on board was five weeks and three days. My mind was made thankful for this great mercy and favour, the Lord's mighty preservation and protection, whilst on this large continent, as also on the wide ocean; in consideration of which, my soul praises His holy name, who is worthy for ever and ever! The next day I came up to London with my companions, and was kindly received by our friends and my dear relations. After two or three days stay in London, I set out for Norwich on the 15th of fourth month, 1772, and got well home the same evening to my dear wife and children and friends, who all expressed great joy and thankfulness at seeing me; and so it was to me, after an absence from them of about one year and nine months, in which time I travelled, by a moderate computation, thirteen thousand seven hundred and fifty-five miles. THE END OF JOSEPH OXLEY'S JOURNAL. yielded in obedience to what she believed to be her duty, in paying a religious visit to Friends in England, and having Friends' concurrence, approbation, and certificate, it was thought well we should accompany one another over the great ocean. She had also a kinswoman to accompany her, and though one not in the ministry, yet was exercised in spirit for the prosperity of Truth, and having near sympathy with her aunt in her present concern, gave up to attend her in her said undertaking her name was Deborah Morris; and, indeed, I thought her an excellent mother, raised up in our Israel. On the third-day of the week, being 3d of third month, we had a short but weighty sitting together in the house of our dear friend John Pemberton, to which place many were gathered, in order to take their last farewell; it was a time of love, wherein our minds were much affected, and our spirits broken and contrited before the Lord, who was pleased to bless us together; in this heavenly frame, we took our leave and parted! Several of our kind friends from the It does not appear that this humble-minded city accompanied us to Chester, the place servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, continued where we were to embark, Samuel Neale, his journal, or left much if anything on record John Pemberton, and I suppose more than of his life or religious exercises, after his rethirty in number: after we had taken some turn from America. This sacrifice seemed little refreshment at Chester, we retired into a like the winding up of his day's work, and humble awful reverent waiting, which was was crowned with the sheaves of peace in his again graciously owned, and crowned with bosom, and the answer of "Well done" from heavenly life and power. After thus taking his great and good Master, as to a faithful our farewell of our dear Friends, many of steward in the Gospel vineyard; likewise, whom went with us to the brink of the waters with the approbation of his friends in various and then returned, we set sail on board the parts of the heritage, amply expressed by Pennsylvania packet, Peter Osborne com-them in their public documents, where his lot mander. The nearness of unity into which I had been cast, as well as in private correswas brought with these beloved Friends and pondence. citizens has made deep impressions on my mind, which I trust will prove lasting, and made it very hard for me to part with them. We ran aground twice before we left the Capes of Delaware, and the latter time threatened great danger; the captain and sailors said there was but little likelihood of getting the ship off again, the wind blowing pretty hard. But the men used their utmost endeavours, which Providence was pleased to bless, and the ship worked off, but the captain said he hardly knew how: my soul reverently praises Him who wrought this deliverance for us. We passed through much stormy weather, but through mercy were in a good degree preserved in stillness, trusting in him who hath power to still the winds and calm the seas at his pleasure. About thirty-one days after we left the Capes we got to soundings, and the next day brought us in sight of land, and on the 10th of the fourth month, my companions and I landed at Dover, which time from our going Of the few additional particulars that have come to hand respecting Joseph Oxley, the editor has only to produce an extract from the testimonial of his friends, given forth after his removal by death, respecting his character and latter end; and to close the volume, by inserting a letter from his valued companion in ministerial labour and travel, Samuel Neale, addressed to his widow, on receiving the intelligence of his release from the probations of time. "Joseph Oxley was a man exemplary in conduct, and agreeable in conversation, honest in advice, charitable in sentiment, universal in benevolence, deservedly esteemed by his neighbours, and beloved by his friends. "A few months before his decease, he was impressed with a sense that his departure was at no great distance; and sometimes hinted to some nearly connected with him, that it would be sudden;—yet, not as fearing it, but rather in a serious and pleasing acquiescence with the prospect. 66 Accordingly, after attending two meetings sire, that I may so fill my lot here in the on first-day the 22nd of the tenth month, 1775, church militant, as to be ready when the meswhich were held in silence, and spending the senger arrives, to give an account of my stewevening with his family, in a disposition more ardship, so as to meet acceptance, and an enthan ordinarily pleasant, he cheerfully went trance into the church triumphant. There are up to bed; where he laid but a few minutes, many called, but when made willing to be before it pleased Almighty Goodness to take chosen, something interposes, dazzling, worldhim from the vicissitudes of mutability, with-ly pomp, splendour, or the cords which allure out a struggle, or passing through the tedious and afflicting pains commonly incident to nature no doubt, to him, an easy passage to a heavenly mansion. "His remains were interred in Friends' burial-ground at Norwich, the 26th of the tenth month, 1775, in the sixty-first year of his age, and thirty-fourth of his ministry." SAMUEL NEALE TO MARY OXLEY. that way, and which sink the mind in supineness, stop the ardency of the awakened intention, and so turn into the wilderness, where many are torn as with the briars and thorns; and some are corrected, but sustain so many wounds, that they become lame and impotent, and centre down in an unprofitable state both to themselves and the church, and the stream of Divine life becomes dried up in them. May this never be our lot, but may we daily know the girding of the heavenly Master, keep on the armour that he has once given, and feel Springmount, 19th of First month, 1776. the unction that brightens the shield; that we About a month ago I heard of the removal may have fellowship with the living; gradualof my truly near and dear companion, thy ly ascending the hill, where the clean-handed dear deceased husband, whose translation is have their residence, and are replenished with to a better inheritance than to continue on this the water that issues therefrom, that ever did theatre of probation. A letter from dear Ed- and still makes glad the heritage. I trust, mund Gurney brought the tidings to Robert dear friend, the Lord of living mercies will be Dudley, and he to me at our last Quarterly with thee in thy pilgrimage, sustain thee with Meeting it struck me with surprise, and yet, food convenient, strengthening thy bow, and when I consider the man and where he dwelt, fitting for whatever he requires. When we I look upon it only as a remove from a limited are shaken with an uncommon, unexpected Goshen here, to a Goshen of endless light and stroke in our experience, we are like the needle duration. I seldom or ever have known him in the compass-box, greatly agitated, and it appear in his vestment, but it covered him will take some time before we settle so as to diffident and humble he was, preferring others be able to traverse truly; but by centering in before himself. He waded along with becom- a state of quietness and acquiescence to the ing fortitude in his visit to the churches in America and Ireland, and was universally esteemed. In his last moments the great Master unveiled his kindness to him, in removing him without much conflict or pain, his spirit es- It gives me pleasure to hear how my dear caping from a mansion of mortality into a friend's family is likely to settle; and, if they mansion of immortality and eternal life, where keep to the saving Truth their worthy father he has entered his lot, and sings with the sanc- loved, and served, and lived in, they may be tified the songs of thanksgiving and praise! ornaments in their day in the church and in Thy letter I received two days ago, which I the world, and inherit his virtues. My dear love acknowledge as a favour, and can sympathize to them, and particularly my friend Joseph, with thee in the removal of a living branch of whose union I trust is established in the counthy family, who had not only leaves, but fruit sel of best wisdom; the reward annexed is also his residence was near the spring which righteousness and peace. I salute thee and replenished his life, covered his head in the them in near sympathy and affection, and rehour of Gospel labour, and kept him in the main, in the fellowship of Gospel love, union and fellowship of the faithful at home Thy nearly united friend, and abroad. Dear friend, when I consider how many are called from works to rewards, it raises a de Master's will, we shall feel the influence of the heavenly attraction, and our spirits will be directed in the right line of duty, to our own peace and the Master's praise. SAMUEL NEale. END OF THE LIFE OF JOSEPH OXLEY. MEMOIR OF JOHN WATSON. JOHN WATSON was born in the year 1651, | father, meetings of Friends were occasionally and came with his father into Ireland, in 1658 Kilconner, in the county of Carlow, became the family residence. When about twenty-two years of age, he was invited to a religious meeting of the Society of Friends at New Garden. It was the first he had attended, and the ministry of John Burnyeat so touched his heart, that he joined that Society; and believing he did right in so doing, was enabled to bear the displeasure of his father, which was particularly excited by his son's adopting their plain mode of speech. It may now occasion some surprise that this should have given such offence; but our ancient records inform us of much suffering on that account having been endured, from within and from without; for severe conflicts of spirit were experienced, before the will was subdued, and the mind enabled to overcome its reluctance to bear the cross in this particular: especially as the singular number was formerly used in speaking to those of inferior station, and persons in higher rank, when addressed in this manner, were wont to look upon it as denoting disrespect, and, accordingly, resented it. Not uncovering the head, in salutation to a fellow-creature, also drew much displeasure on those who forebore to foster that self-complacency which expected this outward show of respect from those who withheld it, not from lack of good will or courtesy, but from the conviction that it was their duty to refrain from paying it, believing it originated in pride and servility, and tended to encourage these evils. In 1674, John Watson married Anne Tomlinson, whose parents had settled in Ireland about the time of his father's removal thither. His wife joined herself to the Society of which her husband was a member, and both patiently endured the father's remonstrance against his son's change of his profession of religion. In these remonstrances he was seconded by archdeacon Plummer, who, finding persuasion unavailing, threatened him with a prison; to which threat the pious young man replied: "I do not fear it, but will make ready for one;" and thereupon disposed of some of the land which he occupied, to lessen his rent and incumbrances. He lived in his father's house, which, in 1675, becoming his own by the decease of his held there, and regularly established in 1678; which gave great offence to the archdeacon, and to the bishop of Leighlin and Ferns; who sued him for refusing to contribute to the repairs of the parish worship-house at Fenagh, and obtained a writ against him, which the archdeacon told him should not be put in force, if he would but submit to them, and not allow meetings in .his house. On his refusal to accede to those terms, he ordered him to prison, cruelly adding: "There he shall lie till he rots." He was a prisoner above two years, and besides this suffered in his property, under pretence of an escape, because the sheriff had sometimes granted him liberty to visit his own home. To that home and to his liberty he was at length restored, and found it was allotted to him to do, as well as to suffer, in the cause of righteousness; for in 1696 he believed it to be his duty to preach the Gospel, and in that service he took several journeys into England, and through this nation; having meetings in remote places, where none of his religious profession resided. He was also zealously concerned for the support of the discipline established amongst Friends, and for good order in their families; in which he gave the example of ruling well his own house, in the spirit of love, keeping his children in that subjection which tended to promote their own happiness. As he was an affectionate father, so he was a tender and kind husband to a worthy wife; and they united in humble submission to the will of the great Disposer, while they drank of a cup which, had it not been palliated by resignation, parental feelings would have found very bitter. Their daughter Elizabeth accompanied at ministering woman Friend in a journey to the province of Ulster; and there, remote from her parents, sickened of the small-pox. On receiving this information, her father went to her. The state of the roads and posts at that time did not permit the anxious mother to receive regular intelligence of her situation; and her child's death was first announced to her by the sight of her husband returning, bring. ing his daughter's horse, with her clothes tied on the side-saddle. The mother stood a while silent, and then bore this testimony, honourable to her children, and consoling to herself: "I have had ten children, and not one bad one!" Elizabeth Watson died at the house of them as they kept near him; adding: "0 William Gray of Ballyhagen, in the 25th year of her age. John Watson was naturally of a mild and affable temper, yet he was firm in opposing any tendency to violate those testimonies, the proper support of which required humility and self-denial. His last illness continued about three months, in which time he was often exercised in fervent prayer to the Almighty; giving praises to his holy name for his favours and mercies to wards him, and testifying resignation to his blessed will, saying; "If the Lord have not a further service for me, I am willing to die. I bless God I have a peaceful conscience. My good God hath all along been my strength, my stay, my song and salvation." He was pleased to see his friends, and had often a word of tender advice to them, especially to the youth, for whose preservation he was much concerned; and addressing a young minister, he thus advised him: "Be sure to keep low in thy mind, and little in thy own eyes; yet be not fearful, but of a believing heart. Look not much at others, neither be dismayed at the frowns of any, but mind truth in thyself. I have ever found that my peace and safety." Looking tenderly upon his children, he said: "I leave you to the Lord; and if you love him above all, he will be your God, as he has been mine." He exhorted his wife, children, and servants, to treasure up the memory of those seasons in which their minds participated together of the influence of heavenly good; to live in love, and the Lord of love would bless Lord! thou knowest I have always depended upon thee, and thou hast never failed me." When the near approach of death caused his voice to be scarcely audible, he was engaged in advising one of his friends to guard against the snares of wealth, to content himself with the sufficiency which was granted him, to keep in humility, and to devote to the service of the Lord that good understanding which had been given him. To another he thus expressed himself: "My heart is united to thee, and to all faithful Friends, as Jonathan's was to David." He slept little or none the last night of his life, but was fervent in prayer on behalf of their small meeting, and that Friends might be preserved a growing people. "Oh! happy," said the dying man, "is that man or woman who hath their work done in their day. I have nothing to do but to die, and offer up my soul to the Lord." And again: "I have done, and go in peace with my God." In this happy state, his purified spirit was released, the 19th of first month, 1710, at his house in Kilconner, in the sixtieth year of his age. His son Samuel thus bears witness to the character of his deceased father: "When I consider his grave and solid deportment in his family, his great care for our welfare, and good advice to us in tenderness of spirit, when young in years; as also his earnest concern for the growth of truth, and preservation of those who professed it, my spirit is tenderly affected with a sense of the loss, which both we of his family and the church also sustain, by the removal of so kind and tender a father and faithful friend." MEMOIR OF WILLIAM WATSON. WILLIAM WATSON was born at Crane, in to his Monthly Meeting have recorded of him, the county of Wexford, in the year 1687, of " he was careful to wait for the motion of the parents who were members of the Society of Friends, and religiously careful of his education, as he thus acknowledges, in a letter dated 1707: "Dear parents, I hope I shall never be unmindful of your great care to me, which ye have often, yea, always made me a sharer of; and though we be often outwardly separated, yet I hope the Lord, whom, in sincerity, according to my measure, I desire always to serve, will keep us in such a frame of mind, that we shall be near to him, and to one another." At sixteen years of age he came forth in the ministry, in which, as Friends belonging word of life; so that he grew in his gift, and became an able minister of the Gospel of Christ." They further bear witness to his sound, deliberate, weighty doctrine; the tender frame of spirit in which he delivered it; the sweetness of that life and power attending his ministry, and his fervency in prayer; adding: "He had not only a gift in the ministry, but was also well qualified for the discipline; having a due respect to faithful elders, loving and affectionate to the brethren, zealously con cerned for peace and unity among Friends, and that backsliders might be admonished, and judgment set over the heads of transgressors, according to the good order of the Gospel, yet very desirous of their return." His mild and grave deportment caused him to be in good esteem amongst his neighbours. The above was dated 1715, the last year of his life; his distemper making a gradual progress, sapping his strength and withering his youth, but not his spirit, which, more and more He travelled as a minister several times in purified, overflowed in written and oral comhis native country, once in Scotland, and three munications, to the instruction and consolation times in parts of England; his faithful dedi- of his friends. He was, in the time of health, cation affording great comfort to his parents, a diligent attender of meetings, and observant and to his uncle John Watson. But it was of the hour appointed; and when his weakness not permitted them to enjoy, to the end of prevented him leaving his house, Friends, at their days, the satisfaction of his society, or his request, occasionally met there, to their to leave him after them, as one whose example mutual comfort; and at times he appeared might benefit another generation. In a letter amongst them in a few tender words, declaring to his mother, he endeavours, in a solemn and his resignation to the will of God, and advising tender manner, to prepare her for the afflicting to a circumspect waiting upon the Lord. intelligence of his illness, and proceeds: "And The men's meeting being held at his house now, my dear and affectionate mother, I shall a few days before his death, after it was over give thee to understand, that I have been for he desired some Friends would come into his some days past but weakly, chiefly occasioned chamber, and being supported in his bed, he by spitting blood, which is now stopped for took his last farewell, thus: "Dear Friends, twenty four hours past, or more, and I am we have had many sweet seasons together, much easier than I was. I may also let thee and now we are near to take leave of one anknow that the Almighty, whose gracious arm other; wherefore I desire your continued care hath been near to me from my youth, and un- over the church of Christ; and you can never derneath in all my troubles, has been merci- be careful over the church of Christ, unless fully with me in this illness, sweetening my you are first careful of yourselves, as the soul with his wonted goodness and loving- apostle Paul said, when he was taking leave kindness, making me to triumph over death of the elders of the church: "Take heed unto and the grave, in the power of an endless life: yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which my heart with humility desires to give him the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers.' the praise, whom I can truly say I have de- He also advised Friends to do justly, love sired faithfully to serve, in the Gospel of his mercy, and walk humbly with God; and adddear Son, according to my measure. Give my ed: "In your men's meetings be not too full dear love to my father and sisters. I desire of words, neither usurp authority one over anthe Lord's blessing may rest upon them. Tell other, nor strive who shall be greatest there; them to live loose to this world, and the things but dwell low and humble: walk in humility, thereof, and near to truth, and make ready for and God Almighty be with you and with your their change. My dear love is to all Friends families." in that county, amongst whom I have often laboured, and discharged my duty, as far as I know, both to old and young, faithful and unfaithful: let them take heed how they slight counsel. So, dear mother, I salute thee in tender love, hoping, in the will of God, to see thee once more in that county. "I am thy loving, affectionate son, In this manner he parted with his dear companions, whose hearts were sorrowful at the prospect of the approaching separation, and melted with a tender sense of the divine virtue which influenced the counsels of their dying friend. He departed this life the 22nd of the twelfth month, 1715, in the twenty-ninth year of his age. MEMOIR OF JOHN CLIBBORN. JOHN CLIBBORN, son of William Clibborn, | ing that the people called Quakers had a was born near Cowley, in the county of Dur-meeting-house on his land, he was much disham, in 1623; and, in the year 1649, went pleased; for he, with many others, looked on into Ireland, a soldier in Cromwell's army. them, not only with contempt, but aversion, In 1653, he married Margaret Crow, at New-and, determining to banish them from his ry, province of Ulster, and settled at Moate premises, he resolved to burn their meetingGrenoge, county of Westmeath. Pride ap- house. Humanity forbade his doing this on pears to have been one of his faults; and find- the day assigned for general public worship, |