In the time of her sickness she was very patient and content unto the last, being sensible of her inward condition and end; telling me she must leave me, that it was well with her, and that it would be well with her for ever. better than all earthly enjoyments, which neighbours, several hundreds of whom were are but for a moment. Surely methinks I at her burial. am always with you, in travail and concern of mind for your preservation every way, as I hope you are with me, in my travels and various exercises both of body and spirit, which the Lord hath been pleased to make sweet and comfortable unto me; and I believe hath also blessed my endeavours and labour of love for the good of many where I have travelled. It is the great rejoicing of my soul to see the work of the Lord prosper, which he is hastening in the earth, for his own seed's sake: blessed are all who answer him by obedience when he calls, and in faithfulness continue unto the end; unto which, with my own soul, the Lord preserve you all. Amen!" "Dear Wife, "By these, thou with all thine, and Friends, may know that I am well every way; high praises unto the worthy name of the Lord for ever! "I came to this city the last sixth-day, and have had five meetings since; in all which, the Lord was pleased to appear effectually by his power and life-giving presence. Meetings here are very full and peaceable, and many people have great desires after the truth. Oh! that those who have long made profession thereof, may be found good examples in their places, so as to answer the testimony of truth, and the witness of God in people's consciences, which would greatly tend to further his work, and cause truth to prevail more upon people; which the contrary hinders; wherefore blessed are the faithful. "London, the 9th of the Fifth month, 1691." "JOHN BANKS. The above is the last letter I wrote to my dear wife, Anne Banks. She died the 2nd day of the tenth month, after the date of the aforesaid letter, early in the morning; and was buried the fourth-day after, in the burying-place of Friends at Eglesfield, in Cumberland. We lived comfortably together many years, and she was a careful industrious woman, bringing up her children in good order as became the truth, in speech, behaviour, and habit; a meet-help and a good support to me in my travels, always ready and willing in truth's service; and was never known to murmur, though I often had to leave her with a weak family, notwithstanding the exercises in many affairs she had to pass through. She was well beloved amongst Friends and her She also said she hoped I would be, as I had been, a careful and tender father to her children, who were dear and near to her. And in some time after, ended her days in peace with the Lord; and I am well satisfied of her eternal well-being. Though our separation by death was the greatest trial I ever met with, yet the Lord in whom I trust, was and is my preserver, in that and many other deep trials and exercises; to whom I am deeply engaged in all humility, to give the praise, and return him honour and glory, who is God over all; blessed for ever. Amen! I have used much brevity in respect to many of my journies and exercises, not being willing to make a great volume; it remains to be noticed, that often I have visited Friends' meetings from Cumberland to London, and in London, and into the West of England, in my way thither and home, both before and after the Yearly Meetings; and in many other journies beside, from the year 1688, to the year 1702. This year, going to London to the Yearly Meeting, I sent the following letter to my children. "My dear love in the truth, is hereby remembered unto you and Friends; by these you and they may know that I am well, with your brethren and sisters. I am in haste, being the tenth hour at night; and I with seven Friends from Ireland here, take our journey towards Chester early to-morrow, if the Lord will, for that nation; and therefore have not time to write to you what I desire. "We have had a long and tedious time with that contentious man, George Keith, for several days together; he is of a very turbulent and troublesome spirit, vexatious to the church of Christ; but the power of God, for all his quarrelling, is over him, and the life of our meeting run in one channel, to set the judgment of truth upon his head; for it was clearly made manifest unto us, in the light of the Lord Jesus Christ, that he was not only gone into and entertained the spirit of division and separation, but of envy and deep deceit; by which he warred strongly, to prove Friends in the ministry to preach false doctrine, and himself the true, chiefly about the body of Christ, and the light within. But by the unruliness of his spirit, and the dark ness that he is gone into, he hath so mani- "We had a very heavenly meeting here in fested himself, that all his enticing words their new meeting-house, where never meetcould take no place with us. The Lord pre-ing was before; and are to have a meeting serve Friends in the innocency and simpli- to-morrow at Youghall, next day at Cork, city of the truth, where is true unity, peace and safety from the destroyer; for wit and wisdom, in the strength of man's reason, darken and stop the springs of life. "Your loving father, "London, the 8th of the Fourth month, 1694." "JOHN BANKS. I travelled through the nation of Ireland five times; and once from Carrickfergus to Dublin, being the first time, though I omit, for brevity sake, to mention how I travelled from place to place, and the length of time and number of miles. I also travelled in Scotland and there visited the people of God, and in the Isle of Mann. While I was in Ireland, I wrote the following letters to my children. where the province Six-week's meeting begins; two meetings there the first-day, and men's and women's meeting the second-day; and are to go ten miles to a meeting on thirdday, at Bandon; fourteen miles to a meeting further west on fourth-day; forty-eight miles back again by Cork, to a meeting at Charleville, on sixth-day. "My acceptable companion, James Lan- "Waterford in Ireland, the 4th of the "Dear children, John and Mary, "The love of God unto you hath been "That true love and fatherly care which such, as to give you a knowledge of himself, chiefly attends me concerning you is, that you in and through Jesus Christ, the true and may grow in grace and saving knowledge, saving light; and that which is required of which edify the soul; and in a sense and you is obedience, and a diligent walking feeling of that, witness the divine touches of therein, in all fear, humility and lowliness the love of God, to tender your hearts before of mind; for that greatly tends to make sure him, among his people, and at other times. the steps, in the way of truth and righteous- Carefully follow those things, in the course ness; and it is such the Lord teacheth, viz, of your life, that make for peace with him, the humble, by his pure light and grace. according to the teachings of his holy Spirit; Oh! that a daily care may attend you to by which the Lord hath measurably given follow him in all faithfulness, in answer to you a knowledge of himself and his will; his blessed requirings, whether in words or what he would have you to do, and how to actions, at home or abroad; for this is well-walk before him, and all people. Oh! therepleasing unto him, and a rejoicing unto my fore, that you may fear, love, and obey him soul; who am still under a weighty concern with all your hearts; so will you be kept and tender care for your preservation every humble and low, which is safe and good for way, in that which is good; and more es-all, but more especially for youth, because pecially seeing the Lord hath been pleased their natural inclinations are too often aspirto take your dear mother from us. I have no ing; that is, climbing up and getting high. greater joy than to know that you grow in "But the truth, which is his love to the the truth; and that you are loving and ten-sons and daughters of men, manifested in and derly affectionate one to the other, in patience through Jesus Christ, being kept to and lived and quietness of mind bearing one with an-in, humbles the heart and brings and keeps other, in all affairs wherein you are con- down the wild nature; where safety from cerned; so will your undertakings be more many hurtful things is experienced. easy and comfortable unto you. Do what in you lies to keep to meetings, and be condescending one to the other therein; and when you are met together with the Lord's people, let the fear and dread of the Lord be upon you, that you may be kept in all diligence in waiting upon him, daily to feel the work of his spirit in your hearts, to work you into true tenderness and brokenness; that you may grow up, and bring forth fruit, to the praise and glory of the Lord, and your enduring comfort; which is my hearty prayer unto the Lord on your behalf. VOL. II.--No. 2. "By these, you and my friends may know, that I, with my companion J. L., are well, praises be given to him who lives for ever! We have travelled through the south and west of this nation to this place, a second time; and intend, if the Lord will, to go towards the north the next second-day. And, if I find myself clear, when I have gone through the north, I may turn homeward; which if so, will be some time in the eighth month; but this is more than I yet clearly see, and so must leave it at present. "The work is great in this nation, and the 6 labourers are but few; yet the Lord hath "Dublin, the 18th of the Sixth After I saw it my place and service to settle in Somersetshire, which was in the year 1696, I often travelled in the counties and shires adjacent, and also to the Land's End, in Cornwall, labouring together with Friends, to keep up meetings for the worship of God, first-day and week-day; and not only so, but to keep up and maintain the good order of truth, and to have the same put in practice. And the Lord hath been pleased to make use of me as an instrument, of his own fitting and preparing, to convince several, some of whom became faithful and able ministers in their day; and some of them have finished their Lord and Master's work, and are at rest with him in glory. The Lord keep and preserve them, with my soul and all his everywhere, diligent and faithful unto the end. Amen! JOHN BANKS. A SUPPLEMENT TO HIS JOURNAL, WITH AN ACCOUNT OF HIS LATTER END AND DYING WORDS. were instrumental in improving and confirming Friends in it, for the honour of truth and our holy profession, not only by word and doctrine, but by life and practice. About the sixth month, 1705, he was taken very ill and weak, being much afflicted with the gout, so that he was confined to his bed, in which condition I found him when I went to see him at Mear, in the beginning of the third month, 1707; yet very fresh and living, and clear in his understanding. He disclosed his mind to me in some particulars to my satisfaction, and I was comforted to find the Lord so with him. He continued weak about two years, so that he could not travel as in times past; but afterwards he somewhat recovered again, and went abroad; and in the year 1708, removed from Mear to Street, near Glastonbury, for his health's sake, and to be near his friends and meetings, where he enjoyed his health better for some time; but was still often very much afflicted with his old distemper and other infirmities, as age came on. Some time after his removal to Street, he wrote me a loving letter, of which I shall transcribe some part. AFTER settling in Somersetshire as aforesaid, by marriage with his second wife, Hannah Champion, an honest woman of Mear in the said county, in the eighth month, 1696; he travelled in the work of the ministry in the western and adjacent counties, while he was of ability; particularly into Devonshire and Cornwall, with Paul Moon of Bristol, in 1697. The same year he went to visit Friends in his native county of Cumberland, and usually went to the Yearly Meeting at London, as long as he was able, and several times into the north. In the year 1704, he was at the Yearly Meeting in London, and had good service there, which was the last time he attended it. He dwelt fourteen years in the county of Somerset, from the time of his settling there, till his death; and was very serviceable in that county, not only as to his ministry, but in helping Friends in establishing the good order of truth in Monthly and Quarterly Meetings. Though I must needs say for the honour of that county, they had been long, even from the year 1660, in the practice of the wholesome order of truth in their meetings, which were set up by the power of God for the well-regulating of our religious Society, and which Friends gene- "That which makes us near and dear one rally through the nation are in the practice to another is, because we have received a cerof; yet he, with several other worthy elders, tain knowledge that we are children of one "Dear Friend, 6 Father who is holy and heavenly, begotten again to a lively hope, in and through Jesus Christ, by the quickening of his eternal Spirit, to serve him the true and living God in newness of life. He has instructed us by the teachings of his all-sufficient grace and holy Spirit, how we may wait upon, worship, and serve him, and in what; even in the spirit and seed of life, by which, we can cry, Abba Father.' In a day never to be forgotten by us, he did not only bring to the birth, but gave power to bring forth; and as a tender Father, from the time of our infancy, by his helping hand, has always waited to be good and gracious unto us, giving us rain and heavenly dew, which he hath caused many times to descend upon us, that we might grow from one stature and degree of holiness and strength to another; that so, in our day and time, we might come to answer the good end for which he has made us a people. This was not only that we should meet together to wait upon, worship, and serve him in Spirit and Truth, though chiefly therein, but that we might grow up together, according to our several gifts of his holy, pure Spirit, to the degree of elders and fathers, to do work and service in the church of Christ; and in a more public manner amongst God's people, where there is much to be done. Happy are they who can say in truth, what they do in that service, they do it unto the Lord, and for his worthy name and glory; great shall be their peace and comfort here, with a heavenly blessing in Christ Jesus, and more abundantly and eternal in the heaven of heavens. "But why should I write of these things to thee; only that we delight to be telling one another what the Lord our God hath done for our souls; who, by his mighty power, has been our preserver and upholder, ever since he was pleased to give us the knowledge of himself; in and through various trials, deep exercises, temptations, and afflictions, both without and within; and all for the end that we may be helpful one to another, in building up, and strengthening one another in the most holy faith, which works in the heart; as living members which make up that body which is complete in him our holy head, the Lord Jesus Christ; as those who have a fellow-feeling, and sympathize one with another, under all our exercises; for how can it otherwise be, but that members of one body, which are living and sensible ones, should have a true feeling of one another, and a godly care and true tenderness that no one be hurt. "My heart is open to thee, in that same love in which our brotherly unity and fellowship did first begin; in which thou art truly near unto me, even in the love of God and unity of his blessed Spirit, in which the Lord preserve us little and low in our own eyes, near to him and one unto another, faithful unto the end and in the end. Amen! "Great hath been my affliction, even more than I am able to express; and even so hath the tender care of my heavenly Father been over me, beyond my utterance, in preserving me in and through it all to himself, sensible of my inward condition, with my understanding open and clear; praises, living praises, unto him the living and eternal God, who hath all power in his own hand, and is able to bring to pass whatsoever seems good in his eyes! For when I was in the midst of my affliction, and my neighbours were called in to see me pass out of this troublesome world, as it was thought by all outward appearance; I having a little recovered, it livingly rose in me, Thou must not go hence yet, thou hast not wholly finished the work of thy day. It was the word to me, and I believed it; and thus far the Lord my God has made it good and fulfilled it to me, who never breaks covenant with his people, nor alters the word that is gone out of his mouth. "Yea, thus far the Lord hath been pleased to raise me up again, though but weak still, so that I can sit in a meeting, and bear testimony to his name, and return the praise, honour and glory of all unto him who lives for ever. Friends, in condescension to my weakness, keep the meeting in its course at my house, both for worship, and the men's Monthly Meeting also, which is cause of great refreshment and comfort to me. The gout, which bears hard upon me often, has left such a cold numbness in my feet, that I can go but little and lamely; and there is such a weakness and pain in my joints, that when I stand I shake like a leaf; all my fingers are so crippled, I can write but little, and sometimes none; howbeit I was willing once at least to give thee some hints, how it has been and is with me. Yet, notwithstanding all my infirmi ties, I can tell thee in so many words, though I undergo pain and weakness without, I have peace, comfort, and strength within, and that makes amends for all my wants. So I shall conclude in love; and do remain "Thy friend and brother "In the truth that is living and precious. "JOHN BANKS. "Street, in Somersetshire, the 29th of the Seventh month, 1708." But though he was somewhat recovered, yet not to go far abroad; and not long after, his distemper and weakness returning, he was again reduced to his bed. I visited him in the fifth month, 1709, being the last time I saw him; and found him as I did two years before, thought he would not have been able to underin a living freshness and sense of the Lord's take such a journey, but he could not be satislove and mercy to him, and he discoursed fied in his mind without it, although it was very cheerfully of many things. He got up thought it much weakened him. About two while I was there, but could hardly go with- | weeks after, viz: the 2nd of the seventh out help, and continued weak for the most month, as he was walking in his orchard, he part of his time after. was struck with a pain in his back, so that he The 5th of the third month, 1710, after | was scarcely able to go in; which proved giving account of his weakness, he wrote, very trying to him for several days before his “ Howbeit all is well, I live to God through it | death. Yet he often said, that notwithstandall, and that as a full cup supplies all my ing all his pain, his soul did praise and magwants, and sweetens and makes my afflictions nify the Lord for his goodness towards him, easier to be borne ; glory, honour, and ever- | though his pain was so great sometimes, that lasting praises unto him who lives for ever!" he thought it sharper than death. He exAbout two months before he died, he was pressed his belief that the Lord had provided raised beyond expectation in a more than a place for him in heaven; and how well it ordinary manner, so as to travel to some would be if the Lord would be pleased to reneighbouring meetings; which was to admi- move him. Many Friends and others came ration, considering his weakness. At a Month- to visit him while he lay sick; and oftentimes ly Meeting at Somerton, the 6th of the sixth he had a large testimony to them, by way of month, which was very large, he stood about | exhortation, counsel, and advice On the an hour and a half, when it could hardly have 22nd of the seventh month, several Friends been expected he could have sat so long in a being present; after a time of waiting in simeeting; and bore a sound and faithful testi- lence upon the Lord, he said to this effect: mony to truth, with such presence of mind, "Dear Friends, I counsel you in the love and distinction of doctrine, that it was admi- and fear of God to keep to your meetings, for rable to those who knew his weak condition, the worship and service of God, both firstwhich is not mentioned to exalt man but the days and week-days; and also Monthly and power of God; and gave demonstration that Quarterly Mectings, which were set up by the his memory was strong, his understanding power of God, to keep things in good order quick, and judgment sound in things spiritual, amongst us.-Friends of Glastonbury and which was comfortable and refreshing to the Street, my love to you hath been so great, meeting. He earnestly pressed Friends to a that I have ventured my life in riding through holy zeal for God, that they might be faith-deep waters to come to visit you, when I have ful in the small appearances of truth; en- had a concern from God upon my mind; so couraging such as were weak, and putting Friends in mind to prize the present liberty, for it had been a summer season, and that a winter might follow. After the meeting he was so very weak, that it was a task for two men to get him to his lodging. He was very cheerful, signifying his great satisfaction in being so capable of enjoying his friends' company, by being so free from pain; and had an evening meeting the same day, with Friends and many others in the town. Next day he went to Long Sutton, to visit Friends, and the following day to Knole; then to Puddimore, and the day after to their Monthly Meeting, and had a very large testimony to Friends. Next day he went to Samuel Bownas's at Lymington; thence to Sock, and to a meeting | at Yeovil, which was very large, many Some Friends of Somerton taking their Friends being there. He was very weak, but leave of him, he said, "Give my dear love to his senses were lively and quick, and he Friends, and tell them that my soul is alive had a good discerning of the state of the unto God." Amongst them there was meeting, and several particulars in it; and young man lately convinced of the blessed was well accepted by Friends. This was the truth, to whom he said, "The Lord be with extent of his journey, after which he returned thee; and I desire thee in his love to give up home the 15th of the same month, having in obedience to the workings of the Spirit of been out about ten days. Many Friends God in thy heart, and then he will do great that you can say, I have been a good example to you in keeping meetings, as well as in other things. Although I am weak in body, and do not know whether I may live much longer or no, I am however strong in the Lord and in the power of his might, and have nothing to do but to die; for I am rich in faith towards God, and my cup is full of the love of God. Whether I live or die, it will be well with my soul; for blessed be the Lord! I can say with the wise and holy apostle Paul, that I have fought a good fight and kept the faith, and henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of eternal life: and did the apostle say for himself only; no, he was wiser than so, but for all them that love the blessed appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ." |