More of Benezet's Library

BENEZET'S LIBRARY83 INDEED, a strange and unexplored bit of Quaker history! Friends have sought contacts on the continent wherever they felt a readiness to receive the light—a readiness which has scarcely ever been stronger than from 1670 to 1750. There is no other small Christian group with such a catholic urge in its early missionary work, or with the impressive calmness and inner security that distinguish these traveling ministers. The later experiences of Daniel Wheeler and John Bellows, not to mention the episodes described above, and the absurd theology of the Doukhobors, make us realize that Asia begins on the western side of the Ural Mountains. MORE OF BENEZET'S LIBRARY By Henry J. Cadbury IN THE Bulletin of Friends' Historical Association, vol. 23 (1934), pp. 63-75, was published a list of the books bequeathed to Friends Library, Philadelphia, by Anthony Benezet, who died in 1784.1 Of over 180 volumes given, more than fifty were at that time designated as being now assembled in the Haverford College Library. Since then over twenty more of his books have been identified either at Haverford or in the libraries of the other Quaker colleges (Swarthmore, Earlham, Guilford) to which the Philadelphia Library was distributed. These titles are now copied again or added from the original list, with some additional information.2 QUARTO 25. Holy Bible.3 [The Bible here listed is perhaps the Bible owned by his wife (Joyce Benezet), and by her mother and her grand1 The books came to the Library, some before and some after the catalog was printed (see loc. cit., p. 64). Others of Benezet's books were given, we are told, to the school for Blacks where he himself had taught. See "Willing"s Alley School" in the Friend, 17 (1844), p. 179. 2 The original classes and numbers are kept. Designating marks are : * Volume now extant t Item written or published by Anthony Benezet E Charles Evans, American Bibliography Bibliographical information not contained in the catalog printed shortly after Benezet's death in 1784 is added in square brackets. The additional titles given in brackets under Nos. 94 and 126 are bound with the titles listed, as may be ascertained by consulting the extant volumes. 3 Omitted by mistake in the previous list. 84 BULLETIN OF FRIENDS' HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION father (Dr. Griffith Owen), which is now at Haverford College. It is important because it contains family data including the birth and death of Anthony Benezet's two children] OCTAVO 61. Guion Lady, the life of written by herself, 2 vols. [As previously stated a MS note in a very early official copy of the catalog says, "Burnt at a fire." Another copy with Anthony Benezet's autograph came to the Friends Library but did not receive the special bookplate. This work was translated by the Irish Friend, James Gough, and printed at Bristol in 1772] At Haverford *94. A Letter to Doctor Formy. [Written probably by a Friend, James Beezley, and published at London in 1766] At Swarthmore *94. A Letter to Doctor Formey [another copy bound with other items. London, 1766] [A Collection of Some Writings of the . . Quakers. Compiled by M. M. Phila., 1767. E. 10583] [Some Remarks on Religion (by Herman Husbands). Phila., 1761. E. 8885] [The Sufficiency of the Spirit's Teaching, by Samuel How. 7th Ed. Wilmington, 1763. E. 9410] [Reasons and objections for and against the Priviledges Granted to . . the United Brethren. London, 1750] [Reasons for erecting an additional number of schools (by William Dover). London, 1752] [Considerations touching the likeliest means to remove hirelings. By John Milton. Reprinted in the year 1743] [Extracts of Several Treatises wrote by the Prince of Conti and Others concerning Stage Plays. Phila., 1754. E. 7175] At Haverford *126. Ranters and ¡other Libertines (the Anarchy of) by Robert Barclay. [Phila. 1757. E. 7840] [The Epistle to the National Meeting of Friends by J. Pike. Phila. 1757. E. 8008] At Earlham 166. Woolman John (the Works of in Two Parts). 3 setts.3 *180. Two discourses and a Prayer, [by Samuel Fothergill] Sundry do . . . do Character of S. Fothergill An Epistle to Friends in Tortola The Trial of Spirits [by William...