NUMBER

CCCXV.

To Friends at Barbadoes.

Dear Friends,

1675.

To whom is my love in the holy Truth—my desire is, that you may all be valiant for it, against all deceit, that the camp of God may be kept clean; and all may be faithful in your testimonies of light and life, against all those things which have come up in this night of apostasy from the light, life, and power of God.

Great persecutions are in most counties in England, and many are imprisoned in many places, and their goods spoiled. But we had a very large Yearly Meeting here, and very peaceable and quiet. And the Lord's power and presence was richly manifest in our meetings; and the Lord wonderfully supports friends in all their trials and sufferings; and friends generally are in much love and unity one with another.

Now, friends, we desire that, at your Quarterly Meeting, you may write over an epistle to the Yearly Meeting in London, of the affairs

of the Church of Christ, and the prosperity and the spreading of his Truth there; for we had a large epistle from the Half-year's Meeting in Ireland, which delares, that friends were all in unity there; and likewise an account was given from Scotland, that friends were in unity there; and likewise an epistle was read in our Yearly Meeting here, from the Yearly Meeting in Holland, which gives an account, that friends are in love and unity there; and in Friesland, Germany, and other places. At Embden and Dantzick, they are under great persecution; and we have lately a new meeting set up beyond Holland, which has been under much suffering and persecution, but they stand faithful to the Lord. And at Algiers, in the Turks' country, friends who are captives there, have set up a meeting amongst themselves; about twenty friends; and some other of the captives have been convinced at that meeting.

And one Thomas Tilby, a captive friend, hath a testimony for God, and speaks there among them; and their patroons, or masters, let them meet; and one of their masters spoke to a friend, as he was going to a meeting, and thought he had been going to a public

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tippling house, and he stopped him, and asked him whither he was going; and he told him, to worship the great God; and he said, it was well, and let him go and some of the Turks said, they had some among them of their people, that would not buy stolen goods. I have written a large epistle to them to encourage them, and that they might preach the Gospel abroad in those parts, both in their words, lives, and conversations; and this meeting among the Turks, may be of great service.

And now, friends, all be careful of God's glory, and seek the good one of another; and strive all to be of one mind and heart, and that the peace and gentle wisdom of God may order you all. And be courteous, and kind, and tender-hearted one to another; and so the Lord God Almighty, in his Holy Spirit, preserve you all in unity and fellowship one with another. Amen.

And, friends, you may send a copy of this to the Caribee Islands, to be read in their Quarterly Meetings; and you may read it in your own.

G. F.

To Friends in Nevis, and the Caribbee Islands.

Swarthmore, 5th of 9th Month, 1675.

Dear Friends,

To you all in Nevis, and the Caribbee Islands thereabouts. I have seen a letter from some of you, wherein I understand that there has been some scruple concerning watching, or sending forth watchmen in your own way.

Truly, friends, this I declare to you, that it is a great mercy of the Lord, to subject the governor's mind so much by his power and Truth, that he will permit you to watch in your own way, without carrying arms; which is a very civil thing, and to be taken notice of. For, could friends have obtained the same in Jamaica, and other places, they would willingly have done it, and did proffer themselves for to do it, to the governors. But because that they would not bring swords and guns, and other arms, to watch against the Spaniards, as they pretended, their standing fine was about seventeen shillings each man's neglect;

but they took often thirty shillings-worth for it, and tied some of them neck and heels besides, till the blood hath come forth at their mouths, noses, and ears. And this I have seen upon record of those, who freely proffered to watch in their own way, but it would not be accepted. And in other places it hath been the same.

And now as for watching in itself. Don't you watch your plantations against thieves in the night? And are not common watches set to discover thieves in the towns, or housebreakers, or such as might wickedly fire houses? Such civil things we are subject to; and do submit ourselves, for conscience' sake, unto every such ordinance of man, which is for the punishment of evil doers, and for the praise of them that do well.

Now those evil doers that may rob your plantations or houses, you complain to the magistrates for the punishment of them, though you cannot swear against them; or if the Indians come to rob your plantations or houses, you complain to the magistrates for the punishment of such evil doers, to stop