Letters of Martha Smith : with a short memoir of her life

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LETTER I. Buckingham, 6th mo. 9, 1816

Dear Aunt :

My long silence must not be attributed to indifference, or insensibility to the favor of thy letter of 4th mo., 1815, but rather to a want of ability or opportunity. I must acknowledge that I feel too poor to make any reply to the wholesome advice contained in the fore part thereof. May I patiently endure that poverty, is the desire of my heart. I could indeed feel for the bereaved family of Grace Taylor, but at this distant period I well remember it was to me a time of renewed proof of the great necessity there is for us to have our affections weaned from this world and its treasures, an attainment I have often longed for, and often endeavored to seek after, since I have been a mother; believing it to be the only way to enjoy true happiness here, or to pursue the path to that hereafter. I think I have clearly seen, it is not in the abundance of riches alone that a worldly spirit consists, but that the " trafficker in hundreds may be as deeply buried as the trafficker in thousands, unless the eye be kept single."

Ah ! how often have I almost trembled, for fear a husband or children should prove the right eye or the right hand, that should be required to be parted with. Could I experience this naturally strong will to be totally slain on the cross, oh ! how many mountains of difficulty would be removed ; but may I never let go the faith I humbly own I have long had, and still have, in the good providence of an all-seeing God. * *

M. S.

LETTER II. Solebury, 11th mo. 2, 1817

Dear Aunt :

* * * * * Thee asks me if ever I think of cousin J. W., which I often do, and had done before. But what can I say ? The account thee gives me is short, but agreeable; I had heard something of the change before ; I had even had a very favorable account of him from aunt E. Ellicott. Dear youth! methinks all that is living within me craves his preservation. Is not this somewhat fulfilling the Scriptures, in " those being called in from the highways, " seeing how many that have had the advantages of education and society, are floating, as it were, on the ocean of life, tossed by every wind, without the least ballast, or principle of gravity, to steady their barks !

But this, with many others of the like, and even more striking instances of the influence of divine grace, afford the animated hope that the blessed testimony of Truth will never be permitted to fall, however it may be slighted or trampled upon by professors and the children of professors. Dear aunt, we yesterday attended the funeral of that venerable father in the church, Oliver Paxson, perhaps as true a model of primitive purity as hath belonged to the Society since the days of its founder. He had been laboring under severe indisposition for many months, but unexpectedly revived some weeks since, so as to get out to meeting. The concourse that attended him to the grave was large, though the day was very unfavorable. He was interred at Solebury, where a solid meeting was held, and a lively testimony borne by Edward Hicks ; also short ones by William Taylor and Mercy Phillips.

Dr. John Watson is also deceased. He was buried at Buckingham the 25th of 10th month. Thus in one week have two eminent members of our Society been called away — a loud summons to careless survivors to double their diligence. Give my love to all my dear relatives, joined by Charles Smith ; and to uncle T. W. in particular — has he forgotten me ]

With unaltered affection, I now bid farewell.

M. S.

LETTER III. Solebury, 8th mo. 29, ISIS

Dear Uncle :

Once more I am going to address thee, though I feel it will require extraordinary exertions to accomplish it. Thy kind letter of 6th month last demands that exertion ; but I can say nothing to its contents— nothing to the subject hinted at in a former one of mine, (only to desire that it may rest a profound secret with yourselves.) My situation of mind, since the various provings I have undergone, and have yet to undergo, I have no ability nor inclination to describe. I can only faintly implore that I may never shrink from the chastening rod, or my faith fail in any degree.

How have I admired the wonderful goodness of the Most High, that is so beautifully described by the prophet, in speaking of the love of Christ to his church — "I will allure her, and draw her into the wilderness, and there I will speak comfortably unto her." Oh ! what comprehensive mercy, to allure poor erring mortals with the sunshine of his countenance, till they are almost imperceptibly drawn into a situation, the gloom and dreariness of which, his voice only can dispel. Nor is that goodness less conspicuous in his manner of opening the seals, as described by John the Divine, which I take to be an exact type of the progressive state the mind is to pass through, till it arrives to a thorough knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom. How could mortal endure a situation comparable to that revealed in the opening of the sixth seal, if our peace was not previously taken from the earth, if any thing of an earthly nature could possibly yield consolation to the tried, bewildered soul. But blessed is the name of Israel's God, he has wTisely planned it otherwise. Dear friends, do ye not tremble for me. I trust I have often felt, and now feel, the glorious, inestimable privilege of being taught in the school of Christ ; of being permitted to behold the mysteries of His kingdom ; and on Him alone, from whom I derive all my strength, a]l my true comfort, I rely for preservation.

There is a state of poverty to be endured, which to the inexperienced traveller is very trying; but there is a state which I often realise, that I have no words to describe, but, as I have sometimes mentally termed it, of not feeling at all; a situation in which I have believed the greatest watchfulness necessary. Perhaps it was something similar to this our Lord alluded to, when he declared the miserable situation of the unwatchful servant — Matthew, chap, xxiv., Verse 48 to the end. But in what is it not essentially necessary to follow the directions of the master to his immediate disciples, and consequently to every professing Christian, to " watch and pray continually ;" his command to them also being — " Pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, nor on the Sabbath day ;" which two seasons to me represent the different states of the most chilling 3 of all poverty, and that of a degree of rest in the sunshine of an approving conscience — the last of which, I believe, of all others I most fear to trust myself in.

I have very unexpectedly run this letter so far, but I believe I may yet add a little of the almost daily travail of my spirit, on account of the many wrong things among us as a society ; which I think I see is owing to a disregard of small things, more than to any very flagrant deviations, till they have become so numerous and so great that I have been ready to conclude there must be almost as great a reformation before we become what we profess to be, as there was in George Fox's day.

My very soul has been grieved in beholding, even among the foremost ranks in Society, the apparent indulgences of a carnal appetite. The lightness and gaiety of youth I consider less blameable than the luxury and excess (for nothing less it appears to me) of the older part of Society.

What claim can we have to the reward of selfdenial, while we live according to the "lusts of the flesh," — "the lust of the eye, or the pride of life ¥' What consistency is there in a plain garment made of the finest materials, the furniture of our houses exactly to suit the taste ; but more than these, the great extreme in the provision of the table, not to mention the expense, the great waste of time in preparing it — time that might be employed to a much more profitable purpose.

These may be called small things, but I consider them great things when they become, as it were, an object of pursuit to the mind. Again, they are great things when we look to the influence of example on mankind, and especially on the middle and lower classes, who, aspiring to an equality in appearance with others, are far from living within the bounds of their circumstances; hence the breach of a very essential part of our discipline. Again, they are great things as they relate to our dear children, whose tender minds I conceive to be in danger of becoming intoxicated with the love of them, even in infancy; and from seeds thus sown, what fruit can we expect but lightness and vanity, unless an Omnipotent arm is made bare for a deliverance.

I know not why I have written thus to you, but I simply leave it. If you are tried in any of the before-mentioned points, oh ! that the hands of your arms may be made strong in resisting the temptation of the enemy.

It being near meeting time on First-day morning, I conclude with just saying I have no cause to complain of the health of my family, and in love bid you farewell. M. S.

LETTER IV. Solebury, 1st mo. 25, 1819

Dear Brother r

I trust it is unnecessary for me to say it gives me pleasure to know that I am affectionately remembered by thee, as expressed in thy letter of 10th month last ; the long protracted answering of which, I give no apology for, but the inability I mostly feel to draw my mind from the necessary cares that surround me, sufficiently to indite any thing worth sending abroad. I read thy retrospect of the days of our youth with less admiration than I should have done at some preceding periods of my life; and though I approve thy moral reflections on the shortness and uncertainty of time, I feel no disposition to wish the return of a single hour that is past, unless I were assured I could spend it to a better purpose. I humbly hope, through the mercy of Providence, that those days were not blotted by any material guilt; but I feel a secret regret that they were so much devoted to vanity and sensual gratification. Reviewing them in this light, thou need not wonder that I have little estimation for the retrospect of my youth ; but having, through divine mercy, beheld the vanity of the world and all its pursuits, as connected with itself alone, my chiefest pleasure now lies in endeavoring to live up to the end for which I was created. I do not know how thou wilt relish such a serious subject as this ; but if thou art a stranger to the path of selfdenial, believe me, thou art a stranger to the path of peace. Thou hast lived long enough in the scenes of active life, to know that crosses and disappointments are the invariable attendants on them. Hast thou been careful to mark the unerring hand of Providence therein ? Hast thou not often seen that prosperity and success in worldly concerns, have given wings, as it were, to the possessors or their children, wherewith they have soared ahove the pure and humhle principle of the Christian ] In other instances, behold them clogged as with thick clay, and grovelling in the earth, saying, in the express language of conduct, " To gold, thou art my hope, and to fine gold, thou art my confidence." I have often felt a great solicitude for thee in these respects ; and encircled as thou art with the temptations to which a city life is peculiarly exposed, I have desired that thou may be preserved, so as neither to become a blemish to the Society of which thou art a member, a cause of grief to thy friends, nor prepare for thyself scenes of anguish through a wounded conscience. M. S*

Letter V

After a month's confinement, I feel my strength sufficiently renewed to answer thine of 8th mo, 13, which I received last week. We have felt the chastening hand of an all-wise Providence in our neighborhood very much, through the course of this summer, in excessive drought, but refreshing showers have of late been vouchsafed to us, whereby vegetation is somewhat revived, and the animated ploughman enabled to turn up the moistened soil. But I think it worth noting, 3*

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with gratitude to Heaven, that during some months of extreme heat and drought, salutary breezes have been almost every day experienced, and health has generally prevailed through the country. * * * # *

Our dear and valued friend B. White has returned to us, but the satisfaction his return might have given us, is almost blasted by the unhappy situation of his mind. Some of his friends, however, think he will be enabled to wade through in time, but he is yet exceedingly depressed in spirit. I believe it is not apprehended he will have to return to Europe. M. S.

LETTER VI. Sokhury, 11th mo. 1, 1819

Dear Brother :

Having received thy letter from Catskill of 9th month last, I have been under considerable anxiety on thy account since, and would have written ere now, but for the uncertainty where a letter would find thee, or whether at all; and no intelligence has been had of thee since, till yesterday. We being at father's, heard by way of Philadelphia, that thou wast in New York, surrounded wTith the fever ; and though I believe the protecting hand of Providence equally able to save in all places; yet I thought whether it was not inconsistent with sound judgment or religious duty, to risk health and life for temporal concerns. I often reflect on thy situation, and the solicitude tliou must no doubt feel on brother Moses' account. His cough is hard, though he complains of no pain except in his head ; he has received some medicine from a German doctor, who thinks he can cure him, or at least says he can ; but my hope is only in the great Physician who is able to heal all maladies ; and should it pleare Him to restore that health He hath taken away, my desire is that our brother may become an instrument of honor to His great name ; otherwise it would be better, far better, that he should be taken in youth from a world of vanity and corruption. I am obliged to thee for thy information about Hannah Stokes, and am sorry to reply to thy enquiries after B. "White, that his situation is unspeakably distressing, not only to his connexions, but to every true member of the militant church that is acquainted with it. He is now in the Asylum near Frankford, and by what I can learn, suffering the deepest mental misery; a state perhaps of utter despair of ever being again admitted into his Master's favor.

M. S.

Letter VII

Thine of the 6th instant came to hand this day, and I may express my thanks therefor, both as relates to thyself, and also for thy information concerning H. S. ; and in return I may inform thee, by our last accounts B. White is something better. Pie attended our last Quarterly meeting, and gave in minutes from the London and Dublin Yearly-meetings, expressive of his acceptable services on those islands. We all continue to enjoy reasonable health, with slight intermissions of cold, except brother Moses, who continues to linger along with his cough and other infirmities r though not much pain. He is entirely confined to the house, though not to the room ; and from a hoarseness attendant on the nature of his disease, he is frequently unable to speak louder than a whisper. * * * I think his

declining strength renders it apparently incumbent on us all most earnestly to desire, and as much as we are capable of, endeavoring to promote, that his affections should become weaned and refined from all these changeable scenes, and he witness a full resignation to the sovereign will. M. S.

LETTER VIII. Plumstcad, 1st mo. 7, 1820

Deau Brother :

Having expected thy arrival by each returning stage for many days, we have not written to thee ; but considering brother Moses* situation, and the desire he has expressed of seeing thee once more, we thought it most advisable to inform thee thereof. I am now at his bedside, where I have been watching since twelve o'clock last night. He has rested tolerably well since about two o'clock this morning ; his cough has somewhat abated, but I think when it seizes him now, it is more unyielding than at some former periods. He sits up but little, and that in the after part of the day. He has of late expressed a belief that he is fast declining, and has suffered much from an apprehension of not being fully prepared for a change ; during which conflict, it has been an humbling season with us ; yet according to my small measure, I have felt a comfortable belief, that although the great dispenser of events may see meet, for wise and unknown purposes, to try us as well as him with a great degree of uncertainty for a considerable time, yet that He will in the proper season unveil his face for his consolation and assurance ; as I humbly trust He will condescend to complete the great work of repentance and regeneration of heart, that He hath mercifully begun. But oh ! what a lesson of instruction hath it been ! How desirable that we should all profit thereby. To see a beloved brother lying in deep anxiety for his eternal welfare, with a full sense of the impossibility of relieving him in any degree. Oh ! said I in my heart, what years of labor would it be worth enduring, to arrive at that state where it is said — " The fervent, effectual prayer of a righteous man availeth much." With affectionate regard, I remain thy sister,

M. S.

LETTER IX. Tlumsteady 1st mo. 29, 1820

My Dear ftEi,ATiVEs :

I have not been unmindful of the solicitude you must feel on our account, during so many weeks of silence, which has been occasioned by want of opportunity.

I remained with brother Moses all the week in which you left us. After this, various concerns kept me at home until the 27th of the 12th month, when a sudden change in my brother alarmed the family. I was sent for, and came immediately ; since which, the greater part of my time has been devoted here. We have seen the gradual progress of the disorder, till it has confined him to his bed ; it is now some time since he has been able to arise therefrom without nearly entire help. Since the physician who had flattered him with the expectation of conferring medical assistance, candidly informed him that he could give him none, (which was a few days previous to the sudden alteration in the 12th month,) he appears to have been under deep solicitude for his eternal welfare. He suffers much from the cough, and consequent sore throat, but patience, submission and love, have become the leading traits in his character — patience, in suffering all without a murmur ; — submission, in yielding up his will passively in all things relating to the body, to those who attend him, for whose ease he appears to feel an invariable concern ;

for his mother especially. I have watched with him a part of several nights, keeping my babe in the cradle by me, and feel a peculiar satisfaction in waiting on him.

2d mo. 3. — All is now over with dear Moses, as to this world. About a quarter after one, this day, he breathed his last; and I believe we have more cause to rejoice than mourn thereat; but it seemed as though our hearts must almost have burst with the impulse of the moment for brother George, who arrived but a few minutes too late to see his close, and was nearly overcome with the shock. He had been here before, but from the difficulty of leaving his business, returned to New- York in order to arrange it so as to be able to devote some time satisfactorily with Moses. But I trust the dear sufferer has joined the host of spirits, infinitely superior to any earthly society. I feel no ability to enter into any particulars that give cause for this hope, as it has been and continues to be, a time of humbling with me. I can only say, "let not thy hand spare, nor thine eye pity, till all within me that thy controversy is against, be done away. I believe I must now conclude, with love to you all, remaining your affectionate niece, M. S.

LETTER X Solehury, 4th mo. 25, 1820

Dear Brother :

I received thy pathetic address yesterday, and although I have no reason to doubt thy affection for thy relatives in this land, yet it is comfortable to know, that amid all the fluctuating scenes of busy life, a correspondence remains with us not a little interesting. The health of our family is nearly as when I wrote last. Our little Ann continues delicate, but I have some hope she will outgrow her disease in time. When I say I have hope, I don't wish to be understood as anxious about her recovery; for should He who gave her see meet to take her away, I believe it could not be a grief to know that we had one child in Heaven ; and should He raise her to health and maturity, my prayer is, that her life may become a scene of devotion to Him and his cause on earth. I took her with me to Philadelphia, and attended the several sittings of the Yearly-meeting, except one. It was large, and divinely favored with a good degree of harmony, in which it concluded, with one sitting on Sixth-day. I was made glad in visiting J. W., to see the happy alteration in two of her children, and to hear of that of one more ; but with what augmented joy could my heart congratulate her, to behold another dear and interesting member of the family, even the head, return in simplicity to the Father's fold. Religion always appears lovely, but peculiarly so in the youth ; and notwithstanding all the subtle arguments of the enemy against a plain dress, I believe it not only an ornament, but a great safeguard to the wearer, when accompanied with consistency of conduct and deportment.

And seeing it is a time of great commotion without ; a time that will " shake not only the earth, but the heavens also" — not only the sandy foundation of men, but also the false heavens in which many are trusting. How important is it that we rally to the invincible standard ; that we come down from the false heavens, the unsubstantial heights of vain speculations in religion, and centre inward to the pure principle of ruth, the one thing needful, whereby we shall be enabled to find the path of which it is declared, that " the wayfaring man, though a fool, cannot err therein." I spent 6ome time very pleasantly with our cousins R. S. and D. C, at the house of cousin J. B., in whose situation I have felt deeply interested : greatly coveting that he may become a willing subject in the day of the Lord's power ; for unless he does, I fear it will be by a heavy stroke in judgment he will have to bow. Mother informed thee of his late loss in his wife. I staid in his family most of the time while in town, and though some circumstances rendered it trying, I was favored with a comfortable belief that I was not out of my place in being with him at that time. I have just had the perusal of aunt M. H.'s letter, but it being at a time when my mind was under considerable exercise, and some time ago, that I believe I cannot at present give thee any particular account of their situation. I hope thou wilt continue to cherish those sentiments thou hast expressed, relative to our dear brother's last hours, and that we may unitedly profit by the 4 awful lesson. I feel a degree of gratitude not to be expressed, in that an unshaken belief is granted me of his happy admission into the rest of the righteous. * * * I consider

the Muses dangerous dictators, in that they are apt to awaken the feelings, and raise or sink the ideas too much, in proportion as the subject is animating or otherwise. It is from a sense of this dangerous quality, that I have long since forborn all intercourse with them ; and also the perusal of all kinds of pathetic poetry ; yet I wish Dtot to be understood as condemning it. * *

M.S.

LETTER XL

* It is neither because thy letter of the 11th ultimo was not duly received nor well considered, that I have not answered it sooner ; but I find it difficult to perform the duties of wife, mother and sister, at all times. I may now inform thee Our family is in usual health ; our little Ann is Still living, and much better than for some time past, but does not thrive. Thou heard, perhaps, that I took her to Philadelphia in the spring, in order to attend the Yearly-meeting, and was well satisfied in so doing ; though, through much human reasoning, I found it a considerable trial, yet on my return, I could say I lacked nothing. I was glad of the intelligence thee gave me con-

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cerning the late Annual meeting of New-York, and as thou hast opened the subject of the labors of the gospel messengers, I may venture to give my views on it. I think we read that those who " staid by the stuff, divided the spoil with those who pursued the enemy." We also read, that he who entered the vineyard at , the eleventh hour, received the same wages as he who bore the burthen in the heat of the day. Therefore I believe the reward we shall hereafter receive, will not be proportioned to the magnitude of the work we perform, so much as to the faithfulness with which we perform it ; and that the omission of known duty, in a single point, be it never so 6mall, will add as much to our condemnation in the great day of account, as that of another, though he neglected or refused a mission to a great city. We all have duties to perform; some are chosen for vessels of peculiar honor in the Lord's house, that is the militant church, and there only do I imagine the degrees of honor are varied, but that the faithful of what class soever they may be on earth, will all be placed on the right hand of the good Shepherd, when done with time. But when favored with a right view of things, I see and feel the awful importance of this faithfulness, and that we not only willingly obey when directed, but like the young man in the Gospel, we earnestly enquire, What lack I yet ? — and finding it comparable to great possessions, something very near and dear to be parted with, that we do not turn away sorrowful, but endeavor cheerfully to give it up, believing that nothing will be required of us that it would be best for us to have, or that we will not be enabled to surrender. * * * * *

M.S.

LETTER XII. Solebury, 9th mo. 5, 1820

Dear Uncle and Aunt :

The account cousin E. gave me of the situation of your family, awakened a just degree of sympathy for you. I am sorry to hear of aunt's affliction of body — also of Hannah's poor health ; but such is the nature of the tenure by which we hold our possessions here, subject to various degrees of trial ; and I think T may say, happy for us when those trials affect the body only, and the mind is preserved in the proper sphere. I have often looked toward uncle with something of a desire to receive a line from him ; but believing the privation is in best wisdom, I desire to endure that, with all others of the like nature, as well as many of even a more proving one, with the patience a Christian ought — hoping the Divine hand may not spare, nor his eye pity, till all within me that His controversy is against (and which I know to be much,) be utterly done away ; that the heat of the furnace may not abate till not only the dross, but the reprobate silver, be consumed ; and, dear friends, pray for me that I may endure to the end.

In looking over this, it seems like complaining, or magnifying little trials into great ones, which I believe would not be approved by the good Master, who, I am persuaded, afflicts not willingly.