MR. ELLIS PUGH. PHILADELPHIA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

An account of ELLIS PUGH, extracted from a testimony from Gwynedd Monthly-Meeting concerning him, and also from a short sum|mary of his life, both of which are prefixed to a book he wrote, called A salutation to the Britons, etc.

ELLIS PUGH was born in the parish of Dolgelly, in the county of Merioneth, and dominion of Wales, in the sixth month 1656. His parents were religious people; but his father died before he was born, and his mother a few days after. In the days of his youth, when going with the multitude into folly, it pleased God by his judgment, to stand in his way, and caused him to consider the things that belonged to his soul's everlasting peace.

And in the eighteenth year of his age, the Lord visited him more eminently, kindling a zeal in him to serve his Creator more diligently; having been also reached by the testimony of John-ap-John, one of the people called Quakers.

God who promised to be a father to the fatherless, took care of him; and about the year 1680, gave him a part in the ministry of the gospel of Christ, (notwithstanding he was not one of the wise of this world, nor had human learning) yet he was made a profitable instrument to turn divers from vanity, and to exhort and strengthen many in their spiritual journey, in his native land, and also in this country where he finished his course.

In the year 1686, he and his family, with divers of his acquaintance prepared to come over to Pennsylvania, and whilst they waited for the ship to be ready, there came great trouble and exercise upon him, so that he was sick for some days; in which strait the Lord shewed him, that they should meet with troubles and exercises in their way, and that he had a work for him in that country, and must return again to his native land. After they sailed, they met with storms, straits and troubles; and having been upon the tempestuous sea all winter, they arrived at Barbados, where they were joyfully and lovingly received by their friends, and the summer following, in the year 1687, they arrived in Pennsylvania; where this our friend was a serviceable instrument in the Lord's hand, to cherish and instruct us, in meekness and tenderness, to obey that which God made known unto us of his will, and to follow and understand the operation of his spirit, discovering to us the snares of the enemy of our souls.

His pious labours (among others that were fitted for the same service) have been profitable in directing and edifying us in the way of truth; for by the tenderness and influence which came as dew upon our souls while we sat under his ministry, we believed his doctrine was of God.

In the year 1706 he was engaged to visit the inhabitants of his native country, ac|cording to what the Lord revealed unto him before he came from thence; which service he performed to the benefit and acceptance of many, and returned to his family in 1708. After he came home, three of his children, in the flower of their age, who from their youth walked orderly and were hopeful, died within one month; in the time of which trial the Lord was near unto him; he mourned not as one without hope. Strength was given him to bear his affliction. He said in a public meeting "If he could bear his affliction acceptably in the sight of God, it would be as marrow to his bones:" Which testimony, amongst several other things, was to the edification and comfort of the hearers.

His residence was then nearer to us than before, which render'd his life and conversation more conspicuous, and his fellowship more known unto us. His ministry was living, profitable and to edification. He was of a meek and quiet spirit, considerate and solid in his judgment, of few words, honest and careful in his calling; and several were induced to speak of the benefit they received by his chaste conversation, and his loving and comfortable expressions while he was amongst them in their families.

He was honourable among his friends and of good report among all people generally, therefore his memory will not soon wear out.

He was in a declining state of bodily health about a year and three months before his decease, so that he was not well able to follow his calling; but his candle shined brighter, as may be seen by perusing his treatise, called A salutation to the Britains; which he wrote in his own language, in the time of his long sickness, when his view was towards that which pertains to eternity, more especially to those, or for the sake of those to whom the salutation of his life reached over sea and land, for the encouragement and instruction of them that were seeking the way to Sion, the New Jerusalem, the city of the Great King, whose walls and bulwarks are salvation.

The last meeting he was at among us, he was weak in body, but fervent in spirit, as one taking his last leave in a great deal of love and tenderness, saying, that the Lord granted him his desire to come and visit us once more; putting us in mind to live in love and unity, and to keep out from amongst us as much as we could, all strife and discord; and when any thing appeared which had a tendency thereunto, that hands should be laid without delay to end it, and that none should depend upon his own hand, eye, or balance in judgment. He was fitted to counsel others, because his life and conversation was answerable to his testimony; amongst his family tender and careful to counsel them 〈…〉 in the fear of God.

We looked upon him as one who had finished his work, that the time of his dissolution drew nigh: And that he might say in the words of Paul, according to his measure, I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous judge shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Being patient in his tedious indisposition, and contented to wait the Lord's time; he slept with his fathers on the 3d day of the tenth month 1718, in favour with God.

A collection of memorials of the people called Quakers, in Pennsylvania.