often visited the churches in divers parts of this nation, as likewise in Ireland and Scotland, as is well remembered by many; and being frequently at the yearly meetings in London, attending the service there, he commonly spent much time in visiting Friends in several counties on such occasions, in his going up and returning.

In the latter part of his time, it became much his concern to appoint meetings in fresh places, in which he was often very serviceable, his testimony being not only living and powerful, but plain, pertinent, and well adapted to various states, much tending to the opening of the understandings of people in things relating to the kingdom of Christ as well in principle and doctrine, as practice. And his behaviour and conduct, not only at such times, but at all times, was in such mildness and gravity that it greatly adorned and confirmed his testimony; so that we have reason to believe that his labour of love had good effects. But as the Lord, in all ages of the world, hath ever called home his faithful servants, in the fulness of his own good time, to reward them with peaceable and glorious habitations on his own right hand for ever, it pleased him to visit this our dear friend with a lingering sickness, about the seventy second year of his age, which gradually wasted his natural strength; during all which time, he nevertheless diligently attended the meeting to

which he belonged. But though his outward man decayed, as is the way of all flesh, yet his inner man was strong in the Lord, as appeared in a public manner, by the many living and comforting testimonies he bore during his bodily weakness. And though there are not any of his sayings, in the time of his illness, collected, yet many can say, that excellent things dropped from his lips, on divers occasions, and that he was surely one of those, (as appeared from his own mouth) that hope in the Lord in the time of his death, which happened at his own house at Righead, on the 6th day of the 11th month, 1720. His body was interred in our burying place adjacent, on the 8th day of the same; on occasion whereof was a large congregation of Friends and others, where the Lord was pleased to engage some of his servants in living testimonies to his truth, and way of life, and salvation by Christ our Saviour; through whom to God the Father of all, be attributed and ascribed all dominion and praise, as alone worthy now and for ever.

ROBERT LATIMER.

SEVERAL

LETTERS OF CHRISTOPHER STORY

TO HIS WIFE.

WRITTEN IN HIS ABSENCE FROM HOME ON TRUTH'S SERVICE.

Edinburgh, the 13th day of the 10th month, 1680
Dear Wife,

My love in that which is unchangeable and unalterable is unto thee and my dear children, with a true desire and breathing in my heart for your preservation and well-being every way, but especially in the blessed truth of our God, for we are made sensible that all things here that can be enjoyed appertaining to this life, will vanish and come to an end; but to know a well-being in the Lord, who is without beginning of days, or end of years, whose kingdom is from everlasting to everlasting, world without end, this is precious, and blessed, and happy are all they who have received the promise and earnest of this inheritance, and everlasting wellbeing in their own hearts: they have more cause to rejoice and be exceeding glad, than they that enjoy the increase of corn, wine, and And now dear oil, or any thing that is visible. and loving wife, thou having through well-do

ing and obedience to thy Maker, received in thy measure, the earnest and promise of everlasting life if thou abide faithful, O! continue faithful, for the Lord who hath promised, he will certainly perform, for his promises are all yea and amen for ever, unto all that walk before him with an upright heart; so I cannot express fully the love that is in my heart unto thee, my children, father and mother, and my dear friends in the truth; yet this I expressly write, that thou take no care for me, but let thy care and concern be to serve the Lord with all thy heart, and let him have the chief room there, that so the Lord may delight to abide with thee; and that thou, through the daily enjoyment of his presence, mayst have cause to rejoice, and by living experience say, "In his presence there is fulness of joy, and at his right hand there are pleasures for evermore."

And

so, at this present, I am well every way, blessed be the Lord. I have had a prosperous journey hitherto; I am now, for aught I know, clear of the west; I have seen Friends for the most part, and I could not pass by four Friends in the west, which was near forty miles out of my way, and was well refreshed to see them, and I had the company of two good Friends, to wit, Hugh Wood and John Hart; and being at this meeting last first-day, where were many good Friends, we had a comfortable meeting; and