Dunlap's Pennsylvania packet , The general advertiser — Philadelphia, Pa., 1777-09-09 00:00:00, page 2

rHILADELPHI A, September 6.
The TESTIMONY of the People celled QU A
KER% give*? firth bv a Meeting ofthe Representa
tives of Jai 1 Pccp'e. in Pennsylvania and New
|e r„y. he'd at Phitade pbia the twenty soul th day
of thef r 0 Month. 177,
7 ^ A VING c nfiieied with real sorrow, the un-
E — I happy contt# between the kg'flature of Great
=- A Britain and the people of these Colonies, and
the animosities consequent thereon ; we have by repeated
pub.ic advices and private admonitions, used our endea
vours to difaade the members Pf our religious society from
Pining with the pub ic redo unions promoted and entered
into by fame of the ^ofe which as vie apprehended, ft
roe now find have increased contention, and produced great
accord and cmjujion.
The f vine principle of grace amd truth which we
profels, leads all wh) attend to its delates, to demean
themselves as peaceable fubjvrts, and to difeountenance
and avoid every measure tending to excise dßaff&&ion
to tie Ki»g, as Supreme magistrate, or to the legal
authority of tris government; to which purpose many of
the late ph ical writings and addrefes to the people
appearing to he ca'cuAfcd, we are led by a sense ofdu
ty to declare our entire disapprobation of them their
ipiii and temper bring not only coirary to the ira:ure
and precepts cf the gospel, but dedrudi^e ofthe peace
and harm ny of civil society, disqualify men in these
times of difficulty, for the wiieand judicious confidera
ti° and promoting of luch' measures as would be most
efii&ial for reconciling differences, or obtaining the
redre's of grievances.
From our pall experience of the clemency of the
• royal ancestors, we have grounds to hope
.a decent and reipe&ful addresses from
throe wooa Tei crith egai authority, representing
the prevail.ng ciTarisfa&iuns and the cau'e of them,
would avail towards obiairing relief, a'c rtai L ing and
tftabldhirg the just rights of the people and reftorimg
the public tranquility; aid we deeply lament that c^n
teary motes of proceeding have been pursued, which save
involved the Colonies in co/fttfon, appear likely to pro
duce violence and bloodihcd, and threaten he subver
sion of the conßitmional goversmen*, and of that li
ber y,of cnnA.e ce, far the erj yment of which, cur
accedois were indtic-d to enco^^er the mirifAd dan
gers unfl difficulties of cr. fling the seas, and of fettling
in the wdderrefs.
We are, therefore, incited by a fioccre concern for
the peace and webafe of our country, publicly to de
clare against evety ufmpation of power and auth riry.
in opposition to the laws and government, and again#
all combinations, infurreflions, conspiracies, and illegal
assemblies ; and as we ate reftrd ed from them by tire
conscientious difeharge of our duty to Almighty Ged,
“ by whom Kings reign, and Princes decree jufiice,"
we hope through his alfifknce and Lv.ur, to be ena
bled to maintain our testimony again! any requifi ions
which may be made of us, incurfilent with our religi
ous principles, and the fidelity we owe to the King and
Iris government, as by law CRablifhed; earnestly desir
ing. the reffaration of that harmony and concord which
have hitherto united the peep e of these provinces, and
been attended by the divide blefing on their labours.
Signed in, and on behalf oftbefaid sheeting.
J AM ES PEMI3 E R I ON, Clerk at tk:s time.
Tae QiA.rs in Pennsylvania, much a ! arnel at the
present dirtrarted proceedings of the Cronies, in the
opp firion Making to the an.ho iO of the Par.iamer,t
o!G^^ Eriain, forefeethe mod fatal cod.quences
b^th to the.nfe'ves abd the. parent country, have
thought 11 nec.ll r, to addrtfs their brethren io the
adj cent provinces, and have pubbßed^he iolaving
EpTc, dtc'ariag ;he;r difappr< bation of rite mea
fu s pro'ecimng for obtaining reheri, and earnestly
r<q.efh r g ad or their cornu uri^n to -v id juicing in
heli meafmes as are totally ir.cor.llheat wiih their
religi us principles.
An dpid'e from the Meet ng for Suffering, ffiinPhi.
ladeiphia for Pennlpvamu and Nm Jerje), the gtb
day of the fofl Month, 1775.
To our friend's and Brethren in theft and the a jiceat
Piovine.s.
Dear Friends,
"ft U RING the tr^h^s ^hl cemm tiers which
J , live prevailed, arid frill continue in this o, ce
peaceful land, mud) edforable and weighty advice hath
b&n frequently communicated, and particularly by our
Lite yea ly meeting, exhorting friends in eve y part of
thir condori, to a(fagreeable to the peacesb'-e prici
plcs and teOimony we prefers ; which we fervently de
fine may be du'y attended' to and pur in pr^& ce; yet
as feme public resolves have been fate) entered into, with
the concurrence and approbation of feme members of our
religious society, the nature and tendency of which are
evidently contrary to err redgious princip es, cur minds
have been deeply afktf^d r.ih affirm and sorrow,
and we have in much affection and brotherly love been
effaced to nfe our eiGeav urs to convince these our
brethren o' their deviation; N the discharge of which
duty, Id far as we hive proceeded, we have had the
evidence of pence.
A? 4, dear friends, we are now constrained in the
receivings o' true love, to intreat and exhort all, with
humility and rever. nee, to bear in mod, that cur real
welfare and prefervarino, on the foundation of our re-
Ljeus fellowship and communion, depends on cur faith
fully adhering to the d^Ctrines and precepts of cur Lord
Jesus Chriß, who exprelsly declared, “ My kingdom
is not of this world, if my kingdom were of this world,
then would my ferva'nts fight, that I should not be de
livered to the Jews; but now is my kingdom not from
hence." John xviii. 36. Which ever since we were a
people, we have pubackly profeißd should be religiously
observed cy us as the rule of our condud.
As divers members of our religious society, some of
them without their coofent or knowledge, have been
lately nominated to attend on and engage in feme pub
lic affairs, which they cannot undertake without devi
ating from: these our religious principles; we therefore
earnestly befcech and advde them, and all others, to
confider the end and purple of every measure to which
they are desired to become parties, and with great cir
cumfyeßion and care to guard agamfljo.ning in any for
the averting and maintaining our rights and liberties, which'
od mature deliberation, appear net ' to be dictated by that
" wisdom which is from about, which is pure, peaceable,
gent e, and full of mere, and good fruits " James iii. 16.
" Every indance of conduA iuconfiftent with our
chriftian profeffin, tends to violate the testimony we
ought to maintain of the ' fufficiency of that divine prin
ciple of I grit and grace; by a steady attention to which,
our anceftrs were led, in times of great commotion
and difficulty, to an humble patient waiting for that re
lief and liberty, which after a time of deep fuffering
was gran ed them."
And as they were often ' ergsged with chriftiar. forti
tude and freed m to remenftrate to those who were in
power, wherever under fufferings, they could fafely ^0
ir, without fear of being reproached for any p^rt of
their condud having miorftred just occasion of offence ;
or for having ever been concerned to any kind of con
(piracies, or combinations against the government uader
which they lived.
“ Should any now so far deviate from their exam
ple, and tie p r aftice of faithful friends at all times
hice, as manifeft a disposition to contend for liberty by
any methods or agreements contrary to the peaceable
Spirit and temper of the gospel, which ever breathes
peace on earth and good will to all men, as it is the
duty, we defiie it may be the care of friends in every
meeting where there are any such, speedily to treat
vrih them, agreeable to our chriffian discipline, and
endeavour to convince them of their error; in which
labour let all be done 'in true charity and brotherly
love, and the effect wid.be happy to these who receive
it in the Grn'e spirit. Bids religtods care Readily main
tained, will cleanly telffvihe rincenty ofcur crifires “to
guard against being drawn ioto meafuies which may
mi ifter occaGun to an, to represent us as a people de
parting from the principles we profefs; and will like
wife excite such, who have been so incautious as to en
ter into engagements, the terms and tendency of which
they had not duly conGdered, to avoid doing any thing
inconfifteilt with dur principles;" and constantly to re
member, that to fear God, honor the king, and do good
to all men, is ourirdifpeufible duty.
And dear Friends,
[a a degree of that divine love which unites in chrif
tian commurrion and fellowship, we tenderly Glute you,
desiring that we may raore diligently press after, and
seek for an efhblhhment on that rock, against which
the gates of hell shall never prevail, that we may be
supported ftcadfaft, when Corms and tempers, which
for the trial of our faith and the more thoroughly purg
ing us frem those things which are of a defiling nature,
are permitted ; for the Lord, whom we desire to serve,
tenderly regards his depending children, arid all his
chafli'en^n^ are in mercy directed to redeem and pre
serve them from evil
Signed in, and on behalf of said Meetisu, by
JOHN PEMBERTONfdeik.
The Ancient Testimony and principles of the people called
takers, renewed, with re/pett to the Ki^g and Go
ve mnent; and touching the commotions now prevailing
in these ant riher parts of America, addressed to the
people in general.
A RELIGIOUS concern for our friends and
X.l. fellow fubjerts of every denomination, and mere
efpec:a ly for those cf all ranks, who in the present
commotions, are engaged in public employments and
stations, induces us carneftly to beseech every indivi
dual in the mod solemn manner, to confider the ead
and tendency of t? e measures they are promoting; and
on tbe nr ft impartial enquiry into the date of their
minds, carefully to examine whether they are ailing in
the fear of God, and in confo mity to the precepts and
drftrine of cur Lord Jesus Christ, whom we profefs to
believe in. a^d that by him alone we expert to be saved
from our fins.
The calamities and affinors which now furro^nd us
should, as we apprehend, assert every mind with 'he
most awful confider^tio* ofthe dispensations of Divine
Providence to mankid in general in former ages, and
that as the fins and iniquities of tie people iubjefted
them to grievous bufferings, the fame causes still pro
duce the like efforts.
I he inhabitants of these provinces were long signally
favoured with peace and plenty: Have the returns of
true thankfulness been generally manifef. ? Have inte
grity aud godly simplicity been maintained, and reli
gionDy regarded? Hat religious care to do juft.y,
love mercy, and \ra kb. ' r , been evident ? Hath the
precept of Chin; to d< others as we would they
fnou'd do ^nto us, been the goraniag tub of mir carte
durt? Hah an upright impartial defne to prevent rhe
fitvery and oppression cf our fellow men, and to reTre:
them to their natural right, to true chriftiao liberty,
been cherished and encouraged? Or have pride, watte,
tennefs, luxury, profanenels, a partial spirit, arid Gr
getfulnefs of the goodnels and mercies cf G d, become,
lamentably prevalent ? Have we not therefore, ab^ f
daat occasion to bre..k off from otr fins by righ.coof
nes, and cur iniquities by Ihewing me cy to tire poor ^
and with true contrition and abatement of foul, ;#
humble ourlelves, and Applicate the almighty prefNv.f
cf men, to ffiew favour, and to renew ustu us a Rate
of tranquility and peace ?
It is our fervent define that this may soon appear to
be the pious refolu ion of the people in general, of all
ranks and denominations; then may we have a welt
grounded hope, that wisdom from above, which is pure,
peaceable, and full of mercy, and good fruits, will pre
side and govern in the deliberations of those who, ia
these perilous times, undertake the tratGurion of the
most important public affris; and that by their Read,
care ued endeavours, cocßandy to art under the in
fluences of this wiidem, thole of inferior Rations writ
be incited d bgently to puTue those measures which
make for peace, and tend to the reconciliation of con
tendtog parties, On principles dictated by the spirit of
Christ, who " came not to destroy men's lives, but to
'• save them." Luke ix. 56.
We are so fully affiired that these principles are the
most certain and effertual means of preventing the ex
treme misery and defections of wars and bloodshed,
that we are tonftraihed to intreat all who profefs fai.h
in Christ, to manifest that they really believe io him
and desire to obtain the blessings he pronounced to the
makers of peace, Ma fr . v. 9.
His spirit ever leads to fee k for and improve every op
portunity cf promoting peace and reconciliation, and
corftattly to remember that as we really confide io him,
he can, in iris own time, change the hearts of all men in
such manner, that the way to obtain it, hath been ofreq
opened contrary to every human profped or exportation.
May we, therefore, heartily and sincerely unite in
{applications to the Father of Mercies, to grant the
plentiful effufions of his Ipirit to all, and in an especial
manner to thafe in superior Rations, that they may
with sincerity, guard against and reject all such meafuies
aid councils, as may increase and perpetuate the dis
cord, aniraefities, and unhappy contentions which now
forrowfully abound.
We caanot but with distressed minds, befeecb all
such in the most lolemn and awful manner, to confider
that, if by their anting and persisting in a proud, felfifh
spirit, and not legarding the dirtares of true wisdom,
such measures are pufued as tend to the Bedding of
innocent Wood; in the day when they and all men shall
appear at the judgment-feat of Christ, to receives re
ward according to their works, they will be excluded
from bis favour, and their portion will be io everiaft
ing misery. See Mat. xxv. 4.1. 2 Cor. v. 10.
The peculiar evidence of divine regard manifefted
to our ancestors, in the founding and settlement cfthefe
provinces, we have often commemorated, and desire
ever to remember, with true thankfulness and reverent
admiration.
When we confider—That at the time they were
persecuted and fubjefled to severe Offerings, as a people
unworthy ofthe benefits of religious or civil society; the
hearts of the King and rulers under whom they 'thus
fuffered, were inclined to grant them these fruitful
countries, and entrust them with charters of very ex
tensive powers and privileges.—That on their arrival
here, the minds of the natives were inclined te receive
them with great bofpitality and friendship; and to cede
tothem the most valuable part of their land on very eaf,
terms.—That while the principles of justice and mercy
continued to preside, they were preferred in tranqui
lity and peace, free from the desolating calamities' of
war; and their endeavours were wonderfully blessed
and prospered, (g that the faying of the wisest of Kings,
was finally verified to them, “ when a man's ways
“ please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be
at peace with him." Pro. xvi. 7.
sh: benefits, advantages and favour we have expe
rienced by our dependence on, and connection with, the
Kings and government, under which we have enjoyed
this happy Rate, appear to demand from us the greareft
circumfpe&ion, care and canftant endeavours, to guard
against every attempt, to alter or subvert that depen
dence and connection. ' "
The feenes lately presented to our view, and the
p FO fpe& before us, we are sensible, are very diftreffi^
and difeouraging; and though we lament that such
amicable measures, as have been proposed, both here
and in England, for the adjustment of the unhappy
contests fnbhffmg, have not yet been effectual; never
theless, we should rejoice to observe the continuance of
mutual peaceable endeavours for effecting a reconcilia
tion; having grounds to hope that the divine favour
and blessing will attend them.
" It hath ever been our judgment and principle
6 < since we were called to profefs the light of Christ
" Jesus, manifefted in our confeiences unto this day
“ that the setting up, and putting down Kings and go-'
'"'merits, is God's peculiar prerogative; for causes
“ be# known to himfelf ; and that it is not our bufinels
[°r d ,' e a .° y h " d cr contrivance therein; nor to be
vui, bodies above our Ration, much lefsto plot an<