Chapter V第五章

1757, 17581757，1758

Considerations on the Payment of a Tax laid for Carrying on the War against the Indians— Meetings of the Committee of the Yearly Meeting at Philadelphia— Some Notes on Thomas à Kempis and John Huss— The present Circumstances of Friends in Pennsylvania and New Jersey very Different from those of our Predecessors— The Drafting of the Militia in New Jersey to serve in the Army, with some Observations on the State of the Members of our Society at that time— Visit to Friends in Pennsylvania, accompanied by Benjamin Jones— Proceedings at the Monthly, Quarterly, and Yearly Meetings in Philadelphia, respecting those who keep Slaves.关于缴纳为同印第安人作战而征收之税的思考；费城年会委员会会议；关于托马斯·厄·肯培和约翰·胡斯的若干札记；宾夕法尼亚和新泽西教友目前的处境，与我们前辈的处境大不相同；新泽西民兵被抽调入伍，并附关于当时本会成员状态的若干观察；由本杰明·琼斯陪同探访宾夕法尼亚教友；费城月会、季会和年会关于蓄奴者的处理。

A few years past, money being made current in our province for carrying on wars, and to be called in again by taxes laid on the inhabitants, my mind was often affected with the thoughts of paying such taxes; and I believe it right for me to preserve a memorandum concerning it. I was told that Friends in England frequently paid taxes, when the money was applied to such purposes. I had conversation with several noted Friends on the subject, who all favored the payment of such taxes; some of them I preferred before myself, and this made me easier for a time; yet there was in the depth of my mind a scruple which I never could get over; and at certain times I was greatly distressed on that account.几年前，我们省中发行货币用于进行战争，并要借向居民征税再收回；想到缴纳这类税款，我的心常常受触动。我相信自己应当保存一份关于此事的备忘。我听说英国教友常常缴纳税款，即使这些钱被用于这类目的。我同几位知名教友就此交谈，他们都赞成缴纳这类税；其中有些人我看为胜过自己，这使我一时较为安心。可是我心灵深处仍有一个顾虑，是我从未能越过的；有些时候，我因此极为痛苦。

I believed that there were some upright-hearted men who paid such taxes, yet could not see that their example was a sufficient reason for me to do so, while I believe that the spirit of truth required of me, as an individual, to suffer patiently the distress of goods, rather than pay actively.我相信有一些心地正直的人缴纳这类税款；然而，当我相信真理之灵要求我作为个人宁可耐心忍受财物被扣押，而不是主动缴纳时，我看不出他们的榜样足以成为我这样做的理由。

To refuse the active payment of a tax which our Society generally paid was exceedingly disagreeable; but to do a thing contrary to my conscience appeared yet more dreadful. When this exercise came upon me, I knew of none under the like difficulty; and in my distress I besought the Lord to enable me to give up all that so I might follow him wheresoever he was pleased to lead me. Under this exercise I went to our Yearly Meeting at Philadelphia in the year 1755; at which a committee was appointed of some from each Quarterly Meeting, to correspond with the meeting for sufferers in London; and another to visit our Monthly and Quarterly Meetings. After their appointment, before the last adjournment of the meeting, it was agreed that these two committees should meet together in Friends’ school-house in the city, to consider some things in which the cause of truth was concerned. They accordingly had a weighty conference in the fear of the Lord; at which time I perceived there were many Friends under a scruple like that before mentioned. [4]拒绝主动缴纳我们教会普遍缴纳的税，是极其令人不快的事；但做一件违背良心的事，在我看来更为可怕。当这种操练临到我时，我不知道还有谁处在同样困难中；在痛苦中，我恳求主使我能舍弃一切，好让我无论他乐意引我到哪里，都能跟随他。 在这种操练之下，我于一七五五年前往费城参加我们的年会；会上任命了一个委员会，从各季会选出若干人，同伦敦受苦者会议通信；又任命另一个委员会探访我们的月会和季会。任命以后，在会议最后一次休会以前，大家同意这两个委员会在城中教友学校会合，考虑几件与真理事业有关的事。于是他们在敬畏主中举行了一次沉重的商议；那时我看出有许多教友也有前面提到的那种顾虑。

[4: Christians refused to pay taxes to support heathen temples. See Cave’s Primitive Christianity, Part III., p. 327.]注四：基督徒曾拒绝缴纳用以支持异教神庙的税。见凯夫《原始基督教》第三部，三二七页。

As scrupling to pay a tax on account of the application hath seldom been heard of heretofore, even amongst men of integrity, who have steadily borne their testimony against outward wars in their time, I may therefore note some things which have occurred to my mind, as I have been inwardly exercised on that account. From the steady opposition which faithful Friends in early times made to wrong things then approved, they were hated and persecuted by men living in the spirit of this world, and suffering with firmness, they were made a blessing to the church, and the work prospered. It equally concerns men in every age to take heed to their own spirits; and in comparing their situation with ours, to me it appears that there was less danger of their being infected with the spirit of this world, in paying such taxes, than is the case with us now. They had little or no share in civil government, and many of them declared that they were, through the power of God, separated from the spirit in which wars were, and being afflicted by the rulers on account of their testimony, there was less likelihood of their uniting in spirit with them in things inconsistent with the purity of truth. We, from the first settlement of this land, have known little or no troubles of that sort. The profession of our predecessors was for a time accounted reproachful, but at length their uprightness being understood by the rulers, and their innocent sufferings moving them, our way of worship was tolerated, and many of our members in these colonies became active in civil government. Being thus tried with favor and prosperity, this world appeared inviting; our minds have been turned to the improvement of our country, to merchandise and the sciences, amongst which are many things useful, if followed in pure wisdom; but in our present condition I believe it will not be denied that a carnal mind is gaining upon us. Some of our members, who are officers in civil government, are in one case or other, called upon in their respective stations to assist in things relative to the wars; but being in doubt whether to act or to crave to be excused from their office, if they see their brethren united in the payment of a tax to carry on the said wars, may think their case not much different, and so might quench the tender movings of the Holy Spirit in their minds. Thus, by small degrees, we might approach so near to fighting that the distinction would be little else than the name of a peaceable people.由于因税款用途而对缴税存顾虑，过去即使在正直人中也很少听闻；这些人虽在他们的时代坚定地为反对外在战争作见证。因此，我可以记下在这件事上受内在操练时，心中想到的若干事。早期忠信教友坚定反对当时被认可的错误事情，因此遭到活在这世界之灵中的人憎恨和逼迫；他们坚忍受苦，便成为教会的祝福，工作也兴旺。各时代的人都同样应当留心自己的灵。 把他们的处境同我们的处境比较，在我看来，他们缴纳这类税时受这世界之灵感染的危险，比我们现在要小。他们在民政中几乎没有分，或完全没有分；他们中许多人声明，自己借着上帝的能力，已经同战争所在的那种精神分别出来。又因他们的见证而受统治者苦待，他们在与真理纯洁不合的事上同统治者在灵里联合的可能性就较小。 我们自从这片土地最初定居以来，几乎没有经历那类患难。我们前辈的信仰承认一度被看作羞辱；但最后统治者了解了他们的正直，并受他们无辜受苦所感动，我们的敬拜方式得蒙宽容，这些殖民地中许多本会成员也活跃于民政。这样，我们经受恩宠和兴盛的试炼；这世界显得诱人，我们的心转向改良我们的国家，转向商业和各种学问。其中若在纯洁智慧中追求，许多事都是有用的；但在我们目前状况下，我相信无人会否认，属肉体的心正在我们中间增长。 我们有些成员在民政中任职，在这样那样的情况下，会在各自职位上被要求协助与战争有关的事。他们若犹疑应当行动，还是请求免职；又看见弟兄们联合缴纳税款来进行这些战争，就可能认为自己的情形并无多大不同，因而熄灭心中圣灵温柔的感动。这样，一点一点地，我们可能接近战斗到一个地步，除了和平人民的名号以外，区别几乎所剩无几。

It requires great self-denial and resignation of ourselves to God, to attain that state wherein we can freely cease from fighting when wrongfully invaded, if, by our fighting, there were a probability of overcoming the invaders. Whoever rightly attains to it does in some degree feel that spirit in which our Redeemer gave his life for us; and through Divine goodness many of our predecessors, and many now living, have learned this blessed lesson; but many others, having their religion chiefly by education, and not being enough acquainted with that cross which crucifies to the world, do manifest a temper distinguishable from that of an entire trust in God. In calmly considering these things, it hath not appeared strange to me that an exercise hath now fallen upon some, which, with respect to the outward means, is different from what was known to many of those who went before us.若遭受不义侵犯，而我们反击又有可能胜过入侵者，要达到能自由停止战斗的状态，需要极大的舍己和把自己交托给上帝。凡正确达到这种状态的人，都会在某种程度上感到我们救赎主为我们舍命时所在的那灵。借着神圣良善，我们许多前辈以及许多如今活着的人，已经学会了这蒙福的一课。 但另有许多人，其宗教主要来自教育，又不够认识那使人向世界钉十字架的十字架，就显出一种性情，可同全然信靠上帝的性情区别开来。平静思考这些事时，我并不觉得奇怪：如今有一种操练临到一些人；就外在方式而言，这与许多在我们以前的人所知道的不同。

Some time after the Yearly Meeting, the said committees met at Philadelphia, and, by adjournments, continued sitting several days. The calamities of war were now increasing; the frontier inhabitants of Pennsylvania were frequently surprised; some were slain, and many taken captive by the Indians; and while these committees sat, the corpse of one so slain was brought in a wagon, and taken through the streets of the city in his bloody garments, to alarm the people and rouse them to war.年会以后不久，上述委员会在费城会合，并经几次休会后继续开会数日。战争灾祸正在增加；宾夕法尼亚边境居民屡次遭突袭，有些被杀，许多被印第安人掳去。委员会开会期间，一个被杀之人的尸体用马车运来，穿着血衣经过城中街道，以惊动民众，激发他们参战。

Friends thus met were not all of one mind in relation to the tax, which, to those who scrupled it, made the way more difficult. To refuse an active payment at such a time might be construed into an act of disloyalty, and appeared likely to displease the rulers, not only here but in England; still there was a scruple so fixed on the minds of many Friends that nothing moved it. It was a conference the most weighty that ever I was at, and the hearts of many were bowed in reverence before the Most High. Some Friends of the said committees who appeared easy to pay the tax, after several adjournments, withdrew; others of them continued till the last. At length an epistle of tender love and caution to Friends in Pennsylvania was drawn up, and being read several times and corrected, was signed by such as were free to sign it, and afterward sent to the Monthly and Quarterly Meetings.这样聚集的教友在税款问题上并非意见一致；这使那些有顾虑的人道路更加困难。在这样的时候拒绝主动缴纳，可能被解释为不忠之举，并且看来很可能触怒统治者，不但在本地，也在英国。然而，有一种顾虑如此固定在许多教友心中，以致没有什么能动摇它。 这是我参加过的最沉重的一次商议，许多人的心在至高者面前以敬畏屈身。上述委员会中有些教友看来安心缴税，经过几次休会后退出；另一些人继续留到最后。最后，一封给宾夕法尼亚教友、充满温柔之爱和警戒的书信被起草出来；经多次朗读和修改后，由那些自由愿意签署的人签名，随后送往各月会和季会。

Ninth of eight month, 1757.— Orders came at night to the military officers in our county (Burlington), directing them to draft the militia, and prepare a number of men to go off as soldiers, to the relief of the English at Fort William Henry, in New York government; a few days after which, there was a general review of the militia at Mount Holly, and a number of men were chosen and sent off under some officers. Shortly after, there came orders to draft three times as many, who were to hold themselves in readiness to march when fresh orders came. On the 17th there was a meeting of the military officers at Mount Holly, who agreed on draft; orders were sent to the men so chosen to meet their respective captains at set times and places, those in our township to meet at Mount Holly, amongst whom were a considerable number of our Society. My mind being affected herewith, I had fresh opportunity to see and consider the advantage of living in the real substance of religion, where practice doth harmonize with principle. Amongst the officers are men of understanding, who have some regard to sincerity where they see it; and when such in the execution of their office have men to deal with whom they believe to be upright-hearted, it is a painful task to put them to trouble on account of scruples of conscience, and they will be likely to avoid it as much as easily may be. But where men profess to be so meek and heavenly-minded, and to have their trust so firmly settled in God that they cannot join in wars, and yet by their spirit and conduct in common life manifest a contrary disposition, their difficulties are great at such a time.一七五七年第八月九日。夜里命令传到我们县（伯灵顿）的军事长官那里，指示他们抽调民兵，预备若干人作为士兵出发，去援救纽约政府辖下威廉亨利堡的英国人。几天以后，在芒特霍利举行了一次民兵总阅兵，有若干人被选出，并在一些军官带领下派出。不久又有命令传来，要抽调三倍人数，让他们随时准备在新命令来到时出发。十七日，军事长官在芒特霍利开会，同意抽签征召；命令送到被选中的人那里，要他们在指定时间和地点会见各自队长。我们镇上的人要在芒特霍利集合，其中有相当多本会成员。 我的心因此受触动，重新有机会看见并思考活在宗教真实实质中的益处；在那里，实践同原则和谐一致。军官中有明理的人，他们看见真诚时会有一定尊重；这类人在执行职务时，若面对他们相信心地正直的人，因良心顾虑而给这些人带来麻烦，对他们来说是一件痛苦的事，他们也会尽可能避免。但若有人口称如此温柔、如此属天，信靠上帝如此坚定以致不能参战，却在日常生活的精神和行为中显出相反倾向，那么他们在这样的时候困难就很大。

When officers who are anxiously endeavoring to get troops to answer the demands of their superiors see men who are insincere pretend scruple of conscience in hopes of being excused from a dangerous employment, it is likely they will be roughly handled. In this time of commotion some of our young men left these parts and tarried abroad till it was over; some came, and proposed to go as soldiers; others appeared to have a real tender scruple in their minds against joining in wars, and were much humbled under the apprehension of a trial so near. I had conversation with several of them to my satisfaction. When the captain came to town, some of the last-mentioned went and told him in substance as follows: That they could not bear arms for conscience’ sake; nor could they hire any to go in their places, being resigned as to the event. At length the captain acquainted them all that they might return home for the present, but he required them to provide themselves as soldiers, and be in readiness to march when called upon. This was such a time as I had not seen before; and yet I may say, with thankfulness to the Lord, that I believed the trial was intended for our good; and I was favored with resignation to him. The French army having taken the fort they were besieging, destroyed it and went away; the company of men who were first drafted, after some days’ march, had orders to return home, and those on the second draft were no more called upon on that occasion.军官们焦急努力征兵以回应上级要求时，若看见不真诚的人假装良心顾虑，希望免去危险差事，这些人很可能受到粗暴对待。在这骚动时期，我们有些年轻人离开本地，在外逗留直到事情过去；有些人来了，并表示愿去当兵；另一些人心中似乎对参战有真实而柔嫩的顾虑，并在试炼如此临近的感觉下深深谦卑。我同他们中几位交谈，感到满意。 队长来到镇上时，后一类中的一些人去告诉他，大意是：他们为良心缘故不能拿起武器；也不能雇人代替自己前往，至于结果，他们已经交托。最后队长告诉他们所有人，目前可以回家，但要求他们按士兵标准预备自己，并在被召时准备出发。这是我从前未曾见过的时刻；然而我可以带着对主的感谢说，我相信这试炼是为我们的益处而定的；我也蒙恩能够顺服他。法军攻下他们所围困的堡垒后，将其摧毁而去；第一批被征召的人行军数日后接到命令回家，第二批被征召者在那次事件中再没有被召。

Fourth of fourth month, 1758.— Orders came to some officers in Mount Holly to prepare quarters for a short time for about one hundred soldiers. An officer and two other men, all inhabitants of our town came to my house. The officer told me that he came to desire me to provide lodging and entertainment for two soldiers, and that six shillings a week per man would be allowed as pay for it. The case being new and unexpected I made no answer suddenly, but sat a time silent, my mind being inward. I was fully convinced that the proceedings in wars are inconsistent with the purity of the Christian religion; and to be hired to entertain men, who were then under pay as soldiers, was a difficulty with me. I expected they had legal authority for what they did; and after a short time I said to the officer, if the men are sent here for entertainment I believe I shall not refuse to admit them into my house, but the nature of the case is such that I expect I cannot keep them on hire; one of the men intimated that he thought I might do it consistently with my religious principles. To which I made no reply, believing silence at that time best for me. Though they spake of two, there came only one, who tarried at my house about two weeks, and behaved himself civilly. When the officer came to pay me, I told him I could not take pay, having admitted him into my house in a passive obedience to authority. I was on horseback when he spake to me, and as I turned from him, he said he was obliged to me; to which I said nothing; but, thinking on the expression, I grew uneasy; and afterwards, being near where he lived, I went and told him on what grounds I refused taking pay for keeping the soldier.一七五八年第四月四日。命令传给芒特霍利的一些军官，要为大约一百名士兵短期预备住处。一位军官和另外两人，都是我们镇上的居民，来到我家。军官告诉我，他来是要请我为两名士兵提供住宿和膳食，每人每周给六先令作为报酬。事情既新且突然，我没有立即回答，而是沉默坐了一会儿，心向内收。 我完全确信战争中的各项行动同基督教的纯洁不一致；而受雇接待那些当时作为士兵领饷的人，对我来说是一个难处。我料想他们所做的事有法律权威。过了一小会儿，我对那军官说，如果这些人被送到这里来受接待，我相信自己不会拒绝让他们进我家；但这件事的性质如此，我想我不能受雇收留他们。其中一人暗示，他认为我可以这样做而不违背自己的宗教原则。对此我没有回答，因为我相信那时沉默对我最好。 他们虽说两人，实际只来了一人；他在我家住了约两周，举止有礼。军官来付钱时，我告诉他我不能收钱，因为我是以对权柄被动顺服的方式接纳他到我家。当他同我说话时，我正在马上；我转身离开时，他说他感谢我。对此我什么也没说；但想到这句话，我心中不安。后来我到他住处附近时，便去告诉他，我拒绝收取士兵住宿费的根据是什么。

I have been informed that Thomas à Kempis lived and died in the profession of the Roman Catholic religion; and, in reading his writings, I have believed him to be a man of a true Christian spirit, as fully so as many who died martyrs because they could not join with some superstitions in that church. All true Christians are of the same spirit, but their gifts are diverse, Jesus Christ appointing to each one his peculiar office, agreeably to his infinite wisdom.我听说托马斯·厄·肯培生前死后都承认罗马天主教信仰；在阅读他的著作时，我相信他是一个有真正基督徒之灵的人，正如许多因为不能参与该教会某些迷信而殉道的人一样充分。所有真正基督徒都属同一灵，但他们的恩赐各不相同，耶稣基督照着他无限的智慧，为每个人指定其特别职分。

John Huss contended against the errors which had crept into the church, in opposition to the Council of Constance, which the historian reports to have consisted of some thousand persons. He modestly vindicated the cause which he believed was right; and though his language and conduct towards his judges appear to have been respectful, yet he never could be moved from the principles settled in his mind. To use his own words: “This I most humbly require and desire of you all, even for his sake who is the God of us all, that I be not compelled to the thing which my conscience doth repugn or strive against.” And again, in his answer to the Emperor: “I refuse nothing, most noble Emperor, whatsoever the council shall decree or determine upon me, only this one thing I except, that I do not offend God and my conscience.” [5] At length, rather than act contrary to that which he believed the Lord required of him, he chose to suffer death by fire. Thomas à Kempis, without disputing against the articles then generally agreed to, appears to have labored, by a pious example as well as by preaching and writing, to promote virtue and the inward spiritual religion; and I believe they were both sincere-hearted followers of Christ. True charity is an excellent virtue; and sincerely to labor for their good, whose belief in all points doth not agree with ours, is a happy state.约翰·胡斯反对已经潜入教会的错误，与康斯坦茨会议相对；史家记载，该会议由数千人组成。他谦逊地为自己相信正确的事业辩护；虽然他对审判者的言辞和行为看来都很恭敬，却从未能被挪离已经定在心中的原则。用他自己的话说：“我最谦卑地要求并恳求你们众人，即使为了那作我们众人上帝者的缘故，也不要强迫我去做我的良心所反对或抵触的事。”又在回答皇帝时说：“最高贵的皇帝，会议将要裁定或判决在我身上的任何事，我都不拒绝；惟有这一件事除外，就是不要使我得罪上帝和我的良心。” 最后，他宁可受火刑而死，也不愿违背他相信主向他所要求的事。托马斯·厄·肯培没有争论当时普遍认可的信条，却似乎借虔敬榜样，以及讲道和写作，努力促进德行和内在属灵宗教；我相信他们二人都是真心跟随基督的人。真正的仁爱是一种卓越德行；为那些信仰在各点上不同于我们的人真诚劳苦，求他们得益处，是一种幸福状态。

[5: Fox’s Acts and Monuments, p. 233.]注五：福克斯《殉道史》，二三三页。

Near the beginning of the year 1758, I went one evening, in company with a friend, to visit a sick person; and before our return we were told of a woman living near, who had for several days been disconsolate, occasioned by a dream, wherein death, and the judgments of the Almighty after death, were represented to her mind in a moving manner. Her sadness on that account being worn off, the friend with whom I was in company went to see her, and had some religious conversation with her and her husband. With this visit they were somewhat affected, and the man, with many tears, expressed his satisfaction. In a short time after the poor man, being on the river in a storm of wind, was with one more drowned.一七五八年年初前后，有一天晚上，我同一位朋友去探望一个病人；回来以前，有人告诉我们，附近住着一个妇人，因一个梦已经忧伤好几天。在梦中，死亡以及死后全能者的审判，以动人的方式呈现在她心里。她因这事所生的悲伤渐渐过去以后，与我同行的那位朋友去看她，并同她和她丈夫作了一些宗教谈话。他们对此次探访颇受触动，那男子流了许多泪，表达自己的满足。不久以后，这个可怜的人在河上遇到风暴，同另一个人一起淹死了。

Eighth month, 1758.— Having had drawings in my mind to be at the Quarterly Meeting in Chester County, and at some meetings in the county of Philadelphia, I went first to said Quarterly Meeting, which was large. Several weighty matters came under consideration and debate, and the Lord was pleased to qualify some of his servants with strength and firmness to bear the burden of the day. Though I said but little, my mind was deeply exercised; and, under a sense of God’s love, in the anointing and fitting of some young men for his work, I was comforted, and my heart was tendered before him. From hence I went to the Youth’s Meeting at Darby, where my beloved friend and brother Benjamin Jones met me by appointment before I left home, to join in the visit. We were at Radnor, Merion, Richland, North Wales, Plymouth, and Abington meetings, and had cause to bow in reverence before the Lord, our gracious God, by whose help way was opened for us from day to day. I was out about two weeks, and rode about two hundred miles.一七五八年第八月。我心中被吸引，要参加切斯特县季会，以及费城县的一些聚会；便先去参加该季会，人数很多。若干重大事务进入考虑和辩论，主乐意使他一些仆人有力量和坚定，来承担那日的重担。虽然我说得很少，我的心却深受操练；在感到上帝之爱膏抹并预备一些年轻人作他的工作时，我得了安慰，心也在他面前柔软。 从那里我去了达比青年聚会；我亲爱的朋友和弟兄本杰明·琼斯，按我离家前的约定在那里同我会合，一同进行探访。我们参加了拉德nor、梅里恩、里奇兰、北威尔士、普利茅斯和阿宾顿各处聚会，并有理由在主我们恩慈的上帝面前以敬畏屈身；借着他的帮助，道路一天一天为我们打开。我在外约两周，骑行约二百英里。

The Monthly Meeting of Philadelphia having been under a concern on account of some Friends who this summer (1758) had bought negro slaves, proposed to their Quarterly Meeting to have the minute reconsidered in the Yearly Meeting, which was made last on that subject, and the said Quarterly Meeting appointed a committee to consider it, and to report to their next. This committee having met once and adjourned, and I, going to Philadelphia to meet a committee of the Yearly Meeting, was in town the evening on which the Quarterly Meeting’s committee met the second time, and finding an inclination to sit with them, I, with some others, was admitted, and Friends had a weighty conference on the subject. Soon after their next Quarterly meeting I heard that the case was coming to our Yearly Meeting. This brought a weighty exercise upon me, and under a sense of my own infirmities, and the great danger I felt of turning aside from perfect purity, my mind was often drawn to retire alone, and put up my prayers to the Lord that he would be graciously pleased to strengthen me; that setting aside all views of self-interest and the friendship of this world, I might stand fully resigned to his holy will.费城月会因今年夏天（一七五八年）有些教友购买黑人奴隶而有所关切，便向他们的季会提议，把年会上最后就该主题所作的记录重新考虑；该季会任命一个委员会考虑此事，并向下次季会报告。这个委员会开过一次会后休会；我前往费城参加年会一个委员会时，正好在城中度过季会委员会第二次开会的晚上。发现自己有意愿同他们坐在一起，我和另外几个人被接纳了；教友们就此主题作了沉重的商议。 不久，在他们下一次季会以后，我听说这个案子将提交我们的年会。这给我带来沉重操练；在感到自身软弱，以及我所感到偏离完全纯洁的极大危险之下，我的心常常被吸引独自退隐，并向主献上祈祷，求他乐意恩慈地坚固我；使我能放下一切自利的看法和这世界的友谊，完全顺服他的圣旨而站立。

In this Yearly Meeting several weighty matters were considered, and toward the last that in relation to dealing with persons who purchase slaves. During the several sittings of the said meeting, my mind was frequently covered with inward prayer, and I could say with David, “that tears were my meat day and night.” The case of slave-keeping lay heavy upon me, nor did I find any engagement to speak directly to any other matter before the meeting. Now when this case was opened several faithful Friends spake weightily thereto, with which I was comforted; and feeling a concern to cast in my mite, I said in substance as follows:—在这次年会中，若干重大事务被考虑；接近最后时，讨论到如何处理购买奴隶的人。在该会几次开会期间，我的心常常被内在祈祷覆盖；我可以同大卫说：“我昼夜以眼泪当饮食。”蓄奴之事沉重压在我身上；在会议面前，我也没有感到有负担要直接谈其他事务。如今，当这个案子被打开时，几位忠信教友对此作了有分量的发言，使我得安慰；我感到关切，要投入自己微小的一份，大意说了如下的话：

“In the difficulties attending us in this life nothing is more precious than the mind of truth inwardly manifested; and it is my earnest desire that in this weighty matter we may be so truly humbled as to be favored with a clear understanding of the mind of truth, and follow it; this would be of more advantage to the Society than any medium not in the clearness of Divine wisdom. The case is difficult to some who have slaves, but if such set aside all self-interest, and come to be weaned from the desire of getting estates, or even from holding them together, when truth requires the contrary, I believe way will so open that they will know how to steer through those difficulties.”“在今生临到我们的困难中，没有什么比内里显明的真理之心更宝贵。我恳切盼望，在这件重大事务上，我们能如此真实地谦卑，以致蒙恩清楚明白真理之心，并跟随它。这对本会的益处，将超过任何不在神圣智慧清明中的折中办法。 这件事对一些有奴隶的人来说是困难的；但如果这些人放下一切自利，脱离取得产业、甚至在真理要求相反时仍保守产业合在一起的愿望，我相信道路会这样打开，使他们知道如何在这些困难中掌舵前行。”

Many Friends appeared to be deeply bowed under the weight of the work, and manifested much firmness in their love to the cause of truth and universal righteousness on the earth. And though none did openly justify the practice of slave-keeping in general, yet some appeared concerned lest the meeting should go into such measures as might give uneasiness to many brethren, alleging that if Friends patiently continued under the exercise the Lord in his time might open a way for the deliverance of these people. Finding an engagement to speak, I said, “My mind is often led to consider the purity of the Divine Being, and the justice of his judgments; and herein my soul is covered with awfulness. I cannot omit to hint of some cases where people have not been treated with the purity of justice, and the event hath been lamentable. Many slaves on this continent are oppressed, and their cries have reached the ears of the Most High. Such are the purity and certainty of his judgments, that he cannot be partial in our favor. In infinite love and goodness he hath opened our understanding from one time to another concerning our duty towards this people, and it is not a time for delay. Should we now be sensible of what he requires of us, and through a respect to the private interest of some persons, or through a regard to some friendships which do not stand on an immutable foundation, neglect to do our duty in firmness and constancy, still waiting for some extraordinary means to bring about their deliverance, God may by terrible things in righteousness answer us in this matter.”许多教友似乎在这工作重担下深深屈身，并在他们对真理事业和地上普遍公义的爱中显出很大坚定。虽然没有人公开为一般蓄奴做法辩护，但有些人显出关切，担心会议采取的措施会使许多弟兄不安；他们主张，如果教友们在操练下耐心继续，主会在自己的时候为这些人得释放开路。 我发现自己有负担说话，便说：“我的心常常被引导思想神圣存在的纯洁，以及他审判的公义；在这里，我的灵魂被敬畏覆盖。我不能不暗示一些情形：在那里，人们没有按纯洁公义受到对待，其结果是可悲的。这片大陆上许多奴隶受到压迫，他们的呼声已经达到至高者耳中。他的审判如此纯洁而确定，不可能偏待我们。 他以无限的爱和良善，一次又一次开启我们的理解，使我们知道对这些人的责任；现在不是拖延的时候。若我们如今明白他要求我们什么，却因顾及某些人的私人利益，或顾念某些并不立在不可改变根基上的友谊，而忽略坚定而恒久地尽我们的责任，仍等候某种非常手段带来他们的释放，那么上帝可能在这事上以可畏之事凭公义回答我们。”

Many faithful brethren labored with great firmness, and the love of truth in a good degree prevailed. Several who had negroes expressed their desire that a rule might be made to deal with such Friends as offenders who bought slaves in future. To this it was answered that the root of this evil would never be effectually struck at until a thorough search was made in the circumstances of such Friends as kept negroes, with respect to the righteousness of their motives in keeping them, that impartial justice might be administered throughout. Several Friends expressed their desire that a visit might be made to such Friends as kept slaves, and many others said that they believed liberty was the negro’s right; to which, at length, no opposition was publicly made. A minute was made more full on that subject than any heretofore; and the names of several Friends entered who were free to join in a visit to such as kept slaves.许多忠信弟兄以极大的坚定劳苦，真理之爱在相当程度上占了上风。几位有黑人的人表示，希望制定一条规则，把将来购买奴隶的教友作为犯错者处理。对此有人回答说，除非对那些蓄有黑人的教友的情况作彻底查问，考察他们持有这些人的动机是否公义，使不偏不倚的公义可以通行全体，否则这个恶的根永远不会被有效击中。 几位教友表达愿望，希望探访那些蓄奴的教友；许多其他人也说，他们相信自由是黑人的权利。到最后，对此没有人公开反对。会议就这个主题作了一条比以往任何记录都更充分的记录；并登记了几位自由愿意参加探访蓄奴者的教友姓名。