The principles of peace, exemplified in the conduct of the Society of Friends in Ireland, during the rebellion in the year 1798; with preliminary and concluding observations

Front matter

9 Si *

THE

PRINCIPLES OF PEACE,

Preface

The documents from which this brief narrative is compiled, have, most of them, been some years in the author's possession. They have been obtained from those who were concerned either as actors or eye-witnesses, in the scenes which are depicted. They contain the names of such individuals as are alluded to in the narrative ; but being designed simply to show in what manner, a number of persons, who followed the principles of Peace, regulated their conduct in a time of civil warfare, and through Divine mercy, experienced preservation ; and not having been collected to set forth the praise, either of any individuals or of any society ; the names of the actors can be of little moment. Yet, it must be acknowledged, that names give an appearance of authenticity which a record of transactions without them seems scarcely to possess. The author is not aware, therefore, that a subject like the present, may lose part of its interest by the omission, and yet, he is placed under the necessity of generally withholding them, x Preface.

Though some, among the individuals noticed, are now in the silent grave, yet the nature of the scenes, in which they were engaged, requires that regard should be paid to the surviving friends and immediate descendants. Associated, as were those scenes, with the heart-burnings of civil war, it is possible, that even at this distance of time, the narrative might recal some feelings, in societies and neighborhoods, which, for the sake of harmony and good fellowship, ought to be consigned to oblivion.

If this reason be entitled to consideration, in so far as it relates to the descendants of those whose acts are recorded ; the surviving individuals, to whom allusion is made, have much stronger motives to urge the concealment they have requested.

Under disadvantages which thus attach to the publication, the author cannot do less than assure his reader of his undoubted belief in the truth of the incidents that are recorded ; being personally acquainted not only with some of the individuals, but of the writers concerned, and knowing that they are entitled to the fullest credit.

As the heads of the Chapters will show that some little arrangement is attempted, it will readily occur to the reader that the order of time could not be strictly observed ; and he will therefore find that a few events are narrated, for the purpose of classification, after others, which, in fact, they preceded.

Preface. xi

Another observation seems to be necessary, — that, as the names of no members of the Society are mentioned,* it might perhaps strike the reader, that the same individuals were concerned in different incidents ; so that the number of actors might be made to appear greater than it really was. With the exception of the cases of two or three individuals, to whom reference is distinctly made, and particularly of that of the Friend in Ferns, the incidents relate to different persons.

The author has further to remark, that he wishes to be considered alone responsible for any opinions contained in this volume; neither the Peace Society, nor the Society of Friends, having been officially consulted for the purpose of obtaining their sanction to the sentiments.

It may be stated, in addition, that if this narrative should fall into the hands of any one, who may be able to supply a single correction, or to afford, either new incidents or further information respecting any events, of the description it is the object of this manual to select, which are now partially detailed ; the author will consider himself greatly obliged for any hint on the subject , as every well-authenticated fact, however trifling it may seem, may possess a degree of importance, when viewed in relation to the principle.

* With the exception relative to Ballitore, xii Preface.

As the time will undoubtedly come — and no one can say how soon it may arrive — when the Christian principles of Peace will be more generally received and acted upon in the world than they are at present ; every contribution, however small, pointing out the way in which the followers of Peace have endeavored to obey their Lord and Master's literal injunctions on this fundamental point, and commemorating the blessed effects of their obedience, may have some little weight in the ballance, to determine the minds of hesitating Christians on the side of Peace.

And thus, although the store may happen to be slowly collected, and the light to be very gradually diffused ; an accumulation of facts and testimonies from different parts of the world, and a concentration of light from the increasing convictions of Truth in different minds, employed in examining this important question, may at last be expected to work such a change of public sentiments in favor of Peace, as shall establish the principle incontrovertibly, That Christianity is altogether a religion of Peace — a system of love and good-will to man \ — whether viewed, in the mode of its introduction, or, of its propagation, or, in its principles, or, in relation to the prophesies respecting it.

It was announced in the angelic song of Peace. It was founded by the Prince of Peace.

Preface. xiii

It depended so entirely on his own peaceable armour — the meekness and lamb-hke disposition of its ambassadors — to overcome its enemies, that it was propagated in direct defiance of the sword. It had so little dependance on the sword to aid its progress, that it has never made a signal conquest over the minds of men, whenits professed followers have used the sword in its sacred name. It inculcates those dispositions in heart and mind which can have no possible affinity with the pride of martial glory, nor concord with the turbulence of military achievements. Peace was the legacy bequeathed to his disciples by the great Head of the Church. Upon the Peace-makers he pronounced his blessing. Peace was predicted to be the sign and supreme excellency of the Messiah's kingdom, in the latter days on the earth: and the believer in Scripture must be assured that a time will come when there will be Permanent and universal peace. — All these things demonstrate that a pure Christianity is identified with a state of peace: and, surely, we have evidence enough from past history to convince the most doubting in the present day, of the great preponderance, in the scale of national glory, of Peace over War ; and to prove its loveliness, its security, and its trancendent excellency.

Chapter I

PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS ON THE PRACTICAL INFLUENCE OF PEACEABLE DISPOSITIONS,

Plea of Self-defence, 26

Chapter II

State of the society of friends previous to, and during, the rebellion, 60 Neutrality difficult during Rebellion, 61 Friends critically circumstanced, 63 Precaution taken in destroying their arms, 64 An example in the conduct of a Friend, 66 The precaution considered to be salutary, 68 Anecdote and consistency of a Friend, 70 He intercedes for a poor family with the commander, 72 He refuses to sell ropes to the military for the

purpose of hanging the disaffected, 73

Insurrection begun, 74 The Insurgents enter Ferns and treat him

kindly, 77

He opens his house to the distressed, 79 Ingratitude of a Farmer towards another

Friend, ib.

Fortitude of both these Friends when they

were threatened with death for harboring

the distressed Fugitives, 81

The former in imminent danger, 83

He certifies on behalf of his neighbors, ib.

Soldier's confidence in a Friend^ 84 xvi Contents.

Chapter III

Of the dangers to which the society was exposed in the attendance of their meet- INGS, 86 Friends attend their meetings during the commotions, 87 Some are threatened with death in consequence, 88 Two families are particularly tried, 91 Many others threatened and wonderfully preserved, 92 The conduct of their enemies changed, ib. Friends of other meetings menaced, 93 Evil designs prevented in other meetings also, 94

Chapter IV

On the trials to which friends were exposed FOR REFUSING TO CONFORM TO THE CEREMONIES OF THE CHURCH OF ROME, 96

A Friend made prisoner, 97

They seek to convert, and threaten with death,

an ancient Friend, 98

His preservation, 99

A kinsman of his also threatened, 100 Hesitation of the Rebels and abandonment of

their bloody design, 101

Instance of preservation, 102 Confession of a servant girl to her mistress, 104

Friends' danger from their servants, 105

Treachery of a servant, 106

Day fixed for a general massacre, 107

Insurgents defeated, ib.

Contents. xvii

Chapter V

Testimonies of friends from different parts, including a narrative of events at ballitore, and a few particulars of the battles of ross and antrim, 10s Narrative of events at Ballitore, 109 Testimony of a Friend near Moate, 131 Testimony from Ross, 132 Battle of Ross, 133 Friends preserved, . 134 Battle of Antrim, 135 A Friend's family there in danger, 133 The house entered by soldiers, 139 The family protected, 140 Their house saved from burning, * 142 Remarkable prayer, 143 The Moravians at Gracehill, 144 Moravians preserved, 145 Peculiar trial of a Friend, 143 His interview with a General, 148 Condescension of the General, ib.

CHAPTER VI. Of THE GENERAL PRESERVATION OF THE SOCI- ETY DURING THE REBELLION, 149

r reservation of the Society, ib.

The case of a young man excepted, 150

Peculiar circumstances of his death, 151

Reflections on the event, 153

Facts of another description, 154 Affecting narrative relating to two brothers,

John and Samuel Jones, 155

Taken to Scullabogue, 156 c2 xviii Contents.

Instance of Samuel's patience, 158 Taken out to be shot, 159 Samuels fortitude, 160 Reflections on the practical effects of peaceable principles and conduct, 161 Illustrations taken from the conduct of American Indians towards Friends, 163 Unarmed Friends were preserved, while some

who were armed suffered, 165

Affecting anecdote of a female Friend, 166

Her daughter's trust in Providence, . ib.

State of Friends in 1688 compared, 168

Friends then preserved, 170

Instances recorded, 173

Assisted by their absent Friends, 175 Testimony from Ramond's Travels in the

Pyrenees, ib.

Chapter VII

On the brotherly care of the society towards ITS SUFFERING MEMBERS, 177

The Yearly Meeting in Dublin appoints a committee to relieve its suffering members, IIS

Assistance is offered by Friends in England

and America, 180

The offer is gratefully acknowledged, but not

accepted, 18f

Reflections on this care and sympathy, 182