AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL FRAGMENT FROM JESSE KERSEY.

Friends' Intelligencer, Vol. 11 no. 11 (6th month 3rd, 1854), page 167.


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In my early and tender years having had my education among Friends, there was a respect felt for the Society, which grew with my growth, and strengthened with my strength. Having also, as a consequence of the pious care extended to me by my parents, been brought to reflect upon the nature of right and wrong, there was an attachment formed in my mind to religion and religious characters, hence I was led to reflect upon the conduct which I saw among men and to judge and divide between the good and the bad, observing that Friends were a sober and regular people and that their conversation was innocent and not mixed with profane language. It had an effect that was very grateful to my feelings and inclined me to believe that if there was any people who were to be accounted the Lord's people these must be they. Advancing along towards manhood my mind was powerfully acted upon and brought under great weight, and feelings of condemnation. I sought relief by mingling with gay and cheerful company, but it was all in vain, there seemed to be a burthen of distressed and melancholy feelings that I saw no way to get clear of. In this tried state my mind was opened to see that man was a fallen and transgressing creature, and that this was my case, that I never could be relieved or happy without sincere repentance and the merciful forgivings of a gracious Creator. My mind sunk into humility, I confessed to God my sins and implored forgiveness, and in time I felt myself freed from my burthens and I thought I found something like a secret covenant of love and tenderness over my mind. I read the Holy Scriptures and coming over that passage where it is said a measure of the Divine Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. I now began to see that it was by this Heavenly gift I was made unhappy in a transgressing state. Thus one thing opened after another. By looking into the writings of Friends, it was clear to me that they believed the same with the Apostles and first promulgators of the Christian doctrines and religion. I read several of their journals with great satisfaction. My capacity for coming to a correct judgment increasing, I became convinced that Friends were the people who had been Divinely raised up to spread the true doctrines and principles of the Christian religion among mankind. I believed, too, that I was called to the ministration of those principles among my fellow-creatures. I engaged in the work with an humble reliance upon Divine Providence, and in full confidence that I should have the countenance and hearty cooperation of my fellow-professors of the same faith. This I enjoyed to a consoling amount with many whom it has pleased the Almighty to remove from works to rewards, men and women who were blessed instruments in their day in the church of Christ,

Jesse Kersey

22nd of 5th mo. 1825, in the 57th year of my age.