Memoirs and Journal of Hugh Judge

The parents of HUGH JUDGE emigrated from Ireland, and settled in Philadelphia. They were of the Roman catholic profession of religion, and were said to be very strict in their adherence to the customs and ceremonies of that church. They had two sons, of which Hugh was the younger; and they were both baptized in their infancy. After the death of his father, Hugh was placed out apprentice by his mother, Margaret Judge. His elder brother was said to be an uncommonly promising youth; but he died at about the age of eighteen years. His death made a deep impression on Hugh's mind, and he felt his situation as being almost alone in the world, having no relative in this country but his widowed mother. It is probable that this was the season of Divine visitation to his soul, alluded to in the following brief narrative of his early life.

It is said Hugh Judge had no personal acquaintance with Friends in his youth, perhaps during his apprenticeship: but as he grew towards manhood, observing them to be a plain, honest people, he was induced to go to their meetings. This he did for some time, without the knowledge or consent of his mother, who was exceedingly opposed to his religious scruples, and leaving the catholic church. At length, however, she became better reconciled to his change; and after he came forth in the ministry, she attended a Friends' meeting in Philadelphia, where

Hugh appeared in testimony. In the afternoon, as they were sitting together, she drew her chair near to him, and, turning her head on one side, looked him full in the face, addressing him in these words: "Hughey, dear, I was afraid for you to day;-indeed I was. You know you had no edecation at all,—at all, for that business. But I thought you made out very well, indeed I did, Hughey."

If this anecdote is correct, it must have been a satisfaction to Hugh that his mother was thus far reconciled to his coming amongst Friends. No account is found among his papers of the day of his birth; it appears, however, from a comparison of dates, to have occurred in or about the year 1750.

From some detached memorandums, a part of which are lost or wanting, we have collected the following sketch of his early life and first appearance in the ministry, as written by himself.

"In the days of my youth, being placed out apprentice to earn my living, I was deprived of the portion of learning which I ought to have had; and which, if I had had the opportunity, I should have taken without much difficulty. What little time I went to school, I learned fast. I believe I was but one day in learning my letters, and in less than a week I got to reading, in which I took great delight. But I think I did not go to school more than one month in the quarter, and then I had to work hard in the mornings before I went: for, although I was but young, perhaps about twelve or thirteen years of age, yet a portion of work was allotted me every morning; not only to make fires and to fodder the creatures, but also to thresh twenty-four sheaves of

wheat: and being in the winter season, it required my rising before day in order to accomplish my task of work before I went to school. But the Lord inclined my heart to seek him in those my youthful days; though at times, through hard usage, I revolted and gave myself up to a reprobate life. Some times I was tempted to run away, not caring much what became of me, and thinking I could not fare much worse if I spent my days in a prison. But thou, O Father, restrained me, for thou hadst a work for me to do; and as thou wast preparing me for it, thou turnedst those crosses and disappointments into blessings. Thou wast my father and my friend, for I had none to cry unto but thee, and thou didst hear me and comfort me. Thou madest hard things easy, and bitter things sweet, and thou reconciled me to my situation.

As I grew up, I had this consolation, that I was faithful in my master's business. He was for the most part a quiet, inoffensive man; but my mistress and myself were too much of a temper to agree well together; until Truth took hold of my mind and chained down my strong passions, which with hers used to rise very high at times. She was a woman of ungovernable passion, and would sometimes break out upon me in great rage about my work, although I was but young in years. Oh! the injury done to youth, by being placed under such who have no government of their own tempers! I believe many have been ruined thereby, and driven into things that have brought lasting shame and disgrace upon them. It was nothing short of the goodness of the Shepherd of Israel that kept me from falling into gross enormities; for even when I was tempted

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thereto, he raised an abhorrence in my mind against it. He stepped in between, as it were, and would not suffer me to fall into the jaws of the devourer. Oh! matchless, unfathomable love! What shall I render, what have I to render unto thee, O Father of mercies, for all thy benefits? My tongue and my pen are far too short to set forth one half thy praise. It is thine own works that praise thee, and I record it to thy honour.

During those days of the tendering visitations of Divine love to my soul, 1 used frequently when I went out to work in the fields, to take my book along with me, and when I had a little leisure, I found great satisfaction in reading.

In the neighbourhood where I lived, there were many young people, who used frequently to collect together and make merry nights, as they called them. Their amusements were such as card-playing, singing, dancing, &c. in which I also took much delight, and often went to these night meetings; insomuch that there was a prospect of my becoming a proficient in these vanities. But, to the praise of the ever worthy name of my God, be it spoken,-he left me not, but followed me with reproof; his light and his Truth showing me that the course I was pursuing led down to the chambers of death, and thither I was hastening, if I continued in that way. This alarmed me, and caused me to bemoan my situation; so that under these convictions I endeavoured to keep from going into company. Sometimes, I concluded I would associate with them no more; and in order to shun them on the first day of the week (for it was customary for us to collect together on that day) I have at times taken my book and gone from the house,

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Memoirs and Journal of Hugh Judge: A Member of the Society of Friends and ...