truly, I can say to the praise of the Lord, as I am found diligent in waiting upon him, the Lord is near me to my comfort and great encouragement, blessed be his name for ever. I am now intending, if the Lord enable me with health and liberty, to go for the north shortly; so with my love once more to thee, my father and mother, and to my children, and friends and relations, as though I named them one by one, for truly it would take up a deal of paper to make mention of all whom my love in the truth is dearly unto, hoping that all the honest hearted are sensible of my love, as I am of theirs in remembrance of which love, my heart has been broken, and my spirit bowed before the Lord many times, which love I pray God may increase and grow amongst us for ever. : And now, dear wife, let thy care be great over my children, and tell them, as they will answer me, that they be obedient to thee their mother in all things; and let my son Richard know, that I desire him not to go abroad in the night time, but keep at home, and be obedient to thee, and loving, and a good example to the rest of the children; and if it please God that I may return in safety, it will be my care to reward according to their doings. This being the most at present from him who is thy ever loving husband, CHRISTOPHER STORY. Bristol, the 30th of the 9th Month, 1689. Dear and loving Wife, In that love and life which is stronger than death, where the souls of a remnant ascend over all unto God, delighting themselves in his presence, do I very dearly salute thee, and recommend thee unto the Lord, in whom our life and breathing is, whose presence is every where, and always ready to do good unto his that truly and sincerely love, and wait upon him; I know unto such his mercies drop as the dew, and his kindness as the small rain, to the watering of every small plantation that is his, that through all that is here below the mind may be centred and wholly gathered into the weighty seed, which is sufficient to preserve us all unto the kingdom of rest and peace with the Lord, where all the holy ancients inhabit. And now the day of our espousing being come, wherein the Lord is betrothing many unto himself for this end, that we may partake of this glory and holy habitation where the angels dwell, and the melodious harmony of the faithful, and songs of everlasting joy, will be a sacrifice more acceptable than that of sweet incense: in the beholding of which glorious day that is approaching, many are made to bow down in spirit, and say, Worthy, worthy art thou, O God, who livest for ever, to rule, and reign, and have dominion in the hearts of thy children, for the Lamb that was slain is Because of which, alive, and we live by him. my soul rejoices at this time, and makes me say with reverence and holy fear, glory to God on high, and to the Lamb who lives for ever. And, dear wife, unto a sense of this press daily to gather our children; and I entreat thee be a watcher over them for good, that the Lord our God, who hath blessed us, may bless our children; and though I am separated for a time, I am not unmindful of you in my prayers; neither am I doubtful, but the Lord will bless every one with a portion of his Spirit as they are faithful. Give the remembrance of my dear love to my father and mother, and to all my dear children, whom I pray God he may bless. Your care concerning me I know will be great; but by this know I am very well every way, for which I bless the Lord. We are now at Bristol, and after we purpose to London, to be there about the time called Christmas. I desire to hear from you. We have had a sweet passage, and things have been well upon our account. It is our duty to give the Lord the praise, who is the filler of our cups, to whom be honour and glory now and for ever, Amen. Give the remembrance of my love to my dear brother Christopher Taylor, Andrew Graham, both the William Grahams and their wives; and all other my faithful friends, and to my neighbours and relations, as though named, who desire to hear from me; not forgetting once more my duty to my father and mother, love to thyself, and all our dear children. The Lord be with you all, saith my soul, Amen. CHRISTOPHER STORY." Newcastle, the 11th of the 9th month, 1692. Dear and loving Wife, This comes to acquaint thee, I am very well, blessed be the Lord; and have had a peaceable journey, to my great satisfaction and comfort; and I can say, though alone, I am not wearied, for Friends' love hath been such, that after the first day's journey, I have not often wanted company, beyond my expectation. I had a drawing in my mind at Glasgow, to be there the first day after I went from home, and pressing forward, visited friends by the way; when I came there I met with Andrew Jaffery and John Hall of Aberdeen. We had the greatest meeting of friends that ever we have heard hath been in that place, and had it peaceable, to all our comfort, till near the conclusion, and then one of the magistrates with other officers dispersed us, but they offered little abuse, only mocked and scoffed us, but it being the first day Iwould not stone us. We staid in Glasgow all night, and without any disturbance left the town, and being several friends in company, took meetings by the way, till we came to Edinburgh, to their quarterly meeting, where we had several precious meetings to our great comfort, several friends being there from divers parts of the nation. I remained in Edinburgh till the first day was over, so set forward, visiting Friends' meetings at Kelso and Otterburn, and yesternight came hither. I intend (God willing) to visit most of the meetings in Bishoprick, I am likely to come through some of the Dales in Yorkshire, and so to Westmoreland. Dear wife, I would not have thee think long for me, or be any otherwise concerned for me, further than the truth allows, which is on this wise, that our only delight may be in the Lord; for it is hither the righteous are gathered, knowing assuredly that all our joys and comforts will vanish and fade away as in a moment. There fore let us be joined to the Lord, in the one Spirit, and be betrothed unto him in righteousness, where the aboundings of his love are known, and the refreshing streams of his kindness are plentifully drunk of; for though wife may be near unto husband, and husband near unto wife, yet the Lord is all in all to his people, he is known to be more than all to a remnant. And here it is still, in the Lord, that we can rightly enjoy one another, and bless his name, when we are together, and when we are separated one from another; for the Lord is opening |