to be the founder of a religious society. He states, that he could neither write legibly nor express his meaning in writing. This is not true, although he was not distinguished as an elegant writer, yet he always was fortunate enough to render himself understood. His letters to the priests of Derby and the magistrates who committed him, clearly establish that point. He also wrote letters to Nathaniel Barton, Gervas Bennett, and to the bell-ringers of St. Peter's Church, in Derby, against the ringing of bells for joy, because it produces vanity and immorality.

His relations went before the magistrates, offering to be bound in one hundred pounds each, and many others to the amount of fifty pounds, if they would release him, and he would not give his testimony against the doctrines of the established Church, in that county. When they brought him before the officers, he refused to submit to such an arrangement, believing himself innocent of any misconduct or ill behavior. He was ordered back to prison, but the jailor granted him many liberties, not before enjoyed. His friends were somewhat offended at his conduct, and he wrote them the following letter:

"Would you have me to be bound to my good behavior from drunkenness, or swearing, or fighting, or adultery, and the like? The Lord hath redeemed me from all these things; and the love of God hath brought me to loathe all wantonness, blessed be his name. They who are drunkards, and fighters, and swearers, have their liberty without bonds; and you lay your law upon me, whom neither you, nor any other, can justly accuse of these things, praised be the Lord! I can look at no man for my liberty, but at the Lord alone; who hath all men's hearts in his hand."

To Nathaniel Barton, he soon after wrote another severe letter, placing his conduct in a strange and sinful light. He said that the Saviour told such men as him, "I was sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not; I was hungry, and ye fed me not; I was a stranger, and ye took me not in." And when they replied, " When saw we thee in prison, and did

not come to thee?" He answered, "Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of these little ones, ye did it not to me."

In this year Elizabeth Hooten, the first female preacher in the Society of Friends, felt herself called upon to go forth and preach the way of salvation. She was for a long time believed to be the first woman who ever preached in public assemblies, but in the History of the Troubles in England, a Dutch work, published at Dordt, in 1647, it will be found that it was no novelty in London for females to address religious meetings.

The state affairs of the kingdom were as unsettled as ever. The Scotch sent ambassadors to Holland for the purpose of urging Charles II. to abrogate Episcopacy and uphold the Covenant. The king, seeing no other way to regain his throne, agreed to the establishment of the Presbyterian Covenant, and arriving in Scotland, he made his entry into Edinburgh through the gate on which were placed the quarters of the Earl of Montrose. On the 16th of August the king issued a declaration, in which may be found the following words, which are regarded as an open confession of his father's crimes, and that by his conduct he had wronged and injured the nation.

"Though his Majesty, as a dutiful son, be obliged to honor the memory of his royal father, and have in estimation the person of his mother, yet doth he desire to be deeply humbled, and afflicted in spirit before God, because of his father's hearkening to evil councils, and his opposition to the work of Reformation, and to the solemn League and Covenant (by which so much of the blood of the Lord's people hath been shed in these kingdoms) and for the idolatry of his mother."

The English did not favor this movement, and General Fairfax was ordered to proceed with his army to Scotland. Fairfax declined, it is generally believed on account of the advice of his wife, with whom the Presbyterian ministers held no small amount of influence. Oliver Cromwell was then created general of the national forces, and immediately

marching to Scotland, he defeated the Scottish army 1651. near Edinburgh. Notwithstanding their overthrow, the Scots crowned Charles II., in January, after taking a solemn oath to maintain and defend the Covenant.

During the latter part of George Fox's imprisonment in the Derby House of Correction, the officers who were recruiting in the neighborhood, by the advice of the soldiers, offered him a captain's commission in the new army enlisted to take up arms in favor of the Commonwealth, and against Charles Stuart. Although bold and valiant, yet his belief and feelings forbad him pursuing such a course, and in his reply he said: "That he could not do so, knowing, according to the doctrine of Apostle James, that all wars arise from the lusts, and that he had lived in the virtue of that life and power, that took away the occasion of all wars." For this refusal of what they considered a proffered honor, he was cast into a dungeon among rogues and felons. The laws of England were very severe at this period, and during his confinement George Fox wrote letters to the magistrates, proving that capital punishment was contrary to the law of God. A young woman was confined in the dungeon for stealing money from her master, and was sentenced to suffer death as a penalty for the offence. He became deeply interested in her case, used every exertion to gain a reprieve, and it was only after the grave was dug and when she stood upon the scaffold, that his warning words to the officers procured her pardon. Previous to being set at liberty, he wrote a serious exhortation to the magistrates, calling upon them to take into consideration the offences which those persons committed who were sentenced to suffer imprisonment. The following extract from the letter is to the point.

"I desire you to consider of these things, and search the Scriptures, and see whether any of the people of God did ever imprison any for religion; but were themselves imprisoned. I desire you to consider how it is written, that when the Church is met together, they may all prophesy, one by one, that all may hear, and all may learn, and all be com

forted: and then, " If anything be revealed to him that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace." Thus it was in the true church, and thus it ought to be. But it is not so in your assemblies; but he that teaches for hire may speak, and none may contradict him. Again, consider the liberty that was given to the Apostles, even. among the unbelieving Jews: when after the reading the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue said unto them, Ye men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.' I desire you to consider in stillness, and strive not against the Lord, for he is stronger than you."

After remaining in Derby prison about a year, he was liberated, and immediately started on a religious tour through the neighboring counties, where he convinced Richard Farnsworth, James Naylor, and William Dewsbury, of the truth of the doctrine he preached so effectually, who in time all became good and upright ministers of the everlasting Gospel. At Malton, Boyes, one of the priests, offered him the use of the church. When he arrived at the building, he found one of the priests preaching to eleven hearers; but when he arose upon a high seat to address them, the church was crowded. He directed them to their inward teacher, Christ Jesus, who would blot out all their sins, and turn them from the error of their ways. He explained many misconstrued passages of the Scripture, and pointed out the Spirit of God within themselves, by which alone they might come to God.

In the meantime, Charles the Second raised a new army, and marching into England, took Worcester without opposition. In September, however, his forces were defeated by Cromwell, and Charles was forced to seek shelter in a hollow oak, near the scene of combat. Clothed as a servant, he wandered through the country, escaping many hazards, until at last he sailed for the coast of Normandy, in France, where he arrived disheartened and dispirited.

The priest Boyes accompanied George Fox through several towns, and listened attentively to the words the good 1652. man spoke. At one place some persons called upon Boyes to pay some money due for tithes; but he told them he had enough, and would not take it. This anecdote proves that the preaching of the Word of God had made some impression on his heart.

Passing one night through the town of Patrington, George Fox applied for lodging at the public-house, but was denied admittance. He slept under a hedge, near the outskirt of the village, and in the morning was molested by some rude persons, who afterwards sought his forgiveness, promising to amend their lives. In this place he met one honest magistrate, who treated him as a brother and friend, as well as fulfilling his duty as a public officer, in issuing a warrant for the arrest of a professor of religion, for abusing George Fox, whilst standing in the church. So zealous was Justice Hotham to keep the peace, that he told George Fox, if he would seek the protection of the law when he was ill-treated, he should be dealt with fairly and honestly. Still he refused to take the benefit of outward power.

At Gainsbury, some worthless man had accused George Fox of declaring and believing he was Christ. On arriving at that place, crowds of persons attended him to the house of a friend, among whom was his accuser. He told them, in explanation, that Christ was within them, except they were reprobates; and that it was Christ, the eternal power of God, that spoke through him unto them; not that he was Christ. He said to his false accuser, that he was a Judas, and that the end of Judas should be his. This satisfied the people, and they peaceably departed to their homes. Strange as it may appear, this Judas hung himself, and a stake was driven through his body. George Fox now went into Yorkshire. In Wainsworth he was beaten out of the church; at Doncaster he went to the church, and after the priest had finished his sermon, began to address the audience; but he was arrested, taken before the magistrates, and threatened