at war, was at length made the pretext for carrying them off. Accordingly, in 1781, the chief of the Wyandots who resided at Sandusky, sent a message to let them know he was coming with a number of warriors; but bid them not be afraid, for he was their friend. A few days after, two hundred and twenty warriors arrived; when, calling a council of the head men of the Moravian towns, they acquainted them they were come to take them away, because "they and their Indians, were a great obstruction to them in their war path.' "They returned answer, that it would subject them to great difficulty, as they must leave their corn behind; and they and their children might perish with hunger in the wilderness. The war chief, at first seemed inclined to attend to their wishes; but being instigated by some white men in his company, they persisted,killed many of their cattle and hogs, ripped up their bedding, and forced them from their towns, being upwards of three hundred persons. After a tedious journey in the wilderness, they arrived at a branch of Sandusky, where the body of them were ordered to remain.

In the spring, 1782, these Moravian Indians finding provisions scarce at Sandusky, desired liberty. to return to bring corn from their settlements, where they had left about two hundred acres standing; which was granted. While engaged in collecting the corn, they were attacked and most of them killed by a party of white people from about the Monongahela, under pretence that they believed the intention of the Indians at the Moravian towns was to fall upon the back inhabitants.

Soon after this, an attempt was made to destroy

the settlement, where the remaining part of the Moravian Indians resided, at Sandusky. But the Wyandots and other Indians had an engagement with the assailants-killed some, and others they took prisoners, and afterwards killed them. Among the captives was the commander of the expedition, whom they put to a cruel death. The cruelty to the commander, and the death of the prisoners was owing, it was believed, to the murder of the peaceable Moravian Indians, at which the Wyandots expressed much displeasure.

These Moravian Indians afterwards were subjected to great difficulties;-and having removed several times, finally settled in Canada, where they resided in 1793; since which, little authentic information respecting them has come to our knowledge.

LETTER FROM WILLIAM BLAKEY To Samuel and Mary Pleasants, Philadelphia.

27th of 5th month, 1775.

ESTEEMED FRIENDS, -Feeling a degree of sympathy with you in this time of difficulty, my desire is, that you may be preserved, as in the hollow of the Lord's hand, which is a covert from heat, and a shelter from storm, to all those who truly confide in him, and have no confidence in the arm of flesh. I have thought of the mournful seasons some have had to pass through, on account of those who are living at ease in their ceiled houses, and stretching themselves, as it were, on their beds of ivory, but are not concerned "for the afflictions of Joseph."

Now, dear friends, I hope this is not the case with you; but that you have a feeling of the low state, under which the true Seed groans. My mind has often been turned toward you, with desires that nothing of the world's greatness may be a hindrance in the Lamb's warfare. May we look at the example of our blessed Saviour, who took upon him. the form of a servant, and so far demeaned himself, as to wash his disciples feet. How different from this is the conduct of some Friends, who tamely receive flattering titles; and have those of their household whom they look upon as their inferiors, to appear before them with their heads uncovered. This appears to me to be a deviation from the testimony of truth; and my desire is, that none of us may look for the like, nor be a means of laying waste the testimony, for which our worthy predecessors suffered much.

I have sometimes thought, through long custom, things inconsistent become so familiar, that there seems, to some, to be little in them; and these may appear to be little things. But let us remember, it was the little foxes that hurt the tender vine. I believe these things, if rightly looked at, would not appear so small as some may imagine. When I have looked towards you, my desires have been that you would honestly attend to the requirings of Truth; and remember the words of Christ, when he said to Peter, "I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not; and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethen."

WILLIAM BLAKEY.

240

"My Father's at the Helm."

Behold yon ship by storms and tempests driven,
Rocking and reeling o'er the vast profound;
While angry ocean's surges dash towards heaven,
And horror and dread ruin rage around!

The heart struck mariners appall'd, aghast!
Now here, now there, in wild confusion flee,
Despairing to survive the furious blast,

Their graves expecting in the billowy sea.

Gone, e'en the hope of hope!--One of the crew,
His eye-balls glaring with confusion wild,
Flies to the cabin,--instant met his view,

Playing and perfectly composed, a child.*

"We're lost! all lost!-Art not afraid?" he cries, "Even now, the swelling seas the ship o'erwhelm"! With sweet composure, "No;" the child replies, "I'm not afraid,--my father's at the helm."

So, on the ocean of this stormy life,

When fiercest storms of sin and sorrow rage, When reason, truth, and error, are at strife, And powers of darkness the dread contest wage;

When tempests of affliction do arise,

And clouds of gloomy sadness o'er us roll; Where suffering virtue in prostration lies,

And floods of darkness seem to reach the soul; Thrice blest is he, who, by experience knows, Though ruin dire this scene of things o'erwhelm, Or change what may,-lives safely on repose, Is sure,--his heavenly Father's at the helm.

*The Captain's little child, as related by T. Scattergood.

FRIENDS' MISCELLANY.

No. 6.]

NINTH MONTH, 1832.

[VOL. VII.

JOURNAL OF WILLIAM MATTHEWS, of York-town, Pennsylvania.

INTRODUCTION.

In a volume of Memorials, lately published by order of Baltimore Yearly Meeting, is one from York monthly meeting, held 7th of 8th mo. 1793, concerning William Matthews, the subject of the ensuing Journal: By which it appears that he was born in Stafford county, Virginia, on the 19th of the 6th month, 1732. His parents names were William and Mary Matthews, both of whom died while he was in his minority.

About the twenty-third year of his age, he came forth in the ministry; and for some time, appeared to increase in the exercise of his gift. But, meeting with losses, and becoming reduced in his temporal circumstances, so as to labour under much difficulty, he got into a state of discouragement, and was mostly silent for some time. At length, through patient, persevering exertions, he was enabled to surmount his embarrassments, so as again to come forth in the exercise of his gift with acceptance to his friends. By humble attention to the Divine guide, and faithful obedience to the openings of Truth, he became a powerful minister of the gospel, and was eminently useful in the exercise of our christian discipline. VOL. VII.-21