ELIAS HICKS.

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About the twenty-sixth year of my age I was again brought, by the opera-
tive influence of divine grace, under deep concern of mind; and was led,
through adorable mercy, to see, that although I had ceas'd from many sins
and vanities of my youth, yet there were many remaining that I was still
guilty of, which were not yet aton'd for, and for which I now felt the judg-
ments of God to rest upon me. This caus'd me to cry earnestly to the Most
High for pardon and redemption, and he graciously condescended to hear my
cry, and to open a way before me, wherein I must walk, in order to experi-
ence reconciliation with him; and as I abode in watchfulness and deep
humiliation before him, light broke forth out of obscurity, and my darkness
became as the noon-day. I began to have openings leading to the ministry,
which brought me under close exercise and deep travail of spirit; for although
I had for some time spoken on subjects of business in monthly and prepara-
tive meetings, yet the prospect of opening my mouth in public meetings was a
close trial; but I endeavor'd to keep my mind quiet and resign'd to the
heavenly call, if it should be made clear to me to be my duty. Nevertheless,
as I was, soon after, sitting in a meeting, in much weightiness of spirit, a
secret, though clear, intimation accompanied me to speak a few words, which
were then given to me to utter, yet fear so prevail'd, that I did not yield to
the intimation. For this omission, I felt close rebuke, and judgment seem'd,
for some time, to cover my mind; but as I humbl'd myself under the Lord's
mighty hand, he again lifted up the light of his countenance upon me, and
enabl'd me to renew covenant with him, that if he would pass by this my
offence, I would, in future, be faithful, if he should again require such a ser-
vice of me.

The Revolutionary War following, tried the sect of Friends
more than any. The difficulty was to steer between their con-
victions as patriots, and their pledges of non-warring peace.
Here is the way they solv'd the problem:

A war, with all its cruel and destructive effects, having raged for several
years between the British Colonies in North America and the mother country,
Friends, as well as others, were expos'd to many severe trials and sufferings;
yet, in the colony of New York, Friends, who stood faithful to their princi-
ples, and did not meddle in the controversy, had, after a short period at first,
considerable favor allow'd them. The yearly meeting was held steadily, dur-
ing the war, on Long Island, where the king's party had the rule; yet Friends
from the Main, where the American army ruled, had free passage through
both armies to attend it, and any other meetings they were desirous of attend-
ing, except in a few instances. This was a favor which the parties would not
grant to their best friends, who were of a warlike disposition; which shows
what great advantages would redound to mankind, were they all of this
pacific spirit. I pass'd myself through the lines of both armies six times during
the war, without molestation, both parties generally receiving me with open-
ness and civility; and although I had to pass over a tract of country, between
the two armies, sometimes more than thirty miles in extent, and which was
much frequented by robbers, a set, in general, of cruel, unprincipled banditti,
issuing out from both parties, yet, excepting once, I met with no interruption
even from them. But although Friends in general experienc'd many favors
and deliverances, yet those scenes of war and confusion occasion'd many
trials and provings in various ways to the faithful. One circumstance I am

ELIAS HICKS.

willing to mention, as it caus'd me considerable exercise and concern. There
was a large cellar under the new meeting-house belonging to Friends in New
York, which was generally let as a store. When the king's troops enter'd the
city, they took possession of it for the purpose of depositing their warlike
stores; and ascertaining what Friends had the care of letting it, their com-
missary came forward and offer'd to pay the rent; and those Friends, for
want of due consideration, accepted it. This caus'd great uneasiness to the
concern'd part of the Society, who apprehended it not consistent with our
peaceable principles to receive payment for the depositing of military stores
in our houses. The subject was brought before the yearly meeting in 1779,
and engag'd is careful attention; but those Friends, who had been active in
the reception of the money, and some few others, were not willing to ac-
knowledge their proceedings to be inconsistent, nor to return the money to
those from whom it was receiv'd; and in order to justify themselves therein,
they referr'd to the conduct of Friends in Philadelphia in similar cases. Mat-
ters thus appearing very difficult and embarrassing, it was unitedly concluded
to refer the final determination thereof to the yearly meeting of Pennsylvania;
and several Friends were appointed to attend that meeting in relation thereto,
among whom I was one of the number. We accordingly set out on the 9th
day of the 9th month, 1779, and I was accompanied from home by my be-
loved friend John Willis, who was likewise on the appointment. We took a
solemn leave of our families, they feeling much anxiety at parting with us,
on account of the dangers we were expos'd to, having to pass not only the
lines of the two armies, but the deserted and almost uninhabited country that
lay between them, in many places the grass being grown up in the streets, and
many houses desolate and empty. Believing it, however, my duty to proceed
in the service, my mind was so settled and trust-fix'd in the divine arm of
power, that faith seem'd to banish all fear, and cheerfulness and quiet resigna-
tion were, I believe, my constant companions during the journey. We got
permission, with but little difficulty, to pass the outguards of the king's army
at Kingsbridge, and proceeded to Westchester. We afterwards attended
meetings at Harrison's Purchase, and Oblong, having the concurrence of our
monthly meeting to take some meetings in our way, a concern leading thereto
having for some time previously attended my mind. We pass'd from thence
to Nine Partners, and attended their monthly meeting, and then turn'd our
faces towards Philadelphia, being join'd by several others of the Committee.
We attended New Marlborough, Hardwick, and Kingswood meetings on our
journey, and arriv'd at Philadelphia on the 7th day of the week, and 25th of
9th month, on which day we attended the yearly meeting of Ministers and
Elders; which began at the eleventh hour. I also attended all the sittings of
the yearly meeting until the 4th day of the next week, and was then so indis-
pos'd with a fever, which had been increasing on me for several days, that I
was not able to attend after that time. I was therefore not present when the
subject was discuss'd, which came from our yearly meeting; but I was in-
form'd by my companion, that it was a very solemn opportunity, and the mat-
ter was resulted in advising that the money should be return'd into the office
from, whence it was receiv'd, accompanied with our reasons for so doing: and
this was accordingly done by the direction of our yearly meeting the next
year.

Then, season after season, when peace and Independence
reign'd, year following year, this remains to be (1791) a speci-
men of his personal labors:

ELIAS HICKS.

I was from home on this journey four months and eleven days; rode about one thousand five hundred miles, and attended forty-nine particular meetings among Friends, three quarterly meetings, six monthly meetings, and forty meetings among other people.

### And again another experience:

In the forepart of this meeting, my mind was reduc'd into such a state of great weakness and depression, that my faith was almost ready to fail, which produc'd great searchings of heart, so that I was led to call in question all that I had ever before experienc'd. In this state of doubting, I was ready to wish myself at home, from an apprehension that I should only expose myself to reproach, and wound the cause I was embark'd in; for the heavens seem'd like brass, and the earth as iron; such coldness and hardness, I thought, could scarcely have ever been experienc'd before by any creature, so great was the depth of my baptism at this time; nevertheless, as I endeavor'd to quiet my mind, in this conflicting dispensation, and be resign'd to my allotment, however distressing, towards the latter part of the meeting a ray of light broke through the surrounding darkness, in which the Shepherd of Israel was pleas'd to arise, and by the light of his glorious countenance, to scatter those clouds of opposition. Then ability was receiv'd, and utterance given, to speak of his marvellous works in the redemption of souls, and to open the way of life and salvation, and the mysteries of his glorious kingdom, which are hid from the wise and prudent of this world, and reveal'd only unto those who are reduc'd into the state of little children and babes in Christ.

### And concluding another jaunt in 1794:

I was from home in this journey about five months, and travell'd by land and water about two thousand two hundred and eighty-three miles; having visited all the meetings of Friends in the New England states, and many meetings amongst those of other professions; and also visited many meetings, among Friends and others, in the upper part of our own yearly meeting; and found real peace in my labors.

### Another 'tramp' in 1798:

I was absent from home in this journey about five months and two weeks, and rode about sixteen hundred miles, and attended about one hundred and forty-three meetings.

### Here are some memoranda of 1813, near home:

First day. Our meeting this day pass'd in silent labor. The cloud rested on the tabernacle; and, although it was a day of much rain outwardly, yet very little of the dew of Hermon appear'd to distil among us. Nevertheless, a comfortable calm was witness'd towards the close, which we must render to the account of unmerited mercy and love.

Second day. Most of this day was occupied in a visit to a sick friend, who appear'd comforted therewith. Spent part of the evening in reading part of Paul's Epistle to the Romans.

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ELIAS HICKS.

Third day. I was busied most of this day in my common vocations. Spent the evening principally in reading Paul. Found considerable satisfaction in his first epistle to the Corinthians; in which he shows the danger of some in setting too high a value on those who were instrumental in bringing them to the knowledge of the truth, without looking through and beyond the instrument, to the great first cause and Author of every blessing, to whom all the praise and honor are due.

Fifth day, 1st of 4th month. At our meeting to-day found it, as usual, a very close steady exercise to keep the mind center'd where it ought to be. What a multitude of intruding thoughts imperceptibly, as it were, steal into the mind, and turn it from its proper object, whenever it relaxes its vigilance in watching against them. Felt a little strength, just at the close, to remind Friends of the necessity of a steady perseverance, by a recapitulation of the parable of the unjust judge, showing how men ought always to pray, and not to faint.

Sixth day. Nothing material occurrd, but a fear lest the cares of the world should engross too much of my time.

Seventh day. Had an agreeable visit from two ancient friends, whom I have long lov'd. The rest of the day I employ'd in manual labor, mostly in gardening.

But we find if we attend to records and details, we shall lay out an endless task. We can briefly say, summarily, that his whole life was a long religious missionary life of method, practicality, sincerity, earnestness, and pure piety—as near to his time here, as one in Judea, far back—or in any life, any age. The reader who feels interested must get—with all its dryness and mere dates, absence of emotionality or literary quality, and whatever abstract attraction (with even a suspicion of cant, sniffling,) the “Journal of the Life and Religious Labours of Elias Hicks, written by himself,” at some Quaker book-store. (It is from this headquarters I have extracted from the preceding quotations.) During E. H.'s matured life, continued from fifty to sixty years—while working steadily, earning his living and paying his way without intermission—he makes, as previously memorandised, several hundred preaching visits, not only through Long Island, but some of them away into the Middle or Southern States, or north into Canada, or the then far West—extending to thousands of miles, or filling several weeks and sometimes months. These religious journeys—scrupulously accepting in payment only his transportation from place to place, with his own-food and shelter, and never receiving a dollar of money for “salary” or preaching—Elias, through good bodily health and strength, continues till quite the age of eighty. It was thus at one of his latest jaunts in Brooklyn city I saw and heard him. This sight and hearing shall now be described.

Elias Hicks was at this period in the latter part (November or December) of 1829. It was the last tour of the many missions

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ELIAS HICKS.

tall, straight figure, neither stout nor very thin, dress'd in dra-
cloth, clean-shaved face, forehead of great expanse, and large and
clear black eyes,* long or middling-long white hair; he was at
this time between 8o and 81 years of age, his head still wearing
the broad-brim. A moment looking around the audience with
those piercing eyes, amid the perfect stillness. (I can almost see
him and the whole scene now.) Then the words come from his
lips, very emphatically and slowly pronounc'd, in a resonant,
grave, melodious voice, *What is the chief end of man? I was
told in my early youth, it was to glorify God, and seek and enjoy
him forever.*

I cannot follow the discourse. It presently becomes very fer-
vid, and in the midst of its fervor he takes the broad-brim hat
from his head, and almost dashing it down with violence on the
seat behind, continues with uninterrupted earnestness. But, I
say, I cannot repeat, hardly suggest his sermon. Though the
differences and disputes of the formal division of the Society of
Friends were even then under way, he did not allude to them at
all. A pleading, tender, nearly agonizing conviction, and mag-
netic stream of natural eloquence, before which all minds and
natures, all emotions, high or low, gentle or simple, yielded en-
tirely without exception, was its cause, method, and effect.
Many, very many were in tears. Years afterward in Boston, I
heard Father Taylor, the sailor's preacher, and found in his
passionate unstudied oratory the resemblance to Elias Hicks's—
not argumentative or intellectual, but so penetrating—so different
from anything in the books—(different as the fresh air of a May
morning or sea-shore breeze from the atmosphere of a perfumer's
shop.) While he goes on he falls into the nasality and sing-song
tone sometimes heard in such meetings; but in a moment or two
more, as if recollecting himself, he breaks off, stops, and resumes
in a natural tone. This occurs three or four times during the
talk of the evening, till all concludes.

Now and then, at the many scores and hundreds—even thou-
sands—of his discourses—as at this one—he was very mystical
and radical,† and had much to say of ‘‘the light within.’’ Very

* In Walter Scott's reminiscences he speaks of Burns as having the most eloquent, glowing, flashing, illuminated dark-orbed eyes he ever beheld in a human face; and I think Elias Hicks's must have been like them.

† The true Christian religion, (such was the teaching of Elias Hicks,) consists neither in rites or Bibles or sermons or Sundays—but in noiseless secret ecstacy and unremitted aspiration, in purity, in a good practical life, in charity to the poor and toleration to all. He said, “A man may keep the Sabbath, may belong to a church and attend all the observances, have regular family prayer, keep a well-bound copy of the Hebrew Scriptures in a conspicuous