194 Private Conference of Alexander and three Quakers- [Oct. 1 
like persons on whose minds vital 
Christianity and undissembled piety 
had the predominance; and after the 
meeting concluded they did not hastily 
leave it, but with that condescension 
and kindness, which they have shewn 
in so remarkable a manner on every 
occasion, they staid to shake hands 
with, and notice several of their friends 
who were near them ; and before get¬ 
ting into the carriage, the Emperor 
told Mr. Allen who he would have wait 
on him with the address, fixing on 
the following day to receive it, saying 
that he wished fora private conference, 
therefore he would not have more at¬ 
tend than he had named. Wm. Allen, 
however, made interest afterwards with 
the ambassador, for Stephen Grissette 
to be admitted. 
The Emperor received us without 
having any other attendants with him, 
and we, William Allen, S. Grissette, 
and myself, J. Wilkinson, continued 
with him near an hour. 
As soon as we began to enter the 
room, the Emperor came forward to us 
and shook hands with each of us in the 
most condescending and affectionate 
manner; and when John Allen pre¬ 
sented the address to him, he took it, 
but did not open it, having previously 
said, he should not wish the time we 
should allot for the audience tobe taken 
up by reading an address, for he had 
seen a copy which was delivered to the 
ambassador on being asked to present 
it. Books were then presented, and 
the Emperor opened each of them, en¬ 
quiring at the same time, with apparent 
interest, what they treated of. The 
books were, 44 Barclay’s Apology,” 
44 Book of Extracts,” 44 Penn‘s no Cross 
no Crown,” his 44 Summary and Max¬ 
ims.” After he had accepted the books, 
he turned round and expressed himself 
with great kindness, and in very full 
terms, concerning the satisfaction he 
felt at having been at the meeting, and 
wished to know whether it was held in 
the same manner our meetings usually 
are ? He was informed that it was, 
but that there was not always speaking 
in our meetings. 
44 Do you then,” said he, 44 read the 
Scriptures in them ?” 
“ We are not in that practice; we 
believe true worship to consist in the 
prostration of the soul before God, and 
we do not consider it absolutely neces¬ 
sary for any thing to be read or spoken 
to produce that effect.” 
44 This is my opinion, also,” replied 
the Emperor, 44 and with regard to 
prayer, have you any form of prayer ?” 
44 We have not; because we believe 
that in prayer the soul must communi¬ 
cate its supplication in such a manner 
as best suits its condition at the time 
prayer is offered up.” 
44 In that,” replied the Emperor, 44 I 
fully agree with you. I believe I can 
truly say there is not a day passes in 
which I do not pray, but it is not in any 
set form of words, "for I soon found that 
my mind would not be satisfied without 
using such language as at the moment 
is applicable to its condition ; but you 
know Jesus Christ gave a set form of 
words to his disciples ?” 
44 He did; yet we conceive it was 
only to instruct them in which it was 
most essential they should petition for, 
without meaning to confine them to 
those very words on all occasions.” 
44 I think you are right,” said the 
Emperor. He then put many judicious 
questions, in order to be made ac¬ 
quainted with the leading features of 
the doctrine, discipline, and punctuality 
of the Society, and appeared well satis¬ 
fied with the answers he received. With 
regard to the operation of the Divine 
Spirit on the mind, he expressed him¬ 
self in such a manner, as one cannot 
conceive him short of being an hum¬ 
ble and faithful follower of its holy 
and secret guidance. After making 
many enquiries about the society, he 
said in the most affectionate manner— 
44 How is it that none of your people 
have been in Russia ? If any of them 
go into my country on a rel igious ac¬ 
count, don’t let them wait for an in¬ 
troduction, but come immediately to 
me, I shall be glad to see them”—ad¬ 
ding, 44 I shall be glad to see them.” 
Towards the conclusion of the audi¬ 
ence, S. Grissette, in a respectful and 
affectionate manner, expressed the 
strong desire he felt for the Emperor’s 
preservation, and the heavy burthens 
and complicated duties which must ne¬ 
cessarily be allotted to him. Whilst 
S. Grissette was speaking, the Emperor 
took him by the hand, and, with a 
countenance full of nobility mingled 
with Christianity and tenderness, re¬ 
plied, 44 What you have said is a cordial 
to my mind, and which will long con¬ 
tinue to be a strengthening to me;”— 
and when he parted with him, he shook 
hands with each of us, after saying, 44 1 
part with you as a friend and brother.” 
I cannot but feel myself very un¬ 
worthy to have been present on such an 
important 
