he ministered, that honesty was the best policy, which he was enabled often to open in such striking manner that he was known by his friends, both in Great Britain and America, by this maxim. Although his gift lay more in the ministry than in the administration of the discipline of the Church, he was sensible that that necessary institution was not so fully attended to, as would be best, which he manifested in a lively simile, in his advanced age, saying that "Notwithstanding I have not been so much engaged in the discipline of the Church as might have been best, yet it is like marrow to my bones in my old age, to see the young and rising generation engaged therein, for we have been ploughing and sowing, but neglecting to keep up the hedge, the wild beasts have got in and devoured our labor." He often visited the sick and afflicted, and we have reason to believe they were often refreshed by his ministry. When far advanced in old age, he continued to appear in the exercise of his gift, with that warmth and brightness which is reflected by a near approach to the Sun of Righteousness; and when he had access to His presence in prayer, the spirit of which he frequently appeared to be favored with, an awful solemnity and covering of the Divine Canopy was witnessed. By reason of great age he was confined to his house about fifteen months before his death. During this time he had often something to offer in meetings, held at his house on account of his not being able to get out. About fifteen days before his dissolution, he was seized with a fit, and continued to grow weaker until the 29th of 2d month, 1776, when he departed this life, in the 96th year of his age, and was interred in Friends' burying-ground, in Westerly, on the 3d of 3d month following.

To a friend, who visited him during his last illness, he said, being in a tender frame of spirit, "As I have lived in love, so I expect to die in unity with Friends. Give my love to all my dear friends who ask after me." And as our beloved friend lived, so he died, in the unity of his brethren; being indeed, an Elder worthy of double honor.

Signed in and by order of South-Kingstown Monthly Meeting, held at Richmond, the 28th of 3d month, 1780, by

STEPHEN HOXIE, Clerk for this time,

JOHN COLLINS.

Testimony from the monthly meeting of South Kingstown, in Kings County, in Rhode-Island Government, concerning John Collins.

He was born in the town then called Westerly, in said Government, the 21st day of 12th month, in the year 1716, old style, of believing parents, and when about 23 or 24 years of age, was convinced of the blessed truth, and became zealous and circumspect in his life and conversation, and for Truth's sake, took up the cross and denied himself of his former pleasures and delights. It was not long after his convincement, before his mouth was opened in a public testimony, wherein although for some years he had but few words in meeting, yet his appearance was both acceptable and edifying to Friends, and as he proved himself faithful and diligent in the gift bestowed upon him, the Lord was pleased to enlarge it, so that he became an able minister of the gospel. And being possessed of a good understanding, he was through divine grace, serviceable in the discipline of the Church. He was also very diligent in attending meetings, until infirmity of body rendered him unable. He was not forward in appearing in testimony in meetings; but when he felt a necessity upon him so to do, his exercise tended to the edification and comfort of those who sat under his ministry. Upon his observing the great loss and damage many in connexion with us had suffered, as he apprehended, from their taking upon them offices in civil government, he has been heard to say, that he thought all who take upon them our high and holy profession and strictly attend to the dictates of truth in their own hearts, would be preserved from taking such offices.

When he became affected with bodily disease, which was of a pulmonary nature, and protracted in its duration, his zeal and fervency were not abated, which was manifested by his continued constancy in attending meetings, both for worship and discipline. He was much engaged and took much pains in endeavoring to have the Africans or negroes freed from slavery,

and often testified against that wicked practice. He was exemplary in bringing up his children in plainness of habit and speech. About a week before his decease, he called those of them that lived in the house with him, and said that he had no expectation of continuing long, and he had this advice to give them. "Live together in love, and be kind one to another; and be diligent in attending meetings-and when met, not to be looking for words, but to endeavor to be gathered inward and to wait in silence to be taught by that infallible teacher, the spirit of Christ, in your own hearts." His disease increasing, and he continuing to grow weaker and his speech failing much, he appeared frequently to be in prayer, by lifting up his hands, and the moving of his lips, and one time was heard to say, "Be with me, O God, at this time." At another time, a friend that was sitting by him, said "it may be, that thou mayest recover, there may be some further service for thee;" he answered, "I have no will about it, yet had rather be released if it be the Lord's will; if not, I desire to be conformed thereunto, and if there be any further service for me, I hope I shall be faithful, but I believe that my service is over." He continued to fail, and drawing towards his end, one of his sons coming to his bed side, he looked at him and said "almost gone," his son answered "it looks so" and, "I think thou hast been greatly favored in the preservation of thy understanding;" he answered "yes, and notwithstanding the extremity of my pain, I believe I shall be favored with an easy passage when the time comes," which to appearance, was granted him. He continued sensible to the last, and departed this life the 1st day of the 10th month, 1778, in the 63d year of his age, and was buried the 3d of the same, in the Friends' burying ground in Hopkinton, after a solemn meeting held on the occasion in the meeting-house. The foregoing testimony was signed by Stephen Hoxie, by order and on behalf of said Monthly Meeting of South Kingstown, held 28th of 3d month, 1780.

STEPHEN HOXIE, Clerk at this time. The forgoing testimony of the Monthly Meeting of South Kingstown, respecting our esteemed friend John Collins, deceased, has been read in this meeting, and the same is directed to be sent up to the Yearly Meeting, this meeting approving

thereof, with this additional testimony, that he, notwithstanding his views that the administration of civil government in the present state of the world did not belong to Friends, held civil government to be necessary, and that there was an order of men whose business it was to administer the same. We have also to mention his zeal and care to further the service of Friends who were traveling for the promotion of truth amongst us, often accompanying them therein, giving up his time to the service of the church, in a manner worthy of imitation. And as he lived to the promotion of righteousness on earth, we doubt not of his receiving the reward prepared for those who love the Lord Jesus in sincerity and truth.

Signed in and on behalf of our Quarterly Meeting, held at East Greenwich for Rhode Island, in New England, by adjournment, the 14th of 4th month 1780, by

Testimony from the Monthly Meeting of Smithfield, concerning Moses Farnum.

He was born in Uxbridge, the 25th of the then 8th month, 1730. His parents, Moses and Abigail Farnum, were then in profession with the Presbyterians, and were afterwards convinced of the Truth, as professed by us, and were zealously concerned to educate their children therein. This concern was afterwards gratefully remembered by the subject of this memoir, as being to his lasting advantage. When quite young, he appears to have been inattentive to these parental reproofs, and to have lightly esteemed concerned friends, until his tender mind was reached by the supplication of a friend, particularly for his father's family, in a meeting held at his house. After this, he dare not speak lightly of our profession. Notwithstanding the repeated visitations of Divine Goodness to

him, he made but little progress in religious experience, for several years.

After he married, and had a family of several children around him, he became more obedient to the teachings of truth, and useful in our society, and being favored to improve the talent received, the Lord was pleased to commit unto him a gift in the ministry. In entering upon which service, he was deeply baptized under a humbling sense of the weight of such a work, and often appeared much affected in our meetings, under the influence thereof.

He, as a minister, was a close reprover of backsliders; but to the sincere and heavy laden, his words were like oil to their comfort and encouragement. He was short, but comprehensive in his public testimonies, and at times much favored in supplication. He was ready to indite in a short and comprehensive manner, and was extensively useful in the discipline of the church. He was a man of good natural understanding and capable of argument, yet he seldom engaged in any doubtful disputation, but in our meetings for discipline, when such questions arose, he forbore, keeping a bridle upon his tongue, until the truth opened his way, when often by a simple expression of his feelings they were satisfactorily settled.

He was steady in the attendance of our religious meetings, and a good example therein, humbly waiting for divine assistance, and often recommended it to others as the only way to renew their strength. In the endearing relation of father and husband, he was kind, tender and careful, keeping his family constant in attending our meetings, and bringing them up in our christian order of plainness in speech, behavior and apparel, and in the frequent reading of the Holy Scriptures, and he often called them together to sit in silence, sometimes counseling as truth gave utterance.

But what rendered him still more amiable in the view of his friends as being a strong mark of true discipleship, was his readiness to be advised, and to take advice, showing thereby, his great love for the brethren.

In his neighborhood he was useful and respected, having a disposition and qualifications which rendered his company and conversation instructive and desirable.