Philadelphia: PUBLISHED BY JOHN COMLY; AND TO BE HAD OF JOHN TOWNSEND, NORTH FIFTH STREET, NEAR RACE; OR ELIJAH 1831. PRIVATE CORRESPONDENCE, EPISTLES, ESSAYS, AND REMARKS ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS, WRITTEN AT SUNDRY TIMES AND ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, BY JOB SCOTT. ADVERTISEMENT, IN presenting to the public a volume of the works of Job Scott, late of Providence, Rhode Island, it may be proper to inform the reader, that divers of the following essays were, by the author himself, submitted to the inspection and correction of the Meeting for Sufferings (a committee representing the religious Society of Friends) in New England, of which he was a member. His treatise on Christian Baptism, and some others, were approved, and published, previous to his decease. Since which, his Journal, as published in 1797, and a number of other essays, have been examined by that committee, and the Meeting for Sufferings in New York, and also approved; of which character are several of the ensuing pieces, which, from particular causes and circumstances, have not heretofore been published. It appears also, that some of these essays were corrected, transcribed, and copies forwarded to the Meeting for Sufferings in Philadelphia, for its advice and concur rence. This care of his friends appeared necessary, in conformity with the order of society, and with the dying request of the author, who appeared conscious that many of "his writings were far from being properly digested;" and his belief that some of them might be a good deal better guarded." Since the decease of the author, several of his essays, and divers of the Epistles or Letters, contained in this volume, have been published. These appear to have been read with much interest and instruction, as well as the Journal of his life, and have passed through several editions in this country, and in England. The uniform object of the writer appears to have been, the promotion of truth and righteousness, and the good of mankind; for which purpose he not only wrote, but travelled extensively, in order to turn the minds of the people from darkness and ignorance, to divine light and knowledge, and from under the influence of bigotry, superstition, and selfishness, to the life and power of God in themselves, as the way of happiness and peace. In the character of Job Scott, as delineated by his friends, he is represented as "a man whose life was conspicuously marked with humility and self-denial, and a faithful labourer in support of practical religion;"'* "being deep in heavenly mysteries; yet his communications were agreeable, and remarkably instructive." "Thus for several years, as well as by letters and epistles, for which he was eminently gifted with instructive and edifying talents, he laboured for the promotion of the cause of truth. Being of strong and ready abilities, and his mind improved and enlarged by the sanctifying power of Truth, he was enabled, and zealously and very usefully disposed for the promotion of the cause of righteousness, in which he was engaged." To diffuse then, the instructive views, and promote the labours of his dedicated mind, a collection of the writings of Job Scott, has been made and these essays have been submitted to the inspection and correction of the Representative Committee, or Meeting for Sufferings of the Yearly Meeting of Friends held in Philadelphia. The report of that committee to the Yearly Meeting in the Fourth month last, states, that the writings of Job Scott had been carefully examined, and such corrections made, as were believed to comport with the views and intentions of the author. These corrections were chiefly verbal, avoiding "too punctilious" criticism, even of the phraseology, and peculiar idioms used by the writer. A due care has also prevailed, that his doctrinal views should be faithfully exhibited; and a desire felt that his authority, with the convictions of Truth in the mind of the reader, may be their principal sanction and recommendation. From the following expressions of Job Scott, in his last letter from Ireland, the reader will bear in mind, that, should he meet with any thing imperfect, abstruse, or unfinished in any of these essays, it must be attributed to the want of time and opportunity in the writer to mature, digest, and complete the views, or subjects intended to be illustrated; and which defect, it would be improper now to attempt to supply. "There is scarce any thing," says he, "that *T. Willis. + Testimony from Ireland, Testimony from the Monthly Meeting of Providence. |