Quaker Writings by Thomas D. Hamm

Author:Thomas D. Hamm
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2010-11-28T16:00:00+00:00

SARAH GRUBB

One of the most admired ministers of this era, based on the reprinting of her Journal, was Sarah (Tuke) Grubb (1756- 1790), a Yorkshire Friend. In this passage, she describes her travels in 1786, exemplifying the Quietist concern that she never act in her own will.

Some Account of the Life and

Religious Labours of Sarah Grubb

(Wilmington, Del., 1795).

After my return from Ireland, my beloved companion R[ebecca]. J[ones], being detained in Yorkshire, on divers accounts, for three months, I was thereby set at liberty to adjust some family concerns at home, and pay some visits to neighbouring meetings, as Truth appeared to open the way; especially to Whitby, Scarborough, Bridlington, Hornsea, and Hull; in the course of which my mind was, in the needful time, mercifully supported with renewed supplies of holy help, though, in general, in a low and stripped state; fearing lest, in the exercise of the gift, a zeal which is not according to true knowledge, nor originating in that baptism of spirit wherein the creature is humbled, should so mix with the Divine openings, as to carry away the feet of the mind from that safe standing in the deeps, which is justly compared to the bottom of Jordan. Here it is necessary for true Gospel ministers, steadily to abide with the weight of the service they are engaged in upon their shoulders, till the spirits of the assembled are in some degree attracted to the promised land, the new heaven and the new earth, wherein dwelleth the righteousness of faith, and where spiritual worship is rightly performed, in the beauty of holiness and newness of life. To be instrumental in the Divine hand of thus, in any measure, converting the spirits of those to whom we may be led to minister, requires an unction altogether unmixed; but when revolt, backsliding, and a superficial spirit, have been necessarily unveiled, I have sometimes distressingly found, that some of my armour was carnal; and O! how hath all that was within me been humbled at the discovery, that the Lord’s righteous controversy with the works of darkness, had not been righteously upheld, nor the door of escape therefrom wisely opened. An increase of experience convinces me that preaching is a mystery which every one exercised therein, has need to be often industriously and impartially learning, as far as concerns themselves; and where this is the case, I am abundantly persuaded that our dependence must be drawn from the sentiments of those friends to whose judgment we are most attached, in order rightly to distinguish betwixt the unity of the one infallible spirit, and their partiality to us, and to be weighed in the just balance of the sanctuary, where we are sometimes found defective, even when all around us speak peace.

My dear husband accompanied me in this little round; his sympathizing mind and care for my preservation every way, was truly strengthening, and afforded frequent occasions of humble thankfulness to the Author of all good, who had so bountifully provided for me, both in spiritual and temporal things.

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