How to flourish under persecution

“Our Society originated, grew stronger, and flourished under persecution, and the members were united in the strong bonds of mutual love and affection, which qualified them to deeply feel for each other, and made them willing to share in each other’s sufferings. In this state nothing but force or ill health kept them from their meetings.

See what a noble example was set by the children and youth of those early Friends, who met with such cruel persecutions in consequence of their endeavors to discharge their several duties–in promoting truth and righteousness in the earth. Even when their parents were confined in prison they faithfully assembled and kept up their religious meetings, so that instead of the fathers, there were the faithful sons, and instead of the mothers were the pious and exemplary daughters. A perseverance in such faithfulness effectually rolled back the floods of persecution, and powerfully rebuked the strongholds of wickedness.”