The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1780-08-12 00:00:00, page 1

7b the Printer of the Pennsylvania Packet.
S I R >
A true Whig fends the enclosed Testimony, or rather
piece of hypocrisy, of those people called Quakers.
The propriety of re-publishing it will doubtless appear
to you as it clearly shews what a consummate degree
of impudence and toryifm is engrafted on tbeir “ meek
natures , putting forth under the naafk of innocence
the vifeft spirit of (edition and opposition to our righte
ous cause. It vilralfo serve to put our filler States in
mind of the accumulated load of difficulties which the
good Whigs of this State have hitherto been supporting
more than any other#, for, thanks to our stars, there
is not such a nest in any State in unions yet, by the
mi'dnefs of our laws and government, those people are
. fuffered to remain amoagft us.
The TESTIMONY of the People called Quakers,
given forth by a Meeting of the Reprefehtatives of fyd
People, in Pennsylvania and New-Jersey, held
at Philadelphia the twenty-fourth day of the firft
month, 1775.
HAVING considered with real sorrow, the unhap
py contest between the legislature of Great Britain
and 'he people of these Colonies, and the animosities eon
fequent thereon ; we have by repeated public advices and
private admonitions, used our endeavours todiffuade the
members of our religious fociefy from joining with the
public refolutiens promoted and entered into by feme of
the people, which as we apprehended, so we new find
have ihereafed contention, and produced great difeord and
c^nfufion.
The Divine principle of grace and truth which we pro
fefs, leads all who attend to its dilates, to demean them
selves as peaceable (objects, and to discountenance and
avoid every measure tending to excite difaffeftion to the
King, as fopreme magistrate, or to the legal authority of ,
his government; to which purpose many of the late po
litical writings and addresses to the people appearing to be
calculated, we are led by a fen(e o' duty to declare our
entiredisapprobation of them—their spirit and temper be
°ing not only contrary to the nature and precepts of the
gospel, but defkaHive of the peace and harmony of civil
society, disqualify men in these times of difficulty, for the
wife and judicious confideratjon and promoting of such
measures as would le meft effectual for reconciling dif
ferences, or obtaining the redrefa of grievances.
From our pafi experience of the clemency of the King
and his royal ancestors, we have grounds to hope and
believe, that decent and refpefb'ul addresses from those
who are veiled with legal authority, representing the pre
vailing diffatisfaaions and the cause of them, would avail
towards obtaining relief, ascertaining and eflabhfliing the
just rights of the people, and restoring the public tran
quility; and we deeply lament that contrary modes of
proceeding have been pursued, which have involved the
Colonies in copfufion, appear likely to produce violence
and bloodfh-d, and threaten the fubyerfion of the consti
tutional government, and of that liberty of conscience,
for the enjoyment of which, our ancestors were induced
to encounter the manifold dangers and difficulties of
croffiog the seas, and of fettling in the wilderness.
We are, therefore, incited by a sincere concern for the
peace and welfare of our country, publicly to declare
against every usurpation of power and authority, in op
position to the laws and government, and agaiaft allcom
binations, infurreaions, conspiracies, and illegal affern
blies: and as we are retrained from them by the con
feientious difeharge of our duty to Almighty God, '' by
whom Kings reign, and Princes decree justice," we hope
through his assistance and favour, to be enabled to main
tain our testimony against any requisitions which may be
made of us, inconsistent with eur religious principles, and
the fideli y we owe to the king and his government, as
by law established; earnestly desiring the restoration of
that harmony and concord which have hitherto united rhe
people of these provinces^ and been attended by the divine
blessing on their labours.
Signed in, and on behalf of the said Meeting,
JAMES PEMBERTON, Clerk at this time.
The Quakers in Pennsylvania, much alarmed at the pre
vent diftraffed proceedings of the Colon'es, in the op
position making to the authority of the Parliament of
Great Britain, forefee the most fatal confequencesboth
to themselves and the parent country, have thought it
meceffary to address their brethren in the adjacent pro
vinces, and have pablifhed the following Epiflle, de
claring their disapprobation of the measures prosecuting
for obtaining redress, and earnestly requeuing all of
their communion to avoid joining in such measures as
are totally inconsistent with their religious principles.
An EFISTLE from the Meeting for Sufferings, held
Philadelphia, for Pennsylvania and New-Jersey, the
fifth day of the firft month, 1775.
To our Friends and Brethren in these and the adjacent
Provinces.
Dear Friends,
DURING the troublesand commotions which have
prevailed, and still continue in this once peaceful
seasonable and weighty advice hath be, n fre
particularly by our 1 t te year
ly meeting, exhortmg friends in every part of their con-
SATURDAY, - AUGUST 12, 1780.
THE
omit W
° R I THE
GENER AL ^ '^^^ A DVERTISE^R'
Published every Tuesday, and Saturday.
du£l, to aft agreeable to the peaceable principles and
testimony we pr fefs ; which we fervently desire may be
duly attended to and put in practice ; yet as tome public
resolves have been lately entered into, with the concur
rence and approbation of some members of our religious
society, the nature and tendency of which are evidently
contrary to our religious principles, our minds have been
deeply affected with affliction and sorrow, and we have in
much affection and brotherly love been engaged to use
our endeavours to convince these our brethren of their
deviation ; in the difeharge of which duty, so far aA tfe
have proceeded, we have had the evidence of peace.
And, dear Friends, we are now constrained in the re
newings of trae love, to intreat and exhort all, with hu
mility and reverence, to bear in mind, that our real wel
fare and preservation, on the foundation of our religious
fellowfhip and communion, depends on our faithfully ad
hering to the doctrines and precepts of our Lord Jelus
Christ, who expressly declared, " My kingdom is not of
this world. If my kingdom were of this world, then
would my servants fight, that I should not b> delivered
to the Jews; but now is my kingdom oct from hence."
John xviii. 36. Woich ever since we were a people, we
have publicly profeffed should be religiously observed by
us as the rule of our conduct.
As divers members of our religious society, some of
them without their content or knowledge, have been late
ly nominated to attend on and engage in some public af
fairs, which they cannot undertake without' deviating
from these our religious principles; we therefore earnestly
beseech and advise them, and all others, to confider the
end and purpose of every measure to which they are de
sired to become parties, and with great circumfpeClion
and care to guard against joining in any for the asserting
a,nd maintaining our rights and liberties, which on ma
ture deliberation, appear not to be dilated by that
" wisdom which is from above,,wich is pure, peaceable,
gentle, and full of mercy and good fruits." James iii. 16.
" Every infiance or conduct inconsistent with our chrif
tian profeffion, tends to violate the ttftimony we ought
to maintain of the Efficiency of that divine principle of
light and grace; by a Ready attention to which, our an
cestors were led, in times of great commotion and diffi
culty, to an humble patient waiting for that relief and
liberty, which after a time of deep Buffering was granted
them."
And as they Were often engaged with chriftian fortitude
and freedom to remonstrate to those who were in power,
whenever under (offerings, they could fafely do it, with
out fear of being reproached for any part of their conduct
having minifired just occaloi iof offence; or fur having
ever been concerned in any kin. lof conspiracies, or com
bioarons against the government under which they lived.
" Should any now so far deviate from their example,
and the practice of faitnful friends at all times since, as
manifef l a ddpofition to contend for liberty by any me
thods or agreements contrary to the pea.eable spirit and
temper of the gospel, which ever breathes peace on earth
and good will to all men /' as it is the duty, we desire it
may be the care of friends in every meeting wucre there
are any such, fpsedily to treat with them, agreeable to
our chriftmn ditcipline, and endeavour to convince them
of their error; in whicu labour let all be done in true
charity @d brotherly love, and the effect will be happy
to those who receive it in the fame spirit. This religious
care Readily maintained, will clearly teftify the fin-eriy
of our desires " to guard against being drawn into mea
sures wh ch may mmißer occasion to any to represent us
as a people departing from the principles we profefs; and
will like wife excite such, who have been so incautious as
to enter into engagements, the terms and tendency of
which they had not duly considered, to avoid doing any
thing inconsistent with our principles ;" and constantly to
remember, that to fear God, honour the King, and do
good to all men, is ourindifpenfible duty.
And, dear Friends,
In a degree of that divine love which unites in chriftian
communion and fellowfllip, we tenderly salute you, de
hring that we may more diligently press after, and seek
for an eßablhhmeht on that rock, against which the gates
of hell shall never prevail, that we may be supported
ffeadfaft, when ftorros and tempests, which for the trial
of our faith and the more thoroughly purging us from
those things which are of a defining nature, are permitted;
for toe Lord, whom we desire to serve, tenderly regards
his depending children, and all his chastisements are in
mercy directed to redeem and preserve them from evil.
Signed in, and on behalf of (aid Meeting, by
JOHN PEMBERTON, Clerk.
Tl e Ancient Tistimon y and Principles of the People
called Quakers, renewed, with refpeft to the King
and Government; and touching the commotions now
prevailing in these and otner parts of America; a^-
doffed to the People in general.
AR ELIGIO US concern for our friends and fellow
fubjefls of every denomination, and more efpecialiy
for those ofali ran^s, who in the present commotions, are
engaged in public employments and Rations, induces us
earnestly to beseech every individual in the most solemn
manner, to confider the end and tendency of the measures
they are promoting; and 011 the most impartial enquiry
into the slate of their minds, carefully to examine whe
thet they are aDing in the fear of God, and in conformity
to the precepts and doctrine of our Lord Jesus Christ,
whom we profefs to believe in, and that by him alone we
expect 10 be laved from our fins.
The calamities and cfßifhons which now surround us
should, as we apprehend, affeft every mind witi tie most
awful confideranon of the difpenfationa of Divine Provi
dence id mankind in general in former ages, and that as tl e
Ims and iniquities of the people fubjea&d them to grievous
{offerings, the fame cause; Rill produce the like effects.
The inhabitants of these provinces were long signally
favoured with peace and plenty : Have the returns of true
th^nkfulnefs I een general, man'feft ? Have integrity and
godly simplicity been maintained, and religiously regard
"' ; ""' ' a religious care 10 do jufliy, love mercy, and
walk humbly, been evident ? Hath the precept of Christ,
to do UUI.O others as we would they should do unto us,
been tut governing rule of our conduct ? Hath an upright
impartial desire to prevent the slavery and oppre ffiou of
our fellow men, and to reti re them to their natural
right, to true chrifhan liberty, been cherished and en
couraged? Or have pride, wantonrefs, luxury, profane
nefs, a partial spirit, and forgeLufnefs of the goodness
and mercies of God, become lam ntably prevalent? Have
we no< tyttc fore, abundant o.cafion to brrak off from bur
bus by righteoufoefs, and orr mi^uitis by flievoing mer
cy to the poor; and with true contrition and abaftmeot of
foth, to humble ourfilves, and fupplrcate the A mighty
preserver of men, le shew favour, and to renew unto vs
a Rate of tranquility and peace?
It is our fervent desire that this may soon appear to be
tue pious resolution of the people in gener 1, of ad ranks
and denominations; then may we have a well grounded
h°? e > that wisdom from above, wired is pure, peaceable,
and iuli of mercy and good fruit,, will preside and govern
in foe deliberations of those who, in these perilous times,
^^oertake the tranfa&ion of the most important public
atrairs ; . and that by their Ready care and endeavours,
constantly to aft under the influences of this wisdom,
tacue of interior ft tians will be incited diligently to pur
sue tnofe measures which make for peace, and tend to the
reconciliation of contending parties, on principles dilated
by the spirit of Christ, who « cam, not to destroy men's
lives, but to save them " Luke ix. 56.
a '° '4 ' u '!y aifured th it these ,rincipl s are the most
cenaai and ealeihiJ means of preventing the extreme
nufery and Ge.olations of wars and bloodshed, that weare
cunuramcG to intreat all who profefs faith in Christ, to
nkumeft that they rea ly believe in him, and desire to cb
tarn the blessings he pronounced to the makers of peace.
Mat. v # 9.'
His spirit ever leads to f^ek for and improve every op
pemnity of promoting peace and reconciliation, and
constantly to remember that as we really confide in him,
Lie can, in his own time, change the hearts bf all m^i in
uch manner, that the way to obtain it hath been often,
contrary to.every human profpea ofr expiation.
May we, therefore, heart ly and fine rely unite in fup
r,,i°ns to the Father of Mercies, to grant the plentiful
? h ". 'Fir'' to all, ^iid in an especial manner t&
tofc in superior Rations, ihat they may with sincerity
guar against and reject all such measures and councils,
, a y '° CreaAe an d perpetuate the difeord, nimofities,
4 Ppy contentions waich now forrowfully abound.
, We cannot but witn difheffed minds, b h foch all such
in the molt solemn and awful manner, to confider that, if
by their acting apd perffling in a proud, felfilh spirit,
alb not reg rding the dictates of true wisdom, (u<6 mea
urcs ate pursued as tend to the (hedding of innocent blood ;
in the nay when they and all men fhdi appear at the
judgment teat of Chril, to receive a reward according to
their works, they will be excluded from his favour, and
tneir portion will be in everlasting mife,y. See Mat.
xxv. 41. 2 C'cr. v, 10.
r^e peculiar evidence of divine regard manifefled to our
ancestors, it )the founding and fe tienentof ts efe provinces,
we lave oiten comment rated, and desire ever to remem
°e;< ""'" ''"" '" a °""' n ' s '°d reverent admiration.
When we confider — That at the time they were perse
cuted and fubjefted to severe fuffer:ngs, as a peep e un
worthy of the benefits of religious or civil foci ty; the
hearts or the King and rulers under whom they thus fuf
fered, were inclined to grant them these fruitful 1 countries,
aim en:ruk them with charters of very ex enfive powers
and privileges.—To„ on th<ir arrival here, the minds
of the natives were inclined to receive them with great
hospitality and frieadfhip ; and to cede to them the most
valuable part vs their land on very ealy terms. —That
while the principles of juflice and mercy continued to pre
side, they mere preserved in tranquility and peace, free
from the defola'ing calamity of war ; and their endea
vours were wonder utiy bieifedand prospered, (o that the
Hying of the wisest of Kings was figuady verified t them,
" waen a man's «%s plcafe the Lo d, he makrh even
" his enemies to be at peace with him." Pro. xvi. 7.
The benefits, advantages and favour we have experi
enced by our dependence on, and c nueßion with, the
Kings and government under whi h we liave enjoyed
this happy Rate, appear to demand from us the greatest
circumipeaii], care, and con ftant endeavours, to guard
against every attempt, to alter'or subvert that dependency
and conntalon.
( for t^ remainder fa 6^ Fourth Page.^