from on high, and his visitation of love had such good effect upon him, as to bring him under the just judgments of God for sin. And notwithstanding, his being religiously inclined from his youth, yet when the Lord was pleased to open his understanding, he saw his building must all be thrown down, being not upon the true foundation; and being truly humbled before the Lord, he willingly bowed under the yoke of Christ, and took up his daily cross, and thereby became a disciple and follower of him: and the Lord having fitted and prepared him for his service, in his due time endued him with a gift for the ministry, being one of the first that was raised up in that service in this part of the country; and continuing in faithfulness both in doing, and also in suffering, which soon fell to be his lot, he became very serviceable amongst his brethren, who were then but few in number in those parts. And the Lord was pleased to lay a further concern upon him to visit the churches in divers places in this nation, as also in Scotland and Ireland, several times. And I doubt not but his labour of love was blessed, he being endued with a gift of the ministry that was not only plain but powerful and edifying, and often fell upon the heritage of God, as a sweet shower upon the tender grass, whereby they were comforted and refreshed in the Lord. His care, I am very sensible, was great over the

churches of Christ, that they might be all preserved in true love and unity; and the Lord was pleased to furnish him with an excellent understanding in the affairs relating to the discipline of the church, and the good order established therein he was very diligent and unwearied in attending such meetings; and his good conduct, blameless conversation, and the authority he was endued with, gave him great room amongst his brethren, who much loved and honoured him. And I may truly say it is not within the reach of my capacity to set forth the worth of this my dear husband, who was, I believe, one of the worthiest in Israel; yet I thought it my duty to pay this to his memory, though it be but as a mite, for to be sure it was my happiness to have such an one, who was not only an husband, but even to me as a nursing father, and a tender and watchful father over our children. The remembrance of the many sweet and comfortable times that I have enjoyed with him among the Lord's people, gives me occasion to bless the Lord, and also humbly to beg of him to raise up others in the room of him, and many more of our worthy ancients who are removed from us, to stand as faithful testimony bearers, for his name and truth upon the earth; that the Lord's great work that he has begun may go on and prosper, and many may be turn-And as this dear husband was a

ed to him.

my

pattern of humility and good conduct in his family in the time of his health; so likewise he was exemplary in the time of his last illness, patiently bearing his affliction. His distemper was not very violent; but, as it seemed, of the nature of a consumption. He continued to attend meetings very diligently, so long as natural strength admitted, and many times appeared in testimony very sweet and lively, though very weak in body. He died the 6th day of the 11th month, 1720, and his remains were buried the 8th day of the same, at Friends' buryingplace at Hetherside, being accompanied thither by a very great number of friends and others.

BRIDGET STORY.

THE TESTIMONY OF AARON ATKINSON

CONCERNING HIS BELOVED FRIEND,

CHRISTOPHER STORY.

of my

I AM under a concern of mind, in gratitude and justice to the memory deceased friend who was the instrument in the Lord's hand for my convincement. In the year 1688, I went to an evening meeting, held at the house of Christopher Taylor, at Hetherside, in the Parish of Kirklinton, and county of Cumberland, where my friend Christopher Story declared Truth, and preached the everlasting gospel in the demonstration of the spirit and power of God; at which time I was effectually reached, clearly convinced, and fully resolved never to depart from it. The next morning this meek man of God came to where I was, and set me on my way, and tenderly dropped matter suitable to the condition I was then in, to my comfort and encouragement: he continued in love, and was a father in Christ to me; and my spirit was subject to him, as his son in the Lord. I sincerely loved him, and had ease under him, and preferred him in meetings of worship and

business; and I do not remember that I ever was in a meeting where his mouth was opened, but he added something to me. After it pleased God to concern me to declare truth, I several times travelled with this my dear friend, and he was a great help to me in my exercise: I could freely lay both my strength and weakness open to him to judge of. He was a good example in self-denial, humility, and temperance; a true Christian, a qualified elder, and a gifted minister of Christ, by whom God was pleased to edify his church. He was a wise man, and understanding in things of this life also; and was very serviceable among Friends in weighty matters. I often with satisfaction beheld his innocency and great patience, and how bearing in the time of provocation he was for the church's peace, and careful, when he spoke to matters, not to give offence to his brethren. He was so preserved in the peaceable Spirit of Christ, in the management of the affairs of the church, that there was an ear open in it to hear him to his dying day. And without doubt, those that were joined with him in a concern for Zion's prosperity and Jerusalem's welfare, will feel the loss of him. I visited this my friend in the time of his illness, and I found him well in the Lord, and I had true unity with him; and I am satisfied he is entered into everlasting rest; and the Lord, who in love and mercy raised him up, and