in body and spirit, the Lord takes notice, and they shall not go unrewarded, as they continue faithful unto God; unto whom they look in all they take in hand, and dare not spare, neither for favour, affection, nor any thing that is here below, when the Lord opens their understandings; and these shall rest from their labour, in endless happiness, and their works shall follow them.

pel, more and more prevail over that which is of the flesh and fleshly will, through your keeping in the dominion and dignity of Truth, the church of God be adorned with her own robe, with the Holy Spirit of the living Lord; and her members will love and cherish one another, every one acting in its own place and station, be it ever so small or low; the circulation of heavenly life will then be witnessed, and all will go on to the glory and honour of the great God, who is worthy for ever.

And unto you who have kept your integrity, and are as fathers and mothers in Israel, for whom I have a reverent esteem in the Lord; a My brethren, as much as in you lies, keep word dwells upon my spirit, in the pure love of in the meek, gentle, condescending spirit of God. May you ever remember the days of love one towards another: so that nothing may your youth, and how tenderly the Lord dealt ever get place amongst you, that may grow to with you; how he led you even on step by hardness, or cause grudgings to arise in any of step, and often passed by the infirmities and your minds one towards another, for this will weaknesses that attended you. And when you insensibly eat as a canker, to the weakening of were in danger of missing your way, you, your strength and authority unawares. But so whose desires were good, did not he conde- give way to one another, in the liberty of truth, scend to inform your understandings, lead you that you may grow up in the blessed fellowship as by the hand, and help you into the way of the glorious gospel, as that all who behold again? Thus did your heavenly Father deal your Christian behaviour one towards another, with you, in his tender love and mercy. As may have cause to say, you are the people of you keep these things in remembrance, they God, and taught by his Holy Spirit. And thus will engage your minds to be watchful over, you will be a good example to the very hinderand very tender towards, those who are but most of those amongst whom you are concernas children, as you once were, in whom the ed, which will be a means to fasten and set home Lord is at work, and forming them for his ser- your several services upon all you are engaged vice, to promote the good of Zion, and the wel-with. You will also be kept near and dear one fare of Jerusalem; for which many of you unto another, in the unity of the one spirit, the have faithfully laboured in your day. The bond of lasting peace; which as you abide in, Lord is stirring up many, whom he will make valiant for himself and his Truth upon earth, as they stand faithful unto him, when many of you are gone to your rest. Therefore, dear Friends, receive the word of exhortation; and wherever you see any tender breathing babe, that hath its Father's stamp upon it, although it appear weak, and in a stammering manner, if you can discern that its longing and desire is for the prosperity of Truth, and of the glorious work of God, how can you but be glad thereof. And if it happens that such an one should at any time miss its way, either on the right hand or on the left, how ready should the wise in heart be to inform, and extend a hand to help in the same love wherein God dealt with you in your childhood. As you are thus preserved in the pure meek spirit of Jesus, your heavenly Head, it will abundantly add to your authority, and beget the more care in those you are thus concerned for, to answer your advice, and to keep close to the requirings of God; and it will also give you the greater weight with such as are justly blameable. Thus will the government of Christ, the power and authority of the gos

the enemy, with all his twistings and twinings, will never be able to break or deprive you of. Therefore, my brethren, join hand in hand, and set shoulder to shoulder in this weighty work, the promotion of God's blessed Truth, and go on in the name and fear of the Lord, in self-denial, which reaches a great way, if truly considered, and under a sense of the daily need you have of his assistance. This doth my soul earnestly entreat of you all, being filled with a sense of the goodness of God, at this very moment, and drawn forth therein much more than I did expect. But having now eased my bowed spirit of that which has remained as an exercise upon me, I shall conclude, earnestly wishing the welfare of you all; and the Lord, saith my soul, multiply his mercies and the visitations of his pure love, with the peace of his Holy Spirit, upon his whole flock and family. To God the Father, through Jesus Christ, be everlasting glory, honour and praise, who is worthy, worthy, now and for ever.

Wensleydale, in Yorkshire, the

21st of the Twelfth month.
1699.

JOHN FOTHERGILL.

SOME ACCOUNT

OF

THE CONVINCEMENT, AND RELIGIOUS PROGRESS,

OF

JOHN SPALDING,

LATE OF READING.

WITH HIS REASONS FOR LEAVING THE NATIONAL ESTABLISHED MODE OF WORSHIP.

ADDRESS.

fessing and eminently favoured people, and made various remarks on the importance of preserving as a wall of defence, the religious discipline established among them, not giving THE following brief memorial of the expe- way to weakness, in order to maintain a sperience of a deeply devoted mind, is deemed cious, and merely external unity, by being inworthy of public notice, as an additional testi- different towards those noble testimonies which mony to "the cloud of witnesses," we are al- his soul loved, and was uncommonly bound to. ready favoured with, to the efficacy and power He then firmly, yet humbly, added, "O my of the Spirit of Truth. The writer was a valu- friend, excuse my freedom; the cause of truth able example of Solomon's observation, " Hon- I have to believe, though with a due proportion ourable age is not that which standeth in length of fear I would express it, is so deeply impressof time; nor that is measured by number of ed upon my mind, that neither the fear nor the years but wisdom is grey hairs unto men; love of any created being or thing, can be perand an unspotted life is old age:" being re-mitted to obstruct or divert me from what may markably distinguished by a steady, uniform appear to be required of me." In a great dedevotion, and dedication of heart to the pure gree in this firmness he lived, bearing much cause of Truth and righteousness on the earth; opposition, and the cross, as related in the folwhich he believed himself called to maintain, lowing memorial; and yet more particularly and to endeavour to promote by example and known to some who were acquainted with him; precept. His memory is therefore very pre- and thus firmly he died in great stability and cious; in particular to some who had an inti- peace; having little to say, but that little was mate acquaintance with him. To these more truly much in a small compass, expressed at emphatically," he being dead yet speaketh," in different times to a few friends who visited him the remembrance of his solid, wise deportment, near his end: some of whom were also with his fewness of words, and those seasoned with him just at the solemn period. Though in the grace; and his steady firmness towards op- midst of mourning, they were joyful witnesses posers of principles and testimonies which he and partakers of that solemnity and peace, had not taken upon trust, but deeply examined which proved as a seal to the deep concern, their foundation, nature, and tendency. Being exercise, and happy close of the dear deceased. baptized under a living concern to support them, He was ill about three weeks of a fever; and he dared not flinch in the day of battle, but in the forepart of his illness expressed to a both in that Society of which he became a Friend who visited him, "that there was no member, and also among others, he was deep-cause of discouragement to the right minded." ly and awfully engaged to stand his ground in Being asked at another time if he had any thing the divine ability afforded, and to exhibit an in particular to express to Friends, he replied, example of ancient simplicity and uprightness." No; only my love: all is well: nothing In a letter to a Friend, some months before his stands in my way." And thus he peacefully decease, he pointed out his great concern in ob- laid down his life, in the 30th year of his age, serving the declensions amongst a highly pro- the 30th of the 1st month, 1795.

SOME ACCOUNT OF JOHN SPALDING, & c.

I SHALL pass over the early part of my life, practices resulted, and enquired for some of only observing that I had been educated in a their writings.

religious way. I mention this, as at times, The first book I think that I read, was Wilwhen I lived in London, where I served an ap- liam Penn's "No Cross, No Crown," which prenticeship, in the midst of my dissipation, I much tendered my spirit, and removed some frequently felt the reproofs of the Lord in my unfavourable opinions I had received respecting heart, but which were soon smothered in the Friends. I then, in some measure, saw how far vortex of pleasure. After I had served my ap- what I had known before fell short of what that prenticeship, I returned into the country to as- work directed to; yet I continued attending at sist my father in his business of a farrier, at the parish place of worship; having the most Reading, in the year 1786. A little time af- favourable opinion of the minister there, and a terwards, I attended the parish church, so call- particular esteem for him as a man, who also ed, where a celebrated preacher officiated, and frequently professed a particular affection toI found an awakening power, which produced wards me. Once I remember, when I had so not a little alteration in me. I more constantly far deviated from my profession, as to go to a attended the services, public and private; join- horse-race, he sent for me, and kindly admoned the more particular professors, and went on ished me as a friend and overseer. I mention for several years as one of them. I also ab- this, as afterwards, when it pleased the Lord to stained from vain company and conversation, enlighten my mind more clearly, and convince to which I had before been addicted, so that I me of the nececessity of leaving the form of was one of the chief professors. But I found a worship I had been accustomed to, it was a sore gradual wearing off of the force of the impres- trial to me to leave him, in a manner that I apsions I had received; less dislike to worldly prehended he would feel not a little concerned company; and the power of sin gaining the about. The next book I read, I think, was ascendency; that at times I felt much uneasi-" Barclay's Apology," which opened many ness; particularly as, on serious reflection, I things so clearly to me, that I could not but felt the strength of my lusts and passions, and consent to them; nevertheless, there were some the evil propensities of my nature unsubdued; things that at first reading I could not assent to, notwithstanding my knowlege of the truths of particularly respecting public worship. I thought the gospel, and the profession I made. Observ. it needful there should be a time appointed, and ing and conversing with my fellow professors, somebody ready to officiate, that the ignorant I found the same great anxiety of mind and might be instructed: and that a man, taught, breathings to the Lord, that he would make as I apprehended, of the Lord, and properly me indeed what I professed to be; and what qualified, might at any time exhort or preach was persuaded by the Scriptures of Truth, a to the people. I still attended the old place, true Christian might be; that is, free from the going occasionally to Friends' meetings on any power, as well as the guilt of sin. particular occasions, when some strangers were Thus I went on till about the year 1792, of- expected; whose testimonies, though I could ten feeling the dominion of sin, and desiring not but approve of them, yet were not able to deliverance from it; when I was led to consid- draw me from my former society; but I found er the people called Quakers, and was soon the work of the Lord going on by degrees. satisfied there was a manifest difference be At first, I think, I considered the ordinance tween them and others, even in outward of the Lord's Supper, as it is called, and was appearance. I was convinced they were sensible I had never found any profit in it, more conformable to Christianity than any from the beginning of my partaking of it. others I had known; most of whom followed Though I had often heard others speak very all the fashions of the world, particularly in highly of it, as finding particular and extraor dress; an inconsistency I frequently observed dinary comfort and benefit in it; and I often at with much concern. I then sought the conver- the time earnestly desired to find the benefit of sation of some of them, and still found more it as well as others; yet it still remained a simplicity, more like the precepts and practices dead unprofitable service. I therefore declined of Christ and his apostles, that I desired to it entirely.

I

know the principles from which such superior The next thing I think I observed, was the

public singing. I began to see a great inconsistency in that practice, particularly after sermon. I could feel it had in myself as well as in others, a manifest tendency to lightness of spirit, and removing any serious impressions which might have been received from the foregoing discourse; that I soon left the place immediately after sermon was ended. It was not long, however, before I saw a gross inconsistency in the practice altogether, when I weightily considered the matter contained in what was sung, how impossible it was for a congregation of different kinds of people to join in singing whatever might be given out, whether suitable to their conditions or not; much of which, I was persuaded, could not be said by any, without uttering gross falsehoods; which I could not believe could be acceptable in the sight of the Lord. I was in consequence constrained to give forth some observations on the subject in writing, addressed to the professors of religion, attending the place called St. Giles' church.

"A few observations concerning the custom of singing in public meetings of worship; by one, who has long been convinced of the inconsistency of it, and now calls upon every one who professes to be a follower of the meek and lowly Jesus, to lay aside prejudice, and seriously consider the following remarks, which are offered in the fear of the Lord.

plies a sense of our wants, doth it not show an indifference whether our prayers are heard and answered or not, to begin singing immediately, perhaps very different in matter as well as in manner, to what has been prayed for?

"Again, after preaching, if the Lord's power is known and felt under the word, is it not more likely to profit, if the mind is occupied in serious meditation, than singing, which from my own experience, I can say, has a tendency to divert from solemn, serious reflection? I am now speaking more particularly concerning those, who have attained to a measure of the grace of God. Ask yourselves seriously, is outward singing intended or calculated to please the carnal ears of men, or a Holy God? Why such anxiety about tunes, voices, and music? Is the Lord to be pleased with such poor things? Oh! no; you cannot suppose it. Consider from what root it springs, from the old man or the new; and remember the axe is laid to the root, to destroy all that is of the earth, of our fleshly nature. I have considered those passages in the New Testament, where the subject is mentioned, and am confirmed by them in my opinion, of the inconsistency of public singing. The apostle speaks of singing with grace in the heart; of making melody in the heart to the Lord; not making a noise with the tongue, unless that proceeds from the heart; which, how seldom it does in public singing, I appeal to every considerate mind.

tions, that it is more seasonable to watch and pray, to be ever on our guard, and waiting to feel the light and power of Christ, to discover and subdue the hidden things of darkness; that as children of the light we may walk in the light, and find the blood of Jesus Christ, his spirit and power, cleansing us from all sin; than evidencing that trifling, careless spirit, too commonly, if not always, attending outward singing.

"I am convinced in my own mind, consider. "First, it ought ever to be considered, that ing our situation here, the power and devices God is a Spirit, and they that worship him of the enemy, and our own inbred corrup must worship him in spirit and in truth. In other words, it is the language of the heart which he regards, not words, however excellent of themselves. Now I appeal to the witness of God in every heart, considering the variety of conditions, the different subjects of praise, adoration, confession, petitioning, &c. contained in every collection [of hymns,] whether in the fear of the Lord, any one, in whatever state or condition he may be at the time, can with propriety be ready to sing whatever may be given out. It appears to me impossible that a whole congregation (even if we except the ignorant) can be in the same frame of mind, considering the various dispensations of the Lord's providence towards his people; consequently, if that is not the case, it follows, of course, that if all sing, some must utter words with the mouth contrary to the language of the heart, which so far from being acceptable to the Lord, I am persuaded is hypocrisy, and an abomination in his sight.

"Again, it appears to me inconsistent also with regard to the other parts of worship; for if the language of the heart is spoken in prayer, which often precedes singing, and which im

"I could say much more against it, but would not be tedious, particularly respecting those that are without. How seldom can such people, living in open and avowed opposition to God, join in singing without uttering gross, abominable lies! And are we not accessary thereto? Is it not expected when a psalm or hymn is given out, all present who are capable will join? Then let it not be said, how can we help the abuse of it. Ought we not rather to set them an example of truth and righteousness, and not countenance any practice that has a tendency to promote lightness and irrev erence? Oh! my friends, this cannot be acceptable to the Lord, who requireth truth in the inward parts. I recommend to your seri