When a little over fifteen years of age, William Penn entered as “a gentleman commoner " at Oxford, where he remained three years, distinguishing himself as a hard and successful student. We learn from himself that he was preserved uncorrupted in the midst of the dissipations and wickedness which abounded in the University. He took great delight in manly sports, and in the society of those young men who were distinguished for talents or worth. Among those with whom he was intimate were Robert Spencer, afterwards the well-known Earl of Sunderland, and the venerable John Locke. After the Restoration, the court set to work to remodel the University, by displacing those who held Puritanical opinions, or who had found favor during the Commonwealth, and installing others friendly to the re-established church and the lax moral principles then prevailing. Dr. Owen, conspicuous as a scholar and a strict religionist, was ejected to make room for a royalist partisan; and the students became divided into parties, applauding or denouncing the changes made. There is reason to believe, from observations made by William Penn himself, that throughout his youth he was repeatedly visited by the Dayspring from on high, bringing him into serious thoughtfulness. While at college his associates appear to have been those of a religious cast of character like himself, who had probably been influenced by the teaching and advice of Dr. Owen. It so happened that while much controversy was going on among the scholars relative to religious opinions and practices, Thomas Loe, who had belonged to the University, and had now joined the Society of Friends, came to Oxford, and held several meetings. To these meetings William Penn and his associates went, and a deep impression was made upon their minds by the powerful preaching of this devoted servant of Christ. They declined being present at what were now the regular "services" of the college, and held private meetings for worship and religious exhortation and prayer; and for this they were fined. When an order came down from Charles the Second that the surplice should be worn, according to the custom of ancient times, which was an unusual sight then at that University, they refused to wear them, and tore them off those they met. How far William Penn was implicated in this is not known; but his course gave great offence, and he was expelled the University with his associates. When he returned home his father received him coldly. Indeed, he could not be otherwise than displeased with his son, on account of the public disgrace which he had thus incurred; but that which vexed him most was the change now observable in his habits, for he began to abandon what was called the fashionable world, and to mix only with serious and religious people. The Admiral was fearful that all the prospects in life which he had formed for his son, and which he could have promoted by his great connections, would be done away. Anxious, therefore, to recover him, he had recourse to persuasion and argument. This failing, like one accustomed to arbitrary power, he proceeded to blows; and the latter failing also, he turned him out of doors. The Admiral, after a procedure so violent, began at length to relent. His wife, an amiable woman, lost no opportunity of intercession. Overcome, therefore, by his own affectionate nature on the one hand, and by her entreaties on the other, he forgave his son. But he was desirous of meeting the evil for the future, and he saw no other means of doing it than by sending his son to France. He indulged a hope that the change of scene might wean him from his old connections, and that the gayety of French manners might correct the growing gravity of his mind. Accordingly, in 1662, he sent him to that country in company with certain persons of rank who were then going upon their travels. The place where he first resided was Paris. Though William Penn was kept pure in the midst of the seductions of this gay and licentious metropolis, it furnished little society calculated to strengthen his pious resolutions. He afterwards resided some time at Saumur, where he went for the purpose of receiving instruction from the celebrated Moses Amyrault, a learned Calvinistic minister and professor of divinity, who was then held in high estimation. Under this instructor he renewed his studies, read the ancient fathers as well as the modern works of theology, and acquired an accurate knowledge of the French language. After leaving Saumur, he proceeded towards Italy, but when he arrived at Turin a letter from his father reached him, desiring his return home. The Admiral having received orders to take command of the fleet under the Duke of York against the Dutch, wished to leave his family in the care of his son. William accordingly returned in 1664, having been absent about two years. On his return his father perceived not only that he had become a good French scholar, but that he brought with him the air and bearing of the courtly life to which he had been introduced in Paris. His new associations had in some degree worn off the seriousness of his demeanor, so that his father supposed that he had gained his point. At his suggestion he entered as a student of law at Lincoln's Inn. While there his father sailed with the fleet, and he accompanied him for a few days. His letter on landing at Harwich shows the affectionate respect he had for his father. "HONORED FATHER:-We could not arrive here sooner than this day, about twelve of the clock, by reason of the continued cross winds, and, as I thought, foul weather. I pray God, after all the foul weather and dangers you are exposed to, and shall be, that you come home as secure. And I bless God my heart does not in any way fail, but firmly believe that if God has called you out to battle, He will cover your head in that smoky day. And, as I never knew what a father was till I had wisdom enough to prize him, so I can safely say that now, of all times, your concerns are most dear to me." The Admiral made his son bearer of a despatch to King Charles. This was no doubt his first official visit to Whitehall, but that he must have been well known to the king appears by his letter to his father reporting the delivery of the despatch. His letter closes with these words: "I pray God be with you, and be your armor in the day of controversy! May that power be your salvation, for his name's sake. And so will he wish and pray, that is with all true veneration, honored father, WILLIAM PENN." He continued at Lincoln's Inn about a year, until the great plague which prevailed in London in 1665 induced him to leave the city. The awful scenes of death deeply impressed him. The Holy Spirit again broke up his false rest and showed him the emptiness of worldly grandeur and honor, and wooed him to leave all and follow Christ. William Penn's worldly prospects were highly flattering to the natural ambition of a young and ardent mind. He possessed a manly form blooming with health, a lively and active disposition, a ready wit and talents improved by great literary and scientific attainments, and many rich and powerful friends. These, added to his father's interest at court, and his intimacy with the Duke of York, presumptive heir to the crown, as well as the solicitations of numerous friends, strongly inclined him to embrace the glory and pleasures of this world, which might be said to court his acceptance. But the glory and joy of the heavenly inheritance had taken possession of his mind; and it is evident from his own account that he was under deep religious feeling, and panting after the more full disclosure of divine Truth. He had come from the continent with an air of gayety and a show of polite manners which the Admiral had mistaken for a great change in his mind. But now, in 1666, all volatile appearances had died away. He had become again a serious person. He mixed again only with grave and religious people. His father could not but notice this change. Not easily to be vanquished, he determined a second time to endeavor to break up his son's connections, and, to effect this, he sent him to Ireland. |