Letter 777 To my Father and Mother --
Jersies Mount Place July 31 1790 Saturday
I apprized you, my beloved Parents, that we were to meet on Sunday, at Du Will's Grove -- but I had no idea of the grandeur of the scene, which was to be exhibited -- The Grove is about one mile from Mount Place -- It is thrown by Nature upon a spacious Green and it is formed by rows of tall, and umbrageous Oaks -- The Concourse of people was prodigious -- I do not believe there is more than half a dozen houses in view from this dwelling, in any direction, yet, upwards of a thousand persons were collected in the Grove -- among whom were, as I am told three hundred Quakers -- The Congregation was gathered from more than twenty miles round the Country -- They have in this State, much in use, a kind of Carriage, which runs upon four wheels, and is drawn by two horses -- its top is solid, and it hath curtains which can be let down at pleasure -- it is neatly painted, and lined, and it can accommodate many individuals with great convenience -- I think it is called a Jersey Wagon -- These Carriages formed a wall round the Preacher -- The Circle was widely extended -- it appeared to me, there were, in number, at least one hundred -- Many attended in their one horse chaises and the horses being taken therefrom, every one kept their seats -- which seats on either hand were also placed in this consecrated Grove, and an open eminence, was prepared for the Messenger of peace -- Rain is now much wanted in this part of the Country, and just as this vast assembly -- the place considered -- were quietly disposed, and preparing themselves to listen most attentively, the distant thunder began to roll and the fertilizing shower to descend -- I looked, that this circumstance would disperse the people, for the gathering of clouds, appearing through the foliage of the thick, and solemn Grove, wore a most portentous aspect, and there was every reason to expect, heavy, and repeated showers -- The Preacher, however arose, and a benevolent smile brightened upon his countenance (--while a handsome Lad, benignity expressed in every feature of his youthful face, held over his head a large umbrella--) and stretching forth his arms to the multitude, thus expressed himself "How seasonable, my beloved friends, is this shower -- from the want of a blessing, it is said we learn to estimate its value -- how expressive then, must this figure now be rendered -- "My doctrine shall descend as the rain, as the fine rain upon the tender grass etc etc["] -- The calmness which apparently possessed the bosom of the Preacher, doubtless produced its proper effect, and not a single person left the Grove. The serious attention, in such a place, and from such a throng, made up of people of all descriptions, and in such circumstances, was indeed surprising -- The clouds soon broke, the azure sky appeared [,] sun beams began to play, and the birds chanted melodiously --
A hymn of praise opened the service, The throne of Grace was addressed -- "Although Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not -- yet doubtless thou art our Father -- Thou art the God of the spirits, whom thou hast breathed into these clay built tenements" -- The book was opened, the text was worded "The Grace of God which bringeth salvation unto all men, hath appeared -- leading us that denying ungodliness, we should live soberly, righteously, and Godly in this present world" [--] In his own animated, energetic, and devout manner, the Preacher proceeded, and every countenance confessed the most solemn attention -- The rustling of the leaves, the singing of the birds, were not heard, or heard only as adding to the beauty of the scene -- During the intermission of the services of the day, scarce a person quitted the romantically enchanting spot -- and the Preacher having stepped aside I listened in enraptured silence, to the various Comments -- Serious investigation was now abroad[,] light seemed more than dawning upon the assembly, and I was particularly happy to hear an old Man, utterly deprived of his natural sight, evince by his remarks, that he clearly saw the things which made for his peace -- One aged black man, in the midst of the discourse, softly exclaimed to a Bystander, "Blessed God -- is there then redemption for a poor slave, as well as for his more happy Master?--" The afternoon service commenced, and the importantly interesting, and divinely affecting subject, was continued -- The multitude augmented, but decency, and Order still presided, and, amid admiring throngs, the day was concluded -- Mr Murray, in appointing a meeting at the Grove for the following sunday, thus expressed himself -- "We will once more assemble in this house of God -- yes, my serious hearers, in this house of God -- For surely one God is every where, surely the Lord is in this place -- He is with us, and will keep us, whither so ever we go -- Jacob journeying to Padanarain, resting on his way, in a place where collected stones formed his pillow -- where the heavens were his canopy, and the earth his Carpet -- yet there counteracted by Jehovah -- He said this is now other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven" -- The scene appeared to me truly august -- The solemnly energetic speaker, the surrounding multitude, moved apparently by one spirit -- the animated, and correct gladness of their souls standing confessed, and swelling every feature [--] For myself, I repeat, I was beyond expression affected -- Tears of transport often trembled in my eye, and I seemed to enjoy a prelibation of that heaven, which is reserved for us -- indeed, language must ever be inadequate to delineate, the sensations of a chaste, and tender Wife, as she takes her seat amid the admiring croud, and hangs with the enlightened multitude, upon the hallowed lips of the revered, and beloved Lord of her wishes -- May the Almighty be grateful -- We had anticipated in this rural spot, a season of repose, but thus we have found rest impossible -- we have every day been reduced to the necessity of accepting the accumulating invitations, which have been pressed upon us, and hardly a leisure hour hath been allowed us -- Even the moments which I devote to my kindred I steal from my pillow, and consequently, they will acknowledge my indifferent writing, entitled to every allowance -- To the family of Mr Mount our first attention was due, and, of course, we have visited them, in their respective dwellings -- With a very hospitable Mr Holms, we have past a pleasant day, and, on wednesday last, the Preacher again held forth the words of life, in a little Village, about five miles from this place -- Thursday, visiting Imley Town, we passed the day in the family of that Mr Imley, whom you once saw, a sufferer in Gloucester -- His Mother is now a widowed Matron -- but she is supported by a numerous, and promising family, no less than six sons, and six daughters -- their situation is rural, and pleasing, a pretty water piece is in view, and Lawns, and interjacent Groves, regale the eye -- we were received with obliging kindness, entertained by some delightful musick, and returned home, admiring the beauties of a most enchanting evening -- Friday, too, was devoted to visiting, we passed the day with a numerous, and respectable family, of dutch extract, by the name of [Covenhaven] -- Their dwelling commands a fine extensive prospect -- they are obliging in their manners, and know how to appreciate that enviable independence, which the Farmer may justly boast [--] The younger part of the family have attained a degree of elegance, not often met in what we name unpolished life, thus minds are in a measure formed, and the whole group exhibit as much native politeness as I have seen -- This day -- Saturday -- we have passed most pleasingly it hath been a white day -- A Gentleman Colonel Cirkbride -- one of the principal characters in Burdentown, had earnestly pressed Mr Murray to visit him, in that Place, and to deliver his message there -- Agreeably to his reitterated request, this day, was appointed for his gratification -- Burdentown is 13 miles from hence, and early in the morning, we commenced our little tour, accompanied by the Mounts, and a Mrs and Miss Edwards, sister, and sister in law to young Mr Mount who are very agreeable Women -- Many natural, and picturesque scenes arrested our attention -- and our eye was frequently attracted by all the beauty of indicious cultivation -- We passed Allentown a handsome Village, upon the right hand which exhibits an Episcopal church, and a neat brick dissenting meeting house, with a smooth Green extended before it, which green, handsomely enclosed, and shaded, contains the Sepulchers of their dead -- We proceeded through Crosswicks, which is also quite compact, and we reached Burdentown, about half past ten -- With Burdentown I am not a little pleased -- We entered a street, in which the dwellings, in regular succession, form a range upon either hand, and are terminated by the Banks of the Delaware, which in this place are verdant, and lofty -- This street is ornamented by a fine growth of trees, which give it an enchanting appearance and it is distinguished by a decent Academy in good repute. Burdentown also exhibits two houses, sacred to publick Worship -- We visited the family from which the Village takes its name, and were charmed with the apparent fortitude, with which its present head, supports accumulated misfortunes -- But it is Colonel Cirkbride, our genius host, who must upon this occasion bear the palm -- His house is an elegant white Mansion, and rises modestly aspiring, and spaciously descriptive of the ample benevolence which designates the bosom of its Master -- The area before the door is neatly flagged, and shaded by a tall row of beautifully flourishing locusts, and weeping willows. on the left of this Area, which is commodiously furnished with seats, is a handsome view of the Delaware, the town of Lamberton, in perspective at which place Congress, once contemplated their permanent residence -- with a number of romantic little Islands, beyond which is stretched the Pennsylvania shore, and upon the right is the street down which we came. We were met at the entrance of the great Hall, by Colonel Cirkbride, who with genuine politeness, and expressions of his sincerest pleasure, leading me in, introduced me to Mrs Cirkbride -- Colonel Cirkbride enjoys a fine old Age -- he is a handsome Man, his countenance is prepossessing, and his figure is commanding -- upon his cheek is the ruddy glow of youth, while his head is ornamented by the silver honours of time -- His Lady is amiable, and hospitably good -- They are opulent, and have no children -- The furniture of the house is answerable to the elegance of the Master's ideas, who is a Man of taste, and of extensive information -- A variety of cool liquors were tendered us, and I had the good fortune, to obtain what I have never before seen, since I left home -- a glass of small beer, served up with precisely such a white cap, as that excellent spruce beverage exhibits with which my Mother regales her friends -- Conducted to the Garden, we walked there until the hour of dining -- The garden is an ample spot, intersected exactly in the middle, by a long smooth gravel walk, leading in a direct course to the verge of the banks of the Delaware, which serve at this extremity, as an inclosure -- The walk is bordered by flowers, shrubery etc etc[,] winding grass walks present, and the garden abounds with every thing useful -- Upon the right of the gravel walk, a romantically enchanting little Arbour arrests the view -- It is formed by a wild vine, whose umbrageous foliage is surprisingly extensive -- seats are fixed in this bower, and it is a delightful recess -- Before us the River -- perhaps one of the finest in the world, winds its course, and it abounds with shad, sturgeons, etc which fish often leap the surface of the water, pursuing their cheerful gambols, to the no small amusement of the spectator, who is seated much at this case in the arbour -- An interjacent Island greets the eye, and the Pennsylvania shore terminates the view -- upon this shore is erected an elegant seat, the property of Colonel Cirkbride, viewing it through a telescope, we were charmed by its appearance, by its Lawns, its meadows, and its intersecting Groves -- Here, with the feast of reason, and the flow of souls, Colonel Cirkbride frequently regales his friends, and, blest with a mind attuned to harmony, a Concert of vocal, and instrumental music often constitutes an essential part of his entertainment -- we left these charming scenes with regret, but dinner being announced, we took our places at the hospitable board -- At two O clock, precisely, the meeting was appointed, and rising from the table we were conducted to a charming retreat, on an extensive Green, upon which rose the friendly shade -- a white awning was judiciously contrived under which awning, a number of seats were arranged, and an elevated stand was erected for the Preacher -- Colonel Cirkbride, as if to evince himself the approving friend, and Patron of the stranger, assiduously assisted in accommodating the hearers -- and when this was accomplished, folding his arms, while a pleasurably kind of solemnity took possession of his features he prepared himself to listen, and with remarkable attention -- The animated Speaker proceeded in his accustomed manner ---- "Our God is a consuming Fire["] -- This was his soul interesting subject -- you have heard him expatiate upon this text, and, he forgot not his usual perspicuous energy, his illustrations were opposite, and striking agreeably to the sacred Oracles, he exhibited the Deity, setting upon the people as a refiner's fire -- he showed Him as having His fan in His hand, thoroughly purging His floor, burning up the Chaft with unquenchable fire, and gathering His wheel into His Garner, he pointed to that symbolic view, where every grain of wheat encircled by its tares, growing together until the Harvest -- when carefully separated, not a single grain is willingly lost, but the tares bound in bundles, are committed to the devouring flames, and lastly he referred to that memorable section of the divine writings, where we are assured that if we build upon the only [foundals] wood, hay, stubble, silver, gold or precious things -- The day shall try every Man's works -- If they abuse he shall challenge the reward -- Nevertheless he himself shall be saved, so as by fire. The Audience was numerous, decent, and respectable -- scarce a breath moved the leaves, and many took seats in the branches of adjacent trees -- Tea was prepared for us at Colonel Cirkbride's, and we returned home with that kind of conscious complacency which must ever result from an idea that we are in the path of duty -- The evening was crowned by the arrival of Mrs R-- who had met Mr Murray at Burlington, who had been necessitated to depart home, and of whom we had began to despair [--] she was accompanied by her daughter, a young woman of a prepossessing appearance but I ought first to have observed that Mrs R-- was one of Mr Murray's earliest adherents in America, that she hath continued steadfast and unwavering, and that she is a good, and respectable character -- Tomorrow meeting is appointed at the Grove, and on Monday we expect to leave this place -- At New York you will hear from us again -- If my brother Fitz William be arrived assure him that our hearts affections are his -- to our dear Anna, we offer tender love, and I wish you to embrace for me, the little stranger, who doubtless, e'er this, makes a part of your family -- It will be insensible of the endearment, nevertheless it hath brought into the World with it, a title to my affection, and I assure you on my return, I will not resign this privilege to another -- God bless you all -- we beseech you to know us for the sincerest, and most respectful of your friends ------