raised against him, as being the leader of this new sect, that he was deprived of the company of his friends, and denied the use of the Bible, or pen, ink, and paper; nor was he even permitted to converse with the other prisoners. Such was the rigorous spirit of persecution, excited by the priests against an innocent man! And yet such was his christian disposition, that when seized by the officers, and committed to prison, where his hands and feet were put in irons, and other abuses offered him, he bore it all with meekness and patience; saying, when the irons were put on his hands, "I rejoice that I am worthy thus to suffer persecution for the Lord's sake. And though you have taken away my outward property, yet you cannot take away my inward peace." These expressions, together with his humble, patient, christian conduct, had such an effect on those who were present, that divers of them became converts to his religious principles.

Whatever might have been the alleged ground of this severe treatment against Hans Neilson Houghe and his brethren, it is highly probable that the popular prejudice was excited by the priests on account of their dissent from the national way of worship, or for holding opinions and principles that tended to lessen the influence and authority of the clergy. Although the priests appeared to have got the magistrates so far enlisted in their favour as to deprive this inoffensive people of much of their property, and to imprison their leader, yet it was not long that this popular excitement prevailed,-for some of the magistrates of milder dispositions, did not see any thing in their tenets or writings that would be likely to endanger the state or injure any one; and

therefore the irons were soon taken off from Hans Neilson Houghe, and he was told by some of the magistrates that he might leave the prison. But when the irons were removed from his hands, he said he did not feel the same comfort, as he had done when they were on. He also refused to accept his discharge, until they would give him a sufficient reason why they had imprisoned him, and deprived him and his friends of their property. This does not appear to have been done, probably because the proceedings were arbitrary, and not sanctioned by law-and as his pacific principles did not admit of applying to law for redress, he patiently suffered the effects of their unjust treatment, so that it might be seen that he was a christain who could not retaliate an injury. He, however, availed himself of the liberty of using his pen, and wrote several epistles and letters to his friends, from the prison at Christiana, some of which are hereto subjoined. He also walked out occasionally and visited his friends, holding meetings with them for religious purposes.

At a time when there was a great scarcity of salt, by reason of the war, as Hans Neilson Houghe understood the chemical process of obtaining it from salt water, he was permitted to go to the western parts of Norway, and other places, in order to erect salt works, and teach others the process of making that article. This service being completed, he voluntarily returned to his prison, where he resided in the year 1813, and how long previous we are not informed, probably several years.

By the account of a young man, a native of Norway, now residing in Philadelphia, and who remembers having once seen Hans Neilson Houghe, he

thinks he was liberated from prison some time before his death, which occurred, according to the best of his recollection, about the year 1823. His funeral was attended by a very large concourse of people, and this circumstance may be considered an indication of the great esteem in which he was held, at the close of his days.

Our informant further states, that though Hans Neilson Houghe was a Friend in principle, yet in the latter part of his life, he, as well as many of those called Saints, admitted of singing in their meetings, and some of them conformed to such ceremonies as baptism, and the supper, or the use of bread and wine-yet they generally have a testimony against war, oaths, and a hireling ministry. In another respect they differ from Friends, especially of latter time-they conform to the Lutheran religion so far as to attend the established worship on first-day mornings; but in the afternoons, and at other times, they hold their own meetings, in which every one who feels disposed has liberty to speak his feelings or impressions of mind, both men and women. They are therefore a distinct society from Friends, though embracing many of their principles and testimonies.

We shall close this account of Hans Neilson Houghe, with inserting two of his Epistles, written while a prisoner at Christiana, and dated

The Prison at Christiana, 1813.

Dear loving brethren and sisters,

Oh! how glad I am, when I think of you,

and of other dear friends whom God hath called, and on whom his love is poured out and received!

Let

us affectionately love one another, and be zealous in every good work, as stewards of God; and, by his help, labour that we may get a little to do good with, and meditate how that good may best be shed abroad, that our lights may shine in the world. But although our love and desire may be to do good to our fellowbelievers, and this is one great duty, yet Christ has taught us to do good to, and to love our enemies.If we do this, we shall experience that we shall be happy when we return good for evil. Think of the best means to arouse them from their indifference and lukewarmness; let us serve them in every thing we can; and thus let our love be perfect towards them. This may, perhaps, operate towards their improvement; then will our enemies become our friends, and we shall be happy. Let us, by all means, show the excellence of truth and virtue.Once more I repeat, how glad I am, in considering that we are called to this great and important work! Ah! how dreadful, that by trouble and despair, any should flee from this great and happy object. O brethren and sisters! called in Christ to be heavenly joint-heirs with him, we have read that many have given way, and have turned from him, and left their first love. Oh! it seems thus to have happened, that many have turned their minds to the world again; to self-interest, covetousness, and vanity. O brethren and sisters! let us who through indifference may have given way to any of these things, beware of extinguishing the fire which has been kindled; let us more and more long after it, that our hearts may be the more inflamed by it; and let us entreat the Lord, that he would pour out his Spirit upon us.

We often commune together, particularly every

first-day night; and I have thereby often been moved to tears, and been strengthened to believe that my hopes would yet be accomplished;-that grace may, through the Lord, be renewed by me and others who may be called to advocate his cause. Oh! pray to the Lord with me, that this may be the case, and that the wicked may be hindered of their design of my destruction, and of continuing me in prison, which yet holds me. But let us, above all, pray that neither the snares of the world, nor the ease of the flesh, should in this work make us more indifferent or worldly-minded.

I have been a little moved about my earthly father's sudden death. I remember, in my youth, he was earnestly desirous to give me instruction about God, and that I might be faithful to him.

I give my love to you all, my friends, and earnestly desire that the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ, who suffered death for our salvation, may be ingrafted in us all, that, by receiving his saving grace, and keeping it in our hearts, we may live a blessed life here and for ever. Amen.

HANS NEILSON HOUGHE.

The Prison at Christiana, 1813,

To the called in the Lord's vineyard, as well as to those who have laboured long, and having given proof of their faithfulness, have been chosen; grace, peace, and a blessed life, be with you, after the commandments of Jesus Christ: you are all saluted by many friends, who have been here from different parts.

My weakness, with other peculiar circumstances