PREFACE.

More than two years ago the manuscripts of Samuel J. Levick were, by his family, placed in my hands with the request that they be prepared for publication.

On looking over these papers it was discovered that-excepting the letters-they had nearly all been written before he was twenty-five years of age; thus leaving the last forty years of his full life to be accounted for by others, in the absence of records made by his own pen. It is true that the "Correspondence" has furnished us with way-marks-though some of them far apart-up to his last decade, and during this period the annual reports of the societies with which he was connected have enabled us to note his activity and usefulness in secular affairs, while the minutes of the Monthly Meeting point to religious service away from home.

It should be borne in mind that our valued friend-though he wielded a facile pen--was a thinker, a speaker, and a worker, rather than a writer; and that during those forty years his time was so fully occupied that he had little leisure for using his pen except in response to the demands of business, of friendship and of affection.

The arrangement of the matter, as will be observed, is by subjects rather than by dates; for as Samuel J. Levick was a many-sided man it seemed desirable to present the different sides in such a way that one would not obstruct nor interfere with the view of another. The order of time, though thus made secondary, is followed as far as is practicable under each of the subjects. The domestic life, the social life, the business life, the philanthropic and humane work must all be taken into account, as well the commission to proclaim the Gospel.

In the first three Chapters are noted his ancestry, his environment and the conditions that accompany a healthy, happy and active boyhood.

In the Fourth, we must wade through deep waters if we would accompany a tender-spirited young man on his religious journey, and know just what he passed through before he reached the broad plane on which he traveled during the last twenty-five years of his life.

The Fifth Chapter, while it presents to our view the mature life of a very active man, must be regarded as suggestive rather than minutely historical: he did so much during those forty years that was not recorded.

In the "Correspondence" the omissions are not indicated by asterisks, as they consist of business or family matters which would not concern the general reader; or else of allusions to occurrences whose interest has long since passed the limit of time.

The "Thoughts on Special Topics" were apparently jotted down as the subjects had taken hold of his mind; and as some of the papers were without heading, and several of them without date, it is probable that he intended them as mere outlines to be elaborated at some future time. Chapter Eighth is the account of his early religious labors from home. Of the later ones the minutes of the meeting, the recollections of his family, and his own letters, have furnished the data.

The "Sermons" from which the selections have been made -and several of them are given nearly in full-it is believed were all delivered in Philadelphia during the late years of his life. It may be said that any Friend's sermon-being intended for the assembly in which it is delivered-suffers from being placed on paper. The aroma cannot be conveyed to the reader, even where the words are faithfully reported. this be true of all Friends' sermons, it is particularly so of Samuel J. Levick's; for his words seemed to have magnetic force as well as Gospel unction, while the earnestness of his manner was solemnly impressive.

If

The Tenth Chapter is a review of the life, with especial reference to his call to the ministry, and his preparation for the work.

There were so many collateral items which though germane to the subject would have broken the thread of the narrative, that an Appendix seemed to be required.

To those who have been life-long members of the religious Society of Friends, some of the observations and explanations may seem superfluous; while on the other hand, many who knew Samuel J. Levick, but who are not acquainted with the usages, the phraseology--the peculiarities of the denomination, may find passages or expressions difficult to be understood. Though both of these classes have been considered in the preparation of the work, still it is possible that some readers may not feel quite satisfied with the treatment of this portion of the subject: those who would become fully acquainted with Friends should see them in their homes, and in their social gatherings, and observe their intercourse with each other in every-day life.

Should any reader think that secular affairs have been made too prominent, let it be remembered that the Life would not have been true without a presentation of this part: should another feel that the early religious experience has been dwelt upon at too great length, let him remember that it was this experience which our friend valued above every earthly consideration, and which had fitted him for the discharge of his duties as well as for the enjoyment of life.

Should it appear, on a superficial view, as if different portions of the Life were contradictory to each other, a closer study may reveal the fact that it is the record of a candid man whose heart was right, and who was most esteemed where best known. If all the readers of this book had known him of whom it treats, known him in his every-day walk, in the by-ways as well as in the highways, at home as well as abroad, they would not be likely to stumble at seeming inconsistencies, but would see the course of an honest and earnest man following the golden thread of obedience to the manifestations of duty.

PHILADELPHIA, Pa., Twelfth Month, 1895.

HUGH FOULKE.

NOTE. The editor is indebted to numerous friends for information and other assistance in the preparation of the work. The correspondents of Friends' meetings, the librarians of this city, and the officers of the societies of which Samuel J. Levick was a member, have kindly responded to all inquiries sent to them, and the publishers of books have given "full permission" to make extracts from their publications.

Especial mention may be made of the assistance rendered by Howard M. Jenkins in furnishing the sketch (a brief one was requested) of the early establishment of Merion Meeting, also valuable information on sundry points; by Charles Francis Saunders who kindly assisted in preparing some of the papers for the press; by J. Lewis Crew, President, and by Richard Moore, Secretary of the "Pennsylvania Society to Protect Children from Cruelty;" by M. V. B. Davis, Secretary of the " Pennsylɣania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals;" by Charles W. Alexander, Secretary of the “Pennsylvania Bicentennial;" by John W. Jordan of the "Pennsylvania Historical Society;" and by the following who have responded to special requests: Charles S. Albertson, Henry T. Coates, Morton C. Coggeshall, Joseph T. Foulke, Jno. E. Freas, Jane G. Kinsey, Emily R. Lyman, Alfred Mellor, Alfred Moore, Wesley Patterson, L. J. Richards, Adolph Roeder and Samuel Sharp.

To the different members of the family individual acknowledgments are due for their hearty cooperation from the inception to the completion of the work.