_IN WASHINGTON._
"Follow with reverent steps the great example
Of Him whose holy work was 'doing good;'
So shall the wide earth seem our Father's temple,
Each loving life a psalm of gratitude.
Then shall all shackles fall; the stormy clangor
Of wild war-music o'er the earth shall cease;
Love shall tread out the baleful fire of anger,
And in its ashes plant the tree of peace."
WHITTIER.
Sybil Jones was at work in the Southern States during a part of the
year 1860, and returned to her Northern home only a few weeks before
the attack on Fort Sumter. The sound of war carried sorrow to the
hearts of herself and her husband. They were loyal to their country
and the great cause of human freedom, but they were loyal also to the
Prince of peace.
"They prayed for love to lose the chain; 'Twas shorn by battle's axe
in twain!"
For years they had longed to see the light of freedom break in on the
South, but they had hoped no less for the day "when the war-drum
should throb no longer" and universal peace should gladden the long
watchers for its dawn. Now they saw the oncoming of a most terrible
civil war, threatening the life of the nation. They mourned for
mothers and fathers who must see their boys go to the field; they
thought of the homes shattered for ever; but they did not yet realize
that their eldest son was to go forth to return only on his
shield--that the son who had urged them to go forward in the work of
love in Liberia, their noble son, was to be demanded as a sacrifice.
The war was hardly begun when James Parnel Jones resolved to
volunteer. President Lincoln's call seemed a call to him. He had been
a logical reader of Sumner, and had closely watched the development of
slavery, and to his mind the war to save our nationality would
necessarily free the slaves. He wrote from the South: "Did I not think
this war would loose the slave's chains I would break my sword and go
home."
That it was hard for him to go when his parents were praying for peace
there can be no doubt, but his mind was filled with the thought of
saving the life of a nation, and he certainly felt that the path of
duty was in that direction.
The members of the Society of Friends felt almost universally that
they owed allegiance to two fatherlands. "There was a patriotism of
the soul whose claim absolved them from the other and terrene fealty,"
and there was a manifest inconsistency between being members of
"Christ's invisible kingdom" and taking arms in support of a dominion
measured by acres.[7] Some felt otherwise, and they took upon
themselves the hard duty of turning from society and friends to do
battle.
[7] Whittier thus gives the position which the Society of Friends
held:
"Nursed in the faith that Truth alone is strong
In the endurance which outwearies wrong,
With meek persistence baffling brutal force,
And trusting God against the universe;
Are doomed to watch a strife we may not share
With other weapons than a patriot's prayer;
"Yet owning with full hearts and moistened eyes,
The awful beauty of self-sacrifice,
And wrung by keenest sympathy for all
Who give their loved ones for the living wall
'Twixt law and treason."
James Parnel came home wounded, but returned to his command before his
furlough had expired. He went back with the feeling that the days left
him were few: he indistinctly saw what awaited him. In an engagement
to carry a strong point held by the enemy at Crystal Springs, near
Washington, he was struck by a ball from a sharpshooter. The ball had
glanced from a tree and brought him a mortal wound. The two hearts
deeply wrung to have their son go into the war at all were pierced at
the news of his death. We can hardly conceive their grief for him for
whom they had so earnestly prayed and agonized in his absence.
Henceforth whoever wore a soldier's uniform had a place in Sybil
Jones's heart. Her unspent love went out to all who were suffering on
the field and in the hospitals, and she could not rest at home.
Obtaining the needful credentials, she took up in a new form the
arduous service of her active and consecrated life, bearing the gospel
cheer to the wounded and dying in Philadelphia and Washington. She
could tell the soldiers of her own son, and so touch their hearts, and
her sympathy and love brought joy to many a poor sufferer. The
aggregate of her visits shows that she preached and talked to thirty
thousand soldiers. To and from the field of her labor, at the dépôts,
wherever she saw a uniform, she went to speak gentle words and to bear
good news; and only those to whom the balm came can tell the good
accomplished. Once more she met a kind reception from all. Soldiers
and prisoners welcomed her, and those high in power listened with
respect to her messages. She comforted the widow of President Lincoln,
and twice stood before his successor, President Johnson, and
faithfully warned him to rely on the Ruler of the universe for counsel
in guiding the helm of state.
She left home in 1st mo., 1865, with a certificate for service. On her
way to the field in which she felt called to labor she visited her
children in Philadelphia, and attended meeting at Germantown, where
she was favored with a gospel message. She also attended Twelfth
street meeting and the large quarterly meeting in Arch street, where
she was constrained to speak for her Master. She then proceeded to
Baltimore, accompanied by Lydia Hawkes of Manchester, Maine. In this
city she met her dear husband, who had been separated from her for
three months. He was much worn by his labors as distributing agent of
the New England Friends. He had distributed to the necessities of the
freedmen food, clothing, beds, etc., according to the quantity sent to
the mission. He had visited them from hut to hut, administering as
well to their spiritual as to their temporal needs. They together
attended Baltimore quarterly meeting, and on the 9th of 2d mo. arrived
in Washington.
Sybil Jones rested a few days, and then commenced the labors for which
she was liberated. Her first service was in Judiciary Square. She,
with her companion, was taken there in an ambulance, and they were
preceded and introduced by their dear friend Jane James, who often
gave them like aid. They were pleasantly received, and permission was
granted them to perform any religious service. They visited nine wards
and had service in the chapel, speaking words of comfort to those
confined to their beds. Much seriousness and tenderness was apparent.
They also went to the hospital at Armory Square, visited all the wards
of the sick and wounded, and had chapel service. It seemed that some
were turning to the Lord.
Eli Jones went for a short time to Philadelphia to try and gain a
little strength, being very weary with his labors among the colored
people. The mud was very deep and the work of distributing very hard.
Their son, Richard Mott, accompanied his father, having spent the
vacation from his studies at Haverford College with his parents at
their post of duty.
Camp Hospital was also visited. They were taken out in an ambulance by
Dr. Upton, who was courteous in every way. The poor wounded ones
seemed thankful for the interest exhibited for their souls' welfare.
Carm Hospital was visited, and all freedom was given them to point the
sick and suffering to the Lamb of God. Many were in tears at the close
of service in the chapel. Her own torn mother's heart gave Sybil Jones
great earnestness in prayer for the bereaved ones in the far-away
homes as she was called upon to attend the funerals of the soldiers.
Often more than one coffin stood on a form before them, and the
occasion was made a solemn admonition to the survivors to be ready
when the Lord should call. One of the meetings was attended by a
surgeon who had led a profane and dissolute life. He was reached by
the Spirit of God, and in a meeting rose and said, "I have been living
for hell; I looked toward it as my home, and fully expected it; but
God has had mercy on my soul and pardoned my sins, and I mean to serve
Him the rest of my days." Nearly all were in tears. When the service
was over the soldiers rushed to his arms weeping with joy. He said to
them: "I have treated you badly and sworn at you, but by the grace of
God I will never swear again." His conversion had a wonderful effect
and was a powerful testimony for the truth.
Columbia Hospital was visited. They found a very conscientious, loving
superintendent in one of the wards, a lady named O. L. Pomeroy. In
this ward they held a most blessed meeting and made an appointment for
another.
They were obliged to move from their lodgings on account of sickness
in the family, and were most kindly received by their good friends
William and Jane James. They found it a great privilege to be so cared
for.
They went to Lincoln Hospital, where were five thousand men. Their
ministrations were much blessed: at a later visit they found four
hundred more wounded soldiers from City Point. The afflicted men were
all broken down with suffering and were ready for the consolation of
the gospel. The field indeed seemed white unto the harvest. A lad told
them that he had been in the Crimean War, and had served two years in
this. He was an Englishman. He showed them a silver medal gained by
valor in the former war. Sybil Jones said, "I hope thou art seeking a
crown in that higher warfare?" He quickly replied, "I am pressing
after it with all my might; I am looking to Jesus as my Captain."
She sighed for "universal peace to reign" as she witnessed the untold
miseries of cruel war. It was wonderfully touching to hear the bright
testimonies of those poor feeble ones who had lain for months on their
emaciated backs. Many were passing away. No one could bear to tell one
poor dying youth that he could not live, and in all tenderness Sybil
Jones said to him, "I think thou cannot get well; what is thy hope?"
He replied, "In Jesus I believe; he has forgiven my sins. Tell my
father and mother I have gone to heaven." Some seemed insensible of
their danger, but were faithfully warned to prepare to meet their God.
As these faithful messengers of good tidings saw the terribly mangled
brought in, and beheld their patience and tenderness, they were sick
at heart and prayed for the terrible tide of war to be stopped. They
met with much kindness from Surgeon-general Barnes, who gave Sybil
Jones a pass to all the hospitals in the United States, and a special
one for the department of the South, with half-fare on Government
transports.
Sybil Jones was presented to General Auger, the military commander of
the District of Columbia. He said that he was much pleased with her
mission. He was spoken to concerning the interests of eternity. She
was presented to Secretary Stanton and Colonel Harder, and was pleased
with their demeanor and readiness to aid her work in every possible
way. The Centre Guardhouse was visited and its four hundred inmates
lovingly warned to be ready.
On 4th mo. 1st, 1865, great excitement was felt in the capital city,
as the President was personally directing affairs at Richmond, and the
fall of the rebellious city was hourly anticipated. On the morning of
the 3d came the joyful intelligence that the Confederate capital had
been evacuated, and a great tide of rejoicing swept over the loyal
States. Sybil Jones describes the scene in Washington as follows:
"I was very fearful the inhabitants would be too full of joy to
remember their great Deliverer and give thanks unto His name. We went
to Camp Fry, and had to press our way through the throng, often
pausing to note the variety of emotions exhibited--all joyful, but
neither ridiculous nor profane. A subdued awe seemed to hold in check
the lawless and dissipated, and tears of joy suffused the eyes of
passers-by. The whistles of the engines, the roar of cannon, the music
of the various bands, and the shouts of the multitude, mingled with
the prayers, praises, and hallelujahs of the colored people, some down
on their knees in the dust of the street, others dancing like David
before the ark of the covenant on its return to its place,--all
commingled in one mighty jubilant song which I trust was not devoid of
the grateful tribute of praise to the great God of heaven and earth.
We at length entered the ward of the sick and wounded of two
regiments, about two thousand men. As we passed in I said, 'To-day is
the nation's jubilee, and we have come to present our thank-offering
with you, as you cannot join the street celebration.' A smile and
'Thank you' went round and brightened up the scene. We read a
beautiful psalm and bore a testimony to the power and goodness of God,
not only in hope of the full and entire emancipation of the slaves,
but in disclosing to us to-day, behind the folds of the dark
war-cloud, the silver lining of peace. We besought them to come to the
Lamb of God, seeing his mercy and loving-kindness had been so great to
them as to spare them amid the din of battle when their comrades had
fallen all around them."
Sybil Jones and her friends visited Seminary Hospital, and found among
the wounded a young Friend from Illinois, who was much comforted by
hearing the gospel tidings from a member of the Society he loved so
well. A sad scene presented itself in Douglas Hospital. There had just
arrived three hundred terribly mangled soldiers, some passing away,
some in agony with lost limbs. It was an indescribably painful scene,
and the one "Physician of value" was recommended to the poor
sufferers.
They addressed many prisoners of war, deserters from the South, and
refugees. They were listened to with seriousness, and many were in
tears. On a visit to Stanton Hospital, Sybil Jones met a young man
from Maine named Eben Dinsmore. He told her that her son, James Parnel
Jones, had been his captain when he first enlisted, and afterward his
major. He spoke in the highest terms of his kindness to the men and
his unspotted name, and said he heard a soldier of the same regiment
say that he was with him from the time he was wounded until his death,
and never saw a person die so happy, singing as he passed away.
At this time Sybil Jones and friends moved their lodgings, at the kind
invitation of their friend Isaac Newton, to make their home with him
for a while.
On the 15th of 4th mo. came the dreadful news that the good man who
had stood so nobly at the head of the nation in this dreadful crisis
had gone from works to reward, slain by the hand of the assassin. The
great joy was turned into deepest mourning that he who was so endeared
to all loyal hearts could not be with them to enjoy the restful time
of peace. They held a meeting in the rooms of the Agricultural
Department, and were comforted in their great grief by the presence of
Him who said to the troubled waves, "Peace, be still." A visit was
made to Stone Hospital, and it was found that the suffering ones there
had had little religious instruction, but seemed grateful for
Christian counsel. One poor fellow, who was dying and felt his lost
condition, was entreated to look to the "Lamb of God."
A young lady came one day to Isaac Newton's and asked if a Quaker lady
who preached was there. She said that some one had been thinking how
appropriate it would be to have a Friends' meeting, for the awful
stroke inclined them to be silent. Isaac Newton offered his parlors,
and Sybil Jones consented. She says in her diary: "We met at seven
o'clock, and it was one of the most blessed seasons I have enjoyed in
this city. The silence seemed to have healing in its wings and balm
to the stricken spirit." Much service was done in Emory Hospital; the
poor fellows on their beds were visited one by one, and each was
lovingly spoken to. They held meetings at Emory Hospital for the
convalescent soldiers, and by all they were most gladly received.
Harwood and Finley Hospitals were fields of labor, and in each the
gospel message was thankfully received. At first the surgeon in charge
said that he never allowed service in the wards where the men were
badly wounded or passing away. Sybil Jones said to him, "Doctor,
wouldst thou take the responsibility of keeping the gospel from dying
men, the suffering soldiers of our country, far from their homes and
mothers?"--"No," said he, "but I do not want them disturbed."--She
said, "Our services never disturb; we are a quiet people." She then
told him that she had a pass to all hospitals in the United States,
but would not insist upon entering without his full permission. He
then gave it most freely. The service was gladly received, and it
seemed like drops of rain on a dry and thirsty land.
Sybil Jones felt that she must bear a message of her heavenly Father's
love and sympathy to the widow of the lamented President. She had been
ill, confined to her bed in the White House, since the fatal stroke.
Sybil Jones says of the visit: "All crushed and broken under the heavy
stroke, I spoke to her of the heavenly Chastener's love and care, and
said that He could bind up the broken heart and give peace. She
cordially invited us to come again. Her two sons, one about ten and
the other about twenty, were at home, and very affectionate and
attentive to their suffering mother, though themselves evidently
feeling very deeply the sad event."
Sybil Jones felt that she was given a message for Secretary Stanton.
She in company with others went to his house in the evening, and,
passing a guard of soldiers, was most kindly received by his
interesting wife, the Secretary being absent. They spent an hour in
pleasant conversation, and then the Secretary came and greeted them
kindly. Very soon silence reigned, and Sybil Jones, after asking
permission, rose and addressed the Secretary, telling him that as he
had been raised up by the Almighty for the important duties of his
office, he must dispense justice and judgment in the fear of God,
plead the cause of the oppressed, and humbly in all things do the will
of the great King, and the eternal God should be his refuge. She told
him that, though his life had been sought, the angel of the Lord had
guarded him, and if his trust was in Him no harm should befall him.
After her remarks the Secretary rose and thanked her most profoundly,
and told her that her gospel message was most grateful, and said that
he needed the prayers of the people and that his trust was in God.
Sybil Jones went again by invitation to call on the President's widow.
She was still in bed, much prostrated. The rooms were all lighted as
in the days when their master paced through them with the weight of
his mission pressing upon him. One lone sentinel guarded the
mansion--a strange contrast to the past, when a strong guard was
deemed necessary. The desolate lady gave them a sweet welcome, and
told them some cheering incidents of her husband's last days. She
said that several times during the last day he lived he said, "This is
the happiest day of my life." He seemed to feel that the great work
was done, and he rejoiced that the cloud which hung over his beloved
America had lifted. Sybil Jones then spoke to her cheeringly of the
sympathy of Jesus with the sorrowing sisters of Bethany--that in her
boys she had a charge to keep for the King. After a season of feeling
prayer they parted tenderly.
Stone Hospital, a beautiful home for the weary, suffering soldiers,
was visited, and a wonderfully convicting season it proved. Sybil
Jones was greatly saddened on a visit to the jail by its filthy
appearance. Old and young were crowded in together, and the young in
crime were by association with the vicious and degraded hastened in
their downward course.
Feeling that she was called to labor in Alexandria, Sybil Jones went
across the river to that place, and found a kind welcome at the
temporary home of James P. Barlow, he, with his family, having fled
from his own home on account of rebel persecution and confiscation.
She had a meeting with the convalescents in the colored hospital, and
had most interesting services in Slough Barracks. She also had a large
meeting at the Soldiers' Rest, where she addressed thousands of
soldiers, all orderly and attentive, while a tear might often be seen
tracing down the bronzed cheeks. Wonderful changes were apparent in
this place since the abolition of slavery. Slave-pens were
appropriated to useful purposes. One was used as a court of justice,
where traitors took the oath of allegiance to their country and to the
government.
Sybil Jones then returned to Washington, and did what she could in the
hospitals there, and then, feeling again the call to Alexandria, she
returned to that place, and after more service owned and blessed by
the Master she left this great field of labor and went once more to
her children in Philadelphia, and thence to her own home.
On the 16th of 4th mo., in 1866, she again left her home, accompanied
as far as Providence by her son Grelet, and bearing a certificate from
her friends granting freedom for such service as she was called to
perform. She attended meetings at Salem, Lynn, and Burlington,
visiting prisons, hospitals, and reformatory institutions. She went to
Richmond, Va., and attended the small meeting of Friends there, and
with them praised the Lord for bringing them through the bloody
rebellion and allowing them once more to assemble under the banner of
peace. She attended many meetings here; had a meeting in a
penitentiary, where the poor inmates had not heard the gospel sound
for five years, since before the dreadful struggle. Many Bibles were
distributed and families visited.
In a town near Richmond it was thought very doubtful if she could
obtain a meeting, as the feeling against the North was so strong. When
the Methodist minister was applied to, a young man present exclaimed,
"That Quaker lady must have a meeting; she is the mother of my college
classmate, Major Jones. She must have a meeting, and we will do our
best to get the people out." The meeting was a large one and blessed,
and the people expressed their thanks at the close.
After much loving service in the prisons and elsewhere, Sybil Jones
went once more to Washington, holding meetings and doing all she could
to "lift the skirts of darkness." She felt that she had another
message to bear to the White House, where now, at the head of affairs
of state, was the late President's successor, Andrew Johnson. She had
a most touching interview with the President's daughter, the wife of
Senator Patterson. They mingled their prayers and tears, and then
Sybil Jones was presented to the President. He was surrounded by
supplicants, mothers, advocates of right, and artful politicians.
While waiting for audience the President's little granddaughter
offered to her a beautiful bouquet of flowers, and, drawing her close,
Sybil Jones spoke to her of the infinitely more beautiful flowers of
heaven. The President courteously gave her permission to speak. She
told him her message, and told him that it was in the name of the
"King of kings." He thanked her seriously, and many were in tears. It
was a most impressive scene.
After this, Sybil Jones returned to Maine, but she was not permitted
long to enjoy the sweet associations in the home so dear to her. The
impression seemed to gather force daily that she must once more cross
the ocean. These words came to her often with great emphasis: "Get
thee out of thy own country and from among thy own kindred to a land
which I shall show thee." Once more she cast her burden upon the
meeting, and found, as ever, the sweet sympathy and unity with her
call to go forth that were ever accorded her. She was liberated for
the service that she felt was hers to perform, and her "peace flowed
like a river."
Before engaging in the work in Europe, Sybil Jones obtained a
certificate from the monthly meeting to visit the prisons and
penitentiaries in some of the Southern States. She visited most
institutions of that character in many of the large Southern cities,
bearing the news of life and salvation to the poor erring ones. Many
tracts and Bibles were distributed and much work was done in the
vineyard of the Lord. Once more she bore a message to President
Johnson. She went to the White House on a reception day for the
President's daughter, and passed in with the throng. On every side
were seen the glory and parade of this world that will pass away, but,
obtaining audience with the President and his daughter, she spoke to
them of the pleasures that are eternal. The Lord helped her to declare
the truth, and she went away trusting that it would not be "in vain in
the Lord." Her whole soul was rejoiced to see the great change that
had swept over the South since the shackles of slavery had been
removed. Those who had been slaves now stood up men. She felt that
there is indeed "a God who judgeth in the earth, and He only worketh
wonders."