Friends, by which the family became dispersed, and none of us continued in the Society. When I was about twelve years of age, by the persuasion of some of my father's relations, I was sprinkled at Ormskirk; from which time I continued to frequent the public worship, until I joined Friends. At about fourteen I was placed out apprentice to a taylor, where I suffered much; but my master, to whom I was bound, not having sufficient employment for me, after I had served about half my time, turned me over to a Friend for the remainder of the term, whereby I got some relief. And in this family they would often be speaking of my mother, who was esteemed a valuable Friend. Having now frequent opportunities of being in Friends company, and observing their regular lives and conversation, it gave me a secret liking towards them; but looking upon myself to be a settled member of the established church (so called,) and there being most liberty for worldly indulgence, I endeavoured to satisfy myself in that way as long as I could; being often strongly tempted by youthful lusts, after the common evils that are in the world; yet I was mercifully preserved from the grosser part thereof. At length it pleased the Lord, who had long followed me by his secret rebukes, to break in upon my soul by his powerful love and awakening visitations, to show me that was not my rest, because it was polluted. My present state and condition being now clearly laid open to my view, by the light that shined into my dark heart, I saw sin to be exceedingly sinful, and that it was that which separated me from my God, and caused him to withhold good things from me. I was also favoured to see my great loss of time and neglect of duty, and how far I was behind in my day's work: for although the Lord was pleased to wink at the time of ignorance, yet now I found his call and command was to repentance and amendment of life. And when I set my heart to seek him, I met with great inward opposition from the combined force of my three potent enemies, the world, the flesh, and the devil, who assaulted me with manifold temptations. But for ever magnified be my gracious God, he made good the saying of our blessed Saviour; "My Father is greater than all, and none shall be able to pluck you out of my Father's hand." Thus, although I was like one cast out and forsaken, and in great measure destitute of those natural advantages many are favoured with, (my education being low) yet, in this state of weakness and ignorance, the Lord took me under his care and protection. When out of my apprenticeship, having but few friends or relations that took much notice of me, I concluded to travel in the way of my trade, and went to London, where I worked some time. Afterwards I proceeded westward by way of Oxford, Cirencester, and Bristol, intending to travel through the western counties, and return again to London. But I had not gone far from Bristol, before kind Providence, watching over me for my good, merci. fully interposed, directing my way in his wisdom; he was pleased to put a stop to my roving mind, and to convince me of the truth of that saying, "It is not in man that walketh to direct his own steps." Meeting with employment in my trade in the county of Somerset, and being convinced of the blessed truth, I settled amongst Friends, and continued in that part of the country some years; when, about the year 1724, my mouth was first opened in the work of the ministry at a meeting at Claverham, in the said county, which I attended for some years, before I went much abroad. After my stay here about twelve years, I entered into a married state with Esther Thurston, of Thornbury in Gloucestershire, widow, where I then settled. We lived together in true unity about five years, when she was removed from me by death. During my residence here, the Lord laid a concern upon me to pay a religious visit to divers northern counties, and Scotland, also South and North Wales; with which I acquainted my friends, and having their concurrence and certificate, I set forward, endeavouring to look with a single eye to my good guide, who was pleased to enable me to perform this service to my own comfort, and the satisfaction of my friends: for which, and for his preservation and care over me every way unto this time, I bow the knee to my gracious and merciful God. Although I sometimes set out in great inward poverty, yet I was secretly supported by an invisible hand, that I could truly say, the Lord was my shepherd, and bountifully supplied all my wants, so as many times to make my cup to run over, filling my heart with his love; that I can now say, What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits, who has been my morning light, and I humbly hope will be my evening song? After this journey I continued at Thornbury about five years longer, visiting the meetings of my friends in most of the western and northwest counties, as the Lord was pleased to open my way. And about the year 1743, a concern was laid upon me to visit the principal towns in the county of Devon, where there were no Friends; and notwithstanding the undertaking looked difficult and arduous, yet as I was preserved in a faithful obedience to the Lord's requirings, he who put me forth was pleased to go before me in such a manner, that notwithstanding it was sometimes attended with from home, he diligently attended his own and close exercise, yet through his divine assistance I was enabled to perform this service to a neighbouring meetings, frequently appearing good degree of satisfaction, and to meet with no opposition; except in one place from an angry priest. At several towns I had meetings in the streets and market-houses. I afterwards went into Dorsetshire and Hampshire, and passed over into the isle of Jersey in company with my friend Jeremiah Waring. 1744. This year I visited Ireland. 1745. Visited several western counties as far as Cornwall, and the circular yearly meeting there. 1746. This year I entered a second time into a married state with Mary, daughter of our worthy friends Joseph and Mary Ransom, of Hitchin in Hertfordshire, where I then settled. She has been a true helpmeet to me, we having now lived together in great unity about thirty-six years. After my marriage I visited most of the counties of England and Wales at different times, as the Lord was pleased to open my way, and enable me for it; through all which I have to acknowledge with thankfulness to my God, in whose service I went forth, that I lacked nothing, but was wonderfully preserved and supported yet have nothing to glory in but that arm that was made bare for my help, and have done no more than was my duty to do. I have had many public services in barns and other places where there were no Friends settled, and have attended many marriages and burials not herein particularly noticed, whereby I have endeavoured to fill up my time: and under an humbling sense of the Lord's goodness, I can now look back with satisfaction and thankfulness, to him who has enabled me so far to do my day's work in the day time, and am now favoured in my old age to drink of that Rock, out of which flow the issues of life; so that now, through his merciful aid, I can set up my Ebenezer, and say, Hitherto the Lord has helped me. I was called into the vineyard when young, and have ever since found work enough to do, either in digging, watering, or pruning; it not being a time for slothful servants, nor will it do to put that candle, which has been lighted in us, under a bed or a bushel. The Lord did not find me out amongst the wise and prudent of this world; but he took me from the stones of the street, where, in his wisdom and goodness, he has often raised up children to Abra-, ham. I have now to rejoice my day's work is so near a happy close, having only patiently to wait my appointed time, until my change shall come.-Here ends the account our dear Friend gives of himself. When, through the infirmities attending old age, he was rendered incapable of going far therein in short but lively exhortations, endeavouring to stir up the minds of Friends to a faithful attention to their duty. He had a spirit of discerning beyond many, and an excellent gift in the discipline of the church, having a clear sight of the insufficiency of the outward form, without the influence of the divine power to support it to edification. His ministry was plain and powerful, often reaching the witness of truth in the hearts of his hearers. In supplication he was inward and weighty, an awful solemnity covering his spirit, whereby he was frequently favoured with near access to the throne of Divine Grace. An innocent cheerfulness, tempered with gravity, adorned his conversation, and his conduct was a pattern of meekness, moderation, and love, which gained him general esteem. Thus persevering in true watchfulness, the language of the apostle (which he was known frequently to repeat) may be truly adopted concerning him, "Our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world." In his last illness, being sensible his end was approaching, he expressed himself after this manner: "I feel my natural faculties fail much; I desire to be content with the Lord's will, and to wait all the days of my appointed time, until my change shall come; and it is pleasant to think I draw so near the end of my race, and can now set up my Ebenezer, and say, Hitherto the Lord has been my shield, and exceeding great reward." At another time a few Friends sitting by him, he said, "I find my body advancing apace towards its dissolution; but death is no king of terrors to me; I hope I shall be ready for my final change: and although our meeting in this place is but small, it affords me a secret satisfaction to see the forming Hand at work in some of our youth, and that they are measurably called into service; which I hope they will give up to. The world, and the things of it, has lain too near, and hurt the growth of some, who might have made further advances, had they not been hindered thereby." At another time, speaking of the state of our religious Society, he remarked, "Although many have fallen, and some degenerated into form, yet I believe the truth is kept to in as much simplicity amongst us, as amongst any people. I have often thought of Paul's address to the Galatians, his particular converts, where he says, "I marvel that ye are so soon removed unto another gospel, which says he, is not another, but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ; but though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel, let him be accursed." He then observed, there was but one gospel, however some may have degenerated into form, and called it the gospel. bed, and seemed to fall into a sleep; soon after which he quietly departed, without sigh or groan, the 18th day of the fifth month, 1784, about the eighty-second year of his age: a minister about sixty years. Thus our dear and worthy Friend, after a long and well-spent life, finished his course, and we doubt not hath entered that glorious He was favoured to feel very little pain, his immortality of rest and peace, prepared for complaint being a gradual decay of nature. the righteous. His remains were interred in He kept his bed about two or three days, dur- Friends' burial-ground at Hitchin, the 23d, ing which time he said but little, although he after a large and solid meeting of Friends and seemed quite sensible to the last. About an neighbours. hour before his end he turned himself in his AN ACCOUNT OF THE LIFE AND TRAVELS, IN THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY, OF JOHN FOTHERGILL: TO WHICH ARE ADDED, DIVERS EPISTLES TO FRIENDS IN GREAT BRITAIN AND PREFACE. The succeeding part of this collection, has been compiled from the short notes he kept of his several visits, and some other papers and letters. It was not without hesitation, that some parts of the following collection were committed to the press; such as the summary journals of several of his visits. Nevertheless, as even these short hints may possibly occasion, in the minds of divers who remember those visits, and his labours therein, some useful considerations, it was thought most proper to retain them. It was not till within a few years before the author's decease, that he entertained a design to leave behind him a memorial of this nature. But being requested about the year 1742, to turn his thoughts this way, by one of his sons who had been much less under his immediate tuition than the rest of his children, and consequently less acquainted with many particulars of his life, he replied, that though he had been mostly easy in relation to writing any thing by way of journal of his labours-yet it had not passed wholly without thoughts concerning it; and so A painful, deep, searching, laborious minisfrequently of late, as to have somewhat turned try was oftentimes the author's portion; achis inclinations that way. From this time it companied with a zealous concern, that all fixed more closely upon him, and he employed might come to the certain knowledge, and ingreat part of his leisure time, when health per- ward experience of an holy living principle opemitted, in drawing up the first part of the en- rating in the hearts of mankind; in order to lead suing memoirs, which extends only to the time them from error and unrighteousness, into all of his return from his first visit to America, truth, and into the practice of every Christian and was finished but a few weeks before his virtue. And to those who read with a view decease, under great weakness of body. The to profit, not barely amusement; and in order plain, sensible and lively manner, in which that they may both be informed of, and anithis account is drawn up, occasions regret mated by example, to come up in their respecthat he had not earlier engaged herein, and tive duties, the perusal, we hope, will be benethat the many interesting and instructive ob- ficial. servations, that must have occurred during the remaining part of his life, are now lost. This was the general tendency of his labours in the ministry, as many now living can testify; and in the following sheets the same ties. And secondly, to stir up parents and others important doctrine is strongly and frequently professing the holy and blessed Truth, to labour inculcated, and is now earnestly recommended carefully to feel after and obey it; and also to to the reader, with desires, that the many be good examples and certain way-marks before truths herein delivered, may have a due effect their offspring and the youth, who may see upon every mind; and that those especially them both in meetings and out of meetings. who have been witnesses of his zeal and fer- I have had to remember divers of the elders, vency, may, in calling his services amongst and the instruction which their conduct affordthem to their remembrance, be incited to followed me in my young years; so it hath often him as he followed Christ, and thus secure to themselves the benefits he diligently laboured for; and at the same time to pay the most expressive regard to his memory. brought a fresh care and inward concern of soul upon me, that I might be such a light, and such an instance of diligence, as might carry some true demonstration with it to my children and others; and in this concern of mind we are often renewed in a capacity to pray, or de sire for others, with some access. I am not easy without leaving this testimony. behind me, that I fully believe one great hindrance to the growth of our youth in true godliness, is the want of that true spiritual minded. ness which ought to be regarded by all, but in an especial manner by the elder and more knowing. I was born in Wensleydale, in Yorkshire, [in the year] 1676, of parents not only convinced of the blessed gospel dispensation of God to mankind, in sending the Spirit of Christ to enlighten and reprove for sin, and to lead the believers in it into truth and righteousness, as testified unto by the people called Quakers; but also, who endeavoured carefully to From this fear to offend the Lord, which I feel after, and live up to the powerful principle mentioned above, to be early raised in my of truth, whereby they were both instructed heart, I loved religious meetings and true minand enabled to be exemplary in life, and in re-isters; and as many such ministers, who traligious concern to attend meetings for the worship of God; and in an humble, steady, diligent waiting upon him for the appearance of his enlivening presence and power, to enable them to worship acceptably. This also led them into a godly care to train up their children in the fear of the Lord, and to take them to religious meetings frequently, both on firstdays and others days of the week, which they seldom failed in attending; especially my mother, whose care herein, and her spiritual, reverent travail of soul in meetings, often in silence, for the sacrifice of a broken heart to be prepared in her by the Lord, had very early a deeply affecting impression in my considera tion. I was convinced fully, when very young, both of the existence of an Almighty, holy, all knowing Being; and that there is a part in man that is immortal; and from hence arose a fear to offend him in word or deed. velled in the service of Truth often lodged at my father's house, I greatly loved to be near them, and to remark their conduct and conversation, which hath often been beneficial to me, both then and in the after part of my life. It hath likewise made me glad to see the like inclination in youth, and taught me to be careful to converse with, and behave before them with godly prudence. Although inward fear and care, with some heavenly touches of the life of Truth, enabled me to live more self-denyingly and gravely than some others of like years, which my mother particularly noted with some comfortable hope, and mentioned it to some in private; yet she was removed by death when I was about eleven or twelve years old, which was a great loss to me. For though my father's care continued, yet being more from under his eye, and he being obliged to have other house-keepers, I have made this mention of my parents, and who were not duly seasoned with the Truththe benefit accruing to me through their religi- some of them, with other servants proved inous life, as well as of some other Friends, mani- citers to airiness and a looser conduct, instead festly exercised in spirit towards the Lord, and of being examples of a religious and godly sofeeling after his humbling love and life to re- briety. Thus the evil power took advantage new their strength from time to time, for this of my natural activeness and propensity to end chiefly; to instruct our youth, who have sports and plays, and often stifled that heaven. religious parents or tutors, to prize such privi-ly desire and care toward God, which I ought leges, and to consider, that if such advantages to have retained. So I became more thoughtbe disregarded and made light of, those who so less about my soul's interest, and subject to be do, have much more to answer for, and will led into folly, which yet was often made a burhave heavier condemnation to bear, than those den to me, and an occasion of sorrow secretly, who have not had such convincing opportuni- which caused me to beg mercy for my negli VOL. XIII.-No. 9. 45 gence, and to make covenants to be more watchful against temptations; but alas! I often failed in performing them. vation of God in the land of the living," and some other like sentences were brought to my remembrance, accompanied with glimpses of heavenly goodness, which graciously helped to stay me in some patient hope under the heavenly refining hand, which sometimes, as it were set me upon my feet a little, and withdrew again. I was left in a sense of weakness, fear and sorrow. But the blessed presence of of the Saviour of the world, which at times Yet divine mercy, by renewed convictions and awakening visitations, gave me to see and consider my unfaithfulness and weakness in such a manner, that I often with secret lamentation bemoaned myself under his judgment much fearing that I should not be regarded in mercy any more; nor durst I make any more promises, as I had done, lest I should by fail-filled and overshadowed my soul, in my thus ing increase my soul's bondage. following him, though mourning, is never to be forgotten by my soul: this was about the seventeenth year of my age. But I am not easy to proceed much further in this account, without making mention of some few cases respecting my younger time; and though they may seem little in some rea ders thoughts, yet I cannot but think they may be of service to others, and at least stand as a testimony to the purity and spirituality of the blessed and glorious gospel dispensation of God, in pouring out of his spirit upon all flesh, and writing his law in men's hearts. As I was kept for a time thus low and watchful to this heavenly principle of Truth, which let me see my sin, and the danger of it, I was favoured with the springings of hope for mercy and salvation; and then my cry was frequent and strong to be purged thoroughly, whatever I had to bear, if the Almighty would but enable me. Thus I wrestled several years, and durst not believe that I gained any effectual victory; and as the baptism of Christ by his Spirit had began to operate in me, to bring a death to sin, and the lusts of the flesh, that through faith, and a diligent attendance to his When I was between six and seven years power, I might live to him in newness of life, old, as near as I can recollect, being at some I had some hope that the fan in his hand would little play with another boy, through the force thoroughly purge me, which was the very ear-of a sudden temptation, I swore an oath, which nest cry and longing of my soul. But the winnowing, refining work of the spirit of judgment and of burning, now kindled to take away my dross, was so heavy upon me, that I was often tempted to conclude I was forsaken of mercy, and that judgment and darkness were to be my portion. Under such apprehensions the enemy of souls would have turned my heart against the righteous Almighty, or prevailed upon me to give myself a loose into present fleshly pleasures; but oh! blessed regard from on high was near, to manifest the wicked design of the evil spirit, and the tendency of his suggestions. A resolution, in a degree of living faith, was firmly fixed in my heart, to endeavour to lie and wait as at the Almighty's footstool, if haply he might regard me in mercy to salvation; and if not, but that I must perish, I would perish as near it as I could get. And as this desire after divine favour and mercy, and devotedness of heart to lean towards, and wait for his arising for my salvation, was of his own begetting; so he was graciously pleased to stay my mind in humble resignation, until he brought forth judgment into victory by degrees, and caused the Son of Righteousness at times to arise upon me, with healing in his wings. Yet he often saw meet to hide his face from me again, and to strip me, not only of a sense of his favour, but even of hope of obtaining a place among the redeemed. At this time, the scripture which saith, "It is good to hope, and quietly wait, to see the sal notwithstanding it was to a truth, yet such secret conviction of the evil of so doing in the sight of the Almighty God, so affected my mind with sorrow and remorse, as made a lasting impression on my judgment; and also imprinted that warning and fear in my heart in this respect, that I never did the like since on any occasion. Wherefore, as I cannot but believe that the pure law of God, which is light, makes its appearance against evil in all, and often in tender years; so if a careful regard were yielded in youth to this inshining of the day of God in secret, many evil practices and defiling liberties would be prevented, and would never get that room in the mind, and in use, which with sorrow we too often observe they do. Another thing I am inclined to mention is, when I was about twelve or thirteen years old, which was after my mother's decease, a strong inclination took place in me to have a coat made with some more resemblance of the mode or fashion of the time, than in the plain manner which I had, with other Friends, used, and I prevailed upon my father to grant it; but I was made uneasy in it, almost at the first wearing it, and the more so in using it, feeling the certain reproofs of the Spirit of Truth, for leaning to, and joining with the vain and restless flesh-pleasing spirit of the world, and turning from the steady plainness of the unchangeable Truth. I was indisputably satisfied, that the enemy of all good worked in the earthly affec |