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Quakers,

Remarks

there, 373; account of his last illness and death, 374; Testimony of Friends of Philadelphia respecting him, 376; Testimony of Friends of Pyrmont, 379. Q.

their principle to do good to all-simplicity defended, 37; unite faith and works, 40.

R.

on Ezekiel's vision of the holy waters, 64; on the antichristian practice of swearing, 70; on the operations of the Holy Spirit, 73; on the doctrine of non-resistance, 73; on the peaceable principles of the gospel, 112. Revolutionary War, diary of J. Pemberton during,

287.

Ross, Thomas, account of, 333.

Pemberton, John, his life, 268; goes to England, 269; appears as a minister, ib.; travels with John Churchman, 268; Remarks on the state of Society in Ireland, 271, 272, 276; goes to Holland, 280; returns to America, 282; death of his father, ib.; joins D. Stanton in a visit to families in Philadelphia, 283; his marriage, ib.; religious visit to New England, 284; diary during revolutionary war, 287; goes to the yearly meeting of Virginia, 290; is banished with a number of Friends, 291; carried to Winchester, 293; ordered that they be carried to Pottsgrove and discharged, 297; death of his brother Israel, and character, 298; visit to New Jersey, ib.; religious visit to Europe, 300; Address to the President and council before leaving home, 301; embarks and is captured, 304; carried to France and thence reaches England, 305; goes to Ireland, 309; walks the streets of Londonderry in sackcloth, calling the people to repentance, 320; engaged with a priest, 325; returns to England, 328; goes to Scotland, 329; visits the Orkneys, 330; letter to him from one of the Islanders, 332; returns to England, 331; goes to York to see Thomas Ross, 333; remarkable testimony in favour of justice, 337; returns to Scotland, 337; second visit to Orkneys, 338; enters England again, 339; goes a third time to Scotland, 340; to yearly meeting in London, 342; returns to Scotland, 345; visits the Highlands, 347; enters England again, 354; attends London yearly meeting, 355; returns home, 359; third visit to Europe, ib.; embarks for Amsterdam, 360; arrival, 361; Address to the inhabitants of, 362; goes to Zwol, 364; to Lingen, 365; to Osnaburg and visits an Abbess at her request, 366; is taken sick at Bielefeld, 369, arrival at Pyrmont, 370, sick

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THE JOURNAL

OF

THOMAS CHALKLEY,

A MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL IN THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS.

Blessed is the man who walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in his law doth he meditate both day and night. Psal. i. 1, 2.

The testimony of the monthly meeting of Friends, | minds of youth from a due remembrance in Philadelphia, concerning our ancient worthy friend, Thomas Chalkley, deceased.

and awful regard of their Creator. Thus he was enabled to bear a testimony of christian patience and self-denial in his youthful days, THE christian experiences of the faithful and by keeping under that exercise, as he adbeing useful to direct such as are desirous of vanced in years, attained to further knowledge following them in the path of true religion and and experience in the work of religion, in virtue, and their good examples shining with which he had a sight of the necessity of keepthe greatest clearness, when they have, with ing in a state of humility, and of bearing the the flesh, put off all human infirmities; justice cross of Christ, which mortified him to the to their memory, and a concern for the benefit world. The loss which many sustain by the of their survivors, demand our grateful re- anxious pursuit of the lawful things thereof, membrance of them, and the contributing of appearing to him, he was concerned to avoid our endeavours to render their labours useful it, and in obedience to the precept of Christ, to posterity. to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, having faith in his promise, that all things necessary for him should be added.

These considerations engage us to preface the writings of this our esteemed friend and elder in the truth, with this testimony concerning him.

Thus the love of God influencing his mind, and opening his understanding, he became He was a member of our monthly meeting concerned for the general good of mankind, above forty years, so that some of us had op- and received a gift of the ministry of the portunities of being intimately acquainted with gospel of Christ, before he had attained the him, and of knowing his fidelity and diligence age of twenty-one years; in the public exerin promoting the cause of truth and the edifica- cise of which, he soon after travelled through tion of the church of Christ; this having been many parts of England, and into Scotland. the principal engagement and concern of his In the year 1697 he came to visit Friends in mind, and which he preferred to any other this and the adjacent provinces of America, consideration, as will evidently appear to where his ministry and conversation were to those, who with an honest and unprejudiced the comfort and edification of the faithful, as intention, peruse the journal of his life and some of us can with satisfaction declare, from travels. our knowledge and remembrance of him at

By this it will appear, that he was, in the that time; and the near fellowship and union early part of his life, sensibly affected with the he then had with Friends here, we believe convisitation of divine life and grace, and by ad-tributed to his more speedy determination of hering thereto, was preserved from the vanities settling among us, which he afterwards thought and follies which often divert and alienate the it his duty to do, though leaving his parents VOL. VI.-No. 1.

1

and relations was no small cross to him, being all others, with whom he had conversation or of a dutiful and affectionate disposition. dealings; so that it may be truly said, few After fixing his residence among us, he have lived more universally beloved and repersevered in his concern and labour for the spected among us. It was manifest that this edification of the churches, and gathering did not proceed from a desire of being popular, people to faith and dependence on the inward or to be seen of man; for his love and regard teachings of Christ, and for that purpose only to peace did not divert him from the discharge he travelled many long journies and voyages of his duty in a faithful testimony to those who through the several English colonies on this professed the truth, that they ought to be carecontinent, and most of the islands in the West-ful to maintain good works. He was often Indies, and in Europe, through England, concerned zealously to incite and press Friends Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Holland, Friesland, to the exercise of good order and discipline, and several parts of Germany, and the adja-established in the wisdom of truth, by admoncent northern kingdoms. In many of these ishing, warning, and timely treating with such places his ministry and religious labours were as fell short of their duty therein, and by tesblessed with the desired success, of which tifying against those who, after loving and there are yet some witnesses living, and others, brotherly care and endeavours, could not be who were convinced of the principles of truth brought to the sense and practice of their duty; by his means, became serviceable members of and thereby he sometimes shared the ill-will the church, and continued therein to the end and resentment of such persons. of their lives.

to the end, we are fully persuaded the words, with which he concluded his last public testimony in the island of Tortola, may be truly and properly applied to him, that he had fought a good fight, and had kept the faith, and we doubt not, he now enjoys a crown of righteousness.

The several essays which he wrote on reBut as the wise king Solomon formerly obligious subjects while at sea, are further proofs served, that one event cometh to the righteous that his mind was principally engaged in the and to the wicked, so it happened to this good great business and concern of religion; and man, who met with various losses and disap- as he continued under the same engagement pointments in his temporal estate; after which, the circumstances of his affairs engaged him to undertake some business, in the management of which he was obliged to cross the seas frequently. This however, did not abate his zeal and religious care to make use of all opportunities of visiting the meetings of Friends, when among them, and of calling, at other times, to such who might be accounted as the outcasts of Israel, and the dispersed of Judah, or as sheep not yet of the fold of Christ; and his services of that kind are worthy to be commemorated, having been often productive of good effects.

Much more might be truly said of his integrity, faithfulness and worth, but we do not think it necessary; our chief intention being to express our respectful remembrance of him, and our unity with his labours and services, and in order to assure those, to whom he was not personally known, of the truth of what he His patience was remarkable in disappoint- hath himself written of his life and travels. ments and afflictions, of which he had a large We believe, as he was a man signally influshare; and his meekness, humility and cir-enced with the spirit of universal love and good cumspection, in the general course of his life will to mankind, this was his chief motive for and conversation were conspicuous and exem- writing; and we are sincerely desirous that plary. As he frequently exhorted and admon- his good design may be answered, and that ished others to the observation and practice of the glory of every good and perfect work may the many excellent precepts and rules of Christ be attributed to that divine power alone, which our Lord and law-giver; and more especially can qualify others to supply the places of those those expressed in his sermon on the mount, faithful ministers and servants of Christ, who which contains the sum of our moral and re- have been of late years removed from among ligious duties, so he manifested himself to be us, and are of that number, of whom it is one of that number, whom Christ compared written, "Blessed are the dead, which die in to the wise builder, who laid a sure foundation; the Lord, from henceforth; yea, saith the so that his building stood unshaken by the va- spirit, that they may rest from their labours, rious floods and winds of tribulations and and their works do follow them.” temptations which he met with, both from within and without.

He was a lover of unity amongst brethren, and careful to promote and maintain it, showing the example of a meek, courteous, and loving deportment, not only to Friends, but to

Signed on behalf, and by appointment of the monthly meeting of Friends in Philadelphia, the 28th day of the second month, 1749, by

ISRAEL PEMBERTON.

THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY.

HAVING great cause to acknowledge the re-work could not truly call God father, accordgard and protection of divine Providence in ing to Christ's doctrine. Being convicted in the several stages of my life, I think it may their consciences that what I said was true, be of service to others, to leave behind me the they were all silent, and wondered that I, being following account of my life and travels. so young, should speak in such a manner; in which I remember I had great peace and good satisfaction; and from thenceforth these men let me alone.

I was born on the 3d day of the third month, 1675, in Southwark, and descended of honest and religious parents, who were very careful of me, and brought me up in the fear of the Lord; and oftentimes counselled me to sobriety, and reproved me for wantonness; and that light spirit which is incident to youth, they were careful to nip in the bud: so that I have cause to bless God, through Christ, on the behalf of my tender parents.

Notwithstanding I hated to hear wicked words, I loved play exceedingly, being persuaded that there was no harm in that, if we used no bad words. One time I was at play at a neighbour's house with the children, and in the midst of my sport I was reached with strong conviction, insomuch that I could not I may not forget the dealings of God with forbear weeping. The children's mother obme in my very tender years. When between serving that I wept, said, "why do you weep ?" eight and ten years of age, my father and I told her I could not tell, except it was bemother sent me nearly two miles to school, to cause I was a naughty boy. "Oh!" said she, Richard Scoryer, in the suburbs of London." don't believe him, for that's the devil tells I went mostly by myself, and many and vari- you so, for you are the best boy in all our ous were the exercises I went through, by street." But I knew I was told the truth by beatings and stonings along the streets, being conviction, and that she was mistaken: for I distinguished to the people by the badge of plainly understood by clear conviction, and by plainness which my parents put upon me, of what profession I was: divers telling me, " it was no more sin to kill me than it was to kill a dog."

the holy Scriptures, which I had been trained up in the reading of, that I was too vain and wanton; for I loved music, dancing and playing at cards, and too much delighted therein, and was followed with the judgments of God therefor in the secret of my soul. What I did in those sports and games, I always took care to do out of the sight, and without the knowledge, of my tender parents; for I was afraid of their reproofs and corrections, the which I was sure to have, if they had any intelligence of it.

About this time the Lord began to work strongly on my mind by his grace, insomuch that I could not forbear reproving those lads, who would take the name of the Lord God in their mouths in vain, reminding them of the third commandment, "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain ;" and of Christ's saying, I remember that, unknown to my parents, "every idle word that men shall speak, they I had bought a pack of cards, with intent to shall give an account thereof in the day of make use of them when I went to see my rejudgment;" for which I was mocked and de- lations in the country, where there was liberty rided by some, and others would sometimes in the family so to do, at a place called Woodrefrain from such bad words when I reproved them.

ford, about seven miles from London, where I got leave sometimes to go. At the time called One time I remember being amongst some Christmas, I went to see them, and five miles men, one of whom I had reproved, and he on my way went to a meeting, at a town called told the rest of it, and turned to me, and said, Wanstead; at which meeting, a minister of "that I was no Christian," and asked me, Christ declared against the evil of gaming, "when I said the Lord's prayer?" I asked and particularly of cards; and that the time him, if he said it. He replied yes. I then which people pretend to keep holy, for Christ's asked him, how he could call God Father, and sake, many of them spend mostly in wickedbe so wicked as to swear and take God's name ness, sports and games; even some pretending in vain ; which I had heard him often do; and to be religious; and generally speaking, more I told him what Christ said to the Jews, "ye sin and evil is committed in this time, than in are of your father the devil, because his works the like space of time in all the year besides; ye do;" and that those that did the devil's so that the devil is served instead of honour.

lowed me with his chastising rod, and often put me in mind of my covenant which I made with him in my distress; and that he had granted the request I then made to him; and unless I would take up a cross to my own corrupt will and inclinations, he should take me out of the world. Then, Oh, then! I cried, Lord help, or I die! Save me, or I perish for ever! I cannot keep thy covenant, nor do thy will, without thy help and assistance! And indeed, if the Lord had not helped, I had been undone for ever.

I continued bowed down in my mind, calling on the Lord; thinking and meditating on heaven and heavenly things: but as I am sensible I had an inward enemy that always sought my hurt and overthrow, I have cause to bless God, who by his grace, as mine eye was turned to it, helped me to do his will, as he was pleased to manifest it to me, so that thereby some change was wrought on me both inwardly and outwardly.

ing Christ. From this meeting at Wanstead, I went to the house of my relations, where the parson of the next parish lodged that night, who used to play cards with them sometimes. The time drawing near that we were to go to our games, my uncle called to the doctor, as he styled him, to me and to my cousin, to come and take a game at cards; at which motion I had strong convictions upon me not to do it, as being evil; and I secretly cried to the Lord to keep me faithful to him; and lifting up my eyes, I saw a Bible lie in the window, at the sight of which I was glad. I took it, and sat down, and read to myself, greatly rejoicing that I was preserved out of the snare. Then my uncle called again, and said, "Come, doctor, you and I, my wife and daughter, will have a game at cards, for I see my cousin is better disposed." Then he looked upon me, and said, "He was better disposed also." So their sport for that time was spoiled, and mine in that practice for ever; for I never, as I remember, played with them more, but as soon I then began to delight in reading and soas I came home, offered my new and untouch-briety, which before were irksome to me: and ed pack of cards to the fire. I am certain the when I read the holy Scriptures, I desired use of them is of evil consequence, and draws that God would open them to my understandaway the mind from heaven and heavenly things; for which reason all Christians ought to shun them as engines of satan; and music and dancing having generally the same tendency, ought therefore to be refrained from. The sentiments of the Waldenses, a people in great esteem among Protestants, are worthy the consideration of all Christians; which were, "That as many paces, or steps, as a man or woman takes in the dance, so many paces or steps they take towards hell.”

I very well remember the work of God upon my soul, when I was about ten years of age; and particularly at a certain time when I had been rebelling against God and my parents, in vanity and lightness: and as I had offended both, so I was corrected by both: for I had not only felt the anger of my parents, but the Lord frowned upon me, insomuch, that I trembled exceedingly, and was as though I heard a voice say to me, "What will become of thee this night, if I should take thy life from thee?" At which I was amazed, and in great fear. Then I covenanted with God, that if he would be pleased to spare my life, for I thought God would have taken it from me that very moment, I would be more sober, and mind his fear more than I had done before.

ing, which he did many times to my edification. I also begged earnestly of the Lord, that he would be pleased to be with me, and make me like his children and servants, of whom I read in the holy Scriptures, who faithfully served him all their days. And when I read of the crucifixion of our blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, it would break my soul into tenderness. I thought it was enough to awaken and humble any soul that was well meaning, and had any sense of the power, love and grace of Christ. Thus I went on for several years, feeling that peace which passeth natural understanding, which many times accompanied my poor and needy soul: and being advanced to about fourteen or fifteen years of age, I remember that I used to shun the cross of speaking in the plain language, which I always read in the holy Scriptures, to those whom I conversed with, except my father and mother, who would not allow me to speak otherwise. I was convicted in my conscience that it was not right to play the hypocrite after that manner; and on a certain time I had occasion to speak with an officer, a great man in our neighbourhood, and my heart moved within me for fear I should shun the cross of Christ; for it was Christ's language to all, as we may read in the New Testament; and all the Scriptures, from Genesis to the Revelations, speak thee and thou, to a single person.

Nevertheless, I broke covenant with God my Maker, my adversary tempting me so to do, telling me I was but a child, and it was natural for children to be brisk and play, and that God would wink at my childhood and So I took up the cross, and said thee to youth, and it was time enough for me when a him; and he was much affronted, and said, man, to become religious. But still God fol-"Thee! what dost thou thee me for?" I so

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