Many other instances of unprovoked and patient suffering occurred during this calamitous period; but those which we have detailed, may be sufficient to show the fidelity with which Friends adhered to their principles, and the divine protection which rewarded their faithfulness.

IN

CHAPTER XXXIII.

ACCOUNT OF THOMAS STORY'S CONVINCEMENT

N the year 1691, Thomas Story, a native of Cumberland, joined the Society of Friends, from immediate conviction of the truth of their principles, and not from the outward ministry of any instruments. He had had the advantage of a liberal education, as his father had designed him for the practice of the law. Having an early inclination to solitude and religious thoughtfulness, he delighted in reading the Holy Scriptures, and spent many hours in their perusal. He was, however, in accordance with the usual routine of a genteel education in that day, set to learn fencing and music; by which he found his mind drawn away from serious considerations, and habits and associations contracted, which were unfavorable to religion.

He was next placed with a counsellor in the country, to commence his studies of law, preparatory to entering one of the inns of court; and being situated in a sober and religious family, of the most moderate sort of Presbyterians, he had again the advantage of solitude, and little exposure to company; so that he recovered in some degree his former seriousness. And though he indulged himself at times

in some youthful airs, yet through divine grace he was preserved from gross evils, and his agreeable manners gained him respect with all the family.

He had been educated among the Episcopalians; but his mind being intent on investigating truth, he was enabled to perceive that some of their practices were relics of superstition, and in no way conducive to the advancement of pure religion. For when the family moved from the country into Carlisle, and he had frequent opportunity of attending the public worship, especially in the cathedral, the congregation turning their faces towards the east at the repetition of the apostles' creed, and at the mention of the word Jesus bowing and kneeling toward the altar-table, surmounted as it was with the letters I. H.S.* painted on the wall; these forms gave him uneasiness, as they appeared to him to be relics of Popery; and although he continued to go thither for a while, yet he could not comply with several of the ceremonies in use. Afterwards, being invited to the christening (as it was called) of a relation's child, his mind was renewedly offended at the ceremony of baptizing the infant with water, as he apprehended that we have neither precept nor example in Scripture for that practice, and saw the impropriety of placing any reliance thereon, as producing regeneration.

Being attentive to the reproofs of instruction felt in the secret of his soul, he experienced them to be a law condemning those thoughts, expressions, passions, and affections, which belong to the first nature, and are rooted in the carnal mind. The spiritual warfare was begun, which was to bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; and in which the spirit of judgment and of burning was to pass upon the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life. The elegant airs of a well

The initials of the words, "Jesus Hominum Salvator," Jesus, the Saviour of Men.

bred youth, his strength, activity, and comeliness of person; his mental endowments, and competent acquisition of literary knowledge; and even the glory, preferments, and friendships of the world, which were beginning to fawn upon him, were all to be given up, and thrown as it were,“ to the moles and to the bats," that the Lord alone might be exalted in his renewed and quickened soul. And as he followed on to know the Lord, he was favored from time to time with deeper and clearer manifestations of the purity of true religion. To his spiritual eye it was discovered, that the Son of God was not yet effectually revealed in him, nor "the old man sufficiently crucified and slain by the power of the cross. This sense increased his inward inquiry after essential truth, and his attention to the monitor in his own breast for instruction; as he did not know of any in all the world to teach him, or that the Lord had any people then on earth, owned by His presence with them, as his flock and family.

After a season of deep humiliation, being strengthened to resign himself to the divine will, the Sun of righteousness arose in his soul with healing and restoring virtue; whereby the carnal mind, with all that belonged to it, selflove, pride, evil thoughts and desires, with the whole corruption of the first nature, were wounded and slain; and his mind became like that of a little child, serene and free from anxiety. A great alteration was perceived in him; but the cause was unknown to his friends. He put off his usual airs, his jovial conduct and address; laid aside his sword, which at that time it was the fashion to wear; burnt his musical instruments; and divesting himself of the superfluous part of his apparel, confined himself to what was decent, plain, and useful. He declined the public worship, though not with any design to join any other society; for he knew not but that these inward manifestations were peculiar to himself, and was not acquainted with any people

with whom he could unite. At one time indeed, beginning to fear lest it might be his own fault, that he did not enjoy the Lord's presence among the people with whom he had been accustomed to worship, he determined once more to make the trial; and accordingly he went to one of the Episcopal meeting-houses in Carlisle, and endeavored to retire mentally, and feel after the divine presence. But he found himself so enveloped in darkness and distress, that it was only from regard to decency, that he could prevail with himself to remain till the worship was ended. He returned to his chamber in trouble, and went no more among them. Although, however, he now declined all merely outward worship, determining to follow the Lord whithersoever He might see good to lead him; yet he found his mind clothed with universal charity and benevolence to all mankind.

Continuing to seek after God in silence and solitude, he advanced in religious experience, and his peace and consolation increased. At a certain time, to his surprise, the people called Quakers were suddenly brought before his mind during his solitary meditations, in so impressive a manner, as to induce a secret inclination to inquire after them, their principles, and their manner of worship.

In the Fifth month of this year, 1691, an opportunity presented. Meeting with a member of this Society, he perceived, on inquiry, no material difference between their sentiments and his own; and being invited by the Friend to accompany him the next day to their meeting at Broughton, he willingly complied. The meeting was fully gathered when they arrived; and he sat down among the crowd of people, in inward retirement. Though one of their ministers began to speak, yet his attention was particularly turned to what passed in his own mind, desiring to understand whether the Most High owned them with his presence in their religious assemblies; and he soon received a con

vincing evidence of what he desired to know. For not long after he sat down among them, the same divine power with which he had of late been favored in his private meditations, overshadowed his mind with abundant consolation. And as he had been distressed with the prevailing formality of religious professors, who generally contented themselves in that kind of religion which was merely the effect of education or tradition; he now perceived on the other hand, and was convinced beyond a doubt, that the divine presence and holy influence of Truth attended the greater part of that meeting, and that under the shadow of the wing of divine power and love they sat with great delight. He was thus enabled to rejoice with them, in the view of reformation so far advanced in the earth: though not long before this, he had thought there was scarcely any true and living faith, or knowledge of God in the world.

From this time he continued to attend their meetings; and becoming more intimately acquainted with them, he felt the bonds of near unity with them strengthened, and was not ashamed openly to acknowledge himself a member of this despised Society, on the following occasion.

At the time of the assizes at Carlisle, an acquaintance applied to him, in regard to a suit he had to come on the next day, involving the greater part of his property; and Thomas being the only witness for the deeds of conveyance, whom he could at present procure, he desired him not to fail giving his attendance at the court early the next morning. Thomas, in answer to this request, said to the man, for whom he had a friendly regard, and saw that his case was a hard one: "I am concerned it should fall out so; but I will appear, if it please God, and testify what I know in the matter, and do what I can for you in that way; but I cannot swear." At this answer, the man, in a passion, replied with an oath: "What! you are not a