work that he has begun may go on and prosper, and many may be turned to him. My dear husband was a pattern of humility and good conduct in his family in the time of his health; and exemplary in his last illness, patiently bearing his affliction. His disease was not violent; but, of the nature of a consumption. He continued to attend meetings very diligently, as long as natural strength admitted, and many times appeared in testimony very sweetly and lively, though very weak in body. He died the 6th day of the eleventh month, 1720, and his remains were buried the 8th day of the same, at Friends' burying-place at Hetherside, being accompa nied thither by a very great number of Friends and others. BRIDGET STORY. ble spirit of Christ, in the management of the affairs of the church, that there was an ear open to hear him to his dying day. And without doubt, those that were joined with him in a concern for Zion's prosperity and Jerusalem's welfare, will feel the loss of him. I visited him in the time of his illness, and found him well in the Lord, and had true unity with him; and I am satisfied he is entered into everlasting rest. The Lord who in love and mercy raised him up, and made him serviceable in his generation, is able to bring up others in his stead to answer the same service, to the honour and glory of his own name. Leeds, the 21st of the 2d month, 1721. AARON ATKINSON. The Testimony of Aaron Atkinson, concerning his beloved friend, CHRISTOPHER STORY. My deceased friend was the instrument in the Lord's hand for my convincement. In the year 1688, I went to an evening meeting, held at the house of Christopher Taylor, at Hetherside, in the parish of Kirklinton, and county of Cumberland, where he preached the everlasting Gospel in the demonstration of the spirit and power of God; at which time I was effectually convinced, and fully resolved never to depart from it. The next morning this meek man of God came where I was, and set me on my way, and tenderly dropped matter suitable to the condition I was then in, to my comfort and encouragement. He continued to be a father in Christ to me; and my spirit was subject to him, as his son in the Lord. I sincerely loved him, and preferred him in meetings of worship and business; and I do not remember that I ever was in a meeting where his mouth was opened, but he added something to me. After it pleased God to engage me in the ministry of the Gospel, I several times travelled with this Friend, and he was a great help to me in my exercise; I could freely lay both my strength and weakness open to him to judge of. He was a good example in self-denial, humility, and temperance, a true Christian, a qualified elder, and a gifled minister of Christ, by whom God was pleased to edify his church. He was a wise man, and understanding in things of this life also; and was very serviceable among Friends in weighty matters. I often with satisfaction beheld his innocency and patience, and how forbearing he was in the time of provocation for the church's peace, and careful when he spoke to matters not to give offence to his brethren. He was so preserved in the peacea CHAPTER I. 1648-1678. Birth-Education-Early Convictions — Marriage-Becomes convinced of the Principles of Friends-A meeting settled-Meetings generally held in silence-Many convinced-Call to the Ministry-Visit to Scotland. I was born at Righead, in the parish of Kirklinton, in Cumberland, about six miles from Carlisle, and nearly as much from Scotland, in the beginning of the fourth month, 1648. My father's name was Thomas Story, a younger brother of the family of the Story's, who lived at Lake, in that parish. My mother's name was Elizabeth Parret, eldest daughter of Christopher Parret, who had been priest of the same parish, and being an industrious man, he bought that estate of land, which I now possess, and improved it to a good degree. Being the only son my father and mother had, who lived to grow up, they began betimes to give me education, and I gained favour of most that knew me. My father, having been servant to Philip Musgrave, of Edenhall, knight, (of an ancient family in the county of Cumberland,) who in the time of the civil war between the king and parliament, was for the king, underwent many jeopardies, to the hazard of his life. But when King Charles II. was restored to the crown, the said Philip Musgrave being in favour with him, had great places of profit and trust under government; and then he rewarded my father for his former services. Being sometimes with my father, when he went to see him; he ordered him to send me to his house, at such times in the year as he thought best, to learn breeding and good manners, as they call it. At one time he said to my father, he had a son to send to the university, about my age; and if he would fit me with learning suitable for that place, he would send me thither with his son and bear my charge. I was kept at school until the time I was to have gone to the university, but when it came, my mother was not willing, and her reason was this, "If I should be educated at the college, it was doubtful whether I ever came to live in the country; and it might happen, that I would sell the land, and live elsewhere; and considering that I was likely to have sufficient to live upon, she would not consent I should go." an inn where people of many sorts resorted, yet the Lord preserved me beyond many from the sin of drunkenness, and the excessive smoking of tobacco I never loved. Yet as I grew in years, I was drawn after the vain pastimes which are in the world; as shooting with guns and bows, and following them that played at cards, and I was successful in playing, and my mind as much taken with that foolish practice, as most things. For this the Lord gave me a sore rebuke in myself, that I was sensible of trouble of conscience for many days, and was consulting with myAnd I may say, that God, who created man self, what to do, not knowing of one man who in his own image, for a purpose of his glory, judged the thing unlawful to be done. The hath regard unto him and to his future happi-old enemy appeared in my heart and brought ness; as appears by his patience and long- a fair pretence with him, viz: that I might suffering, which hath led many to repentance: safely play at any time except the first-days notwithstanding their former disobedience and rebellion against his law written in their hearts, and his good spirit that he hath put in their inward parts. Amongst the many thousands of the disobedient and rebellious, unto whom the Lord in his love and unspeakable kindness, extended mercy, in and through his dear Son, Christ Jesus, I was one whom the Lord called by his grace when I was young in years, and preserved me from many evils, to which I was prone as well as others. I scarcely knew it was the Lord, but felt there was something near me and with me from a child, that inclined my heart to seek after the Lord, and to read the Holy Scriptures. As I grew up to years of understanding, I was sober and more moderate than some others, though the place of my abode was in the border of England, where wickedness of the grossest sort had swelled to that height, that theft, robbery and bloodshed, with many other crying sins, were so very frequent, that hell (in that sense) had opened her mouth; the remembrance of which, much affects my heart with sorrow. When I think of such as are gone, who were but an age before me, and several others that are largely made partakers of the mercy of God; that the Lord in his free love, should pluck us as brands out of the fire, and preserve us from those gross evils, which generations before us were found in, I feel is an obligation never to be forgotten. As the Lord was pleased to get himself a name in the earth, in calling us to be a people to his praise, who were as the outcasts of the nation, he began to work in the hearts of a young generation, when but tender in age, of which I was one: and though we were short of having an eye unto the Lord, in all our undertakings, yet He was not short in having an eye over us for good. I was brought up in a public-house, my father and mother keeping at night, being a practice amongst us; and this gave me a little ease for a time; and I observed it. Then a fear entered my mind, that I durst not join with young people in their pastimes, and light began more to appear, and I saw we must be more religious than formerly; but the enemy would suggest to me that I was young, and might live long, and it was time enough for me to be religious when I was married; and here I rested for some years, though often under trouble, believing I must live more godly, or otherwise I could not enter God's kingdom.-When I was about eighteen years of age, my father and mother were desirous I should marry a young woman whose parents were of good repute in the country; and a weighty concern it was to me, and under the sense thereof, I prayed to the Lord in the night season, "that if it were for our good, it might come to pass, and if not, it might not be so." About this time, my heart came to be more and more opened, and I saw the danger of poverty and riches, and at a certain time, I retired, and the saying of the wise man came into my remembrance, and I prayed to the Lord to give me neither poverty nor riches, for I saw there was danger on both hands; and though I desired to keep company with those that were most sober, yet was I often under great affliction of mind. When I was at any time with the profane, if I partook of their joy at night, sorrow came in the morning. While I remained here, a great fever being in the country, and many dying, when it entered my house, and my wife was taken ill of it, I was persuaded to go to a woman who was blind, and pretended she could do great things. I inquired of her if I should take the distemper, she being one who undertook to tell what would come to pass: She told me, no, and I believed her, but when the Lord visited me with sickness, my disobedience on the one hand, and my believing her, which brance, and it wrought like leaven, and I searched the Scriptures, and thought to have rest there. I looked upon as distrusting God, on the meeting, there was such an inclination in me other, brought such horror and trouble of mind to go to it, though it was a little past time, that upon me, that I concluded, if I should then I went in great haste. When I came, the die, there were no hopes of mercy for me. Friend, whose name was John Wilkinson, was My mother being in great trouble for me, preaching. He had formerly been an Inde would have comforted me with this, that I ex- pendent preacher; but I, being so much hurceeded others in my life and conversation, but ried, and having an eye out to the exercise I could not believe there was any favour at some were under, was but a little reached; the Lord's hand for me, except He should re- yet had a great desire to speak with the store me to my health, and I become a new Friend; and went into the inn among Friends, man. I saw I was not to regard soothsayers, hoping to get some discourse, but not being in or such as pretend to tell things to come, they the same room with him, was frustrated. themselves being out of the life of righteous- Though I was but a little reached, yet what ness. Under this great distress and anguish he said was afterwards brought to my rememof soul I cried mightily unto the Lord, that he would spare me yet a while; and that saying came into my mind, the prayer of the righteous availeth much; and knowing not but the priest Another meeting being appointed about a might be one of them whom the Lord would mile off, there was full notice of it, to which hear, I had a mind he should come. When many went; and Robert Barclay going northhe came, he wanted his book, and could not ward, hearing of the meeting, came and spoke pray, so that I was disappointed, but may say the word of truth excellently to the people, so though all other helps failed, yet the Lord that I could have said amen to several things; never failed, for he was pleased to restore me, and amongst the rest, he said, "If a man and when restored, inclined my heart to seek could begin at Genesis, and repeat all the after him. I thought it my duty often to pray Scriptures to the end of Revelations, and was to the Lord, in secret places, to show me his not led and guided by a measure of that spirit way wherein I should walk, for I was satisfied by which the Scriptures were given forth, it I was out of the way; because of the trouble would avail him nothing." Then I saw, all of mind I was under. As prayer seemed to that I had, availed nothing. After the meeting me to be a duty, I thought it my place to wait was over, and Friends and people were about upon the Lord, to feel what would open upon to part, there came a young priest and offered my mind to supplicate the Lord for, and not some discourse. I being forward, having read to pray in form; but having little answer of much of the Scriptures, was willing to join well-done from the Lord, I grew weary, and with the priest against Friends; but Robert became more and more formal in my prayers, Barclay perceiving there was little good to be and my distress increased. Then I began to done, for there was like to be an uproar among doubt that I had not been so diligent as I should the people, some shouting and making a noise, have been in my devotion in the time of our there being many sorts of people, took his worship, though I frequently went; so I re- horse and went away. But some Friends persolved for the time to come, I would go to ceiving I was forward in discourse, cast themchurch with the first, and hear and observe selves in my way; and another young priest every word the priest said; but I saw all that that had been at the meeting, took part with I could do, signified little: and I was not to me; and in the hearing of many, we discoursed sing, neither durst I open my mouth as others about many things. I saw clearly that Friends did, but sat solitarily. Then the Lord showed were too hard for us, though I would not acme the effects of the priests' ministry. They knowledge it, and I put on a resolution that could tell what sin was, and what would be I would never more dispute publicly with the reward of the righteous; and what would be the reward of the wicked; but how to come out of sin, which was the thing I wanted to know, they left me at a loss, and this lessened their esteem in my view. I read much of the Scriptures and could talk of them. In this time of distress, the Lord sent his servants amongst us; and at a place called Langtown, there was a meeting appointed, which being about three miles from the place of my abode, I never heard of it till I was come to the church, (so called) it being the first day of the week. When I heard of this VOL. I.-No. 4. Friends. Being come home, and under great exercise what to do, I searched the Scriptures-read much, and wanted to be informed concerning many things that Friends held. In this time Friends appointed another meeting about a quarter of a mile from my abode, and I had many serious thoughts what to do. At last I resolved I would go to the meeting, and get near the public Friends, and hear every word they said; and if I liked them well, I would invite them to my house, on purpose to discourse with them privately about several things. 19 While I was under this resolution, one who being pretty well filled, Thomas Carleton and had professed truth but had proved unfaithful, Thomas Langhorn advised me to speak to the coming to work at my house, we presently people to sit down, and we would have a meetbegan to discourse about religion, though I ing. I did so, and we had a meeting; and took little notice of him, because of his mis- afterward several of us, Christopher Taylor, carriages; but when he perceived I was dis- William Graham of Sikeside, and Francis satisfied with the priests and their doctrine, he Story, who was clerk and schoolmaster, with went away home, and brought me a little book some others, went to an upper room, and written by Francis Howgill, the title of which having written some queries, came down. was Mystery, Babylon, the Mother of Harlots.' When the Friends perceived what we aimed The reading of this, satisfied me much, and at, Thomas Carleton, being pretty quick and drew me nearer in my mind to Friends; and expert in answering questions, called for a I began to say to him "Dost thou think if I Bible, and did not so much argue with us, as should invite your friends to my house, they endeavour to let us see what the Scripture said, would come with me?" He answered, "If I putting us gently by, for we were much for did so, I would do well; and further added, arguing: we parted pretty well satisfied. that they who gave but a cup of cold water in Next morning the Friends going to Carlisle, the name of a disciple, should not lose their Christopher Taylor and I went with them; reward." The meeting day came, and many and we asked many things, which they anpeople flocked to the meeting; and I was dili-swered to our satisfaction. In our going along, gent to hear the testimony of truth. Thomas Carleton, a man of a sweet countenance (as I remember) spake concerning the spirit of truth being come that convinceth the world of sin, and that this if taken heed unto, would lead out of all sin; of which words I was heartily glad, for I said in myself, "I have felt that from a child which condemned me for sin; and if this be sufficient to lead out of sin, it is what I have long wanted." The meeting parted, and people going homeward, I went away serious; and when gone about two hundred yards from the place where the meeting was held, it suddenly came into my mind what I had been thinking of the week before. I stood still to consider what to do; and began to reason that they were strangers to me, and it was not safe to meddle with them. I began to go homeward, and had gone but a little way, when I met a Friend whom I knew; and he asked me about the meeting; and speaking of my satisfaction, I asked him, if he thought the Friends, (who were Thomas Carleton and Thomas Langhorn) would go home with me, for the thing was pressing upon my mind. Said he, "Shall I tell them?" I said he might. After he was gone, I began to reason, and was much afraid I had missed my way, but thought I would stand still to see what they would do. When they came near, a mighty dread seized upon me, and I had much ado to abstain from shaking and trembling, that I abhorred myself. But when the Friends came and took me by the hand, and asked me if I was willing they should go with me, and I replied, I was, my strength came to me again; and going home to my house, the report spread abroad I was turned Quaker, and the Quakers gone to my house. In a few hours, it being in the winter, and the nights about the longest, many neighbours came to hear and see; and the house a heavenly melodious song sounded through Thomas Langhorn, and we were affected with it. After we had parted, in our return home we said one to another, "If there be saints upon earth, those men are two of them." Friends hearing of these things, J. Wilkinson appointed another meeting in two or three weeks after; and coming to the place, it being a wet season, Christopher Taylor was desired that it might be on his ground, on a little hill called Meggs Hill, (now Friends' buryingground,) which he readily granted. There was a very glorious meeting, and many were convinced. That night Christopher Taylor invited John Wilkinson to his house; and he, his wife, and his brother Andrew, all received the truth in the love of it, became worthy Friends, and died in the faith. After several meetings amongst us, and divers convinced, we were advised to keep a meeting to wait upon the Lord, though there were none to speak words; so we agreed to have a meeting at my house in the year 1672. Being but a few, we concluded to have it in an upper room of mine; and when we sat down together, I may say I was hard beset to keep my mind from running hither and thither after the transitory things of this world; and a great warfare I had for the greatest part of the meeting. Yet near the conclusion, those vain thoughts vanished, and the Lord was pleased to bring to my remembrance, how that men who had great possessions in this world, had their day, and were gone; and I saw clearly, in a little time that my day would soon pass over. I was comforted in my spirit, and my inward man renewed in a sense of the Lord's nearness; and being thus encouraged, we kept to our silent meetings, and report went abroad that we had settled a meeting; vinced for seven or eight years, and his life and conversation had so preached among his neighbours, that many were ready to say "If John Scott cannot be saved unless he become a Quaker, what must become of us?" Many relations and neighbours followed him, and became honest Friends, and he himself a pillar in the church. The Lord's loving kindness continued in sending his servants and handmaids amongst us, building us up in the most holy faith, and to the convincing of others. As our love to the Lord increased, so our care increased in keeping to our silent meetings. Glorious and heavenly times we had, when no words were expressed. Some years after our convincement, being and several came and sat down among us. When there was a public Friend, we mostly had the meeting without doors; but when only ourselves, we still met in that upper room. In about a quarter of a year, there was as many as thirty or upwards, most of them of good repute and conversation: then we agreed to settle the meeting at four Friends' houses, and go by turns; and abundance were convinced, that stood at a distance to see what would become of us. For the enemy began to rage and persecution to arise; and because we could not pay tithes, or put into the priests' mouths, there was war prepared against us; and a hot time of persecution there was. Gilbert Atkinson, who had been of repute formerly, but giving way to temptation and immorality, after-met in the house of Christopher Taylor to wait wards became an informer, made spoil of upon the Lord, his power and presence in a Friends' goods, especially Christopher Tay- wonderful manner overshadowed us in our lor's; and not only so, but was instrumental sitting together; and there was much brokento cast Friends into prison. At this time he ness and tenderness on the spirits of Friends, was much exalted, and many were ready to which spread over the whole meeting, except think we should be ruined. Many eyes were three or four persons who sat dry, and they over us, some for evil, and some for good. proved not well. I being near the door, saw This informer was so hot, that nothing would many in the room filled, before the power of serve him but for Friends to be wholly ruined. the Lord reached me: yet the Lord, in his free And though he was one that had been afraid love and mercy, was pleased to give me such to go to Carlisle, lest his body should be ar- a share among my brethren, that my heart is rested for debt; yet now he looked upon himself always glad when I remember that season of to be so much the king's servant, that he might God's love, though now upwards of twenty go any where; and boastingly appearing at years ago. And though we were at times the sessions at Carlisle, lest Friends should plentifully fed with that bread which came get their liberty, said to the neighbours who down from heaven, and sat together at the were come upon Friends' account, that it should Lord's table, where the wing of his power was be either his day, or the Quakers', for ever. known to overshadow us; yet at other times And when he had thus spoken, the sheriff the Lord tried us with want; and at a certain called for him; he supposed it had been to time it entered my mind as a weighty consideprosecute Friends, but it proved that himself ration why it should be thus, we being the was arrested on a judgment for debt, and was same people, and sometimes had very good sent to prison. After awhile Friends were and comfortable meetings, and were sometimes released; but he remained for many years, very dry and barren in our meeting together. and was much afflicted other ways, as well as As I was thus concerned in my mind, it opened with poverty and want; because of which to me, that there should be seed-time and harFriends often relieved him, till he died in vest, summer and winter, unto the end of the prison at last. world. So I saw clearly there were times to abound, and times to suffer want; and I desired to rest satisfied in the will of God. we sojourned here, desiring nothing more than to follow the Lord fully, he not only led us out of the gross evils which are in the world, but out of the customs and fashions that are evil. So that we were singled out from the world in everything we saw to be needless and superfluous: and the fame of truth spread, and our meetings were large, and the exercise of the faithful was to draw nearer and nearer to the Lord. And when a little child's state was witnessed in our meeting together to wait upon the Lord, having the mind retired for a considerable time until the Lord was pleased to appear and fill our hearts with life and Here the church was at rest for a time, and they that had stood at a distance for seven or eight years, came and joined with us. There were some who thought they might live so as to find acceptance with the Lord, and not come under the scornful name of Quaker; but many came to see at last, that nothing would do short of confessing Christ Jesus before men ; and all things wrought together for good to them that loved God. When they that had stood at a distance for years, thinking to have lived such a life that they might have been equal with us, saw our innocency and how the Lord had preserved us, many of them came and joined with us; and among the rest, John Scott of Highberries, who had been con As |