e
in his holy word, which is firmer than heaven on earth. When the
populace entered to knock down our sisters I was in the first chamber,
and hearing their cries, I tried to force my way to them, to try if I
could render them any assistance; then the tyrant persecutor struck me
several times on my hat, but I received no injury. But we were in great
danger; those who wished to go out were stoned, beaten, torn, outraged,
and brought back to the house, where they exercised their dark cruelty.
It appeared as if Satan was unchained, and had come forth to make war
against those whom the truth of the gospel had made free, and to crush
those who had believed the testimony of the Son of God.

I ask, then, by whom have we been protected, and delivered unto this
day? Was it by magistrates, judges, and police officers? Or by the other
guards appointed to appease riots and defend the law? It is true, they
were present in great numbers, but it was rather to advise and direct
others. Some brought barrows full of stones, and others threw them, and
said to the cruel populace, that, since we were so obstinate, the
government had given us into their hands, and they might do to us
whatever they pleased; and they did treat us with inhumanity and the
greatest violence.

It was impossible to go out without being beaten, stoned, dragged,
abused, and covered with dirt, and in the end we could neither buy nor
sell without being dragged before a magistrate, beat, and covered with
spitting and mud, and all kinds of outrages. They went beyond Porte
Marchant to brother Floran's, sister Claire's, and J. P. J. Lusant's. At
brother Floran's they destroyed every thing in the garden, and treated
his wife, already broken with age, with the greatest inhumanity;
dragging sister Claire by her feet out of the house, as also her
god-daughter. And at J. P. J. Lusant's what disorders have they not
committed amongst those poor persons, who have fled from the town to
have some tranquility. I must tell you one circumstance which J. P. J.
L. told me, to show you the cowardice of persecutors; five or six of
them entered his gate, concealing their swords, making up to him with
loud vociferations; seeing them coming, he went into his house, took an
old rusty musket without flint, and levelling it at them, they all
instantly fled with all speed, saying, "The Quakers don't carry arms,
and see this old Quaker hero intends killing us."

Alluding to the letter of Mr. Pre