[1] John Robinson's charge is as follows: "I charge you, before God end his blessed angels, that ye follow me no further than ye have seen me follow the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord has more truth yet to break forth out of his holy word. I cannot sufficiently bewail the condition of the Reformed churches, who are come to a period in religion, and will go at present no further than the instruments of their reformation. Luther and Calvin were great and shining lights in their times, yet they penetrated not into the whole counsel of God. I beseech you remember it—'tis an article of your Church covenant—that you be ready to receive whatever truth shall be made known to you from the written word of God."
[2] These ridges are very abundant in Maine, and are supposed to owe their origin to glacial action.
[3] James Van Blarcum was at work on a house when the notice was given for this meeting. On hearing that a woman would preach, he said he would go and hear what these heretics had to say. It was a revelation to him; his eyes were opened, and the whole course of his life changed. A few years after this he came to China, so that he might know more of Friends and their principles. At first his family were so displeased at his becoming a Quaker that he was forced to leave his home, though he was afterward highly respected by them all. He became a powerful minister in the Society, and was for a number of years connected with Oak Grove Seminary. He was married to Eunice, sister of Eli Jones.
[4] Afterward Elizabeth Howell. She is the author of the beautiful lines entitled "Milton in his Blindness."
[5] It was at Balitore that Edmund Burke received his early education, at the Friends' school conducted by Richard Shackleton, to whom he often wrote and attributed much of his careful training.
[6] Mary James Lecky filled her carriage with loaves of bread from the baker's, and as they drove along roads where poverty was everywhere terribly present, she distributed her stores for the bodily needs of the poor suffering peasants, while Sybil Jones earnestly told them of the Bread of life. In the original meaning of the word, "lady" is the bread-giver. Did ever two more worthy the name go out to fulfil the duties belonging to that title?
[7] Whittier thus gives the position which the Society of Friends held:
"Nursed in the faith that Truth alone is strong
In the endurance which outwearies wrong,
With meek persistence baffling brutal force,