I shall conclude this chapter with an anecdote communicated to me by a valuable friend, who felt himself placed in a situation, which exposed him to a kind of trial, different, in many respects, from what others had to experience, in support of the testimony against War. It not only shews the delicacy of those religious feelings which may arise in truly devoted minds, and the benefit of yielding them faithful obedience, but may afford a useful lesson to others to attend to the pointings of duty in themselves, even when their nearest friends may not see things exactly in the same light. We cannot doubt that this conscientious individual was far from indulging a disposition to condemn any of his brethren who might not have taken a similar view of the case. Yet a little reflection, it is presumed, must point out to every one the reasonableness of his religious scruples on the subject: 'At the time when we were under the power of the military, and the civil authorities suspended, the town of C-was threatened, or in expectation of being attacked. On walking out one day, I observed, posted up in various places, a printed order from the General, in the following terms: In case of alarm in the night the inhabitants are required to place lights in the middle stories of their houses. The most severe and instantaneous punishment will be inflicted on such as neglect to comply with this order.' A cloud of distress came over my mind on reading this notice. I knew that the Light in the windows' was, that the soldiers might discern the enemy and be able to fight; and the most severe and instantaneous punishment' was a license to the soldiers to put all instantly to death, where this order was not complied with. As I could not fight myself, I found I dare not hold a light for another to fight for me. This would be taking a more active part in a contest than I was easy to do; and how to act was a nice and difficult point. I informed Friends how I felt; but I found they did not all see alike, and few thought themselves so restricted as I did. At length, after some days, I felt inclined to go to the General myself; so, asking a friend to accompany me, I went to him. He received us in a civil manner, and patiently heard me whilst I told him, that as I could not fight myself, I was not easy to hold a candle for another to do it for me. I believe he perceived the distress of my mind, and the first thing he said, was, I think it is a pity you did not let me know your uneasiness sooner.' He asked me, if I came on behalf of the Society of Quakers in the town, or was it only the uneasiness of a few? I told him I did not come on behalf of the body at large. He said that he had issued the order as consistent with his duty as commanding officer, and having issued it, he could not well rescind it now; but said, if I would furnish him with the names of such Friends as were uneasy to comply with the order, and where they lived, he would endeavour to have them protected in case of alarm. I told him that perhaps there were some, who could not say, till the time of trial came, how far they might be easy to comply or not, and then it would be too late. Then, with much condescension and kindness, he desired me to furnish him with the names of all the members of the Society in the town; he would endeavour that they should not suffer for non-compliance with his order. This I complied with: but the town not being attacked, the General's kind intentions were not called forth. It was, however, I thought, a memorable circumstance, that a General, in the midst of commotion, should so patieatly listen to my reasons for not complying with his order, and promise as far as he could to protect us. As well as I can now remember, he went so far as to say, he did not think he should have issued the order just as he did, if he knew it would have given Friends so much uneasiness." END OF PART 11. . CI AY, PRINTER, BREAD-STREET-HILL, Tract No. IX. Part III. of the Society for the Promotion of Permanent and Universal Peace. THE PRINCIPLES OF PEACE EXEMPLIFIED IN THE CONDUCT OF THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS IN IRELAND, During the Rebellion of the Year 1798 WITH SOME PRELIMINARY AND CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS. BY THOMAS HANCOCK, M. D. IN THREE PARTS. PART III. STEREOTYPE EDITION. London: PRINTED BY R. CLAY, BREAD STREET HILL. SOLD BY THOMAS WARD & CO. PATERNOSTER ROW, BY ALL OTHER BOOKSELLERS; AND AT THE DEPOSITORY, 19, NEW BROAD STREET, FINSBURY CIRCUS. |