706 FRIENDS’

ment, and had great influence in public affairs.
They called themselves Quakers, but their mode
of faith was just what Satan would wish it ; as,
that every Christian had a religious liberty to do
whatever was right in his own eyes ; if immoral,
to be dealt with by his brethren, but no power
in the church to deny him religious membership ;
that self-defence was an essential, indispensable
duty. Thus they made their Christianity sub-
ordinate to their human policy, and, like the
Alcoran of Mahomet, formed a religion to in-
dulge the lusts of the flesh. Such a piece of
mockery might have passed in some places, but
the true Quaker principles were too well known
in Philadelphia for this counterfeit to meet
with approval from discerning men even of their
own class. Thus the expectations of the few
that joined them appeared extremely disappoint-
ed. What they lacked in numbers, however,
they endeavored to supply by a display of their
importance, and in the spring of 1782, they (62
in number,) signed a petition to the Assembly,
praying for a law to assign them a share of
riends’ public interest in the city, (having be-
fore made application to the Monthly Meetings,
and to the Quarterly and Yearly Meetings.) Some
moderate persons in the House found means to
keep it off till 9th month, when a memorial was
sent in, signed by Isaac Howell and White
Matlack, containing a great number of invidious
charges against Friends; as, that they refused to
own the present Government; that they continu-
ed to read in their meetings a Query whether
Friends maintained a faithful testimony against
defrauding the King of his duties; that they
disowned their members for taking the test of
allegiance ; for paying taxes &e, ; and that there-
fore, such as had been disowned by them for
their obedience to the laws, and attachment to
the Government, ought to be supported in their
just rights, &c. A committee was now appoint-
ed to hear these charges, and to report thereon
to the House; and Friends were notified to at-
tend, if they saw cause. Accordingly, on the 13th
of 9th month, the Meeting for Sufferings ap-
pointed a committee of eighteen Friends, (of
which I was one) to attend. The minds of the
people were in as great a ferment against Friends
as at any period during the present commotions,
occasioned by these movements, and by pieces
inserted in the public papers, to represent Friends
as having forfeited their estates, and as being,
from their conduct, unworthy the protection of
Government. The law they proposed was also
published. But the earth at this time helped
the woman ; for a number larger than that of our
assailants, and composed of more reputable per-
sons, all disowned for bearing arms, signed and
sent into the Assembly, a petition disclaiming
the aforesaid movement. And a long essay
signed “a disowned Quaker,” appeared in the
papers, justifying Friends for disowning himself
and all those in like cireumstances.

REVIEW.

‘On the 16th the committee met in the State
House, attended by an exceedingly great throng
of people, and after spending about three hours,
adjourned to the 18th, when we again met, but
received notice from the Assembly that the mat-
tercould not be farther proceeded in at that time.
The year being nearly expired, they referred the
matter over to the next Assembly. In the 3d
month, 1783, a second memorial was presented
to the Assembly, who appeared unwilling to take
any further notice of the subject; but instead
thereof, passed a resolution of censure against
the Secretary, as unworthy to hold any post of
honor, profit or trust in the State. So the mat-
ter stands at present.” |

«Tn the 4th month, 1783, peace was proclaim-
ed between England and the United colonies
which were recognized as free and independent,
States, after a war of eight years, hostilities hav-
ing commenced in the same month, 1775. This
had been a proving dispensation to Friends,
wherein faith, charity and fortitude were closely
tried ; the more so by reason of the great diversi-
ty of sentiment in the Society. There was, un-
doubtedly, too great an attachment among us to
the old Government. This oceasioned the will
of man often to mix in religious duties, and to
carry points too far. And it drew on us the re-
sentment of the new Government, and exceed-
ingly increased our sufferings. We would not
that they should rule over us. Being a mem-
ber of the Meeting for Sufferings at the begin-
ning of these troubles, I had an opportunity of |
observing much of this sort. A letter I wrote
to a fellow-member of that meeting in 1777, will
discover my sentiments at that time.” i.

[The letter here mentioned, together with se-
veral paragraphs of sage reflections by D. C. all
marked by strong, far-seeing religious sense,
almost prophetic, are given in No. 28 of the
present volume of the Review, (page 433 to
436,) to which, and to the Editorial remarks in
No. 30. (page 472,) the reader is referred. ]

We find the following letter from D. Cooper
to Wm. Rotch, Jr., then about twenty-two years
of age. It is known to many of our readers that
W. R. Jr., was caught by an excitement which
carried away some who had given promise of
better things. It is a satisfaction that in his
old age he gave evidence of love to his father’s
people, and was deservedly esteemed by the com-
munity. The schism which ensnared him has
now died away. By it, the Church was de-
franded of some who should have been her
helpers and ornaments, and they lost the sweet
peace they might have enjoyed in walking with
the flock of Christ’s companions. During their
aberrations, praying hearts yearned over them,
but far greater was the compassion of Him whose
previous blood was shed for the atonement of our
sins, and who laid down his life that we might have
life abundantly. It is a comfort to believe that
the merciful Shepherd remembered those sheep