are blessed, but to give the praise to Him alone, whom they so faithfully served; whose doctrine they adorned, even God their Saviour. And though in narrating facts and occurrences, it has been necessary sometimes to bring into view the temper and conduct displayed toward the early Friends, yet it is hoped that these allusions will not encourage uncharitable or unkind feelings in any at this day, toward those who may still, on various subjects, differ in opinion from ourselves. Priests and Magistrates were, at that comparatively unenlightened period, too much actuated by mistaken zeal for compulsory uniformity in religion; were often very ignorant of the doctrines and spirit of those whom they oppressed; and were greatly influenced by prejudice and mis-apprehension. Doubtless the uncompromising integrity with which Friends upheld their Christian testimony against payments on account of the preaching of the Gospel, (striking as it does at a chief support of all established systems of church domination,) tended beyond their other principles to excite the opposition of those who

were interested in the maintenance of the practice. That, however, which has not divine. truth for its basis, will assuredly ultimately fall. If the root be unsound, however stately the tree, it must sooner or later perish. Of this we may rest satisfied: but may we ever remember, that noble. as are our Christian testimonies, they can never be so beneficially borne, as when borne in a truly Christian spirit. If we be called to suffer in some small degree for our principles by "the spoiling of our goods," ought we not to esteem it an honour thus to contend for the cause of Christ and His Gospel; knowing that if we be His children in truth, we have in heaven a better and more enduring substance? The early Friends counted. nothing too dear to part with for His sake; they could freely resign all they most valued upon earth; year after year remain prisoners for the testimony of Jesus; and amid all their sufferings, "sing praises in the prison-house, and esteem the bolts and locks put upon them as jewels." Such was the spirit that animated them; such the grace and truth that dwelt

richly in them; and the same Spirit of Grace is equally offered to us their successors. Let us not be found, rejecting so great a mercy.

Sunderland, 1854.

NOTE. In the quotations and extracts from the Journals and Writings of the Friends, sketches of whose lives are here given, redundant words have been occasionally omitted and tautological expressions expunged; but the authors have endeavoured in all instances, carefully to preserve their meaning unaltered, deeming it to be but justice to them and to the opinions they advocated, to give them to the public with perspicuity. The dates, are also intended to be altered according to the "New," instead of the "Old Style."