which he had conscientiously attached himself. But this was not a blind and bigoted attachment. His zeal was tempered with charity; and he loved and respected goodness, wherever he found it. His uncorrupted integrity and liberality of sentiment, his great abilities, and the suavity of his disposition, gave him much interest with persons of rank and influence; and he employed it in a manner that marked the benevolence of his heart. He loved peace; and was often instrumental to settling disputes, and in producing reconciliation between contending parties.

"In the support and pursuit of what he believed to be right, he possessed great firmness of mind; which was early evinced in the pious and dutiful sentiment he expressed to his uncle, who tempted him with great offers to remain in France, against the desire of his father: "He is my father," said he, "and must be obeyed." All the virtues harmonize, and are connected with one another: this firm and resolute spirit in the prosecution of duty, was united with great sympathy and compassion towards persons in affliction and distress. They were consoled by his tenderness, assisted by his advice, and as occasion required, were relieved by his bounty. His spiritual discernment and religious experience, directed by that Divine influence which he valued above all things, eminently qualified him to instruct the ignorant, to reprove the irreligious, to strengthen the feeble-minded, and to animate the advanced Christian to still greater degrees of virtue and holiness.

"In private life, he was equally amiable. His conversation was cheerful, guarded, and instructive. He was a dutiful son, an affectionate and faithful hus

band, a tender and careful father, a kind and considerate master.-Without exaggeration, it may be said, that piety and virtue were recommended by his example; and that, though the period of his life was short, he had, by the aid of Divine grace, most wisely and happily improved it. He lived long enough to manifest, in an eminent degree, the temper and conduct of a Christian, and the virtues and qualifications of a true minister of the gospel."

CHAPTER XVI.

1694: NARRATIVE OF PETER GARDINER'S VISIT TO FRIENDS IN SCOTLAND, WITH HIS REMOVAL BY DEATH.

In the year 1694-5, the Friends in Scotland were visited in the love of the gospel by Peter Gardiner, a messenger of very rare and peculiar stamp, one who had evidently been given in a large measure to drink into the pure streams of apostolic times.

Some few and extraordinary passages, relative to his journey so far north as Yorkshire, have already appeared in print in the pages of John Churchman's valuable Journal. After some search, the Author of the present volume has ascertained, that Peter Gardiner, or Gardner, (for his name is spelt both ways in the original documents,) lived not far from Castle Hedingham in Essex, perhaps within the borders of Suffolk; which may explain the substitution of one county for the other, in some of the records about to be referred to. The narrative, as published in the above-mentioned Journal, is thus introduced:Having often remembered a remarkable account, given me when in England by our ancient, worthy Friend, John Richardson; which, as it made some impression on my mind, I committed to writing, and now reviving, think it is worthy to be preserved; being nearly as follows, though I was not particular in regard to the time of the occurrence." Philad. edit. 1818, p. 214.-Whether some individual besides

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John Churchman, had in like manner taken down the communication of John Richardson to them, is not known; but another version of it has been in circulation among Friends, which, while precisely the same as to all essential points, and therefore equally entitled to our credit, is rather preferable, as retaining a somewhat greater degree of originality. The reader will find this narrative in the Notes:-not because it is at all less worthy the special consideration of the judicious and awakened Christian, than the rest of Peter Gardiner's history; but because it might lead us too much away from the Progress of the Friends in Scotland. SEE APPENDIX, CC. With regard to his movements among Friends in that kingdom, we have but a few scattered particulars. The first to be adduced, relates to his visit at Aberdeen, and is mentioned by the Friends there, in the following terms:

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We had at this Monthly Meeting, 3rd of 11th month, 1694-5, the acceptable and comfortable visit of two English Friends, Peter Gardiner in Suffolk, and James Leech in Berwick." At the next Monthly Meeting, there is a more extended notice of the former of these, by way of testimony to the goodness of the Lord, in thus favouring his poor instrument, and the congregation at large.-" Our dear Friend, Peter Gardiner, mentioned to have been at the last Monthly Meeting, was eminently attended with a singular gift from God, in travailing for and bringing forth several young plants among Friends' children, into a public ministry, about the middle of last month: particularly, Robert Barclay, Robert Gerard, and Margaret Jaffray, whose mouth was first opened: as well as he was the instrument of awakening several other young ones-by a very tender visitation, which yet continues among

them :-And, O that it may continue, and they in the sense of it, to the end of their days! As also, about this time, the blessed God of our life was graciously pleased to give us a new, fresh, and large visitation, in abundantly pouring out his Spirit and Life among us in our gatherings; and some more mouths were opened among elders, particularly dear John Forbes of Aquorthies, as also Jane Molleson."

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A confirmation of the above, may be seen in the language of the Friends of Ury Meeting, on the like occasion. They speak of Peter Gardiner as being "an honest and faithful man, of a weighty and discerning spirit.” He had great service for Truth hereaway, with good success in several places, particularly at Aberdeen, Ury, and Montrose; where many were wonderfully tendered and broken before the Lord, and several mouths were opened in testimony and prayer; particularly at Aberdeen, Robert Gerard, James and Timothy Forbes, and Margaret Jaffray; at Ury, Robert and David Barclay, and their sisters Christian and Catherine, their aunt Jane Molleson, and Joseph White; at Montrose, Jane Bettie wife of Robert Bettie."

In further illustration of the truth and import of the last-mentioned circumstances, it is pleasing to be able to produce an interesting, though rough draft of this devoted labourer's services in the neighbourhood of Ury; but especially in the family of " the Apologist," whose widow then resided on that estate, with her seven children, the eldest of whom has been already spoken of at page 446.-It will not have escaped the recollection of the reader, how beautifully George Fox, in his sympathetic address to this bereaved widow, after setting forth the consolations which flow from an union with the Lord, as the Husband and