The writer of this brief tribute had an opportunity of witnessing the closing scene of this humble Christian; and he can never forget the instructive lesson which it taught.

For a considerable time previous to his decease, he had become very infirm in his limbs, so as to be unable to dress and undress himself;-and, during a period of about four weeks, he was entirely helpless. The kind assiduities of a daughter were needed, through this afflicting period; and they were received with those emotions of tenderness and consideration, which characterize a mind, guided and supported by an Almighty hand. No murmuring

or complaint, at any time, escaped him. All the little attentions bestowed, were received with the feelings of a parent, fully appreciating in a child a desire to be grateful, and with no other anxiety, than a constant wish to prevent unnecessary care and trouble. During these afflicting hours, when, to the ungenerate soul, the "grasshopper" would have become a burden,-much of his time seemed to be spent in that silent introversion of mind, from which in the vigour of manhood, he had derived so much consolation; thus in a remarkable degree, realizing the declaration, "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.' The calm, tranquil manner, in which he awaited the approach of the awful messenger, is truly depicted by the poet, in describing the closing scene of the pious Christian:

"While resignation gently slopes the way, And all his prospects brightening to the last, His heaven commences, ere the world be past.”

NOTICES OF BENJAMIN LAY.

By John Hunt, of New Jersey.

12th of 3d mo. 1785, in conversation with our friend, John Forman, of North Wales, mention was made of Benjamin Lay. I said, I thought he was the first Friend that bore a testimony against slavekeeping. He said, "no; there was one John Farmer, a Friend, on a visit from England, that had a very powerful testimony against the oppression of the black people." He informed me, that at a meeting in Pennsylvania, this John Farmer bore his tes timony against slave-keeping, and a great man, who kept negroes, being there, got up and desired Friends to look on that man as an open enemy to the country; and some Friends also rather bearing against him, persuaded him to make something like an acknowledgment. This so struck John Farmer, that he sunk under it, declined in his gift, and never went back to England; but died here. On his deathhed, he said, he was entirely easy about every thing, but that of flinching from his testimony at that time, and in that manner.

John Forman gave me further information concerning Benjamin Lay's testimony, in several respects. One of which was against smoking tobacco. He said, he saw Benjamin come into the Yearly Meeting, and seat himself between the galleries of the men and women, with three long pipes stuck in the bosom. There he sat, till meeting was ready to break up; then he rose, dashed one pipe down amongst the ministers on the men's side, another amongst the women, and the third amongst the com

mon people; as much as to say, they were all of a piece.

At another time, Benjamin came into the Yearly Meeting with a bladder filled with blood, in one hand, and a sword in the other. He ran the sword through the bladder, and sprinkled the blood on divers Friends, and declared, that so the sword would be sheathed in the bowels of the nation, if they did not leave off oppressing the negroes.

An

He had a testimony against drinking tea, and once stood behind the tea table, and preached, all the time the company were drinking tea. other time he took some tea cups, and broke them to pieces in the most public place in the market. By such singular methods, did Benjamin Lay consider himself called upon to arrest the attention of the people, on subjects that he had a testimony against.

John Forman said, Benjamin used to go barefoot, wore tow trowsers, and a tow coat, very much darned; that he sometimes lived on acorns, chesnuts, and cold boiled potatoes, and wore his beard. He once noticed him going from the Yearly Meeting, and thought his countenance bespoke innocency and righteousness.

1787. In conversation with Abraham Matlack, Benjamin Lay's act, in breaking the tea cups, was mentioned. He told me that his father, being at market, saw the transaction; and that Benjamin being a very little, light man, the boys of the town gathered round, and not willing to see the tea cups broken, one of them went behind him, stuck his head between his legs, took him up on his shoul

ders, and carried him off, whilst the others bore off the remainder of the tea tackling.

Benjamin Lay had a very zealous testimony against negro slavery, in his days: but then it could not be borne with. The testimony hath made such advances since, that slavery now begins to be generally abhorred. Even the public newspapers manifest a dislike to the practice. A query in one of them says, "and why is this cruelty practised?— Why, that we may have sugar to sweeten our tea, that debilitates us, and rum to put in our punch, which intoxicates us, and indigo to die our clothes. In short, great part of the human species are dragged into slavery to supply the luxuries of the rest.” 1787.

ABEL THOMAS'S LETTERS.

In the second volume of this work, was published some account of Abel Thomas, with two of his Letters. In reference to other manuscripts left by him, a hope was entertained that some further account of his labours and travels might be furnished by those who had access to, or were possessed of such documents. The following are all that have come to hand-and while they mark the man, they may be found interesting and instructive to such as remember the patriarchal simplicity and dedication of the writer."

To his wife, in the year 1813.

DEAR ELLIN,

I am in good health, and do not know that I ever felt the depth of gratitude, and endearing love to thee, in all the time we have been acquainted, as at this time, in remembering thy care and concern for me, when I was almost famished to death with hunger, and could not reach any encou

ragements, either from above, or from beneath.— When thee thyself was stained in my view; when all things appeared sorrowful and discouraging to me, I did pity thee, and strove to hide the worst from thee, but could not. I thought I could hide it from my children, more than from thee. Oh! did I ever know such a time before? It did grieve me when I saw thy care and concern for me, in using thy endeavours to bear me up from sinking under discouragement; when I could not give thee any encouragement, though so cheerful and pleasant to me, in using all thy endeavours to moderate my grief. I hope I shall never forget thy loving-kindness to me, in that day of great trial. I am bound, from the ties of endeared love to thee, to give thee a particular account of my journey so far, both within and without.

When I left home, I had not gone far on the road, before four Friends from Ohio overtook me. Ann Taylor rode up side of me, and began cheerfully to converse with me. I was sorry they had not gone before me. We had not rode far, before she asked me to fall into conversation concerning my large experience in travelling. I let her know, that I had but little or no experience; however that former experience was of little or no account to me; but that my great concern was about present time, and that I had no inclination to talk much about any thing; and that I rode slow, and did not intend to mend my gait, and if they went on, I was content. So I reined in my horse, and fell behind. on. I lodged at Abner's; the next night at William Brinton's. Oh! the hunger and thirst that I was sensible of. I had forty-six miles to Daniel's. VOL. IV.-24

They went

It