SOME ACCOUNT OF EDWARD BROWN, OF SUNDERLAND; With copies of sundry documents respecting him, from a pamphlet by Jonathan Richardson, Sunderland; published in 1821.

Edward Brown, it appears, had served an apprenticeship at Sunderland, and afterwards removing to Ireland, the following certificate was sent on his behalf, which not only evinces the tender concern of Newcastle Monthly Meeting for his welfare, but shows that, by early attention to the calls of Divine love, his circumspect walking through the slippery paths of youth, had rendered him a good example to those of his own class, and a comfort to his more experienced friends :

Certificate from Newcastle Monthly Meeting, dated 1710. To our friends and brethren in the nation of Ireland, or elsewhere, a salutation of dear love in the truth.

We send this on behalf of our friend Edward Brown, certifying that he served the time of his apprenticeship with a Friend who is a member of this meeting, during which time, (considering his years) he walked as became the truth, in which he was educated, and was an example of sobriety to the youth amongst us, and is in good unity with Friends, whose tender concern on his behalf is, that he may be preserved faithful to the manifestation which it hath pleased God to visit him withal amongst us; and in that concern we recommend him to you, that the same Christian care may be continued over him, and that that plant which the Lord hath planted may be nourished and grow to the praise of his name, and that the exercises and trials he may probably meet with may not blast nor scorch that tender bud, is the hearty desire

of your friends and brethren in the blessed truth."

Signed on behalf of the Monthly Meeting, &c.

Edw. Brown afterwards returned from Ireland to settle at Sunderland, and in 1715 we find he married Margery, daughter of Wm. Mitford; and, from the records of the Preparative and Monthly Meetings to which he belonged, it may be discovered that he became a very useful member of society, and was frequently appointed to services in the church.

Almost every production of his pen marks his superior talents and acquirements, and he was, doubtless, a truly valuable character, while his mind was preserved under the influence of the principle of truth, which keeps all things in their proper places, and bounds the desires of the humble followers of Christ: but when, after the decease of his beloved companion, (who was removed in 1724,) he became disobedient to the heavenly vision, and let out his mind after worldly greatness-the consequences that ensued are best described by himself in the following letter to the sister of his late wife. In this bewildered state of mind, we understand he sought the affections of a woman of fortune whom he had ex

pected to marry, when (in 1727) he

built himself a commodious mansion, besides several other dwelling houses adjoining, which still remain as monuments of the man; and no one who has fully entered into the circumstances of his case, can view, even these, without pensive feelings.

Cork, 18th of 4th Mo., 1730. DEAR SISTER, Barbara SMITH,

A kind letter from thee, amidst my calamities and misfortunes, would have been refreshing as the reviving beams of the sun to the drooping plants after a cloudy and wet season; though I have missed that favour, and been left to bear my grievous afflictions alone, like a pelican in the wilderness, whilst my friends and

and had large gardens belonging to it.* It commanded an extensive sea view, The other houses were intended for the captains of his ships, &c. It is understood

that the whole cost Edward Brown about

£5,000; the house was afterwards in the possession of M. Smith, but now, (1820,) it is the custom-house for the port of Sunderland,

kinsfolk stood aloof; yet having ever had a dear love for thee, which I still retain, thou hast been often in my mind, and that sweet and edifying conversation we have so often enjoyed together, and particularly that discourse which passed betwixt us near our last parting at thy house, which, alas! I little then thought should have been for so long a time, occasioned by such great distress falling on me, as one part of thy dream, or vision, then mentioned, that thou hadst concerning me is fulfilled in my bitter sufferings, so I hope the Lord, in his own time, will also accomplish the other part, by delivering me out of all my troubles. And, praised be his name, though I am unworthy, yet I find his Divine goodness near to comfort and sustain me through and over them all, or else I should have fainted, ere this day, under the piercing anguish and heavy burden thereof. I have been as with Jonah in the bottom of the raging deep, where the weeds, as it were, wrapt about my neck, but the merciful Lord forsook me not-the breath of life found me out, and, through its inspiration, preserved me alive. His everlasting arm reached me and brought me up again from the horrible abyss, and set my feet in the land of the living, on the rock of salvation, to celebrate and magnify his ever worthy and adorable name! He guided the tumults of my mind, and cried, "Peace, be still!" and calmed the stormy winds. I doubt not but thou heardst of the additional affliction I met with here at my arrival, by my father being taken off with an apoplectic fit a few days before; and, instead of meeting with a kind reception from an affectionate father, and a comfortable provision for my subsistence, as he had given me to expect, I found a house filled with mourning and tears for his death, which was so sudden, that it gave no time for altering his will as he designed; so one he had made about five years ago came in force; and, at that time, he supposing me to be in a thriving way, he left his substance, both real and personal, to his young son R, a minor now, but little more than ten years of age. I shall not particularize the distress this further calamity brought me into,

knowing thy good sense and sympathizing nature will readily suggest to thee the deplorableness of being in a strange country in such melancholy and necessitous circumstances, not having as much money left as to pay for my passage! Ah! how have I been tossed about,-what anguish has filled my breast, since thy dear sister, my lovely, sweet Margery, was snatched from me! Oh! she was the joy of my heart and delight of mine eye! Her precious, dear idea is continually before me. I shall ever have the truest and dearest affection for her memory, and shall regret, with deep sighs, to my last breath, my unspeakable loss in that lovely, pleasant, virtuous consort, who, if she had been spared, might have been instrumental to preserve me from these dismal disasters;-but, whilst I grieve under these aching sorrows, in this vale of tears, she is happy on the celestial shore, beyond the reach of all disquiet, which is a consolation to me; and the hope that the time will come that I shall rejoice with her in that endless felicity, is an exhilirating cordial to cheer my drooping sinking spirits.

I am much grieved that any should lose by me: I can honestly say, more than at my own great losses and sufferings. I was in hopes my father would have put me in such a way that, in a little time, I might have made up what was deficient to my creditors; but, being disappointed of that, makes my loss the heavier to bear yet if ever I am able, or favoured by Providence to be of capacity, it is my firm resolution to make up what my effects fall short to them and theirs. Nothing in this world I desire more, therefore I hope if I never have the substance to do it, the will may be accepted for the deed by him who looks at the sincerity of the heart, as also by all tender persons who are sensible of my calamitous condition for my failings. In particular, I am heartily sorry that thou shouldst suffer by thy extraordinary kindness and affection towards me, which, when I was last with thee, was far from my thoughts, having given M. S. security, which he declared he was satisfied with, and vowed and protested in the most solemn manner that he would not

execute the power I had committed to him, and thinking myself safe from all others, and that, in a little time, to clear them off, made me judge my circumstances very hopeful and whatever calumnies or accusations may be vented against me, (of which the unfortunate, though ever so innocent, have generally a large share,) I can truly say I designed no wrong to any, and have this comfort, that my conscience does not accuse me of having ever wilfully injured any person, though I have suffered much injustice and oppression. I look upon my failing to be rather the effect of Divine displeasure for my unfaithfulness in what the Lord required of me for some years, than the ill state of my affairs; for, had not the Almighty (who has the hearts of all mankind in his hand) permitted M. S. to deal so treacherously and cruelly by me, I might have succeeded very well, my business being in such a posture as would, in all human probability, have brought in above £500 a-year, at a moderate computation; but since I would not give up to be one of Christ's fools, I am now justly one of the world's, and am made a poor spectacle both to angels and men. I wish that others, by taking warning by me, may happily escape the harms and evils I have endured, by not letting their minds out after the glory and riches of the world, when they should have their hearts in deep humility retired to the heavenly gift in themselves, and, through the ability thereof, be doing the Lord's business. Oh! it is a very dangerous state, and great infelicity, for men to be doing their own things, and neglecting the things of the eternal Jesus, who laid down his life and suffered his most precious blood to be spilt, that he might redeem poor mortals from these corruptible objects; therefore it is very just in him, and I believe merciful too, to sweep all these things away from me, that so I might trust in nothing but the living God. There were divers testimonies delivered in a prophetic manner in our meeting at Sunderland, which seized my spirit with a sense of their belonging to me. Oh! how signal and remarkable have been the Lord's merciful dealings and visitations towards me,

a poor creature, not worthy of the least of his mercies and truth;neither time nor paper could contain a relation thereof; but this I shall notify, that John Turner, from Ireland, signified, in Samuel Maude's parlour, (I being there with some few Friends after Meeting,) that the Lord would require of some there to bear a public testimony to his name and truth; and that, if obedience were not yielded thereto, severe judgments would be inflicted on them, and it would go near to cost them their natural life. John Appleton, Joseph Fotheringham, and Mary Hutchinson, did all, at sundry times, declare, in a very particular manner, that there was a person in that meeting whom the Lord called to come forth and promulgate his blessed truth, and that, if obedience were yielded, a blessing would follow upon all his concerus, otherwise losses upon losses, confusion and desolation should fall upon him, and all that he took in hand should be blasted: and out of the meeting they gave me to understand that their concern related to me, and that I was the man. A letter I received soon after from Mary Hutchinson, which I have now by me, is clear as to her part. J. F. imparted his mind to that purpose in my parlour, F. Flower being with us part of the time ;-and the summer before that deplorable winter wherein distraction came upon me like a whirlwind, because I had not answered when the Lord called, Mungo Bewley was at our meeting, and was much concerned therein to declare that some great distress and calamity was impending, and near to fall on some there; and, after meeting, when a few Friends, (among whom was S. Maude and myself) were sitting together, after some time of silence, he intimated that the concern he had in the meeting was renewed upon his spirit, and that it belonged to one then in company. He said that a great weight oppressed him in sympathy with the sufferings and afflictions that approached some present, but that he was comforted in feeling the mercy of God covering his judgment seat, and that the Lord would preserve alive, through all, and bring them at last to rejoice in his salvation, and to triumph over all tribula

tions and temptations, through the arising of holy seed and power into dominion. This I was very feelingly touched with, and deeply was it imprinted on my mind, but still hoped it would not be my lot, but expected it might belong to some other, and perhaps to Samuel Maude, who was then under suffering on account of his brother, but now it is clear to me that I was the person, for it was spoken of some to come, and not of what was present: and, feeling the Lord's mercy near, I am made patiently to wait, and quietly to hope for that salvation promised, as I have borne the chastisement predicted-to the Lord God, merciful and just, be glory, honour, and praise, through all his dispensations, but to me, shame, abasedness, and self-abhor rence, who am but as vile dust and ashes before his glorious, everlasting, and resplendent majesty! How often has his Word been as a flame of fire in my bosom, and, through the awe and dread thereof, every joint has been made to tremble; and though his message was upon the tip of my tongue, yet it was stifled in the birth, through my too great modesty, and delicacy, doubting I should not deliver it sufficiently methodical, and elegant ;-but, alas! this was my weakness and sin-for, had I dwelt low and empty enough, he would have been as an overflowing fountain; and had I kept close to an inward, waiting, depending frame of mind upon the Lord, he that brought to the birth would have animated with wisdom, strength, and courage to bring forth. But an aspiring mind, the cares of the world, prosing in dead letters and cobweb learning, instead of reading and exercising myself in the book of life, choked the good seed, so that it brought not fruit to perfection: but I hope the good husbandman is ploughing up the fallow-ground, and removing the briars, and thorns, and weeds out of the way, that so the fallow-ground of my heart being meliorated, his blessed seed may spring up and bring forth fruit to his praise. I beseech him to forgive my transgressions, and grant me patience and resignation under his refining hand, so that I may be thoroughly purged, and come forth more pure than gold! I pray God to sanctify this bitter

cup he has given me to drink of, and teach me obedience by the things which I suffer; and if my poor immortal soul be but saved in the day of the Lord, no matter what is lost in this momentary life. Oh! eternity! eternity! that it may henceforth be all my care and concern to be provided for thee. Oh! how tremendous are the thoughts of thy never-ending existence to those who are launching out of time, I know not but into miseries, that will run parallel with thy boundless duration, and be endless as thyself! O, gracious God! whatever I suffer here, spare me hereafter. Oh! grant me reconciliation, through the death of thy beloved son, and save me by his life, and take me to thy infinite mercy.

Dear sister, I salute thee in that endeared and indelible love which no time can extinguish, nor distance of sea or land divide, and remain,

Thy very affectionate brother,

EDWARD BROWN. P.S.-I may never have the like opportunity to unbosom myself, therefore excuse prolixity.

Edward Brown having arrived in Ireland, a certificate was sent thither by Newcastle Monthly Meeting, accompanied by his own paper of condemnation, copies of which are annexed. It may be observed, that Friends, after deliberating on his case, had not felt it incumbent on them to issue a testimony of disownment against him, for the judicious reasons which they state. The Certificate, to the Monthly Meeting of Friends, at Cork, in Ireland;

Sheweth-That, whereas Edward Brown was an inhabitant amongst us for many years, and lived in good reputation with his neigbours, and in amity with Friends, until of lat times he launched forth in dealings, adventures at sea, and building houses beyond his abilities, (against which he was several times cautioned,) which, together with some considerable losses in trade, reduced him to straits, and failure of payments, whereby, in the end, he was declared a bankrupt, at which time he was at London, and there stayed to attend the commissioners, after which, as

soon as was thought convenient, we writ to him, setting forth the evil of his outrunning, and the reproach thereby brought upon the profession of truth, which called for an open condemnation, either from himself or us; so, after some time, we received one from himself, (a copy whereof we have herewith sent you,) which, together with what you may receive by personally conversing with him, which we have not had the opportunity of doing since he failed, we hope may be to your satisfaction, as what he writ (we charitably hoping it comes from a sensible, penitent, and sincere heart,) has been in a good measure to us; for if that merciful hand hath been pleased to blot out his offences, this church and people is thereby led and induced to follow that great example,-and therefore we, in great tenderness and affection, recommend him to your tender care and concern for and over him, that he may be encouraged under all his afflictions, and admonished to be faithful to that great and renewed visitation which hath prevailed with him to acknowledge his offences, that so his last days may be his best days, is our very earnest desire and prayer for him; so with a salutation of dear love, we remain your friends and brethren. From the Monthly Meeting held at Sunderland, the 9th of 12th Mo., 1729, and signed in and on behalf of the same, by

R. Holme

Lancelot Wardell John Middleton Robert Westgarth Edward Walton Samuel Maude

EDWARD BROWN'S PAPER OF CON

DEMNATION.

London, 5th of 6th Mo., 1729, To Friends of Newcastle Monthly Meeting.

Whereas, by not closely adhering and keeping my mind subjected to the humble and self-denying life of Jesus, I have been too much elated, and aspired above my sphere, and thereby, through the just judgment of the All-wise Disposer, wofully experienced the wise man's proverb verified, that, "Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall" Dear Friends, pray for me, that this evil seed may be burnt

up, both root and branch, that so I may not henceforth "be high-minded, but fear," and being thoroughly resigned to the refining fire, may know judgment brought forth unto victory, thereby. In true self-abasement and contrition of soul I condemn all these my actions and projects, that proceeded from living above the meek and lowly principle of grace and truth, which brings into lowliness of heart and contentedness of spirit, with that station which unerring Providence places those in who are influenced thereby,-strive not to soar above his dispensations, but to follow as he by his wisdom and power leads and opens the way, and set him always before them, that they may not err from his righteous paths, least they dishonour his holy name, pierce themselves through with many sorrows, and plunge their poor souls into death and misery, by forsaking the fountain of eternal life and exhaustless felicity.

I

From a wounded and disconsolate heart, filled with remorse and anguish under the deep sense of iny failings, and disobedience to the heavenly vision. I heartily grieve and lament that the profession of the divine and glorious light of Christ, (in which all the nations of them that are saved must walk,) should, by my folly and misconduct, suffer any eclipse or reproachful sully. entreat, and earnestly beseech the God of mercy, and his tender-hearted and compassionate people, (who have tasted that the Lord is gracious,) to forgive and blot out my offences, to proclaim liberty to the captive, and restore me into favour; that so I may rejoice in tribulation, and in unity with God and his church I may live and die, and be happy everlastingly.

EDWARD BROWN.