,,the ,,arm ,,chair4 ,,your ,,fathers1 ,,where ,,are ,,they8 ,,and ,,the ,,prophets1 ,,do ,,they ,,live ,,forever8 ,,second ,,edition4 ,,philadelphia--#ahdc4 ,,memorandum4 ,the history of these rhymes is briefly this4--,an ,arm ,chair1 made many years ago by ,,john ,,letchworth1 for ,,leonard and ,,jane ,,snowdon1 was presented to the ,author1 with some information of the worthies who were wont to visit the estimable owners2 accompanied with an intimation that it would be a suitable theme for some verses4 ,the result follows4 ,,the ,,arm ,,chair4 ,,cowper1 the poet of the ,christian muse1 ,sung of the ,sofa2 could ,i but infuse ,some of his talent in my laggard quill1 ,some of his genius on my verse distil1 ,then would ,i sing1--my theme too from the fair1-- ,of thy coevals1 rhyme-creating chair6 ,he who with artist's skill scooped out thy seat1 ,trim made thy elbows1 uprights1 and thy feet1 ,now fourscore years and four has measured o'er1 ,and waits his summons to the heavenly shore4 ,honest as sunshine1 he who runs may read1 ,that ,,letchworth is an ,israelite indeed2 ,no guile within him ever finds a place1 ,love of the ,father spreads to all the race4 ,his gospel ministry is void of show1 ,for few and savory are the words that flow3 ,condensed and pithy are his periods found1 ,rich in their matter1 nothing for mere sound4 ,so preaches he4 ,ah1 what a sad mistake1 ,when empty sounds upon the people break1 ,when a stentorian voice in efforts vain1 ,roars to the people1--thunder without rain6 ,its booming echoes may the soul appal1 ,but no reviving showers on nature fall4 --,would that my age1--if age to me be given1-- ,might prove like his1 who calmly looks to heaven1 ,waiting with patience for the mandate blessed1 ,thy labour finished1 enter into rest6 ,here1 said the patriarch1 no more doomed to range1 ,quiet ,i lie1 waiting my final change4 ,go when thou wilt1 thy faithful life will prove1 ,a rich example1 legacy of love6 ,ah1 my ,arm ,chair1 supporter of the good1 ,beneath how many a worthy hast thou stood6 ,bear me awhile1 assist me to portray1 ,some of the faithful who have passed away4 ,here ,,harrison#a has spoke of what she saw ,in visions deep1 when filled with holy awe1 ,the curtain of the future half withdrew1 ,while coming objects glided into view2 ,or as the past on memory's tablet rose1 ,rehearsed her gospel joys1 her gospel woes4 ,told how ,king ,george1 as gushed the hidden springs1 ,bowed at her message from the ,king of kings2 ,of deep probations for her ,lord she past2 ,of her fond hope of joining him at last4 ,told how her soul1 in sympathy1 had long ,borne a deep burthen for the negro's wrong1 ',till the church freed her at her ,master's will1 ,in southern states love's purpose to fulfil4 ,with gospel power for ,truth and right she spoke1 ',till slumbering consciences to feeling woke1 ,oppressors' hearts with justice learned to beat1 ,while bondmen's shackles fell beneath their feet4 ,her's was a righteous mission2 to the door ,of selfish masters she her message bore2 ,she shot no fiery missiles from afar1 ,kindling those feelings that engender war1 ,but face to face ,truth's message would impart1 ,whilst love-tipped arrows entered many a heart2 ,thus won she freedom for the sore oppressed2 ,her work was honoured and her labour blessed4 --,or as the present did her thoughts engage1 ,gave to her juniors dear-bought counsel sage4 ,bade her loved niece preserve in vessel pure1 ,her sacred gift1 and make her calling sure2 ,bade her true partner as an ,aaron be1 ,uphold her hands1 support her ministry4 ,full well dear ,,leonard thou that charge redeemed2 ,when through her heart the gospel current streamed1 ,in secret labour was thy spirit found1 ,while trembling forth she sent the gospel sound2 ,a very ,quaker1--as she gave the law ,her outward motion spoke her inward awe4 ,here ,,scattergood1 when evening came at length1 ,from the day's toil reposed his weary strength2 ,from ,christian sympathy that solace drew1 ,which those can grant who heavenly joys pursue4 ,mournful of spirit1 he was ever found1 ,in sympathy with souls by sorrow bound4 ,as fell his plaintive voice upon the ear1 ,the poor in spirit felt a friend was near4 ,prompt in his duty at the house of prayer1 ,to plead with fervour for his ,master there1 ,while crowds hung trembling on that zealous tongue1 ,which only woke as living waters sprung4 ,he never preached himself1--his every word ,directed to a slain and risen ,lord4 ,he to the weary consolation brought1 ,he for the burthened sweet deliverance wrought2 ,though bound himself1 the fettered oft set free1-- ,the ,jeremiah of his age was he6 ,,savery has here oft passed a friendly hour1 ,feeling of sympathy the magic power1 ,as heart to heart the secret influence sent1-- ,as prayer ascended where no knee was bent1-- ,as for each other's welfare sighs were given1-- ,unclothed with words1 their wishes entering heaven4 ,the ,indians' friend1 he sought their native wood1 ,an anxious labourer for the redman's good2 ,beside the lake1 beneath the spreading tree1 ,his gospel message flowed as ,truth set free4 ,here too has sat1--like him of stature small1 ,great too of heart1--a minister like ,paul1-- ,one who1 obedient to his ,master's will1 ,was studious found his duty to fulfil4 ,six times went ,,emlen#b o'er the ,atlantic wave1 ,on gospel errands sinful man to save1 ,and still returning from his work of love1 ,came with his olive-branch and peaceful dove4 ,though years rolled on and outward sight grew dim1 ,the lamp of ,truth still brightly burned with him1 ,showing distinctly in its searching light1 ,deeds that the actors deemed were hid in night4 ,his urim and his thummim was with ,god1 ,and he obedient to his ,master's nod4 ,as secret feeling told him of distress1 ,the sufferer's door-sill soon his foot would press4 ,thus ,mercy led1--and pleasantly he said1 ,that he by jobbing earned his daily bread4 ,ah1 these were luscious morsels1 ate with joy1 ,a heavenly relish free from all alloy2 ,some of that bread of which the righteous eat1 ,that others know not of1--sustaining meat4 ,here too ,,rebecca ,,jones sweet converse sought4 ,with friends in unison of faith and thought2 ,with both of whom in gospel yoke she knew ,to labour as her ,lord and ,master drew4 ,honest of purpose1--ardent in reproof ,to those who stood from duty's path aloof1-- ,in public gatherings or in private hall1 ,to warn the giddy of impending fall1-- ,rebuke the forward1--lead the fearful where ,a mighty ,rock did ,israel's ,lord prepare1-- ,instant in duty1--though severe1 yet kind1 ,she showed the vigour of a heaven-led mind4 ,of ardent temper1 quick and flashing zeal1 ,keen as high polished but too brittle steel1 ,in earlier life ,,james ,,cresson had been found1 ,like a high steed when first in harness bound2 ,but grace had tempered1 and obedience wrought1 ,a change of character in word and thought1 ,his ardent feelings felt love's holy calm1 ,fitting a follower of the lowly ,lamb4 ,a pointing finger to none other shown1 ,a secret whisper to none other known1 ,bade ,,arthur ,,howell hasten on his way1 ,where a secluded country grave-yard lay4 ,a few sad mourners stood beside a grave1 ,where dust to dust a solemn language gave4 ,soon from his lips burst forth the ardent strain-- ,i know not who this coffin may contain1 ,but my good ,master1 in whose power ,i came1 ,now bids me clear from wrong an injured name4 ,she who now rests within this narrow bed1 ,by slander wounded bowed her sorrowing head2 ,accused of that1 in which she had no part1 ,she died in innocence--a broken heart6 --,as from a stranger came these words1 a thrill ,of secret1 wondering joy1 the mourners fill2 ,for she who died1 told1 as approached her end1 ,that ,god a witness to her grave would send1 ,who to her innocence should boldly bear1 ,a clear1 convincing testimony there4 ,and ,he whose ways are wrapt in mystery still1 ,blindfold his servant led to do his will6 --,oft to the grave this servant of the ,lord1 ,was sent to preach the everlasting ,word2 ,to rouse the thoughtless from delusion's dream1 ,memento mori was his frequent theme4 ,when ,pestilence her raven wing outspread1 ,when terror swept the living from the dead1-- ,when love's own ties were severed in affright1 ,and duty's call had lost its wonted might1-- ,,offley and others1 a devoted band1 ,before the march of terror took their stand4 ,they nobly dared in that dark hour to make ,themselves an offering for the people's sake4 ,he was accepted6 ,great the church's loss1 ,she mourned a faithful champion of the cross1 ,gathered at mid-day--soon the race was won1-- ,long e'er the evening shades his labour done6 --,two of the worthies linger of that day-- ,,letchworth and ,,wistar--hastening fast away4 ,shrewd1 witty1 eloquent1--with ample store ,of all that schools could give of classic lore1 ,sarcastic powers opposing views to chill1 ,when such the purpose of his subtle will1-- ,a learned lawyer1 ,,nicholas ,,waln could sway1 ,a jury's feelings in his youthful day2 ,but soon1 like ,paul1 when the unseen ,one spoke1 ,humble he bowed and bore the ,christian yoke2 ,gamaliel's lessons ceasing to repeat1 ,he lay a learner at the ,saviour's feet4 ,simple of heart1 and of a feeble frame1 ,feeling unworthy even ,christ to name1 ,yet raised by ,him of living hopes to tell1 ,and show his power1--himself a miracle1-- ,,james ,,simpson1 like his ,lord1 from things around1 ,fit subjects for important lessons found2 ,a cloud o'erspreading1 or a bird on wing1 ,would to the theme in hand instruction bring4 ,filled by his ,master wonderously he shone1 ,his emptied vessel scarce could stand alone6 ,slow as a traveller wends o'er miry ways1 ,whose prudent care his onward course delays1 ,so ,,richard ,,jordan preached2 at first each word ,came slowly forth1 nor life nor feeling stirred2 ,but soon1 the channel cleared1 the rippling flow1 ,in freer volume swifter currents show2 ,bolder and higher then it gathers force1 ,a mountain torrent rushing down its course2 ,so ,,jordan ministered in life's mid-day1 ,a ,boanerges thundering on his way6 ,,bacons and ,,wilsons1#c worthies not a few1 ,touched by love's magnet1 hither often drew2 ,,smith1 with his venerable locks of snow1 ,sedately cautious the right path to know2 ,devoted ministers1 alas6 no more1 ,and worthy elders who the ark once bore4 --,when these were gone1--their bodies to the sod1 ,their spirits taken to their fixed abode1 ,a cloud around our ,israel's camp arose1 ,while from our firesides started up our foes2 ,when a bold infidel his poison spread1 ,and with his scorpions hungry children fed2-- ,another race1 part of the by-gone age1 ,yet of the present1 then employed the stage4 ,when boding mists had gathering force and form1 ,,ruth ,,richardson was taken from the storm4 ,true to her ,master she was free to die1 ,yet nature shrank from the last agony3 ,gladly would she have left this scene of pain1 ,the promised kingdom of her ,lord to gain1 ,but awful feelings shadowed forth the strife1 ,the dread concomitant of parting life4 ,gently her spirit from its house of clay1 ,was sent on wings of mercy on its way4 ,when came the pale-faced messenger to free1 ,her eyes were holden that she did not see4 ,no pain--no sorrow--e'en her evening prayer1 ,joined with her morning hymn of glory there4 ,she felt no agony of parting breath1 ,taken in kindness without tasting death6 ,melodious singer of heart-thrilling songs1 ,of ,zion's injuries and ,israel's wrongs1 ,whose lonely harp still on the willow hung1 ,till fresh-felt mercies every chord restrung2 ,then touched to praise its tones in sweetness broke1 ,that in each heart responsive feelings woke6 --,oh1 ,i behold thee1 as ,i last beheld1 ,when gospel love thy grateful bosom swelled1-- ,when weeping listeners heard the tale of woe1 ,of mental conflicts it was thine to know1-- ,when as a flood the enemy came in1 ,sweeping away the barriers against sin1-- ,when from a pit of horror burst thy moan1 ,illumined by no brightness from the throne1-- ,when sombre shadows compassed thee around1-- ,when satan's legions pierced with many a wound1-- ,when the rank weeds were wrapp'd about thy head1-- ,when boisterous billows over thee were spread1-- ,then ,he who died and triumphed o'er the grave1 ,arose in might thy struggling soul to save2 ,bade the waves sunder and temptations fly1 ,the scattering clouds haste from the brightening sky1 ,the sun of righteousness with cheering ray1 ,shed the full radiance of perfected day4 --,then from thy lips poured forth a joyful song ,to thy ,redeemer6--yea1 it poured along ,in most melodious energy of praise1 ,to ,god1 the ,saviour1 he of ancient days1 ,the heart and language rising with the theme1 ,till praise gushed forth one living1 glowing stream6 ,then from thy lips the thrilling language fell1 ,glory to ,him who raised my soul from hell6 --,baptized in tears was many a cheek that day1 ,as ,,sarah ,,cresson told her checquered way4 ',t was her last gospel labour here of love1-- ,mercy soon gathered her to praise above4 ,of polished manners and of graceful mien1 ,lovely in life1 was ,,mary ,,morton seen2 ,each native talent sanctified by grace1 ,was kept1 obedient1 in its proper place4 ,not quick to offer1 cautious still to try1 ,as ,gideon did his fleece1 both wet and dry4 ,like leaven working where no eye could view1 ,her spirit wrestled for the heavenly dew2 ,she dug for water in a weary soil1 ,till bubbling life-springs recompensed her toil4 --,as gently passed the fleeting breath away1 ,retortive memory brought her youthful day1 ,and one fond look back on the past she flung1 ,while ,oh1 my mother6 trembled on her tongue2 ,then the freed spirit passed--and beauteous lay ,the rifled casket1 lovely in decay6 ,widows and orphans ye may mourn indeed6 ,who now shall clothe you1 who the hungry feed8 ,yes6 show your garments1 tattered ones1 and say1 ,these ,,sansom gave us in a wintry day4 ,from the bleak storm she clothed the shivering frame1 ,when sickness pressed with healing cordials came2 ,when age went tottering with no hand to save1 ,she gave the crutch supporting to the grave6 ,no cold philosophy was her's1 to dream ,of ,benthem's theory or ,malthus's scheme1 ,as the heart prompted1 the concurring hand ,obeyed1 instinctively1 each kind command4 ,when streams of suffering ran beside her door1 ,the bitter waters lost their nauseous power2 ,the prophet's salt she in the current threw1 ,and soft and sweet the changing waters grew4 ,careful her ,master's bounty to bestow1 ,a faithful stewardship of gifts to show1 ,that she might hear that language at the close1 ,to me ye did it1 as ye did to those6 ,a pillar of the church1 erect and strong1 ,swayed by no friendship to the church's wrong2 ,unwarped1 unmoved1 sound to the very core1 ,and rendered firmer by the weight he bore2 ,an honest watchman the alarm to sound1 ,when foes were sowing tares within our ground1-- ,or rootless plants luxuriously would shoot ,in spreading branches1 and produce no fruit1-- ,was ,,evans4 ,oft the archers' bows were bent1 ,to turn the veteran from his firm intent2 ,their malice moved not1 and their threats were vain1 ,fixed at his post determined to remain3 ,and when at last the final goal was won1 ,death's message found him with his armour on2 ,no oilless lamp to trim1 no loins to gird1 ,ready to enter at the ,bridegroom's word1 ,where his loved ,,hannah1 earlier called away1 ,was his forerunner to the realms of day4 ,so too our ,,sheppard1#d when she heard the cry1 ,her wings expanding sought her home on high2 ,one thought upon a faithful sufferer cast1 ,told her own hopes--then to her audit past4 ,amid the terrors of that evil hour1 ,when ,infidelity put forth its power1 ,though meek of manners and of gentle heart1 ,,jane ,,bettle played a ,christian soldier's part4 ,though courteous1 firm1--unwavering1 though kind1 ,pupil of ,christ1 he disciplined her mind4 ,secluded long from active service here1 ,yet bearing burdens in her proper sphere1 ,in humble waiting she was faithful found1 ,until her fetters were in love unbound4 ,her youthful ,,edward1 bud of promise rare1 ,was early called to bloom in regions fair2 ,another cord1 strong though unseen1 to move ,the heart to seek a resting place above4 ,,allen1 when all around was clothed in night1 ,passed from earth's darkness to eternal light4 ,oh1 what a blessed change to thee was given1 ,to sleep in ,jesus and to wake in heaven2 ,leave thy worn vestments with their earthly stain1 ,a spotless robe of righteousness to gain6 ,ye who my being gave1--ye too have flown1 ,to join the ransomed round the eternal throne4 --,the venerable sire1 as death drew near1 ,saw the vale awful1 but devoid of fear2 ,he whom he loved was near him in that hour1 ,death had no terrors and the grave no power4 ,before thee1 mother1 rose a brilliant path1-- ,for thee thy ,saviour had no looks of wrath4 ,oh1 ye had owned ,him long1 and at the last ,his arm supported as ye ,jordan passed6 ,thus one by one1 in quick succession1 go ,those who have laboured in the church below6 ,we dare not murmur as we kiss the rod1 ,thou art our ,helper1 save thy church1 ,o ,god6 ,thine is the cause1 thy frowns we dare not shun1 ,in earth and heaven alike1 thy will be done6 ,tell me1 my ,old ,arm ,chair1 when thou wert young1 ,were ,quaker parlours with gilt pictures hung8 ,did any ,quaker to his image fall1 ,a household idol placed against the wall8 ,ah1 well might honest ,,catharine cry to pride1 ,abomination6 as she turned aside4 --,but times are altered2 splendid mansions glow1 ,and gilded mirrors humble ,quakers show4 ,with ,turkey carpets are their parlours spread1 ,while silken curtains hang about their bed6 ,what contradiction6--grave the dame and sire2 ,gorgeous their dwelling1--simple their attire6 ,their children moulding to the place they dwell1 ,in ,london fashions1 ,paris manners1 swell1-- ,while parents scarcely wish to set them free-- ,for what they won't restrain they love to see4 ,are there no worthies now to fill the place1 ,of those1 victorious1 who have run their race8 ,are we deserted8--has all merit flown1 ,and must the church in helpless anguish moan8 ,oh1 no6 the grace that made them what they were1 ,a living remnant in due measure share2 ,and haply they on whom their mantles fit1 ,may where the ancients sat1 in judgment sit4 ,faith1 give me power to see a brighter day1 ,when all these letting things shall pass away2 ,when the convulsion which has now begun1 ,shall pause in silence1 all its purpose done2 ,when the oppressors of the seed1 shall wear ,the mask no longer1 all their acts laid bare2 ,when chaff and cheat shall to the wind be doomed1 ,and dross and stubble be by fire consumed2 ,when to the world the worldly part is given2 ,when the redeemed shall closer walk with ,heaven2 ,when to our ,zion shall the weary come1 ,like doves to windows1 pressing to their home4 ,oh1 haste the day1 when through his power divine1 ,the ,father's light around his church shall shine6 ,many there are whose prayers arise for this2 ,whose greatest joy would be in ,zion's bliss2 ,whose morning breathing1 and whose evening prayer ,is that the ,lord would place his glory there4 --,what though a worldly spirit has crept in1 ,that fain the kingdom through new ways would win1 ,scorning the narrow path our fathers trod1 ,and circling round would pass the cross and rod-- ,yet they who look from ,pisgah's height can see1 ,such by-paths lead away from ,calvary1-- ,while they who seek in empty forms for bliss1 ,will grasp at shadows and the substance miss4 --,no1 no6--as ancient ,,pennock#e clearly saw1 ,still with this people shall abide the law2 ,still shall the testimony here be found1-- ,still sons and daughters to the altar bound4 ,the ,lord himself his attributes shall take2 ,again shall order out of chaos break2 ,then shall the church in rapturous numbers sing1 ,and shout victorious as she owns her ,king2 ,while those who seek to draw her from the way1 ,themselves shall lose in errors paths astray6 ,,notes4 ,,note #a4 ,sarah ,harrison was aunt to ,jane ,snowdon4 ,when on a religious visit in ,great ,britain1 she felt her mind engaged to speak to ,george ,,iii4 ,when she commenced addressing him1 he took off his hat1 and remained uncovered during her communication4 ,she died in ,philadelphia1 the #bith of ,twelfth month1 #ahab1 aged #gf2 a minister #ee years4 ,,note #b4 ,samuel ,emlen1 felt concerned often to look up the sick1 weak and halt of the flock2 and for this purpose1 in the latter part of his life1 he kept a one horse chair1 in which he rode about doing good3 in allusion to which practice1 he sometimes said1 he earned his bread by jobbing4 ,he died the #cjth of ,twelfth month1 #agii1 aged #ge4 ,,note #c4 ,david ,bacon and descendants4--,william ,wilson1 an elder of ,philadelphia ,monthly ,meeting4--,sarah ,proctor ,wilson1 a minister of the ,southern ,district ,monthly ,meeting4 ,,note #d4 ,catharine ,sheppard1 an elder of the ,northern ,district ,monthly ,meeting1 died the #aeth of ,twelfth month1 #ahdb1 aged #hj years4 ,the following lines appeared a few days after in one of the daily papers1 on the occasion of her death4 ,sleep1 mother1 sleep1 for thy work is now done1 ,thy course is accomplished1 the victory won6 ,doubts and fears can no longer arise in thy path1 ,nor tempest-cloud hover with threatening wrath4 ,sleep1 mother1 sleep6 our protector and guide6 ,though we fain would have turned all ,death's arrows aside2 ,though we clung to thee fondly1 and watched every breath1 ,thy spirit unnoticed departed with ,death4 ,ah1 cruel destroyer6--,but cease ye1 and hear ,what sounds of sweet melody break on the ear6 ',tis the voice of rejoicing1 oh1 listen the sound1 ,that a prisoner of hope from the earth is unbound6 ,there6--hearken once more to the full-swelling strain1 ,the words of rejoicing we even may name2 ,they say1 ,come up here1 see the bride of the ,lamb1 ,that stands by the throne of the mighty ,i ,,am6 ,come home1 mother1 come6--,ah1 how vain is that cry1 ,the home of the righteous is fixed in the sky6 ,earth's treasures wax old1 its attractions all wither1 ,the cry of the ransomed is1 ,come ye up hither6 ,,note #e4 ,caleb ,pennock1 upwards of #ij years of age1 recently addressed the young men of his ,monthly ,meeting in a very remarkable manner1 expressing his belief that the doctrines of this ,society would not be suffered to fall4 ,transcriber's ,note3 99 ,text enclosed between equal signs was in bold face in the original 7bold74