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No. 73.
A SKETCH

OF THE

LIFE AND CIJARAOTEB

01

i!

William Penn.

.4

PHILADELPHIA:
PUBLISHED BT THE TEACT ASSOCIATION OF FEIENDS
No. 304 Aech Stheet.
1885.

Fo. 73.

A SKETCH Mi

LIFE AND CHARACTER

"William Penk

PHILADELPHIA:
PUBLISHED BT TTTTC TRACT ASSOCIATION OE FRIEND'
NO. 304 ARCH KTBKiiT.
1885.

LIFE AND CHARACTER
OF
WILLIAM PENN.

William Penn was born in London, in 1644. He was the
son of Sir William Penn, an admiral in the British navy.
Of his early life but few particulars are recorded. When
quite young he was placed at school in the country, where,
before he was twelve years of age, his mind was the subject of
religious impressions ; although at the time he was ignorant of
their source, he was afterwards made sensible that it was the
Lord's Holy Spirit that had thus early visited him.
After attaining his twelfth year, he returned to London,
where he prosecuted his studies, under the direction of a private
tutor, for about three years. During this period his mind was
often drawn into seriousness ; and although his quick and lively
disposition, and the many temptations to which he was exposed,
sometimes led him astray, yet he was mercifully preserved from
many of the snares into which the young and inexperienced
too often fall.
When about fifteen years old, he was sent to Oxford to com
plete his education. Here he pursued his studies with great
diligence and success ; but his tender mind was much shocked
at the dissipation and wickedness which prevailed among the
students, and by obedience to the secret checks and limitations
of the Holy Spirit, he was preserved from participating in the
gross corruptions around him.
Soon after he entered college, he attended a religious meet
ing appointed by Thomas Loe, who had once been a student at

4 LIFE AND CHARACTER OF WILLIAM PENN.
Oxford, but who was then a minister among the people called
Quakers. Under the living and powerful ministry of this
Friend, William Penn's spiritual condition was effectually
reached: the witness for God in his own heart owning and an
swering the testimony. The impressions which had been early
made being thus renewed and strengthened, fresh desires after
holiness were begotten in his soul. In this seeking frame of
mind, he was led to perceive the emptiness and formality which
prevailed among the professors of religion ; and finding some
of his fellow students of similar views, they withdrew from
the established worship of the University, and held religious
meetings among themselves. This greatly offended the heads
of the University, who fined them for non-conformity. Wilham
Penn, however, believing his principles and practices were
founded in truth, and essential to his peace of mind, could not
abandon them ; and as his determination was unalterable, he
was finally expelled from the college.
He then returned home, where the gravity of his deport
ment, and correct conduct, indicated that the good work so
early begun in him, was gradually going forward. He re
frained from associating with the fashionable world, or ming
ling in its vain amusements, but took great delight in the
company of the most grave and sober persons. His father,
who had great influence at court, and ambitious prospects for
his son, viewed this conduct with great disapprobation. He
saw, that if persisted in, his fondest hopes must be blighted,
and therefore endeavored by argument and entreaty, to induce
his son to abandon his self-denying life, and enter upon the
brilliant career which was now open before him.
William Penn's thirst, however, was not for earthly glory,
but heavenly ; " he chose rather to suffer affliction with the
people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season ;"
and though it grieved him to disobey his earthly parent, he
felt that it would be far worse to resist the will of his Father
in heaven. The admiral, finding all his entreaties unavailing,
at length resorted to blows, with no better success, and finally

LIFE AND CHARACTER OF WILLIAM PENN. 5
expelled WiUiam from the house. He did not long remain in
exile. Soon after his return home, his father concluded that
he should visit France, in the hope that intercourse with gay
and fashionable society would weaken and wear off his religious
convictions. WiUiam Penn accordingly accompanied some
persons of quality to Paris, where he resided a considerable
time ; and although his father's purpose was not entirely ac
complished, yet his residence there was certainly marked by
a greater advancement in fashionable accomplishments than in
religious stability.
After leaving Paris, he resided for some time at Saumur,
where he resumed his studies, and acquired an accurate knowl
edge of the French language. In 1664 he returned to Eng
land, after an absence of about two years. He was received
with great pleasure, for his polished and courtly bearing led
his father to anticipate the speedy realization of his hopes.
And rarely indeed have a father's hopes been placed upon a
more promising son ; for at this time, beside many rich and
powerful friends, he possessed a manly form, blooming with
health, a hvely and active disposition, a ready wit, and talents
imprQved by great literary and scientific attainments. The
admiral, however, soon perceived that his ambitious prospects
for his son were to be disappointed. The Lord had better
things in store for him, even the things that accompany salva
tion ; and soon after his return from the continent, the visita
tions of the Holy Spirit to his soul were renewed, the glories
of this world were stained in his view, and all its pleasant pic
tures spoUed. In referring to "this period of his life, he says :
" Now was aU the glory of this world as a bubble ; yea nothing
was dear to me that I might win Christ ; for the love, pleasure,
and friendship of this world were a burden to my soul. In this
seeking state, I was directed to the testimony of Jesus in my
own conscience, as the true shining light, given me to discern
the thoughts and intents of my own heart. And no sooner
was I turned unto it but I found it to be that which from my
fihildhand had visited ttia. tbmicrh I distinctly knew it not."

6 LIFE AND CHARACTER OF WILLIAM PENN.
Returning from some naval service in which he had been
engaged, the admiral found his son whoUy divested of that
gaiety of manners which he had contracted in France ; and the
prospect of his becoming a man of the world, fitted to shine
among courtiers and statesmen; was more distant than ever.
His father, to try the effect of employment, sent him to Ireland
to take charge of his estate in the neighborhood of Cork. Pre
viously to 1666, Wuliam Penn appears to have had little, if
any, intercourse with the Society of Friends ; but in the course
of this year, being in Cork, and hearing that Thomas Loe was
t» be at a meeting there, he resolved to attend it. Thomas be
gan his testimony with these words, " There is a faith which
overcomes the world, and there is a faith which is overcome by
the world." On this' text he enlarged with great power and
effect. William Penn's heart was well prepared to receive the
word preached. He was fully convinced, and from this time
became a diligent attender of the meetings of Friends, and one
with them in religious profession.
In 1667, while attending a reUgious meeting in Cork, he
with others, was arrested and taken before the mayor, who
would have released him, on his giving security for his good
behavior ; this he refused to do, and was, in consequence,
committed to prison with his companions. He remained there,
however, but a short time, being released at the instance of the
Earl of Orrery. This imprisonment made WiUiam Penn's
religious profession extensively known, and exposed him to
much derision ; few persons being able to appreciate the mo
tives which could induce a young man of twenty-three, the
only son of a Vice-Admiral of England, to rehnquish his
brilliant prospects of worldly preferment, to become a humble
disciple of a meek and crucified Saviour. Information of the
course his son was pursuing soon reached the' admiral, who im
mediately recalled him from Ireland. The interview which
took place on his return was very affecting. His father en
deavored by persuasion to induce him to abandon the style oi
speaking and acting which he had now adopted, and comply

LIFE AND CHARACTER OF WILLIAM PENN. 7
with the prevailing customs, and manners of the world ; threat
ening to disinherit him; unless -he yielded to his wishes. The
son, on the other hand, convinced that his duty to God forbade
a compliance, entreated that he might not be urged to violate
his conscience.; -Tlie -admiral, perceiving that it was in vain to
expect to change the general behavior of his son, attempted to
compromise the matter, and offered to tolerate his un courtly
bearing, provided he would promise to appear bare-headed in
the presence of the king, the Duke of York, and himself.
Wilham Penn, believing this was a token of reverence due
only to the Supreme Being, felt it his duty, humbly, but firmly,
to decline any compromise. At this the admiral became so
irritated, that he once more expelled him from the paternal
roof. The conduct of the son was marked, however, by such
humility and resignation, that it won . upon the natural affec
tion of his. father, who soon after received him again into his
house. In referring some years later, in one of his works, to the
rigor with which the pride of man exacts the vain compliments
and ceremonies of the world, he mentions the following anec
dote : " In France I was myself once set upon about eleven
o'clock at night, as I was walking to my lodgings, by a person
who waylaid me with his naked sword in his hand and de
manded satisfaction of me for taking no notice of him, at a
time when he civilly saluted me with his hat, though the truth
was I saw him not when he did it. Suppose he had khled me,
for he made several passes at me, or that I, in my defence, had
killed him, when I disarmed him ; I ask any man of under
standing or conscience, if the whole round of ceremony were
worth the Ufe of a man, considering the dignity of his nature,
and the importance of his life, with respect to God, his Creator,
himself, and the benefit of civil society ?"
In 1668, when WiUiam Penn was about twenty-four years
old, it pleased the Lord to call him into the work ofthe gospel
ministry. As a messenger of the glad tidings of life and sal
vation, he afterward travelled extensively, and his labors were

8 LIFE AND CHARACTER OF WILLIAM PENN.
blessed to many ; for " according to the grace given him," he
taught with that baptizing power which alone can render
Christian teaching effectual, sad which is promised by the
Holy Head of the Church to aU his true ministers.*
In the exercise of his gift he had a, godly care to minister
only " as of the ability which God giveth," 1 Peter, iv. 11, and
having endured much " hardness as a good soldier of Jesus
Christ," he was weU fitted, in that day of persecution and trial,
to remember those who were " in bonds as bound with them,"
and to speak a word in season to him that was weary. To the
sincere seeker after truth he was a wise instructor, and to young
ministers as a father in Christ : so laboring, in the renewed
openings of the word of life as to draw the people off "from
aU their hireling teachers, to 'Christ their free teacher, who
died for them and purchased them with his blood."
The fohowing short extracts are from a letter of kind and
faithful counsel, written to a young woman who loved and fol
lowed the vain customs and fashions of the world. They
evince the exercise of his mind that she might be wise in time,
and remember " that the friendship of the world is enmity
with God.".
He commences, " It was a true word spoken by Jesus Christ,
to undeceive the careless wanton Jews, among whom He mani
fested his glorious truth, through that body prepared of God
for that,. very en<l, that the way which leads to everlasting life
and peace is straight and narrow." He continues, " I beg thee
a* thou wouldst be saved from that unspeakable anguish which
is reserved for worldUngs, and from whence there is no redemp
tion, to keep thyself from those vanities, follies, and poUutions,
which unavoidably bring that miserable state. Alas ! how un
suitable is thy Ufe and practice, with those holy women of old,

*"Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the
name ofthe Father, and ofthe Son, and ofthe Holy Ghost; teaching
them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and
lo! I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." Matt.
xxviii. 19, 20.

LIFE AND CHARACTER OF WILLIAM PENN. 9
whose time was mostly spent in heavenly retirements, out of
that rattle, noise, and conversation thou art in." The letter is
thus concluded : '' In short, my friend, be advised to be serious,
and to ponder that which belongs to thy eternal peace. Re
tire from the noise and clatter of tempting visibles, to the be
holding Him who is invisible, that He may reign in thy soul,
God over aU, exalted and blessed for ever."
In this year he appeared as an author in his first printed
work, entitled, " Truth Exalted," a valuable treatise, designed
to show forth to the professors of religion the spirituality of the
Gospel. He invites them to come unto Christ Jesus the true
light, that enUghteneth every man that cometh into the world,
that obeying Him they might no longer walk in darkness, but
have the light of life, and experience his precious blood to
cleanse from aU sin. About this time he visited Thomas Loe,
then on the eve of his departure from a world in which he had
labored faithfully to extend the Messiah's peaceful reign. Dur
ing this interview, addressing Wilham Penn, he said, " Bear
thy cross, and stand faithful to God ; then He will give thee
an everlasting crown of glory that shall not be taken from thee.
There is no other way which shall prosper, than that which the
holy men of old walked in. God hath brought immortaUty to
light, and Ufe immortal is felt ; this love overcomes my heart.
Glory be to his name, for evermore."
In the same year, WiUiam Penn was imprisoned on account
of one of his publications, which had given offence to some of
the clergy, particularly the Bishop of London. He was
treated with great severity, the bishop having declared that
unless he pubUcly recanted his opinions, he should die in prison.
But WiUiam Penn could not be shaken by such a menace.
He boldly repUed, that his prison should be his grave, before
he would retract his opinions, for he owed his conscience to no
mortal man. That great and good things were not attained
without loss and hardship. That he would weary out the
malice of his persecutors by patience, the never-failing com
panion of those who suffer for Christ's sake. That those who

10 LIFE AND CHARACTER OF WILLIAM PENN.
would reap without laDor must perish hTdisappointment ¦ but
he reposed on the assurance that a hair of his head would not
faU without his Heavenly Father's notice.
After a rigorous confinemenD of some months, he was re
leased, by command of the king, who interposed his authority
at the solicitation of the Duke of York, an intimate friend of
Admiral Penn.
During his imprisonment he employed himself in writing
" No Cross, No Crown," one of the most valuable of his works.
It is adapted to aU times and all situations in life, setting forth
in the most forcible manner, this great truth, that there can be
no wearing the crown, without first bearing the cross.
In 1669, he Went again into Ireland to take charge of his
father's estate ; and during his residelice there, was very use
ful in encouraging his suffering brethren, many of whom were
at that time in prison for conscience' sake. He appeared be
fore those in authority on their behalf, and at last had the
satisfaction of obtaining an order for their release. During
this period he published several tracts. .Among these was " A
Letter to the Young Convinced," to encourage them to attend
closely to the teachings of the blessed spimt of Christ, by which
they had been awakened, and which if faithfiiUy followed,
would enable them to make their calling and election sure,
In 1670, having accomplished his father's business, and rendered
a number of signal services to his friends in Ireland, he returned
home. The admiral, by this time, had become fuUy reconciled
to him, and opposed neither his reUgious principles nor his de
meanor. In the summer of this year, Wilham Penn was again
imprisoned. He was committed to NeWgate by the Mayor of
London, for preaching to a meeting" of Friends held in Grace-
church street, near their meeting-house, from which they had
been forcibly excluded. For this alleged offence, he, together
with William Mead, was soon after tried. This trial was a
total mockery of justice, and shows into what lawless proceed
ings passion and prejudice may lead those who are set " for the

LIFE AND CHARACTER OF WILLIAM PENN. 11
punishment of evil-doers, and for the praise of them that do
well" They were charged with being present at, and preaching to,
a riotous and seditious assembly. The evidence in the case was
of the weakest character, and the recorder charged the jury in
the absence of the prisoners, and urged their conviction. The
jury brought in a verdict, that WUUam Penn was guilty of
speaking in Gracious street. This highly exasperated the re
corder, who sent them out of court, with directions to bring in
a verdict of guUty of speaking to a riotous assembly. The
jury returned into court four times with the same verdict, and
then after having been kept for two days and two nights with
out fire or food, brought hi a verdict, in both cases, of " not
guilty." For this the recorder fined the jurymen forty marks
each, and on their refusing to pay, committed them to prison,
whither WiUiam Penn and WiUiam Mead were also sent, not
withstanding the verdict of acquittal entitled them to their
liberty. While the trial was in progress, the prisoners, when
brought into court, were shamefully treated. Against this
abuse, and all the illegal proceedings of the bench, WiUiam
Penn protested at the time, els he did afterwards more fiiUy in
his published account. He and his companion, it appears,
were remanded to prison for. the non-payment of the arbitrary
fine imposed on them by the court ; but they were both soon
afterwards released, the fine- having been paid by the admiral,
against the advice of his son.
This celebrated trial was productive of important and bene
ficial results to the .people of England. It awakened public
attention to the arbitrary and oppressive proceedings of the
courts, in which, under the pretended-sanction of law, the most
flagrant violations of justice were often practised with impunity.
One of the immediate consequences, was the recognition of the
freedom and rights of juries, which were estabUshed by a sol
emn judicial decision.
A few days after his release from prison, William Penn met
with a fresh trial in the death of his father. The feeUngs of

12 LIFE AND CHARACTER OF WILLIAM PENN.
the latter had undergone a great change in the last years ofhis*
life. He no longer had the same relish for the fading honors
of the world, that had formerly distinguished him, and he
could now appreciate the conduct of his son. Addressing him
a few days before his death, he said : " Son William— I am
weary of the world ! I would not live over my days again if
I could command them with a wish ; for the snares of life are
greater than the fears of death. This troubles me, that I have
offended a gracious God. The thought of this has followed me
to this day. Oh! have a care of sin! It is that which is the
sting both of life and death. Let nothing in this world tempt
¦you to wrong your conscience. I charge you, do nothing
against your conscience ; so wUl you keep peace at home,
which wUl be a feast to you in a day of trouble." At another
time he said to him : " Son William, if you and your friends
•keep to your plain way of preaching, and keep to your plain
way of living, you will make an end of the priests to the end
of the world."
Near the close of this year, William Penn was imprisoned
for preaching the gospel in a meeting of Friends in Wheeler
street. He was confined in Newgate for about six months, dur
ing which time he was engaged in writing a tract on " Civil
Liberty," and some other treatises for the promotion of justice
and righteousness in the earth.
After his release he travelled in Holland and Germany ; but
no particulars of this religious service have been preserved.
In. 1672, he married Gulielma Maria Springett, daughter of
Sir William Springett. She was a pious young woman, of
amiable manners and highly accomplished: After his mar
riage he settled in Hertfordshire. He soon, however, found
himself called abroad in the work of the ministry, on which
account he travelled through Sussex and Surrey. His labors
on this journey were to general edification, contributing to
strengthen the hands of Friends and silence opposers.
The Society of Friends had now much increased, and many
were daily added to it from the different religious societies by

LIFE AND CHARACTER OF WILLIAM PENN. 13
which it was surrounded. This awakened opposition, and many
abusive books were written, condemning and misrepresenting
the principles of the Society. During this and the following
year, WiUiam Penn was much engaged in answering and re
futing these, and showing that the doctrines of Friends, being
those promulgated by Christ and his apostles, were primitive
Christianity revived. He also wrote some excellent epistles to
Friends who were under suffering in Holland and Germany,
exhorting them "to continue in the faith, and testifying that
we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of
God." He also sent a letter to Friends in Maryland, showing
the Christian and scriptural character of their testimony against
oaths, by the support of which, they were then subjected to diffi
culties, by Lord Baltimore. He afterwards published a trea
tise on the same subject. In 1674, he also wrote a remon
strance to the senate and council of the city of Embden, the
Friends of which place had suffered great hardship by banish
ment, fines, and imprisonment. In this he says, '' Have the
senate and counsel of Embden, more Christian authority than
the chosen witnesses of our Saviour? If calling fire from
heaven, was judged by Him, who was wiser than Solomon, to
be an improper means of converting opposers formerly, it
shows little modesty in the authorities of this day, to kindle a
fire on earth to destroy them now. Conscience is God's throne
in man, and the power of it is his prerogative. The day will
come, when one act of tenderness in matters of conscience,
shaU find a better reward than all the severity by which men
attempt to propagate their persuasions in the world ; for one
flows from the Saviour, the other from the destroyer of men."
Near the close of 1675, Matthew Hyde, a conspicuous op-
poser of Friends, and who had denied the Christian doctrine
of the universality and efficacy of Divine grace, was taken
dangerously ill. On his death-bed, he sent for a few Friends,"
and in the presence of his wife, expressed to them his sincere
repentance, and desire to be forgiven by God. This circum
stance gave occasion to William Penn to publish a tract called
2

14 LIFE AND CHARACTER OF WILLIAM PENN.
"Saul smitten to the ground," in which he gave a narrative of
the case, accompanied with some earnest exhortations to trust
in that Divine power, which had wrought conviction in this
opposer. In 1676, William Penn became concerned as trustee in the
management and settlement of West Jersey. As most of his
associates were Friends, the province was settled in accordance
with their mild and pacific principles, without bloodshed, or
any serious difficulty with the aboriginal inhabitants.
In this year he wrote an interesting letter to two women of
high rank in Germany, one of whom was the Princess EHza
beth, daughter of Frederick V., Prince Palatine of the Rhine
and King of Bohemia, and grand-daughter of James I. of
England. The other was Anna Maria, Countess of Homes,
the friend and companion of EUzabeth. They were serious
persons, and had some knowledge of Friends, having been pre
viously visited by Robert Barclay and Benjamin Furly. In
his letter, Wilham Penn manifests a deep concern for their re-
Ugious advancement, and sympathizes with them in the diffi
culties to which their station in society necessarily exposed
them. He thus concludes his appeal: "Let not his (Christ's)
vinegar and gall be unpleasant, nor his crown of thorns trou
blesome : last of all, let not his nails and spear be terrible to
you. For they that will not forsake Him in his agonies, but
be the companions of his tribulations, and cheerfuUy lay down
their life and die with Him to the world ; they, and none else
shall rise with Him in the newness of Ufe, and ascend with
Him to his Father, by Him to be glorified with that glory,
which He had with his Father before the world began. Unto
which kingdom, God Almighty conduct you, through this
earthly pilgrimage. Amen."
In 1677 he paid another reUgious visit in Holland and Ger
many, of which he has left an instructive and particular ac
count. He sailed from England in the Fifth Month, in- com
pany with George Fox, Robert Barclay, and some other
Friends, and after a short passage, arrived safely at Rotter-

LIFE AND CHARACTER OF WILLIAM PENN. 15
dam. Here they held a meeting, at which many of the prin
cipal inhabitants were present. In referring to it, he says,
"The gospel was preached, the dead [in trespasses and sins]
were raised, and the Uving comforted." They then proceeded
to ^Leyden and Harlaem, and from thence to Amsterdam,
where they 'had a comfortable and refreshing meeting. At
this place, WiUiam Penn wrote a letter to the King of Poland,
on behalf of the Friends of Dantzic, who were then suffering
bitter persecution on account of their rehgion. Robert Bar
clay, Greorge Keith, Benjamin Furly, and Wilham Penn, soon
afterwards set forward towards Herford, where the Princess
EUzabeth held her court. They were received by her and the
countess with great kindness, and held several meetings at the
palace. Of the first, he says, " The Eternal Word showed it
self like a hammer this day, yea, sharper than a two-edged
sword, dividing asunder between the soul and the spirit, the
joints and the marrow." " WeU, let my right hand forget its
cunning, and my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, when
I shaU forget the loving-kindness of the Lord, and the sure
mercies of our God, to us his travelling servants that day. O
Lord, send forth thy light and thy truth, that all nations may
behold thy glory." The next day they again visited the prin
cess, when WiUiam Penn, animated by the constraining love of
Christ, which knows no respect of persons, held a meeting
among the servants of her household. He remarks, "The
same blessed power that had appeared to visit them of high,
appeared also to visit them of low degree, and we were all
sweetly tendered and broken together, for virtue went forth of
Jesus that day, and the life of our God was shed abroad
amongst us as a sweet savor, for which their souls bowed before
the Lord and confessed to our testimony."
At the request of the princess and countess, he related the
manner of his early convincement, and told them ofthe many
trials and consolations through which the Lord had led him
on his way towards the kingdom of everlasting holiness and
peace. They heard him with deep interest, and were much

16 LIFE AND CHARACTER OF WILLIAM PENN.
affected during the recital, and he expresses the hope and ber
lief that the Lord had made it profitable to them.
The next day a pubUc meeting was held, when many of the
people of the town were present. Of this opportunity he says,
"The word that never faileth them that wait for it, and abide
in it, opened the way and unsealed the book of Ufe, yea, the
quickening power and Ufe of Jesus wrought and reached to
them ; and virtue from Him in whom dweUeth the Godhead
bodily, went forth and blessedly distilled upon us his own
heavenly life, sweeter than the spices with pure frankincense,
yea, than the sweet-smelling myrrh that cometh from a far
country. Blessed be the name of the Lord, and confided in
be our God for ever!"
In this meeting the princess was deeply affected, and at its
close, she took WiUiam Penn by the hand, and was about to
speak of the sense she had of the power and presence of God
that was amongst them, when her emotion stopped her. Turn
ing to the window and placing her hand upon her breast, she
exclaimed — " I cannot speak to you — my heart is full." After
a time of sUence, she recovered herself and said, " WiU you
not come hither again 1" " I told her," WiUiam Penn says,
" we were in the hand of the Lord ; and being his, could not
dispose of ourselves; but the Lord had taken care that we
should not forget her and those with her ; for He had raised
and begotten an heavenly concernment in our souls for her and
them, and we loved them aU with that love wherewith God had
loved us."
In taking leave of the members of this interesting femUy,
the witness for God in several of whose hearts had been eflfec-
tuaUy reached, he recommended to them " holy silence from aU
wUl-worship, and the workings, strivings, and images of their
own mind and spirit ; that the power of Jesus might he felt in
their hearts, and his holy teachings witnessed and foUowed in
the way of his blessed cross, which would crucify them unto
the world, and the world unto them."
The next morning, Robert Barclay returning to Amsterdam,

LIFE AND CHARACTER OF WILLIAM PENN. 17
WiUiam Penn and his companions pursued their journey to
Frankfort. It was his practice to seek out the serious persons,
in the various places through which he passed, with many of
whom he had refreshing rehgious meetings.
At Frankfort he wrote a general epistle to Friends through
out the world, which is an earnest exhortation to faithfulness,
and obedience to the manifestations of the Holy Spirit. After
referring to the mercy and loving-kindness of the Lord to them,
he says, " Therefore let us continually watch and stand in awe
that we grieve not his Holy Spirit, nor turn his grace into
wantonness ; but let all of us wait in a holy travail of spirit to
know ourselves sealed by the spirit of adoption, unto the day
of our complete redemption ; when not only aU our sins, but
all sorrows, sighings, and tears shall be wiped away from our
eyes; and everlasting songs of joy and thanksgivings shall
melodiously fill our hearts to God, who sits upon the throne,
and to his blessed immaculate Lamb, who by his most precious
blood shall have completely redeemed us from the earth, and
written our names in the book of life."
At Krisheim he wrote a letter to the Princess EUzabeth and
the Countess of Homes, in which he urges them to yield them
selves unreservedly into the Divine hand, and not shrink from
trials. " Love," he says, " the fire ; start not aside, neither
flinch from the scorching of it, for it wiU purify and refine you
as gold seven times tried ; then cometh the stamp and seal of
the Lord upon his own vessel, ' holiness' to Him forever ; which
He never gave, nor wiU give to reprobate silver, the state of
the rehgious worshippers of the world. And herein be com
forted, that Zion shah be redeemed through judgment, and all
her converts through righteousness; and after the appointed
time for mourning is over, the Lord will give ' beauty for ashes,
the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the
spirit of heaviness.' "
From Manheim he addressed the Prince Palatine of Heidel-
burg, acknowledging his wisdom in granting rehgious toleration
in his dominions, and at the same time warning him to think
*

18 LIFE AND CHARACTER OF WILLIAM PENN.
of his latter end, and by the light of Christ in his conscience
examine how it was with his soul.
Having heard of a very serious young woman, the Countess
of Falkenstein and Brack, who Uved at her father's castle,
near Mulheim, William Penn and his companions wished to
visit her. But this could not be eastty accomplished, as she
was strictly guarded, by direction of her father, the graef, who
having no sympathy with her in rehgious feeling, was unwil
ling that she should receive any encouragement from others.
The graef met WiUiam Penn and his friends as they were
entering the town, and being offended at them for not uncov
ering their heads in his presence, commanded his soldiers to
expel them from his territories. They were compeUed that
night to lodge in the open air. At Drysburg, "WiUiam Penn
says : " It came upon me with a sweet fervent power to visit
the Countess of Falkenstein, with a salutation from the love
and life of Jesus, and to open unto her more plainly the way
of the Lord." It thus begins : " Jesus the immaculate Lamb
of God, grieved and crucified by aU the workers of iniquity,
iUuminate thy understanding, bless and be with thy spirit
for ever ! Though unknown, yet art thou much beloved, for
the sake of thy desires and breathings after the living God."
After encouraging her under her trials by the assurance that
from childhood he had himself been a seeker after the Lord,
and a great sufferer for his cause, from parents, kindred, com
panions, and magistrates ; he continues : " Know certainly, that
which hath discovered unto thee the vanities of this world, the
emptiness and the fading of aU earthly glory, the blessedness of
the righteous, and the joy of the world that is to come, is the
Ught of Christ Jesus, wherewith He hath enlightened thy soul ;
'for in Him was life, and that life is the Ught of men.'"
Having given much exeeUent counsel, he concludes his letter
by recommending her "to trust in the Lord for ever ; and the
God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob ; the God of the prophets,
and ofthe apostles; the God of all the holy "martyrs of Jesus,
Uluminate, fortify, and preserve thee steadfast, that in the end

LIFE AND CHARACTER OF WILLIAM PENN. 19
thou mayest receive the reward of Ufe and eternal salvation :
to whom be glory, and to the Lamb that sits upon the throne,
one God and one Lord, blessed and magnified for ever and
ever, Amen !"
This message of gospel love was shortly after acknowledged
by the countess, who expressed much sorrow, that any who
came in the love of God to visit her, should suffer as some had
already suffered from the rage and cruelty of her father.
WiUiam Penn also wrote to the graef a letter, which con
cludes thus : " Repent, I exhort thee, and consider thy latter
end, for thy days are not like to be many in this world ; there
fore mind the things that make for thy eternal peace, lest dis
tress come upon thee as an armed man, and there be none to
dehver thee !"
In his travels he met with many persons, variously circum
stanced in life, whose hearts the Lord had evidently touched,
as with a Uve coal from his holy altar, and who in different
degrees had given up to follow the leadings of his Holy Spirit.
To all such the visit of WiUiam Penn was acceptable, while
to many it was signaUy blessed. The Hmits of this tract will
not admit of even a reference to many of the labors in which
he was engaged, both personaUy and by letter. He was the
means of spreading a more accurate knowledge of the prin
ciples he professed, which had been much misunderstood and
misrepresented. Several of those whom he visited are known
to have retained a lasting regard for him. The Princess
Elizabeth corresponded with him, and continued to manifest
tiU her death, which occurred in 1679, a sincere regard for
rehgion, and love for its true messengers.
From this journey he returned in the latter part of sum
mer, having been absent from home about three months.
Soon after, he published an epistle of tender counsel and
adviee " to aU those who are sensible of their day of visita
tion," in which he says : " Let him (the Saviour) no longer
lie as in the manger, nor at your doors, but rather give Him
your hearts, and let Him reign over you as a king ; for He has

20 LIFE AND CHARACTER OF WILLIAM PENN.
bought you with nis own precious blood, and is therefore
worthy that we should serve and honor Him, and He reign
over us. That He may be our king and lawgiver, who gave
his own life for us that we should not perish but have ever
lasting life in Him. He has laid down his Ufe for you, and
can you not lay down your sins for his sake ; yea, for your
own sakes ? Consider that He descended from the glory of
his Father to bring you to glory; and can you not depart
from the withering glory of this world that you may inherit
his glory which is everlasting ?"
In 1678, '79, and '80, he was much engaged in applications
for the rehef of his persecuted brethren, and in defending
the Society from the slanders of its enemies.
In 1681, Friends of Bristol were persecuted with great
rigor, and nearly all the men and women crowded into noisome
prisons ; yet it is worthy of remark, that their religious meet
ings were still, maintained by the children, who, undeterred
by the sufferings of their parents, regularly assembled for
divine worship. At this time, WiUiam Penn addressed them
a letter, exhorting them to constancy amid their deep trials.
"In the same year he obtained from King Charles IL, a
charter for the province of Pennsylvania. This, it is sup
posed, was granted to him in Ueu of a sum of money which
had long been due to his father. The motive which induced
him to sohcit it, was no doubt mainly to procure an asylum
for his brethren in religious fellowship, who from the time of
their being first gathered as a people, had been persecuted,.
wherever they appeared in Europe. But his philanthropy
was not limited to them ; for he intended to extend the bene
fits of the province to all who wished peaceably to enjoy civU
and rehgious liberty. His design from the first, was to estab
lish a government upon Christian principles, the charter ob
tained vesting in him considerable power for the formation of
the laws. In referring to this subject, he says : "And because
I have been somewhat exercised at times, about the nature
and end of government among men, it is reasonable to expect

LIFE AND CHARACTER OF WILLIAM PENN. 21
that I should endeavor to establish a just and righteous onG
in this province, that others may take example by it — truly
this my heart desires. For nations want a precedent, and till
vice and corrupt manners be impartiaUy rebuked and pun
ished, and tiU virtue and sobriety be cherished, the wrath of
God will hang over nations. I do therefore desire the Lord's
wisdom to guide me, and those that may be concerned with
me, that we may do the thing that is truly wise and just."
The name Pennsylvania was given to the province by the
king, in honor of Admiral Penn, and against the expressed
wish and remonstrance of the proprietor.
After he had prepared an account of the country assigned
to him, and of the terms on which it was to be settled, he
added the foUowing advice to persons intending to emigrate.
It exhibits a strong contrast to the selfish policy usually mani
fested by persons having a new country to settle, and shows
the purity of his purpose in a conspicuous Ught.
"I wish my dear country-folks to consider seriously the
premises ; as well the inconveniency, as future ease and plenty ;
that so none may move rashly, or from a fickle, but from a
sohd mind ; having, above aU things, an eye to the providence
of God, in the disposing of themselves ; and would further
advise aU such, at least to have the permission, if not the
good-Uking of their near relations ; for that is both natural
and a duty incumbent upon aU. And by this wUl natural
affections he preserved, and a friendly and profitable corres
pondence between them; in all which I beseech Almighty
God to direct us, that his blessing may attend our honest en
deavors ; and then the consequence of aU our undertakings
wiU turn to the glory of his great name, and aU true happi
ness to us and our posterity."
Although he had obtained a royal grai. t to Pennsylvania,
he did not consider that this alone entitled him to possess it.
He knew that the original proprietors of the soil had never
forfeited their rights, and therefore, from the first, determined
to purchase the land from its real owners, the Indians. Ac-

22 LIFE AND CHARACTER OF WILLIAM PENN.
cordingly, with the first settlers, who saUed in 1681, he sent
out commissioners, who were to treat with them for an honest
transfer of their claims. By these commissioners, he sent a
letter to the aborigines, acquainting them with his intentions,
and of his desire to maintain a just, peaceable, and mutually
advantageous intercourse with them. It commences thus:
" There is a Great God and power that hath made the world
and all things therein, to whom you, and I, and all people,
owe their being and well being; and to whom you and I
must one day give an account for all that we do in the world.
This Great God hath written his law in our hearts, by which
we are taught and commanded to love and help, and do good
to one another, and not to do harm and mischief one unto
-another. Now this Great God hath been pleased to make
me concerned in your part of the world, and the king of the
country where I Uve hath given me a great province therein ;
but I desire to enjoy it with your love and consent, that we
may always Uve together as neighbors and friends."
In his conditions with the settlers, he had some exceUent
provisions to guard against the gross frauds which had been
so much practised upon the unsuspecting Indians by white
traders. He stipulated that whatever was given to the na
tives in exchange for their furs, should be exposed to pubhc
view, and subjected to the proper test ; that goods of inferior
quality should not be passed upon them under a deceptive
character, and no injury or provocation be offered to them.
In 1682, WiUiam Penn embarked for America. During
his preparations for the voyage, he experienced a deep trial
in the loss of his mother, who had often befriended him, when
his father's displeasure had driven him from home. His
constant desire, that all his movements might tend to the
glory of God, is shown in the spirit which breathes through
the foUowing letter, written to Stephen Crisp, on the eve of
his departure from England.
" Dear S. C— My dear and lasting love in the Lord's

LIFE AND CHARACTER OF WILLIAM PENN. 23
everlasting Truth reaches to thee, with whom is my fellowship
in the gospel of peace, that is more dear and precious to my
soul than all the treasures and pleasures of this world ; for
when a few years are passed, we shaU aU go the way whence
we shall never return : and that we may unweariedly serve
the Lord in our day and place, and in the end enjoy a portion
with the blessed that are at rest, is the breathing of my soul !
" Stephen ! We know one another, and I need not say much
to thee ; but this I will say, thy parting dwells with me, or
rather thy love at my parting. How innocent, how tender,
how like the little child that has no guile ! The Lord will
bless that ground. I have also a letter from thee which com
forted me ; for many are my trials, yet not more than my
supplies from my Heavenly Father, whose glory I seek, and
the renown of his blessed name. And truly Stephen, there is
work enough, and here is room to work in. Surely God will
come in for a share in this planting work, and that leaven
shah leaven the whole lump in time. I do not believe the
Lord's providence had run this way towards me, but that He
has an heavenly end and service in it. So with Him I leave
all, and myself, and thee, and his dear people, end blessed
name on earth.
" God Almighty, immortal and eternal, be with us, that in
the body and out of the body we may be his for ever !"
Amid his preparations for the voyage, he addressed to his
wife and chUdren, who were to be left .behind, a letter fraught
with the most earnest solicitude for their well-being every
way, and fuU of the most tender and judicious counsel. It
thus concludes : " So, my God, that hath blessed me with' his
abundant mercies, both of this and the other and blessed life,
be with you all, guide you by his counsel, bless you, and bring
you to his eternal glory ! that you may shine, my dear chil
dren, in the firmament of God's power, with the blessed spirits
of the just, that celestial family, praising and admiring Him,
the God and Father of it, for ever. For there is no God like

24 LIFE AND CHARACTER OF WILLIAM PENN.
unto Him; the God of Isaac and of Jacob, the God of the
prophets, the apostles, and martyrs of Jesus, in whom I live
for ever.
" So fareweU to my thrice dearly beloved wife and chUdren.
" Yours, as God pleaseth, in that which no waters can quench,
no time forget, nor distance wear away, but remains for ever."
After a passage of about six weeks, during which time many
of the ship's company died of smaU-pox, he landed at New-
Castle, on the 24th of the 8th Month. While this awful
scourge prevailed on board, he was very usefully employed in
ministering spiritual and outward comfort to the sick and
dying. From New-Castle WiUiam Penn proceeded up the Delaware
to Chester, where an assembly was caUed and laws were passed
weU calculated to maintain civil and religious Uberty, peace
and morality among the settlers. In the preamble to these,
the origin and objects of civU government are clearly set
forth. Amid the cares of his government, he did not neglect his
religious duties, but held meetings, both in New York and
Maryland, " in which he had good and eminent service for the
Lord." It appears that there were at this time, persons who ques
tioned the purity of WiUiam Penn's motives, in the great work
he had undertaken, and intimated that ambition, and pecuni
ary gain, were his objects. But such knew Uttle of his real
character, or of the many and great sacrifices, both of reputa
tion and estate, which he. was continually making for the bene
fit of others. In replying to one of these, he says: "Keep thy
place : I am in mine, and have served the God of the whole
earth since I have been in it Had I sought greatness, I had
staid at home, where the difference between what I am here,
and was offered, and could have been there in power and
wealth, is as wide as the places are. No, I came for the Lord's
sake, and therefore have I stood to this day, weU, and diligent
and successful ; blessed be his power."

LIFE AND CHARACTER OF WILLIAM PENN. 25
In 1682, he held the celebrated treaty with the Indians, un
der a great ehn tree, at Shackamaxon, now Kensington. It
is much to be regretted that the records of this treaty have
been lost, so that it is now doubtful whether a negotiation for
the purchase of land, formed any part of it. It is, however,
certain, from the few articles of it which have been preserved,
that reciprocal tokens of peace and friendship were exchanged.
The first article is to this effect : " And lastly, that both Chris
tians and Indians should acquaint their children with this
league, and firm chain of friendship made between them, and
that it should always be made stronger and stronger, and be
kept bright and clean, without rust or spot, between our chil
dren and children's children, whUe the creeks and rivers run,
and while the sun, moon and stars endure." Of this treaty it
has been remarked, " that it was the only one not ratified by
an oath, and that was never broken."
The friendship thus begun between WilUam Penn and the
Indians, was never interrupted, but continued reciprocally to
increase ; he went frequently among them, and spent a very
large sum for their instruction and benefit. Nor were they de
ficient on their part ; he and the early settlers receiving from
them many valuable supplies, and other disinterested acts of
kindness. They had no reason to complain of Indian treach
ery or .outrage ; nor, it may be inferred, would so much have
marked the settlement of other colonies, but for the acts of
white aggressors. If there- had been no Indian wrongs, the
world would have heard Uttle of Indian outrages.
The native inhabitants uniformly called William Penn,
Onas ; and it is worthy of remark, that the friendship thus be
gun, has been continued uninterruptedly with his successors in
rehgious profession to the present day. The peeled and scattered
remnants of once powerful tribes, amid the calamities in which
they are now involved, and the dangers that threaten them,
still look to the Society of Friends for counsel and protection.
The experiment of William Penn m founding a government
in the wilderness, in regulating its affairs, and maintaining its
3

26 LIFE AND CHARACTER OF WILLIAM PENN.
relations with the Indians and other neighbors, on Christian
and pacific principles, proved entirely successful ; for so long
as these principles were adhered to by his successors, Pennsyl
vania continued rapidly to increase in all that is desirable in a
country, proving that it is righteousness that exalteth a nation.
During the year 1683, WUliam Penn was much engaged
with the affairs of his province ; the preceding year he had
laid out the City of Philadelphia, upon the site of which many
houses had been erected.
In the foUowing year he returned to England, where a hot
persecution was raging. It appears that his principal induce
ment was the hope of being useful to his suffering brethren,
he having great influence with the crown-prince, afterwards
James II„ who had been the particular friend of his father.
He had provided for the affairs of the province during his
absence ; but such was his unceasing solicitude for the spiritual
welfare of the Friends he was about leaving, that after he had
embarked, he addressed them a letter from the ship, in which
he says : " Now you are come to a quiet land, provoke not the
Lord to trouble it ; and as liberty and authority are with you,
and in your hands, let the government be upon his shoulders,
in all your spirits ; that you may rule for Him, under whom
the princes of this world will one day esteem it their honor to
govern and serve in their places. I cannot but say, when these
things come mightUy upon my mind, as the apostle did of old,
'what manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversa
tion and godliness.'
" And thou, Philadelphia, the virgin settlement of this pro
vince, named before thou wert born, what love, what care, what
service, and what travail has there been, to bring thee forth
and preserve thee from such as would abuse and defile thee!
"Oh that thou mayst be kept from the evil that would
overwhelm thee ; that faithful to the God of thy mercies, in
the life of righteousness, thou mayst be preserved to the end.
My soul prays to God for thee, that thou mayst stand in the
day of trial, that thy children may be blessed of the Lord, and
thy people saved by his power."

LIFE AND CHARACTER OF WILLIAM PENN. 27
After his return to England, he was actively engaged on be
half of his suffering Friends, many of whom were lying in
prison, and enduring cruel treatment of various kinds. He
had been there but a short time when James ascended the
throne. Having, in consequence of the king's friendship,
great influence at court, his house and gates were thronged
with chents and suppliants, sometimes to the number of two
hundred in a day, desiring him to present their addresses to
the king. He did not become impatient with their importu
nity, but treated them with the utmost kindness, and rendered
his services with promptitude and cheerfulness. Instead of
seeking emolument from these incessant labors, he often de
frayed out of his own funds the expense, unavoidably attend
ant upon the preparation of the documents which passed
through his hands. Nor were his good offices confined to the
members of his own religious Society ; others freely partook of
his bounty and kindness.
He also, about this time, wrote a work designed to advance
the cause of reUgious Uberty, entitled " A Persuasive to Moder
ation." The king soon after issued a proclamation, by which
more than twelve hundred Friends, beside other professors,
were restored to their famiUes, an event, undoubtedly greatly
promoted by the exertions of William Penn.
In 1686, he paid another religious visit to the continent of
Europe, respecting which but few particulars have been pre
served. After his return he visited many of the meetings of
Friends in his own land, to their satisfaction and the peace
of his own mind. In the summer of 1687, he was again en
gaged in the work of the ministry, and had several meetings
at Bristol. To these the people flocked in great numbers. At
Chew, five mUes distant, he had a heavenly meeting, which was
held in the open air, as no building could bo found large
"enough for the purpose. From this great openness ofthe peo
ple, it seems probable, that the patient sufferings of Friends,
and the faithfulness of their chUdren, had produced a favora
ble impression in that neighborhood. While engaged in this

28 LIFE AND CHARACTER OF WILLIAM PENN.
visit, the king, who was at the time on a journey, attended sev
eral of his meetings.
In 1688, King James, whose Roman CathoUc faith and arbi
trary acts, had given great offence to the nation, was driven
from the British throne, and WilUam and Mary brought in.
WilUam Penn, whose intimacy and influence with the late
king were weU known, was now accused of being in league
with him, and of covertly professing the same faith. He was,
in consequence, soon afterwards arrested and examined before
the lords in councU ; but as nothing could be proved against
him, he was discharged". With characteristic frankness and
magnanimity, he declared on his examination, "that he had
done nothing but what he could answer before God, and aU
the princes of the world ; that he loved his country and the
Protestant reUgion above his Ufe, and had never acted against
either ; that all he ever aimed at in his pubUc endeavors, was
no other than what the prince had declared for ; that King
James was always his friend and his father's friend, and in
gratitude he was the king's friend, and did always as much as
in him lay, influence him to his true interest."
Soon afterward the toleration act was passed, which afforded
great relief to Friends, particularly in preventing their meet
ings from being disturbed. It embodied principles of justice,
which WUliam Penn had long labored to induce the govern
ment to recognize.
Whilst making preparations to return to Pennsylvania,
where his presence was much needed, he was again arrested
on a charge of holding treasonable correspondence with the
exUed monarch, with a view to his restoration. At Ms own re
quest, he was taken before King WiUiam, when an intercepted
letter from James to him, was exhibited ; but as WiUiam Penn
had never seen it, and had done nothing to further the designs
of the dethroned king, he was in a short time honorably re
leased. He now renewed his preparations for the voyage, but was
soon for the third time arrested. The country was in great.
commotion on account of the threatened invasion of the French,

LIFE AND CHARACTER OF WILLIAM PENN. 29
and in the absence of the king, the queen had hastily issued a
warrant to apprehend many suspected persons, among whom
was WUliam Penn. When brought from prison before the
court of king's bench, nothing could be proved against him,
and he was again discharged. He was then nearly ready for
his departure, and a number of colonists were preparing to
embark with him, when, a conspiracy against the government
having been discovered, he was accused of being an actor in it,
on the oath of one Fuller, who was afterwards legaUy convicted
of being an impostor, and sentenced to the piUory. A warrant
was issued for his apprehension, and though not imprisoned, he
was unwiUing to leave the country while an accusation was
pending against him. He Uved privately in London, for about
three years, during which time it does not appear that he was
ever sought for, or brought to trial.
It may weU excite astonishment that WiUiam Penn, whose
life had been devoted to the spiritual and temporal good of his
feUow-men, should thus have been continually harassed by false
and malicious accusations. But in the turbulent times in which
he lived, a slight circumstance would suffice to bring the purest
character under suspicion. Again and again he was accused
of being a Papist ; it was even said* he had been bred at St.
Omer's and had received a priest's orders from Rome. His
enemies persisted, for a time, in these absurd and mahcious
charges, notwithstanding he had pubhshed " A Caveat against
Popery," and the reUgion he professed, and for which he had
deeply suffered, stood opposed to a worship of human pomp
and " carnal ordinances," and held up the simpUcity of the gos
pel requisition, " That the true worshipper must worship the
Father in spirit and in truth."
His former intercourse with King James, doubtless, gave
rise to these accusations; although it had ceased with the
period of his acknowledged sovereignty, and had for its princi
pal object the promotion of religious liberty, and the redress
of grievances among his fellow-subjects.
Under aU his trials, however, William Penn looked to the
only true Source of consolation, and his Divine Master sus-
*

30 LIFE AND CHARACTER OF WILLIAM PENN.
tained and comforted him amid aU his afflictions. He thus
writes to a friend in Pennsylvania : " Under and over it aU,
the ancient Rock has been my shelter and comfort ; and I hope
yet to see your faces with our ancient satisfaction. The Lord
grant, if it be for his glory, whose I desire to be in all condi
tions ; for this world passeth away, and the form and beauty
of it fadeth ; but there are eternal habitations for the faithful ;
among whom I pray that my lot may be, rather than among
the princes of the earth."
About this period, George Fox was removed from works to
rewards. In his illness he sent for WiUiam Penn, who was
with him at his close, bore a noble testimony at his funeral,
and afterward wrote a preface to his journal. This. is an ex
cellent treatise, and has been printed by itself, as " The Rise
and Progress of the People caUed Quakers."
After he had been about three years in retirement, John
Locke and other eminent men, went in a body to the king and
soUcited his restoration to society, which was granted; but
WUliam Penn was not satisfied with this kind of discharge.
He solicited permission to plead his own innocency before the
king and council, which being aUowed, he was honorably ac
quitted. Before this, the representations of some envious per
sons had induced the king to deprive him of the government
of his province. It was, however, soon restored to him.
In about a month after his enlargement, he met with a
severe affliction in the death of his wife, a woman of excel
lent and cultivated understanding, and to whom the Lord
had given the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit. This
event stiU further delayed his return to America.
In 1695, he paid a religious visit to some of the western
counties of England, in which he had good service for the
Lord. At Wells, he was interrupted while speaking and
taken before the mayor, who, being convinced of the unlaw
fulness of the arrest, immediately set him at liberty.
In 1696, Friends were excused by law from taking oaths ; —
an enactment first made as an experiment, but which proving
a successful one, it was afterwards made perpetual. To pro-

LIFE AND CHARACTER OF WILLIAM PENN. 31
mote this object WilUam Penn had long labored, both orally
and through the press, and had addressed a btter to the House
of Commons on the subject. In this year he married Hannah
CaUowhUl of Bristol, a sober, reUgious woman, who survived
him several years. Soon after this event he sustained an
afflicting bereavement in the decease of his eldest son, a pious
and amiable young man, of whose illness and death he pub
lished an interesting narrative.
About this time, in company with some other Friends, he
paid a visit to Peter the Great, who was then Uving privately
in England, for the purpose of becoming acquainted with the
arts of the country. They explained the principles of the
society to the Czar, and gave him some of their books : and
after this interview, WUliam Penn addressed the following
letter to him : " It was a profound respect, and not a vain
curiosity, Great Czar, which brought me twice to wait upon
thee. My desire is, that as Almighty God has distinguished
thee above so many millions vt thy feUow-creatures, so thou
mayest distinguish thyself above them, by an extraordinary
zeal for piety and charity, which are the two legs the Chris
tian ReUgion stands upon; and where they are wanting or
defective, it must needs fall to" the streets, to the scorn and
triumph of the heathen. May thy example show thee to be
as good as great, that thou mayest bear His image, by whom
kings reign and princes decree justice. Without goodness,
power itself can never do. If thou wouldst rule -well, thou
must rule for God, and to do that thou must be ruled by Him,
who has given to kings His grace to command themselves and
their subjects, and to the people, the grace to obey God and
their kings. Know Great Czar, and take it with thee, as one
part of the coUection of knowledge thou art making in this
unexampled travel, that 'tis in England that God has visited
and touched the hearts of a people, above forty years ago, by
the holy Ught and grace of His Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ,
by which their minds have been turned from false worship and
evil living, to worship God, who is a spirit, in and by his own
spirit, to be led by it in their conversation, that they may bring

32 LIFE AND CHARACTER OF WILLIAM PENN.
forth the fruits of it among men, to His praise who has called
them. They are an inward and retired people, who dare not
conform themselves to vain inventions and fashions of the
world, either in rehgion or civil conversation ; but live and
act as believing that God seeth them in all they do, and wiU
judge them according to what they do. They teach that men
must be holy or they cannot be happy ; that they should use
few words, be peaceable in Ufe, suffer wrongs, love enemies,
deny themselves, without which, Faith is false, Worship for
mality, and Rehgion hypocrisy ; yet they are an industrious
people, in their generation, and though against superfluity, yet
lovers of ingenuity. It was in their name five of us came to
salute thee, who wish thou mayest have an eye to this Divine
Principle of Light and Life in the soul, a measure of which is
given to thee and to aU men to profit with, that by it, Piety,
Wisdom, and Charity may dweU with thee, and that thou
mayest be qualified to serve Almighty God, suitable to the
great opportunities he has put into thy hands."
During his residence at Deptford, the emperor several times
attended the meetings of Friends, and once also in London.
Slight as was his acquaintance with the Society, he did not soon
forget it ; for sixteen years afterwards, being at Frederickstadt
in Holstein, with his army, he inquired whether there were any
Quakers there, and being informed that there were a few, he
expressed a wish to attend their meeting. Being then told
that his soldiers occupied the meeting-house, he had them
immediately removed. When the meeting was held, Peter
attended, with Prince Menzikoff, and a number of his follow
ers. He sat very gravely during a time of silence, and when
a Friend rose to speak, the Czar, understanding the language,
interpreted the discourse in a very serious manner to his offi
cers, saying " that whoever lived according to that doctrine
would be happy."
Having been detained from his province for about fifteen
years, in 1699 WilUam Penn embarked for America. On this
occasion he took his family with him, designing to make Penn
sylvania his future residence. Before leaving England, he

LIFE AND CHARACTER OF WILLIAM PENN. 33
drew up a paper of- advice for his chUdren, in which he gives
them short but comprehensive directions for the regulation of
their conduct. The ship was about three months at sea. This
delay seems to have been providential, as during that period
the yeUow fever was very fatal in the province, and had nearly
ceased at the time of her arrival.
AU parties in the colony hailed WilUam Penn's arrival with
delight. There had been some dissension in his absence, and it
was beheved his return would heal and remedy the differences.
In 1700, he introduced into the meeting of Friends, a relig
ious concern he felt on behalf of the Indians and the negroes,
some of the latter class having been introduced into the pro
vince. He exhorted Friends to discharge their duty towards
these people, more particularly in regard to the improvement
of their minds, recommending that they should enjoy the priv
ilege of attending rehgious meetings, and of receiving Christian
instruction. Previous to this, (in 1688,) the Friends from Crisheim, in
Germany, who had settled in the neighborhood of Germantown,
made a representation to the Yearly Meeting, of their behef
that the " buying, selling, and holding men in slavery, was
inconsistent with the Christian reUgion." The concern of
Friends for their welfare continued to gain ground until they
made a rule of discipline, by which no member of their com
munion was allowed to buy, sell, or hold slaves.
Bills were introduced by WiUiam Penn into the assembly,
for regulating the morals and marriages of the negroes, and to
provide for their having just trials when accused of crimes ;
also, to prevent abuses upon the Indians.
About this time, Friends of Philadelphia established a public
school ; the foUowing is the preamble to its charter obtained
from WilUam Penn : " Whereas, the prosperity of any people,
depends in great measure upon the good education of youth,
and their early instruction in the principles of true religion and
virtue, and qualifying them to serve their country and them
selves by breeding them in reading, writing, learning of lan
guages and useful arts and sciences, suitable to their sex, age,

34 LIFE AND CHARACTER OF WILLIAM PENN.
and degree, which cannot be effected in any manner so weU as
by erecting public schools for the purposes aforesaid."
A circumstance now occurred, which separated William Penn
from his American possessions for ever. A bill had been in
troduced into ParUament, for changing the colonial into regal
governments. This measure, if adopted, would take the con
trol of the colony out of his hands, and substitute mihtary rule
for the mild and pacific government he had established. From
a sense of duty, although very reluctantly, he yielded to the
request of his friends in England that he would immediately
return thither.
The news of his intended departure was received by the in
habitants with feelings of deep regret. Perhaps none felt it
more than the Aboriginal inhabitants. On this occasion, a
number of them waited upon him at his residence at Penns-
bury. The interview was conducted with great gravity. One
of the chiefs, in the course of his remarks, said, " that they
never first broke their covenants with any people ;" striking his
hand upon his head, he said " they did not make them there,
but" — placing it upon his breast — " they made them there".
William Penn sailed for England in the Eighth month, 1701,
having been in the province about two years. On the eve of
his departure, he presented Philadelphia with a charter, con
stituting it a city.
The bill to change the form of the colonial government was
never passed into a law ; but other service's prevented his return
to Pennsylvania. In 1705, in a brief, but forcible epistle to
Friends, he exhorts them to hold aU their meetings in that
which set them up, the heavenly power of God. In 1706, he
removed with his family to Brentford, about eight mUes from
London. In 1707, he was unhappily involved in some pecu
niary difficulties, which arose in part from the dishonesty of
his agent. It may be also observed, that his province, so far
from being a source of emolument, had contributed greatly to
reduce his once ample patrimony. These difficulties were af
terwards satisfactorily adjusted. In 1709, he went forth on a
gospel mission through the western parts of England, which

LIFE AND CHARACTER OF WILLIAM PENN. 35
was his last journey of this kind. In 1710, he removed to
Rushcomb, in Buckinghamshire, where he continued to reside
until his death. In 1712, he had three attacks of apoplexy.
By these his mental powers were so weakened, that he was
rendered incapable of transacting business. In this situation
lie remained for several years, without much bodily suffering,
and appeared to enjoy great quietness, and sweetness of mind.
In the latter part of 1714, he was visited by Thomas Story; who
says of him, " that he had a clear sense of truth, was plain, by
some very clear sentences he spoke in the life and "power of
Truth, in an evening meeting we had there ; wherein we were
greatly comforted, so that I am ready to think this was a sort
of sequestration of him from all the concerns of this life, which
so much oppressed him ; not in judgment but in mercy, that he
might not be oppressed thereby to the end."
When visited by two ofhis friends in 1716, he still expressed
himself sensibly, and at parting thus addressed them : " My
love is with you ; the Lord preserve you, and remember me in
the everlasting covenant !"
He continued graduaUy to grow weaker until the 30th of
the Fifth month, 1718, when his divine Master was pleased to
summon him from the tribulations of time to the eternal re
wards of the righteous.
Thus peacefully passed away one of the most useful men of
the age in which he lived : indeed history makes us acquainted
with few so faithfully and fearlessly devoted to the cause of
justice, and to the increase of righteousness in the earth. In
early Ufe he felt the tendering visitations of the Holy Spirit ;
and as he submitted thereto, was led in paths of great circum
spection and non-conformity to the world, and soon became an
object of scorn, reproach, and even bitter persecution. But
uone of these things moved him, neither did he count his life
dear, being mainly desirous that he might bear a faithful testi
mony to the truth whilst on earth, and finish his course with joy.
Early caUed to the " ministry of reconciliation," and wisely
instructed in the school of Christ, he was enabled, for the good
of others, to bring forth out of the treasury things new and old.

36 LIFE AND CHARACTER OF WILLIAM PENN.
As an author his many publications are characterized by
the forcible manner in which they set forth the spiritual nature
of Christ's kingdom, and the necessity of obedience to the
teachings ofthe Holy Spirit. His views of moraUty and civU
government were the fruit of Christian principle, and therefore
adapted to all times and all conditions of men. He shows that
oaths, whether judicial or profane, are contrary, not only to
the doctrine of Christ and his apostles, and the practice of the
primitive Christians, but are in their direct tendency and
effects, injurious to moraUty. He establishes conclusively, that
liberty, civil and religious, is the right of all, so far as its exer
cise does not infringe the rights of others ; and he was conse
quently opposed to aU persecution to enforce conformity in
religious opinion. In short, he began a new era in civil
government, and the sound and Uberal views he promulgated,
have produced, and are stiU working beneficial results to man
kind. In founding his colony of Pennsylvania, he was in
fluenced by the spirit of the gospel and a desire that its gov
ernment might be supported without the violation of any
Christian precept. His policy grew out of his reUgion, which
breathed " Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth, good
will to men ;'; and the aboriginal inhabitants, by others deemed
treacherous and cruel, became the kind friends and faithful
allies of his colonists. His pacific principles were found in
their operation more effectual than munitions of war, to pre
serve the state in peace and prosperity.
In bringing this brief memoir to a close, we are sensible that
our narrow limits are insufficient to do justice to the character
of WiUiam Penn : to testify of his uprightness, his firmness, his
zeal, his diligence, his Christian courtesy, his love of the truth.
Whether we consider him as a rehgious writer, a wise and
Christian legislator, or as a faithful and devoted minister of
the gospel, we must regard him as a benefactor to mankind.
Of such the everlasting reward is sure : " They that be wise
shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that
turn many to righteousness as the stars, for ever and ever."

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