William Penn, whose name is indelibly written in the history of America, was a son of Sir William Penn, an Admiral in the British Navy, whose estate was near Cork, Ireland. William left his native land when a young man, and set his heart upon being a great world conqueror.
At the age of 38, tall, handsome and stately, his movements graceful, with a very commanding though agreeable voice, and large lustrous eyes in an honest face, his presence always commanded respect and confidence. Upon his arrival in what is now known a Pennsylvania, Penn met the Algonquin chiefs and made the most remarkable treaty ever known, for their lands. One has said that this treaty was "the only one made without an oath and never broken!"
Pennsylvania is one of the Middle Atlantic States in the United States. It was one of the thirteen original colonies. Its nickname is the "Keystone State" because it was in the middle of the thirteen original states that extended from New Hampshire to Georgia (a keystone is the center stone that holds an arch together). Pennsylvania got its name from William Penn who called the region Sylvania meaning "woodland." King Charles ii of England added Penn's name to it, and so the region became known as Pennsylvania.
While William was yet a child, an itinerant Quaker preacher named Thomas Loe visited Cork and Sir William Penn, out of curiosity, invited him to visit his estate. While there he addressed the household. William was too young to fully understand what was said, but he was greatly affected by the loud weeping of a servant of the household, and turning to his father he saw the Admiral's bronzed face bathed in tears. This he never forgot, for he realized the reality of spiritual things as never before. Later on as a school boy he wandered in the woods in silent contemplation and seemed suddenly overwhelmed in the sense of the presence of God. (See Psalm 139:1-12).
While at Oxford University, when only 16 years old, he found that Thomas Loe was imprisoned for preaching. This awoke his sympathy and, to the consternation of his father, he ardently embraced the cause of the persecuted Quaker so that the University ordered his expulsion. Soon after this, he managed his father's estate. While thus engaged, Thomas Loe again visited Cork, and William Penn attended his meetings. The seed sown in this boyish heart had taken root and now the time had come when God, in His grace and mercy, gave further light. Thomas Loe had preached from the words: "This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith" (1 John 5:4). Of this he wrote, "It was in this way that God, in His everlasting kindness, guided my feet in the flower of my youth when about 22 years of age." The things of faith became divine realities to Penn and henceforth his life was yielded up to God.
"Faith in the Lord Jesus" was the only ground of his salvation, and beloved reader, this and this alone must be your trust, if you are ever to be delivered from the consequences and power of sin. Peter tells us "Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other Name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). To this Paul adds his testimony: "Through this Man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins and by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses" (Acts 13:38,39). John too says, "The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sin" (1 John 1:7).
May you, like William Penn, know that salvation is "not of works" but faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
--J.W.H. Nichols
Other Articles in This Issue:
May-June 1984 Moments For You
"He Shall Be Like a Tree"
Shall We Overcome?
The Providential Ordering of God
Thorn in the Flesh
Question & Answer
Trees Acrostic
Answers to Acrostic
