“Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” – Philippians 4:5

William Penn was born in London in 1644. The son of a wealthy British Admiral, Penn attended Oxford and became a Quaker while he was a student. In 1681, upon the death of his father, King Charles II granted him land in the New World, today known as Pennsylvania. From the beginning Penn desired Pennsylvania to be a safe have for the persecuted. Though the Charter of Pennsylvania empowered Penn to make war on the Indians, he refused to build any forts or to have cannon or soldiers in his province. Instead, Penn adapted the principle of “a civil society of men enjoying the highest possible degree of freedom and happiness.” Penn learned the Indians language and customs and made a peace with them. The peace required that all quarrels should be settled by a meeting of six white men and six Indians. The Indians enjoyed equal citizenship with the white men and an equal choice of land. George Bancroft writes, that “while every other colony in the New World was visited in turn by the horrors of Indian warfare, no drop of Quaker blood was ever shed by a red man in Pennsylvania.” When William Penn died they mourned him as their friend.

Are you a gentle person? Today in prayer, thank Christ for His gentleness. Pray for His strength to follow His example.

“The gentle are courteous and kind; exercise restraint; practice reticence in speech, knowing that words can wound and silence may be more affirming than chatter; do not intrude into another’s life but are available to and responsive to other’s needs.” – Maxie Dunnam

God’s Word: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” – Colossians 3:12

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2002, Devotional E-Mail DEVOTIONS IN Philippians(858) 518-6634 pkennedy@devotional.com