Read Ebook: Anecdotes and memoirs of William Boen a coloured man who lived and died near Mount Holly New Jersey by Anonymous

Font size: 10 px 15 px 20 px 25 px 30 px 35 px

Background color: BlackWhiteGrayLight GrayDark GrayDim Gray

Text color: BlackWhiteGrayLight GrayDark GrayDim Gray

Apply/Save settings

Ebook has 74 lines and 7619 words, and 2 pages

It was probably on account of his dress, that some person remarked to him, that he appeared to be endeavouring to walk in the footsteps of John Woolman,--a Friend with whom he had been intimately acquainted. After a pause, he said, "I am endeavouring to follow the footsteps of Christ."

Soon after his death, the following obituary notice, appeared in one of the public papers:

"Died, near Mount Holly, on the 12th instant, in the ninetieth year of his age, William Boen, a coloured man."

Rare, indeed, are the instances that we meet with, in which we feel called upon to record the virtues of any of this afflicted race of people. The deceased, however, was one of those who had demonstrated the truth of that portion of scripture, that "of a truth God is no respecter of persons; but in every nation, they that fear him and work righteousness, are accepted with him."

He was concerned in early life, "to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with his God;" and by a close attention to the light of Christ within, and faithfully abiding under the operation of that blessed spirit of Divine grace in his soul, he was enabled, not only to bear many precious testimonies faithfully, to the end of his days, but also to bring forth those fruits of the spirit which redound to the glory of God, and the salvation of the soul. He was an exemplary member of the religious Society of Friends; and as he lived, so he died,--a rare pattern of a self-denying follower of Jesus Christ. He had no apparent disease,--either of body or mind; but, as he expressed himself a short time before his death, he felt nothing but weakness: which continued to increase, until he gently breathed his last; and is, no doubt, entered into his heavenly Father's rest.

"Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace."

As the memory of those who have followed the leadings of that Teacher which leadeth into all truth, and enables its votaries to become, by example, preachers of righteousness, is precious, we feel engaged to give the following testimony concerning our deceased friend, William Boen, a coloured man.

He was born in the year 1735, in the neighbourhood of Rancocas. Being a slave from his birth, he had very little opportunity of acquiring useful learning; yet by his own industry and care, he succeeded in learning to read and write.

His mind became seriously impressed while very young, and he was induced in early life, to attend to the monitions of light and life in his own mind, being convinced from what he felt within him, of the existence of a Supreme Being; and also of the manner of his visiting the children of men, by the inward peace which he felt upon a faithful performance of what he thus apprehended to be his duty.

About the twenty-eighth year of his age, he contracted for his freedom; and having entered into marriage engagements with a woman in the neighbourhood, but not being, at that time, a member of our society, he was straitened in his mind how to accomplish it; as he was fully convinced of our testimony in that respect.

In this difficulty, he made known his situation to our friend, John Woolman, who, to relieve him, had a number of persons convened at a friend's house, where they were married after the manner of our society, and a certificate to that effect, furnished them by those present.

About this time he made application to become a member of our society; but way not opening in Friends' minds, he was not received, but encouraged to continue faithful; which we believe he did, from the account we have of nearly his whole life.

He was concerned above all things, to walk in the path of truth and righteousness; and according to his measure, to be faithful to every opening of duty, by which means he obtained the esteem of all who knew him.

As he thus continued steadfast to the light in his own mind, he was favoured to see the necessity of a daily cross to all the gratifications of self, and that the cause of truth cannot grow in us, while we are governed by a worldly spirit.

It appears, not only from his own words, but also from his weighty example, that his great concern was to keep his mind easy, believing that right and wrong actions would result either in peace or pain within; hence, his great care was to "try all things by the mind," as he expressed it, or the light of Christ within; with which he was, no doubt, through faithfulness, in a remarkable manner favoured; esteeming it right to be obedient to every manifested duty, however in the cross, or insignificant to the carnal mind, these small duties might appear; and as he was found, like the servant in the parable, "faithful in the little," he was strengthened to rule over the carnal propensities of his nature, bringing his words and actions into the obedience of Christ. His humility was such, that although in low circumstances, he appeared to be content, and even refused to indulge himself in rich food or clothing, saying that "bread and water was good enough for him." In 1814, he was, on application, received into membership with us, and continued to the last, when able, a steady attender of our meetings, both for worship and discipline.

He enjoyed reasonable health and strength until about his eighty-seventh year, when his strength began to fail, but the faculties of his mind remained good until his end.

Some weeks previous to his death, he spoke of it with the utmost composure, and recounting his past trials and experiences said, "he had thought he was alone with regard to his testimony against slavery." But, as though he had fresh evidences thereof, said, "he believed it would grow and increase among Friends." He appeared perfectly resigned to death, having no will therein; and as he expressed himself, "that some died hard and others easy, but for himself, he had no wish for either, being fully resigned to the Divine will in all things."

To a friend present, the day previous to his death, he stated "that he felt himself going very fast; but that he had no wish to stay." His weakness increasing, and having no desire to take any nourishment, he was asked if he was sick, or felt any pain; to which he answered, "that he felt neither pain nor sickness, but weakness, and a total disrelish for every thing of this world." His weakness continued to increase until he passed quietly away, on the night of the 12th of the 6th month, 1824, in the ninetieth year of his age; and we doubt not, he has entered into his heavenly Father's rest.

Read in, and approved by, Mount Holly monthly meeting of Friends, held 11th month 6th, 1828.

AMOS BULLOCK, Clerk.

Read in, and approved by, Burlington Quarterly meeting of Friends, held at Chesterfield, on the 25th of the 11th month, 1828, and directed to be forwarded to the Yearly Meeting.

ANDREW C. RIDGWAY, Clerk.

Transcriber's Notes

pg 5 Changed Then, I did'nt to: didn't pg 6 Changed did'nt to: didn't in 4 places pg 6 Changed William, would'nt to: wouldn't pg 13 Added ending quote after: a coloured man

Share on: WhatsApp @Hash Facebook Tweet