Book Description

Excerpt from Journal of the Life and Religious Labours: Of John Comly, Late of Byberry, Pennsylvania The author of the following Journal has left, in his writings, such ample means to inform the reader of his character and conduct as a member and minister of the religious Society of Friends, as to render unnecessary any extended notice of them in this place. Having, during the arduous struggle which terminated in a division of that society taken an active part, his conduct was the subject of much animadversion; and through the warmth of party feeling, common to such events, was greatly misrepresented. In referring to this subject, it is not the desire of those to whom has been committed the care of his manuscripts, to revive on either side of the question any unpleasant feelings. It would be far more agreeable to them, and to his friends generally, by a kind and forbearing course, to soften asperities, and prepare the way for a more Christian and brotherly communion; and we believe, if the part taken by John Comly, and the great body of those who acted with him on that occasion, could be viewed in its true light, it would go far, very far, to produce these happy effects. We are not without some hope that the publication of his writings will ultimately have this tendency. The purity of his motives in all his movements, during the eventful period alluded to, will, we confidently believe, be satisfactorily demonstrated. None who knew him well, will doubt his integrity. Meekness, patience, and forbearance, were prominent traits in his character; and through countless occasions of irritation and close trial, we believe they never failed to preserve him in a truly Christian demeanor. But while either our motives to action, or our religious principles, are deemed unsound or corrupt, no approximation to religious fellowship with those who thus judge, can reasonably be expected. The cause of division, whatever that cause may be, must be removed before the effect can cease. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.