published some works, proving that the Church of England was still considerably infected with Romish errors and 1593. superstitions. Henry Barrow, John Greenwood, and

John Penry, were put to death for maintaining the doctrine they believed to be the truth, more through the instigation of the clergy, than by the desire of the queen.

When James the First ascended the throne, after the deat of Queen Elizabeth, the followers of these men suffered much on account of their separation from the Church. In the reign of Charles the First, many went to New England, to avoid the persecution of the bishops, and afterwards ren dered themselves notorious as cruel persecutors of pious people who settled amongst them. Thus clearly proving it was not a perfect reformation, though it had not always brought forth the same fruits of bitterness; the branches of the tree of superstitious institutions were broken, but the trunk remained unshaken. To make a clearer discovery of true religion, it was the will of God to destroy the great obstruction whereby the soul was deprived enjoying perfect peace with its Creator.

There were many separate societies in England at this time. The Seekers, in the beginning, promised much good, but their subsequent history establishes the fact, that their foundation was not on the Rock of Ages. It was during the latter end of the reign of Charles the First, that those persons, who became aware of a divine conviction in the conscience, and preached the immutable doctrine of an inward light, began to increase in numbers, and form a separate religious society. They have been accused of many exorbitant absurdities, both in life and doctrine, and the name of Quakers was tauntingly imposed on them.

In their rise and progress, they met with many adversities, which no body of men would have been willing to have withstood, unless they sincerely believed they were right, in the doctrine they so truthfully advocated. They quietly submitted to bitter revilings, scornful mockings, rude abuses, and bloody blows, from their persecutors. Many suffered

hard imprisonment, banishment, tortures of every kind; and history speaks of deaths in prison, on the gallows, and at the stake. Amid all these vicissitudes, we have many noble instances of unfeigned godliness, sincere love, extraordinary meekness, singular patience, ardent zeal, undaunted courage, and unshaken steadfastness. No age or period has afforded more powerful examples of virtuous resolution to accomplish what is right and good.

George Fox was born at Drayton, in Leicestershire, in the

seventh month (July). His father, Christopher Fox, 1624. was an honest weaver, who led such a virtuous life, that his neighbors called him "Righteous Christer.” His mother, Mary Lago, was an upright woman, and of the stock of martyrs: both were members of the Church of England. It is said of George Fox, that even in his minority he exhibited a spirit of gravity and staidness of mind. seldom observed in children. Although from a child it was plainly seen that his views of religion were different from his brethren, still his parents endeavored to train him up in the common way of worship. At the age of 11, he could read and write, and endeavored to live a pure and righteous life, to be faithful in all things, inwardly to God and outwardly to man. Thus living and growing in virtue, some of his relations expressed a wish to have him educated for a priest in one of the religious schools; but this was contrary to his wish, and he was placed as an apprentice to a shoemaker, who also dealt in wool and cattle. His chief delight in his master's employment was in taking charge of the sheep, and he soon became a successful shepherd, which was, an eminent author has said, "A just emblem of his after-ministry and service." In his dealings he made frequent use of the word "verily," and acted so strictly to its meaning, that those who knew him would frequently say, "If George says verily, there is no altering him."

Throughout all England were exhibited tokens of the beginning of a civil war, in which religion was somewhat interested. New forms and ceremonies were introduced at

the communion-table, and those preachers who did not obey them were neglected, while those who promoted rites 1642. that favored Popery were advanced. This caused an

insurrection; and Charles the First, accused by the Parliament of encroaching upon their privileges, raised an army and secured many fortified places. Soon after, a battle was fought between the Royalists and the Parliament, near Edge Hill, in Warwickshire, in which neither party gained much advantage.

During his nineteenth year, George Fox attended a fair with some of his associates, at which an incident took place, and regarding it as a divine admonition, he resolved to leave his relations, break off all familiar fellowship with 1643. men, and lead a separate and retired life. On the 9th of the ninth month (September) he went to Lutterworth, and continued to wander from place to place, 1644. until he arrived at Barnet in the month of June. After passing through many severe temptations, he went to London in a miserable state of mind, hoping to find some relief among the famous professors of that city; but he found them ignorant in regard to the spiritual welfare of the soul. On hearing that his parents were unhappy during his absence, he returned to Leicestershire. Here he associated with many priests, and conversed freely on all the subjects of interest for the salvation of the soul. Nathaniel Stevens, then priest of Drayton, once asked him, why Christ cried out on the cross, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" The reply was considered unique: "At that time the sins of all mankind were upon Christ, and their iniquities and transgressions with which he was wounded, which he was to bear, and to be an offering for them, as he was a man; but died not, as he was God: and so, in that he died for all men, and tasted death for every man, he was an offering for the sins of the whole world."

During this year George Fox spent much of his time in

solitude, waiting patiently on the Lord, whilst he 1645. became aware of the truth of those principles of re

ligion, which have since been recognized by the Society of Friends or Quakers.

England was still in the midst of a revolution. Parlia ment exerted all its power for the introduction of the Presbyterian Directory, and the expulsion of the Bishops. The King was defeated by an army of untrained bands, near Naseby, and escaped to Scotland, but was delivered to the English soon after. The Churchmen were at variance with each other, and many persons claimed seats in Parliament, who were opposed to the established mode of worship. George Fox made a religious tour through Derbyshire, and

He

proceeded to Nottinghamshire, where he met Elizabeth 1647. Hooten, a woman whose history will be recorded in the sequel, and held several meetings and religious discourses. In the writings of Gerard Croes, we find that his clothes were made of leather, on account of the simplicity of that dress, and travelling from place to place, a stranger, they needed very little mending or repairing. was a steady reader of holy writ, but kept aloof from all professions and churches, because he could not bring his mind to see the usefulness of the many forms and ceremonies so entirely disconnected with spiritual religion. The first sermons he preached were short, powerful and full of truth; many were convinced of their errors, and returned to the true ight of the Gospel. A person by the name of Brown on his death-bed prophesied many strange occurrences, and mongst the rest," that George Fox should be made instrunental by the Lord to the conversion of people." And of some very prominent men of that period, he foretold "that they should come to nothing," which was fulfilled, though he did not live to see it. At this time George Fox had many sorrows and troubles, passed through many temptations, in all of which he was the victor; but to give an account of his condition we will use his own words.

"I saw into that which was without end, and things which cannot be uttered; and of the greatness and infiniteness of the love of God, which cannot be expressed by words; for I

had been brought through the very ocean of darkness and death, and through and over the power of Satan, by the eternal glorious power of Christ; even through that darkness. was I brought which covered the world, and which chained down all, and shut up all in the death. And the same eternal power of God, which brought me through those things, was that which afterwards shook the nation, priests, professors and people. Then could I say, I had been in spiritual Babylon, Sodom, Egypt and the grave; but by the eternal power of God, I was come out of it, and was brought over it, and the power of it unto the power of Christ. And I saw the harvest white, and the seed of God lying thick in the ground, as ever did wheat, that was sown outwardly, and none to gather it: and for this I mourned with tears."

Towards the latter end of this year, the state affairs of England became more and more unsettled; the king thinking himself no longer safe at Hampton Court, withdrew to the Isle of Wight, whilst Parliament still insisted on the abrogation of Episcopacy, and the entire command of the military forces; this the king was not willing to grant, and he was no longer regarded as a sovereign claiming obedience of the Parliament.

Whilst these intestine troubles were raging with some

violence throughout the kingdom, the minds of many 1648. were exercised in regard to their future welfare. George Fox attended many meetings of the priests and professors at different places, and whenever he spoke, the pow er of the truth of his remarks made many converts. He had an idea of studying medicine, but he felt called on by God to enter into a spiritual labor. He became aware that every man was enlightened by the divine light of Christ, and those who believed it were free from condemnation, and were the children of light. He believed God had given a measure of his spirit to all men, and that with it alone they could truly serve the Lord; and that his grace, which brings salvation, was able to reconcile them to God.

He now went forth to preach the everlasting Gospel, and