In ascribing to Divine Goodness all the favours he enjoyed, he did not forget the noble affections of the heart towards his fellow creatures. Even when sickness bowed his head, and lassitude held dominion over the faculties of the body, his mind rose superior to every obstacle. It was carried on the wings of tender remembrance, over the great waters, to those friends whom he loved with an affection that could not be diminished by the oblivious influence of disease or death. His mind also, was turned with tenderness towards many of the suffering poor, who are in want even of the common necessaries of life. In the evening, as we were assisting him, he said, "How many hundreds and thousands there are now sick in the world, and have nobody to assist them, and I have so many! How I am loaded with blessings!"

The few days which succeeded were days of great weakness of body, and the nights to him seemed long and tedious. But that tranquillity which he had long enjoyed, did not forsake him when the course of his earthly existence was about to be finished. "As I draw nearer to my close," said he to his daughter, "I find the tormenting fear of death taken away, through the intercession of the great mediator between God and man. I am very low; but not so low, but I can yet commemorate the incomprehensible mercies of an all-gracious God."

2d mo. 9th. In the morning it was observed, that during his sleep, his breathing was of a much deeper tone than usual, and seemed to be rather more laborious. About noon, his respiration gradually became shorter; but he remained perfectly tranquil, with his eyes closed; and so great were the com

placency and composure of his mind and body, that the last moments, when the earthly tabernacle was left by its celestial inhabitant, could not be precisely ascertained.

Thus quietly departed this life the truly venerable James Pemberton. Thus peacefully he laid down his head in the midst of his relatives, after having, through the course of eighty-five years, devoted his time and his talents to the best of purposes.

What a change does the departure of the head of a large family occasion! One of the pillars in the church militant on earth, is removed! A valiant in his Master's cause,—a venerable champion of righteousness, humble,-meek,-and lowly in spirit, -trusting nothing to his own merits,-but ascribing every thing he enjoyed, to Divine Goodness,— every hope he was favoured with, to Divine mercy, -he hath left this lower world to be transplanted to the church triumphant in heaven,—where, mingling with the heavenly host, he celebrates the adorable goodness of his Maker through a blissful eternity. That spirit which had so often manifested its ardent zeal for the temporal and eternal welfare of his fellow-creatures, is now expanded and will expand through endless ages, in the praises of Him "who was his morning and his evening song."

What a peaceful serenity now steals over the mind, in this house, where his remains are now extended in his coffin; a house of mourning indeed! Yet, it seems as if a superior Intelligence hovered over it, and pervaded every room,-gently tranquillizing all the emotions of the heart. We sit, as it were, "in heavenly places;"-the soul seems, for a short time,

to let go her hold on earth, and, totally abstracted from the world she "catches at each reed of hope in heaven."

By his own request his body was kept four days before its interment; and in this instance appeared a mark of that great deliberation which he had con stantly practiced. His funeral was attended by a very large concourse of his friends and fellow-citizens. The body was carried to Friends' burial ground in this city, and after a solemn pause, decently interred. After which, Thomas Scattergood addressed the company in the line of gospel ministry.

He was universally beloved:-for, he loved all. Accustomed to contemplate the glorious attributes of the Divinity, the advancement of whose cause in the earth he had warmly espoused, and who is LOVE itself, his soul was expanded in love to Him, and in beneficence and good will to his fellow creatures. His liberal and expanded mind was not confined to any one particular sect of Christians, but was enlarged towards all.

It was ever his prevailing wish that the blessed love and harmony, inculcated in the Scriptures of the New Testament, might reign in his own family, and in the habitations of others. This desire actuated him in so great a degree, that he oftentimes gave up much for peace sake, and we may see by the following beautiful and pathetic extract from his last Will, that this concern which had been predominant through his valuable life, continued to sway the tender affections of his heart, even until the curtains of the evening for ever closed upon his sublunary prospects.

"Now, my dear children, and grand-children, I entreat you by the endearing ties of parental affection, carefully to cherish and maintain perfect love and harmony with each other, and with my beloved wife; avoiding all jealousy or surmise that may offer in the least degree to interrupt it. And should any difference of sentiment arise on the construction or intent of this my Will, or any part thereof, (in which I have endeavoured to make an equitable distribution of my estate) I advise and desire all concerned therein, to unite in consulting some judicious Friends, and to follow their advice and counsel for an early, amicable adjustment thereof;-and that you be mutually condescending to each other. Live in

the daily fear of the Lord your God and Creator. Retain an humble, thankful sense of the innumerable, unmerited mercies and preservations, received from his all-bountiful hands;-manifesting your gratitude by benevolence to mankind of all ranks, and a steady attendance of meetings, appointed for divine worship;-training up your children in the practice of piety and virtue;-instructing them in the principles of vital Christianity, according to the Scriptures of the New Testament, and the religious profession of their ancestors. Restrain them from improper associates, who may tempt them to deviate from the simplicity of the Gospel, and that moderation in dress and deportment which it inculcates and requires; that, by observance of the monitions of Divine grace, they may conduct themselves in such manner, as will promote their most essential happiness in time, and secure to them a well-grounded hope of enduring happiness in the life to come."

FRIENDS' MISCELLANY.

No. 3.]

SIXTH MONTH, 1835.

SETTLEMENT

[VOL. VII.

and Progress of Byberry meeting of Friends; with some account of the Keithians.

INTRODUCTION.

From the Records of a number of monthly and Quarterly meetings it appears, that some time prior to the year 1770, a direction was given by the Yearly Meeting held in Philadelphia, for Friends to collect and transmit to that body, an account of the origin and first settlement of Friends' meetings within its limits. We know not what gave rise to this concern: but, in accordance with the request, we find many meetings had such a history drawn up, and forwarded to the Meeting for Sufferings; and that it was then expected a history of the settlement of Friends meetings would shortly be published from these documents.

In the year 1770, Bucks Quarter forwarded to the Yearly Meeting the following statement and inquiries; "That as the Yearly Meeting had proposed the publishing a history of the settlement of Friends in this province, and as many Friends have taken much pains in collecting materials for that purpose, -whether it might not be proper to inquire of the Yearly Meeting what is become of that matter;VOL. VII.-9