USA > Indiana > Memorials of deceased friends who were members of Indiana Yearly Meeting : published by direction of the Yearly Meeting > Part 6
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On the evening before his decease, he inquired how his wife was, she being in poor health; and said it was admirable how she bore up under her afflictions. This was the last time he spoke of her; and although he appeared to know but little that passed on that day and the following night, he frequently repeated Scripture passages with accuracy ; and a short time before he expired he said : " Why art thou cast down, O my soul ? and why art thou disquieted within me ? Ilope thou in God, for I shall yet praise him who is the health of my countenance and my God." It was evident, from the state of mind in which he continued, that he was prepared for the solemn change, which took place on the 25th of the Twelfth month, 1843.
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JAMES HADLEY.
His loss will be keenly felt by his family, and cause a blank in his meeting and neighborhood which may not soon be filled; yet we have the consoling hope that our loss is his eternal gain. "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: yea, saith the spirit, for they rest from their labors, and their works do follow them."
JAMES HADLEY. (OF . NEWBERRY, OHIO. )
Compiled from the Memorial of Newberry Monthly Meeting, Ohio.
IIE was born in North Carolina, on the 31st day of the First month, 1774. Ilis parents were Jeremiah and Mary Hadley, members of the Society of Friends. Ilis father dying when he was young, the care of his early training devolved principally upon his mother. IIe was early impressed with the importance of a religious life, and of his accountability to God for his thoughts, words and actions. By the restraining in- fluence of divine grace upon his mind, and the tender care of his mother, he was preserved from entering into many of the evil things with which youth are tempted; and he afterward expressed his gratitude
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for that preservation. As years increased, he in- creased in Christian experience and love of the truth.
In 1795, he was married to Ann Underwood; and in 1806, they removed to the State of Ohio with their family. They first settled in Highland, among the early emigrants to that part; but afterward re- moved to Clinton county, and settled at Newberry, for the greater convenience of educating their children according to their desire.
He maintained a good character for uprightness, candor and benevolence, and for justice in dealing in his intercourse with others. Having experienced, in a good degree, as is believed, an overcoming of the world by the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit, he was very serviceable to the church, and freely devoted much time and his talents to the performance of vari- ous duties therein. He set a good example of dili- gence in the attendance of religious meetings, and of solid deportment therein.
Being a firm believer in the divine authority of the Holy Scriptures, he encouraged the frequent reading of them by word and example. He occupied accept- ably, for many years, the station of elder, overseer and member of the Meeting for Sufferings, in which stations respectively he manifested a concern to per- form the duties thereof faithfully. The fundamental doctrines of the gospel were precious to him, and he adhered to them firmly amidst the difficulties which were permitted to assail the society in his day.
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ELIAS FISHER.
In the year 1845, being bereaved of his beloved wife by death, he undertook to make a social visit to his relations and friends in Indiana and Illinois. At parting with his children and friends at home, it is said that he appeared to be much redeemed from the world, and he appeared as if taking a final leave, which it proved to be. He was seized with a severe illness on his return, which he bore with becoming fortitude, and manifested a very tran- quil and affectionate frame of mind during his con- finement.
Ile quietly departed this life, near Dublin, Indiana, on the 19th of Eighth month, 1845, leaving an encouraging evidence on the minds of his friends that he has entered into rest. He was interred on the 21st at Bethel, on which *occasion, many being in attendance, great solemnity prevailed.
ELIAS FISHER.
Compiled from the Memorial of Springfield Monthly Meeting, Ohio.
ELIAS FISHER was born in Bucks county, Pennsyl- vania, on the 10th of the Fifth month, 1768. llis parents were Joseph and Ann Fisher, members of the
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Society of Friends. He notes the tender care of his mother, who often collected her children around her and instructed them in the way they should go, and informed them of the judgments and mercies of Him who made all things. He remarks: "I remember that, when very young, her counsel and advice often caused my heart to quicken and my breast to swell with emotion, making impressions on my mind which have not yet been effaced."
Being of a wild disposition in his youth, his miscon- duct was the occasion of remorse; and the IIoly Spirit so visited him with conviction, that he was brought to supplications and tears, with strong desires that he might be enabled to overcome the evil of his heart. But alas ! poor frail youth ; he frequently gave way to vanity, although his blessed Saviour continued to invite him to come away from all vain things. He states that the divine presence was often near, making his heart tender, and that, at such times, he would enter into covenant, that if God would pass by his past offenses, he would endeavor to do better in future.
When he was about fifteen years of age, his father removed to Virginia, and settled near Winchester. Ilere he was again tried with temptations to vanity, and occasionally gave way to too much lightness with his associates, which was cause of sorrow afterward. IIe remembered his covenant, with desires to be what the Lord would have him to be. Then again, after
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this, he says : "I know that my heart is not clear in the sight of my Saviour, who, through mercy at times, called me to come away from vanity; and I was frequently favored to see the beauty of holiness, and how lovely it is for young people to serve the Lord in their youth, remembering that it was required (under the law) to offer up to God the first fruits in sacrifice."
He afterward notes, that the preservation from fall- ing into great evils, on account of the temptations he met with from profane and libertine associates in his outward occupation, was very humbling to his mind, ascribing it to the arm of divine goodness and strength, which was around him for that purpose.
Ile removed to Lynchburgh in 1792, about which time he notes being brought into deep trial, and of receiving some consolation and strength of faith, which gave him much relief and comfort; and he was made willing to renew his covenant and promises with the Lord, that if he would go with him and bless him, he would endeavor to serve him with a perfect heart and a willing mind.
Hle was joined in marriage with Hannah Curl in 1793. For many years his exercises and trials were many. He traveled as a companion to Christopher Anthony on a religious visit to Philadelphia, and afterward, with Stephen Grellet, in Virginia, Ken- tucky and Ohio; then again, with Christopher An- thony, to Ohio. £ He removed to Cincinnati in 1813,
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ELIAS FISHER.
and was soon after that recommended as a minister. In the year 1821, he removed and settled within the limits of Springfield Monthly Meeting, Ohio. After this, from 1823 to 1841, he traveled considerably in the work of the ministry, with the unity of his friends. He visited the Yearly Meetings in North Carolina and Ohio, and most of the subordinate meetings thereunto belonging, and also performed various other visits in Ohio and Indiana.
He was a man of good example in conduct and conversation ; upright in his dealing; and punctual in relation to his engagements; and manifested a religious concern for the support of the good order and discipline of the society.
. When attacked with an illness in the fall of 1845, which induced him to believe that his life was drawing to a close, he bore his affliction with Christian fortitude and patience. Ilis love for the brotherhood, and attachment to the cause of truth, seemed unabated. Ile departed this life on the 22d of the Twelfth month, 1845, being upward of seventy-seven years of age, and was buried on the 24th at Springfield.
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JAMES WHITE.
JAMES WHITE.
Memorial of Monthly Meeting of Friends, in Wash- ington County, Indiana, concerning our beloved friend, JAMES WHITE, deceased.
IIE was born in Perquimans county, North Carolina, the 31st day of the First month, 1776. His parents, Caleb and Rebecca White, were useful members in the Society of Friends, and much concerned for the right training of their children.
In his very early years, he was subjected to serious religious impressions, which were sometimes produced by the ministry of Friends, and at other times by the immediate influence of divine love.
When about twenty years of age, he met with a severe trial, by the sudden and unexpected death of his father. This afflicting event caused him to have the care of providing for the family ; and being more exposed to various kinds of company, he was inclined to form new associates, and indulge in some of the vanities incident to youth.
During this time, it appears that in condescending goodness and mercy, that Power which had tendered his youthful heart, still followed him as a reprover for sin in those follies in which the unregenerate mind is prone to indulge; and he was made sensible that
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those times of jesting and merriment were vanity, and there was no peace in them.
About this time he felt a deep concern to seek the divine counsel in the solemn engagement of marriage, which he entered into with Sarah Cosand, daughter of Aaron and Hannah Cosand; she was religiously in- clined from her childhood, and in her he found a com- panion prepared to unite with him in a self-denying course of Christian dedication. After entering into this important engagement, he labored hard for several years in procuring a comfortable support, being desirous of entertaining his friends, and having something to spare for society purposes; but was often afflicted with bodily infirmity, until there was little hope of his recovery while remaining in that country.
Having relations in Randolph county, a more healthy part of the State, he concluded to remove there in the fall of 1805, and settled within the limits of Back Creek Monthly Meeting of Friends, where he re- covered his health, and was useful in society, and for a time appeared to be progressing to satisfaction; but it appears that further refinement was necessary to prepare him for the responsible station which his Divine Master designed him to fill.
He was brought into such distress and anguish of soul as words cannot describe ; the billows of dismay and despair seemed to overwhelm him.
After this season of sore conflict, which continued several months, a ray of comfort broke through the
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JAMES WHITE.
thick darkness with which his path had been sur- rounded, and he was favored to witness that there was yet balm in Gilead and a physician there; and after many conflicts and deep baptisms of spirit, he gave up to the divine requirings, and expressed a few words as a minister in the religious meetings of Friends, which afforded him much peace, under a grateful sense of which he wrote the following
" And now what shall I render to the Lord for all his tender mercies to one of the most unworthy of his creatures ; even to Him, the only wise and Omnipotent God, be honor, glory, thanksgiving and renown, from henceforth and forever."
His wife being a minister, they visited the meet- ings of Friends in the castern parts of the State, and after their return, he believed it would be right to make the necessary arrangements for emigrating to the west, a prospect of which had impressed his mind for several years; though a great trial to leave his numerous friends. From a sense of religious duty, he set out with his family for Indiana, and settled within the limits of Blue River Monthly Meeting, in the Tenth month, 1815.
In breaking up, moving and settling in the woods, he became more unguarded and unwatchful, and not sufficiently submitting to the restraining power of truth, he experienced very close trials. He was at times favored with a renewed sense of his situation while following the insinuations of the enemy. It
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JAMES WHITE.
appears, however, that these convictions of divine grace were not sufficiently yielded to; but the visita- tions of the Heavenly Father's love were still merci- fully extended toward him, until at length he was made willing to surrender himself into the Lord's hands. In these exercises, he had much to contend with, from the assaults of an unwearied adversary ; yet preservation was graciously afforded ; and being made willing to endure many conflicts, deep provings and humiliations, he was prepared for usefulness in the cause of his Divine Master.
As he grew in grace, and became increasingly sub- jected to the government of the Holy Spirit, his appearances in the ministry were more frequent, and to the comfort and edification of his friends, who cer- tified their unity with him therein in the year 1819. He was a diligent attender of our meetings for worship and discipline, and his solid reverent deportment therein was very instructive; waiting upon God in a watchful and teachable spirit, that he might be in- structed in the knowledge of His will, and be pre- served under the leading of the Heavenly Shepherd.
Ile was sound in doctrine, and his ministry was delivered in simplicity and in demonstration of the spirit and of power.
In the year 1820, with the unity of his friends, he visited Friends and others in the western parts of this State and part of Illinois; also New Albany and Louisville, Ky .; and, in the Tenth mouth of the same
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JAMES WHITE.
year, Whitewater Quarterly Meeting, and all the meet- ings thereto belonging.
And feeling an ardent desire for the everlasting welfare of his fellow-creatures, he visited in gospel love, in the year 1822, the meetings of Friends in Tennessee, North Carolina and Virginia. In refer- ence to this service, he says : "In looking over this visit, I have had awfully to admire the great forbear- ance and goodness of the Lord my God, in preserving me in a state of favor as I was but a child, and per- mitting me to return home in peace."
In the year 1825, he was liberated for further ser- vice, and attended the meetings of Friends in Ohio and part of Pennsylvania. In this visit, he passed through many trying and proving dispensations in being with those, in some places, who had imbibed the principles of unbelief in regard to the fundamental doctrines of the Christian religion.
IIe believed it his duty to bear a faithful testimony against those principles which were producing insub- ordination in many places, and to warn his friends of the danger of being ensnared by them. The sorrowful effects of this rending spirit was at length manifested within our borders, and produced a separation in our Monthly Meetings, which was to him a source of much deep concern and exercise of mind, and he was instru- mental in the divine hand in encouraging Friends to faithfulness in maintaining our various Christian doc- trines and testimonies.
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JAMES WINITE.
In the Eleventh month, 1831, he visited the meet- ings of Friends in the eastern part of this State and the western parts of Ohio. In attending to this service, he experienced many deep baptisms and sore trials, but was favored to return home with the reward of peace.
In the Tenth month, 1834, he met with a severe trial by the death of his son, an only child, on whom he had depended for assistance in his declining years ; but he was favored to bear this great loss with resignation and Christian fortitude.
In the Sixth month, 1839, he visited New Albany, Louisville, Jeffersonville and Cincinnati ; and in 1840, he held meetings in Kentucky, at Louisville, Frankfort and Lexington; in Ohio, at Cincinnati ; and in this State, at Lawrenceburg, Aurora, Madison and Jeffersonville ; also in the penitentiaries of Ken- tucky and Indiana.
After his return from the above mentioned visits, which were much to the relief and satisfaction of his mind, his declining health prevented him from travel- ing, except visiting neighboring meetings, and ap- pointing some among those not of our society; and he now endeavored to close all his outward concerns, so as to be ready for the awful change which he saw sensibly was near at hand.
He continued to attend our religious meetings as long as ability was afforded ; his communications therein were weighty and impressive-delivered in
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the life and power of the gospel. He often appeared like one who felt as if standing on the brink of eter- nity while pleading with his friends, and endeavoring to persuade them by what he had known of the ter- rors of the Lord, for disobedience, and by those mer- cies of which he had so largely partaken, to flee from the wrath to come. On these occasions, Christian love and humility were the clothing of his spirit, earnestly desiring the salvation of all, and especially exhorting the youth, that by an early submission to the visitations of the love of God, they might es- cape those trials and conflicts which many pass through in having long resisted the offers of divine grace ; greatly desiring that they might grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, living in the fear of their Creator, obeying his com- mandments, walking humbly before him, and not fol- lowing the customs and fashions of a vain delusive world. Wherever his lot was cast, the sick and af- flicted shared his sympathy, and he often addressed the language of encouragement to the mourners in Zion ; he was concerned to warn the careless, and such as refused to listen to the reproofs of instruction, or who were resting in a profession of the truth, without submitting to its regenerating power. He frequently expressed his value for a true Gospel Ministry, and for Spiritual worship, as sometimes experienced in silent meetings. Ilis mind dwelt much on the awful- ness of eternity, and of attending our meetings for
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divine worship, with our spirits unprepared for such a solemn service; professing to draw nigh unto God, while our hearts were far from him.
At the last meeting he attended, which was our Monthly Meeting, in the Ninth month, 1845, he made some very impressive remarks; particularly to the youth, admonishing them to live consistent with the high profession we are making to the world; that should this be the last time they ever heard him speak on these subjects, he much desired they might remem- ber these things ; and in conclusion, he exhorted them to build upon that foundation, against which the gates of hell shall not prevail -- even Christ Jesus, the rock of ages.
A relative who expected to attend our Yearly Meet- ing, called to see him, he being much afflicted with in- ward weakness, and at times great difficulty of breath- ing : he desired to be remembered to all his dear friends who inquired after.him, never expecting to see them again in this world, said he was waiting for his change, and believed he should not be cast off from the pre- sence of the Lord: Being asked if he had his out- ward affairs arranged to satisfaction, he replied, "he had been favored to settle them to the best of his knowledge, and was thankful that he could leave something for the support of his wife ;" adding, "My prayers have been granted : that in addition to adjust- ing my worldly concerns, I have had time to commit
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to paper, before I was confined, some exercises from which I could not otherwise release my mind."
While a number of his friends and relations at- tended our Yearly Meeting, he was more comfortable under his bodily afflictions. When they returned and visited him, he manifested much concern for the pros- perity of our religious Society, by his inquiries rela- tive to the trials and difficulties occasioned by the late separation in our Yearly Meeting, and that of New England. He said that this spirit of insubordination is the same that it ever was, and that it proceeds from the enemy of all good; and he greatly desired that Friends may not indulge in reading or circulating those publications which have a tendency to promote disunity and discord among our members, and destroy the peace and harmony of society. On being informed how the Meeting proceeded in relation to those sub- jects, and that unity and harmony prevailed through- out its deliberations, he expressed his thankfulness that he had been permitted to live to hear that we had such a favored Meeting, which he believed would be the case from the impressions of his mind while we were gone ; and though he was not able to be with us in body, yet his spirit was there; and he thanked the Lord he had not been deceived-saying, " And now I am satisfied that our Yearly Meeting continues to stand firm in the ever blessed truth, in which I rejoice."
At another time he said to a friend who visited him,
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JAMES WHITE.
in substance as follows : "In looking over my past life, I am sensible of many imperfections. I know we are poor, frail mortals, and liable to err, but I have endeavored to do the best I could in attending to the requirings of my Divine Master, and believe I shall be accepted of him; but I have no merit of my own, nothing to trust in or build my hopes of salvation upon but the mercies of a gracious and bountiful Creator, and the merits of a glorious Redeemer, being in full accordance with the language of the apostle, that it is not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to Ilis mercy he saveth us, by the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost.
On the 12th of the Tenth month, his disorder hav- ing greatly increased, he suffered exceedingly, but kept remarkably patient and resigned; and when a little relieved from the great oppression and difficulty of breathing which he labored under, he frequently quoted many Scripture passages, particularly the pro- phesies relating to the coming and sufferings of our holy Redeemer. IIe often spoke of the fall of man, and the glorious plan of salvation by Christ; of the great importance of his coming into the world ; of his sufferings, death, resurrection, and ascension, and that there was no other way into the fold of rest but by Him.
He was at times wonderfully favored with the calm- ing influence of the Heavenly Father's love, yet at
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other times he appeared almost destitute of divine aid ; but in these times of sore affliction and deep proving, he did not lose his confidence in the all sus- taining arm of divine help, repeating the language of Job, " Behold I go forward, but he is not there ; and backward, but I cannot perceive him ; on the left hand, where he doeth work, but I cannot behold him; he hideth himself on the right hand that I cannot see him, but he knoweth the way that I take, when he hath tried me I shall come forth as gold."
At another time, when his bodily sufferings were very great, he said : "My God ! my God ! why hast thou forsaken me," and soon after added : "Why art thou cast down, O, my soul ! and why art thou dis- quieted within me ? hope thou in God, for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance and my God."
lle frequently prayed that he might be favored with fortitude and patience to bear his great afflictions to the end, which was mercifully granted.
Ilis decline was very gradual; and when near his close, he was frequently engaged in prayer and praise to the Lord in a low and harmonious voice, not many words of which could be understood.
Hle was favored to retain his senses to the last, and manifested great meekness and patience. Ilis re- deemed spirit quietly passed away from time to eter- nity on the morning of the 11th day of the Eleventh month, 1845, aged nearly seventy years; having
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been an acknowledged minister about twenty-six years.
On the following day his remains were solemnly in- terred in Friends' burying-ground at Blue River, at- tended by a large number of Friends and neighbors.
Thus terminated the useful life of this dear friend, and while we are sensible of our great loss, we have the consoling assurance, that through redeeming love and mercy the change to him is unspeakably glorious. And may we be encouraged to follow his example in Christian dedication, that with him we may be par- takers of that incorruptible inheritance, which is re- served for the righteous when time here shall be no more.
DANIEL BAILEY.
Memorial of Dover Monthly Meeting of Friends, Ohio, concerning DANIEL BAILEY, deceased.
THE memory of our late dear friend, Daniel Bailey, being precious to many, we are induced to prepare a brief account of him, in the hope that his instructive example of uprightness, simplicity, and love of the truth, together with his peaceful close, may encourage to follow him as he followed Christ.
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