American literature -- 19th century -- Periodicals; Sunday schools -- United States -- Periodicals
I cannot follow with you all the vicissitudes of Penn's life; after
leaving the University he travelled upon the Continent. Afterwards he
studied law in London; he became a soldier. This strikes us as being
somewhat curious when we remember that the sect to which he belonged
are opposed to war, and preach the doctrine of love and peace. However,
he was not long in service, and meeting a noted Quaker preacher he
became firmly fixed in his devotion to the society of Friends, and
was ever after a strong advocate of its doctrines; nothing could turn
him from the path he had chosen. He was several times imprisoned on
account of his religious opinions and suffered persecution and abuse.
Through all he adhered to his views, and stood by his Quaker friends
in the dark days of persecution. He had inherited from his father a
claim against the British Government of several thousand pounds, and
in settlement of this claim he received a large tract of land in the
then New World. With the title to the land he secured the privilege
of founding a colony upon principles in accordance with his religious
views. And in 1682 he came to America and laid the foundations not only
of the City of Brotherly Love, but of the State of Pennsylvania. His
object was to provide a place of refuge for the oppressed of his own
sect, but all denominations were welcomed, and many Swedes as well as
English people came. While other colonies suffered from the attacks of
the Indians, for more than seventy years, so long as the colony was
under the control of the Quakers, no Indian ever raised his hatchet
against a Pennsylvania settler. Under a great elm-tree, long known as
Penn's elm, he met the Indians in council, soon after his arrival in
the territory which had been ceded to him. He said to them:
"My friends, we have met on the broad pathway of good faith. We are all
one flesh and blood. Being brethren, no advantage shall be taken on
either side. Between us there shall be nothing but openness and love."
And they replied, "While the rivers run and the sun shines, we will
live in peace with the children of William Penn."
It has been said that this is the only treaty never sworn to and never
broken.
William Penn lived to see his enterprise achieve a grand success.
Philadelphia had grown to be a city of no small dimensions and no
little importance. The colony had grown to be a strong, self-supporting
State, capable of self-government.
"I will found a free colony for all mankind," said William Penn. Were
these the words of a great man?
Unswerving integrity, undaunted courage, adherence to duty, and
devotion to the service of God--are these the characteristics of a
great man? Then William Penn may well be placed in our Alphabet of
Great Men.
FAYE HUNTINGTON.
MY GIFT.
ARBUTUS SENDS GREETING TO PANSY.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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