September we find him in London, using his influence with the Duke of
York to procure liberty for Friends in Scotland. He only succeeded,
however, so far as his father and himself were concerned. When he wrote
the result to his friend the Princess, and after shewing the dangers
that awaited him, told her he was returning to Scotland, she was
astonished, and warmly remonstrated with him for taking such a course.
Robert Barclay had expressed sorrow at her non-success. She tells him
that it is no cross to her that Lady Lauderdale returns no other answer
to her request than a mere court compliment, and proceeds:--"But it
is a cross to me that you will not make use of the liberty which God
miraculously gave you, but will return into Scotland to be clapt up
again into prison, for which we have neither precept nor example." But
to stop in the path of duty because there were dangers ahead, would
have been a failure of obedience which would have plunged Barclay's
soul into darkness and distress. He must go forward and leave the
consequences to God.
The persecution of the Aberdeen Friends continued unabated until 1679.
In the spring of that year Archbishop Sharpe, the chief instigator
of it, was assassinated, and Lauderdale removed from office: and
immediately came a lull in the storm. In November, Robert Barclay and
some others were indeed thrown into prison, but they were released in
a few hours. The favour of the Council towards Friends in general, and
especially the interest at court of Robert Barclay, were too strong for
the persecutors, and they capitulated. Locally the hard fought fight
was won.
The royal favour was still more distinctly shown to Robert Barclay
when, in the same year, the Ury estate was, by royal charter dated 14th
August, erected into a barony, with civil and criminal jurisdiction
to himself and his heirs forever. This was about the time when James
was made Lord High Commissioner, and being jealous of the influence of
Monmouth, was nursing his Scotch popularity. In the act of parliament
(1685) confirming the charter, it is said to be granted "for the many
services done by Colonel David Barclay and his son the said Robert
Barclay to the king and his most royal progenitors in times past." It
was swept away, with all kindred privileges, when George II. remodelled
the government of Scotland. But the Court Book is still in existence to
bear testimony to his conscientious administration of justice.
In this year he also paid another visit to Holland, but was unable
to visit his royal correspondent the Princess Elizabeth at Herford.
However he wrote her what proved to be a final letter, dated Rotterdam,
6th of the 5th month, 1679. In this characteristically sensitive but
affectionately faithful epistle, he says, "Thou may think strange
that after so long a silence I should now apply myself to answer thy
last (which came to my hands at a time when I was under great bodily
weakness) for which I will not trouble thee with any further Apologie
than to assure thee that no want of respect or regard to thee, but
ane unwillingness to work in mine own will, and a fear in so doing
rather to hurt than help thee, hath hindered me until now. Had I given
way to my own inclinations, and to the course of that love, which,
without flattery I can say I have for thee, so as to have exprest but
the hundred part of that concern which frequently possessed me on thy
account, I had overcharged thee with my letters. But knowing it is not
the will of man that bringeth about the work of God, I choosed rather
to be silent than forward. But being through a singular occasion come
to this country, and not having access to make thee a visit, I found a
true liberty from the Lord in my spirit thus to salute thee." From what
follows it seems that either the Princess misunderstood his anxious
solicitude for her, or he thought she did. His apology for his urgency
is touching. He concludes; "For herein I have peace before God, that
I never sought to gather thee nor others to myself, but to the Lord.
I pretend to be no sect master, and disgust all such. My labour is
only as an ambassadour to instruct all to be reconciled to God, and
desire no more than to be manifest in the consciences of those to whom
I come that I am such, by the answer of that of God there, to which
therefore in my conscience I recommend my testimony." In not seeing the
Princess on this visit he missed his last opportunity, for she died the
following year. Penn has paid a tribute to her memory in "No Cross,
No Crown," in which he says, "I must needs say her mind had a noble
prospect; her eye was to a better and more lasting inheritance than can
be found below, which made her often despise the greatness of courts,
and learning of the schools, of which she was an extraordinary judge."
To this year also belong two of his writings--a "duply" to a scurrilous
reply to his Apology, entitled "Quakerism the pathway to Paganism," by
John Brown, and a translation of his Latin letter to the Ambassadors
assembled at Nimeguen, urging the claims of peace.
During the remaining years of his life, Robert Barclay published
little. Probably he was too busy to write much. Of his employments
unfortunately we know little. His writings, his learning, his great
ability, his rank, his aristocratic friends and connections, and his
influence at court, made him a man of mark. In his own society, he
was a recognised leader. His ministry evidently was of a high order.
Possibly not so popular as that of Fox or Penn, it must have been
solid, earnest, and impressive. He is known to us almost solely as an
author, but his own generation knew him as a capable man of affairs.
He was not a popular leader like Fox, or a man consumed by large
humanitarian schemes like Penn. But he had a broad and liberal mind,
sound judgment, and an insinuating address. The dedication of the
Apology shows with what skill he could walk on delicate ground.
About this time, the divisions which troubled Friends in England found
their way to Aberdeen. Rogers and Bugg sent their slanderous letters
everywhere, and as Barclay was mistakenly supposed to have written
the "Anarchy of Ranters" against the former, it was not likely that
the peace of Aberdeen would be undisturbed. Several members had to
be expelled and then harmony was restored. It is to this that the
following extract from a letter of George Fox refers.
"London, 31st of 4th mo. (June), 1680.
"DEAR ROBERT BARCLAY,
With my love to thee and thy Father and all the rest of the
faithful friends in the holy peaceable truth, that is over
all and changes not. I am sorry to hear that there should
be any difference or distance amongst any Friends in your
parts, and that they should not keep in the power of the
Lord to the spreading of the truth abroad, and such great
want and need as there is in your country. For all should
be in the Gospel of peace, in the power of God in which
enmity cannot come, and in the peaceable wisdom which is
easy to be entreated. And therefore you that are ministers
in that nation should meet together sometimes, and keep in
unity, and that you might treat of things that tend for
peace, as the Apostles and Elders did in their day, to the
establishing, settling, and preserving of the churches in
Christ Jesus."
It may surprise some who have mistaken ideas of Fox's methods to find
him saying: "I shall write a few words to John Blaikling, for him and
Thomas Langhorn to come into your country, for they are honest men
and may be very serviceable." From the next sentence, it appears that
Barclay had not been at the recent Yearly Meeting which had threatened
to be a stormy one, but had passed off peaceably. "As for the Yearly
Meeting, the Lord did manifest his wonderful power and presence in all
the meetings, and it was mighty large from all parts, and the love of
God was raised in Friends beyond words. I have not seen the like. And
though many of the dirty spirits was there that are rebellious, yet the
Lord's power and truth was over them, and Friends parted in the power
and love of God, and all was quiet."
In 1679-1682 the Duke of York was in Scotland, first as Lord High
Commissioner, afterwards on a visit. Considering the cruel and
mischievous policy which he pursued there, it seems incredible to us
that Barclay should have been able to like him. Yet he seems often to
have been at his court, and to have had the favourable impressions
which he had already received of the duke deepened and confirmed. Hume
says indeed that, "the duke had behaved with great civility towards
the gentry and nobility [of Scotland] and by his courtly demeanour had
much won upon their affections." So that Barclay was not alone. At one
time he verified before the duke a claim of his father's for money laid
out in the service of Charles I.; the debt was acknowledged, but only
a small part, less than £300, was ever paid. Again he visits him in
Edinbro' at the earnest desire of William Penn about the New Jersey
affairs.[25] At other times he fully used his great influence with
James on behalf of his friends. Even when in 1680 the Duke was called
to Windsor, Barclay's wishes were not forgotten as appears by the
following note.
Windsor, June 27th, 1680.
I send you here enclosed a letter to the Lord Advocate as
you desired. I choose to write to him because I had spoken
to him of it when I was in Scotland. You see I do my part,
and I make no doubt but that he will do his, and then you
will have no further trouble in that affair.
JAMES.
[25] The whole letter which tells us this is worth quoting. Letters of
the Early Friends, pp. 257, 8.
Edr. [Edinburgh], the 10th mo. [Dec.] 1679.
"DEAR G. F.,
"To whom is my dear and unfeigned love in the unchangeable
Truth, of whom to hear is always refreshful to me. I know
it will be acceptable to thee to understand that at last
the tedious persecution at Aberdeen seems to have come to
an end, for Friends have had their meetings peaceable near
these two months, and dear P. L. (Patrick Livingstone)
after having had several peaceable meetings, is now come
away a noble conqueror from that place, and is gone to
visit Friends in the west country, and then intends
homeward by way of Newcastle. I doubt not, but that God
will abundantly reward his courage and his patience; for
his stay hath been of great service to Truth and Friends in
these parts.
"I came here at the earnest desire of W. P. (William Penn)
and other Friends to speak to the Duke of York concerning
the New Jersey business; but fear there will be little
effectual got done in it. I doubt it has been spoiled in
the managing at first. * * * I should be very glad, if thy
freedom could allow of it, to see thee in this country in
the spring. I know it would be of great service, for there
are several things that would need it. Several things go
cross, and are so now in divers places; and I know no man's
presence could so easily remedy it as thine." He signs
himself, "thy real friend, R. BARCLAY."
Whilst in London in 1682, Robert Barclay was appointed governor of
East Jersey (the Eastern part of New Jersey) which had been purchased
by William Penn, the Earl of Perth, and other of his friends. He was
made one of the proprietors, and "to induce him to accept thereof [of
the Governorship] they gifted him a propriety with 5000 acres _more_
for him to bestow as he should think fit." "Charles II. confirmed the
grant of the Government, and the royal commission states that 'such
are his known fidelity and capacity, that he has the Government during
life; but no other governor after him shall have it longer than three
years,'" He appointed as his deputy Gawen Laurie, a London Friend and
merchant, already attached to the province as one of the proprietors of
West Jersey. His brothers John and David intended to settle there, but
David died on the voyage. He was a youth of great piety and promise,
greatly beloved, especially by his father. John settled at Perth-Amboy,
the capital of the province, where he died in 1731. The only mention
of him which I can find is in Smith's History of New Jersey, where
it is said, "He bore the character of a good neighbour, and was very
serviceable to the public in several capacities, but more particularly
in Amboy, where he lived and died."[26]
[26] Both brothers were members of the Society of Friends, and the
younger was already a minister at the time of his death.
In Robert Barclay, William Penn would have not only a practical
adviser, but one able to understand and sympathise with his lofty aims.
He who suggested two hundred years ago a just method of disendowment,
and who so effectively advocated the cause of peace, would have
large-hearted sympathy and suggestions for the founder of the Western
Utopia. It is unfortunate that we have no information of his plans
and efforts for the two colonies. Once only the curtain is lifted. In
1685 we find him "attentive to the welfare of East Jersey by shipping
provisions and engaging indented servants in Aberdeen."[27]
[27] Education was early attended to by Friends. "In 1681 in Aberdeen
Monthly Meeting, two schools were established, one for boys and one for
girls. The latter was held in the meeting-house. The schoolmistress
was besought by the church 'to seek to accomplish herself in reading,
writing, and arithmetic,' and also to get 'a good stocking-weaver.'
The church also, 'had a true sense that there is cause for encouraging
her.' Some of the parents thought otherwise and withdrew their
children, and it was directed, that they be weightily dealt with
to return them again. The boys school had a schoolmaster who was
allowed 100 pound rent. It was to impart 'the Latin tongue and other
commendable learning.' The 'priests' manifested 'great trouble' at the
setting up of this school, because 'several considerable people of
the world have sent their children thereto, highly commending their
profiting therein beyond their own schools. And some fruits also as
to conviction and conversion among the young ones hath been of great
encouragement to us." (Robert Barclay's "Inner Life, &c.," p. 482,
note.)
That Robert Barclay took great interest in this effort may be taken
for granted. There is extant a copy of a letter of his widow's (dated
15th of 6th mo., 1693) full of earnest desires for the scholars and
recommendations to the teachers.
There is a well-known and authentic story of Barclay's adventure with
a robber, which is often quoted by Friends in support of their belief
in non-resistance to evil. He had been to London, and had left one
of his sons at Theobalds, where his old friend George Keith had set
up a school. One morning his wife noticed that he looked thoughtful,
and asked the reason. He replied that he believed some uncommon trial
would that day befal the company. They set out on their journey, and
met with the not uncommon incident in those days near London--an attack
from highwaymen. One of these presented his pistol at Robert Barclay,
who with calm self-possession took him by the arm, and asked him how
he came to be so rude. The robber dropped his pistol, and became quiet
as a lamb. Mrs. Barclay's brother was not so fortunate, he was robbed;
and one of the four members of the party, a Dutchman named Sonmans,
accidentally received a wound in his thigh from which he died. Surely
the father never showed more coolness under fire than did the son when
suddenly confronted by such danger.[28]
[28] The incident is thus told more fully and picturesquely by Wilson
Armistead. "Calm and self-possessed, he looked the robber in the face,
with a firm but meek benignity, assured him he was his and every man's
friend, that he was willing and ready to relieve his wants; that he
was free from the fear of death through a divine hope of immortality,
and therefore was not to be intimidated by a deadly weapon, and then
appealed to him whether he could find in his heart to shed the blood
of one who had no other feeling or purpose but to do him good. The
robber was confounded; his eye melted; his brawny arm trembled; his
pistol dropped out of his hand on to the ground, and he fled from the
presence of the non-resistant hero whom he could no longer confront."
Mr. Armistead's memoir was published long after the publication of the
contemporary letters which give the simpler narrative; the reader must
take his choice.
Barclay like William Penn was charged with doubtful relations with
James II. They both believed him sincere in his professed regard for
religious liberty; they both felt for him a real, though it seems to us
an unmerited regard. He showed them both special kindness, and listened
to their pleas for their brethren and for others. George Fox writes to
Barclay in 1686:--"Friends were very sensible of the great service thou
hadst concerning the truth with the king and all the court; and that
thou hadst their ear more than any Friend when here." But it must not
be supposed that they were therefore indifferent to the constitutional
principles at stake. (See sketch of Penn.) There is a curious disproof
of this in a hint conveyed in the Friends' address to the king on his
Declaration of Indulgence, drawn up by the Yearly Meeting of 1687, when
it is almost certain that Barclay was present and must have concurred.
"We hope," they say, "the good effects thereof may produce such a
concurrence from the parliament as will secure it to our posterity."
This influence at court caused Robert Barclay often to be wanted in
London, and he seems to have been a constant attender of the Yearly
Meetings up to 1688.
In 1685 we are told that Barclay was again in London at the Yearly
Meeting, and employed himself in many acts of kindness. Charles II. had
died on the 6th of February, and James at once ascended to the throne.
If Barclay had been anxious for the royal favour, as some asserted, he
would at once have gone to court to salute the rising sun. Instead, we
find him going simply to the May gatherings of his brethren, and only
at a later date seeking the royal presence on behalf of others.
In 1686 he repeated his visit on the same errand and took part with
George Whitehead in an appeal to the king, which resulted in the
liberation of 1200 Friends. Whitehead says he took Barclay with him,
"the king having a particular respect for him from the knowledge
he had of him in Scotland;" but Whitehead seems to have been the
chief speaker. In the end the king granted a commission to the
attorney-general, Sir R. Sawyer, to issue warrants to release all whom
he could legally discharge as the king's prisoners, which through
George Whitehead's energy was thoroughly carried out.
Soon after Barclay's return, his aged father sickened, and died on the
12th of October. His son published a very full account of his last
days, which seem to have been full of heavenly calm and restful faith.
The old soldier, after a youth of adventures and a manhood of perils
and persecutions, "fell asleep," says his son, "like a lamb." The
feelings that first won him to Quakerism were strong to the last. To
the doctor who attended him he said, "It is the _life_ of righteousness
that we bear witness to, and not an empty profession." To the Friends
who gathered round his dying-bed, he said, "How precious is the love
of God among his children, and their love to one another! My love is
with you--I leave it among you." As the end drew near, he exclaimed,
"Now the time comes! Praises, praises to the Lord! Let now thy servant
depart in peace." And so he crossed the river.
Again in 1687 Robert Barclay visited London, travelling with Viscount
and Lady Arbuthnot, the latter as a daughter of the Earl of Sunderland
being a distant cousin of his own. The Scotch Quakers had previously
met in Aberdeen, and had drawn up in their General Meeting an address
of acknowledgment to the king on his recent Declaration of Indulgence;
this Robert Barclay presented. A similar one, prepared by this London
Yearly Meeting of 1687 and presented to the king by William Penn,
has been already mentioned. On this occasion, Barclay visited the
seven bishops who were in the Tower for refusing to circulate this
very Declaration. They had declared that the Quakers had belied them
by reporting that they had been the death of some of them. Probably
Barclay felt not only that the charge, which certainly had been made,
must be sustained for the credit of his brethren, but what was more
important, that the bishops were now in a position better to understand
the Quaker pleas for liberty of conscience. So he produced to them
unquestionable proof that some Friends had been kept in gaol until they
died, even after trustworthy physicians had warned their persecutors
that death must be the result of their longer detention. However, he
assured them that they would not publish the damaging facts, lest it
should furnish a handle to their enemies.
His last visit to London was early in 1688, and he remained all the
summer. On the journey he had the company of his brother-in-law, Sir
Ewen Cameron, of Lochiel. He took with him his eldest son Robert, then
a boy of sixteen, remarkable alike for his piety and for his precocious
Scotch prudence, and introduced him to the court at Windsor. There he
remained for some time, "being much caressed, it is said, on account
of his father's interest, which occasioned numerous dependents; and
he appears to have conducted himself so as to incur no reproach even
with Quakers." A sermon which Robert Barclay preached at this time in
Gracechurch St. Meeting, was reported and has been published. One great
object of this journey was to see justice done to his brother-in-law,
who had a difference with the powerful Duke of Gordon. Barclay set
himself in good earnest to get the matter righted. First he wrote to
several English noblemen with whom he was intimate, but they were shy
of the difficult task, though they all professed their willingness
to help him in anything else. Then he appealed to the king, and
"succeeded in obtaining from him a full hearing upon the whole matter,
in the presence of the Marquis of Powis and the Earls of Murray and
Melfort, who were requested to become referees. Persevering through
all obstructions raised by the opposite party, Barclay was able at
length to obtain a final settlement, much to the advantage of Cameron
of Lochiel." Thus again James appears under Barclay's influence as the
good genius of the oppressed.
On one of his visits to the court, he found the king full of the
thought of the coming of the Prince of Orange. They had a serious
conversation about the state of affairs, and Barclay, like Penn,
sincerely sympathised with the royal culprit in his troubles. "Being
with him near a window, the king looked out and observed that 'the wind
was then fair for the Prince of Orange to come over.' Robert Barclay
replied, 'it was hard that no expedient could be found to satisfy the
people.' The king declared he would do anything becoming a gentleman,
except parting with liberty of conscience, which he never would whilst
he lived."
After the Revolution, the calumnies by which he was assailed led to his
drawing up a "Vindication," which is the last known production of his
pen. For himself he would have been content to bear these calumnies in
silence. Two reasons overruled this choice. Some men of judgment who
found how completely he could refute them, wished his answers to be
well known. On the other hand, the loss of his reputation caused damage
to the Society to which he belonged, and of whose interests he was so
jealous. Yet his own contempt for the charges laid against him, and
for the popular opinion of him, is evident in almost every paragraph.
There is more than courageous outspokenness; there is the indifference
of one who feels, "With me it is a small thing that I should be judged
of you. He that judgeth me is the Lord."