Thomas Scattergood
Thomas Scattergood
Thomas Scattergood (1748 - 1814) was a minister in the Society of Friends who knew what it meant to be “in deaths often,” to be “hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; perplexed but not in despair.” But his many seasons of conflict and suffering were clearly made a blessing to him, both as a means of personal preservation from the snares of the enemy, and of preparing him to minister in remarkable power and authority in the presence of large assemblies. Few persons, it is believed, were preserved more steadily in a state of inward watchfulness and retirement of spirit, waiting upon the Lord. And few were enabled to see more clearly, or to minister more pertinently to the states of meetings and individuals. Though he always maintained a low opinion of himself, and spoke rarely and diffidently of the fruits of his ministry, all who knew him heartily testified to the baptizing and convincing power of his gospel labors.
My uncle Thomas Scattergood…was not only remarkable for the gift of the ministry of the gospel of life and salvation, but also for the spirit of prophecy, with which he was at times clearly endowed, and under which he often foretold coming events; being a man who lived in the Spirit and walked in the Spirit, and to whom the Lord condescended to make known his secrets relating to the spiritual condition of others, and of his works among the children of men.
- William Evans
Books by Thomas Scattergood
The Journal of Thomas Scattergood
The Journal of Thomas Scattergood
The journal and letters of Thomas Scattergood, showing his humility and steadfastness in the way of the cross while wading through deep trials, sorrows and perplexities; also relating his early travels in America in the work of the gospel, and his six years of arduous labor in several European countries.
- 498 pages
- journal
- 44 Downloads
“Spent some time this evening reading in the Journal of Thomas Scattergood; and it is renewedly sealed upon my mind that the great exercise and travail of soul that he passed though in England and America, in his ministerial labors, were designed as a particular call and warning to those amongst us in the ministry, not to trust to, or lean to our own understandings in our religious movements. Oh! how abased, how shut up, how exceedingly stripped, tried and tempted, did our Heavenly Father permit him to become, not only for a day or a month, but for months together!”
— Ann Branson
Related Books
The Life and Letters of Rebecca Jones
The name Rebecca Jones appears many times throughout the journal of Thomas Scattergood, and it is clear that she played a vital role in his life, both as an intimate friend and sister in the faith, and an encourager in the work of the ministry. It was Rebecca Jones (when bedridden with the Yellow Fever) who confirmed Scattergood’s call to “go over the great waters” to minister to the church in Europe.