The Annual Monitor for 1851 | Page 4

his death. About eight days previous to that event, he attended a meeting of ministers, in London, and one of those who was present says: "I much minded his exhortation to us, encouraging friends that have gifts to make use of them; mentioning many countries beyond the seas that wanted visiting, instancing the labours and hard travels of friends in the beginning of the spreading of truth in our days, in breaking up of countries, and of the rough ploughing they had in steeple houses, &c., but that now it was more easy; and he complained, that there were many Demases and Cains who embraced the present world, and encumbered themselves with their own business, and neglected the Lord's, and so were good for nothing; and he said, they that had wives, should be as though they had none; and who goeth a warfare should not entangle himself with the things of this world."
This characteristic extract will suggest, probably, to many readers, our object in quoting it. If there was cause for the reproof conveyed in it in that day, in which we know the primitive zeal still burned brightly, what must we say of the subsequent, and of the present state of our little church!
Long after the death of George Fox, there continued to be a large increase to the numbers of friends; many who had been wise and great in this world, were made to rejoice in the laying down of their outward wisdom, and in sitting down in deep humility to learn of Jesus, by the teaching of the Holy Spirit in the heart. These were prepared boldly to declare God's controversy with sin, and the means by which it might be subdued, not omitting to proclaim the alone ground of a sinner's pardon through the propitiatory sacrifice of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
We believe certainly that it has never been permitted to our Society to be without its faithful labourers in the gospel, or without many sincere confessors of its doctrines, who, by life and conversation, have been true preachers to their brethren, and to the world in general. Yet we must confess, that whilst as a Society, we continue to profess the same religious views as were held and promulgated by our early Friends, we fear we do not come up in practice to that pure standard to which they attained. The door is open to all the world, yet we sit at ease in our ceiled houses. Many around us are hungering and thirsting for the knowledge of God, yet we are occupied with our farms and our merchandise. Let us not be inquiring, "What shall this man do," or what should the other have done? but remembering the reproof, "What is that to thee, follow thou Me," submit ourselves to that humbling, but preparing hand, which was so signally displayed in the cause of those who were engaged in the planting and watering of our religious Society. Then might we again hope to witness an increase of spiritual life and vigour in the body, and thus become as "a city set upon a hill, that could not be hid."

THE ANNUAL MONITOR. OBITUARY.
Age. Time of Decease.
HANNAH ABBOTT, Thorley, Essex. 88 11mo. 19 1849
MARTHA ADY, London. 81 3mo. 23 1850
ELIZABETH AIREY, Kendal. Widow. 81 5mo. 6 1850
WILLIAM ALDERSON, Winterscale, Garsdale, Yorkshire. 69 5mo. 2 1850
REBECCA ALEXANDER, Goldrood, Ipswich. Widow of Samuel Alexander. 72 12mo. 13 1849
EDWARD ALEXANDER, Limerick. Son of the late Edward Alexander. 20 2mo. 1 1850
JOSEPH ALLEN, Dunmow, Essex. A Minister. 76 9mo. 21 1849
SARAH ALLEN, Bristol. A Minister. 77 6mo. 1 1850
ELEANOR ALLEN, Ballitore. Wife of Henry Allen. 49 3mo. 4 1850
ANN ALLIS, Bristol. Wife of Hagger Allis. 65 8mo. 30 1850
JOHN ALLISON, Durham. 57 6mo. 1 1850
ROBERT ALSOP, Maldon, Essex. A Minister. 72 7mo. 21 1850
SOPHIA APPLETON, Stoke Newington. Wife of John Appleton. 49 3mo. 28 1850
WILLIAM ASHBY, Hounslow. 61 1mo. 7 1850
HANNAH C. BACKHOUSE, Polam Hill, Darlington. A Minister. Widow of Jonathan Backhouse. {2} 63 5mo. 6 1850
GEORGE BAKER, Askham Field, York. An Elder. 71 1mo. 26 1850
He was one who remembered his Creator in the days of his youth, and who proved in his own experience, that "the fear of the Lord" is not only "the beginning of wisdom," but that it is also "a fountain of life preserving from the snares of death." His earnest desire was to be found walking acceptably before God; and while a young man, he became greatly distressed at being overcome by drowsiness in meetings for worship. On one occasion, when this had been the case, he retired to a secluded spot, under a hedge, where, with many tears, he poured forth his prayers for deliverance from this besetment. Many years afterwards, when accompanying a friend on a religious visit to the