The indictment was grounded on the assertion, that she had said "God did not live." This was entirely a perversion of her words. In speaking to the priest of Banbury, she had observed, that "true words might be false in the mouths of some who spoke them," alluding to the wicked; and quoting in proof and explanation of her meaning, the language of the Prophet Jeremiah; "Though they say the Lord liveth, surely they swear falsely." From these expressions they manufactured the charge of denying that God lived; but when the evidence came to be examined, it did not prove what her enemies designed. During the course of the trial, she conducted herself with so much prudence and innocent firmness, tempered with engaging modesty, and gave such pertinent and judicious answers to the questions propounded to her, that the judge was evidently inclined to her acquittal, notwithstanding the power and influence of those who sought her condemnation. Perceiving the shortness of the evidence, and that the facts did not support the charge, he observed, in addressing the jury, that it was evident she acknowledged that the Lord her God and Redeemer lived; but there were gods of the heathen also, that were dead gods, and did not live. Some of the justices who had been active in committing her, finding their designs were likely to be frustrated, stepped down from the bench among the jury, in order to influence their minds against her, which being observed by another of the justices, he rose and said, he would sit there no longer, until they showed more regard to justice; and other officers in the court threw down their staves, and protested against their arbitrary and unrighteous proceedings. On the return of the jury, they reported her "guilty of a misdemeanour only;" which called forth the observation from some of her friends, that such a verdict was not legal; and that being indicted for one offence, they could not convict her of another; but must report simply guilty or not guilty on the indictment by which she had been tried. her to prison. Sensible, as it would seem, of the iniquity, as well as illegality of their proceedings, and willing to shrink from their share of the responsibility, the justices, one by one, stole away from the bench in confusion, during this scene, without any regular adjournment of the court, which occasioned much remark. Being now left in the hands of her oppressors, she was thrust into a filthy dungeon, several steps below the ground, on one side of which ran the common sewer-emitting a horrible stench, and giving admission to frogs and vermin, which infested her apartment. It was also destitute of any convenience for making a fire, to warm the inmates, or dry up the noxious vapours which exhaled from its filthy and disgusting contents. Jane Waugh, who was also a minister among Friends, actuated by feelings of sympathy and affection for her imprisoned friend, came many miles to visit her, and was rewarded for this Christian act of love, with a participation of her sufferings-this being the only crime alleged against her by those merci. less persecutors. Hard, however, as were their outward accommodations, and cruel the deprivations they had to endure, there was peace and joy within. Conscious that they were suffering for the cause of that blessed Saviour who suffered so much for them; supported by the sense of his holy presence, they passed the days of their imprisonment with cheerful contentment. At the expiration of about eight months, and about a year and a half from her first commitment, Anne Audland was discharged. After holding a number of meetings in and about Banbury, and by her solicitation obtaining from the mayor and aldermen, the liberation of her friend, Jane Waugh, she travelled through several counties to Bristol, where she met her beloved husband. She joined him in religious service, continuing in company until they reached their home in Westmoreland. Subsequently to this, they were both engaged in frequent journeys for the purpose of It is painful to observe the looseness of judi-promoting righteousness in the earth; somecial proceedings at that period, and how often times together, and at others separately, until the most sacred forms of justice, which con- her husband was rendered incapable of further stituted the safeguard and bulwarks of the labour, by an attack of illness, which at length rights and liberty of the subject, and often of terminated his life in the year 1663, aged life itself, were prostrated and trampled upon, about thirty-four. He died in great peace, to gratify feelings of private animosity or pub- being often filled with praises to God, and lic hatred, or to satiate the cravings of a re- overcome with the sense of his love and lentless and persecuting bigotry. Though le- unspeakable joy, as a foretaste of the glory gally and honourably acquitted, yet the judge, and felicity which awaited his redeemed spirit. willing to appease the disappointed rage of her This worthy couple, being nearly united to enemies, demanded bond for her good beha-each other in the bonds of Christian affection, viour; which, as an innocent woman of good enjoyed much domestic happiness, which made repute, she declined giving, and he remanded the trial of their separation more severe to the bereaved widow;-yet she sustained it time; and afterwards for nearly six years, at with Christian fortitude and resignation to the Appleby. In all his sufferings and services, Divine will, and in a tribute to her husband's she participated with him as a faithful helpmemory, which she penned, thus speaks:- meet, sympathizing with, and encouraging him "God, who by his providence joined us to- under his sufferings for the testimony of Jesus; gether in marriage in our young days, in his supplying his place, as far as she could, in his blessed counsel also caused his day to spring family and business, and exerting a prudent from on high upon us; in the marvellous light care to keep their outward concerns in comand shining whereof, he revealed his Son in mendable order. When he was at liberty, us, and gave us faith to believe in Him, the and believed himself called to go from home eternal Word of life, by which our souls came in the work of the ministry, she not only to be quickened and made alive in Him. And freely resigned him to the Lord's service, and by the quickening of his holy power, we were encouraged him to faithfulness therein, but made one in a spiritual and heavenly relation was also at times a powerful fellow-labourer our hearts being knit together in the unspeaka- with him in the Gospel, performing several ble love of God, which was our joy and de-journies in company, through different parts light, and made our days together exceedingly of the nation, to the edification and comfort of comfortable-our temporal enjoyments being the church. sanctified by it, and made a blessing to us. How hard it was, and how great a loss to me, to part with so dear and tender a husband, is far beyond what I can express. My tongue or pen is not able to set forth my sorrow; yet in this I content myself, that it was the will of the Lord to take him away from the evil to come, and that my loss, though great, is not to be compared to his eternal gain." After remaining a widow between two and three years, Anne Audland was married to Thomas Camm, son of John Camm, the intimate friend and faithful companion of her former husband. Thomas Camm was a man of solid religious experience, and a faithful minister of the Gospel. Their union being grounded in religion, and entered into in the fear of God, with a single eye to his honour and the promotion of his cause, they experienced great comfort in each other's society, and lived in the utmost harmony and affection for nearly forty years. Amid the various and severe trials which attended them, they found their religion to be an unfailing support to their minds, and a source of peace and enjoyment, of which the malice and cruelty of persecutors could not deprive them, realizing the truth of that saying of Holy Writ, "We know that all things work together for good, to them that love God." Anne Camm had her share in the sufferings of that trying day; but being steadfast in the faith and hope of the Gospel, and earnest in seeking Divine support, she was enabled to sustain them with patient resignation and Christian fortitude. Beside her own imprisonments, she was frequently separated from her second husband, as she had been from the former, by a succession of tedious and close imprisonments for conscience sake. He was confined so closely at Kendal, for three years, that he was not permitted to see his family during all that In one of these, she had a severe attack of illness, at Bristol, which appeared to threaten her dissolution; but her mind was raised above the fear of death, and preserved in a sweet and lively frame; many of her expressions being so weighty and affecting, as to make a deep and lasting impression on the minds of her auditors. She warned all to prize their time and prepare for death, while opportunity was mercifully granted; blessing the Lord, that he had inclined her heart to do so in very early life, the fruit whereof she now enjoyed, even peace unspeakable here, with a blessed assurance of eternal rest and felicity in the life to come. It pleased the Lord, however, to raise her from this bed of sickness, and enable her to continue her zealous and fervent labours for the promotion of righteousness-serving the church of Christ faithfully for many years afterward. Although she was deservedly held in honourable esteem for her works' sake, as well as her many virtues and endowments, natural and spiritual, yet she was preserved in humility, not doing her works to be seen of men, but rather seeking retirement, and desiring that "honour which cometh from God only." It was her practice often to retire alone into her closet, or some other private place, and there wait on the Lord in fervent prayer, to seek his counsel and approbation; and also to set apart some time daily, for reading the Holy Scriptures and other religious books. In the attendance of meetings for the worship of God, she was an example of great diligence, very reverent in her waiting on him; and though endued with an excellent gift in the ministry, beyond most, yet she was not forward to appear, either in preaching or prayer. When she was thus engaged, her manner was fervent and weighty, and her testimony in the demonstration of the Spirit, and with power, to the refreshment of the church, and the awakening and warning of transgressors. speakable peace I now enjoy, and his saving health is my portion forever. I pray thee, be content with what the Lord pleases to do with In large public meetings, where there were me; whether it be life or death, his holy will brethren well qualified for the Lord's work, be done. Let us leave all to the Lord, and her voice was rarely heard, unless under some however it be, all will be well. I have loved extraordinary constraint; and being gifted thee with my soul, and God has blessed us, with a sound understanding and discernment, and he will bless thee and be with thee, and she knew when to speak, and when to be si-make up all thy losses. Death is gain to me, lent-keeping her station and place in the though it be thy loss; and I hope, for the sake Truth. In these respects she was a good ex-of my gain, thou wilt bear thy loss with paample; and when she saw any too hasty or tience. I bless the Lord, I am prepared for forward in their public appearances, as a wise, my change. I am full of assurance of eternal nursing mother, she tenderly admonished them, salvation, and of receiving a crown of glory, often with good effect; taking care also to en-through my dear Lord and Saviour Jesus courage those sincere and diffident ones, who Christ, whom God the Father has sent to bless came forth in a testimony for God, as with trembling hearts and a stammering tongue. Thus she demeaned herself as a humble servant of her Lord and Master, Christ Jesus, washing his disciples' feet, and helping and serving the least and tenderest of his flock.am well contented. I am clear, and have disHer last public testimony was at the Monthly Meeting of Kendal, the second of the ninth month, 1705. Although far advanced in years, and afflicted with the infirmities incident to old age, yet the liveliness and fervency of her spirit remained unabated, and her faculties strong and clear to admiration. In this farewell address, she pressed her friends with af-vice to the professors of Truth, to keep in the fecting earnestness, to be faithful and diligent in the service of their Lord, that they might receive a blessed reward with those who had nearly filled up the work of their day, and were about to enter their eternal rest. On the following day she was attacked with the disease which terminated her life; and during the course of her illness, realized the blessed effects of her religion, in supporting her under bodily infirmity and pain, and enabling her to look forward to her approaching change with joy, in the humble assurance that a crown of unfading glory awaited her. me and many more, by turning us from the evil of our ways into the just man's path, which shines more and more unto the perfect day. If God now pleases to finish my course, and take me out of this earthly tabernacle, I charged myself in the sight of God to all Friends; except that it has of late been upon my mind to send a farewell epistle to Friends in the South." She said, the substance of what she wished to communicate to them, was the remembrance of her dear love to them all, with tender ad simplicity thereof, out of all heights and exaltation, under the power of the cross of Christ, which would crucify them more and more to the world, and baptize them into Christ. Thus they would put on Christ Jesus the new and heavenly man, in whom they would become new creatures, prepared to serve God in the Spirit, and to enjoy the unity thereof in the bond of peace and love; which the god of this world is labouring to break. I have seen him at work to make a breach and separation among Friends; and if he prevail, it will be under specious pretences of a more Her husband, who best knew her worth, angelic appearance than at any time before; being affected with sorrow at the prospect of which will deceive those who live above the being deprived of so valuable a companion-cross and true self-denial. And I would warn with a noble fortitude she endeavoured to con- all to stand their ground in the power of God, sole and encourage him to submit with cheer- which only can bruise satan and preserve out ful resignation to the Divine will; saying, of his subtle snares. "My dear, if it be the good pleasure of the Several Friends coming to see her, she exLord, who joined us together, and has blessed horted them to prize their time. And after us hitherto, now to separate us, I entreat thee imparting much excellent counsel, added, “I to be content, and give me freely up to the bless my God, that I lie now in great peace Lord, for thou knowest we must part; and and contentment, though my body be afflicted if I go first, it is only what I have desired of with pain. O! that it may be so with you the Lord many a time. I believe the conside-all, my dear friends." ration of the desolate condition I should be left Being very weak and low, inquiry was made in, if I survived thee, will induce thee more if she knew some Friends who were present? freely to commit me to the Lord, whose I am, To which she replied, "Yes, I know you and whom I have loved, feared, and served, every one-I have my understanding as clear with an upright heart, all my days: his un-as ever.-How should it be otherwise, since my peace is made with God, through the Lord Jesus Christ. I have no disturbance of mind, and my understanding and judgment is clear. It were sad, indeed, to lie under affliction of body and of mind also; to feel pinching pangs of body, even to death, and to want peace with God. O! that would be intolerable. O! let my soul praise the Lord, for his peace and plenteous redemption." to the outward-this is all; for our joining in spirit remains forever. O! therefore, let me go easy out of this world, where I have had a great share of trouble many ways, as thou knowest, and go to that haven of rest, where I have a full assurance of entering." A little before she died she was attacked with fainting; and after reviving, observed, "I was glad, thinking I was going to my eternal It being proposed to send for her son-in-law, rest, without disturbance. Again, she said, who was skilled in physic, and her daughter," I have both a sight and sense of eternal rest she seemed unwilling; saying to her husband, with God in the world to come; and therefore, "Be not careful in the matter-the Lord my I labour hard to be swallowed up in immortal God is near me, and I have thy company-it life, and to be made possessor of that rest, is enough; and all will be well if this lump which cannot be disturbed, where sorrow will of clay, in which I dwell, is dissolved. I have cease forever. O! my soul, this is thy glofull assurance of a house and dwelling, of rious portion, therefore bless thou the Lord which God is the maker, that will never wax and wait patiently his appointed season." old or be dissolved. O! my soul, bless thou the Lord, and be glad in his salvation for evermore." Soon after she desired to be raised up in the bed, and her pains increasing, she grew very weak and faint, and observed, "Methinks I grow weak and cold-my hands and feet are very cold, but my heart is strong, and before it yields I must meet with sharper pains than I have yet felt. My God has hitherto laid a gentle hand upon me." Her illness increased-and many Friends coming to see her, she was often engaged in exhorting them respecting the work of the soul's salvation. On one occasion she said to some, "The cross is the only way to the crown immortal; shun it not, therefore, lest you fall short of the crown. Stand up nobly for your testimony to the Truth in all things, and especially against the antichristian yoke of tithes, for which many have not only suffered great spoiling of their goods, but imprisonment unto death, and received the crown of life. O if all who have been called to this testimony had stood firm and true therein, God would have wrought for his people more abundantly-but unbelief makes a long wil-Ah! my prodigal son, what shall I do for derness, and it is well if some die not in it, and never see the promised land." A while after her sufferings being great, she said "This pain is hard to flesh and blood, but must be endured a little time; ease and eternal rest are at hand-I am glad death is so near. Remember me to all my dear babes and grandchildren-I shall behold them no more with these eyes-God Almighty bless them all, and make them his children, that I may enjoy them forever in the heavens above. Neither shall I see my sons and daughter— him! I have prayed and longed for his returnthe time may come; God grant it may, but I About two days before her decease, she shall not see it in my time. He is my son, gave much good advice to her grandchildren the son of a godly father, [her former husand servants, and thus addressed her husband; band,] and therefore I cannot but love him. "My dear, thou hast spent much time and Tell him, it is his immortal soul's well-being strength in serving the cause of Truth and thy for which I am concerned-not so much for friends; thy reward with God is sure. I never his outward state here; for that, however grudged thy absence in that good service; and miserable, will quickly end; but the misery if it now be the time of our parting, as I think of the soul, separated from God, will never it will, I desire thee to free thyself from the end. And, my dear, though our counsel has things of the world as much as may be, that not had the desired effect, yet I do entreat thou mayest, with the more freedom, pursue thee to remain a father to him, and counsel thy honourable service for Truth to the end of him again and again-leave him not to run thy days. I trust the Lord will give thee on in the way of misery, but labour and pray strength to travel again, and warn all, but es- for his return. My love is to his wife; I desire pecially the rich, to keep low, and not be high she may mind heavenly things; and I pray minded; for humility and holiness are the God to bless their offspring, that they may badge of our profession. God Almighty keep walk in the footsteps of their grandfather, who us all, low and humble-it is a safe and bless-is gone to his eternal rest." ed state. One thing I beg of thee—give me up freely to the Lord. The Lord joined us and gave us to each other, let us bless his name if he now take us from each other, as The day of her death being that of the Monthly Meeting, many Friends came to visit her, to whom she expressed, with much fervency, her joy and comfort in the salvation of God, his peace and perfect redemption. Observing some of them to weep, she said, "Be not concerned for me; all is well-I have only death to encounter, and the sting of it is wholly taken away-the grave has no victory, and my soul is ascending above all sorrow and pain. Let me go freely to my heavenly mansion-disturb me not in my passage." She then desired the Friends present to go to meeting, adding, "Let me not hinder the Lord's business, but let it be chief in your minds, and faithfully done by you all, that at the end you may receive your reward. Mine is sure I have not been negligent, and my day's work is done." Apprehending that the hand of death was upon her, and finding her pain increased, she earnestly besought the Lord to help her through the last conflict; saying, "O my God-O my God, thou hast not forsaken me-blessed be thy name, forever. O my blessed Lord and Saviour, who suffered for me and for all man kind, great pains in thy holy body upon the cross, remember me, thy poor handmaid, in this my great bodily affliction. My trust is in thee-my hope is in thee only, my dear Lord. O come, come, dear Lord Jesus, come quickly and receive my soul. To thee I yield it up— help me now, in my bitter pangs." Her husband now kneeled down by her and prayed that the Lord would make her passage easy, and their prayers were graciously heard and answered. She had no more severe pain, but gently drew her breath shorter and shorter. She observed, that it was good to leave all to the Lord; and calling upon those present, said, “O pray-pray-pray”—and so fell asleep in Jesus, in a good old age, being in her seventy-ninth year. She died the 30th of the ninth month, 1705, and was honourably buried the 3d of the following month; her remains being accompanied to the ground by many ancient Friends and others from thirteen of the adjacent meetings. MEMOIR OF THOMAS CAMM, A MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL, OF CAMSGILL, IN WESTMORELAND. will; and as he endured the necessary baptisms, at length experienced that purification of heart which his soul longed after. THOMAS CAMM, husband of Anne Camm, | and reverent waiting on the Lord to know his was born at Camsgill, in Westmoreland, in the year 1641. Both his parents were members of the religious Society of Friends, distinguished for their piety, integrity and godly Having witnessed the blessed fruits of obeconcern for their children. Besides the ad-dience to the Spirit of Christ, he was called to vantage of their counsel and of being instructed in the religious principles of his parents, the circumspection of their example made a lasting impression on his youthful mind. Through these means, and the visitations of Divine Grace, he was imbued with religious sentiments from childhood, and took delight in the company of the most serious people, earnestly seeking after heaven and heavenly things. As he grew up, his understanding was divinely enlightened to perceive, that great as was the blessing of a guarded education in sound religious principles, yet it would not be availing without the heart was regenerated and sanctified by the operations of the Holy Spirit. Being thus mercifully visited, he counted nothing too dear to part with, but cheerfully took up his cross, and followed his Divine Master. He was often engaged in retirement testify to others what God had done for his soul. The Lord who called him to the work of the ministry, qualified him therefor; enduing him with heavenly wisdom and discernment, to divide the word of life to the states of those among whom he laboured. His doctrine was sound, not delivered in the enticing words which man's wisdom teacheth, but in the authority of heavenly power, by which he was made instrumental to awaken and turn many into the way of righteousness. He was freely given up to serve the Lord-travelling. extensively to proclaim the glad tidings of salvation, and to call people from a dependance on external performances, to the heart-changing power of Christ's spirit in themselves. He also had his share of sufferings, by imprisonments, spoiling of goods, mockings and scoffings from the ungodly, and the unfaithfulness 1 |