date, and one from thy father of the 1st of 11th month, all truly acceptable. Thy expression of sympathy with me in my trial in the removal of dear Joseph, has a sweetness in it, unknown to such as merely compliment each other with unmeaning expressions, and know not that union of souls which adds true satisfaction to the one, in every feeling sympathetic sentence of the other; especially, when far separated, and under great tribulation; which has mostly been my case, since Yearly Meeting. I rejoice in thy patience, and have been obliged to exercise much of that necessary disposition myself; else I know not that I could have endured. If the spoil has, I hope the toil has not, been divided between me and thee; for I wish thee happier, than in my absence to share my sorrows, unless it might add to thy improvement. What will come next, is beyond my short-sighted ken: for I thought my eleven days captivity, mentioned in a former letter, was near the utmost I had to expect. But, alas! I was not many days liberated from that, till I was plunged again, so as not to be able to open my mouth, in a meeting for worship, from the 9th of 11th month till yesterday the 30th, being quite shut up in fifteen public meetings, and divers meetings for church affairs. I suppose I am a wonder to many. But my tongue clave to the roof of my mouth. I could no more utter words with peace, in these meetings, than I can at other times keep silence with peace. Dear John Storer, William Jackson, Samuel Hopkins, and divers others, have manifested deep sympathy with me, in this trying season. A number of the last days, I have felt no more clear sense of divine good, than if I had never known good in my life; saw no way to move, and dared not move homeward; yet omitted writing, not knowing but I must be obliged to skulk away home in the dark, as a defeated soldier that flees before his enemy. But as I endeavoured to keep the word of patience, after all seemed to be gone, and not a spark remaining, to my perception, from which life could ever be again renewed, blessed be the helper of the helpless, light sprang up again out of seeming total obscurity; and when I was raised upon my feet, (which was at a meeting I had been twice at before,) I had very hard work to keep from running headlong. It was like the rushing of a mighty torrent of water, like a flood that seemed as if it would sweep myself and all away in it. This day I have been at no meeting. I hope if my way continues open, my exercise may not be so much in the flood-like pressing forward, but more in the gentleness; though I cannot be sorry I have had the experience of yesterday's irresistible breaking forth of waters: for I very often have to say, after varied exercises," Day unto day uttereth speech," &c. And after all, I never expect to get to heaven, till all that is in me dies, that cannot bear the Lord's chastising hand, without a murmur, or even an unsubjected rising motion of heart, contrary to a full renunciation of my own will and entire submission to his. Therefore may his hand not spare, nor his eye pity, till all that is in me bows, and remains wholly bowed, to endure with perfect patience, his whole good pleasure concerning me. And, my best beloved here below, my second self, may this too, be thy blessed experience. I often wish to enjoy thee when we meet again, as one whose advancement in the divine life, has added a sweetness and endearment, surpassing the love of our first espousals. Oh! may thy progress in that of getting rid of weakness and infirmity outstrip mine: not as having more need, but because I so sensibly feel mine surrounding me, in the midst of all my probations, that I can but wish to be far outdone by her whose welfare is as interesting to me, nearly if not altogether as my own. But may thy refinement not cost thee such pangs as I find necessary to pass through. I expect if I go on William Jackson will go with me, and no man in Pennsylvania could please me better. He knows the path of my feet, has drunk a cup like mine, and known the sword that never fails. Tell my dear children, their poor father's desire is, that they may be good children, and obey their mother, or he shall be sorry for them when he comes home. And Oh! my dear love, do watch over and restrain them. I can't see the I often fear it will fall way home very soon. so hard on my dear friend Benedict, in the care of you I left behind, that for his sake, as well as yours and my own, I could beg to be released, but must submit. I once more presume to VOL. II.-8 desire his care extended over you, in such way, as He who I trust cares for you, may open. My heart is full on this occasion, but I must close. Thy heart affected husband, JOB SCOTT. My dear, I am now at Birmingham, the 5th of 12th month. The day after I wrote the foregoing long letter, was a most glorious day. Truth reigned triumphant over all. My soul, set free, rejoiced, and worshipped Him And leave my wo. Be mine, should I But wo on wo would then For this is death by law; and more than death- Shall reign, and triumph over all. Amen. And keep thee safely till my safe return. So prays the soul.that loves thee, and is thine, JOB SCOTT. To Daniel Anthony, and others. Dear father and mother, Birmingham, Penn. 12th month 4th, 1786. My love salutes you, with all the children. I received thy letter of 1st of 11th month, with one from my dear wife, and one from James Smith; all truly acceptable. I see no way home yet, though I go on very heavily; perhaps they never had such a visiter here before. I am now in the heart of the very spot where my mind centred ere I left home in one of the thickest settlements of "Friends" in all Pennsylvania; though I then knew not that a single Friend lived any where here ; but I find I had a very clear sight of Friends who compose two Quarterly Meetings. I felt deep and heavy exercise for myself in this place before I left my outward habitation; but alas! one half was not told me. After eleven silent, suffering meetings in another Quarter, I had a few very open good seasons; then came into this part of the country, and have been at their two Quarterly Meetings; four of their Monthly; several Preparative, and many particular meetings; and I was twenty days unable to open my mouth in any meeting for public worship, though in that time I was at fifteen, and at several select, &c., in all which almost wholly silent, my tongue cleaving, as it were, to the roof of my mouth. Since that I have had two blessed meetings; high days, not to be forgotten; but all is shut up again, for how long God only knows. Oh how often do I look towards home, but all is dark and gloomy. I dare not desert my post, for it is death by the law; and indeed it is death here to abide. I am, and have mostly been, since Yearly Meeting, tried as to a hair's breadth; no human help is able to direct, support, or deliver. Dear William Jackson is my sympathizing companion, a workman indeed; I love him much. If my way opens, and I go on, I expect much of his company. No man in Pennsylvania stands before him in my list; I am an infant to him; I wonder how he can give up to join me, but it must be through deep sympathy with my exercised soul. Dear John Storer, and many other Friends likewise, have very near sympathy, and speak comfortably: but vain is the help of all mankind; my distress is incurable by all their art. I am a sign and wonder to many; but I pray for patience, and at times can believe I shall yet come through and over all rejoicing; and then, anon, faith almost fails. So far as my depressed state allows, my love is to all my dear friends in your parts. I have not had a line from one of them though I long ago wrote Moses, and could gladly read a note from him, and as much so from divers others; but they know not the path of my feet; they feel not my exercise, nor dream of my probations I suppose, and if they knew the whole, and wrote me day by day, 'twould not avail, unless to show their love, and for a moment please a friend; but could not heal the wound. Yet let them not withhold, nor thee: for sweet is the remembrance of a friend. But I must close; relying only on that arm of strength which ever was the good man's shield, and is and though not seen, is near, and will, no doubt, in time that's best, itself make bare. Till then, let faith and resignation e'er be mine, lest floods of doubt and darkness overwhelm. But what am I about! Adieu. I rest thy truly loving, (in degree,) if not at this dull time, thy feelingly affectionate and ardent son, JOB SCOTT. To his Wife. Philadelphia, 12th month 12th, 1786. My dear, I wrote thee lately from the country, I think Birmingham. I came this evening to the city, for my way quite closed up in the country. I have not opened my mouth in public since my said letter. The Lord only is fully knowing to the depth of my trials: but, blessed be his holy name, he has not forsaken me. I this day, among a handful of Friends in the country, was very unexpectedly mounted on the King's horse, triumphing over |