EORGE FOX, the founder of the society "called Quakers

Friends," was one of the most remarkable characters of the seventeenth century. That period produced many of the greatest and best men England has ever seen, and among them this Leicestershire shoemaker well deserves to be ranked. It was in 1643, being then in his twentieth year, that he resolved to separate from the world, and devote himself to religion. From that time, till his death in 1690, he engaged in the service of God; for the first three years travelling and conversing with professors of religion, or meditating and praying; and then actively labouring as a minister of the Gospel in England, Scotland, Wales, America, and the West Indies. In the course which he believed he was divinely called to follow he met with much persecution, particularly from country magistrates; and spent many months in filthy and noisome prisons. Many denounced him as a fanatic, but none could lay any crime to his charge, his teachings being largely Scriptural, and his life eminently holy. That he was called of God to do a great and necessary work seems proved by the results of his labours. Before he was thirty no fewer than sixty persons were engaged as ministers in spreading his doctrines. "He had converted magistrates, priests, and people." Clergymen left valuable livings to embrace his principles, and constables sent to apprehend him were often convinced by the truth he preached. “That he spoke in the Spirit and with power we are warranted

in saying by the effects produced;" his converts giving good evidence of christian discipleship.

About 1655, the tenets of Friends were taking root in Gloucestershire. Fox that year visited Tewkesbury, where although "the priest and a great rabble of rude people" attended the meeting he held, yet "the Lord's power came over them, and many were turned to Himself by His Spirit.” The same year two women Friends came out of the north to Cirencester, and tarrying at the house of one JOHN ROBERTS, a farmer, living at Siddington, a village near the town, held a meeting, in which he was seriously impressed. Shortly after this he went to Banbury, to visit Richard Farnsworth, a Friend who was imprisoned there for righteousness' sake. The prisoner was preaching through a grating to some persons in the street, and his discourse, which was upon the conversion of Zaccheus, Luke xix., came with power to the heart of Roberts, who, from this time, embracing the doctrines of Friends, "patiently bore the Cross." Several editions of "Some Memoirs" of this early Friend, written by his son Daniel, in 1725, have appeared, and from these we shall freely quote.*

John Roberts was the son of a farmer, who occupied a small estate of his own at Siddington; his mother was sister to Andrew Solliss, a magistrate, of the same neighbourhood. Young John, it is thought, was educated at the Cirencester Grammar School, and at the breaking out of the civil war, in 1642, he joined the Parliamentary army. The following year, when returning to see how it fared with his friends at home, he and another were pursued by two cavaliers, of the King's party, which then held Cirencester. His companion was killed, and John, although he cried for quarter, was savagely wounded and left for dead. He, however, recovered, and again followed the standard of liberty. In 1645, he returned to his native village, and the next year married Lydia Tyndale, daughter of Thomas Tyndale, of Melksham Court, Stinchcombe, and a collateral descendant of the martyred Bible translator. Sir Matthew Hale was her kinsman, and drew the marriage settlement. By this union Roberts obtained a wife who is said to have possessed "the most interesting private and social virtues."

Quakerism was not going in silver slippers, and under smiling

*The best is that published by A. W. Bennett, 5, Bishopsgate Without, London, containing some letters and explanatory notes, by Oade Roberts, and edited by J. T.-Price One Shilling.

sunshine, through the smooth streets of an applauding world, when John Roberts became a convert. Most other sects were tolerated, but persecution was still its lot. It was from one in bonds that he received its principles, and he knew that similar afflictions would await himself. But he did not confer with flesh and blood, nor hesitate to let his new and deep convictions have their perfect work.

In less than two years after John's conversion there were many Friends in the neighbourhood, who met for worship at his house, and also in Cirencester. Fox in his Journal, 1656, says,-"At Cirencester we had a meeting, which is since much increased." The authorities, both civil and ecclesiastical, looked with much displeasure on these proceedings, and soon found an occasion to vent their malice. Roberts, resolving to bear "a silent testimony" against what he regarded as "dead forms" in the worship of God, went one Sunday morning into the Church at Cirencester, and stood with his hat on, till he was taken by the arm and led into the street. Three other Friends shortly after acted in a like manner. For this act John received a summary punishment, for

"As he passed the market-place the tie of his shoe slackened, and while he stopped to fasten it, a man came and struck him a hard blow with a stone, saying, "! "There, take that for Jesus Christ's sake." He quietly answered, "So I do," without looking back to see who it was.

A few davs

after, a person came and asked him forgiveness, telling him that he was the unhappy man who gave him the blow, and that he could have no rest since he did it."

The others were differently treated, not only being dragged out of the Church, but brought before a justice, and bound over to the sessions. Roberts, at their request, went with them, and indignant at the proceedings of the bench he boldly asked, "Is there not a man amongst you who will do the thing that is right." Counsellor Stephens, of Lyppiat, who was chairman, told him, in great wrath, that he deserved "a stone doublet," meaning a prison; and added, "there's many an honester man than you hanged." "It may be so," replied the Quaker, "but what dost thou think becomes of those who hang honest men ?" In the end, both John and his companions were sent to Gloucester Castle

The persecuted servants of Christ have often experienced great spiritual blessing in captivity. Paul and Silas sang praises in the jail at Philippi. John was favored with glorious revelations at