expectation, and as there seems a very great openness hereaway, I dare not suddenly leave the north; and on the other hand, I am cautious of appointing meetings too fast. Friends here are very loving, and unfeign. edly willing to do any thing that lies in their power for me, and apprehending me to be tender, [in health,] are careful to an extreme lest any thing should ail me. My landlord, where I now am, a worthy, innocent elder, has been with me in most meetings I have had, and proposes to accompany me through the greatest part of the nation, which will be acceptable to me; he was over with Michael Lightfoot; his name, Robert Richardson. SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. SAMUEL FOTHERGILL TO HIS WIFE. Charlemont, Third month 18th, 1744. My present business is to look to my concern here, and the faithful discharge of it to God, the people, and myself; and living praises to Him that is mindful of his servants, I may say he has not hitherto failed me in this journey. We had a pretty large meeting at Lisburn, and though things were heavy amongst them, yet Truth rose, and we were favoured: the next day I rode twelve miles to Antrim, where we had a poor little meeting; rode twentytwo miles to Ballinacree, where we had a hard, though pretty satisfactory meeting next morning, being the first-day; in the afternoon went to Coleraine, where was a large meeting; many people of rank within several miles came to it, and the Lord owned us by his mighty power: may that day's favour remain always in my mind. Next day went twenty miles to Grange, where we had a poor, heavy meeting; on the 16th to Toberhead, where we had a good meeting; yesterday rode nineteen miles to this place, where this day the Lord singularly owned us by his power and presence, to my great admiration and thankfulness. I know not how I may fare in the rest of my journey-I leave that; but I may say of a truth, the evident favour and power of God's Truth has hitherto wonderfully helped me, and my health has been, and yet is, mercifully preserved. My love to all inquiring friends in Penketh meeting, in earnest wishes for their prosperity in the glorious truth of our God. May they gather to the eternal refuge of the people of God, and therein be preserved to the end. My mind calls many of them to remembrance with gladness, and humble yet fervent breathing that they may be gathered to the glorious Shepherd, whose pastures are suffi ciently capacious to hold thousands more than yet inhabit them;-the fountain is inexpressibly open and free, and oh that there were a steady thirst after it! My heart is renewedly touched with the love of God; in that I am bound up with thee, and near thee, in an indissoluble covenant; may our dwelling be evermore in it, so shall we be helps one to another. SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. SAMUEL FOTHERGILL TO HIS WIFE. Limerick, Fourth month 5th, 1744. On seventh-day, the 19th ult., the Province meeting began at Ballyhagen; on the next day was a very large meeting there, and what was still better, a good meeting; the ancient testimony of light and grace opened. John Turner opened the meeting, and it concluded well; the hearts of Friends were comforted one in another. On the 21st, rode sixteen miles to Castleshane, and had a meeting there that day, very poor and small. The following day I rode to Cootehill, twelve miles; had another small meeting there: rode the same evening to Ballyhays, six miles, where I had a small meeting on the 23rd. On the 24th I rode to Castlebarr, eighteen miles; had a small meeting there: thence to Moate, thirty-nine miles, and was at the meeting on first-day, which was pretty large, and the same evening I went six long miles to Athlone. On secondday I went ten miles to a meeting in the province of Connaught, and returned the same evening to Athlone, where I had a large meeting in the Assembly Room, to good satisfaction. ...... Very great hath been the Lord's goodness, and eminent his power, that hath often attended me in this visit. I sometimes think something is to be met with that will try me thoroughly, and oh that I may keep to the Rock of the righteous generation, who is able to preserve, and likewise sufficient, where the mind honestly rests upon him. I am glad thou art easy in mind in my absence; the Lord of heaven and earth keep us both in the way of our duty to him, resigned and submissive. The state of the Church is very low in many parts of this kingdom, and meetings so dull and heavy that nothing but the weight of the powerful Word itself, and that manifested in an extraordinary degree, can reach them, and this has been near from day to day. Think not that I am puffed up with the abundance of the Divine favour; I am, through mercy, awfully humbled and bended in mind, to acknowledge gratefully the favour of Heaven, and to consecrate the gain of all to the Lord. May reverence and fear possess my soul for ever! SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. DOCTOR FOTHERGILL TO HIS SISTER. London, Eighth month 11th, 1744. During the summer of this year he removed his residence from Darley, in Netherdale, to Knaresborough. Feeling a desire to visit Friends of Bristol, and to attend the Circular yearly meeting at Worcester, he went by way of Cheshire and Shrewsbury, into Herefordshire, where he visited Friends generally. Benjamin Holme was at this meeting, and in his journal thus makes mention of it, and also of the yearly meeting for Wales: A considerable number of engage- In the yearly meeting at Worcester, he ments have so taken up my time, as even to bore a noble Christian testimony to the allbreak in upon those hours which I could sufficiency of that Power which had preserved, always wish to command for retirement, or supported, and guided him in the way that to devote to proper thoughtfulness about things was right and well-pleasing in degree, and is of the greatest consequence. But, alas! Iable and willing to do the same for all the have been too much robbed of this for some children of men. time past, not indeed by any particular event, but by the general avocations of business, study, and the interruption of company. As I have been favoured with a sight of the dangers that attend such a life, I am in hopes sometimes of being strengthened to avoid them. At other times I see no way to shun the precipice, but fear that one day or other I shall fall, and be lost to a sense of those blessed reproofs of instruction which yet, through mercy, at times attend me. As I can keep more in this place, dear sister, our correspondence will be more frequent, more truly affectionate and instructive; for I know thy lonesome, solitary hours are not spent unprofitably; thou art breathing after an inward acquaintance with thy father's God; and as thou abides in patience, he will come in, and then the night will seem short, and it will be an additional gladness that thou didst not repine when left desolate. Thus let it be our chiefest pleasure to incite and encourage in each other a steady, patient attention to that sacred power which condescends to enlighten, to teach, and to enliven those who thus daily seek for the bread of life. It is seldom, alas! too seldom, that the hurry and cares of this life permit me to practise what 1 here recommend, with the ardour I could wish. J. FOTHERGILL. "I went to the yearly meeting in Wales, which was held this year at Glanneedless [Llanidloes]; the said yearly meeting was large and very peaceable, there being a great resort of other people who were not of our Society: our friend Samuel Fothergill was there, and had good service for the Truth. 1 was at the yearly meeting for the seven Western Counties, held this year at Worcester; our friends John Fothergill and his son Samuel were there; also Joshua Toft and Benjamin Kidd; the meeting was large and peaceable, and Friends were favoured therein with the enjoyment of Divine goodness." From Worcester John Fothergill went to Bristol and Bath, visiting the various meetings of Friends, and was helped to labour faithfully, and in much plainness among them. He left Bath in the beginning of the eighth month, and travelled home by easy journeys, holding meetings as opportunities occurred. After his return from this journey he seldom got out, even to his own meeting, but continued visibly to decline. In a letter to his son John he mentions, that though in this journey his natural state was but feeble, and attended with divers difficulties, yet he was not doubtful but he should be assisted, in The period was now approaching when mercy and favour, to discharge himself of the JOHN FOTHERGILL, having laboured faithfully debt, which had seemed to grow and remain and diligently in the service of his Lord and upon him, the way he was going, to such a Master, was to be removed from his labours, degree as to return in holy quiet; and adds, to enjoy the reward, and to receive, as we "I ask no questions farther, but to be helped may reverently believe, the welcome sentence to live to the ever living Being, the little time. of "Well done, good and faithful servant, he may suffer me to continue on this side the enter thou into the joy of thy Lord!" grave. In the year 1744, though very weak in body, he assembled once more with his friends at the yearly meeting in London. He attended the various sittings of that meeting, evidently under an exemplary reverent, weighty frame of mind, and his company was truly acceptable and useful. VOL IX.-No. 4. JOHN FOTHERGILL TO HIS SON JOHN. ....... As I have no dependance on human assistance but from thee, nor any correspondence which affords me like comfort and satisfaction, I must beg thy frequent remem16 brance, and to hear from thee as often and freely as leisure will permit; and be assured, my hearty, careful desires for thee, in every true good, not only are enlivened by the strong ties of nature and affection, but are more riveted and strengthened by many a gracious spring of living goodness from the almighty Helper of his people, who have trusted in him, and feared him. Thus, dear son, farewell, farewell, saith thy affectionate father, JOHN FOTHERGILL. ALEXANDER FOTHERGILL TO T- -L I have for some time had a desire to give thee an account of the decease of thy friend, and my near and worthy father, John Fothergill, who departed this life on the morning of the 13th of this month, being the first-day of the week. His natural body hath been visibly going to decay these several years, though he has been willing to show more care and attention "With these affecting expressions," says to it of late than formerly; the reason he Doctor Fothergill, "ended a correspondence gave for this was, that he might be better which afforded the strongest satisfaction that able to discharge some services that he seem. any thing in this life could yield." The let-ed to have before him on Truth's account; in ter was dated the 15th of the tenth month, the discharge whereof he frequently forgot 1744, from which time he gradually declined till the 13th of the following month, when he peaceably expired, leaving to his family and friends the comfortable assurance of his being gone before, to enjoy that unmixed happiness which is the portion of those who prefer a conscientious discharge of duty to God, their families, and the world, though attended with labour, anxious care, and solicitude, to all the false, though gilded pursuits, which the spirit of deception throws in the way of mortals. the declining state of his body: thus of late he hath returned home, inwardly cheerful and easy in his spirit, yet the poor outward frame reduced to the lowest ebb: then care and proper medicines were used to recruit it, which was no sooner done than it was again exposed to fresh hardships; his love and zeal for the cause of truth and the welfare of the Church, working upon a generous mind, fully devoted to serve his God and his friends without reserve, carried him faster on than the body was well able to bear. His remains were honourably interred in Friends' burial ground at Scotton, near Knares In this last journey to the west of England, borough, the 15th of the eleventh month, he wrote from Bath that he had been support. 1744; many friends attending on the solemned to his admiration, and had been enabled occasion. He was aged sixty-nine years, and was a minister nearly fifty years. His testimonies were awakening, sound, and edifying, delivered in the demonstration of Divine authority, for he handled not the Word of God deceitfully, nor endeavoured to please men; and as he waited to be endued with wisdom and power from on high, so was he enabled to speak to the conditions of the people. fully to dicharge himself, and he thought his health had not suffered much, and that he felt as though he had nothing to do but to return home with the reward of peace in his bosom: but the season being very rainy, and he riding every day, brought on an aguish complaint, with a total loss of appetite, so that he was very often sick, and altogether unable to take food. I saw him twice; he was cheerful and easy He was a man zealously concerned for in his spirit, and not without hopes to see his good order and the discipline of the Church, friends again; but said, if it happened otherand was remarkably qualified for the man-wise, he was content, having so laboured in agement of its affairs, being of a quick appre- the day that he was prepared for the evening; hension, an extensive capacity, and deep and if he should recover again, it would be judgment, and could express himself aptly, no further pleasant to him than that he could copiously, and strongly; and as he diligently be serviceable to truth. attended the various meetings for discipline, so he was of peculiar service in them, ap ALEXANDER FOTHERGILL. proving himself a wise and able counsellor, MAY DRUMMOND* TO SAMUEL AND SUSANNA faithful and just to God and man. His conversation was exemplary, being humble and sincere, doing the work of an evangelist, and giving proof of his ministry, FOTHERGILL, ON THE DEATH OF THEIR Bristol, Eleventh month, 1744. Two days ago the unacceptable tidings of in patience, temperance, vigilance, and for-your worthy father's death reached me. Dead! titude; enduring afflictions, and using the things of this life with moderation. Several of the following letters have reference to the event of John Fothergill's decease. * May Drummond was of a considerable family in North Britain; she was convinced of the truth of Friends' principles at Edinburgh, by the min did I say? No! he is not dead; he lived in the will suggest to thee; we both feel that our loss eternal existence, and in that has lain down a is great, yet we do not know it to the full; tender fabric. On his account no friend need our best friend, protector, and counsellor is to lament; yet nature must have an allow-no more; it would be unnatural not to grieve. ance, and Divine favour has indulged us so far as to give us the example, when our great Master shed tears for dead Lazarus. In your grief on this account I truly share; and of the joy that you feel, from the certain knowledge which truth hath communicated to you, of your deceased parent's felicity, I taste. So many have fallen who have been raised up to be shining instruments, that it cannot fail of being an inexpressible consolation to you to reflect that your worthy deceased parent retained his integrity. No children had ever better example in a father, nor more seasonable admonitions; and he, before his departure, lived to see the desire of his soul, and the prayer he had put up for the salvation of his children answered to his wish, and all his offspring in so hopeful a way, that I make no doubt of his saying with good old Simeon, "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace; for mine eyes have seen thy salvation." MAY DRUMMOND. DOCTOR FOTHERGILL TO HIS SISTER. London, Twelfth month 2nd, 1744-5. I can say nothing to thee upon the present distressing occasion but what thy own prudence istry of Thomas Story, about the year 1731, at the time that her brother was the Provost of that city. He was one of the principal founders of the Royal Infirmary, and his sister was active in procuring funds from Friends in England in aid of the Institution; the various sums contributed by several quarterly meetings remain recorded on a board in one of the apartments. May Drummond had much to endure from her relations and friends, who, being what was considered of genteel rank, were much grieved at her uniting herself to the despised people called Quakers, and were all against her, except a younger brother. She, nevertheless, continued firm in her attachment to the principles she had embraced, and maintaining her ground, was, in a few years, called into the ministry. In this she was much engaged for many years. She was a fluent speaker and very popular, particularly amongst those of other societies, who were much drawn to the meetings she attended: her character and the circumstances of her convincement often exciting curiosity. One well qualified to judge, says of her ministry in 1739, "She has some masculine, nervous expressions; her periods are mostly regular and just did she not affect it, one might say she was eloquent." She died at Edinburgh about the year 1772; but, during the latter years of her life, was not held in the same estimation that she had formerly been. But still we must remember that he is only gone before to that possession where we shall at last arrive, if we tread in his steps; to excite and encourage one another in this race, oh, may it be our constant employ. Through his care, and the blessing of kind Providence upon his earnest wishes and prayers, I am at present in a way of life, that both affords me what I have occasion for, and seems not unlikely to continue so; and whilst it is, neither be afraid of wanting thyself, nor think thou art obliged to me. In this part, while I am able, I will be a father, thy friend and brother; I should not say I will be these things; it is that good hand that blesses my endeavours, for that dear good man's sake and thine. Brother Samuel has written to me, but very short hints of every thing. Do, dear sister, take the first opportunity of acquainting me as fully as thou canst with all that has passed since he began to decline, and if any memorable expressions dropped from him in his illness, please to let me know. ............. I find brother has collected most of his papers; the rest I shall be glad to have, in order that, from those I have in my hands, and the rest, I may be able to finish that account which dear father had begun, partly at my request. J. FOTHERGILL. SAMUEL FOTHERGILL TO HIS SISTER. 1 Warrington, Twelfth month 2nd, 1744--5. ̧ ̧ As the common centre of our love is now, alas! removed, I feel the sensible transferring of it to thee. May it mutually increase between us! I am sensible of thy lonely situation-I view it sometimes with secret and strong sympathy. I strongly hope encouraging goodness may attend thee to dissipate the gloominess and pain that at times must and will be about thee. Great is our loss, and great is the loss of the Church; may we, the offspring of so worthy a parent, with redoubled care look to that which made him useful and honourable in his station. My heart is full when I consider things as they are. Dear sister, I advise thee to endeavour much after quietness in heart and mind. I know thy prudence, and that thy cheerful countenance often covers a pained mind; thou hast yet some left that love thee-some relations that are not a dishonour to the cause of truth our father promoted, and that are pleased to have such a relation, and would the irruption of the Scots into England, her give all the evidence they could of it. visit was delayed until the following year. SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. CHAPTER VII. DOCTOR FOTHERGILL TO JOSHUA TOFT.* London, Fourth month 2nd, 1746. Those that are at heart concerned for the DURING several of the years succeeding welfare of the Society, cannot but be desirous the decease of his father, there is but little of knowing a little of what has passed amongst left on record of the labours or correspon- us upon the late solemn occasion [the yearly dence of SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. Yet, neither meeting.] We should many of us have been during this period, nor in any other after he glad to have seen thee with us, but as I hope had embarked in the work, could he be num- that thou wast quite easy in staying away, bered amongst the slothful or the indifferent. we ought to think it was thy place, and He had early attained to a high and settled therefore acquiesce..... ..... Thou wilt standing as a minister, and his faithfulness probably have heard that an address to the and diligence were manifested, not only in king was very early proposed to the meeting, those more extended services which he per- and, as most of those Friends who were formed with the certificate of the monthly looked upon as capable of advising were premeeting, and in the regular attendance of, viously consulted, it was soon agreed to. I and services in, the meetings for worship and thought the proper time was elapsed; had I for discipline, of which he was strictly a been present I believe I should have said so member; but he also very frequently visited much; but an address was ordered to be those of the adjacent or more distant coun-drawn, and after a great deal of time spent ties; as the Circular or local yearly meetings upon it, the draft was brought in, and almost which were then held in several parts of the unanimously agreed to. It was presented nation-those called General meetings, and yesterday, by several Friends, and received the yearly meeting in London. His company was much solicited, and very often given, at funerals, and on other public occasions. The practice of attending at such times, even at a considerable distance, being much more common in his day than it has become of later years. He considered it a part of his Christian duty, as a minister of the gospel, to make use of every occasion in his power to advocate and promote the cause of truth and righteousness; to this he was devoted-to this he gave up much of his time and his substance-and to this he was ever ready to sacrifice his ease and his strength; great was his zeal, and it frequently led him into much exertion and fatigue, whereby his bodily pow ers were greatly exhausted. The natural energy of his character was exhibited herein, and was also developed in his ministry; in which he was frequently led on in a strain of deep and fervid eloquence, accompanied by the demonstration of power, which made strong impressions on the minds of his hearers; thoroughly convinced himself of the great truths he had to declare, he desired that similar conviction should be wrought in the hearts of his auditors. In 1745 he attended the Northern yearly meeting, held at Kendal; also the yearly meeting in London. His wife had a certificate to visit Scotland, and some parts of the north of England, but on account of the political troubles which prevailed, owing to in a manner that left them no room to doubt of its being highly acceptable. The Duke of Grafton was ordered by the king to go out and tell the Friends, that he had not received one address that had given him more satisfaction, and that they might assure their *Joshua Toft was the intimate friend of Samuel of Christ." Fothergill, and his "fellow-labourer in the gospel the power and influence of Truth, and was united He had yielded in very early life to in religious membership with the Society of Friends. When in the strength of his days, and extensively engaged in a lucrative business, which promised to yield him abundance of wealth, being content with the moderate competency already that he might more fully devote himself to his acquired, he, with noble resolution, declined trade, Lord and Master's service in the gospel ministry, into which he had been called about the thirtysecond year of his age. In this he diligently and faithfully laboured many years, and travelled much in various parts of the nation. of his life, he was deprived of his sight. This, For more than fourteen years of the latter part with other bodily afflictions, he bore with much patience and resignation. A short time before his death, he said he had received much consolation from a most gracious promise extended to him, "I have been with thee, I am with thee, and I will be with thee." He died at his house at Hargate, near Leek, the 15th of the eighth month, 1769, aged upwards of eighty, a minister forty-eight years. This was an address to George II., on the suppression of the rebellion of 1745. |