Advancing Years

THE account of our father’s Mission School has been
- carried down to its close in order to present a
continuous narrative. We must now, therefore, go back
some years.

In 1864, a change was made in the summer home of our parents. We children had begun to think that we would like a variety from the sea-side house, and winning our mother over to our views, we persuaded our ever indulgent father to sell the house at Atlantic City, and purchase a place called “The Cedars,” situated in New Jersey, about six miles from Philadelphia, and about one mile from “Linden,” the home of our sister Sarah and her family. Our father always looked upon this place with peculiar interest, because he believed he was peculiarly guided in the purchase of it. As his custom was, he asked the Lord to direct him in the matter, and was answered, he believed, by an impression that if he could obtain the property for a certain specified sum of money, he might safely buy it. This sum was less than the owner of the property declared was the least he would take, and we 272 all tried to move our father from his position. But believing he had heard the Lord’s voice in the matter, he was immovable, and in a very little while the owner agreed to his terms. “The Cedars” was from this time the summer home of our parents until our father’s death, and the summer resort of childrei and grandchildren in large parties for weeks at a time. A bowling alley on the lawn was altered into a little cottage for the accommodation of the children. Our father named it “The Barracks,” and there my sister Mary and I spent many happy summers of free and easy housekeeping together. It was a great delight to us all to gather thus every summer at the home of our beloved parents; and “to go to the Cedars,” became the crowning point in the year to the grand-children, as one after another grew old enough to enjoy it. The place contained over one hundred acres, besides the house and private grounds, and was a genuine Jersey farm, with its orchard, and watermelon patch, and hay fields, and corn-fields, with cows to milk, and horses to ride to pasture, and farm wagons starting off to market at two o’clock in the night, and all the untold delights of farm life, which were ever fresh pleasures to children from the city. There was a beautiful piece of woods down at the end of a shady lane, with a stream running through it, and two ponds large enough to sail a boat on; and there were endless joys to be found in the daily drives to the village of Haddonfield, about a mile and a half off, to get the mail, and to do the family errands. Then there were the unfailing love and kindness of

grandpa and grandma in the large, airy house, and the supply of good tilings in grandma’s pantry that seemed almost as unfailing as her love. So inseparably was the thought of “The Cedars” connected with the thought of something good to eat, that the very name would seem to call up a smile of satisfaction, and I remember once when I was driving with my children along the road towards the dear old place, on our way to make a visit of several weeks, my Mary, catching a sight of the house-top through the trees, exclaimed, “Oh, mamma, it looks very cakey T I do not believe there were ever happier children anywhere, than roamed the lawn, and woods, and fields of “The Cedars” during all those lovely family summers. The meeting together of the cousins from all their various homes was of itself most delightful, and the sources of enjoyment in boating, swimming, blackberry ing, riding on horseback, driving, climbing trees, building dams, paddling, going to the mill, and pic-nicking in the woods, were almost endless. Our dear father especially enjoyed it all, and always felt that it was a most successful purchase, although he never found it very profitable in a pecuniary point of view. The farm was a source of almost constant outlay, but upon each fresh evidence of this he would console himself with a joke he had greatly enjoyed out of a magazine article on the deceitfulness of farming as a money-making business. “Ah, but then,” he would say, with a quizzical look — “you know it is such a very productif farm?”

In one of his letters he says concerning it:

‘’ My having a farm, is like the man who had an elephant given to liirn, and did not know what to do with it. Only I have leased mine to a good farmer, who is to give me half of the produce. James says it will take all the profits of my glass business to pay my farm losses! Hope he may be mistaken.”

After a few years lie bought another house at Atlantic City for an additional summer retreat, and in this house, called ‘’ Idlemere,” he died. He thought, I believe, quite as much of providing for his daughters and their families in summer, as he did for our mother and himself, and two or three times offered to buy us a house at the Water Gap or at Newport, if we would all agree in saying we wanted one. I cannot imagine how a father could be lovelier to his married daughters than our father was to us.

In the early part of the year in which “The Cedars” was bought, Minnie, the eldest little grand-daughter in Baltimore, met with a most distressing accident. Her dress caught fire at the stove, and in her efforts to put out the flames without alarming her mother, she was terribly burned. A long and distressing illness followed, and even after the immediate danger had passed, her recovery was so slow that it was eight months before she was able to stand.

The tenderest feelings of the dear grandfather were drawn out for the little suffering girl, who had spent several summers at Atlantic City, the brightest, merriest spirit of the house. A peculiar intimacy had existed between the grandfather and grandchild, and he used to say he could not resist ber winning ways from the time when she first began to walk alone, and would slip her hand into his, and, looking up into his face with a coaxing smile, would say, “Is oo going down to dee beach, ganpa?” and would lead him oiT in triumph. The little grand-daughter always felt that grandpa belonged to her, and would draw her footstool close to his knee during the meetings held in the parlor at Atlantic City, and help grandpa have a good meeting by driving the flies off his feet, which were exposed to their attacks by his low shoes and thin stockings. The many months during which this dear grandchild suifered from the burn were marked by constant acts of the loving solicitude of the dear grandparents. Letters, presents and sympathizing visits told of the tenderest affection; and when at last the little sick girl was brought on to the Cedars, on a crib mattress laid in a basket, and finally got strong enough to hold the reins and drive grandpa’s black horses herself, no one rejoiced more than the dear grandfather. His enjoyment of his grandchildren was a delightful feature in his character. “The more the merrier,” he would always say, and would gather so many around him, that his capacious houses at the Cedars could scarcely hold them.

The following letter was written to the sufferer before she was able to go to ‘’ The Cedars “:

“Philadelphia, ith month, 26th, 1864.

My Pkecious Darling Minnie: Thou art very often in my thoughts, and my heart yearns over thee in thy sufierings and the many tedious hours thou hast to pass lying in one position on thy bed, and gladly would I share the sufferings with thee if I could. Our hearts often go out in prayer on thy behalf to our kind and merciful Saviour, that He will give thee patience, and enable thee to bear the pains and weariness incident to thy condition. Precious child, look up th^self with hope and trust to the Lord Jesus, who died for thee and for us all; ask Him to pity and help thee, give thee grace to bear all thy trials, and, when it pleases Him, make thee well again. He can do it. He did bring to life a little girl that was dead, very much to the joy of her parents and friends. Now darling, ask the dear, compafisionate Shepherd to pity thee, and help thee to bear all His will, and to make thee well. Oh, how we should rejoice to have thee well again, running about and cheering us with thy happy face. Grandmother and self were at ‘The Cedars ’ to-day. We want thy dear father and mother to bring thee on there; a change of air would do thee good, and thy dear mother also. We hope to get moved next week — are cleaning up — have engaged cottage furniture, matting, &c.

“Now, farewell, precious darling. May our Heavenly Father bless thee and keep thee; make thee like His dear Son Jesus, patient, gentle, mild, and willing to bear all His will. And may He, if consistent with His holy will, make thee well, is the earnest prayer of thy affectionate grandfatier, John M. Whitall.

‘’Love to father, mother, aunt Julia, John, Henry and Bond.”

The same year, our father, believing he had accumulated as much money as was right, and feeling that the wear and tear of business was likely to tell seriously upon his nerves, concluded to retire, and records it as follows, two years afterwards: —

“1st month, 1865, found me a free man from all mercantile pursuits, and now, two and a half years having since passed, I can acknowledge that no school-boy ever more enjoyed his vacation than I have my release from what for twenty-seven years in the glass manufacture had closely occupied my mind; and now, 7th month, 14th, 1867, I would humbly and reverently return to the Lord ray God the thanks and praises that are His due. Who can recount His many tender mercies to those who love and trust Him!”

This release from business left him at liberty to enter more actively into different public works. In 1851 lie had been elected a manager of the Pennsylvania Hospital, which position he held until 1867, when he resigned it on account of other important duties occup3ang his time. In 1861 he was appointed by the Judges of the District Court a Guardian of the Poor for Philadelphia, for three years, which appointment was renewed in 1864 and 1867, and on the 19th of 8th month, 1867, he was elected President of the Board of Guardians, which responsible position so fully occupied his time for many years, that he was obliged to resign from the Pennsylvania Hospital. This he did with many regrets, as he had greatly enjoyed the association of over sixteen years duration with the managers of this institution, who were all gentlemen of high character; and he records with great pleasure that during all the sixteen years of their working together, there had not occurred the least shade of difference unpleasant in its nature.

In 1866 his old friend. Dr. David Jayne, died and loft him one of five Executors and Trustees to a large estate. This trust he fulfilled most faithfully up to the time of his being laid aside from active work, going down to the Executors’ office daily. It was a source of great interest to him, and in connection with his position as Pi’esident of the Board of Guardians and his large adult First Day school, and the various meeting interests that came to him as overseer of Twelfth Street Meeting, &c., occupied his time very fully and pleasantly. He also during the next few years wrote several tracts on the subject of the true Christian life, and especially on the interior life of Divine union, which was alway,s his best-loved theme, because it was his own deep heart-experience. These tracts are all in the Appendix. I remember vividly the deep interest he took in writing these tracts, and the peaceful delight he had in them after they were printed. For he felt that the Lord had called him to the work, and that they were in His hands to be used by Him as He pleased. He would sometimes hear of good having been done by them, and this always gave him great

joy-Some further extracts from the letters written during

these years will be interesting.

“Philadelphia, 6th month, 14, 1863.

‘’Dearest Sally: — Mother started to Atlantic this A- m., taking Henry and two girls. I have business which keeps me till to-morrow, p. M.

“The prospect of cool sea breezes looks pleasant, and we hope soon to have thee and thine to enjoy it with us.

“Cousin S. T. H. and baby are bright and well this morning — dear mother leaving with a much easier mind now the matter is over, and if we were not such poor unworthy creatures, shouhl call it a particular Providence, happening just as it did. We have many favors to be thankful for, and sometimes fears attend lest we are not enough grateful; we should be poor lost worms but for the mercy of our God who sent His dear (Son to make a way for us to return to Himself. In fact He came Himself, for the Apostle says, ‘God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself Therefore we have strong confidence when we pray for mercy and for the pardon of our sins for the sake of Jesus that we shall be heard. Oh! the mercy and goodness of God! Let us all be in earnest to draw nigh to Him daily and He will surely draw nigh to us.

“With dear love to all, I am thy affectionate father,

J. M. WlIITALL.”

“Sd Month, i, 18G5.

‘’Dearest: — It is no use to order a slim dinner, for the uncertainties of this world make such an undertaking very hazardous. (Jliarlotte set the dinner table for two, but only six sat down! But we had plenty. * * * * Sally Hilles returned from Linden, and reports ‘Wildfire ’ awake from ten to two. William had charge of her. She would not go to sleep, wants whacking! I was in hopes Hannah would come up this week and bring ‘Um tweet,’ that she and Sally might compare babies. Yesterday morning Saidee was noticed on her knees with her hand over her eyes. Sarah asked her what she was doing, and she replied, ‘Praying for some cake.’ Her Aunt M. sent her some out that same afternoon without knowing of her prayer. * * )•! “We have so kind and good a Father in Heaven who knows us all and our needs, that we may all trust nnd love Him, and to the best of our poor abilities serve Him. Oli if we will but draw nigh to Him in spirit, breathe after Him, and tell Him we want to love Him more and serve Him better, He will for the sake of His beloved Son hear us, and lift up the light of His countenance upon us; and we shall run the race set before us with alacrity, and enjoy a peace and assurance which no man can interfere with, neither can take away. In the various difficulties which we meet with, there is no comfort comparable to the love of the Saviour. Let us think of Him as present with us, and turn our thoughts upon Him, and although we see Him not, He is certainly with us according to His blessed promise, ‘Lo, I am with you always even unto the end of the world.’ He lias promised to manifest Himself to us, let us then wait upon Him, and look for and expect this manifestation.’”

“Atlantic City, Sth Month, 21, 1866.

“Sweetest Wife in all the Land : — Am still enjoying my release from the cares of business. Hope we are grateful to our merciful Heavenly Father for all of His many and continued favors; one of the most touching is that He has provided for us, darling, in our old age, with sufficient of this world’s goods, so that we are not obliged to struggle for a living. May we with humble hearts render to Him the tribute of thanksgiving and praise, unworthy t hough we be.

‘* Do tell the doctor of the success of our efforts under the blessing of Providence in stopping the spread of cholera in the different wards of the Alms-house by building tires to improve the ventilation. We now have heat for two hours every day in every part of that large establishment. And we have proved beyond a doubt that ventilation from the ceiling will not remove the cause of cholera, but that ventilation from iQ floor will certainly mitigate or entirely remove it, as we proved in the lunatic department, where when thou left we were continually having cases. I found last sixth day that there was no ventilation from the floor there, but only from the ceiling. On seventh day the ventilation from the ceiling was altered to the floor, when at once the cases of cholera ceased. There were no cases reported this morning.

Hannah wants to add zest to this poor epistle, so with love to the dearest woman and most precious wife, and all hands besides,

I am thine, J. M. W.”

The subject of ventilation referred to in this letter was one of deep interest to our father. In the prosecution of his duties as President of the Board of Guardians, he watched over all the details of the management of the Almshouse, and was thus led to devote a great deal of attention to the important subject of ventilation. He discovered by a series of practical experiments extending over several years, that impure air being heavier than pure air, always falls to the floor, and that therefore the flues to draw it away must be opened, not at the ceiling, but at the floor. He found that in all epidemics the wards which were ventilated thus from the floor would be free of disease, while those ventilated from the ceiling would suffer greatly from its ravages. I remember in one instance he told us of a very striking proof of this theory, which it seemed to me placed its truth beyond a shadow of doubt. During the prevalence of the cholera there was one ward in which the ventilation was through several pipe-holes at a distance of about three feet from the floor. There were beds about the same height in this ward, and also some trundle beds which were of course onlv about one foot from the floor. The inmates who slept in the beds on a level with the ventilation all without exception escaped the disease, while those in the trundle beds, below the ventilation, were all attacked with it. Our father as soon as practicable had holes knocked into the chimneys close to the floor, and from that time there was no more sickness. He found also that after changing the ventilation in the nurseries, the health of the children was greatly improved.

The following history of this work was prepared by an officer of the Almshouse, and I insert it because our father always felt that this discovery of the true theory of ventilation was one of the most important and interesting events of his life, and because his grandchildren cannot fail to value the story of his success in the matter.

“Jno. M. AViiitall, Esq., President of (he Board of the Guardians of the Poor — Honored /Sir: — Knowing the interest you take, and the active part you have taken in the introduction of the present system of ventilation in this institution, and also that through your instrumentality the same has reached its present perfection — conferring untold blessings, not alone on the inmates of this institution, but also of kindred institutions, who have adopted your method of ventilation since, I thought you would like to have a resume of the history and its results since its adaptation up to the present date.

“In 186*2, a Committee on Heating and Ventilation was appointed to improve, if practicable, the Heating and Ventilation of the Uospital and of the Insane Department of the Almshouse — consisting of Messrs. Jno. M. Whitall, Henry Haines, and Samuel Fields. In 1865, the following report in reference to Veniilation was made to the Board by this Committee.

“When your Committee was appointed, all parts of the Almshouse were imperfectly ventilated, the Insane and Hospital Departments by connections with a large chimney in each, but which we found nearly or quite useless for the purposes intended, and the alterations necessary to be made in removing the boilers from the buildings required the plan of ventilation to be entirely changed; in other departments there was no ventilation except by the door or windows, with the exception of an occasional fire-place in some of the wards.

“As the warm air was introduced into the difierent apartments by our improvements, an independent flue for ventilation wa-s erected in each, extending through the roof, and thus the egress of foul air could not be interfered with by connection with other wards. This has been found to be a very important condition. In the flues in the Hospital, openings near the ceilings and near the floor were made with a register in each. In using them, it was discovered, that if the floor openings were closed, and the ceiling register opened, the wards became foul and the temperature lower. On the contrary, by closing the apertures near the ceiling and opening the registers near the floor, the thermometer at once indicated increased warmth, and the wards were directly cleared of all offensive odor. This experiment having been fully tested, and always with the same results, the use of the upper ventilator was entirely dist)ensed with. In all other parts of the Almshouse the same general plan has been followed. In those wards, which are heated by direct radiation from steam-pipes or stoves, openings near the floor have been made into flues extending through the roof, so that the Nurseries, Out-wards, etc., are at all times free from any unpleasant effluvium.

“In the ‘Journal of the Franklin Institute,’ January Number, 1867, the following appears — a result of Professor Morton’s visit to the Hospital:

“We there see, that the ventilation being secured by special flues, opening from the lower part of the various rooms, and in each case independent, all ofTeuBive odor is avoided, the average health of the inmatea decidedly improved, and in the case of the cholera, and fever, a marked check was given to the spread of the disease, and a speedy recovery eifected in those attacked.

“The philosophy of this method and its relative efficiency is, we think, easily explained. The warm air driven into the rooms by the heating apparatus, is, of course, pure; it equally, of course, rises on entering the apartment, and fills its upper portion. If it be there allowed to escape by a ventilator near the ceiling, it passes out again without having much effect upon the mass of air in the room, which remains stagnant, unchanged, and becomes, by the use of the inmates, very impure. If, however, the only outlet be at the floor, it is the impure colder air, which’has been longest in the room, which goes out, the fi”esh, warm air gradually taking its place, and thus a regular and complete displacement and circulation is effected, by which means a warmer temperature is secured with an equal supply of hot air, and the variolis advantages already enumerated are obtained.

‘’ Dr. E. M. Girvin in his Medical Report of 1867 says:” The success of this improvement is so marked, that it threatens to revolutionize the preconceived idea of ventilation, and date a new era in this most important subject. Certain it is, that at no previous date was the Hospital in such perfect condition as at present.

“The Cholera Made its first appearance July 26th, 1866. The total number of patients treated were 104; the number of deaths, 71; and number of recoveries, 33 — giving an average of 68.26 as the per centage of mortality. Of the above number of cases only 12 cases originated in the Hospital proper; 12 in the Men’s Out-wards, and not a single case in the Children’s Asylum or Women’s Out-wards; 42 cases originated in the Insane Department; and 38 were brought from the street.

“That we should have enjoyed such immunity from the ravages of this terrible disease, is clearly ascribable to the excellent hygienic condition of the Hospital, which condition was induced not only by the most rigid attention to cleanliness, but by the daily introduction for two hours of heat. First, as the great means of ventilation, and second, to break up, if possible, any atmospheric influence tending to generate disease.

“Typhoid and Typhus Fever Visited the House as an epidemic in 1868. 41 typhoid and 64 typhus fever cases were treated, and of the above number 4 died of typhoid and 21 died of typhus fever; giving an average of 23.79 as the per centage of mortality.

“Erysipelas, The terror of all Surgeons, has gradually disappeared from the Hos-I)ital Records, and will soon be, as far as this institution is concerned, a thing of the past. Prior to the present mode of heating and ventilating the different Wards, every winter found the Surgical Wards crowded with cases of Erysipelas. No operation could be performed without being followed by Erysipelas — and in most cases proved in consequence fatal. How different a state of affairs exists now. No cases of Erysipelas have originated in the wards for the past five years, with the exception of two cases in the Women’s Surgical, and one case in the Men’s Surgical. All patients suffering from Erysipelas; — admitted with the disease — readily recover; the disease not spreading as of old.

“The same may be said of Hospital Gangrene.

‘’ Are not these results gratifying? A member of the Medical Staff at the close of his lectures before the class of 1869, said: —

“The efficiency of our present system of ventilation is established beyond cavil, and with the improvement in the sewerage, during the year, has added much to the healthfulness and comfort of the House.

‘’ During the year 1870, the Hospital was taxed to its utmost by the epidemic of relapsing fever — during the year 458 persons were treated; 63 died, and given as the average per centage of mortality, 13|.

“Small Pox had become epidemic throughout the length and breadth of the city of Philadelphia, in the early part of the autumn of 1871. The first case of Small Pox made its appearance on the 18th of October, on a patient, four days after he had been out on liberty, and up to the present day we have had 99 cases of Small-Pox, of which number only eleven are to be credited to the House, whereas, the rest (88) came from the city, already suffering from the disease. What better testimony do we need to establish the immense benefits we derive from our present system of heating and ventilating, and what feelings of pleasure does it create within you, to know, that all this was accomplished through your energy and under your instruction and direction.

“Sincerely thanking you for the many words of encouragement you have, from time to time, bestowed upon me, I shall endeavor, in the future, as in the past, to deserve the confidence placed in me by my superiors.

“I have the honor to remain yours, very respectfully,

Fred. Johnson.

Hay 1th, 1872.”

Besides attending very carefully to the temporal interests of the Alms House, our father was deeply interested in the spiritual welfare of the inmates, and spent a great deal of time visiting them in their wards, and trying to give them help and comfort.

We are very sorry no records have been preserved of this part of his work, except in one instance. In a book published in Philadelphia in 1873, called “Sparks Among the Ashes,” there occurs the following account of a case, in which his ministrations were used by the Lord to help a soul out of darkness into the light:

“For long months of wearisome pain and anguish, an aged colored woman sometimes sat, but more frequently lay, in a bed in one of the surgical wards of the Alms House. * * * jjgj. afflictions were intense; her bodily suffering being nnich increased by the sense of guilt which oppressed her soul. The president of the Board of Guardians, John M. Whitall, who.se noble heart has long been enlisted in the cause of Christian charity, came into the ward to see and sympathize with this sufferer. He soon learned that she was in deep concern about her spiritual condition; he told her the simple story of the cross, and instructed her in the way of .salvalion by faith in the blessed Jesus. While he thus pointed her to the Lamb of God, her whole soul seemed to be filled with the love of Christ, and her hope became aa clear as the morning. She rejoiced in the assurance of pardon, and her peace was perfect.

“A few days after her conversion, I found this man of God, who had been the happy instrument of her salvation, again sitting at her bedside, speaking words of comfort to her, to cheer her in her deep afflictions. She was in the most excruciating agony of body, but her soul was happy in the love of Christ. While some of us around her bed sang, ‘There is rest for the weary,’ and other words of sacred song, she gave evidence of a triumphant hope in Him who ‘hath power on earth to forgive sins,’ and whose blood cleanseth from all unrighteousness.

After commending the dying woman to my special care, Mr. Whitall bade Mary a final farewell, saying to her, ‘When we next meet, it will be before the throne.’ Will not this woman be a star in the crown of him who led her to Jesus? And will they not both be jewels in the glorious crown of Him who is ‘King of kings and Lord of Lords.’”

The last entry in our father’s diary was made on 4th
month, 27th, 1867, and was as follows:

‘’Many years have been added to those gone before since this poor journal has been written in; but during all this time many blessings and mercies have been mine from the all-bountiful Hand. The Lord has been pleased to bless my poor efforts to accumulate sufficient of this world’s treasure, so that we can live comfortably without my following any mercantile business, which is felt to be a rich blessing indeed, and calls for humble gratitude of soul to our kind Heavenly Father; and I desire at this time to record my earnest longings that the tribute of gratitude and praise be ofl’ered by me and be acceptable to God our Saviour for all His continued mercies and blessings, of which I feel myself entirely unworthy.’”

‘’To A Friend: — In relation to a more inward acquaintance with our Heavenly Father, I find it my place to call the attention of my friends to the fact that if we draw nigh to God He will draw nigh to us, and that what may be known of Him to us individually is revealed within, and that there we are to look for and know the

Lord for ourselves, and then shall we have bread in our own Iionses and shall understand the meaning of our Lord, ‘The kingdom of God Cometh not with observation, neither shall ye say, Lo here! or Lo there! for the kingdom of God is within you.’”

“Philadelphia, 2d Month, 15, 1867.

‘’ My Dearest: — Thine of yesterday at hand, telling us that dear Mary was better, for which we are thankful, and hope and trust she may soon be relieved from her trouble; but in this life we must expect trouble according to the legacy of our dear Lord, ‘In this world ye shall have tribulation,’ and He also mercifully adds, ’ but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.’ This is a blessed thought, and ought to comfort us in all our anxious fears and cares. We are assured that in all our afflictions He is afflicted, and the Angel of His presence saves us. Let us then trust in the mercy and love of our Heavenly Father who so loved the world as to take Hesh and die for our sins, and may we seek after a daily knowing that our sins are indeed pardoned for the sake of Jesus.

“Oh, it is the privilege of the humble believer to feel all this and to walk among men attending to the duties of life, meanwhile having no fear of death, come when it may. Is not this a glorious experience? And yet the child of God may know it, live in it, walk in it, having no confidence in self, only in the love, grace, and mercy of our God.

“About forty at C. Yarnall’s last evening, who had excellent service. It interested us all very much; it certainly was a success. Dearest love to darling Pollys both, and the residue, from thy aflectionate husband, J- M. ^^.”

In the year 1868, our cousin Alice 0. Wliitall, the youngest child of our uncle Franklin, died of consumption, after an illness of over a year. Several of his letters refer to this.

“Philadelphia, 5ih Month, 1, 18GS.

“My Beloved Brother: — We often think and talk about you, and if you lived within reach without troubling you, should frequently call to see dear Cousin Alice. Our daughters had a sweet visit last week, and were rejoiced at having paid it. Please give her our dear love. She is, I suppose, nearing her heavenly home under the care of the Good Shepherd, who will never leave nor forsake the sheep and lambs of His fold. And although she may not at all times be sensible of His loving presence, yet His faithful promise stands, ‘Lo I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.’

“In love and sympathy I am thy affectionate brother,

“J. M. Whitall.”

A day or two after writing this letter our father went to “Tsweedelle,” the name of his brother’s home, near JSTorristown, and our cousin Carrie thus records this visit:

“Shortly before dear Alice’s death Uncle John came and spent several hours with her, and I remember after he left she said ‘Dear uncle’s visit has done me so much good. It was a real spiritual tonic, just what I needed. Heaven sometimes seems shadowy and distant, but when dear Uncle John sat there talking about it and about my going there, just as naturally and joyously as if I was only going to Europe, and was rather to be envied than to be mourned over or pitied, it made my heart bound with joyful anticipation.’”

Her going Home took pLace on 5th mo., 6th, 18G8, and on the 7th our father wrote to her parents as follows:

“Dear Brother and Sister: — My heart truly sympathizes with you all in the los-i of dear, sweet cousin Alice. Our loss, but her eternal gain. Oh, what a dear Heavenly Father we have to give us an unfailing evidence that He has taken our beloved ones to His own presence and joys. What more can we ask, excepting the grace to love Him more and serve Him better. Ah, ‘He so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth 19 on Him shoiikl not perish but have everlasting life.’ Our precious Alice believed on Him and is saved. Let us, if our faith is weak, ask of the Lord to increase it. If we are in earnest. He will hear our feeble prayers and help us. Our hearts are drawn out in dear love to you all — father, mother, and beloved sisters.” With dearest love, your affectionate brother,

“J. M. W.”

The life of this beloved cousin was written by her sister Carrie and her cousin S. W. ‘N., and published in this country and in England, under the title of “On the Pbock,” and has been much blessed of the Lord.

The next letter I shall insert was one so characteristic of our dear father, with its mixture of earnest religious thought and natural gleams of humor, that I shall copy it entire. It was written to our mother who was at Baltimore.

“The Cedars, Gth month, ISth, 1868.

“Dearest: — Sally, Bess, Madge, and Walter met me at Cuthbert’s, and tea’d with me; William too busy; all well here. Anderson bought us thirty nice shad. Strawberries for tea and good. The girls, Walter, and self go to meeting in Philadelphia to-morrow, nothing preventing.

“Dr. Shoemaker, E. P. Gurney’s brother-in-law, died on the 11th, I think. Have not heard from her nephew. James and family come to Cedars next 5th day, not 7th, it will suit them better; so don’t fail to be here to receive them. Is it not nice here? tell the chits to come and see. First-day morning, bright and clear, after a royal night under the protecting care of our loving Heavenly Father, who, if we approach Him with humble hearts, will lift up the light of His countenance upon us, which if we are favored with, is better than all earthly treasures. Oh, the joy and peace in believing in, seeking after, waiting for, and enjoying the internal revelations of our God. It is the path of safety, of peace, of holiness, for, if our Father reveals Himself to us, what more can we ask. In His Pre.sence is fulness of joy. Let us then, beloved, be in earnest, be diligent, be watchful. If in these things we are faithful, we shall never fail. ‘For the youths shall fiiint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but they that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.’

“You may say, why waste paper telling us what we already so well know, and filling a sheet too with Scripture!! Better stop and tell us how things are at the Cedars. Walter went home 4th day night and came back 7th day, time enough to meet me. When the cat’s away, the mice will play. Carrie at my suggestion found the gold studs. I like the collar rig vastly, it is like getting into jDort after a long and tedious voyage. The fact is I have been at sea about shirt collars as long as the childi-en of Israel were in the wilderness! On the other page is Whitall’s work last evening. Minnie may look at it and excel it too. Lots of love to all hands. If thou sees dear Margaret Cheston, give her my warm love; tell her not to be discouraged but trust in the Lord, who has cared for her all her life long and He will not now forsake her, but will, as she draws nigh to Him, as I have no doubt she often does, open to her view joys unspeakable and full of glory.

Farewell, thy afTectionate, J. M. W.”

During the spring and summer of 18G8, he passed through great trial on account of his eyes. He entirely lost the sight of one, and was imminently threatened with the loss of the other. To a man of his active temperament, and at that time vigorous physique, the prospect of blindness must have been almost appalling. Yet he was never heard to utter one word of regret or complaint, and even when inconveniences and sometimes accidents came suddenly upon him in consequence of his imperfect sight, his spirit never seemed to be the least disturbed. He could not measure distances accurately, and would put out his hand to grasp an object, and find he was quite far from it, and once or twice he thought he was putting a pitcher of water on the table, and instead, just approached the edge, and the pitcher fell to the floor. Many other inconveniences resulted also, but he took all these things most serenely and patiently, with a sweet acquiescence in the will of his Heavenly Father, that was a truly touching example to his children. He thus refers to the subject in a letter to his brother Franklin, which he dictated to his son:

“The Cedars;’ 7th month, 20th, 1868.

“My Beloved Brother: — It has been long since I have seen thee or had any communication with thee — too long to satisfy the feelings of love and interest which I have toward thee and thine. Since the loss of our beloved Alice, I have often visited you in thought, and should certainly have been up to see you, but my own infirmities have prevented my going in that direction, being obliged to visit Baltimore several times recently to consult an oculist in regard to my failing sight; and I am sorry to say without much apparent benefit as yet; though I am in hopes of a happy result. In consequence of the weakness of my eyes, 1 have been obliged to cease reading and writing altogether; but of what consequence is all this, provided, as my outward man faileth, my inward man is renewed day by day: which I am sure will be the case, if only diligent in seeking after and waiting upon the Lord. What a happy thing it is that we are not left in this world without an assurance that if we do our duty, the Lord will not be slack on His part to fulfil His promise, that they that seek shall find.

“With near and dear affection to sister Alice and thyself, and j’our children and grand-children, and hoping to have a visit from you some time when it will suit you, I am thy affectionate brother,

J. M. Whitall.”

We were all, of course, deeply concerned about the prospect of his blindness, and as the attentions of the Baltimore physician did not seem likely to be successful, no resource was left us but to carry our trouble to the same Burden Bearer whom he had always taught us to trust. His daughter Sarah especially felt the necessity for this, and her heart was greatly drawn out in prayer almost continuously for several days. She finally received an assurance, as she believed from the Lord, that the disease would be arrested, and she very soon had the joy of finding that it was so, and that one eye in fact had quite recovered its sight. He was able to use this eye until his health failed in 1874, with but little inconvenience; and very few who saw him so busily engaged in active pursuits, and so diligently reading his Bible and other books, would have suspected that he had but half the power of sight natural to man. Hio writing was as clear and firm as that of many a much younger man, and his vigor in every respect, up to the time of his first stroke of paralysis in the summer of 1874, was remarkable. We often used to say that our father was the youngest man in the family, and his very coming into our circle, I remember, would seem to bring with it an infusion of healthy, vigorous life, that made us all feel younger and more energetic. It was hard to believe that he was as old as the fast-ageing century, and that he had reached and was passing by the allotted three score years and ten, when the failure of the bodily powers is generally so sure to come.

In 1870, the fortieth anniversary of our parents’
happy married life was commemorated by the following poem, addressed to them by a cousin in Burlington,
New Jersey, who happened to dine with them on that
day in company with several members of the family.

TO CAPT. JOHN M. WHITALL,

On the Fortieth Anniversary of his ‘Wedding- Day.

‘T is forty years this day, and it don’t seem long to me That a noble, frank sea-captain was suited to a T. And for better and for best, (for he found no worse about it,) He chose his Mate, a virtuous crown, with love and faith undoubted. Experience on the treacherous deep had made our Captain wary. And with right Catholic taste no name would do for him but

Mary; The name had prestige, and while grace and graces all concur, Her husband’s heart confidingly and safely trusts in her. He took his Queen and reigned as long as Solomon or David,* And neither of those kings was half as wise or well beha-ved, Nor understood the priceless worth of the connubial tie, The blessed spell of peace and love in life-long unity. And with his full cup running o’er, this day I shrewdly guess he Would rather be his father’s son than the crowned son of Jesse. In ocean’s swell or peaceful calm our Captain’s bark has glided Safely toward port, for at the helm the Heavenly Pilot guided. ‘T was out at sea he found Him first, walking upon the surges, To Him through life for pilotage, his prayer in faith he urges. Would any know the lot of him whose heart on Christ reposes? Read second chapter, seventh verse, of the fifth book of Moses.f This happy pair for forty years led in the wilderness,J Offered their sacrifice to Him who hath the power to bless; Who fed them all these forty years with bread direct from heaven, And whatsoe’er they asked in faith, in faithfulness has given.

* 2 Sam. V. 4; 2 Kings xl. 42.

t For the Lord thy God hath blessed thee in all the works of thy hnnd; )ie knoweth thy walking through this great wilderness: these forty years the Lord thy God hath been with thee, thou hast lacked nothing. — Deut. ii 7.

Eleventh month, bth, 1870.

* Amos ii. 10.
Amos iii. 15.

II Exod. xvi. 35.

This day of thankful retrospect their children rise to bless them, And bairnies’ bairns, a lovely throng, spring eager to caress them. Happy to have their quiver full; albeit at the gate, To need their filial defence, no enemies await.

With earth so bright, and heaven in sight, secure in love’s requital, I know not e’er so blest a pair as M- and J. M. Wiiitall. Here’s to their long and useful lives, exempt from all that vexes, And anniversaries like this at least for four more X’s.

W. J. A.”

Only a few of our father’s letters of these latter years
have been preserved. On 10th month, 15th, 1872, he
wrote to me at Clifton Springs, N. Y.^, where we had
gone for my husband’s health: —

“Dearest Hannah and all hands: Thy letter from Xiagara arrived. We did want so much to hear from you, and were much pleased that you had so good a time, and all in such good case. It must have amused grandma Smith to see thee crawling on all-fours after kitty. I almost wonder you did not let her run.

* * * * * * *

“It is a great trial to us your being away so far in case of sickness; but we hope it is all for the best, and that our good Lord will bless the occasion to the invalid. Whether you go or stay, let us realize that there is no real joy but in the smiles of our Saviour, and if favored with these, it is no matter where we are, for, ‘with a God to guide the way, it is equal joy to go or stay.’ Therefore, do not fail to seek His favor; and I know of no more certain way than to daily wait upon Him in the spirit of our minds, looking for His appearing there, which He undoubtedly will do as we patiently persevere and humbly look to Him. Sooner shall the sun forget to rise, than that the Lord will fail to draw nigh and comfort the waiting soul. Oh, the joys of God’s salvation! May we be in earnest to enjoy them. They are not far from us, but nigh, very nigh the humble soul. ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.’” Dear love to all hands, particularly to Rachel P. Smith and cousin Lizzie, whose bright and cheerful spirit one enjoys.

“Affectionately, thy father, J. M. W.”

“Philadelphia, 11th month, 13th, 1872.

“Darling Hannah: Mother dear has gone to Woodbury to attend Salem quarterly meeting to-morrow, so that I am all alone, as is Sally, as William went to Haddonfield for meeting — only she has the ‘Boss’ and Madge and Bess to fall back upon. Since you must be away, we do enjoy having Sally & Co. next door.

“Last First-day we had quite a large school. The pupils seemed much interested. We miss thee very much, and a colored man has to take thy class. On Second-day evening we had a teachers’ meetingmost of the teachers present. Sally led the Bible class very nicely, and it was an instructive occasion. It is a good thing often to meet together, like those who feared the Lord and spoke to one another, concerning whom it is declared that the ‘Lord hearkened and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the Lord and thought upon His name, and they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts.’

“has been spending the evening with me. Thou may

remember we took him into meeting some time since. He enjoys attending our meetings for business; he says they are so different from any business meetings he ever attended among other religious societies — the absence of all discussion about money matters being very striking.

“Poor! we had not heard of his indisposition. Do, if

way opens for it, encourage him to hope in God, and He can lighten his load; and I firmly believe He will do it as he draws nigh to Him in humble faith, trusting in His mercy and infinite love. If he can persevere in this blessed exercise he will surelv receive help from Him who dwelleth in the high and holy place, and who also dwells with the humble and contrite in heart, to revive the heart of the humble, and to revive the spirit of the contrite ones.

“Give dear love to Robert and all the children, and write very soon that you all are thriving in the best thing-s, as well as in health. “Thy affectionate father, J. M. W.”

“Philadelphia, 10th month, 2Gth, 1872.

‘’Precious Polly: Dear mother arrived at home with improved health, and went right to work gathering folks to help on with the ’ precious quiet.’ E. S., &c., to dinner, two days — a tea-party for her last night; H. B., &z., the second time; and so it will be, and no doubt we shall have plenty of precious quiet.

“You must have had a good Yearly meeting according to report. We miss such occasions of meeting the brethren; suppose it is good for us, for we need to have trials of faith and patience. But what a favor it is that the Lord giveth His beloved peace. What is wanted is a steady adherence to Him, and to dwell in His secret place, so that we may abide under the shadow of the Almighty. If we seek Him, He will be found of us, and we shall know Him to be at our right hand, and that we shall not be moved.

“Farewell. With dear love to the Dr., and all, I am thy affec-Uonate fatner, J- ^’*^’ W.”

He often wrote little letters to the grandchildren,
which were always a great delight to them; but only
a few have been preserved. The following one was
written in 1873 to my daughter Mary, when we were
spending part of the summer in his Atlantic City
house: —

“Philadelphia, 6th month, 27th, 1873.

“My Precious Bay: It was very kind and thoughtful in thee to write to thy grandfather, who is very much obliged to thee. On the railroad I saw Fanny Potts, who asked after thee, and wanted to know why thou hast not answered the letter she wrote to thee. I let her see thy letter to me, which she enjoyed very much. Her mother is some better, but still in bed. Thy grandmother came up all right this morning, and we were amused at her being left by the cars last evening. Our cousins had not come, so it made no difference.

“Tell thy dear mother that Le Bar Jayne sent his thanks to her for preparing the account of dear Frankie.* He was reading it, and he found it very interesting and instructive.

* •’ Frank; or, The Record of a Happy Life.” By H. W. S.

“The three Thomas’ boys are coming next Second-day. Walter will meet them at the railroad at 1.30 p.m., and bring all over to the Cedars — trunk and all; and next Seventh-day Uncle James, Aunt Mary and all the children, and the pony, and Margaret, are coming to the Cedars; guess we shall have a nice time, only we shall misa you all so much. We are so glad that matters are so comfortable for you at Atlantic City. Guess you will be looking that way next year. Kitty seems to miss thee very much; she comes to me and rubs herself against me and speaks to me; but the little birds don’t like pussy much, but make considerable fuss.

‘’Your clothes-basket went down this morning by express, which you have received, no doubt, before this.

“Give dear love to Mother, S. Harlan, Bessie, Madge, Logan, Alice, Kay and to thy own dear self, from thy grandfather.

‘’Affectionately, J. M. Whitall.”

It will be seen in the course of this narrative, that I have avoided any reference to the questions which were such fruitful causes of difference amonsi; the Friends of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting for a period of about thirty years before our father’s death. I have thought no good purpose would be served by reviving these issues, and so stirring up the dying embers of party strife. His heart, however, was deey)ly interested in everything that affected the welfare of his beloved Society, and he took a decided stand on what he believed to be the side of truth and justice. But through it all, he preserved the spirit of love, and was able, we believe, to keep every root of bitterness out of his heart, looking always prayerfully and hopefully forward to a time, when the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the differing parties, would unite them all together in the oneness of Divine life and love.

During 1874, the last letters from our father’s pen were mostly written to me during a visit we paid to England that year, and they were all written during the early part of the year, as in this summer he had his first attack of paralysis, and his dear hand, as he so often said, “lost its cunning” and was never able to write again. One letter was written on 2d mo., 19th, of this year, to our mother, which contains nothing of interest except its lover-like ending, which I will quote for the grandchildren, to show them what an admiring lover their grandpa continued to be to the end of his days. It is as follows: “Dear love and lots of it to the Doctor and all beside, from thy loving husband, who has for a wife the very sweetest woman in this world, and he is not the only one that knows it! Thine in love, J. M. W.”

“Philadelphia, 2d Month, 19, 1874.

“Dearest Hannah: — Mother is at Baltimore and I propose going for her early next week.

“I visited the steamer Indiana and talked with Captain Sumner who seemed pleased with the Smith family. The ship sailed again yesterday for England.

‘’ I go to Atlantic to-morrow, (D. V.) I want to see about painting the house, &c., and to get the cistern ready before the spring rains are over, good fresh water is so necessary. Will you be here next summer to drink any of it? I expect not for two or three summers. Those who live will see. It matters not however if we ai-e but in our right place, where our Heavenly Father places us and blesses us. But wherever we are, we must not neglect to seek a close communion with our God and Saviour by waiting upon Him in the pilence of all flesh at least twice in the day, so as to derive strength and help to walk in His holy presence and to dwell in the secret place of the Most High, that we may abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Watch and pray lest we enter into temptation, I feel certain that unless we watch and pray according to the command of the Lord Jesus, we are in great danger. But why should I write thus to my dear children? Are you not engaged largely in teaching others the way of life and salvation? But I want you to be careful not to neglect your own salvation.”

“2d Month, 27, 1874.

“Dear Hannah — Have just come in from a walk looking after some of the members of our meeting who are not often visited, believing as I do that, as iron sharpeneth iron, so doth the countenance of a man his friend.

“I had a very pleasant visit at Baltimore. The children are well, and little Nell is charming; she has lost the very bashful way she had and is really very sweet and winning. The baby, little Frank, pushes a chair before him across the room and is very sweet and intelligent. Margaret and Grade are darlings, as well as Jack, a great tall boy, who looks down upon short folks. When I gave him a fifty cent note he said he had in his pocket-book §2.50; this was a surprise, as I thought him broke, as is usual with boys of his age.

‘’ Tell Bay to write to us, we quite want a letter from her pen telling how she gets along with saying ‘Thy Grace’ to the Duchess

of M, and how she likes English life and ways. Logan can

also add a few lines giving us his views. We saw at Baltimore the valentines sent by Alice and Ray to Gracie and Margaret, which with their letters were very acceptable.”

The visiting our father refers to in this letter was one of his ways of quiet service for his Master, which comforted and cheered many a sad and weary heart. He seemed to have entered largely into the spirit of our Lord’s meaning where He exhorts His disciples to seek out the poor and lame, and halt and blind for their hospitalities and ministrations, and delighted in surprising those who were in especial need, particularly where hidden, with visits of sympathy and unexpected gifts. One of our friends writes to us:

‘’ Never shall I forget the gift of a very complete standing writing desk sent to me anonymously, when long continued sickness in the family had depressed all my powers both mental and physical; and to this day I can almost feel again the cheer it brought. As I received it I said at once, ‘No one but John M. Whitall could have done this.’ And when I taxed him with it he could not deny it. But most truly did he desire his alms to be done in secret. When in Venice I visited the American Consul. He seemed worn with service, and I said, ‘Thee must often wish to be back in America.” For one thing I do,’ he replied, ’ and that is, to thank Captain Whitall for his words of cheer and his practical assistance at a time of business difficulty.’ And, as the tears flowed over his cheeks at the recollection of the kindness bestowed upon him, I saw how much he felt had been given in the name of the Lord.”

The last letter our father ever wrote appears to have been the following:

“Philadelphia, 3d Month, Sth, 1874, First Day.

“Dearest Hannah: — The dear ‘Head Woman ’ went down to our school to-day, Caroline Talbot going along. The scholars greatly enjoyed their company; mother had not been at the school for several years. We had a large company present. Thy class had no teacher to-day, but it often has.

“I cannot describe how much we miss you all, and how ardently we desire your return. I received dear Bay’s nice letter, which I now thank her for. I have now got the Atlantic City house all fixed up and in working order, so that any of you may go down whenever you please and enjoy the sea air and shore. The addition to the cottage will make it quite commodious, so that two families can occupy it jointly and comfortably. But I am afraid there will be no Hannah to enjoy it.

“If preachers do not bring their hearers to an acquaintance with their Lord and Saviour, it appears to me they spend their breath for very little purpose. Job says, ‘Acquaint thyself with Him and be at peace,’ and I believe this knowledge is the true and only source of real peace and happiness.

“I am so blind that I can hardly see the lines. With dear love to Robert and the children and thy own dear self, ‘’ I am thy affectionate father,

* J. M. Whitall.’”

No letters after this have been found, and we suppose the difficulty of seeing made him feel disinclined to write, although his health did not begin to fail until about the middle of the year, after he and our mother had gone over to their summer home at “The Cedars.”