Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-11-05
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tContnued from nIst paseJ
claim. "Do they mean 10 kill the man ?"
But He. who of old caused His children TO
receive .'np hurt" in the midst of the seven
times heated furnace. wonderfully up
held him 10 this hour of EXTREMIST need,
for he states that his .'bodv was as if it
had been covered with balm" Much did
the people marvel when. at the conclusion
of the infliction. he raised his voice in
thanksgiving and prayer Not long alter,
Humphrey Norton received another
scourging in New Plymouth. His rest in
Rhode Island was a very short one, for he
soon thought it right to go to Boston in
company with a yonng Friend, named
John Rous. who had previously been his
associate in service, aud sometimes in sui
fering. for their Lord. He was the son OF
1t. Col. Rous, a wealthy sugar planter OF
Barbados. who afterward became n
b Fiiend, having, it is said, been much in
pressed hy the ministry of his son.
When Humphrey Norton told John Rpus
that sleep had I'D from him because of
the sorrow occasioned by "sense of the
strength of the eumty against the right
cons seedn in Boston. he also felt that he
must bear part with the prisoners of
hope. which at that time stood bound for
the testimony OF Jesus" Longing to lose
no time. they travelled night and day. and
ON their arrival at Boston were told of the
state In which William Brend then lay.
from the effect of the gaoler's cruelty and
: were begged by their informant to leave
the town, or they would be dead men
But they We're hound on holy mission,
from which no human power could turn
them aside. such was our load says
Humphrey Norton, "that beside HIM who
Ia. Il -. II. - \
ease us, and few hours later we find
. him. ut the conclusion of the usual lecture
of John Norton, a minister who notorious v
insigated persecution. beginning an adj
dress in these words Verify this is the
sacrifice which the Lord accepts not /; for
whilst with the same spirit that you sin.
+ YOU preach and pray and sing, that sacri-
flee is an abomination."
Although charge of blasphemy could
MT he proved against him. there was no
doubt that his companion and himself
were guilty Of being Quakers, aud as such
they were sentenced TO Imprisonment and
whipping. The former. as the son OF
4. Lieutenant Colonel Rous, who had former
Nv resident in the colony, was at first cour-
. teously treated by the magistrates. who
hoped they nigh, induce this young
champion of the Cross to cast aside ''the
neresy" he was upholding. But, notwith-
standing their fattery, he steadfastly
maintained bis ground, vindicated the doc
irines which he had adopted, and. as an
English citizen claimed the right of a trial
in an English Court. But the Governors,
we'll knowing what an alarming exposure
of their conduct towards Friends would
be involved by this, would not hear of
such course. mo appeal to England
No appeal to England" was their cry.
Three days later the prisoners underwent
the fogging to which they had been con-
demned; but when this punishment was
soon renewed, the public Indignation. al
ready aroused by the treatment of Will
liam Blend, became so strong that it soon
led to the liberation of the prisoners In
the midst of all Affections the Friends
were aided by the belief that their abors
and sufferings were not in vain in the
Lord. In a letter to Margaret Fell, John
Rous says: IA firm foundation is there
laid in this land. such one as the devil
"a will never get broken up" He writes
when again in Boston prison. where about
Z fortnight later, he and his companions,
John Copeland and Christopher Holder,
Underwent the mutllation of having the
/! right ear cut off Shall we shrink from
r reading their sufferings when we see the
spirit with which they were enabled
to endure them! In The strength
Of God" is their language, 1--WE suffered
, joyfully, having freely given up not one
81 member. but all, if the Lord So required,
for the scaling of our testimony. which
the Lord hath given u.s." words which may
recall those OF Branerd with regard to bis
a prayers for his brother and himself "Mv
heart sweelly exulted in the thought of
any distresses that might light on him or
me. In the advancement OF Chrst's king
dom upon earth
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