liberty ; and passing through many places of seeming
danger ; but He who encampeth round about them
that fear Him protected him by his loving presence
through the journey, and he returned home safely,
leaving his son, a mere boy, as father would say, in
in the midst of great peril, but trusted in the special
care of God. This parting of our brother Josiah and
his mother proved to be the last farewell on earth, and
was peculiarly impressive at the time, as our mother
invoked the blessing of the Lord upon her child, and
asked that he might early give his heart to God and
love and serve Him, — a prayer that was answered a
few months later, when the tidings of her death came

HOME LIEE. 55
to him in that strange Southern land, and in the an
guish of his grief her words and prayers came up to
his mind and were the means of bringing him to
Jesus. "Second mo., 26th. '65 : Attended Goshen Meet
ing, and dined at my friend Mary Ann Armstrong's,
and read to the family the last will and testimony of
their husband and father, who lately deceased, and
whose will I had written and had in keeping. On
reaching home found my wife and daughter quite un
well." "Second mo., 27th : In the afternoon sent for the
doctor for Drusilla. He pronounced her case conjes-
tion of the lungs and brain — very sick.
"Second mo., 28th : Doctor came before daylight,
and found my dear Elizabeth and Drusilla very sick
with the same complaint. David and Asenath came
in the night, or rather Third day morning, — were sent
for before day. Through the day several friends came.
E. Hall and R. Holloway staid all night.
"Third mo., 3rd: Elizabeth and Drusilla still very
sick, — their recovery very doubtful. I feel to bless
the Lord for His goodness and loving kindness in so
ordering the affairs of my life that I am at home to as
sist in caring for them. Still increasingly ill. In the
evening had Drs. Speare and Williams called to con
sult with Dr. Hole. They think my dear wife's case
very doubtful, — Drusilla some better."
"Seventh day, 3rd mo., 4: At about four o'clock
this a. m. my beloved wife departed this life, and I
have no doubt her purified spirit is in Heaven ; but

HOME LIFE. 56
my loss is great and irreparable, as is also the loss of
my beloved children. Drusilla still mending. Many
kind friends called to see us."
"First day, 5th of 3rd mo., 1865 : Drusilla pretty
comfortable, yet very sick. Many dear friends came
to see us and be with us. In the evening my dear
brother Lawrence and sister Sarah came and staid all
night, also sister Sarah Street."
"Second day, 3rd mo., 6th: Drusilla still on the
mend. A day of mourning. And at half past two
o'clock p. m. we took the remains of my dear wife to
Goehen meeting house, where was held a large and
solemn meeting, after which she was interred, and we
returned home."
"Second mo-, 12th : To-day staid from meeting on
account of daughter Drusilla's sickness. Had the com
pany of children — David and Asenath Park. A day
of sadness and mourning."
"Second mo. , 14th: A very pleasant day. Isaac
Stanley and Mary Cattell called to see us. Drusilla
mends very slowly. Daughter Lydia still better. How
often we are reminded of our nothingness and inabil
ity of ourselves to do any good thing."
"Third mo., 15th, 1856: Drusilla not so well in
forenoon. At about two o'clock p. m. decidedly
worse, and soon was alarmingly ill, continuing so un
til eleven o'clock p. m., when she departed this life,
being in her twenty-fifth year, and we trust her end is
peace. This is another very severe trial to us all.
May my beloved daughters be preserved in a confid
ing trust in God, and may He who has been my stay-

HOME LIFE. 57
and support in many trials and provings in the course
of my life, again be pleased to strengthen me in this
close probation to look availingly unto Him for
support to walk in wisdom's ways. And, O Lord,
wilt thou be pleased to be my daily companion during
the fleeting days that Thou may yet grant me in this
world of proving. "
"Sixth day, 3rd mo., 17th: This day at three p.
M. the remains of my beloved Drusilla were taken to
Goshen meetinghouse, where, with many kind friends
and relatives, had a very solemn meeting, held in pro
found silence, and then she was interred. A very af
fecting time to her three remaining sisters. Many
dear friends have been very kind and attentive to us
in this time of stripping, John and Martha Stanley
staying with us several days and nights, much to our
comfort." "Third mo., 18th, '65 : This morning J. and M.
Stanley bade us farewell, and we were left entirely by
ourselves, and passed the day solemnly with none but
my three daughters and I. I trust our hearts were
often turned to the Lord for counsel and strenght to
walk before Him in humility and fear. Walked down
to see son Benjamin and family a few minutes in their
affliction, his dear wife, our daughter-in-law, being
very sick and her recovery doubtful. In the evening
our kind friends, William and Mary Cattell, came to
stay over night with us, — very acceptably."
"Third mo., 20th, 1865: Very warm and pleasant.
My dear friend, James B. Bruff, departed this life to
es)

58 JOHN BUTLER.
day, about nine o'clock A. m. Thus another valient
of Israel has been called from works to rewards. He
was a man of sound judgment in church government,
a good example in simplicity and moderation, and a
reprover — by his daily example — of talebearers and
detracters ; and in his death, not only his own dear
family, but the Church and State have sustained a
great loss. May others be qualified to come forward
to the work of the Lord."
"Third mo., 31st, '65 : O Lord, be pleased to be
my guide and my comfort in this time of mourning
of grief and of sorrow. Oh that I may be enabled
this day to do all the will of the Lord, My poor
mournful daughters ! how my very soul feels for them,
and yet my grief and sorrow is so great that I can do
but little to comfort them, for my own sadness makes
them more sad. O, dearest Lord, be pleased to be
their comforter and present helper, and keep them
from erring, either on the right hand or the left, com
fort them in each other, O Lord, and condescend, if
consistent with Thy holy will, to be their companion
this day and henceforward."
This great grief that fell on our father's loving
heart, and the responsibility he felt as the only parent
of three young girls and their brothers, caused his hair
to turn gray and his heart almost to sink within him ;
but he leaned hard upon his loving Lord, and pressed
forward in the duties that came to him, and we chil
dren did not realize until in after yeais, and perhaps
never fully, the depth of self-sacrificing love and solic
itude our father bore for us.

HOME LIFE. 59
It had been one of our dear mother's wishes, in re
gard to her three younger children, that they might
spend a year at Westtown Boarding School together.
.And so the following autumn father made arrange
ments accordingly, — put a family in part of the house
with whom he could board, and then took his daugh
ters, spent a few days in Philadelphia among their
kinfolks, then went with them to the school ; and,
with almost breaking heart, bid them farewell, and re
turned to his desolated home, there to spend a lonely
year, though often recording his thankfulness at being
able to do his duty by his children. He thus speaks
of his parting with his children at Westtown :
"Eleventh mo., 7th, 1865: Returned to the school
house and found daughter Hannah poorly, E. and L.
home-sick, and tears flowed freely. Comforted them
all I could, and took a walk over the premises, out-
yard, etc, in the nursery with H., and trying to
brace up my dear daughters all I could, laboring all
the time to conceal my own feelings, occasioned by a
prospect of soon having to say farewell to my dear
children and return to my stripped home in Ohio.
At about three p. m. the time came to part. This
was a trying time to my children as well as to their
father. Then proceeded to Philadelphia, and started
home." "Fifth day, nth mo., 9th: Reached home about
eight o'clock a. m., and found that dear Hannah But
ler, my daughter-in-law, had been removed from
works to rewards the evening before at ten o'clock p.
m. Thus stripping on stripping is our portion, yet

60 JOHN BUTLER.
we have a comfortable hope and assurance that all is
well with her, and this makes the affliction compara
tively easy. Praise the Lord."
"He hath spoken in the darkness,
In the silence of my grief,
Sympathy so deep and tender,
Mighty for my heart's relief,
Speaking in my night of sorrow
Words of comfort and of calm,
Gently on my wounded spirit
Pouring true and healing balm.
What He tells me in the darkness,
Weary, watching for the day,
Grateful lips and life shall utter
When the shadows flee away.''
On the first day of the new year — '66 — he was alone
in his empty home, as far as any of his family being
with him, and his faith and trust were sorely tried, for
his loving heart clung to the members of his own
household with a tenderness, supassed only by his
love to God. He thus puts down his feelings at this
time :
"First mo., ist, 1866: In looking over the many
and varied changes that have taken place within the
year, my mind has been forcibly impressed with the
uncertainty of time and of all things here below, and
with the vast importance of a preparation for a happy
eternity, and a reunion with my beloved wife and lov
ing daughter who have left this world of probation
since this time last year, and many other loved ones
who have gone before them. To-day I visited some

HOME LIFE. 6 1
of my dear friends, and gave away a quantity of good
tracts and some books. Returned home at night with
a peaceful mind."
"First mo., 9th, '66: Called in the forenoon to see
Joseph England, he being very sick. From there to
Salem; dined at cousin Samuel B. Trescott's; then
back to my stripped and comparatively desolate home,
And this evening, as I sit by the fire, all alone, my
thoughts are turned to bygone days, when I had fath
ers and mothers, wife and children, that are now no
more ; and then my mind turned to my beloved chil
dren now living, but far from home ! All this seemed
saddening and mournful. May the Lord sustain me
by His mighty power.
"The way is dark, my Father ! cloud upon cloud
Is gathering thickly o'er my head, and loutf
The thunders roar above me, see I stand
Like one bewildered ! Father take my hand,
And through the gloom
Lead safely home
Thy child.
The way is dark, my child, but leads to light ;
I would not always have the walk by sight ;
My dealings now thou canst not understand.
I meant it so, but I will take thy hand,
And through the gloom
Lead safely home
My child."
"Second mo. , 4th, '66 : Again at my quiet and loved
home, Although stripped of all my loved ones, yet

62 JOHN BUTLER.
in mercy to my soul my Lord and Savior has at times
during the winter condescended to room with me, and
even to cause the time to pass swiftly away whilst
supping with Him, and in the absence of all human
society no feeling of loneliness has pervaded my com
fortable bed-room and dwelling place. O that men
would praise the Lord for His goodness and for His
wonderful works to the children of men, for He has
broken the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars
of iron."
Early in the spring his son Josiah came home and
father records :
"Third mo„ 15th. '66: This morning about one
o'clock, my dear son Josiah returned from Jackson,
Mississippi, after an absence of about five and one-
half months ; his health is poor and I am glad to have
him at home."
On the 4th of 4th mo., '66, father and his son J.
started to Philadelphia to spend vacation with his three
daughters, who were still at Westtown, arriving at the
school on the 5th. They spent three weeks in visiting
with his children among their mother's relatives, at
tending Yearly Meeting and seeing many things of in
terest both in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Father records 12th of 4th mo. : "At an early hour
cousin William Tatum and I started to Woodstown,
New Jersey, to attend the meeting there, drove to
the meeting house and went in. There being no per
son in, but soon dear Sarah Ann Allen came in and
we sat down in silence to wait on the Lord. Three of
us and three only ; it was a good meeting. Near the

HOME LIFE. 63
clos° I felt to have a few words of exhortation, re
minding us of some of the precious promises of our
blessed Savior in the way of encouragement ; the
meeting solemnly closed. Dined at uncle Nathaniel
Robins', pleasant visit with aunt Hannah, then re
turned to Woodbury."
"Fourth mo., 16: At cousin John M. Whitalls, a
rainy day. Yesterday (First Day) the labors of our
western friends in a particular manner were very in
teresting and satisfactory to me. At ten o'clock A.
m. went to Yearly Meeting, sat a time in silence, then
had one or two short communications. The clerk
opened the meeting, called the Representatives, sev
enty-nine in number. It was then proposed to read
the minutes of the meeting for sufferings, but it not
being proceeded to immediately, our dear friend Joseph
Cox offered the Epistle from Indiana, by saying, ' 'they
were here by appointment from their Yearly Meeting
to present an Epistle from that body to Philadelphia,
and also had a minute of their appointment, and
wished to impress on the meeting a desire that in their
discussion of the subject they would not mar the beau
ty of Christian dignity, that had attached to the so
ciety. The subject was then discussed at length. Both
Epistle and minute being rejected."
At the closing of this meeting, father and son J. re
turned home, leaving his daughters to continue in
school. The duties of life from day to day are record
ed in a cheerful, contented spirit, that showed his trust
and rest were in his blessed Lord.
Fifth mi., 8th, '66, he writes : "Called early in the

64 JOHN BUTLER.
morning at Isaac Stanley's, John Killie's and Edward
Williams's ; home rest of the day. How comforting
when we are favored to realize that we are servants of
One who does all things well, and that if we are but
obedeint to his requirements, we are released from the
responsibility or anxiety about the result of our labors,
but as the cause is His and the power is His, and the
time and manner of attending to it is His, and the
glory belongs to Him, — there seems but little on our
part to do but to be obedient and then the rich reward
of peace will be ours, and the honor His."
"Fifth mo , 16th, '66: Soon after breakfast went
by former appointment to Uree Stanley's, to meet
with the committee appointed at our Quarterly Meet
ing of ministers and elders, and some friends of that
body,, who had caused some uneasiness amongst us,
at which time we were favored with the help of our
Heavenly Father, to set truth over and above error ;
and I hope much good will come of the opportunity
which closed comfortably, and I returned home with
the reward of peace in my own bosom. The retro
spect of my labors in the various meetings and com
mittees that have been held in the past three days is
comforting to my mind, and cause of renewed thank
fulness to my Heavenly Father for his continued care
and help extended to me, — unworthy as I am. May
the spirit of thanksgiving and praise be granted to be
my constant companion, that all my words and acts
may bear evidence of a grateful and humble heart,
and my great desire is that my few remaining days
may be spent to His glory, and the promotion of

HOME LIFE. 6j
righteousness on the earth and the good of my fellow
beings." "Fifth mo., 20th, '66 : Went to meeting at eleven
o'clock a. m. It appeared to me that it was right for
me to warn my friends against falling into the practice
of idle words. Dined at Joseph Stanley's, — Edward
and Hannah Williams spent the afternoon there also ;
it was an interesting and profitable time. v
During father's trip South, in '67, he visited the home
for colored orphans at Lauderdale, Mississippi, at that
time in charge of Elkanah and Irena Beard, who were
finding homes in the North as rapidly as possible for
these little waifs. Father promised to do what he
could for them, and selected seven to be sent to him,
provided he should succeed in finding home for them,
which he did, and thus records their arrival at his
home. "Third mo., 5th, '68: Atttehded meeting, after
reaching home was soon informed that the seven or
phan children from Lauderdale, State of Mississippi,
were at Damascus Station wanting to get to our house.
Josiah and I went for them, and in the afternoon took
two of them to Peter Falleck's, where they were to
stay, after which we all went to reading circle at Jesse
Hall's, at which we adjourned to meet again, nothing
preventing, on the first fifth day in eleventh month,
1868." ' 'Third mo. , 6th. : This morning I took three of
the colored children to their homes. One to David
Williams's, one to John Thompson's and one to jas.
Courtney's. It was a trial for them to be parted in a

66 JOHN BUTLER.
strange land, and it called forth my sympathy even to
tears, when I brought the case home and applied it to
my own children, imagining them a thousand miles
from all their friends and relations, and placed sepa
rately among strangers in a strange land. I say when
leaving these little colored children in different places
as I did with these reflections, the tears would find
their way unbidden. Dined at my friends, John and
Martha Stanley's, then home; rainy day."
Our father kept one of these little Southern orphans
— Charlie Vaughn — in his home for several years, and
always corresponded with him after he left, continuing
to feel a deep interest in him, though the boy's aspira
tions for life fell far below what father had desired for
him. In his periodical Christmas letters written to
father, telling of his whereabouts and occupations, he
almost invariabry finished up his epistle after this fash
ion :
"Mr. Butler — Ise a good boy ; I don't get drunk,
nor steal nor go with the girls — will you please send
me a dollar?" His request was always granted, and
he continued his letters up till near the close of fath
er's life."
"Third mo., 13th, '69: At home, and have the
company of my dear brother Lawrence and his wife.
I expect to leave for Kansas and Indian Territory
about three o'clock this afternoon. It is a great trial
to leave my dear daughters and other children with
such a trip in prospect. May the Lord go with me,
and also be with my beloved children, is often the
prayer of my soul."

HOME LIFE. 6^
He was from home eight weeks on his trip, during
which time, and while at Fort Sill, Indian Territory,
he was very ill with malaria, and brought near the
gates of death, and from the effects of which he never
fully recovered. All through his trip father contin
ued his daily practice of reading a portion of Scripture
each morning, and the company — some of them quite
rough — tho' generous hearted men-would sit down on
the open prairie or beside the streams and give re
spectful attention to his reading and explanations, and
many times the voice of prayer and thanksgiving arose
to Him, in whom he trusted, as he would kneel be
neath the "blue vault of heaven" in grateful adoration
of an ever present Lord.
He returned home late in the eighth month in very
feeble health, and immediately started to Mt. Pleas
ant to attend Yearly Meeting just going into session.
He writes 9th mo,, 13th, '69: "At home again, af
ter having been about eight weeks from home in Kan
sas and in the Indian Territory, and one week in at
tendance of the Yearly Meeting. How comfortable
after being so long separated from by beloved children
and friends, to be thus again enjoying the blessing of
their society. May the Lord give me a thankful and
grateful heart for his long continued and abundant
loving kindness and tender mercies toward me, a poor,
unworthy creature. 'O, that men would praise the
Lord for his goodness and for his wonderful works to
the children of men ; for he has broken the gates of
brass and cut in sunder the bars of iron."
On the 20th of this same month he started to Plain-

68 JOHN BUTLER.
field, Ind. , to attend the Associated Executive Com
mittee on Indian affairs, which continued four days,
and then returned home. He made his home at Jane
Plummer's during his stay at Plainfield at this time, as
well as at other times, and of which he often spoke as
his "good home."
Twenty-fifth of 1 1 mo. , '69 : He records — "My dear
friends, Edward and Hannah Williams and daughter
Sarah are still with us, and we have had a very interest
ing visit, notwithstanding the thought of their soon go.
ing toTexas to sojourn for a time, brings with it sadness
at times. May God bless their labors there and
raise up among us faithful laborers to fill the vacancy
in the church and elsewhere."
Our father's solicitude for the true prosperity of the
church of his choice, was constantly with him, and
for the last quarter century of his life, was the under
lying interest of almost all his activity and the desire
that others might be surely planted on the invincible
truth of Jesus, led him often to arduous labor.."
We find this entry in his diary 2nd mo., 28th, '70:
"At home most of the day, feeling very poor and
bowed down under the prospect of attending a meet
ing appointed for me from a concern that has rested
with me, to see the young and middle aged friends
and some other persons who have recently manifested
an awakening to a sense of their condition without a
Savior's love and mercy. Evening, the meeting was large
some hundreds; house full and a solemn favored meet
ing at which master was mouth and wisdom, tongue
and utterance and furnished matter suitable to the oc-

home life. 69
casion. Let all the praise be His, saith my soul, and
let his name be magnified."
"Third mo., 1st, '70: At home feeling very quiet
and peaceful and comfortable in the retrospect of last
evening's labors and divine assistance, 'Bless the
Lord, O, my soul, and all that is within me ; bless His
holy name. Bless the Lord, O, my soul and forget
not all His benefits.' "
On the 28th of 4th mo., '70, his daughter Elizabeth
was married, and he thus notes it in his dairy. "This
day my daughter Elizabeth was married to Caleb Maris
at Damascus meeting; it was a solemn time; a large con
gregation assembled and very orderly. The company
at our house was not large^but very orderly, and to me
it was a satisfactory time. May the Lord be praised."
His son Josiah and family had arranged to go as
teacher among the Indians in the Indian Territory
and the parting from them was one of those trials of
which father speaks of being hardly able to bear up
under. We find the following record at this time :
"Fifth day, 5th of 5th mo., 1870: This morning
near eleven o'clock my beloved son Josiah and wife
andtwo chileren left my house and started on their way
to Lawrence, Kansas, by rail, expecting to go from
there to the Kiowa and Commnache Agency, four
hundred and forty miles by stage into I. T. This
agency is under the care of Brother Lawrie Tatum, a
U. S. Agent, and my son goes there as teacher of
Indians. The parting from my dear children and
grand children was indeed a very close trial and prov
ing time. May the Lord go with them, and preserve

70 JOHN BUTLER.
them in wisdom's ways, is the earnest breathing of
my soul, and that He may also be with and guide
and protect all my dear children that are left in Ohio,
as well as their aged father, is earnestly prayed for by
him." At Quarterly Meeting time in this month, he had a
return of ague, which had been lurking in his system
since his long stay and sickness in I. T. ; but, with his
usual energy, he left his bed after a hard shake and
attended meeting, and also most of the sittings of the
Indian Committee, which met at Damascus the 17th
18th of 5th mo., '70. The doctor was called the 16th,
and he was very sick, but on the 18th he records :
"I am still very poorly, but at ten o'clock, accom
panied by my dear friends, William Nicholson and
Francis T. King and Dr. J. C. Thomas, went to D — ,
and there met with two members of the Executive
Committee from each Yearly Meeting in the U.S. The
meeting of so many beloved friends, scattered over
a space of some thousands of miles of territory, all
meeting at one time and place, for the purpose of the
extension and promulgation of civilization and chris-
tianization of the Aborigines of our United States ;
was cause of much rejoicing, and a prayerful feeling
covered this assembly that the leader of Isreal of old
may be our leader and direct our councils. Two sit
tings were had to-day. I, with some other friends,
dined at Uree Stanley's."
On the 28th of 9th mo., 1870, our father was united
in marriage with R. Elizabeth Jenkins, of Winona,
who was a loving help-meet and affectionate mother

HOME LIFE. 7"I
to his children, walking faithfully by his side, encour
aging him in all his duties, and upholding him by her
prayers, for almost ten happy years, and then passed
on to her eternal reward — seven years before his pil
grimage was ended. She was a remarkably self-sacri
ficing person, and her life of sweet humility endeared
her to all about her, and when she was transferred
from this life to the enduring home above there was
a sense of loss in many hearts beyond the immediate
circle of loved ones.
In one month from the time of father's marriage,
his daughter Hannah was married on the 27th of 10th
mo., 1870, to Isaac Lloyd, of Mt. Pleasant, Ohio,
and went directly to the home of her husband, thus
leaving the family in the old home, three in number,
but they were a congenial little circle, and the affairs
of home and church were persued with the usual in
terest and enjoyment.
It would be affectation to say that father felt no
burden for the church, which, for so many years had
been dear to his heart, yet this burden involved no
more doubt of the Lord's ability to care for and con
trol the chureh, than did his burden for the salvation
of souls imply doubt of the Lord's being able to save
the soul He had created. And though always hope
ful that the church of his choice would come to know
-the Lord's will more perfectly, he felt a deep solicitude
for her preservation that she might not be given to
reproach. And with a charity whose strength was in
his love for the Truth itself, he was willing to be mis-

72 JOHN BUTLER.
understood, if it could not be helped, in the perform
ance of known duty.
On the 1 2th of 12th, mo., 1870, he records: "At
Damascus, and called to see Uree Stanley, who had
her arm broken, early in the morning, by a fall. In
the afternoon met a number of friends at John
Shreeve's, on Society concerns. It is truly a time of
of very close trial and proving ; as there are at this
time so many liberties wanted, and the 'strength of
the burden-beares is, in many instances, decayed.'
May it please the Lord to strengthen the hands of His
servants to labor faithfully in His cause and trust His
power, and move in His time, and truly to say in word
and in deed, 'Thy will, O God, be done.' "
During these years he was away from home a great
deal, in the interest of the Indians and the general
concerns of the Church , and while he enjoyed doing
all he believed to be his Master's will concerning him,
it was always a trial to leave home and a joy to re
turn. He thus writes :
"Tenth mo., 6th, 1871 : At home, and have the
very acceptable company of my dear brother and sis
ter, Lawrence and Ann Butler, and John Killie. I
am now fixing to start, at six o'clock this evening, to
Lawrence, Kansas, to attend tho Executive Commit
tee on Indian Affairs, and to leave my beloved wife
and children and friends is again, as it has often pre
viously been, a close trial,"
On his return from this trip, of which he speaks as
being very satisfactory, he says in his diary :
"Tenth mo,, 22nd: Reached home 7:30 p. m., and

home life. 73
found all well. We rejoiced together, and blessed the
Lord for His protecting care and merciful preservation
over us in the time of our separation, both toward me
and my beloved wife and children."
Having been hurt with a running horse in the field
so he was unable to be at meeting, he thus records
the meditations of his heart :
"Firstday, 30th of 6th mo., 1872: Not feeling able
to go to meeting to day, on account of jolting and
bruises received yesterday. I am at home by myself,
and have been brought to commemorate the mercy
and goodness of God toward me at divers times and
in divers manners, through a long, active life of over
sixty-nine years, preserving my natural life at many
times of apparent danger, at the time as well as
through many unseen dangers, and also preserved me
in many spiritual conflicts, both with the enemy of
my soul's peace and also in the strife of tonguas. And
now I can say from the depths of my soul, 'Bless the
Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits. ' And
I wish to record my feelings of thanksgiving and
praise to my blessed God for yesterday's preservation
and for His gift to me to-day to sing in spirit His
praises on the banks of deliverance. And now, dear
est Lord, wilt Thou be pleased in Thy infinite good
ness and mercy to forgive all my sins of omission and
commission, and draw me so near to Thee and keep
me there that I may hence forth, in what ever I do or
say, give glory to Thy name and sin no more, and the
(6)

74 JOHN BUTLER.
praise shall be given to Thee and Thy dear Son,
Christ Jesus, my Lord."
In the autumn of '72, he attended the opening of
Kansas Yearly Meeting, as a member of the commit
tee appointed for that purpose, was present at a reg
ular meeting of the Executive Committee on Indian
Affairs, also held at Lawrence that year. After which
he visited his children, Caleb and Elizabeth Maris,
who, with their children and his granddaughter, Het-
tie Butler, were in charge of the Pottowatomie Indian
school, at Rossville, Kansas. Our aunt Meribah
Farmer and Deborah C. Thomas, of Baltimore, ac
companied father on this visit to this school, and to
gether they enjoyed seeing the Red man in his rude
home; and yet hopefully reaching for the light of the
Gospel. He writes on his arrival at this school :
"Tenth mo., 19th, 1872: Remained at Lawrence
fixing up matters and things; then at 11:45 A- M-
took the cars for Rossville, arriving there about three
p. m., C. Maris being there to take us to his school
house on the Pottowatomie Reserve, where, after a
very pleasant ride over the rolling prairies, we arrived
safely at seven o'clock and found all well ; it was a
joyful meeting, mutually so I think. May the Lord
bless our visit to ourselves, to our dear children, and
to the Red man of the Plains, has been the constant
burden of my prayer ever since our arrival among
this people and at this house."
On the first day of the year, '73, he writes (:) "Fourth
day, 1st of 1st mo., '73 : At home most of the day;
at near noon started to Salem by way of Damuscus.

home life. '75
It has pleased my Heavenly Father to prolong my
life in this state of probation near three score and ten
years,, which are the days of the years that are alloted
to man, and I yet feel as expressed by the Apostle in
alluding to himself after having preached the gospel to
Jews and Gentiles about thirty years. He uses this lan
guage : 'Brethren, I count not myself to have appre
hended, but this one thing I do, forgetting those things
which are behind, and reaching forth to those things
which are before, I press towards the mark for the
prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.'
These are the things I am earnestly endeavoring to
do, and my hope and confidence in attaining to this
state of perfection, is through and by the mercy and
help of my blessed Savior, 'My Lord and my God.' "
Early in the summer, or late spring, father and
mother went to New England to visit friends and rel
atives of our mother, this being her native place. The
Indian Com. also met there this spring, which father
attended. This visit was a time of especial delight
and enjoyment, and they playfully called it their
"wedding tour." They made many social visits and
saw much that was new and interesting. The ocean,
in its tossing majesty, called forth afresh our father's
grateful adoration to Him whose master-work this
ocean is. They returned by way of Philadelphia and
visited friends and relatives in the city and in New
Jersey, all of which was enjoyable, and father says "I
trust a profitable trip. " His seventieth birthday oc
curred during their stay in New England and he makes
this entry in his diary.

y6 JOHN BUTLER.
"Seventh day, 14th of 16th mo., '73 : This day I
have attained to the age that is spoken of by Moses
in this language, viz : 'The days of our years are three
score years and ten, &c. ' What the Lord in his wis
dom may permit to be my experience the balance of
the days or years that he may yet grant me in this
world I know not, and to me it matters not, so that
my blessed Savior will be pleased to go with me by
day and by night and bear me up in patience and res
ignation to His holy will and in faithful obedience to all
his requirements, and when He is done serving with
me here, receive me into one of those mansions pre^
pared for the righteous, there to be in the presence of
father and son forever and ever, praising Him and the
Lamb in songs and thanksgiving to all eternity. '
About five o'clock walked to the mighty ocean and
admired its grandeur and magnificence. At 9 a. m.
attended the opening of New England Yearly Meet
ing, Charles C. Tucker and Wm. O. Newhall acted as
clerks. Read minutes of friends in attendance and
Epistles from the Yearly Meetings, including Nor
way." "Sixth mo., 23rd : At cousin John M. Whitall's,
after spending sometime in Philadelphia ; at about
12:40 took the cars for home, arriving there 12:30 on
Third day ; found all well, and have been well our
selves. We feel as if we have great need for thank"
fulness to our Heavenly Father for his many, many
benefits and mercies granted. Almost two months
from this time his children returned from Indian Ter
ritory, and he makes this entry :

HOME LIFE. JJ
"Eighth mo., 5th, 1873: At home, still looking
for our children, but they did not arrive at 9 a. m., as
was expected; but at 11.30 p. m. our dear children,
Josiah and Lizzie Butler and children, arrived at Sa
lem depot from the I. T., after an absence of just three
years and three months, as teachers among the In
dians at the Kiowa and Commanche Agency. We re
ceived them with gratitude to our Heavenly Father
for His goodness and mercy in preserving them and
us until the present time, and enabling us to rejoice
together." On the last day of this year he writes : "Today
closes the year 1873, in which the Lord has been very
gracious, and in His loving kindness has sustained me
through many trials. 'Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all His benefits, who forgiveth all
thy iniquities, who healeth all thy diseases.' And,
Lord, I pray Thee, continue with me to the end,"
Daring the year '74 he attended three meetings of
the Executive Committee on Indian Affairs, one at
Philadelphia in the Fourth month, at which time he
also attended the Yearly Meeting held there; one
at Richmond, Ind., which occurred near the time
of Indiana Yearly Meeting, which he attended. The
record of both these trips is full of interest in all that
transpired about him. He loved to see the Truth
prosper in all directions, and it grieved his heart
when the cause of his Lord fell into reproach, and his
prayer is often recorded, — "Give not Thy heritage to
reproach." On his seventy-first birthday we find this : "Sixth

78 JOHN BUTLER.
mo., 14th, 1874: This day, according to the family
Bible, I am seventy-one years old, and I cannot say
as was said of Moses at the time of his death, at the
age of one hundred and twenty, that his eye was not
dim nor his natural force abated ; for my eyes have
become dim and my natural force very much abated,
and yet I am greatly blessed with good health and a
comfortable use of my limbs and sweet sleep at night.
At 9:45 A. m. attended Scripture school, at 1 1 a. m.
our meeting for worship ; dined at Isaac Cappock's,
then attended a meeting at school house near West-
ville, took tea at Robert Cobb's, and then attended
an evening meeting at Damascus at 6:30 p. m."
"Seventh mo., 3rd, 1874: It is just forty years to
day since we, my dear Elizabeth (formerly Tatum), and
I moved on to this farm, where she closed her earthly
pilgrimage, and where, in all probability, I shall close
mine ere long and go to her and to dear departed
children, parents, and other dear relatives and friends
in Heaven."
On the 13th of 7th mo., '74, he left home to attend
another meeting of the Indian Committee at Law
rence, Kansas. His interest in and sympathy for the
red man was untiring, and continued to be a factor of
his life to its close. This trip occupied a week, and a
record of the business transacted show a genuine
heart, zeal and interest that he ever felt for this much-
wronged race.
Father's diary all through these years is full of matj
ter of more interest to his children than to others, -
recording, as they do, each day's duties done. His

HOME LIEE. 79
social, religious visiting form a great part of his occu
pation for the last ten years.
He writes 6th day, ist of 1st mo., 1875 : Hauled a
load of coal, then called to see son Benjamin, who is
afflicted with infammatory rheumatism. About noon
Isaac Maris, wife and daughter came on a visit, had a
comfortable time. The fervent petition of my heart
has been, and contiuues to be, — Lord, preserve me
in a state of watchfulness, day by day, the balance of
my pilgrimage journey through time, and when Thou
calls me to thyself may I be prepared, by grace
through faith and obedience, to enter into one of
those mansions of eternal rest with Thee and Thy dear
Son, my Savior, that He has gone to prepare for the
ransomed and redeemed of the Lord to dwell in, there
to sing His praise forever and ever through the count
less ages of eternity."
In the 2nd mo., '75, father went to Mt. Pleasant to
meet the Boarding School Committee, to attend the
meeting for sufferings, Quarterly Meeting, etc. A
general meeting occuring at this time, he attended
part of it, all of which were a cause of much travail of
soul, but through it all he praises the Lord for his
constancy. In the 4th mo. the Executive Indian Committee
met at Damascus, and, as usual, the home was open
ed to all it would accommodate of the members.
"Second day, 14th of 6th mo., 1875: This day I
am seventy-two years old, and am stil? blessed with
good health of body and the continuance of my men
tal abilities, for which I do feel thankful to the Au-

80 JOHN BUTLER.
thor of every good and perfect gift. May He enable
me to use both and all to His glory, is the fervent
desire of my soul ; and that He may also be the con
stant companion of my dear wife and all my dear
children and grandchildren is oft my fervent petition;
and finally receive us all in glory with Himself and the
blessed Savior, with the redeemed ones that have gone
before us, there to bless and praise His holy name
and His beloved Son, the Lamb immaculate, forever
and forever."
"26th of 10th mo., '75: At brother and sister
Farmer's, Cleveland, where my dear wife and I have
been a few days visiting our dear relatives and friends,
socially and religiously, very much to our comfort
and edification. The interest and comfort of this vis"
it have been increased by the reflection that we are
all old folks, and it may be the last time we may all
be together in this capacity; and having the evidence
that the Lord has been with us in our family sittings
and at all times, for which I feel to bless His holy
name, and pray for His continued presence during the
balance of our pilgrimage in this state of probation."
On leaving Cleveland, father went to Indianapolis
to attend the Indian Committee, and mother to Co
lumbus to visit her children, S. and H. Williams,
then came home together, arriving there the 4th of
nth mo., after a good and profitable visit with friends
at Columbus. And again he records his heartfelt
gratitude to the God of his life for the many blessings
and mercies. A general meeting was held at Damas
cus immediately after their return. Most of the ses-

HOME LIFE. 01.
sions of which father attended, and to his mind they
were mostly good meetings.
On the 15th of the same month, he returned to In
dianapolis to recover his satchel, which was stolen on
his recent trip there.
"Third day, 21 of 12th mo., 1875: At home. Af
ter reading the 46th Psalm this moruing, my mind
was carried back to my earliest recollection of know
ing I had an existence, when in my third year. And
from that time, which is seventy years, or three score
years and ten, my mind took a hurried retrospect of
so many, many things that it was truly wonderful to
me. Through heights and depths, prosperity and
adversity, good report and evil report, in perils by
land and perils by rivers, (if not seas,) in perils by
false brethren at home in trials, in foreign climes in
trials, and in all this and through all the Lord in His
mercy and goodness has been pleased to be with me
to sustain and comfort me. I say all these things
were brought fresh and feelingly to my mind, and I
could but exclaim, in the language of the Psalmist,
'Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His
benefits, who forgiveth all thine iniquities, who heal-
eth all thy diseases, who redeemeth thy life from de
struction, who crowneth thee with loving kindness
and tender mercies, who satisfieth thy mouth with
good things, so that thy youth is renewed like the
eagle's.' "
"Second day, 7th of 2nd mo., 1876 : Made a short
visit to Pleasant T. Stanley and Robert Cobb's, who
are confined to their houses by sickness. Made sev-

82 JOHN BUTLER.
eral other calls. Learned from the pages of the
Friends' Review of the death of my beloved friend and
fellow-laborer in the christianization of the Indians,
Thomas Wistar, of Philadelphia. He was a man of
deep religious experience, of strong mind, great de
cision of character, a tender-hearted and sympathetic
friend, and prompt and liberal in handing forth his
means for the relief and comfort of the poor and des
titute of whatever grade, color, race or nation. Such
was the character of my beloved friend. But the
Lord, in his infinite wisdom, in His own time, has
called him Home to dwell in one of those mansions
prepared for the righteous from the foundation of the
world. And ere long, in the Lord's own time, he
who is now penning these lines expects to follow and
join him and all saints that have gone before in sing
ing praises to the Lord God and the Lamb forever
and ever."
On the ioth of nth mo., he attended Salem Quar
terly Meeting, which was his practice for many years.
Then on the 1 2th, Damascus Quarterly Meeting came.
Of both these he speaks as being owned and blessed
of the Lord.
"Second mo., 19th. '76: Attended East Goshen
Monthly Meeting. Had a very comfortable meeting,
both first and last. Dined at my young friends,
George and Tazetta Malmsberry's, who are growing
in truth. May the Lord bless and preserve them."
"First day, 20th of 2nd mo., 'y6: Attended Salem
meeting, dined at Joseph and Lydia Haviland's, and

HOME LIFE. 83
attwo o'clock went to the funeral of my sister-in-law,
Anna Davis."
On the nth of 4th mo., '76, he left home for Bal
timore, to meet with the Executive Committee on
Indian Affairs. After which to Philadelphia, and at
tended most of the sittings of that Yearly Meeting,
and visited relatives and friends there and in Jersey,
The last day of his stay there he says :
"Twentieth of 4th mo.: "At cousin J. M. Whit-
all's. Took breakfast at cousin William Nicholson's >
good visit. And at ten o'clock started to Burlington,
N. J., to see Eliza P. Gumey. Arrived there about
noon, found her quite poorly, but had a very inter
esting visit. Then returned to the city, reaching the
meeting house about 4:30 o'clock. Remained til*
meeting closed, about dark, then went to cousin J.
M. W.'s, and at nine o'clock p. m. took the train for
my home in Ohio."
Sixth mo., 28th, '76, father left home to attend
Canada Yearly Menting, going by way of Niagara
Falls, and being from home nine days, enjoying the
trip and most of the meeting," and returned home
with his usual thanksgiving to the Lord.
"Fourth day, 25th of 10th mo., 'j6: At home,
and had all my children and their companions here,
except David Park (who is in Philadelphia), and we
looked over and made division of their mothers' writ
ings, papers, letters, etc, etc., which had been laying
ever since their deaths. This brought up many old
things that had almost been lost sight of, and stirred
up the mind afresh to thanksgiving and praise to God

84 JOHN BUTLER.
for His long continued mercy and goodness to me all
the days of my life. Wilt thou be pleased, O Lord,
to bless my dear children with Thy Holy Spirit, to
preserve from evil of all kinds, lead them in the way
they should go, and give them hearts full of thanks
giving and praise, and that they may never forget all
Thy benefits, who forgiveth all our iniquities, who
healeth all our diseases, who redeemeth our lives
from destruction, who. crowneth us with loving kind
ness and tender mercies, who satisfieth our mouths
with good things, so that our youth is renewed like
the angels." These blessings he bestows on his
humble, obedient children.
The winter months of this year were mostly spent
in visiting families, neighboring meetings, etc., and,
to some of us, it is wonderful how much of this kind
of work he accomplished, going into the homes of
the community all about him with words of counsel or
encouragement concerning the things of the king
dom." "Fourth day, 14th of 2nd mo., 1877, at 10:30
o'clock a. m.: Took cars at Damascus station to go
to Chicago and Dixon, 111., to attend the funeral of
my dear brother William Butler, and to see to the
settlement of some of his business matters."
This trip was a time of peculiar trial to our father,
but with his usual hopeful energy he did all he could
in behalf of the widow, and came home with a heart
at ease, though saddened by the loss of another be
loved member of the circle that so many years were
wont to share each others joys and sorrows, but

HOME LIFE. 85
who, at this date, have all but one gathered over
there where the perpetual light of youth fadeth not
and our loved ones go no more out forever.
"Sixth day, 30th of 3rd mo., 'yj: Athome, a. m.,
and about three o'clock went to Salem on my way to
Mt. Pleasant and Baltimore. Attended a Murphy
temperance meeting at Salem, and at eleven o'clock
p. m. took the cars for Rochester, Pa. Arrived there,
in company with Joseph Stanley, about two o'clock
p. m. Seventh day : Staid rest of night at hotel, and
31st took the cars about nine a. m for Martin's Ferry,
and the hack from there to Isaac Lloyd's. Arrived
there at six o'clock p. m. "
"First day, 1st of 4th mo. ,'77 ; At my children's,
Isaac and Hannah Lloyd's. Attended meeting and
dined at Elwood Ratcliff's ; then called to see Milton
Pettits, and from there to G. K. Jenkins' and back to
I. Lloyd's,"
"Second day, 2nd: At Isaac Lloyd's; staid most
of the day, and at about three p. m. started to Mar
tin's Ferry ; soon crossed over to Wheeling, and at
seven p. m. took cars for Baltimore and arrived there
about noon Third day."
On New Year's day he thus puts down his thoughts:
"Third day, 1st of 1st mo., 78 : At home, and just
entering on the various responsibilities of another
year, being to-day seventy-four years six months and
seventeen . days ; old ; and still the Lord blesses me
with good physical health and the retention of my
common mental faculties, which I accept with a be
lief that He has still some further work for me to do

86 JOHN BUTLER.
in the church and world for the promotion of tha
cause of righteousness in the earth and to His glory';
and, in view of this, I am brought into great humility
and abasedness, knowing of myself I can do nothing.
and yet I believe in the Scripture declaration and
words of our blessed Savior, viz. : 'If ye abide in me,
and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will
and it shall be done unto you." And, therefore, 0
Lord, I pray that thou wilt grant me heavenly wis
dom and the continual abiding presence of Thy Holy
Spirit, who will guide me into All Truth ; and as thou
enables me I will endeavor to be Thy faithful servant
the balance of my pilgrimage in this Thy footstool,
and praise and magnify Thy ever blessed name on
earth and praise Thee forever and ever in Heaven.
Amen and amen."
In the 4th mo., he went again to Philadelphia to
meet the Indian Committee and spending a little time
among relatives and friends. But, as the years go
by, this circle is growing smaller, and he speaks of
"vacancies among those he had long known and
loved," and he leaves this record of his visit:
"Fifth day, the i8th of 4th mo., 1878: About ten
o'clock p. m. took cars for home, and arrived about
twelve, noon, finding my horse and carriage waiting
for me. Went directly to Winona, where my dear
wife was ; staid till toward evening, and then went
home. Found all well, and were mutually glad and
thankful to the Lord for His protecting care and
preservation of all our family to meet once more.
'Bless the Lord, O my soul.' This trip was one of

HOME LIFE. 87
much interest, having made a good visit to quite a
number of my dear aged friends, viz.: Marmaduke
Cope, Eliza P. Gumey, cousin Joseph Tatum, cousin
Mary Whitall, Mary Wistar, Edward Bonsall, David
Scull, Samuel Troth, and some others, that in all
probability I shall never meec again in this world, but
I have a well grounded hope that through the mercy
of God, in Christ Jesus, we shall meet in Heaven, in
joy unending."
The 26th of this same month, he started, in com
pany with three other friends, members of the Year
ly Meetings Committee, to attend Goshen and Alum
Creek Quarterly Meetings. The accomplishment of
which, he says, brought us into some very close la
bor and searching times. Through all of which, as
we looked to the Lord for help, He answered our
prayers and blessed our labors.

CHAPTER V.

HOME LIFE  CONTINUED.
M FATHER'S seventy-fifth birthday,
which occurred 14th of 6th mo., 1878,
he desired to have all of his children
and their companions at home, which
was arranged for according to his
wishes. And then, in addition to
this, we planned, without his knowl
edge to have the grandchildren, great
grandchildren, and such of the uncles
and aunts as could to be present. Our
dear mother entered heartily into our plans, and when
the morning came, coaxed him to take a longer nap
than usual, giving ample time for all to get there and
be quietly placed in the other rooms. We shall never
forgetthe sweet brightness that came into his dear face
as he came from his room, finding one after another
88

HOME LIFE. 89
he was not expecting to see, and greeting each one
with a hearty welcome. He most heartily enjoyed
the day and all that took place. The dinner was ar
ranged in the spacious wagon-house, the table ex
tending around three sides, with seats only on the
outside, so that, as father said, "four generations
could look into each others eyes." After dinner
there were some presents from the children, a short
time for devotion, and some verses composed for the
occasion by one of the children were read, which
father prized for their history of events, not for their
poetical merit, and which we will here insert :
RETROSPECT,
We are gathering to-day in the dear old home,
Where the sunshine of memories dwell ;
And looking again on familiar scenes
Our hearts within us swell.
We come with an homage of love to one
Whom our earliest life has known,
Whose faithful, watchful, loving care
Our path with flowers has strown.
In imagination we wander back
Through the years that have silvered his hair
To the time when he was a joyous boy,
Untouched by thought of care.
In the year one thousand eight hundred and three.
Near the beautiful Deleware's shore,
There was joy at the birth of a baby boy,
By our grandfather's cabin door.
CD

90 JOHN BUTLER.
They looked in his eyes of azure blue,
While their thoughts went pressing on
To the manhood of this wise-looking babe ;
And they christened the little one John.
How little they knew, as the baby grew,
Of all that awaited him
In the great world's chequered battlefield
To fill his cup to the brim.
From Jersey's shore they soon removed
To the beautiful land of Penn,
And built near Philadelphia^ site
A cabin home again.
Eight summers passed o'er our father's head
When the home again was undone;
And they journeyed far o'er mountains and streams
Toward the land of the setting sun.
What glorious times for the children were these ;
Of such joy no king ever dreams
As they floated sugar-troughs, laden with stone,
Down quiet and nameless streams.
When they reached Ohio's beautiful wood
The little family find rest,
And with busy fingers and hopeful hearts
They soon rebuild their nest ;
And there, in the shady solitude,
With neighbors true and tried,
They fell, the trees with a hearty will
That all obstacles defied.
It is true that the bear and panther grim ;
The wild cat and the deer
M ide havoc sometimes of orchards and flocks

HOME LIFE, 91
Without a thought of fear ;
But with trustful hearts and courage strong
They looked on the promised side,
Expecting a blessing just beyond
While their faith was being tried.
Brothers and sisters side by side,
With happy hearts content,
Rolled many a log-heap high and wide,
Whose flames far heavenward went,
When the golden corn and waving wheat
Repaid them for their care.
Then the arduous task of going to mill
Was a question of "do and dare ;"
And many a time has our father gone
With their neighbors' grist and their own,
Mounted on horse, with bags piled high,
Through the "blazed" road, dark and lone ;
And e'en in the heart of the gray-haired man
Is the memory unfied.
When kept by the miller's motions or wheel, —
Of his good house-wife's butter and bread, —
The years roll on with changing scenes,
Of mingled joy and woe ;
And death, whose darts ftay not for love,
In the grave laid our grandfather low.
But the grief-bowed mourners do not despair,
For they know in the world above
There is joy ; and parting is unknown
Iu the courts of our Father's love.
Our grandmother was a herine born,
A woman of genuine worth,

92 JOHN BUTLER.
Who could stand at the helm with steady hand
When by Providence called forth ;
And with loving heart and firm decree
She nobly stood in the van ;
And her children rose up to call her blessed,
As the dutiful only can.
One by one, as the years rolled on,
They left the wide home-tree ;
And other cabins of humble mein
In the grand old wood we see.
In eighteen hundred and twenty-five,
Near by our grandmother's door,
Our father built a castle small,
With not a wish for more.
With trustful hope to this forest home
He brought his fair young bride ;
And through the cloud and sunny time,
She faithfully stood by his side.
Time passed, and into the cozy nest
A tiny fledging came.
Asenath they thought, after reckoning long,
Should be the baby's name,
And when, after four brief years, there came
A little brown -eyed boy,
It seemed that little Benjamin
Had made complete their joy.
But the sunshine that seemed so spotless bright
Was darkened by a cloud,
And this happy home made desolate
By funeral pall and shroud.
The fond young mother was called away,

HOME LIFE. 93
We trust to a fairer clime,
While our father, with bleeding heart, was left
On the shadowy shores of time.
Often we see, not through the mists,
The blessing hovering near ;
And sometimes question the wisdom of pain,
And suffer needless fear.
In eighteen thirty, when the scourge
Of yellow fever spread wide,
Our father was stricken and laid low
Till all thought he must have died.
But during the season of trial sore,
While the fetters of pain were tight,
It pleased the All Father of grace above
To pour in his soul new light ;
And he saw how lost and undone he was
In the place in which he stood,
And that there is no remission given
Without a Savior's blood ;
And with trusting heart he washed and was clean,
And rejoiced in the new heart given,
Leaving the cares of earth with Him,
And trusting Him for Heaven.
The tempter came, as he always does,
To the new born babe of light,
And disheartened by anger's subtile flash
He was well nigh lost in night.
But soon with the counsel of 'stablished hearts
He learned more of the way ;
And with steadfast purpose and well-fixed hope
He has faithfully leaned on his stay.

94 JOHN BUTLER.
In thirty-four his scattered flock
Were brought to a fold again.
And the loving wife was a mother indeed,
And solaced each orphan pain.
This heart was truly a gift from God ;
And though in health not strong,
Her cheerful patience and hopeful trust
Were as a sacred song.
Four miles southeast ©f the Goshen home
Was reared in the dark old wood
A cabin of unpretentious size
That shone in the solitude.
With loving hearts and busy hands
The victory could be won,
And in a few short years they had,
In every sense, a home.
As time sped on with even pace
The little family grew.
The more the merrier seemed the rule,
That in this home was true.
But darkness always follows day ;
And to this bright fireside
Came the boatman pale with phantom barque
And would not be denied ;
And into his cold embrace he took
The oldest two of the fold ;
And Georgie and Richard bade adieu
To the life-road yet untold.
Early they left the thorny way
And the cold world's heart of ice,
And were gathered in childhood's purity

HOME LIFE. 95
To the fields of Paradise.
As more were added around the hearth,
And the house was far too small,
Upon the hill, at a distance short,
They built a large brick hall.
And in forty-eight the merry group
Of babies, great and small.
With vain regrets for the dear old home,
Made the transfer, one and all.
This new home then is the old home now,
Around whose walls so dear
Fond memory clings with visions bright,
Of joys that crowned each year.
Many an orphan and hapless boy
Had a home 'neath our father's roof;
And he gave them a father's love and care,
As their after life gave proof.
In fifty-nine, when the shadow of war
Fell dark o'er our troubled land,
There was one of these boys allured by the glare
Into the John Brown band.
Faithfully father plead for his life,
When the unjust sentence fell ,
But how, with sickening heart, he failed
The annals of history tell.
He came from Harper's Ferry jail
With bleeding heart to wait
Till the day of execution came
Sealing Edwin Coppock's fate.
Again, in eighteen fifty-six,
The shadow of death fell dark.

96 JOHN BUTLER.
And bore our grandmothers o'er the stream,
Through the vale in the shadowy bark ;
And sweet sister Bulah, in life's fair morn,
When the earth's path looked so bright,
Was called to the home beyond the clouds,
Where are no tears or night ;
And the lonely hearts and dreary rooms
Told of the sunshine gone,
As we mourned the desolation
Left in our happy home.
But life is full of pressing needs ;
And our father was not one
To sit in selfish sorrow down
With duty's tasks undone.
The children were faithfully sent to school,
Requiring labor and care ;
And early and late they kept us going
To develop if ought was there.
In the fall of eighteen sixty-four,
When the Freedmens cause was new,
Our Northern hearts and homes were stirred
With a loyal zeal and true ;
And our youngest brother left the hearth
Fired with sympathy
And love for the poor benighted souls
Just turned from captivity.
As our mother pressed him to her heart,
In that loving last embrace,
She wept her benediction forth
To the Father of all grace.
Only a boy, so our father felt,

HOME LIFE. 97
And which indeed was true.
So he went along to plan the work
For the younger hands to do.
The scenes of bitter suffering
Were stamped on his memory ;
Tne bodily anguish and broken hearts ;
Lives wrecked by slavery.
Our father was sent as manager
Again to the Sunny land,
Vicksburg and many other points,
Where was needed mercy's hand.
In the spring of eighteen sixty-five,
While the dreary winds moaned low,
Our home again was visited
By death's unyielding blow.
Oh ! there is one wild grief that comes
But once to human soul
And leaves a shadow ever there
That hearts cannot control.
'Tis when a mother's heart grows still —
A mother's lips are dumb,
When the loving hands have done their task,
Her footsteps cease to come.
Hardly had ceased the rippling cold
On the dark, dark river's tide
When the voice of death's angel sounded again ;
Calling our joy and pride ;
And our precious Drusilla was borne away,
In the summer time of youth ;
And we folded her hands o'er the silent heart,
That was ever the prompter of Truth.

98 JOHN BUTLER.
Then our home was desolate indeed.
Had not a father's care
Been more than oft a father's is,
Life would have been dispair.
Our father's sympathies were broad
For the suffering human race ;
And he laid his burden of grief on one
Who has ever promised grace.
Going forth on behalf of the Indian, —
Down trodden and abused, —
On many a journey long and hard ;
No effort for good he refused.
To the Indian Territory once
To visit the tribes apart,
When sickness brought him near to death ;
But he says with thankful heart :
' 'The dear Lord raised me up again
For some purpose wise and true."
And his life was dedicated afresh
The rest of the journey through.
In the years since then he has traveled far
For the Church and the Indian, too.
The cause of the Lord, so dear to his heart,
Keeps his spirits bright and new.
The years go swiftly into the past,
With their record of joy and pa'n ;
And earth grows less as we near the shore
We all are hoping to gain.
The friends of his youth have, one by one,
Fallen and passed away ;
And family ties are strong over there

HOME LIFE. 99
In the land of perpetual day.
O may the shadows gently fall,
And the light still be more bright
As thy pathway is parting from the earth
And leading to perfect Light.
Maple-dell, 6th Mo., 14TH, 1878.
The following, written by a granddaughter, was
read on this occasion :
We meet to to-day to celebrate
Our gray-haired father's birth,
To lay our offerings on the shrine
While gathered round the hearth.
Man's allotments passed away,
And more been added to the roll ;
And his presents — a checkered fate, —
As time unwinds the scroll.
The trip from Evesham to Ohio,
In covered wagon made,
In the spring of eighteen eleven,
Though weary, worn and jade,
Left impressions that are lasting
(Though times deals her heaviest blow,)
When memory, wandering, leaves ajar
The door to that long ago.
Pioneer life is fraught with care,
With trial, toil and fear ;
And the busy hum of the spinning-wheel
Makes music in the ear.

IOO JOHN BUTLER.
Dearly is earned the bread he eats ;
In the sweat of his sun-burned face ;
With rolling logs and burning brush,
To clear the coveted place.
Once, when chopping, a downfall of rain
Raised to a river the low, marshy bog.
Arrayed in his buckskins, with wolves for compan
ions,
He spent the night there in an old hollow log.
With home of his own in the western wild,
His cup with God's blessing seemed filled to the
brim ;
But his fondest ambition is broken and tossed
As the angel of death, unbidden, came in.
The home band is broken — a mother's fond voice
Forever is hushed in the silence of death.
Over there in green pasture her spirit reposes
Beside crystal waters, "the home of the blessed."
Weighed down with sorrow and stricken with fever,
Through the dark clouds appeareth the dawn ;
"Thy will not mine." The chastening rod's lifted ;
With a foot almost pressing eternity's bourne. "
Through sunshine and shadows the years glided by,
And another now sits in the low easy chair
To mother his orphons — a helpmeet in trials —
As time's silvery finger is whitening his hair.
Again the pale rider, relentless, unerring,
Lays his cold finger on mother and child.

HOME LIFE. 10 1
The heart strings — scarce healed — torn rudely assun-
der —
Vibrate to anguish not yet reconciled.
The storm clouds are gathering. The cry of the ne
gro
Has pierced the blue vault to Eternity's Throne;
And Coppock's mournful fate bears record
Of life-blood spilt and deeds of daring done.
How e'er sad may be the reflection ;
Call it not rashness, but rather may be
Fore runner of destiny. The wrong rectified
When Lincoln's pen proclaimed the negro free.
One by one our lamps burn out ;
One by one the trials o'er ;
One by one we'll plant our feet
On the sands of the other shore.
One by one we're gathering in
To a tender shepherd's fold ;
One by one we'll taste the joys
That tongue hath never told.
And may our meeting here to-day
Be an emblem of that day —
Our family band unbroken — gathered
When Heaven's scroll has rolled away.
When the things of earth have vanished,
And God makes up his jewels bright,
May we swell the heavenly chorus
Around the Throne of Radiant light.

102 JOHN BUTLER.
In our father's diary we find the following note of
his birthday :
"Sixth day, 14th of 6th mo., 1878 : This day, ac
cording to our family Bible record, I am seventy-five
years old, and still, in the providence of God, enjoy
ing good health and capability of mind and memory.
to attend to such conerns of various kinds as seems
in the providence of Heavenly Father to fall to
my lot. It was my privilege and great enjoyment to
have all my dear children, grandchildren and great
grandchildren to spend the day — -not one missing —
thirty in all — beside my childrens' and grandchildren's
companions — which with my own dear wife and my
self, brother and sister Street — count fifty-one. May
the God of Abraham be their God, and may He guide
and guard us the balance of our days here, and may
all of us in humility and meekness follow Him in the
way of His bidding, is my earnest prayer."
Many other birthdays were celebrated by part or
all of the children, and were times of enjoyment and
blessing. But this particular one, when all his pos
terity gathered at old "Maple-dell," father often re
ferred to with the greatest pleasure.
"Fourth day, 25th of 12th mo., 1878 : A very cold
day — mercury standing a little below zero. At home
all day — reading, writing, etc., my mind being sol
emnized by the recollection of its being — or generally
thought to be — the day of the year of thenativity of
our blessed Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. May I
henceforth live so near Him as to know Him to be my
daily and hourly counsellor is my fervent prayer."

HOME LIFE. IO3
On New Year's day, '79, we find this entry : Rose
pretty early, and after breakfast went to Salem on
business ; returned near eleven a. m. and found my
dear children all here, except Isaac and Hannah
Lloyd, and we had a very good time. I hope it was
a profitable meeting;and blessed of theLord. I enjoyed
it much, and believe it may be classed with those
meetings spoken of by the prophet when he said,
'Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to
another , and the Lord hearkened and heard it, and
a book of remembrance was written before Him for
them that feared the Lord, and thought upon His
name." My secret and vocal prayer often of latter
times has been, that I may experience a greater
growth in grace continually as I grow in years, and
that my last days may be my best and happiest days,
and that I may realize the prayer of the Psalmist to
be begotten in my heart when he said, "Let my
mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honor all
the day," and then I believe as this prayer is granted,
my tongue will also frequently talk of his righteous
ness all the days that I live, and praise and prayer will
ascend and be heard and answered. Be pleased, O
Lord, to keep me very near to Thee the rest of my pil
grimage journey through time.
On the 30th of this month he left home to attend
Alum Creek Quarterly Meeting, and visit some fami
lies, returning on the 4th of 2nd mo. ; he attended the
Quarterly Meeting of Salem and Damascus immedi
ately following.
"First day, 23rd of 3rd mo., '79: This morning

104 JOHN BUTLER.
received a card from A. H. Hussey, saying that George
K. Jenkins deceased on the 20thinst. at 7 o'clock p. m.
Funeral to take place on First day, the 23rd, at 2:30?,
m., at Friends Meetinghouse at Mt. Pleasant. This
dear friend and I have been intimately connected in
Society matters in Ohio Yearly Meeting about twenty-
five years. In addition to the common concerns of
Yearly Meeting we served together on the Executive
Committee on Freedmen's affairs, ever since the first
appointment of that committee in 1864, until this
time, also on the Executive Committee of Friends on
Indian affairs since 1868 to the present time, and I be
lieve he also served with me on the Associated Com
mittee of Friends on the Peace movement for a time,
through all of which the most cordial feeling of friend
ship was maintaneid ; but he is gone I trust, to the
reamls of everlasting bliss and happiness " and left me
a little longer in this state of probation, and when it
shall please my Heavenly Father to call me to Him
self, I expect to join him with a host of other dear
ones in the realms above and join in singing praises to
Father, Son and Holy Ghost."
In the 5th mo. he went to Columbus to be at Alum
Creek Quarterly Meeting, held at that place ; he says:
"Sixth day, 2nd of 5th mo. : Attended select pre
parative meeting at 9 o'clock a. m. and at 2 p. m.
their select Quarterly Meeting, a time of some trial,
yet favored with a good degree of unity.
"Second day, 12th of 5th mo., '79 : Left home in
order to attend the Associated Executive Committee of
Indiana affairs, took cars at Damuscus and went to Al-

HOME LIFE. 105
liance with our dear daughter H. W. L. , who has
been spending a few weeks with us, with her little
daughter, and after seeing them safely seated in the
train for Martin's Ferry, I took cars for New York
City, arriving there near 10 o'clock next day."
On arriving home after this trip he makes this entry.
"Seventh day, 17th of 5th mo., '79: Got passage
with my son Benjamin from Salem home, once more
arriving safely at my dear home and loving family,
finding them all in good health and glad to welcome
me home, and I glad to meet them and with a heart
full of gratitude to my Heavenly Father for his con
tinued mercy and goodness in again bringing us to
gether in love and good health, after a short yet far
separation of body, yet bound together in love and.
unity of spirit and in the bond of peace."
"Seventh day, 14th of 6th mo., '79 : I have now
lived to see and to record this as the seventy-sixth year
to-day of my pilgrimage here on this beautiful earth,
only as it is made otherwise by sin and transgressions of
God's righteous laws and order. My dear wife and I
spent most of this day very pleasantly with our dear
daughter Elizabeth T. Maris and seven children, her
husband being from home. Although my general
health continues very good, yet I find my strength of
body and physical ability gradually giving way. "
From this date until the first of the year 1880, he
makes no record, when he again speaks with full heart
of the goodness and mercy of God to him, and asks
the Lord to go with and keep him all the way through
life, be it long or short. (8)

106 JOHN BUTLER.
'Third day, 16th of 3rd mo., '80: At home all
day suffering some from the kick of a horse on my
side, and yet my life is spared a little longer in the
mercy and goodness of God for some purpose. May
I be kept humble and obedient to do the Lord's will.
Thou knows, O Lord, that from the depths of my
heart, I can say thy will be done. Do be pleased, 0
Lord, to annoint my eyes with eye-salve that I may
at all times see things as they really are in thy sight,
O Lord, and keep my ears unstopped, that I may hear
and understand aright at all times, and I will serve
thee continually."
"Fifth day, 22nd of 4th mo., '80: Went to Salem,
A. M. Had the company of E. Watson, I and H.
Coppock and cousin M. S. Stanley to-day. My dear
R. E. B. taken very sick, sent for Dr. in P. M."
"First day, 25th of 4th mo., '80: At home all
day ; my dear wife still very sick ; much company. "
' 'Twenty-sixth : At home ; beautiful day ; wife still
sick ; a little better."
' 'Twenty-seventh : At home all day ; my dear wife
very sick, symptoms no better. Suffering very much
from inflammation of lungs ; great difficulty in breath
ing ; chance of recovery very doubtful. She is fa.
vored with great patience and composure — trusting in
the Lord for which we feel very thankful to our Heav
enly Father, 'Bless the Lord, O, my soul, and forget
not all His benefits.' "
"Fourth day, 28th of 4th mo., '80: This morning
evident change for the worse; no hope left for my
dear wife's recovery, breathing short and hard, great

HOME LIFE. IO7
distress in chest and discharge from lungs almost ceas
ed. Dr. came near noon, says, no hope of recovery
or of suffering long ; power of articulation gone, yet
when aroused from sleep she was evidently conscious
of what was passing around her. She continued in
this condition, gradually growing weaker and weaker,
till about 10:30 p. m., when she quietly breathed her
last, without a sigh or groan or struggle — being sev
enty years, two months and twenty-four days old,
leaving the sweet assurance that her purified spirit has
passed into the realms of everlasting bliss. We hav
ing been married nine years, four months to a day."
"Fifth day, 29th of 4th mo , '80: A day of mourn
ing and the same time rejoicing in the full assurance
that my beloved R. E. B. is in one of those mansions
prepared for the righteous of all generations, singing
praises of the Lamb."
This dear companion was laid in the quiet grave
yard, at Winona ; and our Father felt keenly the
blank left in heart and home all the years that were
added to his life.
"Second day, 17th of 5fhmo: At home and had
the company of brother David and sister Hannah
Tatum, and Wm. and Mary Cattell, an interesting, ytt
lonesome and mournful time. "
Twenty-first of 6th mo : At home all day and all
alone this evening and yet not alone, Bless the Lord
O my soul and all that is within me, bless his holy
name. "Fourth day, 28th of 7th mo. '80: Daughter Lydia
and I started to attend Adrian and Alum Creek Quar-

108 JOHN BUTLER.
terly Meetings, stopped over at Brother James
Farmer's, Cleveland.
"On the 26th of 8th mo: Yearly meeting at Damas
cus began, and on the 27th he writes, 'our family
attended the funeral of brother Zadoc Street, which
was very large and solemn."
"Sixteenth of 9th mo: At home sick."
"Seventeenth : Feeling much better, and the follow
ing beautiful lines are so expressive of my thought
and experience, I adopt them as my own, viz, 'If
you long to bring forth all the fruits of the spirit strike
your roots deep and wide in private prayer, that faith
and support, that strength of grace which you seek of
God in secret, that they may be exercised in the hour
of need, God will in that hour give you befoie man."
He attended Indiana Yearly Meeting in 9th and
10th mos., mingled with many friends and enjoying
it much, and says of this time, — "it is past forty-nine
years since my first attendance of this Yearly Meet
ing, and I see none of the fathers who were then the
leaders of the people. "
For years Father had taught a class in First day
school, to whom he was' much attached, and on his~
return from Indiana Yearly Meeting, he writes :
"First day, loth mo. '80: Attended First day
school and meeting, a good time, glad to meet again
with my interesting class and talk over with them the
instructive matter contained in the 27th of Genesis,
relative to Isaac and Rebecca, Esau and Jacob, — and
get a lesson out of it.
Sixth day 31st of 12th mo. '80 ; This day closes up

HOME LIFE. IOg
the year 1880, and makes the 78th winter that I have
been in the world. I often look back over my past
life, and contemplate its various changes, — its joys
and its sorrows, of which I have had many, and also
the responsibilities and important duties, that my dear
Heavenly Father and my friends, have in various ways
and at various times, intrusted to my care: and for
the accomplishing of which my Heavenly Father has
given me great physical ability, and also he has through
his dear son and the blessed holy spirit, always as I have
given heed to his monitions, guided me safely through
all ; Blessed be his holy name; may it continue to be
my greatest concern, day by day, so to Uveas to glo
rify his ever adorable name, is my earnest prayer.
The following lines of the poet now come fresh to my
mind, which I put down, as follows :"
1 'Soul then know thy full salvation,
Rise o'er sin and fear and care,
Joy to find in every station
Something still to do or bear,
Think what spirit dwells within thee !
Think what Fathers love is thine !
Think that Jesus died to save thee !
Child of Heaven canst thou repine ?
Haste thee on from grace to glory,
Armed by faith and winged by prayer,
Heavens eternal days before thee,
God's own hand will guide thee there.
Soon will end thy earthly mission,
Soon will pass thy pilgrim days,
Hope soon change to glad fruition,
Faith to sight, and prayer to praise."

I IO JOHNUT BLER.
"Seventh day, ist mo. ist 1881: Another year
has passed away during which time a very great and
sore bereavement has befallen me in the loss of my
beloved wife R. E. B., in the absence of whom I often
times feel very lonely and stripped, even in the midst
of company. May the Lord so keep me that my life
may glorify his name; spent most of the day. with my
children C. and E. Maris, and their children."
"Fourth day, 26 of ist mo. '81 : Cold, snowy day, ex
pect to start at noon to go and attend Goshen and Alum
Creek Quarterly Meetings. It is my fervent prayer to
God that he may preserve me in true humility and
guide me in judgment by Heavenly wisdom."
On the 1 2th of 4th mo. '81, he went with his
daughter Lydia, to Baltimore and Washington, to
attend the Executive Indian Committee, and to have
an interview with the President on their behalf, was
from home a little more than a week.
"First day, ist of 5th mo. 81 : Attended First day
school and meeting, and my mind has been comforted,
and I have felt like adopting the language of the
Psalmist when he said, 'But it is good for me to draw
near to God ; I have put my trust in the Lord God,
that I may declare all thy works.' "
First day, 31st of 5th mo. '81 : Attended First day
school and meeting ; Israel P. Hole spoke at consider
able length from the text. "There is none other name
under Heaven given among men whereby we must be
saved, but by the name of Jesus." He made a very
interesting discourse and when he sat down John Hen-

HOME LIFE. I 1 I
ry Douglass continued the same subject and gave us
a powerful sermon."
"First of 8th mo., '81 : Lydia and I started to Mt.
Pleasant to attend Quarterly and Yearly Meetings,
were gone three weeks."
"Third day, 20th of 9th mo., '81 : James A. Gar
field, President of the United States of America, died
from the wound of an assassin's ball, after eighty days
struggle, for life loved, honored and mourned by the
whole christian world. "
"Twenty-first day of 10th mo., '81 : Daughter
Lydia and I left home for the purpose of attending
Baltimore and North Carolina Yearly Meetings. After
accomphishing what we had in prospect, we returned
home having been absent about four weeks, and truly
I could say as David of old did, 'Return unto thy
rest, O, my soul, for the Lord hath dealt bountifully
with thee.' "
"Seventh mo., 1st, '82 : Made a visit to Martha
Stanton; she is about ninety years old, and was my
first female teacher in Ohio. I think it was in 18 14
or 1815."
His daughter, Asenath Park, had been a great suf
ferer for more than a year, afflicted with cancer, and
father had not missed going to her home many days
during the time. Though his heart broke over her
suffering, through it all he was comforted in the assur
ance that his dear child had her anchor cast in the
rock Christ Jesus, and with cheerful patience waited
her summons to enter into the home where 'there is no
sickness.'

I 12 JOHN BUTLER.
1 'Seventh day, 2nd of 9th mo. : My dear daugh
ter, Asenath Park, departed this life today about six
o'clock a. M. The last one hundred and thirteen days
of her life she laid on her back, her disease and sores
were such she could not be turned to lay on either
side or sit up. Almost all the time of her sickness
she was a great sufferer and bore it all with meekness
and patience, having her faith and confidence staid on
Christ her Redeemer, who sustained her by His grace
through all, to his glory be the praise. She was 56
years, 3 months and 3 days old."
"First day, 3rd of 9th mo. '82 : Was the funeral
of my dear daughter ; the meeting was held in Friends
Yearly Meeting house at Damascus, a' large and sol
emn assembly, supposed to be not less than eight hun-
d-ed persons in attendance. "Blessed are the dead
which die in the Lord from henceforth ; yea saith the
spirit that they may rest from their labors, and their
works do follow them." Amen and amen. Rev. 14-13.
"Third day, 21st of 11 mo. '82: Went in com
pany with other members of Monthly Meeting Com
mittee to visit scattered and somewhat delinquent
members of Damascus Monthly Meeting, we made
our closing visit with one exception, having been out
several times before. We were very kindly received
by all, and I trust enabled to enter into sympathy with
them in their various conditions and trials, and to ad
minister a word of encouragement, counsel, caution
and advice as the Lord gave ability. The retrospect
of the visit is a comfort to my mind. May it prove
a blessing both to the visited and visitors, is my pray-

HOME LIFE. I 13
er. 'Return unto thy rest, O, my soul, for the Lord
hath dealt bountifully with me.' "
"Seventh day, 1 6th of 12th mo. '82: I went to
Cleveland, met at depot by cousin Elihu Farmer, who
took me to his fathers. That evening attended a very
interesting lecture by John B. Gough, subject "Cir
cumstances," showing very impressively trie, folly and
impropriety of giving judgment for or against per
sons in many cases, without knowing the circumstances
and surroundings, and also showing how these often
and generally shaped and decided our lives, illustrat
ing by anecdotes and incidents."
"Fifth day nth of 1st mo., '83: Attended Salem
meeting ; it was as usual, small, but I thought a good
meeting, several prayers, and I felt to speak of the
teaching, crucifixion, resurrection, meeting with his
disciples at various times for forty days and the ascen
sion of onr blessed Redeemer, and also of the day of
Penticost, ten days after, when they were all filled with
the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues,
&c. After meeting, dined at Sarah and Hannah Foggs,
and met with a few members of the Pastoral Commit
tee. My whole soul and spirit is solemnized in the
reflection of the long continued goodness and mercy
of God to me all my lifelong, now near eighty years
old and the declaration and prayer of the Psalmist
David now comes fresh to my mind as suitable to me
and my condition as follows : 'Thou art my hope, O,
Lord God ; thou art my trust from my youth ; O,
God, thou hast taught me from my youth and hither
to I have declared thy wondrous works..' Let my

I 14 JOHN BUTLER.
mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honor
all the day ; cast me not off in time of old age, for
sake me not when my strength faileth. "
"Fourth day, 14th of 3rd mo. '83 : Attended the
funeral of my old friend Elizabeth Ellyson, who died
Second day, the 12th, near eighty years old — a good
christian and consistent member of the Society of
Friends, a meek and humble disciple of Christ Jesus
— with whom I have been acquainted for sixty years. '
"Third day, 20th of 3rd mo., '83 : Father's sister,
Sarah Street, died very suddenly. This was the day
appointed for the funeral of her daughter, Hannah W.
Smith, she having died the 16th, but the grief at the
death of her only daughter was more than our poor
aunt Sarah could bear, not being in very strong health,
and she sunk beneath its weight and they were buried
together on the 22nd, leaving a home desolate, indeed.
These breaks in the family circle were keenly felt by
our father's loving heart, but he knew it would be
only a little while before the reunion would be beyond
the changing tide of time, and he pressed on with
trustful heart to fill up the time of his mission,"
"Let me not die before I've done for thee
My earthly work, whatever it may be.
Call me not hence with mission unfulfilled,
Let me not leave my space of ground untilled ;
O, make me useful in this world of Thine,
In ways according to Thy will, not mine."
"Fourth mo., 28th, '83 : He went to Marion, Ind.,
to meet with the Indian Committee attending, Alum
Creek Quarterly Meeting on his return, trip and on

HOME LIFE. I I 5
the 24th of 5 th mo. he went to New York to attend
that Yearly Meeting. Was at all its sessions and came
home by way of Carlisle, where he visited the Train
ing School for Indian children, which he intensely en
joyed ever after taking the Morning Star, a little pa
per issued by the institution and working in its inter
ests." "4th day, 14th of 6th mo. , '83 : This day accord
ing to the record made in the old family Bible, I am
just eighty years old, and still blessed with good
health and able to move about very comfortably. My
sight and hearing still good and have the use of my
limbs very well, except some unsteadiness of my
hands. 'Bless the Lord, O, my soul, and forget not
all His benefits. Who forgiveth all thy iniquities ?
Who healeth all thy diseases, &c ?' I am this morn
ing at my kind step-sons, who are very good and at
tentive to all my wants. I came here yesterday to at
tend our own preparative meeting ; dined at Edward
Williams's and at 3 p. m. , went to a temperance lec
ture — by a woman — at our meeting house."
From this date to time of starting to Yearly Meet
ing, his time was occupied in visiting neighboring
meetings and families, receiving company and attend
ing to business connected with the settling up of two
or three states that for years he had had charge of.
" 13th of 8th mo., '83 : Lydiaand I started for Mt.
Pleasant, called to see Rachel and Mary Hole, then
went to Louis Pirns and stayed over night. Four
teenth started on our way again, fed at Kilgore, from

I l6 JOHN BUTLER.
there to Peter Thomas's to lodge. Fifteenth started
to Isaac Lloyd's, got there near noon, all well."
"Thirtieth of 8th mo. : Yearly Meeting closed,
and on the 31st I went to Jonathan Binn's and got
Isaac Sharp of England, and took him to Isaac Lloyd's,
and'had a very good visit and an interesting account
of his religious visit to Africa, Madagascar, Australia
and many other of the eastern and northern counties
as Greenland, &c, making his six years' trip around
the world,"
"Seventh day, ist of 9th mo. : Daughter Lydia
and I left dear relatives about 2 p. m. and went to
Smithfield on our way home."
"Seventh day 15th of 9th mo. '83 : Brother Law
rence is eighty-six years old to-day. I have just
heard of the death of my dear friend, Jonathan Binns,
who, I am informed departed this life the 13th. He
has been a very valuable and useful member of the
Society of Friends for many years, filling many im
portant appointments and stations to the satisfaction
and comfort of his friends, continuing to the last to
be a faithful supporter of the doctrines, principles and
distinguishing views of the religious Society of Friends
his daily life and conversation corresponding to his
profession of Christ Jesus."
"Twelfth mo., 26th, '83 : Lydia and I made a visit
to our dear friends William and Mary Cattell and
Isreal and Mary Hole, both pleasant and profitable
visits." "Twelfth mo., 28th: Had a very interesting visit

HOME LIFE. I 17
from our valued friends, Jermiah and Jane Grinnell
and daughter."
"Twelfth mo., 29th: Attended First day school
conference." "Twelfth mo., 30th: Attended First day school
and meeting. Jeremiah Grinnell and George Malms-
bury both favored in preaching the Gospel in meeting
for worship ; visited Joseph and Anna Bruffafter meet-
ing." "Twelfth mo., 31st: Went to Alliance, met with
brother Lawrence and sister Ann very pleasantly a
short time, then went to see my old acquaintance and
loving friends, Ezra and Henrietta Cattell. Had a
good and blessed visit with them and their children,
Albert and Hetty Cobbs, who came in while I was
there." "First mo., ist '84: Five o'clock a. m. In good
health and thankful to the Lord for that and many,
many other blessings that He continues to bestow upon
me at my advanced age of eighty years. In consid
eration of the past and present dealings of the blessed
Lord with me, I can do nothing less than to say with
the Psalmist, 'Bless the Lord, O, my soul, and all that
is within me ; bless his holy name, Bless the Lord,
O, my soul, and forget not all his benefits, ' and again ;
'Return unto thy rest, O, my soul, for the Lord hath
dealt bountifully with thee."
"Third day, 12th of 2nd mo., '84: My dear sis
ter, Sarah Stanley, departed this life in the triumphs
of faith about 11 o'clock a. m."
"Sixth day, 2nd of 5th mo., '84: Called to see

I 1 8 JOHN BUTLER.
my dear friend Wm. Cattell ; found him very weak in
all probability near the close of life in this world, but
has a bright prospect of soon entering into life eter
nal of never ending joy and felicity."
"Jesus can make a dying bed,
Feel soft as downy pillows are."
William Cattell died this same day, 2nd of 5th mo.,
and was buried the 5th, a large and solemn funeral.
On the 1 2th father went to Marion, Ind. , to meet
with Indian committee ; reached home the 21st.
Twenty-fifth of 7th mo., '84: He went to Alum
Creek to attend that Quarterly Meeting, being from
home five days.
"Third day, 29th of 7th mo. : Got home about 1
p. m. in good health and found all well. Bless the
Lord who has done so much for me all these many
long years, thanksgiving and praise is due to Thee 0,
Lord." "From all who dwell below the skies,
Let the Creator's praise arise. ''
"Eighteenth of 7th mo., '84: Brother Samuel
Street died after a lingering illness, and was buried on
the 20th."
"Seventh day, 24th of ist mo., '85: Attended
Monthly Meeting ; an exercising time. May the Lord
bless our meeting and preserve us from scattering.
Our worthy friend and gospel minister, Mary Morrell,
very acceptably with us."
"Second day, 23rd of 2nd mo., '85 : I made a very
good visit this day to my dear younger friends, George
and Ruthetta Bailey — may the Lord bless them."

HOME LIEE. I 19
For nearly two years our dear father made no entry
in his diary ; but all through these months his interest
in all that was around him was the same, and though
hopeful and trusting ; his heart was gieved as he saw
discord and variance, creeping into the church, over
which his soul yearned with a jealous love for its well
being and with trembling hands he pens these lines,"
"First mo., ist, '87: I find I have made no notes
in this book since the 24th of 2nd mo., '85, near two
years, since which time many changes and trials and
provings have taken place, especially in regard to
Society affairs in Ohio Yearly Meeting by the introduc
tion of the Carnal Ordinances into the church, led by
D. B. Updegraff and favored by several of our Ohio
ministers, making much trouble and sorrow in Ohio
Yearly Meeting in its session of 9 mo. 85, and again
in its session of 8th and 9th mos., '86. Since which
time quite a number have been baptized, among them
several ministers ; the troubles is still unsettled. May
the dear Lord give us wisdom."
The following entry was made more than three
months after the visit spoken of, and comes in not in
regular order.
"Ninth mo., 21st, '86: Daughter Lydia and I
started to make a visit to my son Josiah and family in
Kansas and attended Kansas Yearly Meeting. We
had a very comfortable and favored time, the blessed
presence of the Lord went with us ; were gone five
weeks and three days. After returning I attended
Salem and Damuscus Quarterly Meeting."
This closes the record with exception of one entry,

120 JOHN BUTLER.
which our dear father kept, most of the time, pretty reg
ularly for forty years, showing the inner life of his being
as he committed it to his diary, and giving the out
come of this life in active service for his master whom
he loved, and to whom, through all the joys and suf
ferings of more than half a century, he rendered loyal
and joyful prsise. It is with feeling of sadness that
we close the last volume of his diary and lay aside the
last trembling lines that portray the failing of the flesh
contrasting with his strong, steady penmanship of six
ty years ago ; but as the body failed the spirit seem
ed to grow stronger, intensified with the very atmos
phere of heaven, and his love for the human race at
large grew deeper and deeper, and the things of earth
had but little hold on his affections.
The seasons of family worship were times that, from
our earliest recollections had been scrupulously, ob
served no matter how pressing the business, and all help,
either about the house or farm hands, were requested to
remain, and the impressions made on our young minds,
of the reality of the worship of our parents in those ear
ly years, when with few words they sat as in the very
presence of the Lord reading His holy word and coun
selling their children to believe and live, had its influ
ence to instill great respect for religion even before
our conversion and is a precious treasury in our mem
ory. But for many years before his death, father al
most daily vocalized his petitions, and with faith un
feigned, made his requests known with thanksgiving
and praise.
This "Home Life" of our dear father closed only

HOME LIFE.

121

at his death, and as link by link we trace his heart-
life back through these long years, almost living over
our part in the joyous seasons as they came and went,
we commit them, with all the imperfections of the ar
rangements of the record to the reader, trusting that
this life, though viewed through the fond eyes of his
children may continue its influence in showing that
through long years, and down to old age the true hap
piness is in serving and trusting the Lord through the
deep waters as well as on mountain top, and that our
beloved "being dead may yet speak."

CHAPTER VI.

FRIENDS IN OHIO DURING THE WAR.
'ATHER having re-written a part of his
diary begins his account of war matters
as follows: "Having kept a memo
randum of my travels, labors and exer
cises of the past few months, which
have been of a peculiar character, it be
ing a 'time that Friends have been
brought into some straits and trials on
account of war and fighting, consequent
upon the rebellion of the Southern
States. I have thought it would be some satisfaction
to myself, my children and perhaps some of my
friends .to preserve a little record thereof, that migltt
be looked ovet in time to come.
"Ninth mo., n, 1862: At Ohio Yearly Meeting
at Mt. Pleasant. To day the meeting for suffering

FRIENDS IN OHIO DURING THE WAR, 123
produced a memorial — prepared by that body to the
President of the United States, which was approved
by the meeting, and Aaron L. Benedict and myself
were appointed to present it to the President and re
port to next Yearly Meeting "
"Ninth mo., 12th : The Yearly Meeting closed in
much solemnity after two vocal prayers had been of
fered for the preservation and right guidance of us
poor instruments, who had been appointed to wait on
the President of the United States
After Yearly Meeting father, in company with A.
L. Benedict, went direct to Washington, via. Phila
delphia. At the latter city he met with Dr. Beesly,
Thomas Evans, Eliza P. Gurney and other friends
who gave him words of encouragement and counsel,
Ninth mo., 15th., he makes this record:
"My fervent petitions were raised to my Heavenly
Father to be guided in judgment and wisdom to dis
charge faithfully the trust now committed to me."
The same evening they reached Washington and
after tea went to the private dwelling of Ex-Governor
Chase, of Ohio, (now Secretary of Treasury.) We
were invited into the parlor by the servant and in a
short time the Secretary came ; a mild, affable man,
who, after reading our letter of introduction entered
freely into conversation on the subject of our mission
to the President and other subjects of general interest
relative to government affairs. He expressed his dread
of a civil war by saying, 'I would rather the States
that wished to secede had been let to go than to have
engaged in war ; but it was forced upun us by the

124 JOHN BUTLER.
Rebels attack upon Sumpter. In allusion to our
scruples in regard to fighting he said. It is hard for
some of us who believe in fighting to understand why
you (Quakers) should not fight also to support the
government ; and yet I would not be willing that a so
ciety that has born a faithful testimony for two hun
dred years against war should be compelled to bear
arms, but they should be left in the peaceable pursuit of
their lawful occupations.' In speaking of Freemont's
Proclamation he said : 'I think it was premature,
but had I been President do not know as I'should have
revoked it ; and as to Hunter's Proclamation after he
had made it and under all the circumstances I think
it ought to have been sustained,' "
Other matters of interest were also talked over, and
before leaving he kindly offered to accompany and in
troduce us to the President which we gladly accepted
3rd day morning 16th.' "
We met this morning at Williard's Hotel, with John
W. Tatum, Samuel and Wm. Hilles of Wilmington,
Delaware, who joined in the visit to the President.
As per agreement we went this morning to Secretary
Chase's department and were admitted at once into
his presence and very soon he walked with us to the
White House and introduced us to the President. I
informed him of the object of our being before him —
that we were there as delegates from the Orthodox
Yearly Meeting of Friends in Ohio and were the
bearers of a memorial from that meeting to the Presi
dent of the United States.
I then gave him the memorial which he took and

FRIENDS IN OHIO DURING THE WAR. 125
read very carefully, after which he entered into con
versation saying "I would be willing to clear Friends
entirely if that would be the end of it," but if I grant
it to one Society as a whole, others will make claims
which if not granted will give great offence. I admit
that Friends as a Society have been faithful ever since
their rise, under all governments in maintaining their
peace principles. Yet it is very evident that some of
your members are not conscientious on that ground
as many of them have voluntarily gone into the army ;
therefore I cannot see that I can grant all you ask."
In the forepart of our interview he several times said :
"I do not know that I can do any thing for you," but
towards the last he repeatedly said : "I am far from
saying I will not do any thing for you," and promised
to give our case a full consideration. As we bade him
farewell he rose from his seat giving us each a cordial
shake of the hand, saying he would write us soon and
give us the result of his deliberations.
After bidding farewell to our Wilmington friends,
A, L. B. and I went slowly on to the war department,
but it was some time before we were admitted into the
building at all, and then were shown to a reception
room up stairs, where were already many in waiting,
mostly officers with swords by their sides thus pre
senting quite a formidable appearance. While we
were quietly waiting an opportunity to see the Secre
tary of War (Stanton) the President passed into the
Secretary's office, where he remained from half to
three quarters of an hour and then opening the door
said : ' 'The Secretary is ready to receive you Friends

126 JOHN BUTLER.
— walk in, and said to me in passing : the papers
you left with me are now in the hands of the Secre
tary and you can finish your business with him."
We found Stanton alone and were cordially receiv
ed, and as he shook hands with me said : "I have
seen you before," then enquired after his relatives and
friends living near my home in Ohio.
He had been furnished by the President with our
memorial to him, and they no doubt had concluded
on nearly what they would offer us, so immediately
after reading our letter of introduction he informed us
he was willing to render us some relief though not
exactly in the way we had asked it, expressing him
self very much as the President had, viz. : "I can
not release you as a Society in a body, but am wiling
to say to you, that when any of your members are
drafted and are conscientious against bearing arms, if
they will say so in an affidavit before a commissioner
to superintend drafting, or a Justice of the Peace, and
forward the same to me, I will immediately release
such from military service."
"So having finished our business satisfactorily we
are ready for home. "
My exercises, trials and proving have been of a
very peculiar character as a part of the time I have
been thrown into associations and on business alto
gether new to me, yet I have the comfortable retro
spect of having, as ability was given, faithfully dis
charged my duty, and so feel quiet and peaceful,
while humbled under a sense of my own unworthi-
ness, the grateful adoration of my heart arises unto

FRIENDS IN OHIO DURING THE WAR. 1 27
Him whom I have again experienced to be "richesin
poverty, strength in weakness and a very present
help in time of need." After returning from Wash
ington I remained pretty much around home until the
draft occurred — the 20thand 30th of 9th mo., 1862 —
As it was generally known I had been to Washington
on account of the approaching draft, and had been
successful in getting a promise from the Secretary of
War of conditional relief for Friends who might be
drafted, there were many who called to see me
from various parts of the State and also received many
letters of inquiry, so that much of my time was taken
up in this way, and after the draft did come and it
was known who of our Friends were drafted, one or
two meetings were held by request of such for con
sultation and at their united request I consented to go
again to Washington with their affidavits prepared in
due form and apply for relief to the Secretary of War.
Arrived in Washington Second day evening, 11 mo.,
6th., took carriage and went direct to the home of
Secretary Stanton, Finding him in I soon made
known by business, upon which he said, "Your Gov
ernor, (David Tod,) has informed me that he has
made arrangements by Proclamation that will release
conscientious persons in your State (Ohio) from bear
ing arms." I replied our Governor's arrangements
would not satisfy Friends, in as much as he requires
them (conscientious persons) to pay $200 in lieu of
military service ; and that money was to be applied
to procure substitutes, or for sanitary purposes, there
fore it could be no relief to consistent Friends. After

128 JOHN BUTLER.
I was done speaking, he made but little reply, seeing
(as I believe) the inconsistency of Friends accepting
that kind of a release. We then fixed 9:30 a. m. to
morrow for me to see him at the war department.
When done with this subject he kindly invited me to
take tea with him which invitation I accepted — a pleas
ant, social hour, conversation run on Ohio Yearly
Meeting and its ministers. His father was a member,
and married out of the church and so lost his right. Our
course in such matters was pleasantly talked over ; as
he returned to the department, took me in his car
riage to the hotel and on the way spoke freely on the
present condition of the war.
"Tenth mo., 7th: Rose early and walked out to
take a view of the Capitol. This building is used at
this time as a hospital for sick and wounded soldiers
of which there are in it about eight hundred and fifty,
and it is said there are about seventeen thousand in the
different hospitals in and around Washington City.
Before leaving home I had felt it was a very impor
tant mission I was going on, for although A. L. Ben
edict and I had been very kindly received arid our pe
tition granted in a remarkable manner considering the
excitement of the times, yet it was merely verbal,
we having nothing from the hand of either President
or Secretary to show the promise and now having the
affidivits of nine drafted men to present to be released
from military service these being the first of the kind
offered ; the ground was all new this morning ; my
spirit is bowed under the responsibility of the work
that now devolved upon me, and feeling my utter in-

FRIENDS IN OHIO DURING THE WAR. 1 29
capability of myself to do any good thing, my soul
earnestly petitions my Heavenly Father to go with me
and be mouth and wisdom, tongue and utterance be
fore the rulers of the Nation at this time of trial and
proving, that His cause may not be dishonored through
me, His unworthy instrument.
After breakfast as per agreement met the Secretary
at his office, who gave me an introduction to his chief
clerk (Brig. Gen. Buckingham) and then in allusion
to my business said : "We have concluded to keep to
the original understanding that was had when you were
first here." This expression confirmed me in the be
lief of what had impressed my mind in our conversa
tion last evening, that he had some thought of leaving
us to our Governor's Proclamation ; but finding it
would not be satisfactory to me he did not urge it or
even propose it, for I was prompt in letting him
know that Friends could not acceed to Tod's Procla
mation. Finding I was anxious to take the train for
home at 5 p. m., the Secretary went immediately to
work and drew up a form of release to be adopted
and handed it to me, which after some alterations was
united with and put into Buckingham's hands to see
that I was furnished with as many copies as was neces
sary, directing also that it be recorded on their books
that other applicants might be furnished with the
same form of relase.
After getting all the papers fixed up to my satisfac
tion, I had a short interview with Secretary Stanton on
the fines, penalties, 'punishments, etc., to which our
Friends might be subjected during the war, and see-

130 JOHN BUTLER.
ing I felt somewhat anxious on that account said, "the
applications of your Friends for relief shall be at
tended to" and smiling added, "You may rest as
sured you Friends shall not be prosecuted."
"nth mo., 8th: On arriving home this evening,
was surrounded by my family and many of my young
friends that I had releases, for to whom I delivered
them, they expressing much thankfulness. "
"ioth mo., 9th : This day my son Benjamin, Mark
Stratton, John Shreve, Joshua Rakestraw and Benj.
C. Stanley presented their releases to Col. George B.
Senter, commanding at Camp Cleveland. He re
fused to acknowledge them as exemptions and order
ed them into quarters unless they would pay $200, ac
cording to the Governor's Proclamation. My son ob
tained liberty to come home by promising to return
by 11 a, m., next day. He reached my home about
midnight, and I immediately arose and after full de
liberation, concluded to accompany my son to Cleve
land, from which place sent the following dispatch :
Washington City, D. C.
To Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War :
The five Friends drafted from Mahoning County,
presented their releases as directed to commanding of
ficers at Camp Cleveland, who refused to release them
except upon payment of $200 each ; he ordered them
confined. What can be done for their release?
John Butler.
After waiting for some time for a reply, I sought an
interview with Col. G. B. Senter, but could not pre
vail on him to release our Friends, he being under the

FRIENDS IN OHIO DURING THE WAR. 13 1
advice and control of our Governor, who seemed
determined — not withstanding there leases from the
Secretary of War — to force a compliance with his
Proclamation. "7th day, 10th mo., nth: Reached home to-day.
No reply to dispatch as yet. Was met by several
friends and we sent a letter of encouragement to our
drafted Friends, enclosing some money to purchase
food with; thinking it inconsistent for them to use gov
ernment rations uriderthe circumstances, but previous
to this, they feeling uneasy, had declined soldier's ra
tions and had purchased their own food."
"iothmo. , 14th: No reply to my dispatch as yet,
and fearing it had not reached its destination, as there
was great commotion about the time it was sent, the
Rebels having entered Maryland and eastern Pennsyl
vania ; so to-day I mailed a private letter to the Secre
tary of War, concerning the matter. To-day one of
our Friends at Camp becoming tired of being from
home, and not well established in the truth, paid the
#200, required by the Governor, as the price of libei -
ty of conscience, and retuned home. The other four
still objecting to pay, were retained in camp, they be
lieving that to pay an equivalent for military services,
would in point of principle be the same as performing
military service. "
"iothmo., 17th: Col. Senter this day released
the other four Friends to come home without fixing
any definite time for them to return.."
"iothmo., 22nd: Our drafted Friends again or
dered back to Camp. I accompanied them."

132 JOHN BUTLER.
"10th mo., 23rd : James Farmer and I had a full
interview with Col. Senter and he agreed to let them
all (Stacy Cook, of Salem, O., being now among them)
return again, and he would correspond with the Secre
tary of the War, and with this understanding, we all
returned home, we claiming all the time that by vir-
ture of the releases obtained of the Secretary of the
War, that our Friends were released and they had no
right to retain them as soldiers. But the Governor,
being so determined to collect $200 off each of them,
that the Officers in command at the various Camps in
the State were placed in a great dilema and were puz
zled to know what to do. The following dispatch ex
plains itself: [By telegraph from Washington 3:15 p. m.]
Cleveland, Nov. ist, 1862.
To Geo. B. Senter, Commanding Camp. :
The order exempting Quakers from Military duty,
issued to them from this department must be obeyed
and the parties set at liberty.
By order of Secretary of War .
C. B. Buckingham, Brig. Gen. and A. A. G.
All remained quiet from this time until about 12th
mo., ist, 1862, when a letter was received from Reu
ben Carroll, Provost Marshal at Youngstown, inform
ing that he had received orders from Col. Senter, to-
bring all drafted men into Camp."
"12th mo., 5th. At the request of our drafted
Friends, I went to see Provost Marshal at Youngs
town and decided to see Col. Senter once more."
"1 2th mo., 6th: Arrived at Camp about 10 a. m.

FRIENDS IN OHIO DURING THE WAR. 1 33
Met my friend Joseph Bruff and then went direct to
headquarters, informing Col. Senter of my business.
I queried with him as to what information he had ob
tained from War department and asked directly if he
had received a telegraph dispatch from the Secretary
of War. He replied positively I have not, to which
I said, I have been informed that he had,"
"At this he seemed a little confused, and stepped to
his book as if to see after it. Joseph Bruff, being
present, spoke up saying, Colonel, you have received
a telegram ! To which he replied, Captain, have you
a copy ? Replying in the affirmative, he was asked
to read it which he did, (the same as already given.)
The Colonel finding I was posted in this matter, also
in regard to the proceedings of several other Camps
in the State, where our Friends had been taken and
had already been released under precisely similar cir
cumstances he seemed confused, but was so complete
ly under the influence of Gov. Todd that he was not
yet willing to acknowledge the telegram to be official.
Not being willing to comply with my request to re
lease our Friends, nor able to give a reason why, he
soon excused himself and we parted. Returned in the
evening to Provost Marshal, and gave him an account
of conversation with Colonel Senter. He was very
friendly saying I will not arrest your Friends unless
compelled to and will do nothing more toward bring
ing them to Camp without first writing you.' "
"13th of ist mo., '63: Received a very friendly let.
ter from Provost Marshal, offering to procure substi
tutes for $50 each, which we respectfully declined, giv-

134 JOHN BUTLER.
ing as our reason that as our objection to bearing
arms is on the ground of a conscientious belief that it
is wrong for Christians to do so. It would be equally
wrong to hire a substitute at any price (how low so
ever) to do that as their representative, which they
cannot do themselves, and we are willing to trust to
what may follow. ' '
Soon after this Col. Senter sent an officer among
Friends offering to arbitrate the case, Friends choos
ing half the arbitrators. Hestayedwith me over night.
I informed him we could not comply with any such
proposition, giving him my reasons for refusal, which
seemd to be satisfactory.
Friends were not disturbed after this, though no
formal release was ever granted. Friends drafted and
taken to other camps through the State were not har-
rassed as they were at Camp Cleveland as set forth in
the foregoing account.
In the foregoing narrative we have followed closely
the line upon which success was achieved, but during
the same period of time an effort was made to secure
relief of Ohio State Legislature, an account of which
we now record.
"nth mo., 26th, '62: Ezra Cattell and I were
this day appointed to present a memorial to Ohio
State Legislature by a called meeting for sufferings
of Ohio Yearly Meeting ; the same setting forth
Friends views upon war and asking for Friends un
conditional release from military requisitions."
"2nd mo., 2nd, '61 : E. Cattell, A. L. Benedict
and myself reached Columbus and had several inter-

FRIENDS IN OHIO DURING THE WAR. 1 35
views with a number of Senators and Representatives
concerning the subject matter of our memorial, which
we are here to present."
"Second mo., 3rd: To-day our memorial was pre
sented to the House by Peter Adlon and its reading,
commanded the general attention of the members ; he
spoke at considerable length of our views and practices
of the legislature enactments of several of the other
States relative to the exemption of Friends from mil
itary duty, all very much to our satisfaction ; during
the whole time (perhaps three-fourths of an hour,) he
had the quiet close, attention of the members. Each
member of both Senate and House was then furnish
ed with a printed copy of memorial. The subject of
our memorial was referred by each House to the com-
mitttee on military affairs, and we are invited to sit
with them. We met the committee at 1 p. m. , and
had all the opportunity desired for explaining our
views and reasons for our petition. The military com
mittee of the House after canvassing the subject re
ferred it to the Judiciary Committee, who reported co
the House 'that on examination they believed the
Legislature had not the power according to the Con
stitution of the State of Ohio to grant the exemption
prayed for by the memoralists, ' and asked to be re
leased from its further consideration. In the Senate it
came up ag-un for discussion. Albert McVeigh ar
gued the case and offered several propositions to fa
vor Friends, one being that they be released from .
military requirements in time of peace, but even this
could not be obtained."

I36 JOHN BUTLER.
"Second mo., 4th: At the suggestion of A. L.
Benedict, we had two hundred copies of B. Bates' let
ters to a member of the Virginia Legislature in 18 10
printed and each member of our Legislature furnished
with a copy, believing it would intelligently answer
inquiries that had been aroused by what had already
been done. It was apparently read with great inter
est." In the report to the meeting for sufferings is the
following statement. Notwithstanding we did not get
our petitions granted. We are comforted in believ
ing that our labors were not altogether lost or in vain.
And now in the retrospect our hearts are filled with
gratitude to Him for His goodness and mercy in thus
condescending to be our helper in time of need.
At another time our Governor was visited, but al'
efforts both with our Legislature and Governor failed
to have the full effect desired, so father clung tena
ciously to the hold he had obtained at the War de
partment, which eventually brought so full a measure
of relief.
Considering the general excitement during the war
and the great pressure brought to bear upon those in
authority to obtain men and money to prosecute the
war, it would seem a special providence that the con
scientious scruples of Friends should receive such
kind consideration at the hands of the general govern
ment, affording another proof that God rewards faith
and faithfulness."

CHAPTER VII.

THE FREEDMEN.
N the seventeenth century, when we were
first gathered as a church, under the
ministry of George Fox and his co
workers, many Friends held slaves, buy
ing and selling the same without church
censure. As far as Friends saw at that
time was, that the Blacks had immortal
souls as well as we, and that the Gospel
of reconciliation and atonement should
be preached to them as well as others, that they might
have part with us in eternal life. This state of things
continued about one hundred years, when John Wool-
man was raised up of God to lead us as a church and
people to see that the whole system of slavery was an
abomination in His sight. This was not in conflict
with any former leadings of the Holy Spirit, but simply
further leading of the Spirit following upon a further
(10)

138 JOHN BUTLER.
and fuller understanding of the revealed will of God.
"I have many things to say unto you, but ye cannot
bear them now." — Jno. 16-12.
John Woolman accomplished this work with such
"tenderness, love and perseverance, that it was done
without great harshness of feeling or expression, and
without a separation, only a few individuals dropping
out before we as a church were entirely free from the
sin of slavery, since which we have been able to bear
a constant, consistent Christian testimony against it,
and all the evils, both in family and state, consequent
thereon. Friends' testimony against slavery kept constantly
growing in intensity very much in proportion to the
increase of the knowledge of its evils, and many hun
dreds of Friends gladly and religiously assisted run
away slaves to a place of freedom. For many years
before the "Emancipation Proclamation," many
of our members conscientiously abstained from the
use of all "slave labor goods" of any and every de
scription, in many cases greatly to their own incon
venience and financial loss.
The subject of this memoir entered heartily into
the service and sacrifice connected with the two fore
going particulars, in which he was fully supported by
his faithful wife — our mother.
Father (in connection with many other Friends)
longed and plead for the freedom of the slave through
the press by memorials to legislative assembles, and to
persons in authority, a very few going directly to the
slave owners themselves. But in the breaking out of

THE FREEDMEN. 139
the civil war in 1861, they could not enter into the
general enthusiasm, even of that class who believed
it would result in the freedom of the slave, though
not begun with that end in view, because Friends
were as much opposed to war as slavery. Indeed our
testimony against ait war is one hundred years older
than our testimony against all slavery, and yet as a
people we were intensely interested in the progress of
the war, and marked with thanksgiving every step
that we believed was overruled of God to the advan
tage of the poor bondmen, and when the Emancipa
tion Proclamation was finally promulgated, our peo
ple rose enmasse and came to their assistance, physi
cal, intellectual and spiritual. This some may think
should have been the beginning of our chapter, and
yet we trust the foregoing brief summary will not be
without interest to the readers. It is not our purpose
to give a history of the work of Friends among the
Freedman, but simply to sketch enough to indicate
something of the part our father took in it.
As the war progressed the negro slaves instinctively
fled to the "Yankee Camps" for freedom and protec
tion. At first they were coolly received, indeed in
some instances they were sent back, the Government
vigorously contending that the war was not to free
the slave, but to support the constitution as it was ;
but still they came by hundreds and by thousands and
God, in his over-ruling providence, caused the hearts
of the people of the North to relent. First they quit
sending them back, then furnished rations, and as far
as practical work, and finally received them as volun-

140 JOHN BUTLER.
teers into the army. In the meantime, all over the
North, the people, both within and without the church,
formed themselves into great philanthropic societies,
and gathered from almost every household and mer
chant, clothing, books and money, and by their agents
almost every "Freedman's Camp," distributing
clothes, establishing schools, industrial, educational
and scriptural, besides organizing churches ; but as to
this last the writer believes Friends made their great
est mistake ; for while laboring as energetically and
as largely, in proportion to our numbers as any, we
organize almost no churches ; it is true we avoided a
grave responsibility, but it was a responsibility that
ought not to have been shirked.
Father was among the first to contribute and solicit
money and material for this work. Ohio Yearly Meet
ing being small, our first contribution was distributed
through "Western Freedmans Aid Society" and the
"Freedmens Committees" of Indiana and Philadel
phia Yearly Meetings. Asearlyas 1863, $6,000 was
raised "the past year for this work," which would be
an average of about one dollar and fifty cents ($1.50)
for every man, woman and child in the whole Yearly
Meeting. In 1864, Ohio Yearly Meeting appointed an Execu
tive Committee on Freedman, and "recommended
that our Monthly Meetings raise in their respective
proportions, the sum of ten thousand dollars for the
relief of the poor, perishing colored people, now in a
state of transition from slavery to freedom."
John Butler was appointed Treasurer of this com-

THE FREEDMEN. I4I
mittee, which required a large correspondence, and
much time and thought, but -he gladly accepted the
service, and filled the position with such energy and
promptness, that Friends retained him for eleven
years. Soon after his appointment he went to Phila
delphia to purchase goods for Freedman, and was
greatly helped -by Friends there, who afterward at
tended to the purchasing of goods as ordered. At
first these goods, together with those purchased of,
or donated by local merchants, were made up by
"sewing circles, " organized for the purpose in most of
the meetings throughout the Yearly Meeting. To show
a little of the work of this committee, will give two of
the minutesof their business committee, viz. nth mo.,
1 2th, 1864. The committee to attend to purchasing
goods, report they purchased 3,006 yards linsey,
1,828 yards satinets, 588^ yards flannel, 309 yards
muslin, 104^ yards drilling, 25 gross buttons, 35
dozen spools cotton thread, 20 pounds linen thread,
and 3 gross buckles at a cost of $2,933.73. Expense
of purchase, $19. 18. Freight $3 1 . 79. Total $2,984.70.
The committee to procure patterns, &c, report
that patterns have been procured, cutters employed,
a room and other accommodations provided for them,
and that 1,470 garments have been cut, 1,158 of
which have been distributed for making.
As a sample, will give invoice of one box shipped
by one of our meetings to be distributed among the
Freedmen. One bag dried apples, 1 hat, 2 cloth caps, 1 flan
nel shirt, 5 vests, 23 pair pants, 3 pair drawers, 27

142 JOHN BUTLER.
pair hose, 13 pair shoes, 8 pair boots, 2 comforts, 13
coats, 10 aprons, 3 basques, 2 capes, 5 shawls, 2 hoods,
5 waists, 2 quilts, 3 pillows, 1 blanket, 1 1 women's
dresses, 20 children's dresses, 9 skirts, 1 5 chemise ;
total 185 garments. Valved at $238.60.
After a while, Industrial Schools were organized
among the Freedmen, the goods shipped direct to
them, and colored women taught to cut and make
their own garments.
Father, in company with W. H. Ladd, went to
Washington, where they arrived iomo., 28, 1864, to
obtain passes and free transportation for the agents,
teachers, and goods to such Camps of Freedmen, as
we wished" for Ohio, Indiana, Western and Iowa
Yearly Meetings. They visited the War Department,
Quarter Master and President, and were fully granted
all they asked. "Lincoln expressed his thankfulness
for what Friends had done and were doing for the re
lief of colored Freedmen, and entered into free con
versation with us on their condition in a very pleasant
manner." "11 mo,, 3rd '64: Left home with my son Josiah,
with a prospect of visiting some of the Camps of
Freedmen in the southwest, it may be as far as Vicks-
burg. We went by rail to Cincinnati, and there took
passage on steam packet, Jennie Hubbs, for Mem
phis." The following is from father's diary.
"ist day, 11 mo., 6, '64, 6 o'clock p. m. : We have
made a narrow escape with our lives from a watery
grave. As we were passing over the Ohio rapids, our

THE FREEDMEN. I43
boat became unmanagable, struck the rocks, arid as
it floated was likely to be dashed in pieces or upset ;
but in a short time the stern swung clear around and
fastened on the rocks. At this juncture, I ran to the
fore end of boat, where son Josiah and Phebe Maris
were in their rooms, being too sick to leave their
rooms very much for the past fourteen hours ; gath
ering up my satchel and some, other things, we all
made our way to the front of the boat as soon as pos
sible. There was great confusion, but our Captain
was composed, and ordered us all aloft ; presently a
boat was lowered, and we got into it, the Pilot and
First Mate taking the oars, and as we encountered the
dashing, surging waves, we were tossed up and down
with us much apparent ease as if we had been a sack
of feathers ; but in a very short time we were all safe
on shore. Through it all I was favored to have my
mind humbly turned to Him for protection, who has
promised to be a present help in every time of need. "
"After this, going to New Albany ; got aboard the
Government Steamer, Nicholos Longsworth, stopped
at Cario, Memphis, Helena and other points, arriving
at Vicksburg n mo., 15th, '64."
"After consulting with Elkanah Beard and military
authorities, concluded to locate our Ohio teachers on
Paw Paw Island, situated fifteen miles above Vicks
burg, Martha H. Thomas, of Indiana, joining with
them, and afteward Lizzie Bond of Indiana. Ac
cordingly after getting passes and all necessary au
thority went up to Paw Paw Island on the 22nd,"
"Twenty-third : Have visited to-day one hundred

144 JOHN BUTLER.
and twenty- seven huts, in which I found five hundred
and fifty inmates, (two hundred and thirty-eight adults,
and three hundred and sixteen children, from twenty
years old down to infants,) most of which are in pos
session of scarcely any of the comforts of life, and
some in a wretched condition. These poor creatures
resorted to many turns to enforce the belief that their
cases were more suffering than ordinary. One woman
not reporting a husband, on being asked right out,
said she had one, 'but that he was old, older dan you be,
and is of no force to me, but as I had him among de
Rebs, I holds on to him yet.' "
"Paw Paw Island, 24: Having made what arrange
ments I could for the comfort of our little company
here, at about five o'clock p. m. took an affectionate
leave of my son Josiah and went down to Vicksburg ;
he (a boy of twenty, ) has been my traveling compan
ion the last three weeks, through some close trials and
provings, and my prayer is often raised to the Lord
for his preservation."
"Twelfth mo., 5th, '64: Arrived at my own dear
home, where I met my beloved wife and children,
who were all well, and we were mutually glad to be
in each others company once more. Praises arose
in my heart to the Lord for his wonderful goodness,
that I may be preserved in true humility and meekness,
so as to be guided in judgment and taught of His ways,
is my earnest desire."
In his report father states that during this trip he
visited ten camps, containing about eight thousand
eight hundred Freedmen. and that there were at that

THE FREEDMEN. I45
time in camps along the Mississippi River, an aggre
gate of sixty-seven thousand Freemen. He also
visited fourteen schools, varying in size from forty to
one hundred and thirty, all taught by females except
two. Their desire to learn to read and write is so great,
and their whole mind is so absorbed in it, that their
improvement in some instances has very been remark
able. The ardor of their devotional feelings, and
their confiding trust in their Heavenly Father hearing
and answering the fervent and sincere prayers of His
people far exceeds any thing we are accustomed to
witness. "First mo., 14th '68: Father left home on a sec
ond trip South, Hannah B. Williams going with him
to join her husband already at Jackson, Mississippi.
They went via. Cincinnati and Cairo, all the way by
rail, arriving at our mission home, the morning of
the 17th."
On the 1 8th we find this entry: Edward Williams
and I attend a convention held in the Capital building
to remodel the Constitution in accordance with Con
stitutional reconstruction laws. Out of ninety dele
gates, seventeen were colored men. As I stood and
viewed this assembly, some white, some black, and
a mixture of races, my mind was forcibly impressed
with the great and wonderful changes that have taken
place in the Southern States, the colored man being
raised from a state of bondage to a position in an as
sembly like this.
Father remained at Jackson until the 25th, making

I46 JOHN BUTLER.
repeated visits to our schools, Sabbath schools and
meetings, attended several sessions of the Constitu
tional Convention, and visited Insane Asylum, with
its one hundred and thirty-five inmates, about three-
fourths of whom are black.
"First mo., 20th: Visited Aunt Betsy Christman,
who seemed glad to see me on Josiah's apcount, ask
ing particularly after him ; she is an intelligent old
woman of great energy and influence ; had paid three
hundred dollars for her own freedom, fourteen hun
dred for her son, and sixteen hundred for two grand
daughters, all obtained by overwork, night-work,
etc." On the 25th of istmo., father went to Luaderdale,
Miss., to visit the Orphan Asylum for colored chil
dren, at that time under the care of Elkanah and
Irena S Beard, about fifty children in charge, several
having recently been sent away ; while here he select
ed some children to be sent North, in case he could
find homes for them on his return. After remaining
two days, went home via. Cairo and Indianapolis, ar
rived at home the 31st, finding my children in the en
joyment of good health. I feel very grateful to the
Lord for his mercy and goodness and care.
In the autumn of 1865, Friends located a mission
at Jackson, Miss., employing two teachers from Indi
ana, (Mary and Lizzie Edwards) to assist them in the
first winter, after which Ohio furnished all the work
ers. Day schools, night schools, temperance bands,
family visiting, Industrial schools and tract distribu
tion were all carried on with constant energy, by a

THE FREEDMEN. 147
force of devoted workers, varying in number accord
ing to the amount of means raised to support the
work, from 1865 to 1875, when, owing to the fact that
the state of Mississippi had made provision for the ed
ucation of colored children, and also the difficulty of
longer raising necessary funds, the work was aband
oned. After closing up his account, our father adds this
note" : the Freedmen's concerns, which have been con
tinued eleven years under the care of an Executive
Committee, who have reported annnally to' the Year
ly Meeting, is now turned over to the Home and For
eign Missionary Board, with the funds on hand,
($232.07,) and the Executive Committee released.
There has passed through my hands as Treasurer (was
Treasurer the whole eleven years,) the sum of twenty
seven thousand five hundred and fifty-seven dollars
sixty cents. And now in the seventy-third year of
my pilgrimage I feel thankful to be released from this
pleasant duty of service to the meeting for the benefit
and comfort of this much and long abused portion of
the human family.

CHAPTER VIII.

THE INDIANS.
ETWEEN the time of U. S. Grant's
first election and his inauguration he
circulated a private letter among
Friends and other churches, setting
forth his intention of organizing a
"peace policy" among the Indians,
and desiring their co-operation.
On the 26th of 1 2th mo. , 1 868 there
met in Chicago a delegate body rep
resenting Ohio, Indiana, Western and
Iowa Yearly Meetings of Orthodox Friends, "to con
sider the present and prospective condition of the In
dian tribes of our country." Soon after this all the
other Yearly Meetings in the United 'States joined
with them, heart and hand, unitedly accepting the
opening made under the Grant Administration for the
Christian civilization of the Indians. The permanent
148

THE INDIANS. 149
organization came to be know as "The Associated
Executive Committee of Friends on Indian Affairs."
Our father was a delegate to this first meeting, and
continued to be a member of the Executive Commit
tee until the time of of his death, a period of nineteen
years, during all which time his interest never flaged,
and he was earnest in his efforts to get others inter
ested. At this first meeting a memorial was prepared and
soon afterward presented to the Senate and House of
Representatives of the United States, in which was set
forth the justice and desirability of treating the In
dians humanely, and give him a scientific and indus
trial education combined, with a view of making him
self-supporting. President Grant, in his first annual
message, in speaking of the Indians, said : "I have
attempted a new policy toward these wards of the na
tion . . . which I hope will be attended ultimaely
with great success. The Society of Friends is well
known as having succeeded in living in peace with
the Indians in the early settlement of Pennsylvania.
They are also well known for their oppo
sition to all strife, violence and war. . . . These
considerations induced me to give the management
of a few reservations of Indians to them, and to throw
the burden of the selection of agents upon the Society
itself." In 5th mo., 1870, J. D. Cox, Secretary of the Inte
rior, in a letter, further explains the purpose : "The
government has thus held out its hand to the moral
and religious people of the country and invited closer

150 JOHNUT BLER.
co-operation and a more intimate, mutual understand
ing in the efforts to save from destruction, both phys
ical and moral, the remnants of the original inhabi
tants of the land."
Friends were asked to take charge of the Central
Superintendency. (This superintendency embraces
all the area of Kansas and of the Indian Territory,
or about one hundred and forty-four thousand
square miles. The civilized Indians in the east end
of Indian Territory were only in a general way under
the care of Friends. But there was about 20,000 con
sisting of 26 different tribes under their immediate
care and supervision,) selecting their own agents
and other employes subject to government approval.
This was very rightly considered a grave responsibil
ity, and yet was generally looked upon as a Providen
tial opening for labor among a people for whom
Friends had professed a strong friendship ever since
the days of William Penn. Therefore, it was a respon
sibility that might not be shirked. So Friends were
very active in getting properly organized, selecting
agents, teachers, farmers, mechanics, etc., for which
and other purposes, the Executive Committee met
seven times during the first nine months :
First at Chicago, 111., 12th mo., 26th, 1868; 2nd
at Baltimore, Md., ist mo,, 20th, '69; 3rd at Indian
apolis, Ind., 3rd mo., 31st, '69; 4th at Richmond,
Ind., 5th mo., 1 2th, '69; 5th at- Philadelphia, Pa.,
5th mo., 25th, '69; 6th at Damascus, O., 6th mo.,
23rd, 69; 7th at Plainfield, Ind., 9th mo., 22nd, '69.
But after getting thoroughly organized they only met

THE INDIANS. I 5 I
three times a year ; later only twice and finally
but once a year. It is not our purpose to make
this a history of the Indians, but only to bring to view
briefly something of the part our father took in the
work. "Seventh mo., 13, '69 : Left my dear children and
home about 3:30 p. m., under appointment of the Ex
ecutive Committee on Indian affairs to visit our agents
and superintendent and some of the tribes in Kansas
and Indian Territory."
Thomas Wistor of Philadelphia, joined him at Sa
lem; Ohio , and Achilles Pugh, of Cincinnati, at
St. Louis, they arriving at Lawrence, Kansas, the
16th. They remained in and about Lawrence until
the 20th, when they visited the Shawnee Mission —
Reuben L. Roberts, agent, They mingled socially
with the workers here and attended their meeting giv
ing such advice as seemed right, taking particular
notes as to numbers, needs, etc , and returned to Law
rence the 22nd, where they awaited the coming of
apart of the President's 'unpaid commission,' who ar
rived the 24th, and after consulting with them and
finding 'they had no authority to assist us in any way,
either in transportation, camp equipage, provision as
to food or any other way,' we were left to make our
own arrangements."
Thomas Wistor decided to visit the agencies in Kan
sas, in company with Superintendent E. Hoag, John
Butler and Achilles Pugh believed it right to visit the
S. W. agencies — accordingly after making all needed
arrangements, they started on the evening of the 27th,

152 JOHN BUTLER.
going as far as Topeka. While at Lawrence, father
took very copius notes as to the number, location,
condition and needs of the various tribes so far as it
could be obtained at the superintendent's office.
Before retiring father makes this entry : ' 'Be pleas
ed, O Lord ! to go with me is often the prayer of my
heart — and strengthen me to do Thy holy will, well
knowing that without Thee I can do nothing."
"Topeka, Kansas, 7th mo., 28th, '69: At about
1:30 P. M. we started with four mules to our ambu
lance, two mules to our buggy and one pony to ride.
Our company consisting of Achilles Pugh, Thomas
H. Stanley and myself, beside Wm. Griffinstein as
conductor, and James Colby as driver. Went as far as
Burlington — about 24 miles — here we drove to one
side on a nice prairie and fixed for our first camping
out. Put lariets on the mules and let them out to
pasture, then got some sticks and chips, built a fire,
made a cup of good tea, got out our boiled ham and
bread and had a very good supper,"
On going to feed the mules they took fright and
ran clear off, and as it was dark we could but let them
go and retire, Achilles and I in ambulance — the rest
covered up on the ground.
"Twenty-ninth : Arose early and after about one
hour's search our men returned with the mules all safe ;
struck up a fire and soon had us a good breakfast,
after which, as we sat in a circle around our little fire
on the ground, we read the 10th chapter of Romans."
With very similar experiences they passed on in a
S. W. course, passing through Emporia, crossing the

THE INDIANS. 153
many little streams, scaring up jack-rabbits, prairie
chickens, meeting droves of Texas cattle, etc., etc.,
until coming to Wichita, where they arrived about
i p; m.
"Eighth mo., ist: Here we were soon met by
James C. Williams, a man sent from Ft. Ellsworth
by Gen. Hazen, with a message for us to go by 'Round
Pond Creek' and take Brinton Darlington with us to-
Camp Supply, which we feel very willing to do.
While here we saw sixteen Government wagons load
ed with flour, going from Ft. Harker to Ft. Sill ; they
each carried six hundred pounds, and were drawn by
a fine voke of oxen. In crossing the big Arkansas
they raised the wagon beds about one foot to prevent
the water from reaching the flour, and put fourteen
yoke of oxen to each wagon to cross the river. They
travel about ten miles per day."
"Eighth mo., 2nd: To-day we are going from
Cow Skin to Fall Creek (43 miles ;) we did not see a
single house or any improvements, but we passed
twenty-one Government wagons and ten droves of
Texas cattle of from four hundred to eight hundred
"head each. Five to twelve men on horse-back driv
ing each herd."
Soon after crossing into the Indian Territory, our
attention was called to a "Prairie Dog Town" — on
examination we found their holes made promiscuously
in the ground on either side the road, Were told
that these dogs and owls, rabbits and rattle snakes all
occupy the same hole, which strikes me as being very
(ii)

154 JOHN BUTLER.
singular and unnatural. The dogs and owls I saw
running to their holes, but did not see the snakes or
rabbits. "Eighth mo. 4th : Cheyene and Arapahoe Agency
on Salt Fork. 'Were kindly welcomed here by B.
Darlington yesterday afternoon. His daughter and
husband (Jesse R. and Elma Townsend,) also Israel
Negus are here, but will return home until the loca
tion of this agency is fully determined. After break
fast read Second Chapter of First John, and started
for camp supply about 6:30 A. M., taking B, D 
with us.' "
' 'Eighth mo. 5th : After passing Salt Fork speaks
of passing through "a very extensive city of prairie
dogs, owls, rabbits and rattlesnakes.' Met large
droves of cattle, passed Government teams, etc., un
til they reached Kingfisher's creek about noon and
stopped for dinner. Here they find another govern
ment team enroute for Fort Silland Thomas H. Stan
ley joins it, going direct to 'Kiowa and Commanche
Agency. Soon after T. H. S. left them, they turned more
to the west. "Our guide on his pony lead us away
across the prairie — no sight of a road — grass and
weeds as high as the horses backs and often times
much higher. After reaching the north side of the
North Canadian we went directly up this stream ' '
"Having a spade with us I frequently dug holes to
ascertain the character of the soil."
We passed numerous Prairie Dog Towns, some of
them spreading over many hundreds of acres.

THE INDIANS. 155
"Eighth mo., 7th : To-day saw abundance of Sand
Hill Plumbs about the size of Ohio wild plums, but
the bush is only from eighteen inches to four or five
feet high, and so loaded as to bend the whole bush to
the ground like a heavy loaded peach limb." Also
spoke of seeing buffalo, deer and turkeys.
"Sitting in the ambulance, close to the edge of the
North Canadian River, Indian Territory, on First day,
8th mo., 8th, 1 869, my mind was pleasantly brought
to remember those beautiful lines of the poet, " viz:
"How firm foundation ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent word ;
What more can he say, than to you he hath said,
You, who unto Jesus for refuge hath fled."
"In every condition, in sickness and health,
In poverty's vale, or abunding in wealth
At home or abroad, on the land or the sea,
As thy days may demand, shall thy strength ever be. "
"Fear not, I am with thee, Oh ! be not dismayed,
For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid.
I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand
Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand."
"When through the deep water I call thee to go,
The rivers of grief shall not over thee flow,
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to b'ess,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress. "
"When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace all sufficient shall be thy supply ;

156 JOHN BUTLER.
The flames shall not hurt thee, I only design,
Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine."
"Even down to old age all my people shall prove
My sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love ;
And then when gray hairs shall their temples adorn,
Like lambs they shall still in my bosom be borne."
"The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose
He can not, He will not, desert to His foes ;
That love, th/ough all hell should endeavor to shake,
He'll never, no never, no never forsake."
' 'To-day we passed numerous herds of buffaloes,
some of them from forty to sixty each, and about 3
p. m. came upon large herds — our guide thought not
less than five hundred, and soon after on ascending a
high prairie, we saw away across the river — by the aid
of our glass — an immense herd covering the whole
ground — not less than one thousand. As we ap
proached these herds they started off on a uniform ,
bound and speed, and we had frequent opportunies
of seeing the systematic order in which they moved.
Our guide shot at them several times during the day,
wounded one, but all got away, so we failed to get an
opportunity to eat any of the meat."
At about 10 a. m. we found access to the river
again and of course found plenty of water, which both
we and the mules much needed, having traveled yes
terday afternoon and this forenoon without any, and
without either supper or breakfast.
Our mules were immediately released, watered and
fed, and our cook soon had breakfast ready for us.

THE INDIANS. 157
I also took an opportunity of a good bath in the
river. And we all felt quite refreshed again.
"Eighth mo., ioth : A little before night came in
sight of the Cheyene Camp on Canadian river some
seven miles below Camp Supply, when we began to
meet the Indians — the men had their bows and arrows
all in ornamented cases made of buffalo, antelope and
other skins; some had guns and pistols besides. The
squaws all had new saddles and rode with their feet
in stirrups the same as men. Many of them carried
their paposes and all like the buffalo, go on the lope
and never pretend to trot. In this style of riding I sup
pose we met at least four hundred strung along in a
distance of three miles."
Our guide was an old trader and had married two
squaws of this tribe, and had now been absent some
eighteen months, during which time many had been
killed in war. As nearly all knew him they greeted
him warmly, hugging and kissing him, and on re
membering those who had been killed like Joseph of
old, on meeting his brethren they wept loud and
long, which to me was a very affecting scene, not
soon to be forgotten. B. Darlington sat by me as we
rode along and we were both melted to tears under
a deep feeling of sympathy with them in their be
reavement. Camp Supply, 8 mo. nth: The President's com.
mission held a council with the Indians yesterday and
to-day ; after a little consultation with them we pro-
ceded to the Indian camp, where we found a large
tent prepared purposely for the occasion."

I58 JOHN BUTLER.
The chiefs and head men formed in a circle and be
hind them the young men, women and children all
seated on the ground cross legged, with blankets
thrown loosely over their shoulders, which, with
britch-clout, formed their entire dress. The govern
ment interpreter, John S. Smith, opened the council,
when I was called on to speak on behalf of our depu
tation, which I did in short sentences, stopping for
them to be intrepreted. Dwelt largely on the im
portance of education, agriculture, and different
branches of mechanics; also that they should quit
the "war-path," and follow peace with the different
tribes, as well as with the whites. These point I
illustrated as simply as I was able, so as to be readily
understood. All of which was replied to by one of
their chiefs, Fat Bear, in which he said that they
would make no promises until they saw whether the
government kept its promises with them. "Some
white men talk nice, promise heaps of good things,
then go to sleep and forget all they said."
B. Darlington said only a few words, saying he
would have other opportunities to talk with them.
The Indians gave very close attention and approv
al by many grunts and gestures.
After the council and a good supper with them in
a large buffalo skin tent, on the ground, some with
knives and forks, but more with fingers (which they
seemed to understand the best), we retired to our
ambulance, where we were carefully observed by
many; but, feeling perfectly easy, we soon dropped
to sleep, but about eleven o'clock we were aske d to

THE INDIANS. 159
go into their lodge. I asked, why ? They said there
was mourning in the camp. Soon our ambulance was
drawn right up to the lodge. But I informed them
we would prefer remaining where we were. So after
some little parleying we were allowed to remain, and
so dropping to sleep lay quietly till morning, when
we learned the cause of the excitement was that they
had just heard that three of their tribe had been kill
ed. At first it wa<s thought by white men, when we
would not have been safe outside the lodge. But on
finding they were killed by Pawnees, we were allow
ed to remain in our ambulance."
The lodge is the Indian's fort and castle, while
made of scraped buffalo skin, not thicker than paste
board, it is strong enough to defend the person of the
guest of its owner.
After this the little company fixed up and started
away across the prararie for the Kiowa and Coman
che Agency, three Indians going along. On the
route father speaks of seeing antelopes, wolves, buf
falo, etc., and the Indians succeeded in killing two
buffaloes. So they had plenty of fresh meat, which
was quite a treat. Father seems to have enjoyed the
camping out, natural scenery and varied experiences
connected with the journey, maintaining throughout
the practice of Scripture reading after each morning's
repast. One night on retiring, speaks of repeating aloud
these lines, viz :

l60 JOHN BUTLER.
"How are thy servants blessed, O Lord,
How sure is thier defence ;
Eternal wisdom is their guide,
Their help Omnipotence."
The companionship of B. Darlington was especial
ly congenial."Eighth mo., 17th: At Washataw river. This
morning after breakfast read 27th Psalm in presence
of some fifty or more Indian men and abundance of
women and children. And now, while writing, the
little naked fellows are pressing me on every side.
evidently wondering what I am at. The Wichitas,
Caddoes, Wacoes, Tawaconies, Keeches and Dele-
wares all live in this settlement.
We arrived at Fort Sill about seven this eve
ning, and found brother Lawrie well, and glad to see
us. I am feeling quite unwell from taking cold and
hard traveling. Hard bed and no pillow has caused
much pain in head, limbs and bowels, so it is very
pleasant to be here, and gratitude to my Heavenly
Father has arisen for His protecting care over me
since leaving my dear relatives and friends at my be
loved home in Ohio."
At Fort Sill father had a severe attack of chills and
fever, and was treated by the post physician, Dr.
Forwood, and otherwise very kindly cared for in the
quarters of Lieut. H. Arman, All this service was
generously given free of cost. But notwithstanding
his sickness, he assisted the agent in making out a
list of articles needed, with estimate of cost, which
was read to the commissioners and seemed to be ap-

THE INDIANS. l6l
proved by them. He also took notes of the different
bands, the amount of land broken for each, their num
bers, etc.
Eighth mo., 20th : "Now, this being the day the
commissioners have set for a council with the Indians,
and feeling very desirous to attend, I braced up as
well as I could, got into the carriage with the com
missioners and their wives and went down to the
agency. There I took my bed in the council room,
and, being very hard of hearing from the taking of
quinine, requested the commissioners to speak loud,
which they did.
Continuing to have fever, my friends fanned me,
making all as comfortable as possible. Mary H.
Brunot and Melissa P. Dqdge, wives of the commis
sioners, were seated by my side, putting cold cloths
on my head and fanning me, I mention this to show
the kindness of these noble women to an entire
stranger, and my heart is filled with gratitude to my
Heavenly Father for His many, many blessings."
Father took very full notes of this council, Will
insert one Indian speech as a sample :
Satanta, a leading Kiowa chief, said : "The red
people feel glad that three chiefs are here. When we
heard at camp three chiefs had come, our men, wo
men and children were all glad. I know the white
man's road, I understand it. Five people are my
brethren. Comanches, Kiowas, Cheyennes, Aropa-
hoes and Wichitas are my brethren. My people are
glad to hear you talk. This country has all been
ours. The white people have come here and cut it

I 62 JOHN BUTLER.
all up. I do not know whether I am glad or not. All
this country and all that grows on it are ours. All
the way to the Arkansas belongs to the Kiowas. I
know the white man's road, but I do not like it. It
is corn, corn, corn, and it hurts my teeth. I do not
like it. The breech-loading gun is part of the white
man's road. I take up that part of it. The white
man takes our land without paying for it. We will
not sell any more land. Come on with your money
and pay for what you have already. The good spirit
— the sun — sees the poor people every morning, and
we will not sell any more land. We have a good
many councils, and have had enough of the white
man's road. But we want the white man's guns and
ammunitions. We don't want to depend on the ar
rows any longer. In making this talk I am not mad
nor nothing of that sort, but would be glad to hear
any more talk you may want to make." This speech
is characteristic of the man.
Father started for home 9th mo., 21st, and on the
22nd speaks of meeting some one hundred and fifty
Indians, who had many horses, ponies and mules.
Their tents, robes and other things were nicely tied
up and put on pack-saddles on these animals. The
tent poles, sixteen to twenty-four feet long, were
lashed, small end forward, half on each side, to the
horn of the saddle, then they have a kind of large
basket made a little in the shape of a wagon bed
with bows, over which they throw a cover, and this
is placed cross ways across the two bunches of poles
behind the horse some distance from the back end of

THE INDIANS. 1 63
the poles, and in these baskets the aged and infirm
ride quite comfortably.
On the 27th, we find this entry: "My heart is daily
filled with thanksgiving and praise to my Heavenly
Father for His goodness towards me in keeping me
quite confidingly trusting that He will cause all things
to work together for my good ; and the language of
the Psalmist has often and often been the language
of my heart, viz: 'Bless the Lord, O my soul, and
forget not all His benefits.' "
Father returned the usual traveled route by Wich
ita, Emporia and Topeka, arriving at Lawrence seven
p. m., 9th mo., ist, 1869. After spending a little
time in the superintendent's office, he took the cars,
arriving at home 9th mo. , 4th, where we find this en
try :
"We mutually rejoiced together that the Lord had
been with us and preserved us from dangers, seen and
unseen, and brought us again into each others em
brace, and caused our hearts to sing with joy and
thanksgiving to the Lord for His goodness."
"Plainfield, 9th mo., 22nd : At two p. m. attended
Executive Committee on Indian Affairs, at which T.
Wistar's report of Kansas agencies and ours (Achil
les Pugh and I) of Indian Territory, together with
superintendent Hoag's, were all read and approved."
After this father kept up a large correspondence
on Indian matters, and attended all the meetings of
the Executive Committee, serving on its sub-com
mittees, etc.
In his notes on the seventeenth meeting of the Ex-

164 JOHN BUTLER.
ecutive Committee, held at Lawrence, Kansas, ioth
mo., 18th, 1873, we find this item : 'This was the
first and only meeting I have missed from the begin
ning." Again, in his account of the thirty-fourth meeting,
held at Marion, Indiana, 5th mo., 14th, 1884, we find
this statement : "I have traveled in the service of this
committee from the beginning 32,490 miles, at an
aggregate expense of $1,228.32. "
The last meeting of the Executive Committee
which father attended was held at Marion, Indiana,
•6th mo., 22nd, 1887. White's Institute is located
near this place, and father always took a deep inter
est in visiting it and observed carefully the progress
of the children in science, agriculture and religious
experience. He held strongly that in all efforts to
civilize the aboriginees religious instruction should
be given in connection with, if it did not precede all
other instruction.
He visited a number of times the Indian schools at
Carlisle, Pa., and Lawrence, Kansas, where he was
always welcomed because of his known interest and
words of encouragement both to the workers and the
children. .
Father's labor for the Master in the Indian work
was a continual source of pleasure to him, and he
renderded it gladly, though sometimes in much
weariness of the flesh.

CHAPTER IX.

OTHER CHURCH WORK.
' T IS1 the purpose of this chapter to gath
er together a few matters of interest that
could not properly be placed in the oth
er chapters of this little memoir.
As our father grew up, it was not the
custom of Friends to use the young mem
bership in the work of the Church to any
% great extent as is the practice at the
present time. Yet we find he was call
ed to act as clerk and on various com
mittees, at an age that was then considered young,
though it would be no cause for remark nozv.
In the separation that occurred in his early man
hood — 1828 — the doctrine of the atonement was the
vital question at issue, and we find he gave this sub
ject a careful investigation ; first, using the Scripture
as the standard, and, secondly, he carefully examin- 165

166 JOHN BUTLER.
ed early Friends' writings, by which process he came
intelligently to believe from the heart the teaching of
the Apostle, when he says: "This Jesus whom I
preach unto you is Christ," perfect God and perfect
man, one and indivisable. This early examination
of so vital a question proved a permanent blessing to
father, forming a solid foundation for religious belief.
We find in his diary under date of nth mo., 24th,
1849, tn's entry: "May the Lord grant that I may
know more and more of a submission to His holy will
concerning me, whether it be in deep trial and afflic
tion or in the more pleasant paths of prosperity ; and
I fervently desire to know of being taught more and
more in the school of humility and patience, for here
alone, as I believe, we are brought to know the will
of the Lord concerning us.
Fifth mo., 14th., 1850: Attended Quarterly Meet
ing, at which time I was appointed a member of the
Meeting for Sufferings (representative meeting), an
important appointment and a fresh call for more hu
mility and self-abasement."
Father left home 5th mo., 31st, 1850, as compan
ion for Jesse Stanley, in a religious visit to Alum
Creek Quarterly Meeting and the meetings compos
ing it, which then covered ground now occupied by
both- Alum Creek and Goshen Quarters.
' 'Sixth day, 6th mo. , 7th : On arriving at this
place (Greenwich) my own smallness and weakness
was with me to such a degree that I felt unworthyto
be the servant of servants, which lasted until after
meeting the next day, but Jesse, haying been blessed

OTHER CHURCH WORK. 167
in his ministry, seemed to dispel all clouds, for which
I feel thankful. "
They made a very general visit, including many
of the families. The last entry made in the little note
book carried on this occasion runs thus :
7th mo., ist: After meeting, got our horses and
rode to James Vaugn's to dinner, with our hearts
turned in thankfulness to the Lord for graciously
condescending to be with us from day to day since
our lot has been cast among strangers, and now at
this time to fill our hearts with gratitude we feel to
esteem as an unspeakable favor.
Seventh mo. , 3rd, 1850: . . , We were about
five weeks from home. On returning found my dear
family well and glad to see me. It is cause for re
joicing that He who had made me willing to leave
my deaf family had also been their care-taker in my
absence, and now fills my heart with thankfulness in
retrospect of this small sacrifice.
Seventh mo., 24th, 1852 : At this time my name
was brought forward by the Select Meeting to be ap
pointed a member of that body, which was united
with by the Monthly Meeting, The language of my
soul has been and is that I may know self to be slain,
and that I may experience a walking in true humility
and patience consistant with a follower of a meek and
crucified Savior, wherein I may in sincerity say "Thy
will be done, O Lord."
The separation in Ohio Yearly Meeting in 1854,
and the difficulties preceeding and following it, was
a source of great grief to both our parents, but they

I 68 JOHN BUTLER.
unitedly, prayerfully and conscientiously refrained
from dwelling upon society troubles inthe presence of
their children. A course that we can appreciate now,
though we did not then. On returning from Yearly
Meeting this year, father wrote this short but express
ive entry :
Ninth mo., 1854. A time of grief, mourning and
deep discouragement.
Father always held that there was no sufficient
cause for this separation, and that it ought never to
have occurred ; that a fuller measure of Divine love
would have removed the evil tendencies of both ex
tremes, and that a united whole would have been
stronger than either part. Nevertheless, when the
separation did occur he felt no hesitation in identify
ing himself with those he believed to be nearest in
accord with the active Scriptural Christianity of the
first generation of Friends.
Second mo., 3rd, 1856: May the Lord draw me
closer and closer unto Himself that all my depend
ence may be placed on Him and Him alone, enabling
me to see clearly my daily and hourly duties, and
that I may be preserved from bringing reproach up
on the blessed truth as it is in Jesus.
Such was the breathing of his soul as he walked
with the Lord through many close trials.
Father was quite a student of church discipline,
and became familiar with its history and principles.
For the purpose of thoroughly understanding the
subject, he had obtained copies of the discipline of
all the Yearly Meetings in the world. He was thor-

OTHER CHURCH WORK. 1 69
oughly Republican in his views of government, both
in Church and State, and believed in a government
"of the people, for the people, and by the people ;"
and yet he recognized the fact that because of differ
ence in character some persons exercise many times
the influence of other persons, but, as far as he saw
it, this should be exercised with and not against the
consent of the "people."
In the revision of the discipline he was much inter
ested, and took an active part, and the material he
had gathered together for the study of the subject was
quite valuable in the work of revision. He was too
conservative to favor any so great changes as seemed
to partake of the nature of a revolution, and yet was
liberal enough to allow of and advocate such changes
as the altered circumstances brought about by the
progress of time, and the growth and development of
the church seemed to require.
Western Yearly meeting was established the 8th of
9th mo., 1858. Ohio had addressed an epistle to
them, and father was one of the committee of three
from Ohio to attend the opening of the Yearly Meet
ing and present the epistle. We find in his diary a
detailed account of the various appointments, exercis
es, etc., throughout the sessions of the Yearly Meet
ing, which he passed through with much interest.
Ninth mo., 20th, 1858: "The opening of a new
Yearly Meeting seems to me to be a matter of very
great importance, involving many responsibilities,
among others that of appointing the right persons for
(12)

170 JOHN BUTLER.
officers, and deeply experienced persons on commit
tees who have at heart the varied concerns that need
to be submitted to their care. "
He was also one of a committee to attend the open
ing of Kansas Yearly Meeting, 10th mo., nth, 1872,
and was present on that occasion.
For many years our father was appointed, year by
year, as a member of the "Committee to visit and as
sist subordinate meetings," in which service, in com
pany with others, he made repeated visits to every
part of our Yearly Meeting, and entered heartily and
sympathetically into the meetings visited, whether it
be one of encouragement or pressed down under local
difficulties. In all matters where there were differenc
es among Friends, father was very plain, outspoken,
and earnest in the advocacy of what he believed to be
right, but, withal, so loving that many were drawn to
love and admire his spirit who were unable to agree
with him in sentiment on some points. In this work
he visited many families, and up to the close of his
lffe was always attracted by the inquiries and earnest
expressions of young people, rejoicing most of all to
see such coming forward in the work of the Master.
Latterly he met few of his own age, but made com
panions of young persons and much enjoyed their
fellowship. While not wishing to allow our affection to lead in
to exaggeration, there seems to be ample evidence
that there are many with whom he met in his travels
who feel that they have been benefitted by his words

OTHER CHURCH WORK. 171
of encouragement and warning. As a little evidence
of the preceding, we give a few extracts as follows :
W  , 3RD Mo., 14TH, 1865.
My venerable friend, John Butler : We have a very
precious memory of thy tarriance with us, especially
of our parting opportunity, wherein our spirits were
knit together in the love of Christ ; and I assure thee
that thy fatherly counsel and kind words of encourage
ment distilled as the dew of refreshing on my heart.
It was contriting indeed ; it awakened deep gratitude
when thou assured me that I, unworthy as I am, had
been remembered in thy approaches to the mercy
seat. Thy attached young friend, e. B. w.
Eighth Mo., 5th.
My dear and honored friend, John Butler: When
thou wast with us at our Quarterly Meeting, six
months ago, I felt like expressing to thee a little of
the full response of my heart to thy remarks at the
conclusion of that meeting; circumstances prevented. I
hope to profit by thy advice and suggestions. While
my heart overflows with love and sympathy for thee,
I earnestly desire that faith and strength may continue
to be given thee from on high. May He sustain thee
in every hour of thy pilgrimage, and finally gather
thee to Himself. Thy much attached E. L.

I72 JOHN BUTLER.
Cleveland, O., ii, 19, 1887.
To my dear aged friend, John Butler :
Assembled in our Monthly Meeting, our minds
were brought into sympathy, and our hearts lifted in
prayer to our gracious Heavenly Father in behalf of
thyself in these, that may prove to be, the closing
days of thy long and blessed pilgrimage on this earth.
We earnestly desire that thy example of uprightness,
consistency and humility in every relation of life, as
well as thy loyalty to the Lord and that branch of His
Church where He placed thee and gave thee thy
work, may be imitated by us. Several bear witness
to blessings received through thy instrumentality, and
we are led to thank God for thy life's example and
testimony. May the consolations of divine love be
largely ministered to thee through the Holy Spirit.
The above is written on behalf of Cleveland Month
ly Meeting. j. t. d.
Many other similar extracts might be given, but
will let the foregoing suffice.
The work of holding "General Meetings" was first
taken up by Ohio Yearly Meeting in 1871. Father
was a member of the Executive Committee having
them in charge. As an index to the character of
these meetings, will quote from the first report of the
committee, under date of 7th mo., 4th, 1872 :
"The doctrines of the Gospel, as believed in by us,
have been freely proclaimed, and many have come to
the knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus who have
hitherto been strangers to the views held by our branch

OTHER CHURCH WORK. 1 73
of the Church. For all of which we ascribe praise and
give glory to Christ, the head of the Church ; and rec
ommended the continuation of the work under the
care of a committee."
At first the expounding of doctrine, as held by
Friends, (including those in which we agree, as well
as those in which we differ from other evangelical
churches), was kept prominent, but later they became
more evangelistic in their character. All of which
naturally followed the activity aroused by the earnest
labor of the Church for the benefit of the freedmen.
Eight General Meetings were held the first year, be-
ginnig at Goshen, Logan county, Ohio, ioth mo.,
5th, 1 87 1. We find this entry in diary :
"Being placed at the head of the meeting by the
committee, with dear Richard Harkness next, after a
time of silence arose and exhorted friends to seek near
communion with our Heavenly Father, and endeavor
to keep under the influence of the Holy Spirit through
out the various sittings of our meeting."
Tenth mo , ioth : At home, and truly thankful to
my Heavenly Father for His watchful care over my
dear family in my absence, and for His continued care
over me and over the meeting just closed, held at
Goshen, Logan county, which I do believe was own
ed by the presence of the Lord.
At the close of the meeting held at Alliance, Ohio,
ist mo., 1872, we find this note :
"During the time between the appointment of this
General Meeting and the time of holding it many and
earnest were my petitions to the Lord that He would

174 JOHN BUTLER.
bless, guide and strengthen us, that it might be held
to His glory, and strengthen and enlarge the Church.
And now, that it is over, can but believe that the
Lord was with and blessed us ; yet at times feel that
we were not as watchful as we should have been, and
satan got some advantage of us. "
In father's diary we find a summary of the varied
exercises of the different ministers present, with occa
sionally a note of comment, manifesting the deep
heartfelt interest he had in the truth proclaimed ; for
he was earnestly desirous that the honor of God and
His Church might be kept untarnished. We find
similar notes in his diary in reference to other General
Meetings held.
When the Lord raised up among us active evangel
ists, "as at the beginning," the contrast between their
manner of holding meetings and that which had pre
vailed through the long period of quietism through
which our Church had passed, was so striking that it
was difficult for father (as was the case with many oth
ers) to become reconciled to the change. So we find
him sympathizing with and encouraging the workers,
heartily endorsing the doctrine taught, and at the
same time lovingly criticising and endeavoring to dis
suade them from some practices they were introduc
ing. Of course we are now speaking of the true
workers, and not such as run into excesses that no
clear minded person can approve.
Will conclude this chapter with an extract from a
letter written by father to some friends at Richmond,
Ind., under date 12th mo., 9th day, i860:

OTHER CHURCH WORK.

175

"I believe a great loss has been sustained in our
poor Society, by the want of more thorough establish
ment in the fundamental doctrines of Christianity, as
professed by us as a religious body, also by not plac
ing as much value on the various testimonies, ever
believed in and practiced by the truly baptised and
living members thereof; and I believe there is a firm
ness required of us in the support of those principles,
doctrines and testimonies, that are pecular to our
branch of the church, as well as those we hold in
common with others. This we may exercise, and
still have the utmost charity towards spiritually mind
ed Christians of other churches, who have not yet
been led to believe that primitive Christianity re
quires all that we have been favored to see that it
does.

CHATPER X.

DOCTRINAL VIEWS. t
i HAT the subject of this memoir was a
Friend, and firmly held the doctrines
as clearly set forth in the approved
writings of the first generation of
Friends would be a very truthful
statement; and yet as there are many
persons claiming the same thing, who
hold widely different views , it be
comes necessary for the right under
standing of the reader to make a brief summary
statement of christian doctrine ; including points in
which he agreed with members of other evangelical
churches, as well as points in which he differed.
While he held to these foundation principles tena
ciously and was not "turned about by every wind
of doctrine" it was done intelligently, by making a
careful examination of Scripture proofs, together with
176

DOCTRINAL VIEWS. 177
the futher test of personal experience. Frank and
fearless in the expression of his convictions, he was
still so filled with charity and kind consideration for
such as might conscientiously differ as enabled him to
warmly encourage all such as ' 'love the Lord Jesus
Christ in sincerity."
We trust the reader will feel repaid for the some
what formal manner in which this doctrinal statement
has been presented by the fact that this course helps
the writer to greater brevity and clearness.
Any one at all acquainted with the writings of the
first generation of Quakers will note at once many fa
miliar passages which have not been duly credited.
This we thought the wisest course, for we have not
always given entire paragraphs, and in this way we
feel that we avoided both the guilt and charge of the
crime ol garbling. Then our only object in this chap
ter has been to faithfully set forth the doctrines most
surely held by him who has so recently been taken
from us, and nearly all the quotations made have been
choice and marked selections of his own.
His Faith : GOD.
I believe in One only wise, omnipotent and eternal
Being, the Creator and Preserver of all things ; infinite
in all glorious attributes and perfections ; the inex
haustible source of all good, as well as all happiness,
and the holy object of adoration, worship and praise
from angels and from men.

178 JOHN BUTLER.
JESUS CHRIST.
I believe in Jesus Christ, the beloved and only be
gotten Son of God, who was conceived of the Holy
Ghost, and born of the Virgin Mary. I believe in the
Deity or Divinity of Christ, in, His eternal, infinite,
glorious state ; also in His perfect humanity or man
hood, that as He was the Son of Man on earth, He is
now as truly the Son of Man in glory ; very God and
perfect man being joined together in one person ; that
His sacrifice of Himself upon the cross was a propi
tiation and atonement for the sins of the whole world ;
that the remission of sins which any partake of is on
ly in and by virtue of that most satisfactory sacrifice,
and not otherwise. That Christ rose from the dead
and became the first fruits of them that slept ; that
He ascended up on high and now sitteth on the right
hand of God, our High Priest and Intercessor, alive
forevermore, and will return to judge the world in
righteousness at the last day.
THE HOLY SPIRIT.
I believe in the Holy Spirit as a Divine personality;
that He with the Father and the Son are one and in
separable in power, divinity, and eternity; and are
equal in authority, glory and titles. That the Holy
Spirit calls, convicts, reproves, warns, and condemns
the sinner ; and that He leads, teaches, comforts and
encourages the Christian ; that while He convicts and
lighteth the sinner, He dwells only in the hearts of
believers. Coming in the name and authority of the

DOCTRINAL VIEWS. I 79
risen Lord, the Holy Spirit glorifies the Savior, and
takes of the things of Christ and gives them as a real
ized possession to the believing soul.
HOLY SCRIPTURES.
I believe that the Holy Scriptures of the Old and
New Testament were given by inspiration of God ;
that the declarations contained therein rest on the au
thority of God himself, and that there can be no ap
peal from them to any other authority whatever ; that
they were written that we might believe that Jesus is
the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing we
might have life through his name. That no one can
be required to believe as an article of faith, any doc
trine not contained therein ; that while we can only be
helped to a right understanding of the Scriptures by
the Holy Spirit, yet whatever any one may say or do
contrary to the Holy Scriptures, even though profess
ing the immediate guidance of the Holy Spirit, must
be reckoned and accounted a delusion of the devil.
CREATION AND FALL OF MAN.
I believe that God created man in His own image,
and breathed into him the breath of life so that he be
came a living soul ; that there is an evil agent distinct
from man, known as the Devil or Satan, by whom our
first parents were deceived and led into transgression
and fell from the purity and innocence in which they
were created by God, thus sin entered the world and
death by sin, and by the offence of one, judgment
came upon all men to condemnation ; that man is lost

l8o JOHN BUTLER.
and left utterly unable in or of himself to redeem him
self. REPENTANCE AND JUSTIFICATION.
I believe that the Gospel enjoins a repentance from
dead works to serve the living God, which compre
hends three operations : First, a sight of sin ; second,
a sense and godly sorrow for it ; third, an amendment
for time to come, for of light comes sight, and of sight
comes sense and sorrow, and of sense and sorrow
comes amendment of life ; which doctrine of repent
ance leads to justification ; that is foregiveness of the
sins that are past through Christ, the alone propitia
tion ; that we are freely justified from the sins that are
past, as if they had never been committed, by faith
in the merits and atoning blood of the Lord Jesus
Christ. SANCTIFICATION OR PERFECTION.
The Gospel also requires the sanctification or pur
gation of the soul from the defiling nature and habits
of sin present,- the creature being made inwardly just
through the cleansing and sanctifying power and spir
it of Christ revealed in the soul, which is justification
in the complete sense of that word, but is commonly
called sanctification ; and in this state of perfection the
body of death and sin comes to be crucified and re
moved, and persons obtaining this experience do not
obey any suggestions or temptations of the evil one,
but are free from actual sinning and perfect in love.
Yet this perfection still admits of growth, and there

DOCTRINAL VIEWS. l8 I
always remains with us a possibility of falling, so that
we can only be kept from falling by the power of
God, and abiding in Him who is the author and finish
er of our faith.
THE RESURRECTION AND FINAL JUDGMENT.
I believe that there shall be a resurrection of the
dead, both of the just and unjust ; that the soul or
spirit of every man or woman shall be reserved in
its own distinct and proper being, and every soul
shall have its proper body, as God is pleased to
give it. In the judgment of the great day, when
the Son of man cometh 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 gather
ed all ^nations, and the wicked shall go away into
eternal punishment, where their worm dieth not and
the fire is not quenched ; but the righteous into life
eternal, where they will be satisfied as they awake in
Christ's likeness. FAITH AND WORKS.
I believe faith is no other but a firm and certain be
lief of the mind, whereby it resteth and, in a sense,
possesseth the substance of things hoped for through
its confidence in the promise of God ; and thus the
soul hath a most firm evidence, by its faith, of things
not seen or come to pass. That true faith in Christ
cannot be without works, and yet our very best works,
proceeding from the true faith itself, cannot merit as
a debt due the creature, because eternal life is the

1 82 JOHN BUTLER.
gift of God. All that man can do, even with the as
sistance of the Holy Spirit, is ouly duty, and, there
fore, cannot blot out old scars. The just shall live by
faith, and at the same time are to be careful to main
tain good works. CHRISTIAN BAPTISM.
I believe that the baptism with the Holy Ghost is
the only saving baptism, and is administered by Christ
himself to His own dear children who will consecrate
themselves to Him and claim the promises of the Fath
er; that no other baptism was ever insisted on or enjoin
ed upon Christians by the precious Savior, that no
outward rite can ever be substituted for that eating of
the flesh and drinking of the blood of Christ, without
which no man can have eternal life. That the quali
fication for the Lord's service in the endue ment of
power for His work is bestowed on His children
through the reception of and baptism with the Holy
Ghost. THE SUPPER OF THE LORD.
"Behold I stand at the door and knock, if any man
hear my voice and open the door I will come in to
him and sup with him and he with me." Such is the
communion that Christ's believing children are en
abled to hold with Him through the realization of the
presence of the Lord Jesus in their hearts, who hath
cleansed them from all sin through the offering of His
body and the shedding of His blood upon the cross ;
that all types, shadows and signs ever instituted by

DOCTRINAL VIEWS.

183

God have been fulfilled in Christ, and their continu
ance is foreign to the spirituality of His Gospel and
kingdom. The attention of the reader is kindly invited to the
fact that the foregoing is a simple statement or con
fession of faith, and is in no sense a defense, as the
later would require an amount of argument and proof
as would constitute a book within itself, and would
not come within the provience of a memoir.

SggairaaKVMKKSS

CHAPTER XI.
LAST SICKNESS.
"There is no death, what seems so is transition.
This life of mortal breath
Is but the suburbs of the life Elysian,
Whose portals we call death."

. ARLY in the spring of '87, we marked
with sadness that our loved one was in
declining health, and while, with his
wonted energy and brightness, he took
his usual interest in all that went on
about him, and in the affairs of church
and nation, yet we plainly saw the
flesh fail, and his footsteps totter in
their accustomed rounds, as, with his
granchildren's help, he planted his
truck-patch, which he had playfully called his farm,
since he had years before relinquished the care of the
place. He would tell the little boys to see who could
184

LAST SIBKNESS. I 85
do their task the quickest, and even the hearts of the
children were grieved as they sawgrandpa's inability to
keep pace with them. Through all the summer
months he attended to the light chores about the
house and barn, tiring very easily, but would harness
old Fox to the buggy, frequently driving to Salem,
and for the mail. He attended meeting most of the
season, often suffering intense pain from long sitting,
but always cheerful, "forgetting not all His benefits."
When Yearly Meeting time came, he was so feeble
that he reluctantly gave up and remained at home,
though with the understanding that if he was better
he would follow on, his daughter L  having gone
to the opening. So we were not surprised on First
day when he told us he thought it would be right for
him to go to Mt. Pleasant, Second day morning. We
trembled to see him go, but he went and enjoyed this
last Yearly Meeting he was to attend, and came home
seemingly no worse of the trip, and, we began to fed
encouraged that may be he might rally from his dis
ease — stomach trouble — and again be pretty well. But
he did not improve ; his strength gradually failing,
and at times suffering severe pain. The doctor who
attended him all these months gave us little encour-
ment; that he could do no more than allay the suffer
ing. He was appointed at Yearly Meeting as one of the
delegates to the Conference which met at Richmond,
Indiana, 23rd of ioth mo., '8j, and in the kind care
of Isreal P. Hole he went, though not physically able
(13)

186 JOHN BUTLER.
to do so, and attended all the sessions except one,
enjoying the transactions, and looking hopefully to
the outcome of its influence on the troubled and un
settled state of the Church in some quarters. And
while this Conference was not all he could have wish
ed, he thought, to honest, inquiring minds, its issues
might meet a felt need by furnishing a condensed
statement of doctrines long held and taught, and
might tend to unity among the sisterhood of Yearly
Meetings. He well knew it would be wiped out by
some, but had faith to think it would tell on the
Church for good in time to come, and there he left it.
Never from the time of his return home until he left
us did he express any concern for anything, The
Church, which so long had been as the apple of his
eye, his children, whom he loved with intense affec
tion, his worldly business all seemed to slide from
him as a garment, and in perfect tranquility and
joyful peace he awaited for the coming footsteps of
his Lord, not as for one whom he dreaded, but as one
awaiteth the coming of his dearest friend. His bodily
suffering was great, but he was borne above it, and in
the greatest paroxysms of pain would sing praises to
God for His goodness and mercy.
The last time he attended meeting was on the 27th
of 10th mo., '8j, and as with feeble steps he took his
accustomed place his friends were impressed, as he
was himself, that it would be the last meeting with
them all this side the river. With trembling words
he bade farewell, and left his parting benediction on
the people over whom he so long had yearned, and

LAST SICKNESS. I §7
for whom his life and love had largely been spent, fully
realizing he had often been misunderstood, but with
no feeling of reflection he prayed for their preserva
tion from being scattered away from Israel's unslum-
bering shepherd.
He longed to see his son Josiah again in the flesh,
and he, being sent for, came early in the i ith mo. and
was privileged for a month to help minister to the
wants of the failing body, and to listen to the almost-
constant song of praise that went up from his heart and
lips. In his latter years, being much from home, he had
said to his children, if it was the Lord's will there were
three things in reference to his last days that he had
often thought would be comforting, but felt no anx
ious care about it. These were, that he might have
all his children about him, be in his own home, and
that he might be conscious to to the last as he enter
ed into eternity ; and having for so long committed
his way to the Lord, He gave him the desire of his
heart in all these requests.
The evening of the 7th of 1 ith mo. was the last time
he took a meal with us at the table, and as he leaned
his head upon his trembling hands and asked the
blessing of the Lord upon the food and upon our lives
and his, for the last time around the family board, our
hearts melted within us, and Heaven seemed nearer to
us than almost ever before.
From this time he sat up but little, and could see
his friends but seldom, as it tired him much to talk,

l88 JOHN BUTLER.
and if his mind turned on subjects of special interest
he could not sleep, and grew feverish and weary.
We watched beside his bed by day and night, and
his eyes would follow us with tenderest looks of love
when he could not converse much ; and everything we
did for him called forth expressions of gratitude. He
took very little waiting on for one so sick, and almost
to the last each little arrangement about his bed and
.person was noticed.
Having long before his sickness made all necessary
arrangements for his business, he made no reference
to any future plans for any of us, saying 1o his daugh
ter Lydia when she asked him "what shall I do, father,
If thee is taken away?" he looked pleasantly into her
eyes a moment and said, "I cannot tell thee, my dear
child, the Lord will take care of thee." His trust in
his Master in these last days, most especially, seemed
so real and literal.
We neglected taking down much that he said dur
ing his early sickness, which is cause of regret, but
during the last two weeks some few notes were taken
of expression just as they were uttered, which we will
here insert :
On waking the morning of the 5th of 12th mo. his
son J. asked him if he rested well. He replied : "Yes :
I am so happy; j_ am so happy," tears of joy trick
ling down his face.
The same morning,Lydia took him his breakfast and
placed the tray before him as he was propped up in
bed. He was silent a moment, then repeated with em
phasis and much feeling the following portion of the

LAST SICKNESS. 1 89
103rd Psalm; "Bless the, Lord, O my soul, and all
that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the
Lord, O my soul, and fotget not all His benefits. Who
forgiveth all thine iniquities ; who healeth alhthy dis
eases ; who redeemeth thy life from destruction ; who
crowneth thee with loving kindness and tender mer
cies ; who satisfieth thy mouth with good things."
Half an hour later, when his son J. sat beside hirh,
he said: "O His wondrous love; such merey ! re
demption through His blood." Then, after a little
pause, (it was very difficult for him to talk connected
ly) he said : ' 'Let my mouth be filled with Thy praise,
— David knew, — he sung of Thy praises."
In the afternoon he said : "It is so good to be saved
through the cleansing blood."
In the evening his daughter H. came into the room,
kissed him, and asked how he was feeling. He look
ed up with a radiant smile and said: "O I am glor
iously well !"
In all these utterances he was melted in tenderness
and tears of joy ; and over and over again, as we bent
above him and kissed his bloodless lips, he would say,
' 'The Lord bless thee and keep thee, my child. " These
fervent benedictions are treasured in the hearts of his
children as a rich and fruitful heritage left to us as he
passed through the Border Land.
Twelfth mo., 8th, we noted this prayer: "Dear
Lord, bless all my dear children and their companions,
all the dear grandchildren in Kansas and around here,
everywhere, watch over and keep them, that they
may know that the mercy of the Lord is from ever-

I9O JOHN BUTLER.
lasting upon them that fear Him, and His righteous
ness unto children's children to such as keep His cov
enant, and to those who remember Hh commandments
to do them, that is the condition of having His right
eousness. "
His daughter L. asked him: "Does thee feel, fath-
er,as though thee was going Home soon?" With an
expression of quiet, happy satisfaction, he replied:
"Yes; it may be to day, or to-morrow, or next day,
in the Lord's time, and that is always the best time
for them that are prepared," then twice repeated these
lines — "It matters not, it matters not
The time, nor way, nor place
In which the Christian traveler
Is gathered home in peace."
Then added: "O the peace, the peace ! It is a won
derful thing to say in truth from the heart and practi
cally test." Then pausing a little, with his eyes raised
as if he saw beyond the veil, he went on, "He knows
all our wants, He hears all our petitions, and answers
all the prayers of the righteous, sometimes not in our
way, but in His own way, which is always the best
way. . . . My love to all the dear little grand
children. I may be here several days. I may not be
here many minutes. I have no choice."
It seemed so little we could do to alleviate his suf
ferings, and, seeing our grief at this, he said : ' 'You
are doing the very best you can for me, and it is a
wonderful comfort to have you all around me now.

LAST SICKNESS. I9I
I would like any of my neighbors who may
call to come in if it is only a minute." I can not talk
much, but it is good to have them around. I have al
ways had so many good neighbors — dear, kind, lov
ing neighbors, and if I am taken, my love to them
all." Almost daily, and sometimes more than once a day,
he prayed for his granddaughter, Hettie Butler, who
had just gone as a missionary to China, and upon
whom he had pronounced his parting blessing, almost
the last thing before taking his bed. He asked the
Lord that her life might be precious in His sight, and
that she might be used in leading many souls from
heathen darkness into His own kingdom.
Twelfth mo., gth. His daughter and granddaugh
ter raised him up to cough, and finding he had not
strength to raise the phlegm, we laid him back on the
pillow, as we thought almost exhausted, but he broke
forth with this song of confidence : "Just and true
are all Thy ways, thou King of Saints , precious Je
sus, precious Jesus ! What could I do without thee ?
Thou hast promised, and thy grace is sufficient for
all things ; yes, for all times, and I am so hapyy in
His gracious love. Bless me, and let me honor thee
as long as I am here, and bless my children !"
Part of a prayer the evening of the 6th, was: "O
Lord, I bless thy name, and want to honor thee ; yes
honor thee, that, amid all the trials, and afflictions
and bereavements, thou hast permitted, in love, to
come upon me, thy righteousness, mercy and keep
ing power have been with me, to support, and

I92 JOHN BUTLER.
strengthen, and keep me, thy poor unworthy servant ;
and I want to honor thee among my neighbors, and
children, and friends, and sing thy praise during the
few remaining days of my pilgrimage."
These are all the expressions we took down, but
the same song of thanksgiving and praise was in his
mouth to the last, even when his mind wandered, as
it sometimes did, he would repeat many chapters from
the Bible, and often verses of hymns that he loved,
and lived over agan the days of enjoyment with loved
friends at his home or in meeting.
The 1 Ith of 1 2th mo. was his last Sabbath on earth.
He seemed very weak, and ate but little, was bright
and conscious, though his voice was mostly in a whis
per. In the afternoon his friend of so many years,
Edward Williams, came, and was taken to his bed
side. Father reached out his hand and grasped that
of his friend's, holding it while he remained, and re
peating several times, "the Lord bless thee and keep
thee." Edward asked him: "Does thou feel that
thy course is almost run ?" He looked sweetly at him
and replied, with much effort: "Yes; and I can say
with the Apostle, I have finished my course, I have
kept the faith ; henceforth there is laid up for me a
crown of righteousness. " Here his strength seemed
to fail, and after a few broken sentences in regard to
his bright prospects, Edward said : ' 'And this is all
that is worth living for." Father replied : "Yes.
all." This was the last connected interview he had on
earth with any one. After this he answered our ques-

LAST SICKNESS. I93
tipns, and offered up short ejaculatory prayers, and
praise. In the evening of this Sabbath we thought we siw
that change come over his dear face that those only
know who watch beside the dying couch of loved
ones. About noon Second day he seemed alarmingly
worse, and the two children who had gone home for
a little while were sent for. He knew us all, and as
he looked from one weeping face to another his calm
look seemed to say, "be comforted." His bodily an
guish was great until near three o'clock, when
he sank back on the pillow, and said audibly, "It will
soon be over." Then, after a little time, his eyes
raised and lighted up as if intently gazing on the
glories beyond. Over and over he repeated these
words : "Blessed view ! blessed view ! blessed view !"
and long after the sound of his dear voice failed to
reach our ears, his lips moved with the same words
inarticulate. This continued until within a few min
utes of four o'clock p. m., when his purified spirit
freed from all sorrow, pain, or care, went triumphant
ly to his enduring rest, to receive the reward of the
righteous, leaving in the hearts of his children and
those who loved him a sense of loss irreparable, min
gled with joy in the blessed assurance that his trials
are ended, and that where he is sorrow and death enter
not, and there at the feet of Him whom so long he
loved to serve, he has met the throng of loved ones
who have for years been gathering there, waiting and
watching for him to come and join in the chorus of

194 JOHN BUTLER.
the redeemed, singing "Blessing, honor and glory and
power be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and
unto the Lamb forever and ever."
The funeral occurred on the 16th of 1 2th mo., '87,
and was an occasion always to be remembered. The
services were had in the Yearly Meeting House at
Damascus, and there was a very large gathering of
relatives, friends and acquaintances. John T. Dor-
land read ist Corinthians xv. 12-58, also Rev. vii.
13-17. Then, after a fervent, heartfelt prayer, took
his text from Rev. xiv. 13 : "Blessed are the dead
who die in the Lord, from henceforth. Yea, saith
the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors ; and
their works do follow them." He preached a power
ful sermon, mostly to the living, setting forth what
it involved to be really in the Lord, and what the
works of such will be, making some allusion to our
beloved father's life and faith. After which we took
the precious remains to Goshen and laid him by the
side of his brother Lawrence, who a little more than
a year before had been laid in the grave and gone to
his reward. Our father's grave is marked by a plain
grey-marble slab, but the monument of his life of love
is in the hearts of those who knew him best.
' 'For rapture of love is linked with the pain or fear
of loss,
And the hand that takes the crown must ache with
many a cross ;
Yet he who hath never a conflict hath never a victor's
palm,

LAST SICKNESS. 195
And only the toilers know the sweetness of rest and
calm." — T. R. Havcrgal.
IN MEMORY,
The autumn leaves had left their native boughs,
And crushed beneath our feet a lifeless mass ;
And on our childhood's home there fell a gloom,
Like heavy shadows, 'cross familiar paths ;
And *"Maple-dell" was desolate indeed; and voices
Hushed and low, sped oh the solemn message,
"He is dead." Yes, he, the loved and honored head
Of this bright home, lies cold and silent
In the strange, mysterious arms of death.
Those sainted lips that ever greeted us
Within these walls with those dear words —
"My child," and at our parting gave his
Richest benediction — "May the dear Lord bless," —
Are now forever silent, and we listen, all in vain,
For his dear footsteps that so often crossed.
This threshhold, bent on missions of compassion
And of love to those around. Those busy,
Loving hands, that more than four score years,
Have wrought the noble will of mind and- heart,
Are folded closely o'er his loyal breast ;
Their work on earth complete, and now take up
The golden harp-strings that around the throne
Continue the sweet song began on earth.
We mournn with broken hearts the broken home ;
And yet there comes through all this desolation
Such a sweet sense of his enduring rest

I96 JOHN BUTLER.
In the abodes^where friends and family
Have been gathering through all these years,
And, best of all, where Jesus, who so precious
In the moments of his anguish, filled
His soul with rapturous visions of Himself,
When, at last, his weeping children came
About that couch — " 'Twill soon be over,"
And with upturned eyes as if he pierced
The veil between this world and Heaven,
Oft his dear lips repeated "Blessed view!"
And when his last breath came and went
There seemed a conscious sense of angel presence,
That carried our beloved to the realms above,
And left our hearts and hands so empty
Of so much of love and joy that for long years
Had made our lives a benediction ;
But we bow before the dispensation of the Lord,
And echo back the preacher's words that tell
So much of life beyond. Blessed are the dead
Who die in Him, the giver of their life.

.Home of John Butler.

|l|ilMii5^P«ii?^77-

JMoiic-e to ^ntt?e>r<s.
Tpe undersigned mal?e a specialty of
of manufacuuring books for Authors. T^is
gives t[je authors all tlje profits tljere may
be in it, instead of tl?e mere pittance of a
royalty. Authors will do well to communi
cate with us.
WM, G. HUBBARD & DO.,
Author's Publishers,
COLUMBUS, OHIO.

Jw

iVe good oi^es.

PRICE
" THE WORST FOE, "  By Strong. $ 1 50
" OUT OP THE TOILS, "  By Speab. 1 25
"GLYMPSES OF FIFTY YEARS," 
 By Francis Willard. 2 75
"CONFLICT OF MAN WITH ALCOHOL,"
 Bv Senator Blair. 3 00
" HELL'S ARMORY, "  By H. Edmister. 1 00
Are five of the best temperance books to be had in
the country. Agents handling them are making
big wages. Temperance is coming to the front.
We want agents everywhere.
Wm. (5. liutataarcl &^ Co.,
BDDK PUBLISHERS, COLUMBUS, OHIO.

¦lill