P.S. Your Majesty sees how diligent Governor Nehemiah was in reforming what was amiss in Israel. He was obliged indeed to contend with the n.o.bles and the Rulers who opposed him, but he subdued them, and no wonder! Because he feared G.o.d and not Man.
From a loyal Subject of my King and a sincere Friend to his Kingdom.
TIMOTHY PICKERING.
Mr. Pickering wrote a letter to his son, while the latter was a student at Harvard College, requesting him not to play at cards, a practice which he regarded as wicked. But the son (Colonel Timothy Pickering afterwards), as Mr. Upham, his biographer, well remarks, was altogether too busy with his studies to waste time over cards.
We do not observe in the old papers much that would indicate a belief in modern Spiritualism; but it would seem from some accounts that "angels"
were occasionally seen. In the cases we quote, the kind of "angels" is not stated. Whether they were real live beauties, or not, can only be conjectured. Who would not now like to buy one of these books at "four Coppers," so as to read all about these angels?
_THIS DAY PRINTED._
(And Sold by _Green & Russel_, in Queen-Street,)
A True & wounderful Relation of the Appearance of THREE ANGELS, (cloathed in White Raiment) to a young Man at _Medford_, near _Boston_, in _New-England_, on the 4th of _February_ 1761, at Night. Together with the Substance of the DISCOURSE, delivered by one of the Angels, from the 3d Chapter of _Colossians_, and 4th Verse.
[Price only four Coppers.]
--> Good Allowance to those that purchase by the Dozen.
_Boston Gazette_, Feb. 18, 1761.
About this time, also, "angels" made their appearance "at home"
(England), as will be seen by another notice from the same paper.
This Day Published,
(_And Sold by_ Fowle & Draper, _in_ Marlboro"-Street.)
A full Relation of the surprizing Appearance of an Angel, in the Parish-Church of Gainsbury in Lincolnshire, on Christmas-Day last, in the Morning.--From whom was obtained a Prophecy of many Things that should come to pa.s.s in Europe; but more especially in England and France:--The first of which Kingdoms is threatened with several Judgments on Account of their great Misimprovement of peculiar Priviledges: Whilst the latter, notwithstanding their Endeavours to become great, shall be totally destroy"d by Discord among themselves, &c. &c. The whole being a loud Call to Repentance.--Published at the Request of the Parishioners, and attested to by two Ministers, and three Esquires.
1761.
In the "Boston Post-Boy" for Dec. 12, 1763, is an account of the dedication of the Synagogue in Newport, R.I.
_NEWPORT, December 5._
_On Friday last, in the Afternoon, was the Dedication of the new Synagogue, in this Town. It began by a handsome Procession, in which were carried the Books of the Law, to be deposited in the Ark. Several Portions of Scripture, and of their Service, with a Prayer for the Royal Family, were read, and finely sung by the Priest and People. There were present many Gentlemen and Ladies. The Order and Decorum, the Harmony and Solemnity of the Musick, together with a handsome a.s.sembly of People, in an Edifice the most perfect of the Temple Kind perhaps in America, and splendidly illuminated, could not but raise in the Mind a faint Idea of the Majesty and Grandeur of the antient Jewish Worship mentioned in Scripture._
We find by the "Salem Mercury" of March 30, 1789, that New Hackensack was fifty or sixty years before Rochester in "rappings" and "table-tippings." Who shall say that these manifestations, whatever they are, are not as old as man himself? The best and wisest of us do not know everything. There may be some science, yet in its infancy, which will some day be explained, so that all these things will then be perfectly understood. The account here given has no appearance of deception. Had the girl lived a hundred years earlier, she would in all probability have been hanged for a witch; but had she lived in these days, she might have reaped a harvest from lectures and seances.
PHILADELPHIA, March 10.
_Extract of a letter from a gentleman at Fishkill, dated March 3, 1789._
"Were I to relate the many extraordinary accounts of the unfortunate girl at New-Hackensack, your belief might, perhaps, be staggered. I shall therefore only inform you of what I was an eyewitness to. Last Sunday afternoon myself and wife went to Dr. Thorn"s, and after sitting sometime, we heard a knocking under the feet of a young woman that lives in the family; I asked the Doctor what occasioned the noise--he could not tell, but replied, that he, together with several others had examined the house, but were unable to discover the cause. I then took a candle, and went with the girl into the cellar--there the knocking also continued; but as we were ascending the stairs to return, I heard a prodigious rapping on each side, which alarmed me very much.
I stood still some time looking around with amazement, when I beheld some lumber, which lay at the head of the stairs, shake considerably. About eight or ten days after, we visited the girl again--the knocking still continued, though much louder. Our curiosity induced us to pay the third visit, when the phenomena were still more alarming. I then saw the chairs move; a large dining table was thrown against me, and a small stand on which stood a candle, was tossed up, and thrown in my wife"s lap; after which we left the house, much surprised at what we had seen."
Advertis.e.m.e.nts for runaway slaves are very numerous, as well as offers for the sale of single slaves. In some instances negro children are "to be given away." The following notices are taken from the "Boston Gazette" and the "Boston Post-Boy." The descriptions of dress, personal appearance, etc., are very curious.
RAN away from _Thomas Poynton_ of _Salem_, a Negro Fellow, about 25 Years of Age, a short thick-set Fellow, not very black, something pitted with the Small-Pox, speaks bad English: Had on when he went away, a dark colour"d Cloth Coat, lined with red Shalloon, with Mettal b.u.t.tons, a blue Sailor"s Jacket, and a flowered German Serge Jacket, black knit Breeches, a Pair grey Stockings newly stock"d, an old Beaver Hatt, and an old Drab Great Coat: Any Person that shall take up said Negro, and convey him to _Salem_, or secure him in any Gaol shall be well rewarded, and all necessary Charges paid.
N.B. All Masters of Vessels and others are cautioned against harbouring, concealing or carrying off the said Negro, as they would avoid the Rigour of the Law. THOMAS POYNTON.
_Gazette_, Feb. 4, 1766.
To be given away,
A Male Negro Child of a good Breed, and in good Health.
Inquire of Green and Russell.
_Post-Boy_, Feb. 28, 1763.
TO BE SOLD.
A young Negro Woman about 20 Years of Age, born in this Country, possess"d of many good Qualifications, is a very good COOK, can handle her Needle well, and do every Kind of Business about House, and sold only for want of Employ.
Enquire of Green & Russell.
--> She will not be sold out of this Town.
_Post-Boy_, Feb. 28, 1763.
RAN away from his Master, _John Amiel_ of _Boston_, last Thursday Night, a Negro Fellow named _Peer_, he had on when he went away a cloth colour"d Coat, lin"d and trim"d with red, a black broad cloth Waistcoat without sleeves, a yellow pair of leather Breeches, a large pair of silver Buckels, and a good Beaver Hat; he is a thick set Fellow, has very large Feet and Legs, and speaks good _French_ and _English_.
Whoever will apprehend the said Negro and bring him to his Master in _Boston_, shall have TWO DOLLARS Reward, and all necessary Charges paid by _John Amiel._
All Masters of Vessels and others, are hereby forbid to harbour, conceal or carry off said Negro Servant, as they would avoid the penalty of the Law.
_Boston, May 2._
_Post-Boy_, May 10, 1763.