made him serviceable in his generation, is able to bring up others in his stead to answer the same service, to the honour and glory of his own

name.

AARON ATKINSON,

Leeds, the 21st of the 2nd Mo. 1721.

A

BRIEF ACCOUNT

OF

THE LIFE

OF

CHRISTOPHER STORY.

CHAP. I.

1648-1678.

Birth-Education-Early convictions-Marriage-Becomes convinced of the principles of Friends-A meeting settled-Meetings generally held in silence-Many convincedCall to the ministry-Visit to Scotland.

I was born at Righead, in the parish of Kirklinton, in Cumberland, about six miles from Carlisle, and near as much from Scotland, in the beginning of the 4th month, 1648. My father's name was Thomas Story, a younger brother of the family of the Story's, that lived at Lake, in that parish. My mother's name Elizabeth Parret, eldest daughter of Christopher Parret, who had been priest of the same parish, and being an industrious man in the creation, he

was

now possess,

bought that estate of land, which I and improved it to a good degree; and I being the only son my father and mother had, that lived to grow up, they began by times to give me education, and I, exceeding several of my equals in learning and sobriety, gained favour of most that knew me.

My father, having been servant to one Philip Musgrave, of Edenhall, knight, (of an ancient family in the county of Cumberland,) who in the time of the civil war between the king and parliament, was for the king, underwent many jeopardies, to the hazard of his life; but when king Charles the Second was restored to the crown, the said Philip Musgrave being in favour with him, had great places of profit and trust under government; and then he rewarded my father for his former services; and I being sometimes with my father, when he went to see him, he ordered him to send me to his house, at such times in the year, as he thought best, to learn breeding and good manners, (as they call it.) Being several times with him, at one time he said to my father, he had a son to send to the university, about my age; and if he would fit me with learning, suitable for that place, he would send me thither with his son, and bear my charge.

At school I was kept, until the time I was to have gone away; but when it came, my mother

was not willing, and her reason was this: If I should be educated at the college, it was much, if I ever came to live in the country; and it might happen that I would sell the land, and live elsewhere; and considering I was like to have sufficient to live upon, she would not consent I should go.

And now I may say, that God, who created man in his own image, for a purpose of his glory, hath regard unto him, as he is the workmanship of his hand, and to his future happiness; as doth appear by his patience and long suffering, which hath led many to repentance: notwithstanding their former disobedience and rebellion, to his law written in their hearts, and his good spirit, that he hath put in their inward parts.

And amongst the many thousands of the disobedient and rebellious, unto whom the Lord in his love, and unspeakable kindness, extended mercy, in and through his dear son, Christ Jesus, I was one whom the Lord called by his grace and good spirit, when I was young in years, (and preserved me from many evils, which I was prone to, as well as others,) and scarce knew it was the Lord, but felt there was that near me, and with me from a child, that inclined my heart to seek after the Lord, and to read the holy Scriptures. As I grew up to years of understanding, I was sober and more moderate than some others, though the place of my abode