TESTIMONY CONCERNING ISAIAH BALDERSTON. 257

him for thy portion, he will liberate thee from the bondage of corruption, and give thee "beauty for ashes;--the oil of joy for mourning,--and the garment of praise, for the spirit of heaviness."

Please to present my affectionate remembrance to thy uncle and aunt, to thy sister, and to any dear friends who may enquire after thy affectionate friend,

EDWARD STABLER.

Testimony of the Monthly meeting of Baltimore, for the Eastern District, concerning our beloved Friend, Isaiah Balderston, deceased.

He was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, where he continued until the year 1773. Having entered into a marriage engagement, he removed to Maryland, and settled within the limits of Deer Creek meeting; of which, it appears, he was a diligent attender. And having a gift in the ministry committed to him, he was recommended as a minister, by that meeting, accordingly.

In the year 1792, he became a member of this meeting, where he continued useful and exemplary, the remainder of his life;--steadily exercising a parental care over his rising family, that they might be brought up in that consistency, which he believed Truth required.

He was religiously concerned for his fellow-beings, who laboured under confinement; and with the approbation of his friends, frequently visited them in prison-houses, and other public institutions; and sympathizing with them in their afflictions, was favoured to administer suitable counsel and advice. He was also much exercised respecting the African race,—

using endeavours, as way opened, to promote their liberation, and religious improvement.

Sensible of the important station, which he believed himself called upon to fill, and how liable he might be to deviate from the true Guide, he was desirous of the counsel and admonition of his Friends, whenever it appeared necessary. And when care was administered in that respect, the disposition he manifested, evinced not only an increase of his regard for them, but a solicitude to be improved thereby. He was not frequent in his public appearances in the ministry, at home;--but concerned to labour after a right qualification, in solemn silence, wherein true worship is to be performed; and when favoured with clear openings, his communications were instructive and edifying.

His mind was, at different times, drawn in gospel love, to visit Friends in several of the neighbouring States; and, in many instances, the inhabitants who resided from amongst them. In all such visits, he was careful to have the approbation of the meeting to which he belonged;- and returned with the expression of those meetings, amongst which he had been, that his services had been acceptably received.

He was remarkable for his free, open disposition, and for a becoming liberality towards those of other religious persuasions;--which, with his regular, upright conduct through life, had a tendency to gain their affections and esteem. The sick and afflicted, were also peculiar objects of his attention and sympathy: and by his frequent visits to such, he demonstrated his concern and fellow-feeling for them, under their tried situation.

Lic was often exercised on account of a practice,

too prevalent in our Society, of persons, when assembling at places of worship, inconsiderately spending their precious time in conversing on worldly affairs, before they retire into the house; and, by his uniform example, as well as precept, he endeavoured to impress on their minds the great loss sustained, and the unprofitable result of negligence in this respect, on the rising generation;--whose guarded education and religious improvement, were subjects in which he felt great interest.

Having, through his industry, and application to business, been favoured to acquire a competence, he declined carrying on his customary occupation, from an apprehension that he might be more at liberty to attend to any religious service required of him. But not finding by experience, the attainment contemplated; he, after some time, resumed his business in a small way, so as not to be encumbered; having a full conviction that his mind was seldom more profitably employed, than while his hands were moderately engaged in some useful outward labour.

Feeling his mind engaged to attend the Quarterly meeting at London Grove, in the 8th month last, and some meetings in that part of the country, he was favoured to perform the visit to the peace of his own mind. On his return, he was cheerful and pleasant with his Friends; but under the solemn impression of the necessity of setting his house in order, (as he several times expressed it,) from a belief that his time here would not be long.

His complaint being of a bilious nature, his constitution was seriously attacked; yet he kept about for several days, in which time he paid a visit to most of his children in this city, and to some of his Friends.

On the 31st of 8th month, being the first day of the week, he attended the morning meeting, in which he was led extensively to treat on the subject of baptism, and the transfiguration of our Saviour on the mount. He explained true baptism to be a purifying work, progressively cleansing the heart and life, from the corruptions of the world, and from a vain conformity to the delusive fashions and customs thereof. Nevertheless, in the spirit of Christian charity, he expressed his belief that the honest hearted of all denominations would be accepted.

After he returned, he felt himself considerably indisposed, and sensible of the effect of the disease. It continued to increase, but not with much alarm to his family or friends, until the Fourth-day following; when, from the severe manner in which he was held, his bodily strength gave way, and his recovery was considered doubtful. Being asked, whether he wished another doctor sent for, he replied that all the doctors in the world would not do;--nothing but the great Physician of value. During the following night, he experienced great bodily sufferings, and was several times engaged in fervent supplication to the Almighty, that his mind might be stayed upon him. The succeeding day was also a day of great pain, but his mind appeared calm and easy. About the third hour in the afternoon, his wife sitting by the bed side, he took her by the hand, and observed, "How happy we have lived together, for many years! May the Lord bless, and be with thee, and our dear children, to the latest generation." He then desired his son to return to the Monthly meeting, the minute he had obtained on the subject of his late visit, as he did not expect to recover.

His dissolution drawing near, little could be done for his relief, but to wait patiently for the awful event. Nature was, at length so far reduced, that he remained quite easy for some time, before life became extinct;--which took place about the fourth hour next morning, the 5th of the 9th mo. 1817; and his remains were interred the evening following. He departed this life, in the 65th year of his age,--having been a minister upwards of twenty-five years.

Read and approved by the Monthly meeting aforesaid, the 7th of the 5th month, 1818, and signed on behalf thereof, by

GEORGE F. JANNEY, Clerk. Approved by the Quarterly meeting, held in Baltimore, 5th mo. 11th, 1818.

PHILIP E. THOMAS, Clerk.

Oliver Paxson, to George Churchman.

New Hope, 9th mo. 1st, 1803.

DEAR FRIEND,--Thy kind remembrance of the 6th mo. last, was very acceptable; but on viewing the subject of epistolary correspondence, I found two obstructions to arise; First, how to address a Father; --Second, upon what subject. However, as I feel my mind free from embarrassment, shall simply proceed as way may open.

I hope I can say in truth, I have had some experience in religious observations, for more than forty years. And as the welfare of our religious society, has ever been near to my heart, I shall offer a few remarks upon it.-About that long ago, there was a large number of well qualified ministers in the Society; in general, more in the simplicity than at pre