The Annual Monitor for 1851 | Page 4

rarely been maintained in their
primitive vigour more than about forty years. Rather more than that time elapsed between
the commencement of George Fox's labours and their close, at the time of 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