So

but thought it looked very foolish, and they very despicable, for attempting such a thing. I went, and sat down with them, still being under the cloud, which continued till near the close of the meeting; when, unexpectedly, the Lord's power came upon me, and I was moved to supplicate his name. I kneeled down and prayed; but as soon as I was on my seat again, all was vanished away; and I could not believe I had felt his power, but thought it was a fiction. So went home in great trouble, and concluded all my hopes of a Saviour were gone, and that I was certainly under deception; and my sorrows increased day and night.

my Beloved, But there, I

I then came

Oh! how did I lament and mourn, because my hope of a Saviour was gone! At length, I concluded to take a ride into the woods, to seek where I might be less interrupted. thought he fled from me, for a time. to this resolution, that if I died, I would die seeking and crying after him. Upon coming to this conclusion, my mind became more still; and in this stillness, came the fulness of him who is the resurrection and the life, and his living presence raised my drooping soul from death into life, by which I was enabled to praise his holy name.

When this exercise was over, I thought I had a prospect of the state the disciples were in, when their Shepherd was smitten, and the sheep were scattered; and how the death of the cross looked to them as a despicable thing. And though he appeared to them, and vanished away, and some of them could not believe that they had seen him, but that it was a fiction;-yet when he appeared again, they were strengthened to believe it was he, without any

doubt. This being confirmed, they had to strengthen others to follow him, in the way of the cross, and self-denial, without which, no man can be his disciple.

Thus was my hope renewed, and my faith increased, to believe in Him, who is the way, the truth, and the life; and no man can come to the Father but by him. This I had to declare to others, and was engaged to invite and persuade them to come to Christ, the hope of glory. I had also to go to and fro in the earth, that this knowledge might be increased; and it became my meat and drink to do the will of my heavenly Father.. I felt love to flow in my heart towards all mankind, and strong desires were raised in me that they might come to the knowledge of the Truth, and be saved. In this love, I visited most of the meetings in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Thus, when we are obedient to the manifestations of that Divine Light, which is placed in our hearts, we have to experience peace and tranquillity of mind. Oh! may it be my most earnest concern, to yield true obedience to its dictates in my own breast, to the close of my days.

ISAAC ANDREWS.

The author of the preceding account is mentioned by John Wool man in his journal: in 1746 they went together on a religious visit to Virginia and Carolina. On their return, he says, "my companion and I travelled in harmony, and parted in the nearness of true brotherly love." In Ephraim Tomlinson's journal, we find notice of his travelling with Isaac Andrews to some meetings near Egg-Harbour in 1769: he states that his companion "was powerfully led in the ministry; in a deep manner,-much to the state of the people." In the memorandums of our ancient friend John Hunt of New Jersey, VOL. IV.-2

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frequent mention is made from 1770 to 1775, of the preaching of Isaac Andrews at Haddonfield and the neighbouring meetings: his ministry is described as very notable, powerful and affecting." Samuel Foulke of Richland, in a brief note of the decease of Isaac Andrews, says "whose clean and exemplary conduct through life, had been agreeable to the sweetness of his ministry." He died about the 15th of the 12th month, 1775.

SAMUEL FOULKE'S LETTER TO A FRIEND. Richland, 8th mo. 22nd, 1790.

Esteemed Friend,

On thinking of the satisfaction we received in thy company and service among us last week, which I have reason to believe was generally acceptable; and recollecting that thou appeared a little low spirited, at my house, after the last meeting, as though thou hadst not the desired satisfaction in thy own breast,—I felt, and still feel, a sympathy with thee; and therein have freedom, by a few lines, to communicate to thee some thoughts that arose in my mind while thou wast with us; which the shortness of the time limited in thy last visit at my house, did not permit me then to impart in conversation. From my youth, my heart has been impressed with a true love and veneration for the gospel ministry;being convinced that it is a pure gift of God, and is by him dispensed to whom he sees meet to prepare and qualify for his own work, the advancement of religion amongst men, and the praise of his great and excellent name. As to the exercise of this precious gift, in the congregations of his people, there is, and ever has been a great variety, or diversity in the manner of the operation of it, though under

the influence and direction of the same spirit. This I believe to be consistent with the will of Infinite Wisdom; for infinite variety is seen in all his wondrous works.

Now, as the use and end of speaking is to be distinctly heard and understood, in order to impress the minds of the hearers with a due sense of the matter or truth intended to be inculcated,-permit me, my dear friend, without offence, to offer the following observations: Though there may be some occasions that would justify the raising of the voice to a high key, yet I think those occasions are rare, and should be judiciously directed; for I have seen many instances, when good words and pertinent matter have been expressed too loud and too fast; so that some of the good sense and savour has been lost in the sound; more especially in the most solemn and awful part of public worship, I mean the addressing of the Almighty Being, by vocal prayer. Yet fervency of spirit is efficacious, and will accompany the arising of divine life in the instrument, who, keeping in the right line, will be duly furnished with energy of expression, and emphasis of diction, without vehemency. Oh! the transcendent loveliness of the true gospel ministry! Its beauty and excellency are indescribable! It is clearly discerned, only by those who are favoured with a true internal sense of the divine evidence attending it, and have a true relish for the bread which comes down from Heaven, and are thirsting to partake of the pure stream which flows from the fountain of life. In the same friendly freedom I will add, that my mind has been repeatedly touched with a grateful sense of the divine goodness, in laying his hand

upon thee, and qualifying thee to be an instrument for the edifying of his flock, and the praise of his ever adorable name. I conclude, with wishing thee health and prosperity, in the best sense of the word; hoping thou will receive this in a measure of the same love which I feel in the writing of it; or at least that thou wilt forgive the freedom thus taken by thy sincere friend, SAMUEL FOULKE.

Obituary Account of Samuel Foulke. The 21st day of the 1st month, 1797, died Samuel Foulke, of Richland, in the seventy-ninth year of his age. He was a man, who from his youth, had his mind impressed with the love of religion, and religious meetings. At the first establishment of Richland monthly meeting, he was appointed clerk thereof, in which service he continued about thirtyseven years; and nearly thirty years, served as clerk to the meeting of ministers and elders. In civil life, his invariable wishes and endeavours were to cultivate peace and benevolence among men: and though his inclination would have led him to a life of retirement, which he ever deemed the most desirable, yet he yielded to the solicitations of his friends and countrymen, to serve them in several public stations. In the decline of life, under the infirmities of old age, he delighted to sit with his Friends, in their silent meetings; and to spend much of his time in reading the holy Scriptures, which, in his estimation, contain a divine treasure surpassing all other writings whatsoever.