ered effectual to the reduction thereof: and as both the disorder and the remedy lie deep in the heart, they must be sought for there, without the love of superiority, a carnal judgment of good and evil, or the influence of self-will.

her for extensive service in the administration by the concurring operations of Truth, be rendof the discipline of the church; wherein she was concerned to act, under a degree of that covering, which ought to influence every religious movement. Of a solid and weighty spirit, she was engaged to dig deeply for the hidden treasure, and laboured to dwell near the To bring children to a true and profitable spring of divine life: yet infinite Wisdom saw sense of their own states, and direct them to meet to suffer her at seasons to experience the spiritual warfare in themselves, is the main great inward poverty: but under these proving end of all religious labour on their account; dispensations, she murmured not, being re- and herein a single eye ought to be kept to the signed to the will of her Lord and Master, and witness of Truth in their minds, for that must be made willing "to suffer with him, that she visited and raised, before they can so see, as to might also reign with him." Having partaken repent and convert from evil. When this is the of the sufferings and consolations of the gos- principal object in the view of those, who conpel, she knew how to sympathize with the ex-sider themselves as delegated shepherds, accounercised and mourning spirit, dealing her bread, table for the preservation of their flock, they when qualified, to the hungry soul, and pouring are religiously engaged to promote it by such in the wine and oil to the help and refreshment means as are put into their power, under the of many. As this devoted faithful servant of influence of a Christian spirit; which preserves the Lord, was thus instrumental in glorifying from a desire of occasioning suffering, or more his name amongst mankind, and promoting the of it, than is absolutely necessary for the obdivine government in their hearts, so she be- taining of that end, gives patience to persevere came more and more refined, and redeemed in labour without fainting, strength to bear and from all visible enjoyments; till, in unsearch- forbear in their waiting for the springing up of able wisdom, He who put her forth and went the good seed, and opens an eye of faith to look before her, was pleased to "cut short the work for, and depend only upon, the blessing on in righteousness," and to remove her, we doubt their endeavours. Hereby the conduct of such not, from His church militant on earth, to his is deeply instructive to children; and may seal church triumphant in heaven. upon their minds the pious concern of their preceptors, and affectionately endear them in a friendship lastingly profitable, when they prove, through the influence of divine love upon their own understandings, the justice, mercy, and nobility of that Christian discipline which has been exercised towards them, and whereby they have obtained sweet communion with, and an opening to, the fountain of good in themselves.

Read, approved, and signed, in, by order, and on behalf of our quarterly meeting held in York, by adjournments, on the 30th and 31st of the third month, 1791, by

MORDECAI CASSON,

Clerk to the meeting this time.
ELIZABETH TUKE, Clerk this time.

Some remarks on CHRISTIAN DISCIPLINE, as

it respects the education of youth. THE author of the Christian religion came to redeem and save from that spirit which opposed the coming of his kingdom. He has wonderfully displayed the efficacy of that good, by which evil is overcome, proving through the whole of his dispensations a coincidence of mercy with justice. And the operation of this benign principle appears to be in no case more necessary and profitable, than in the true support and discharge of the duties which we owe to those who are placed under our superintendence and care. As there are dispositions manifest in children, after the knowledge of good and evil is contracted, which degrade the mind from that innocency wherein they were first created, and which like an evil tree, if suffered to grow, will produce unwholesome fruit; so there is also in the power of those who have rightly the care of them, a means which may,

If in our passage through life, we are often brought to acknowledge that of ourselves, without divine assistance, we can do nothing, is it not abundantly obvious in the work of bestowing a religious education on youth? and should any wisdom preside over that "which cometh down from above, and is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy, and full of good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy?" It is lamentable to see how people in general, and even some who seek the sense of Truth on other occasions, seem to consider themselves, at any time, or in any disposition, qualified to instruct and correct children, without perceiving that their own wills require to be first subdued, before they can acceptably. be instrumental in subduing the will of others. Though acts of indiscretion, or severities, may have a tendency to humble those who receive them, through whose sincerity all things work together for good, even as persecution has been blessed to thousands, yet the instruments are

by no means acquitted thereby, their conduct the state of the good seed in them, which will not being the produce of that faith, which lead rightly to discriminate between good and worketh by love, to the purifying of the heart. It is not to be expected, but that there is reserved for such, a proportionate degree of suffering, to that which, in their own wills, they have occasioned to others: though, by their natural understanding only, their perception of divine recompense may not be clear enough to distinguish it, yet a righteous retribution, or receiving that measure themselves which they have meted to others, may await them.

evil; to discover the corrupt source of many seeming good actions; and to perceive that a real innocency is the root of others, which custom, and a superficial investigation, have rendered reprehensible. Here we see the necessity of true wisdom being renewed, and the insufficiency of that which is carnal, and boasts its own experience and strength. It is the humbled mind to which is unfolded such mysteries of true godliness, for its own edification, and that of those under its care, as could not have been received in the support of a false consequence, and the love of superiority. If children are to be instructed in the ground work of true religion, ought they not to discover in those placed over them, a lively example thereof? or ought they to see any thing in the conduct of others, which would be condemnable in them, were they in similar circumstances? Of what importance then is it for guardians of children, to rule their own spirits; for when their tempers are irritable, their language impetuous, their voices exerted above what is necessary, their threatenings unguarded, or the execution of them rash, however children may for a time suffer under these things, they are not instructed thereby in the ground work of true religion; nor will the witness of Truth as their judgments mature, approve a conduct like this; though through the bias of self-will, it may be adopted in similar cases, in a succeeding generation, by those who, instead of having gathered good seed, have, from the mixture of their education, preferred the bad, which meeting with a soil suitable to its nature, grows and becomes fruitful, to the corrupting of many more.

"Provoke not your children to wrath," said the apostle. A conduct may be exercised towards youth, which being under the influence of the passions, has a natural tendency to raise a similar return. To punish a child because it has offended us, without the discovery of an evil design, is to act under an unchristian spirit, which revenges injuries. This is a disposition which is apt to receive its gratifications from a flattering, cringing spirit, and from such marks of respect as originate in an impure spring of action; and hence, teachers of children may, from a superficial judgment, approve and strengthen the little pharisees under their care; whilst the pure life that is struggling in the hearts of some who resemble the publican, is crushed and disregarded. Many and deep are the sorrows of the childhood of some, which procced from different causes and doubtless that incapacity wherein they are placed for obtaining redress from real grievances, and the abuse of power being strengthened in those from whom they receive them, may be numbered amongst those affecting occasions. Many children, even in our Society, have a loose unguarded education, and grow up as degenerate plants of a strange vine, having very little care exercised towards them, except to indulge their The love of power is so deeply implanted in unruly appetites, and passionate desires; these the natural mind, that without we discover it, require the yoke to be laid upon them with cau- and its evil tendency, in the true light, we are tion and true judgment, lest more should be not likely to consider it as an enemy of our commanded than they possess abilities to per- own house, against which we are called to war form, and so their deficiency be unjustly laid to with as much righteous zeal, as against the their charge yet the cultivation of their minds evil in others; yea with more, because it is should be steadily pursued, under that holy declared such are our greatest foes. Where assistance without which we can do nothing this corrupt part is cherished, it stains our acacceptably. Past experience does not appear tions; and having gained the ascendency over to be a sufficient qualification for this, any more the pure, lowly seed, bribes and influences the than for other religious services, even where it judgment respecting good and evil, and estabhas been right, and much less so, when it has lishes the mind in self complacence, which, not been strictly under the influence of that wisdom, which is pure and without partiality. Wisdom and strength must be waited for, day by day, for the right performance of our duties, before him who weighs our actions in the balance of pure justice, and only approves those which are wrought in the spirit. To educate children religiously, requires a quietude of mind and sympathy in their guardians, with

however productive of reproof, has seldom an ear open to that instruction by which itself stands condemned. The prodigal display and use of power is the very destruction of Christian discipline. Power is necessary; not to be assumed in the will of the creature, but to stand subservient to the judgment of Truth, under which it ought to be exerted; lying in ambush as a waiting assisting force, ready to be called

in cases of difficulty; when, if it step forth in appearance which is defective in this ground, true dignity, the appearance, rather than the is so far no better than sounding brass, or a use of it, may generally prove sufficient, and tinkling cymbal.

its wise retreat render it still more useful and The right education of children, especially reverenced. True love, clearness of judgment, in boarding-schools, is no doubt a close and arand the meekness of wisdom, are the support- duous work; those, however, who are rightly ers of true dignity; and where these prevail in engaged therein, and endeavour after their own a mind under divine government and control, refinement, and an increasing acquaintance they give authority, firmness and benevolence, with the Fountain of purity in themselves, need in thought, word, and deed; which have a not have their eye outward for the establishprofitable and comfortable effect upon those ment of power and authority; for He who feeds who are placed under their influence, and open the ravens and clothes the lilies, knows what a door for undisguised familiarity, and affection- they stand in need of, and is able, out of his ate intercourse, wherein children receive in- own treasury, to supply all their wants; to be struction more suitably and cordially, than mouth and wisdom, tongue and utterance; and under the arbitrary sway of a continually as- will not fail to help under their greatest diffisumed power. Should we lay hold of Chris-culties, if they support a patient dependence tian discipline in all its branches, and return upon Him alone, and profitably live under the with it to its root, either amongst children or in persuasion, that when He shuts, no one should the church, we shall always find it originate in attempt to open, and when he opens, none can a Christian spirit, and that every plausible shut.

A JOURNAL

OF THE

LIFE, TRAVELS, AND LABOURS OF LOVE, IN THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY,

OF THAT WORTHY ELDER AND FAITHFUL SERVANT OF JESUS CHRIST,

JAMES DICKINSON,

WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE AT MOORSIDE, IN CUMBERLAND, on the 6th OF THE THIRD MONTH, 1741, IN THE EIGHTY-THIRD YEAR OF HIS AGE.

TO THE READER.

hardships, and sufferings; and they are landed. safe in that much to be desired port, "where THE Apostle John was instructed to write, the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord, are at rest." But then, if their labours are so from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that acceptable to the Lord, and their works follow they may rest from their labours; and their them, (for the reward is to be according to works do follow them."-Rev. xiv. 13. And them, Matt. xvi. 27, in that glorious kingdom it is no ways strange that he should be instruct- they are entered into,) how precious ought ed so to write, considering what is elsewhere they to be in the sight of his servants! Even said, that "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the remembrance of them ought not to be lost, the death of his saints,"-Psalm cxvi. 15; and that it is the end of all their labours, (and a blessed end it is indeed,) to which the crown is promised; as was said to one of the churches, "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."-Rev. ii. 10. This is to them an end of all their labours, jeopardies,

but the fragments to be gathered up, that they may be transmitted to posterity for their imitation and encouragement; and this not in any wise for the exalting of man, but that the Power whereby they have been raised up, preserved, and carried through, may be exalted. For this, even that Power, was their wisdom

cording to thy measure, to be found walking in faithfulness towards God: for this is that which can only recommend to him; and thus will the end of the labour of his faithful servants be answered.

And if thou find any thing which seems not so clearly and fully set forth, or that he is short in his account concerning his travels in some places, thou needst not wonder at it, considering how much he was employed in public service, and almost continually travelling to and fro in the work of the ministry; but it is rather to be admired that he was capable of transmitting so much, and that so well as he has done; and not only so, but also as he was a man who had not the advantage of a liberal or learned education, but like the disciples of his Lord formerly, (see Acts iv. 13.) was ignorant and unlearned in that literature; though he was wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil, and was able with the blessed apostle, "to speak wisdom among them that were perfect,"-1 Cor. ii. 6; and to declare his experience in the things of God, and the mysteries of true godliness and saving religion: and therefore it is hoped, that inaccuracies in style and manner of expression, or otherwise, will be overlooked and excused by the candid and ingenuous reader.

and their strength, and blessed are all they who put their trust in it; that according to the example of the psalmist, one generation may praise his works to another, and declare his mighty acts,-Psal. cxlv. 4, even those mighty acts which the Lord hath wrought through his servants, whom he hath been pleased to raise up from a low estate, and to set among princes, even the princes of his people, and to declare the might of his arm. He is pleased to carry on his own work by mean instruments in the world's account, that no flesh might glory in his presence; as the apostle writes, "For ye see your calling, brethren; how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen." 1 Cor. i. 26-27. And this hath been wonderfully made appear in this generation, and the generation preceding; wherein God hath been pleased to carry on his glorious work of reformation, in causing the Gospel to be preached again, after a long night of darkness, by mean and illiterate instruments in the world's account; by whom they have been, and still are, accounted as fools: and yet how mightily As to the account of his acceptance among it hath pleased God to prosper his work in their Friends where he lived, and the service he was hands, to the gathering many souls near to of in the meeting he belonged to, we refer to himself, and into unity with his blessed Spirit, the testimony concerning him from the monththrough their ministry. Of this number was ly meeting of which he was a member, hereour friend James Dickinson, the author of the with published; and shall conclude this preface ensuing journal, a man indefatigable in his la- with this short exhortation to every particular bours and services for the edification of the (but more especially to the youth,) who may church, and the good of souls; whose ministry read the ensuing treatise: Wouldst thou be a was not in the enticing words which man's wis- vessel of honour in the house of God, and of dom teacheth, but in the demonstration of the service in thy day and generation, (as this our Spirit and of power, and in that wisdom which worthy friend was,) according to thy degree the Holy Ghost teacheth; and was effectual to and station in the Church of Christ? Thou the convincing and gathering many, and set- must then keep under the government of the tling them upon the rock Christ Jesus, and un- grace or Spirit of God, which made him what der his teaching, who is the foundation of all he was, and learn to trust in it: for “Abraham the righteous generations; in whom all such believed God, and it was accounted to him who believe shall not be ashamed, nor shall be for righteousness."-Gal. iii. 6; and so it will any "more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-be to all his children after the promise: and citizens with the saints, and of the household of seek not thine own honour, for "how can ye God," as saith the apostle, Eph. ii. 19.

And reader, if thou peruse the following account of the services and labour of love of this man of God, with an unprejudiced mind, and with a desire to be informed and helped forward in thy spiritual journey, thou wilt, no doubt, reap advantage by it, and be encouraged to press forward; and it will be to thee a savour of life unto life; that is, the savour of life that will attend thee in the reading of it, if thou read it with a single eye, will tend to promote the same life in thy soul, and thou wilt desire, ac

believe who receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only," saith Christ our Lord and Pattern, John v. 44. And if thou keepest under the government of the Spirit or grace of God, to the manifestation of his light in thy own heart, (which are all one thing, under different names, according to the diversities of the operations of God's universal gift dispensed for the redemption of mankind, and have all the same or the like properties and effects ascribed to each of them,) thou wilt receive power to become a

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1st, Under the term grace: "By grace are ye saved through faith."-Eph. ii. 8. God's grace is sufficient for thee.-2 Cor. xii. 9. It is that which "teacheth to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly."-Titus ii. 12.

child of God, and inherit the promises. Con- he says, "I will also give thee for a light to cerning which terms of grace, spirit and light, the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation for the sake of such who may be strangers to unto the end of the earth,”—Isa. xlix. 6; and this doctrine, a few Scripture testimonies are also by Zacharias, "to give light to them that subjoined, viz. sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."-Luke i. 79. And this is what the Apostle John gives testimony to, that it was come; "because," saith he, "the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth."-1 John ii. 8; and exhorts the believers to walk in it, chap. i. 7; and what the 2ndly, Under the term Spirit: "When the Apostle Paul bears record of, when he says, Spirit of Truth is come, he will guide you into" But all things that are reproved, or are (disall truth."-John xvi. 13. "The things of covered, as in the margin,) are made manifest God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God." by the light,"-Eph. v. 13.; and this is that 1 Cor. ii. 12. "But God hath revealed them light with which the heavenly city, the new to us by his Spirit."-1 Cor. ii. 10. "Grieve Jerusalem, is enlightened, and therefore "needs not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are not the light of the sun or of the moon, but the sealed unto the day of redemption."-Eph. iv. glory of God doth lighten it, and the Lamb is "As many as are led by the Spirit of the light thereof; and the nations of them God, they are the sons of God."-Rom. viii. which are saved, shall walk in the light of it." "Now if any man have not the Spirit of Rev. xxi. 23, 24. And it is to this gift, which Christ, he is none of his."-Rom. viii. 9; for is the saving health of all nations, the apostle it is through the Spirit the deeds of the body recommends the believers in his time, under the (which are our lusts) are mortified.-Rom. viii. term grace, and to which all who have known 13. the sufficiency of it, do direct all: "And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified."-Acts xx. 32.

30.

14.

3rdly, Under the term Light: Christ is "the true Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world," (John i. 9.) as he declares of himself, "I am the light of the world; he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."-John viii. 12. And thus is fulfilled what the prophet foretold concerning him, that " God gave him (his Son) for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles.”—Isa. xlii. 6. And again

To God only wise, who is glorified in his saints, and preserves, through all, to his hea venly kingdom such who put their trust in him, be dominion and thanks, now and for evermore. Amen.

A JOURNAL OF THE LIFE AND TRAVELS OF

JAMES DICKINSON.

CHAPTER I.

were Matthew and Jane Dickinson, who being convinced of the Truth, educated me in the His birth—care and faithfulness of his parents-way thereof; and the Lord, by his power, did his transgression and conviction—religious ex- reach unto me when very young, and often ercises and first appearance in the ministry-broke my heart into true tenderness, so that visits to a Presbyterian and Baptist meeting, many times I had a secret delight to be inward&c.-Travels in various parts of England and Wales, also in Scotland, Ireland and Hollandhis first visit to America-remarkable deliverance on the voyage-travels and gospel labours

in America.

I was born at a place called Lowmoor-house, in the parish of Dean and county of Cumberland, in the year 1659. My parents' names VOL. XII.-No. 10.

ly retired to feel the virtue of it; which was cause of true gladness to my parents, whose delight was in the enjoyment of the Lord's presence. They were good examples to their children, educating them in the way of righte ousness: often exhorting us with tears to fear the Lord, sincerely desiring that their children might be his. My testimony for them is, they discharged themselves to their children.

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