CHAPTER XIV.

1681: THE HARMONY OF FRIENDS IN SOME DANGER-VISIT OF JOHN BURNYEAT-16:6: DAVID BARCLAY'S DEATH-1689: ACCOUNT OF GEORGE GRAY-HIS LETTER TO HIS FRIENDS.

In the course of the preceding pages, a connected historical detail has been brought together, principally exhibiting the conduct of this portion of the flock of Christ, under that system of opposition and oppression, with which they were for many years assailed. Other biographical particulars of the Friends in Scotland, in a somewhat more detached shape, are now to follow they chiefly embrace the little which has been preserved, relative to the pious career and closing hours of several of these, who were counted worthy to bear the burden and heat of that day.

No sooner had persecution of this description in great measure ceased, than we find the enemy of all good devised a snare for their hurt, more likely to prove successful against them than any open hostility. By infusing into certain individuals of this little band, who had hitherto been of one heart and of one mind, evil surmisings and malicious jealousies against the body of Friends, but especially against those who occupied conspicuous stations among them;-in this way did he seek to break in upon and lay waste "the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." Happily, and, as they testify, through the remarkable care as well as tender regard of the great Shepherd, who sleepeth not by day, nor slumbereth by night,

this undermining evil was timely discovered and exposed; those few who joined with it, and were the chief occasion of this division, being formally excluded from fellowship among them. Alexander Harper and Isabella Keillo,-names that appear in the early part of the Memoirs,-were of this number. It appears, that one ground of their dissatisfaction and calumnious reproaches against the Friends, is to be traced to their reception of the baneful principles of Rogers and Bugg, two noted apostates from the faith and practice of the Society in England.-It is recorded, that very shortly previous to this affair breaking out, George Rook, a Friend from Cumberland, wholly uninformed as to their situation, visited Aberdeen, and had to declare in the meeting, that his mind was under suffering, while sitting among them, “From an undermining, murmuring, wicked spirit, that was working against the faithful, and the unity of the body, which God would in due time discover and judge out from among his people.

In the year 1681, John Burnyeat, together with Peter Fearon, paid their Scottish fellow-professors a visit, in the line of gospel love and labour. The former Friend, it may be remembered, had discharged among them this important office of a Christian minister, almost as early as there were any in Scotland, stigmatized by their neighbours under the scornful appellation of "Quaker." Three years only elapsed, ere we find this individual engaged a third time in the same weighty duty. For, by a letter of his, dated Leith, the 6th of the 8th month, 1684, it is clear, that he had taken journey north from that place, with two others, and had spent about three weeks in holding meetings almost every day; "having" as he describes it, "a blessed open service through the Lord's

power amongst Friends; for there is an open, tenderhearted people, and they were glad of my coming; for there had not been an English Friend among them of a long time." It It appears, he was particularly concerned, that decent order and care, becoming a Christian church, should prevail and be maintained in all its branches.

It will not be forgotten, that among those champions, who fearlessly withstood the encroachments of intolerance, was David Barclay of Ury; respecting whom, indeed, it is to be regretted, considering his station in life and the noble character he bore with all classes, that so few and inadequate notices have been preserved. After his son had been the means of procuring his liberation from prison, where the last mention of him is made, he was not much molested; his influence with those in power, or rather their respect for him, very much serving to ward off the malice of inferior magistrates. On one occasion, in his declining years, we find, he accompanied his old acquaintance, John Swintoune, to London, chiefly with the view of "visiting his friends:" and sometimes we trace him at Edinburgh on the like account. Again, in the spring of 1683, he was in London, his friend Andrew Jaffray being with him; also his son Robert and wife with their eldest boy, whom they were conveying to George Keith's boarding-school at Theobald's in Hertfordshire. But, for the most part, David Barclay, passed the remainder of his days on his own estate of Ury; enjoying, as it is stated, with much satisfaction, the tranquillity of a country life, after many years of hardship and of trial; possessing also, in a high degree, the esteem of all who knew him; but, above all, that inestimable treasure, “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding," and

which is alone able to keep the soul "through Jesus Christ."

A few fleeting years thus spent in preparing to meet his Judge and Saviour, brought him to the 76th year of his age; soon after this, he took a fever, which, in about a fortnight, was the means of removing him from this earthly scene. Upon the 12th of the month called October, 1686, his body was borne to a new burial-place, selected as such by himself, situated on a rising eminence near a mile to the north-west of his house; he having, when in perfect health, and some time before his death, ordered the manner of his interment by a writing under his hand. But notwithstanding his particular request, that none might be expressly invited on that occasion, except those of the Society and his own tenants; yet, the hour being known, a numerous train attended, especially of the higher rank, who, from the regard they bore to him while living, came to pay this last office of respect to his memory. The account of his religious departure, drawn up by his son, can scarcely be read without effect,—it is so touching, so weighty, yet so simple; discovering that dignified composure and humble trust, which drew from survivors the declaration of their belief, that he was "kept in the patience and faith of Jesus."

During the time of his last sickness, David Barclay was preserved in a quiet, contented mind, freely resigned to the will of God; and gave several living testimonies to the Truth, and to the love of God, shed abroad in his heart by the Holy Ghost. Although there was hardly to be found one in a thousand like him for natural vigour at his age, and although his fever was at times very strong; yet he never was "insensible" nor did any wrong ex

pression or action proceed from him, nor yet the least symptom of discontent or fretfulness. He had previously been troubled with a very painful disorder, and after the commencement of his illness, had much suffering from that cause; and, about two days before his death, while those around were helping him up, in a sense of his weakness and in an agony, he said, "I am going now"-then instantly checking himself, he added, "But I shall go to the Lord, and be gathered to many of my brethren, who are gone before me,—and to my dear son."-This was his youngest son, David, who died at sea about a year before, on his voyage to East Jersey. He was an amiable youth, of exemplary life and conversation, and was an acceptable preacher among friends.

On the 11th of the 8th month, (continues Robert Barclay,) about two or three o'clock in the morning, he growing weaker, I drew nigh to him. He said, "Is this my son?" I said, Yea; and spake a few words, signifying my travail, that He who loved him might be near him to the end. He answered, "The Lord is nigh," repeating it, "You are my witnesses in the presence of God, that the Lord is nigh." A little after, he said, "The perfect discovery of the Day-spring from on high-how great a blessing it hath been to me and to my family!" My wife desiring to know, if he would have something to wet his mouth, he said, It needed not. She said, It would refresh him he laid his hand upon his breast, saying, He had that inwardly which refreshed him. After a little while he added at several times these words, "The Truth is over all!"

He took my eldest son to him, and blessed him, saying, He prayed God, he might never depart from the Truth. My eldest daughter Patience coming near,