A Sermon Delivered by ELIZABETH ROBSON with a Prayer Delivered by ANNA BRAITHWAITE, Followed by a Sermon by THOMAS WETHERALD and Remarks by ELIAS HICKS, at Rose Street Meeting, New York City, June 1st, 1826.
Sermons by Thomas Wetherald, and Elias Hicks, Delivered During the Yearly Meeting of Friends, in the City of New York, June, 1826: Together with a Sermon by Elizabeth Robson, and a Prayer, by Anna Braithwaite: Also Sermons Delivered in Philadelphia and Wilmington, Delaware by Thomas Wetherald, On His Way to, and From the Yearly Meeting. Taken in Short Hand by Marcus. T. C. Gould. Philadelphia: Marcus T. C. Gould, 1826, pages 159-200.
This is The Quaker Homiletics Online Anthology, Part Three: The 19th Century.
Now, it appears, that he had in prospect, a death very painful to human nature; he supposed that
he should be offered up, and that he must die as a murderer; but look at the confidence that
attended him. These things are left on record, and surely they are recorded for our
encouragement--that we may be animated in pursuing the right way to everlasting rest and peace;
for this surely is the will of God concerning us, that we should be saved. "For he willeth not the
death of him that dieth in his sins, but would, that all men should return, repent, and live;" that all
men should witness the salvation and redemption that is appointed unto man, through Jesus
Christ, our Lord and Saviour, whose blood was shed upon the cross, without the gates of
Jerusalem, for the remission of sins. Thus, he "who knew no sin, was made sin for us, that we
might be made the righteousness of God in him." "He bore our sins, in his own body on the tree,"
Thus he offered up himself as a lamb, without spot, unto God; and "he ever liveth to make
intercession" for us. Thus by that one offering for sin, he purchased eternal redemption for us.
Then, my friends, What will be our condemnation, alas! if we reject the offers of love and mercy
through Christ, our Lord and Saviour?--if any of us should be saying in our hearts after this
manner, "We will not that this man should rule over us." We find that so it was with the Jews;
many of them said, we will not that this man should rule over us. And we may be so in our hearts,
and far away from the appearing of the Lord, the righteous judge. For, assuredly, he doth appear
in the heart and maketh known his judgments there. He is a swift witness against sinful thoughts,
and words, and actions, and a faithful witness and faithful reprover, according to the prophetic
declaration: "Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the
people." "For a witness to the people"--and he doth bear witness in our hearts against sin and
iniquity. And I believe there are none here, who have arrived at the age of capability, who can, on
serious reflection, say that they have not felt this witness in themselves. And it is unto this just
witness for God in the heart, that I desire all our attentions may be turned, that by him we to
maybe enabled to fight the good fight and keep the faith; for he that believeth hath the witness in
himself. This is the witness that God gave concerning his son: "He that believeth on the son of
hath the witness in himself. He that not God, hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the
record that God gave of his son." And this is the record: that God hath given us eternal life, and
this life is in his son. that hath the son, hath life; and he that hath not, the son of God, hath not
life." Now, my friends, it appears clear to me, that if we have not the Son, if we are not sensible of
his reproofs in our hearts, it must be through our disobedience, it must be because we have not
loved the appearing of the Lord, the righteous judge; but that we have turned away therefrom and
disobeyed him. And it has been said, "The Lord will not always strive with man, for that he also is
flesh." It is also set forth in scripture, that because "they did not like to retain God in their
knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not
convenient." And may we not at this day, though the means of salvation, through Jesus Christ our
Lord, are freely offered unto man, be rejecting his appearing in our hearts, by which we shall, in
time, be given over, to reprobate minds, or to those things which are not convenient? and thus we
may be in a reprobate state. And I apprehend that it was unto this that the apostle alluded when he
spoke in this manner: "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves:
know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?" Oh, how
awful is this reprobate state, living as without God in the world! And without this, what is there to
look forward to? What is there to look for, but "a certain fearful looking for, of judgment, and
fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. For the Lord is a just and righteous God, a
God of infinite mercy and love, a God of justice and judgment, and he will not at all acquit the
wicked. And it is set forth, that "the soul that sinneth, it shall die." And we may remember what
our redeemer said unto the unbelieving Jews: "Except ye believe that I am he, ye shall die in your
sins, and whither I go ye cannot come." Then how awful is the spirit of unbelief! "For without
faith it is impossible to please God; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he
is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." And we have heard respecting that same people,
when Christ was personally on earth, that because they did not believe, he did not work many
miracles among them. Then, surely, great-is the sin of unbelief. "Take heed brethren, lest there be
in any of you, an evil heart of in departing from the living God." Now, proceeds whence this heart
of unbelief?-It is given true Christian, not only to believe, but to suffer for the name of Jesus; to
believe in him as a Saviour and redeemer, as the scriptures set forth. For the scriptures are given
forth "by inspiration of God, and are profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all
good works." The scriptures are an invaluable record, being preserved to this day in a marvelous
manner-preserved through the many dark ages of apostasy, when much pains were taken to
destroy this sacred record, this memorial of the goodness and mercy of God to the children of
men. And I do consider that therein is contained a fund of deep and invaluable instruction. These
scriptures were designed to be a great blessing to us, and they are a great blessing to all them who
turn unto the Lord, the righteous judge, in their hearts. And then, when they read the scriptures,
they see that they have a double testimony of these things, because they have the testimony of the
spirit in their own hearts; and when they are under the fear of God, it testifies to the same things
that are set forth in the scriptures. And I believe, my beloved friends, that we can scarcely be in
any situation or station in 'life, but we may find something in the sacred records which will tend to
our comfort, instruction, or edification. And the apostle recommended the scriptures to
Timothy--"And that, from a child, thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make
thee unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus." Then what encouragement we have to
turn unto the Lord, the righteous judge, in our hearts,--to yield simple and faithful obedience to
what is made manifest unto us. And then we shall know a being gradually led out of a fallen
state--out of Adam's nature,--and we shall become renewed in the spirit of our minds, and we
shall come to see, by blessed experience, that grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. "The law
came by Moses, but grace and truth by Jesus Christ." And although that law was set forth as
being, excellent, and adapted to the state of the people in that day, yet it is set forth that "the law
made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto
God.'' Thus we have come under a higher dispensation--the new covenant dispensation--a higher
dispensation than the children of Israel were under in that day, before the coming of Christ in the
flesh according to prophecy. But we read that in that day, through the great mercy of the Lord to
his people, it was set forth that he gave them statutes and judgments which, if men kept, they
should live in them David, in speaking of statutes of the Lord, says, "The law of the Lord is
perfect, converting the soul. The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart. The commandment of the Lord is pure,
enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever. The judgments of the Lord
are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea than much fine gold.
Sweeter also than honey and the honey comb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned, and in
keeping of them there is great reward." Thus the righteous were accepted, in that day, according
to their obedience. But we now are under the gospel; we have come under a higher and different
dispensation. And of this the prophet speaks after this manner: "Behold, the days come, saith the
Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. Not
according to the covenant that I made with their fathers, in the day that I took them by the hand
to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which, my covenant, they brake; but this shall be the
covenant that I will make with the house of Israel: after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my
law in their inmost parts, and write it in their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my
people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying,
know the Lord: for they shall all know me from the least, unto the greatest of them, saith the
Lord." And to this new law written in the heart, the apostle bears ample testimony, when he says,
"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after
the flesh, but after the spirit. For the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus, hath made me free
from tile !aw of sin and death." Here was a noble testimony as to the effects of this new covenant
dispensation, through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour--and thus redemption is freely offered
unto men.
Oh! that we might all be deeply impressed, with the necessity of coming in our minds to submit to
the appearing of the Lord, the righteous judge. For I am firmly persuaded that all those, who
submit in their hearts, will know their corrupt wills to be brought gradually into subjection. And
hereby they are taught of the Lord, anti preserved from every degree of unbelief. For I cannot
conceive that any one can get into a state of unbelief, but through disobedience to the simple
pointing of the spirit of truth in the heart, and by letting in their own reasoning-carnal reasoning,
after the mind has been enlightened and influenced; and there may been a beginning with the
spiritual work, and, it may have been carried on for a season also; and then the enemy of our
soul's happiness, who is ever busy, bas insinuated himself into our minds; for, like the subtle
serpent, he is going about, not only as a roaring lion, but like a subtle serpent, seeking whom he
may destroy or devour. For he is a destroyer, coming to kill and destroy. And he not only tempts
us to things, which are sinful in the eyes of the world, but to commit secret and hidden sins. He
would tempt us to a departure from the living God, and thus sap the very foundation of
Christianity itself; and lay waste the work of God in the soul. And after a good beginning, we may
have been seeking salvation, through fleshly wisdom. Then how very needful it is, to be on the
guard, and to be watchful unto prayer. This is the christian's portion, and herein there is safety, in
attending to the injunction of the Great Master: "What I say unto you, I say unto all, watch and
pray that ye enter not into temptation." And he spake a parable unto this effect--"Men ought
always to pray and not to faint." Now here it is, that the christian traveler lays hold on eternal life,
by keeping to his post. And he watchfully waits with confidence, knowing there is nothing that he
can do, as a human being, only to be thankful every day, under a sense of his ,own weakness and
imperfection.
This work of God has this peculiarity; that it brings down all such as are high and lifted up. For
the day of the Lord thus comes--the day of his power--to be lifted up above all high and lofty
imaginations. And thus, "the lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall
be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day." And thus our hearts would be
brought under the government of Christ. In this appearance of his power we shall know him in his
divine character, we shall know him to be the "Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the
everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace." And we should feel that as we attend to this divine light,
we should experience an increase of his power, and our hearts would become enlarged therewith.
And of the increase of his power, it was set forth there should be no end. Now, I believe, that this
may have an individual allusion, and a general allusion, to the spreading of the kingdom of the
Redeemer in the earth. And I do believe, that, although there are many at this day, among
professing Christians, who are disposed to disbelieve many things set forth in the scriptures; and
although there are some professing Christians who will not believe in Christ the Saviour,
according to his divine character,--we have yet reason to be thankful, that the kingdom of the dear
Redeemer, is spreading in the world at large. And it seems to me, there is at this day a call going
forth, and that this call is waxing louder and louder, that there should be more turning inward to
the Lord, with a willingness to submit the heart to the judgment of the spirit of truth. And
assuredly, as we submit the heart to the judgment of the spirit of truth, we shall have believing
hearts, we shall have faith towards God; and then, we shall have faith towards Christ, as a saviour
and redeemer. Because, here we should be brought to see our emptiness, poverty, and weakness;
our lost and undone state, without a redeemer and a saviour, and of -the blessed means of
redemption, appointed unto man, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
This would enable us to travel forward through our spiritual warfare, trials, discouragements, and
deep afflictions; for many are the tribulations of the righteous, but the Lord delivereth out of them
all. "The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and saveth them." And let
us remember that our Great Master declared, "Where I am, there shall my servants be also." "If
they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more they of his household." And
surely, there is a portion of trials and afflictions, which the true followers of a crucified Lord must
pass through; but all these things are wisely ordered, and wisely permitted for our instruction. All
these things are limited by him who sets bounds to the waves of the sea; and they cannot pass
over them. And where he permits any of his children to be tried and proved with afflictions, they
come to know more and more of his goodness and mercy, as they are willing to endure the trials
of the present day. As saith the apostle, "Now, no chastening for the present seemeth to be
joyous, but grievous; nevertheless, afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness, unto
them which are exercised thereby." And thus, as patience hath its perfect work, they are enabled
again and again, not only to believe, but to stand for his name, who died for us, and rose again;
who ascended up into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of the throne of God; and who ever
liveth to make intercession for us. He is our intercessor and mediator with God the Father, and
this is the ground of a blessed hope to all true believers. Oh! that all were of this description, for
surely my beloved friends, there remains to be balm in Gilead, a physician there; and Christ is the
great physician of men. For we may remember, that when he was personally among men, he went
about doing good. He healed all the sick, he caused the lame to walk, he opened the blind eyes,
unstopped the deaf ears, and healed all manner of sickness and diseases among the people. And
now in the day of his inward and spiritual appearing in our hearts, he doth heal all the sickness and
diseases of the soul, as we come unto him with faith, believing that he is able to save us. But we
must have faith in him, for without faith it is impossible to please God.
If we have not a true and living faith, let us examine into the causes--let us search a little deeper
into the state of our own hearts. Because, my friends, our time is passing away swiftly, and every
day that passes over our heads, is bringing us nearer to the grave, that house appointed for all the
living. And, "Except ye believe," says Christ, "that I am he, ye must die in your sins, and whither I
go, ye cannot come." Are there any present--is there an individual present, who does not believe
in that blessed Messiah, as is clearly set forth in the scriptures? If there be any such, Oh! that they
may consider the awful consequence of unbelief! Oh! that they may turn inward to the state of
their own hearts, and search more deeply, that they may be like minded with one who says, "Who
can understand his errors? Cleanse thou me from secret faults." We cannot understand our errors,
except as we turn to the inshining of the light of Christ in our consciences--to him in whom
dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, "for in him there dwelleth all the fulness of the
Godhead bodily;" but not in us. No: he causeth his light to shine in our hearts. And Christ is "the
true light, that enlighteneth every man that cometh into the world."
Then how dependent are we, on Christ the is great shepherd of the sheep, that laid down his life
for the sheep. For, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his
friend." And in this love was abundantly fulfilled the prophecy, when Christ laid down his life
upon the cross, without the gates of Jerusalem. He died the ignominious death, of the cross, for
our sakes, that our 'salvation in him; might be complete--that we might be fully reconciled unto
God the Father, through him.
And I believe, my dear friends, that We may be brought into some degree of participation with
him in his sufferings, for there must be a being baptized with him, before we can know;~ ourselves
rising with him into newness of life. "Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a ! new creature: old
things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath
reconciled us unto himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation, to
wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto
them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation."
And thus every true believer feeds on Christ the living substance, and partakes of his flesh and
blood: and this is figurative in a double sense, being also made partakers of his divine and
heavenly nature, and partakers of the benefits of the sacrifice of the great "Apostle and High
Priest of our profession." Then my friends, what can we desire more than this, to be of the number
of those, who are fighting the good fight. Many would have seen better days, if they had yielded a
full obedience to the gentle monitions of the spirit of truth. But we cannot bear to rise into the
baptism, or experience the operations of the living word of God, for it is "quick and powerful, and
sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of
the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts, and intents of the heart." If we dwell
with it in our hearts, it will bring us under this baptism or cleansing operation of the spirit. For it is
not implied in any part of the scriptures, that Christ gave himself to redeem us in our sins; but "he
gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity"--now let us observe the fulness of
this expression--" redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people zealous of
good works."
Now, my friends, these peculiar people are those who are inwardly members of the body of
Christ. It is those who have submitted to the crucifying power of Christ in them, till their whole
nature has been completely crucified, and sin destroyed. "Knowing this, that our old man is
crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve
sin." As they become free from sin, through Christ, they become his peculiar people. And O that
we might all strive to be of the number of this peculiar people, to be of this number of Christ's
church of which he is himself the head, and become living stones and members of his body: that
we may not be of the number of those who are trusting to a name to live While they are
dead;--not of the number of those who are walking merely orderly among men, but who have not
experienced a regeneration of the spirit and power of Christ;--but that we may be of the number
of those who are not only of Adam's nature--his fallen nature--but raised up into that pure image
in which man at first was created. For it is set forth that God created man in his own image; but
he fell from that blessed state in which he was created, and when he fell from that state of
innocency he lost the image of his Creator, and was driven out of the garden.
But herein is the love of God made manifest, that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.
Then, surely, we ought diligently to attend to our high calling. We ought to be engaged, my
friends, to leave the things which are behind, and "press forward toward the mark for the prize of
the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." The mark that we must aim at is a clean and pure heart,
that we may be arrayed in white raiment, and receive "a white stone, and in the stone a new name
written, which no man knoweth, saving he that receiveth it." Thus the name of God and the name
of the city of God, will be given unto us.
Oh! the encouragement that flows in my heart at this time is more than I can set forth in words, to
those who are sensible of the visitation of God to their souls. These, when they look back on the
days that are past, and see how they have spent a great portion of their lives, perceive that there
has been a very great shortness, and behold their state as the natural man seeth his face in a glass.
They see that many things are still in their hearts, which must be given up to judgment. And I
believe that when we view our short comings, and when we are deeply prostrated under a sense of
our many evils, that this ought not to discourage us and cast us down below any hope, but rather
that we should be animated to look to him who is a Saviour and a redeemer, for he is an advocate
with the Father; he is the propitiation for our sins, and not only for our sins, but for the sins of all
those who love his appearing.
I desire to invite all such to come unto Christ, the Saviour; to come unto him who is an advocate
with the Father. O turn unto him, I tenderly beseech you; turn unto him who is reproving you and
striving with you. And may this be the language of your souls: I will bear thy' judgments, O Lord,
because I have sinned against thee. Also, in the way of thy judgments will I .i wait on thee. How
excellent is it to wait on him, deeply humbled and prostrated. Oh! that we may not be wise in our
own eyes; that We may not be "as one seeing his face in a glass, who straightway goeth away and
forgetteth what manner of man he was!" We read that the goodness of some was but as the early
dew or rain which quickly passeth away.
My friends, and when we look at the uncertainty of every thing before us, and see that an awful eternity will soon be opened to us, how ought were be employed in the sight of God! When we consider that our life is like a vapor that quickly passeth away, we know not how soon we may be numbered with the dead. Do we not know that some are taken away in a moment, yea, in the twinkling of an eye, and have scarcely time to say, Lord have mercy on me? Now I cannot but believe, that this language is intended to proclaim, "Be ye also ready." It is our highest interest to endeavour to be ready--to have our great account in readiness with our God, and that we endeavour to make our "calling and election sure," giving all diligence herein. Oh! that we may all be of this number, that henceforth we may be willing to bear the Lord's hand upon us, being like minded with the apostle in fighting the good fight, and in maintaining the inward and spiritual warfare from day to day,'and in keeping the faith, that we may be built up in that most holy faith which was Once delivered unto the saints--that we may know that precious state set forth by the apostle: "I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the son of God who loved me, and gave himself for me."
Now, my friends, let us apply this. He "loved me and gave himself for me." He is the good
shepherd who gave his life for us, that we might have life more abundantly. But let us beware of
that strong enemy, the devl, who, as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour;
and of the false prophet and deceiver. Let us beware of his subtleties and transformations, for he
would verily deceive us by transforming himself into an angel of light. Of these let us
beware,--for, if I am not much mistaken, there are those in this present assembly who need to be
more on their guard; to be more aware of these subtle transformations of the enemy, who
transform themselves into the appearance of angels of light, thus trying to turn away from the
faith, all those who are not careful to fight the good fight, from day to day, keeping steadfast in
obedience to the manifestations of the spirit. That while being so humbled and bowed, from day to
day, we may be preserved from carnal reasoning, and from being led astray by the transformations
of Satan; for he worketh as in a mystery of iniquity, and would try to draw down the stars out of
the firmament, and would try to bring On us all the consequences of his transgression.
O my friends, it is through watchfulness and prayer, that each of us must witness a preservation in
the day of temptation and trial, that we may discover all the subtle workings of sin. Then let us
watch and pray that we enter not into temptation; and that we may know an adding to "our faith,
virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience;
and to patience, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness,
charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren,
nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." And this is indeed the
knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. And I desire that we may all come to and abide
in it; and that we may all be careful to see what covers our spirits; that we may be watchful over
our words, and this from day to day. And as we are thus watchful and willing to endure present
tribulations; here then, we shall enjoy a living faith through the matchless loving kindness and
mercy of our God. And we shall be permitted to join those, whom John saw in the vision of light,
clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold, and they had in their hands
palms. These are they, which having washed their robes, come through great tribulation, to be
made white in the blood of the Lamb. "Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve
him day and night in his temple; and he that sitteth on the throne, shall dwell among them. They
shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.
For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne, shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living
fountains of waters; and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."
O Father, under a very awful sense of our entire dependence on thee, the God of hosts, we beg of
thee to sanctify us. And under a grateful and thankful sense of thy salvation, which in unutterable
mercy, thou hast appointed unto the very ends of the earth, through the life, sufferings, death, and
resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, we do now venture, in great prostration of
spirit, to ask of thee, that the haughtiness of men may be brought down and laid low; and that the
kingdom of the Messiah may spread among the nations. That the day may hasten when the
knowledge of the Lord, shall cover the earth, even as the waters cover the sea.
O righteous Father, thou canst turn the hearts of men, and we do humbly crave thy blessing on
us. We pray unto thee, to be near us in the way that we go; that those who are sensible of thy
righteous judgments, may keep the word of thy patience; that they may be refined, but not with
silver, and chosen in the furnace of affliction; that they may come to be of the number of those,
who are under thy holy discipline, whereby thou art blinding the eyes that would see, and stopping
the ears that would hear. O Lord, that thou mightest anoint with thy spirit their eyes to see, and
their ears to hear what the spirit saith unto the churches.
O Father, we pray thee to increase the faith of these. Increase our faith we beseech thee. And
under a reverend sense of thy continued mercy, and our unworthiness of the least of thy mercies,
we do with contrite hearts, bow this day before thee. Thou knowest that we have met with one
accord in this Place, and do be pleased to enable us with one heart and mind to ascribe unto thee,
the Lord God, and unto the Lamb that sitteth upon the throne, glory, and honor, and dominion,
and power, under a sense, that thou art worthy, everlastingly worthy, Amen.
As the circumstances of this meeting were peculiar, and have been variously represented, it becomes the duty of the stenographer to give a statement of facts as they appeared to him at the time.
At an early period of the meeting Mrs. Robson rose, and continued to speak for more than an hour. She was very soon succeeded by Mrs. Braithwaite in the foregoing prayer; immediately after which, Richard Jordan and Elisha Bates, who sat at the head of the meeting, shook hands as the customary signal for a separation: but, contrary to any thing ever before witnessed by the stenographer, or by any other person with whom he has conversed, not a solitary individual, among more than two thousand, was seen to move]
In tbe course of about a minute, there was another and similar attempt made to close the meeting, by R. Jordan, E. Robson, A. Braithwaite, and some persons occupying the second galleries, but it was with the same effect. A profound silence now pervaded the whole of this large assembly, and, in breathless expectation, every eye seemed riveted with intense interest upon the galleries. The whole meeting, simultaneously breaking through the rules of the society, remained fixed and immoveable, as if controlled by some invisible power. Such was the effect, that the beholder might have easily conceived himself surrounded by a congregation of statues, instead of animate beings. During this interval, Mr. Wetherald rose and delivered the following discourse, which being succeeded by a few remarks from Elias Hicks, a short pause ensued when Mr. Hicks and Mr. Wetherald shook hands, and the meeting quietly dispersed.]
I apprehend that the gospel of Christ is simple, and that we need not be alarmed at any extraneous
or outward circumstances. It stands not in words, but in that power which is communicated
immediately from God, the Father of lights and of spirits, into each of our spirits. And I have been
looking a little at a record left in the scriptures of truth respecting John. He bore a high and noble
testimony respecting the Messiah, that Lamb of God who was to take away the sin of the world,
for he had a view of his outward coming, and of his mission. But remember there was a tithe after
this, when he was imprisoned, in affliction, and distress; and this wrought so much upon his mind,
that, though he had been able to bear this testimony, he had now to query doubtfully, "Art thou he
that should come, or do we look for another?"
And now, my young friends, there is an evidence sealed upon each one of your minds, in a greater
or less degree, of those things which are essential in the constitution of a Christian. And what are
these truths? There is something in your minds which reproves for every thing that is unrighteous,
and all unrighteousness is sin. Sin, by indulgence, becomes a positive principle: it is not a
speculative idea, it does not derive its nature from being written, but because it is reprovable in
the sight of God, and is reproved by him. And, therefore, I want us to attend to a Saviour which is
near, "Christ in you the hope of glory," which preacheth the gospel baptizingly in every creature.
For the gospel of Christ stands not in words, but in power. Though we may be like John, and be
thrown into prison and our minds become confused, at times, from various objects and
circumstances; yet there is no alteration in the divine principle which has heretofore reproved us.
And I want us on these occasions to be still; and if we find the messengers of Christ, so called, are
endeavouring to hatch up something, some declarations, whether from the scriptures or from
tradition or former experience, believe them not, for we shall receive no benefit from the works of
man.
When the messengers of John went unto Christ, saying, Art thou he that should come? Or look
we for another? He did not say, I am he. But in that same hour he cured many, of their infirmities,
and plagues, and evil spirits, and unto many that were blind he gave sight." He healed all the
maladies of those who came unto him. Here was an evidence indubitable; and if we attend unto
the operations of Christ, we shall receive this indubitable evidence, when our minds are prepared
for it. "Go," said he, "and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the
lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, tile dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is
preached. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me."
Now, my friends, and you, my young friends especially, I want you to come unto this gospel. It
stands not in words--I have a higher opinion of the coming of Christ, than any external appearing
unto mankind.
It was on account of the ignorance of the Jews, that laws were given them which were not good,
and statutes under which they could not live. So carnally minded were they, that it became
necessary that there should be a mediator, in the outward body, who should speak things which
never had been spoken, and perform miracles which never had been performed, in order to draw
them to something of a higher grade, and of a more spiritual nature. And that his mission in that
prepared body was confined to the Jews, is evident from an abundance of concurrent testimony.
When Jesus sent forth his disciples, he said, "Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city
of the Samaritans enter ye not. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." And after
he was crucified and appeared again unto his disciples, he told them not to go forth, but to tarry at
Jerusalem, till they were endued with power from on high. "But tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem,
until ye be endued with power from on high." And after that, they could bear witness to the
uttermost parts of the earth. But, my friends, those testimonies which they had to bear, were
borne from the foundation of the world. This is that same seed of the woman which was testified
of, and which was to bruise, and which always does bruise the serpentine dispositions of man,
which constitute sin. This is he that was in the church in the wilderness, as it is written.
"And they did all eat the same spiritual meat, and did all drink the same spiritual drink; for they
drank of that spiritual rock that followed them, and that rock was Christ." The same living and
eternal power, which is the same today, yesterday, and for ever. And this power was manifest, not
only in the flesh born of the virgin Mary, but it is manifest in your flesh.
This is a savisur and redeemer, and he is, at this day, fulfilling his mediatorial office in this day.
Now look a little at tile circumstances attending his appearing in that outward body among the
Jews. Their minds were darkened by prejudice; and the law which came by Moses, or the cloudy
dispensation, was perverted. It was intended to draw them to something of a higher nature, than
the mere healing of their temporal maladies. He gave them many precepts calculated to introduce
them into the gospel dispensation, and these were confirmed by miracles. For his design was to
lead them step by step, to bring them nearer to God's salvation, and farther from those external
circumstances which had crept in through the hardness of their hearts.
Now let us look a little at the office which he is yet fulfilling among us. He remains to be "Christ
in you, the hope of glory." Is it not from him that we receive every good and perfect gift? Is it not
the same power which created and which sustains the world? Is it not the same manifestation of
God that was in the flesh, that remains to be a teacher of his people? And is it not he who
performs every miracle of a spiritual nature now, the same that was temporally manifested among
the Jews? Does he not now open the blind eyes, and unstop the deaf ears our understanding?
Does he not cleanse the leprosy? does he not raise from a death of sin, to a life of God in the soul?
And how is this performed? As he testified to John, it is by the gospel preached unto the poor,
and that baptizingly. And what is this? It stands not in declamation. The gospel of Christ stands
not in words, but in power. And the preaching of that gospel in every creature, is that feeling in
which we are introduced into a sense of suffering for every thing of an evil character, or which
may have a tendency to separate us from God. Are there any among us, who can willfully declare,
that which we know to be untrue, and not feel compunction and confusion for it? Are there any of
us who can commit an evil act, and not feel some kind of compunction, and that in proportion to
the magnitude of our offences? For this is preached in every creature; and when we turn from it,
and run into evil, it brings confusion, dread, horror, and despair over our minds. And is there not
a peace, a quiet, a calm which is not at our command?
I dare to testify of these things, my friends, but it is not because they are recorded in the scriptures
of truth, but in the depths of my own experience. I am young as well as you; and I therefore feel
in a special manner for this class of my brethren and sisters, of the human family. Now as we
attend to what passes in our minds, whether in the calm, or in the tempest which may be brought
upon our minds by our disobedience and forgetfulness of God, each of these will become a lesson
of instruction; and our understanding and views will be enlarged, because there will be a
continued increase in our experience of its operations, whether in reproof for sin, or whether we
in like manner, come to be partakers of its consolations. Our understandings will be opened by the
same power and principle. And where will this stop? I have never found a stopping place, and I
don't want any of you to find a stopping place. And thus, by a daily attention to the manifestation
of his power, we shall be like the unslumbering shepherd of Israel--and we shall never come to an
ultimatum in religion, and say, this shall be my religion, and these my doctrines.
But here is the whole extent, that ever an individual can come to in religion--that is, to attend
daily to the preaching of this gospel in every creature. It will lead into that simplicity and humility,
which is so much boasted of; but of which, we have very little manifestation. It. will lead us into
every heavenly, every manly, every social, every civil, and every relative duty; and thus we might
make every wilderness an Eden, and every desert like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness
would be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.
Now this is a kind of doctrine that we can all understand; and not come to an ultimatum in
religion, like those who commence in the spirit and end in lifeless form; or begin in the spirit and
end in the flesh. It is this very circumstance, that has brought christendom into that state of
confusion in which it is placed. We see that a great variety of the first professors and the founders
of the generality of societies with which we are surrounded, and with which we are acquainted,
were spiritually minded men--men, who according to their measure and manifestation were
faithful in their day and generation, and attended to the light within. But their successors, instead
of attending to it step by step while in the world, by which they might have attained a state higher
than that from which Adam fell, have .just set down in the form of that of' which their
predecessors felt the power; and thus they all become dead, and formal. They must have systems,
and their principles of religion: and their principles, and religion, altogether, are a dead form; for
they stand not in the operative power of God. But it is not any set of forms that can give us
admittance into that city, "whose walls are salvation and whose gates are praise."
And what is that principle of religion that can do this? It is that operative power which leads out
of evil. If I am a drunkard, and come under a principle of temperance, it is a manifestation of
religion which gives me to see the evil of my practice; and in that light there is that divine
illimitable power which enables me to overcome every evil propensity and habit. If I am cruel and
am brought under the influence ora principle of mercy and walk 'in its dictates, it becomes to me a
principle of religion; but because I may thus brought under the influence of heavenly virtues, and
of religion, it cannot become a principle to any of you, except you feel its power. And so it is,
through the whole routine of christian virtues: these are the principles which constitute that
innumerable company of angels which compose the host of God, of which we read in the
scriptures.
Thus we come to know the angel of love, cast out the devil of hatred; the angel to cast out the
devil of cruelty; the angel temperance, to cast out the devil of intemperance; and every ministering
angel of God; every heavenly and virtuous disposition to take possession of the mind, and each to
cast out its opposite, adversary, or enemy; for love and hatred, mercy and cruelty, humility and
pride, righteousness and wickedness, are opposed one to another, and cause a warfare. Now let
us look a little at the consequence of this divine principle of religion which leads to the fulfilling of
every law. Where would there be room for discord and dissensions between individuals, squabbles
in neighbourhoods, or wars in nations? "From whence come wars and fightings among you?
Come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?" But if we are under the
influence of this heavenly principle, every perverse disposition will be crucified; we come to be
crucified with Christ that we may live, not that we may live in our sins; but crucified with Christ,
that we may live: and when we come to take up our cross and leave all these carnal lusts,
affections, and passions, we can then testify, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live, yet
not I, not Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son
of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." Here then is the foundation of faith; and until
We come to have this experimental knowledge of God, we shall not know what it is to be
reproved for evil, and to have peace spoken to our souls for obedience, neither can we have any
true faith. We may have opinions, sentiments, and beliefs, as the devils have; for it is written, that
the devils believe and tremble, but they are devils still. There is no operative principle in mere
belief, no renovating influence. Faith is the result of an experimental knowledge of God, operating
upon our spirits, rectifying. our passions, and subduing every lust.
And now, my friends, I desire to leave these few remarks with you, and I want you not to become
a carnally minded set of Christians, for this leads to death: but I want you to become spiritually
minded, for in this is life and peace. It will not only put an end to all difficulties, squabbles, and
wars, but it will bring us unto that rectitude of word and action, which will make oaths useless.
Here is the true foundation of these two great testimonies to which this Society have been
brought under the influence of the spirit of love; for as God is love, and we are brought under the
influence of God, all wars must cease. And the spirit of love is the spirit of Christ: and if the
causes of wars cease the effects must cease also, and on the contrary, so truth and lies, or truth
and error, never can dwell together. For if we are under the influence of one of these angels, the
other must be a concomitant: thus, if we are tinder the influence of love and truth we never can go
to war or lie, because this would derogate from the character of those principles. And it is not
only these two testimonies, but our minds being under the influence of mercy, here again is the
origin of our testimony against slavery and the oppression of our fellow .men. And I apprehend,
that while our minds are under the influence of mercy, we shall never be guilty of an act of
cruelty.
Here is also the original of another testimony, against pride and vanity, whether in dress or
address. It is not the cut of a coat, not-shape of a bonnet,--it is not any of these external things,
which some of us have any concern about, and we have not been ashamed to confess it. But when
our minds have been brought under punishment for pride, every thing to deck or adorn, to gratify
the vanity of mankind, will be laid by, not merely as useless, but as meretricious ornaments,
tending to increase the mountains of opposition which are raised between us and our God. Here it
is, that those things which have the appearance of pride, will be dispensed with, and not because it
is the mode or fashion of the societies to which these are united.
And I verily believe, there is much less pride in some of those who wear fashionable apparel, than
in those who have adopted a particular system of religion, and have come under the influence of
systematical and Pharisaical self righteousness. I want to explain the origin of these testimonies,
which this society have to bear, not from a disposition to criminate any of you, but from a belief in
their accordance with the impressions made on our minds. For, if we are pure, our conduct will be
pure; if we are holy, our conduct will be holy accordingly; if we are humble, we shall appear
humble, and walk with humility. And if we are under the, influence of the last, which is the most
dignified of the angels of God, it will show itself through all actions.
Now, unto that God, who redeemed us by own life, and who is desirous to become a mediator to
bring mankind to glory and to virtue, to the only true God and Messiah, Jesus Christ our Lord, in
whom I believe, and by whom I hope for salvation here, and in eternity, I desire to recommend
you, with my own soul affectionately bid you farewell. Attend daily to this principle which will
bring you out of sin and corruption, into the glorious liberty sons and daughters of God, for where
Christ is there is liberty.
Additional Remarks by Elias Hicks:
And if we attend to this, we shall be instructed to see, that Christ who followed Israel, never was,
and never could be, crucified by the sons of men. We are told by the holy apostle, that the same
rock that they built upon, was the rock that followed Israel. "They did all eat the same spiritual
meat, and did all drink the same spiritual drink; for they drank of that spiritual rock that followed
them, and that rock was Christ." And this Christ has never been crucified by human power--no
outward cross has ever taken the life of this Christ, He has been crucified from the foundation of
the world, a lamb slain from the foundation of the world. For when man was created, the Lord
breathed into him the breath of life, and he became a living soul. Now it is this life of God in the
soul of man, this innocent life, or lamb of God, that was slain by Adam's transgression; and he is
slain in every one of us, when we go into Adam and transgress. Thus when Israel was coming
through the wilderness, every one who turned away from the !aw, which came through Moses,
crucified Christ in their own souls; so he is now crucified. This was the view the apostle, that he
saw the Lord Jesus crucified, long after his ascension, in the streets of Sodom and Egypt. And
what are these streets but the hearts of men?
That Christ, which is the Saviour of world--that holy anointing which is comprehended in the
name Immanuel, that is, God with us, never was crucified by the sons of men. They crucified only
the outward part, the flesh, but that was not Christ the Saviour of the soul. It was that outward
animal body, through which he did those miracles in saving their afflictions. Therefore, it was a
part of that great figure or type of a superior dispensation. It was like a schoolmaster to lead unto
Christ, the Immanuel, God with us.
I say, therefore, let us be wise for ourselves; and we shall find that this Christ never was crucified
outwardly. But the children of men have an opportunity of crucifying him in their own hearts.
Every evil has a tendency to crucify him in the soul, and separate from God.