The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-04-08
What makes You ask that. William .,

Because, father, think you ought to pay
him"
Why so, my son g"
Because don't see why he should work so
hard for nothing"
"Well, dare say, William, shall pay him.
But, father, If you do not pay him money,
III tell you what you ought to do"
"What, my SOM"
"Why. father, if poor Tom comes to want
any work done, you should send your wagon
to help him."
"My cart, you mean, William, for you see
have only his cart"
T" Yes, father, but your wagon is not so much
larger than his cart as you are richer than
poor Tom"
Sod bless my SON." cried the Admiral,
embracing him 81 hope you'll be brave,
bonest-hcarted Englishman, as long as you
live
The proud father had high hopes for his son.
and his favorite castie-building was seeing the
rosy-chccked boy transformed to q man Of emf
nence and distinguished talents filling with
honor the most influential posts in the realm
Time travelled not so fast as the Admirals ina
gnation. for William was yet in his ninth
year. At this period he was sent to gram
mar-school at Chgwel near one of his fathers
estates. selected by his mother, because con-
ducted by clergyman of eminent pietY. The
religious instructions of his mother were not
forgotten during this absence, but were treas
ured with reverence, as the earnest iniunctions
of her he loved SO well.
At the age Of fifteen William entered
Oxford College with bright prospects He
quickly became general favorite, both ON ac-
count of his brilliant talents and his many
noble qualities, and soon received the highest
honors of the University. His chosen coppan-
ions were of the same serious bent of mind with
himself among whom was John Locke, who
remained faithful and tried friend through
out the yicissitudes of PENIS life These Young
men, hearing of Quaker meeting about to he
held, determined TO attend, partly from eurios-
ity. as the name of the preacher, Thomas I've,
was given, without any pompous title attach
ed--a practice so universal in those days that
any departure from it caused surprise. The
appointed time came, and found William in
the place of worship. He looked with no little
establishment upon the plain apartment, and
still palmer people that filled it. so different
from the established church, to which he had
always been accustomed Nor was his surprise
lessened when he beheld in Thomas I've "a
plain, feshy, round-iaced man, in n broad
brmmed hat, drab coat of the humblest cloth
and cut, and a close snug neck-cloth, all shi-
ming, clean. and neat"
At first Penns attention was fixed by the
simple quaintness of his language; but soon,
the sincere, touching words that fell from his
lips in eloquent appeals, went searchingly TO
ehis heart; and as he listened, he was sure the
way was pointed to him Of which he had long
been dreaming-to lead a pure and simple life
in the service of his Maker, and for the good
of his felow-creatures Again and again he
sought the Quaker meeting house, and listened
to the affectonate and fatherly teachings of
Thomas Ne. His conscience was fully AVA
kened. but his course undecided and in his
perplexity he went to one of the learned divines
of the college He laughed at his "fanati-
cism," and babe him keep to the good old
church. hear sermons, and take the sacrament
and all would be WELL William obeyed the
directions, but his conscience could not be ST.
fenced and he was more dissatisfied than ever
with the formal ceremonies of the church, and
the worldly, fashionable throng who professed
| to worship God,
| Again he returned to the Quaker meeting
and determined to adhere to their principles
despite the sneers and scorn of his fellow stu
dents, and the world at large. He with a few
of his companions held meetings by themselves
and adopted plain mode of dress. Their alb
sence from public service was noticed by the
Professors: and upon learning the cause, they
were Immediately summoned before the facul
ty, and for assembling themselves together to
worship God contrary TO law" were severely
| fined More serious consequences soon followed
their newly.awakened ardor. One day they
met few gay young men of the college, who
were attired in foppsh and extravagant style
but according with the fashion of the times
Penn and his friends expostulated with them,
and advised them to lay aside what was so
unbecoming and unchristian In return, re-
ceiving only derison and contempt, they forgot
their Quaker principles, and with furious in
dignation rushed upon them, and tore the fan
tastc dresses from their shoulders They were
quickly called to account, and, among others,
William Penn was formally expelled from COL
lege,
Unwilling that the news of his expulsion
should reach his parents from other lips than
his own, he FASTENED to them with heavy
heart. He arrived at Pennwood and presented
himself to his parents with firm but troubled
air. How great was their astonishment to be-
hold their son before them, in o full suit Of
Quaker drab, and broad-brimmed beaver,
concenlng his fine brow. His usually cheerful
face was clouded, but he stood with meek as
pect in their presence. With ordinations of
wonder and surprise, they gazed upon him.
"What does this mean !? What il the mat
ter! Why are you here'n. were the hasty
inquiries
With determined calmness he replied 81
am expelled from college !"
Tbo A J,,;ral uta rtaJ C~oc, IL. .la;- h;a g., M,
flushed with anger, and to his eager questions
of the why and wherefore, William answered.
WHY, sir, it was because | tore their dress
es from off the shoulders Of some Of the stu
dentsp
"You tore the dresses from off the shoulders
of the students Why Gods mercy on my
soul what had you 10 do with their dressesl"
Why, father answered William, their
dresses were so fantastical and unbecoming the
dignity of Englshmen and the society Of Chris
tians, that ! felt it duty TO my country and
conscience to bear my testimony against them:
and moreover ! was assisted in it by Robert
Spencer, John Locke, and other discreet youths
Of the college,
"Well, thank God thank God it's no
worse,D exclaimed Mrs. Penn.
"You are thankful for small favors, madam"
was the Admirals snappsh rejoindcr.
A long discussion ensued, which only excited
the Admiral, and in no way altered the opn-
ions of young Penn His fathers patience was
exhausted, and in disappointment and anger
he exclaimed:
.Here's a pretty ending Of all the bright
castles that I've Tor years been building in the
air for this boy A lad of gcnius--gcttng a
complete college education--the only child OF
a British Admiral--great friends at Court
the high road to preierment all alloy before
him, and yet determined to turn his back on
all and live and die poor, dcspised Quaker !
Why Gods mercy on my soul boy! you, who
might have been among the first in the realm !
re to the army, General; if to the navy, an
Admiral; If 10 law, Chief Justice; 70 medl'