the service. He was encouraged by a Friend to look to that source which could bless the little he had, and as he became earnestly concerned to seek for aid from his Heavenly Father, he had faith to believe help would be afforded, and was made willing to submit to the appointment. The encouragement thus derived from his early experiences was frequently held up to the young, with an assurance that if the mind was rightly exercised and assistance asked for, strength would be furnished in the needful time and all fear would pass away.

After leaving his trade he was employed at different places in the pursuit of his business, until the year 1819, when he returned to his father's residence and turned his attention to farming.

At a time of life when most young persons are eager in the pursuit of pleasure, he was thoughtful and sedate. Previous to his marriage he had been the traveling companion of two eminent ministers, who were engaged in making family visits among Friends. He felt the influence of their devotional exercises, and the instruction he gained whilst with them confirmed his best feelings and was a preparation for greater usefulness in after years.

In the year 1821, he was married to Abigail Mann, daughter of John and Lydia Mann. She was a woman of deep religious feeling, and clear understanding, energetic in character and ever ready to share with her husband the responsibilities that devolved upon them. They settled in East Fallowfield, and he was engaged in farming until the spring of 1825, when, under a sense of duty, they offered their services to assist Friends who

were endeavoring to ameliorate the condition of the Indians living on the Alleghany reservation, in the western part of the State of New York. Their offer was accepted and they traveled through a wilderness country in their own conveyance, until they reached the place of their destination, where they remained until the fall of 1828, at which time they returned to their old neighborhood in Chester county. In the spring of 1834, they purchased a farm adjoining Fallowfield Meeting House, where they lived for many years, fulfilling the apostolic injunction, "not slothful, but diligent in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;" at the same time extending aid and hospitality to friends and others as occasion required.

As Joseph advanced in years, his character became more fully developed as an humble minded Christian. He was modest and unobtrusive, and when assembled with Friends for Divine worship the seriousness of his countenance was often lighted up with a calm and peaceful expression which denoted the abiding place of his spirit. In conducting the affairs of the Church, he was livingly concerned that they should be transacted in that spirit of forbearance and "charity which suffereth long and is kind," and would wait until patience had done its work and harmony of action was secured. In the administration of discipline, his desire was to reclaim offenders; he approached them with tenderness and treated them with kindness. While endeavoring to make them sensible of their deviation, his sympathies flowed freely towards them. He did not forget that he also was liable to go astray when unguarded, and was willing

to receive as well as give counsel. On one occasion in communication with a younger Friend for whom he felt a religious concern, he used the following language: "I hope thou mayst ever love me so well that thou canst tell me of my faults without any fear of its having any other effect than to cause me to love thee the more."

In the year 1839, he was appointed by the Western Quarterly Meeting a member of the Representative Committee of the Yearly Meeting, and occupied a place there for many years. In this office, as well as elsewhere, he endeavored to attend to his duties punctually and faithfully.

The interest that he and his wife continued to feel in the welfare of the Indians, caused them to leave their comfortable home and its surroundings a second time, and in the year 1848, they, with their two daughters, left their residence in Fallowfield and went to the Cattaraugus reservation, in New York, with the view of aiding the Indians located there in acquiring such knowledge as might benefit them under their changing circumstances. They remained with the Indians for nearly two years, instructing them in arts of civilization, when they again returned to their home in Chester county. Joseph, however, did not lose sight of these poor children of the forest; his ear remained open to hear them and his heart was ever ready to plead their cause, and he continued to render such assistance as he was capable of doing whenever opportunity offered. In the summer of 1854, he met with a sore bereavement in the death of his wife; he felt that his strongest earthly support was taken from him, and that the sustaining influence of

conjugal affection was no longer around him. In the hour of loneliness and depression he sought the aid of that unfailing hand that had blessed him, and realized the comfort that came from the love of Him who "giveth and taketh away."

His gift as an Elder was remarkable, and early acknowledged by the meeting of which he was a member; many Friends are still living who certify of his usefulness in its exercise. He understood the ground of Gospel ministry, and the necessity of waiting for the quali fying power to put forth. To the fearful and desponding he offered words of hope and consolation; to the zealous and young in experience, caution when needed, and at proper times, encouragement. He was a nursing father to the lisping babe and a prudent counselor to the strong man; desiring all to keep low and humble in the exercise of their respective gifts and to avoid the expression of words without life. He was frequently engaged in assisting ministering Friends in the accomplishment of religious visits, and was no less watchful over his own spirit than over the conduct of those whom he accompanied. He was sometimes absent from home for several weeks together traveling long distances, and often by private conveyance. In this service there were seasons of discouragement, when he would feel disheartened and almost ready to give out by the way, yet he would press onward through hardships and difficulties with renewed faith, and by keeping his eye single to the work in which he was engaged, strengthen the hands of those who went forth with messages of "peace and good-will." His unassuming manner and patient

bearing enabled him to be of service in removing prejudices and preparing the mind for the reception of good impressions, and when the Divine word reached the witness for Truth, he exercised a care that its growth should not be hindered by conversation on subjects of less importance.

In the spring of 1859, he was united in marriage with Priscilla S. Parry, who resided in Drumore township, Lancaster county, Pa., where they lived until the fall of 1864, when they removed to Ercildoun, near his former residence. In the decline of life he was still frequently engaged with Friends in the performance of religious labors, and continued willing to make any needful sacrifice within his power, until he was debarred from active usefulness by paralysis which prevented him from going abroad. He manifested much concern that he might bear this affliction with patient submission, expressing a fear that when his bodily powers became weakened he might neglect the command to "watch and pray," and thus become a stumbling block to inquiring minds. Happily this fear was not realized. Through tedious years of suffering and inability of communicating his thoughts verbally or by writing with those around him, he was upheld and kept in a patient uncomplaining spirit. His love for his friends and his interest in the welfare of the Religious Society to which he was attached and for which he had devotedly labored, did not cease with his confinement. He was frequently

taken to meeting, at his earnest request, long after he had lost the ability to go without assistance, and in the enjoyment of Christian fellowship with his friends, gave