ward, for which I beg to be truly thankful, and that I may be carried safe through this life of trouble into everlasting rest. On the 8th of fifth month, 1795, attended the Yearly Meeting in London, where I was kindly received by my friends at my good old I have thus had one more opportunity, quarters, the widow Roe's, which journey I though unexpectedly, to renew mine acquaint- bore better than I expected, and was enabled ance, and strengthen the bond of pure affec- to attend most of the meetings, and like one tion which we in years past had known, I raised from death unto life, had to testify of having at these four Quarterly Meetings, as the Lord's goodness, and to speak well of his also at some others, fallen in and met with great and powerful name, which is still manimany of my dear friends, whom I was truly fested in the assemblies of his people, so that glad to see, and probably took a final farewell we can say our God is glorious in holiness, of them, I being now in the seventy-sixth year fearful in praises and doth great wonders of my age, and infirm. The succeeding two amongst us. Great is the reward and sweet years I was engaged in attending many meet- is the peace that my soul now enjoys: this ings near home, to satisfaction. bears me up, though I move with a poor afflicted body, and in advanced age; and being In the year 1794, she writes to her family unable to walk from one meeting to another, from Leeds: TO HER HUSBAND AND CHILDREN. "Leeds, Ninth month, 1794. it is with gratitude I mention the kindness of my friends in assisting me in many respects; and in their thus helping a poor disciple, they will no doubt receive a reward, even a portion of that peace which my soul now enjoys, peace with God and rest in him who hath dealt bountifully with me. Amen! In the eighty-sixth year of her age, she penned this short effusion of parental affection towards her grandchildren: TO HER GRANDCHILDREN. "My absence from you has been longer than I had any sight of when I left you, yet I have at times to believe, that as I did so in pure obedience to the Divine command, so I still continue bound to the law and the testimony, yea, to that pure law that the Lord writeth in our hearts; but as I am led in a way that I knew not of, so I could not inform my friends thereof, nor have their approba"Donnington, Third month, 1804. tion; yet I endeavour to take heed that I make "Being likely to have a ready conveyance, no breach in good order, and I seem to have I am set down as in the depth of poverty; but a very kind welcome wherever I have yet I felt willing to salute my dear grandchildren come. Nevertheless, great have been the once more; though it will expose my weaktrials of my poor mind, and the exercise ness, yet it will manifest my willingness, and thereof inexpressible; and though I look upon that you are very frequently in my rememmy thus moving as a friendly visit, yet if I brance. I am glad that you are so agreeably did not feel a necessity, surely I should not placed, and wish you to improve in the best thus venture. I have with humble thankful- things, as it seems you are encouraged, and I ness to admire how way is made for me, so would hope exampled thereto. However, take poor and unworthy a creature as I am. I heed to the gift that is in you, whereby you feel an inclination to be at the Quarterly may be made truly wise and fitted for whatMeeting at York, and am favoured with the ever service you may be employed in; and agreeable company of our dear friend M. S. thus being faithful in a little you will be made wife of William Smith, of Doncaster. I long rulers over more, and have the joyful sentence to hear of the welfare of you all; and might at last of, 'come ye blessed of my Father enmy prayers but avail, they are very frequent ter ye into the joy of your Lord, and into on your account. Oh! my dears, forget not your Master's rest.' Now, having thus writto be watchful; you know how uncertain time ten a little of my meaning, and the fervent is, and what a sad thing to be unprepared; desire of my heart, I conclude in that love may I not say our happiness consists in doing which changeth not, and am your very aged, the will of God, and in living in obedience infirm, and much reduced grandmother, according to knowledge." "RUTH FOLLOWS." AN ACCOUNT OF THE LIFE OF THAT ANCIENT SERVANT OF JESUS CHRIST, JOHN RICHARDSON. He that heareth you, heareth me; and he that despiseth you, despiseth me; and he that despiseth The Testimony of Friends belonging to Gis-ness, prepared for such as hold on to the end brough Monthly Meeting, concerning our wor- in well-doing. thy friend JOHN RICHARDSON, who departed this life near Hutton-in-the-Hole, the 2nd of the Fourth month, 1753, in the eighty-seventh year of his age, and was buried in Friends' burying-ground at Kirby-moorside. As many of our elders are removed, and but few left who had personal knowledge of this Friend in his younger years and early part of his service, we cannot give so full an account thereof as otherwise might have been done. Signed on behalf of the said meeting, held at Castleton, on the 22nd of the third month, 1754. The Testimony of Friends from the Quarterly ON reading the testimony given from the Monthly Meeting of Gisbrough, concerning our late ancient and worthy friend John Richardson, deceased, of which we approve, we find ourselves under an engagement to add this short testimony; from certain experience of the service he had amongst us in By accounts transmitted to us, we have cause to believe he was much devoted, and given up to walk in the way of his duty, and a fresh and lively ministry, and in exercistherein was of great service to the churches where his lot was cast; and an instrument in the Divine hand in turning many to righteous ness. As to the latter part of his life, we have this testimony to give of him; that he was a lover of discipline and good order in the church, diligent in attending meetings for worship and Truth's service, whilst of ability; a good example therein, by sitting in a still and unaffected manner in silence, and when raised up to bear a public testimony, was comfortable and acceptable to Friends. ing the discipline of the church in a Gospel spirit, whereby many received comfort and edification; some of us having knowledge of him from his early appearance in the ministry, remember that he was acceptable to Friends, being sound in doctrine, reaching the witness of God in those to whom he ministered. He was a diligent and faithful labourer, travelling several times through most parts of this nation, and visited Friends meetings in Scotland and Ireland, also twice the English plantations in America, leaving many seals of his ministry, having had the approbation and unity of And when his natural faculties were some- Friends with his service both at home and what impaired, and he confined at home abroad. He was a tender nursing father, in through old age and infirmities, he appeared the church, over the youth whom God had more and more heavenly-minded, and seemed visited, to encourage and strengthen the newly to grow in the life of religion, that we hope convinced, to whom also he was a good examhe is now at rest in the fruition of that happi-ple; and though of a sweet and courteous disposition, yet careful in the spirit of wisdom, to caution and guard such against the deceitful workings and false representations of the spirit of error. To divers of us who visited him towards the close of his time, he appeared in a heavenly frame of mind, to our great comfort, evidencing a preparation for that eternal bliss whereinto, we doubt not, he is entered, and now reaps the fruits of his labours. Signed in and on behalf of our Quarterly Meeting, held at York, the 27th and 28th of the third month, 1754. An account of the life of JOHN RICHARDSON, introduced with a brief relation concerning his father, WILLIAM RICHARDSON. IT has been repeatedly revived in my mind, to leave the following account concerning my dear father, William Richardson, having seen something of his own in manuscript, concerning his convincement, with remarks on some other things; but I being young when he died, did not then much heed it, and when I would gladly have seen it for my own satisfaction, I could not, nor as yet can meet with it. As my father was early convinced of the Truth, a sufferer for it, and bore a public testimony to it, I found it my duty, as nearly as I could remember the contents thereof, to leave this short account concerning him. He was born at North Cave, in the eastern part of Yorkshire, in the year 1624, of honest parents, and of good repute, and was educated in the Episcopal way, being soberly inclined from his childhood; a lover and seeker after purity and virtue. I have heard him say he gave his mind much to retirement, reading the Holy Scriptures, and seeking after the Lord, especially in the fields, being by calling a shepherd; and it pleased the Lord to open his understanding so clearly, that he saw and longed for a more excellent dispensation to come. He also saw that the priests were wrong, and generally proud and covetous, so that he was weary of following them, and much weaned from them and all company, except two or three men who met with him, and spoke one to another concerning their inward conditions, and what they had experienced of the Lord's dealings with them. This was before they had heard of the name Quaker, as it was in a short time after given to a people which the Lord raised up to give testimony of the notable and ancient, yet newly revived and blessed, dispensation of Christ's coming, and manifestation by the Holy Spirit in the hearts of the children of men, in order to enlighten, quicken, sanctify, and save them from darkness, death, ignorance and sin, that they might be made capable of obeying, worshipping and glorifying the great God and sanctifier of them. As my father was thus waiting and looking for a more general breaking forth of this glorious, powerful, and Gospel day, which had in a good degree sprung up in his heart, he had not, as yet, seen that worthy and good man, George Fox, although he passed through those parts about that time; but soon after came William Dewsbury, and at the sound of his voice, I have heard my father say, he was exceedingly glad, in hearing him declare the way to find the lost piece of silver, the pearl of great price within, a Saviour near, who had been held forth by men to be at a distance. But having left the dark watchmen, of whom they used to inquire, they now met with their beloved at home, in their own bosoms; renowned be the name of the Lord, now and for ever. Thus the hearing and receiving the ever blessed Truth, was as the seed, or word of the kingdom, sown in the good ground, or honest hearts of men, which took root downward and sprang upward, and brought forth fruit, in some thirty, in some sixty, and in others an hundred fold, to the praise of the great and good Husbandman. My father was early raised to bear a public testimony, which was living and acceptable to Friends, but was so much attended with weakness of body for many years, that he went little abroad in the work of the ministry. He suffered patiently the spoiling of his goods, and imprisonment of his weakly body, in the great and more general imprisonment; and not only believed in Jesus Christ, but suffered for him. He was a good neighbour, a loving husband, and a tender father over all that was good, but severe to all that which was wrong, and was for judgment, without respect of persons, and spared not even his own children; especially he was much concerned for me, for he said, I was the wildest of them. As he lived well, and believed in Jesus Christ, I doubt not that he has finished his course in the love and favour of God, is entered into a mansion of glory, and is at rest with all the faithful, who loved not their lives unto death," but rather hated them in comparison of that endeared and unfeigned love they bore to God the Father, and to Jesus Christ his dear and well-beloved Son, who died for them, and also for the whole world. He departed this life in 1679, aged about fifty-five years, and was decently buried in Friends' burying-place at Hotham, near Cave, where he was born. AN ACCOUNT OF THE LIFE OF THAT ANCIENT SERVANT OF JESUS CHRIST, JOHN RICHARDSON. He that heareth you, heareth me; and he that despiseth you, despiseth me; and he that despiseth The Testimony of Friends belonging to Gis-ness, prepared for such as hold on to the end brough Monthly Meeting, concerning our wor- in well-doing. thy friend JOHN RICHARDSON, who departed this life near Hutton-in-the-Hole, the 2nd of the Fourth month, 1753, in the eighty-seventh year of his age, and was buried in Friends' burying-ground at Kirby-moorside. As many of our elders are removed, and but few left who had personal knowledge of this Friend in his younger years and early part of his service, we cannot give so full an account thereof as otherwise might have been done. Signed on behalf of the said meeting, held at Castleton, on the 22nd of the third month, 1754. The Testimony of Friends from the Quarterly ON reading the testimony given from the Monthly Meeting of Gisbrough, concerning our late ancient and worthy friend John Richardson, deceased, of which we approve, we find ourselves under an engagement to add By accounts transmitted to us, we have this short testimony; from certain expericause to believe he was much devoted, and ence of the service he had amongst us in given up to walk in the way of his duty, and a fresh and lively ministry, and in exercistherein was of great service to the churches where his lot was cast; and an instrument in the Divine hand in turning many to righteous ness. As to the latter part of his life, we have this testimony to give of him; that he was a lover of discipline and good order in the church, diligent in attending meetings for worship and Truth's service, whilst of ability; a good example therein, by sitting in a still and unaffected manner in silence, and when raised up to bear a public testimony, was comfortable and acceptable to Friends. ing the discipline of the church in a Gospel spirit, whereby many received comfort and edification; some of us having knowledge of him from his early appearance in the ministry, remember that he was acceptable to Friends, being sound in doctrine, reaching the witness of God in those to whom he ministered. He was a diligent and faithful labourer, travelling several times through most parts of this nation, and visited Friends meetings in Scotland and Ireland, also twice the English plantations in America, leaving many seals of his ministry, having had the approbation and unity of And when his natural faculties were some- Friends with his service both at home and what impaired, and he confined at home abroad. He was a tender nursing father, in through old age and infirmities, he appeared the church, over the youth whom God had more and more heavenly-minded, and seemed visited, to encourage and strengthen the newly to grow in the life of religion, that we hope convinced, to whom also he was a good examhe is now at rest in the fruition of that happi-ple; and though of a sweet and courteous disposition, yet careful in the spirit of wisdom, to caution and guard such against the deceitful workings and false representations of the spirit of error. To divers of us who visited him towards the close of his time, he appeared in a heavenly frame of mind, to our great comfort, evidencing a preparation for that eternal bliss whereinto, we doubt not, he is entered, and now reaps the fruits of his labours. Signed in and on behalf of our Quarterly Meeting, held at York, the 27th and 28th of the third month, 1754. An account of the life of JOHN RICHARDSON, introduced with a brief relation concerning his father, WILLIAM RICHARDSON. IT has been repeatedly revived in my mind, to leave the following account concerning my dear father, William Richardson, having seen something of his own in manuscript, concerning his convincement, with remarks on some other things; but I being young when he died, did not then much heed it, and when I would gladly have seen it for my own satisfaction, I could not, nor as yet can meet with it. As my father was early convinced of the Truth, a sufferer for it, and bore a public testimony to it, I found it my duty, as nearly as I could remember the contents thereof, to leave this short account concerning him. come. from darkness, death, ignorance and sin, that they might be made capable of obeying, worshipping and glorifying the great God and sanctifier of them. As my father was thus waiting and looking for a more general breaking forth of this glorious, powerful, and Gospel day, which had in a good degree sprung up in his heart, he had not, as yet, seen that worthy and good man, George Fox, although he passed through those parts about that time; but soon after came William Dewsbury, and at the sound of his voice, I have heard my father say, he was exceedingly glad, in hearing him declare the way to find the lost piece of silver, the pearl been held forth by men to be at a distance. great price within, a Saviour near, who had But having left the dark watchmen, of whom they used to inquire, they now met with their beloved at home, in their own bosoms; renowned be the name of the Lord, now and for ever. of Thus the hearing and receiving the ever blessed Truth, was as the seed, or word of the kingdom, sown in the good ground, or honest hearts of men, which took root downward and sprang upward, and brought forth fruit, in some thirty, in some sixty, and in others an hundred fold, to the praise of the great and good Husbandman. My father was early raised to bear a public testimony, which was living and acceptable to Friends, but was so much attended with weak little abroad in the work of the ministry. He suffered patiently the spoiling of his goods, and imprisonment of his weakly body, in the great and more general imprisonment; and not only believed in Jesus Christ, but suffered for him. He was a good neighbour, a loving husband, and a tender father over all that was good, but severe to all that which was wrong, and was for judgment, without respect of persons, and spared not even his own children; especially he was much concerned for me, for he said, I was the wildest of them. As he lived well, and believed in Jesus Christ, I doubt not that he has finished his course in the love and favour of God, is entered into a mansion of glory, and is at rest with all the faithful, who "loved not their lives unto death," but rather hated them in comparison of that endeared and unfeigned love they bore to God the Father, and to Jesus Christ his dear and well-beloved Son, who died for them, and also for the whole world. He was born at North Cave, in the eastern part of Yorkshire, in the year 1624, of honestness of body for many years, that he went parents, and of good repute, and was educated in the Episcopal way, being soberly inclined from his childhood; a lover and seeker after purity and virtue. I have heard him say he gave his mind much to retirement, reading the Holy Scriptures, and seeking after the Lord, especially in the fields, being by calling a shepherd; and it pleased the Lord to open his understanding so clearly, that he saw and longed for a more excellent dispensation to He also saw that the priests were wrong, and generally proud and covetous, so that he was weary of following them, and much weaned from them and all company, except two or three men who met with him, and spoke one to another concerning their inward conditions, and what they had experienced of the Lord's dealings with them. This was before they had heard of the name Quaker, as it was in a short time after given to a people which the Lord raised up to give testimony of the notable and ancient, yet newly revived and blessed, dispensation of Christ's coming, and manifestation by the Holy Spirit in the hearts of the children of men, in order to enlighten, quicken, sanctify, and save them He departed this life in 1679, aged about fifty-five years, and was decently buried in Friends' burying-place at Hotham, near Cave, where he was born. |