From his own account we learn, that when very young, he was favoured with clear and powerful impressions of divine grace operating on his mind as a reprover for evil, which not duly regarding, and being naturally of a lively and active disposition, he associated with those who indulged in the vanities and amusements too common in the world, though mostly in things deemed innocent by the generality of mankind. But the gift of divine grace, which was so early manifested, did not forsake him, though he often strove to stifle its convictions, but followed him in judgment and in mercy, until a willingness was wrought in him to give up all to follow Christ, in the regeneration. On one occasion, when preparing to join in the dance, and surrounded by his jovial companions, the pure witness rose so powerfully in his mind, and so clearly set before him the evil tendency of the course he was pursuing, that he reasoned not with flesh and blood, but gave up to the heavenly vision, and in deep contrition and prostration of soul, entered into covenant with the God of his life, that if he would be pleased to furnish him with strength, he would endeavour not to be again found in the like disobedience; which covenant, through mercy, he was favoured to keep inviolate. Thus, submitting to the purifying operation of the Holy Ghost and fire, he was, in due time, qualified and called to declare to others what God had done for his soul; under the divine anointing, he was enabled to unfold the truths of the gospel, in the demonstration of the spirit and with power. And, through a faithful obedience to that which had begun the good work in him, he became an eminent instrument in the Lord’s hand, for the promotion of truth and righteousness in the earth.
He first appeared in the ministry, about the twenty-seventh year of his age, and from this period, his time and talents were devoted to the cause of his Divine Master, labouring diligently for its advancement, not only at home, and in his own neighbourhood, but in most parts of this continent where there are settlements of Friends, and also, in many places amongst those not of our society. In declaring what he believed to be the counsel of God, he was bold and fearless, and his ministry, though unadorned with the embellishments of human learning, was clear and powerful. In argument he was strong and convincing, and his appeals to the experience and convictions of his hearers, were striking and appropriate. He saw, and deeply lamented the great departure of many in the society of Friends, from that plainness and simplicity, and that godly sincerity, which characterized it in the beginning. Hence he felt himself called upon, under the influence of the love of the gospel, to admonish his brethren in religious profession, to rally to the ancient standard, the light of truth manifested in the heart, and to follow no man any further, than he should be found a follower of Christ. He assailed the strong holds of superstition and bigotry with great boldness, which sometimes alarmed the timid, and roused the prejudices of others. Yet to the candid inquirer and sincere seeker after truth, he breathed the language of encouragement, of consolation and of comfort. His great and primary concern was to draw the minds of the people to practical righteousness—from all outward dependance to the sure foundation, the rock of ages, the spirit of truth, the comforter, “Christ within, the hope of glory.” He generally corroborated the doctrines which he preached, by appropriate references to the testimonies and experience of those who have gone before us, as recorded in the scriptures of truth. Through the efficacy of that power which enabled him to say, “By the grace of God, I am what I am,” many were convinced of the truth, through his ministry.
So full and pointed was his testimony against a hireling ministry, which he held to be, not only in direct violation of the great gospel precept “Freely ye have received, freely give,” but fraught with incalculable injury to the best interests of mankind, that he sometimes gave offence to those, whose minds were strongly biased in its favour. Yet such was the general kindness and benevolence of his character, that he did not willingly give offence to any. While he condemned the practice, he was kind and charitable to those, who, through the influence of education and early prejudice, differed from him on this subject. Such was his concern that his examples should comport with his testimony, that he was scrupulously careful to defray his own expenses when travelling as a minister.
When his meetings were attended by a large concourse of persons of various denominations, the solemnity and stillness that prevailed, were often very remarkable, reminding us of the testimony of primitive Friends, that the power accompanying their gospel labours so overshadowed the assemblies, that truth reigned over all. Being deeply sensible of his own inability to promote the cause of truth and righteousness, without divine aid, he was engaged to dwell near the fountain of light and life, and to minister as this opened and gave ability. He was indeed an example of Christian humility, and eminently preserved from being elated by the applause of men, or depressed by their censure. Many were the exercises which he felt on account of the evils which abound in the world, and the oppressed condition of the African race excited his tenderest sympathy. Their cause engaged his earnest solicitude for the greater part of his life, and he was often led feelingly and powerfully to advocate it. We believe that many were convinced, through his labours, of the cruelty and injustice of holding them in bondage. He bore for many years a faithful testimony against slavery, by carefully abstaining from the use of articles which he believed to be produced by the labour of slaves. When at home, and not engaged in services more strictly of a religious character, he laboured diligently with his own hands, believing it the duty of all to be usefully employed in obtaining the necessaries of life; and when acquired, he acted as a steward under the direction of the bountiful Giver, being restrained from using them for selfish gratification. In the various relations of life he was a bright example, worthy of imitation: he was an affectionate husband; and as a father and guardian, his concern for the religious and moral education of his children, and those placed under his care, was very great, that they might be brought up in the fear and admonition of the Lord. For these ends he exercised the authority of a parent with firmness, but in much tenderness and love. His tender sympathy was excited for the poor, to whom he was a kind and liberal friend, often supplying their necessities. It may be truly said of him, that he was a man fearing God and hating covetousness. He was a peace-maker, endeavouring, both by precept and example, to promote harmony in his neighbourhood; and in this respect he was very useful, his Christian deportment having gained the confidence and affection of his neighbours. He was very diligent in the attendance of religious meetings, and often led to encourage others, assuring them, from his own experience, that none could expect to increase in the divine life, until they considered that important duty paramount to temporal concerns: he was also conspicuously useful in supporting the discipline of the society.
At a very advanced age he continued to labour in the Lord’s vineyard, with the same fervent zeal, the same dedication of heart, for which he had been so eminently distinguished in the earlier stages of his life; and in the exercise of his gift in the ministry, he was as lively, clear, and cogent, as at any former period. Having been long taught in the school of Christ, and being deeply experienced in the things which concern our eternal well-being, he was well qualified to administer counsel and encouragement to others; and was frequently led, feelingly and forcibly, to impress upon the minds of the rising generation, the importance and necessity of early attention to the inward discoveries of divine light; cautioning them not to rest in the tradition of their fathers, but to walk by the same rule, and to mind the same thing, which has led the righteous in all ages safely through time; nor to depend upon the teachings of men, for that knowledge which brings life and immortality to light in the soul; declaring that faithfulness and obedience to the influence of divine grace in their own hearts, could only qualify them to advance the standard of truth and righteousness in the earth. His dedication to the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus, his firmness in the support of those testimonies which he felt himself called upon to maintain, and his plainness in reproving unfaithfulness in others, and bearing testimony against every appearance of evil, gave offence to some; yet none of these things moved him, neither counted he his life dear to himself, so that he might finish his course with joy, and the ministry he had received, to testify the gospel of the grace of God; and we are persuaded that his feet were established upon that rock, against which the powers of darkness shall never be able to prevail. He was favoured, in times of the greatest trial, to experience the truth of the prophetic declaration, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee.”
He was favoured with a good constitution, and in the decline of life, was still actively engaged in the concerns of society, and industriously employed in his temporal avocations.
His mental powers continued strong and vigorous to the end of his labours. His comprehensive and energetic mind was apparently but very little impaired by the revolution of more than fourscore years. Within the last two years of his life, he travelled extensively in the work of the ministry.
When he was eighty years of age, he opened in this monthly meeting a concern to pay a religious visit to Friends and others in some parts of the yearly meetings of New-York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Virginia, Ohio, and Indiana. He obtained a certificate of unity and concurrence from this monthly meeting, endorsed by Westbury quarterly meeting. In this visit he experienced many deep probations on account of the unsettled state of society. “For the divisions of Reuben, there were great searchings of heart.” Yet he was enabled to accomplish his visit to the southern and western yearly meetings, agreeably to his prospect. Shortly after his return from this journey, he met with a severe affliction in the loss of his beloved companion, with whom he had lived in near union and affection for fifty-eight years.
In the summer of 1829, in pursuance of his prospect as before mentioned, he visited most of the meetings of Friends in the northern and western parts of our yearly meeting. His gospel labours, during these arduous and extensive visits, were productive of satisfaction and peace to his own mind, and were peculiarly seasonable and acceptable to his friends, as appears by numerous certificates of near unity, which he produced to this meeting on his return home; after which, he attended all the meetings of Friends in the city of New-York, and on this island, very much to their satisfaction. In these last visits, as heretofore, his gospel labours were remarkably clear and powerful, and we trust are profitably remembered by many. He seemed renewedly concerned on account of the deviations from that plainness and simplicity into which the truth would lead; and expressed the comfort it would be to him to see a reformation in these respects.
On first day morning, the 14th of 2d month last, he was engaged in his room, writing to a friend, until a little after ten o’clock, when he returned to that occupied by the family, apparently just attacked by a paralytic affection, which nearly deprived him of the use of his right side, and of the power of speech. Being assisted to a chair near the fire, he manifested by signs, that the letter which he had just finished, and which had been dropped by the way, should be taken care of; and on its being brought to him, appeared satisfied, and manifested a desire that all should sit down and be still, seemingly sensible that his labours were brought to a close, and only desirous of quietly waiting the final change. The solemn composure at this time manifest in his countenance, was very impressive, indicating that he was sensible the time of his departure was at hand, and that the prospect of death brought no terrors with it. During his last illness, his mental faculties were occasionally obscured, yet he was at times enabled to give satisfactory evidence to those around him, that all was well, and that he felt nothing in his way.