A Portraiture of Quakerism, Volume 1 | Page 4

"honest
and sufficient parents," at Drayton in Leicestershire, in the year 1624.
He was put out, when young, according to his own account, to a man,
who was a shoe-maker by trade, and who dealt in wool, and followed
grazing, and sold cattle. But it appears from William Penn, who
became a member of the society, and was acquainted with him that he
principally followed the country-part of his master's business. He took
a great delight in sheep, "an employment," says Penn, "that very well
suited his mind in some respects, both for its innocency and its solitude,
and was a just figure of his after ministry and service."
In his youth he manifested a seriousness of spirit, not usual in persons
of his age. This seriousness grew upon him, and as it encreased he

encouraged it, so that in the year 1643, or in the twentieth year of his
age, he conceived himself, in consequence of the awful impression he
had received, to be called upon to separate himself from the world, and
to devote himself to religion.
At this time the Church of England, as a Protestant church, had been
established; and many, who were not satisfied with the settlement of it,
had formed themselves into different religious sects. There was a great
number of persons also in the kingdom, who approving neither of the
religion of the establishment, nor of that of the different denominations
alluded to, withdrew from the communion of every visible church.
These were ready to follow any teacher, who might inculcate doctrines
that coincided with their own apprehensions. Thus for a way lay open
among many for a cordial reception of George Fox. But of those, who
had formed different visible churches of their own, it may be observed,
that though they were prejudiced, the reformation had not taken place
so long, but that they were still alive to religious advancement. Nor had
it taken place so long, but that thousands were still very ignorant, and
stood in need of light and information on that subject.
It does not appear, however, that George Fox, for the first three years
from the time, when he conceived it to be his duty to withdraw from
the world, had done any thing as a public minister of the gospel. He had
travelled from the year 1643 to 1646, through the counties of Warwick,
Leicester, Northampton, and Bedford, and as far as London. In this
interval he appears to have given himself up to solemn impressions,
and to have endeavoured to find out as many serious people as he could,
with a view of conversing with them on the subject of religion.
In 1647 he extended his travels to Derbyshire, and from thence into
Lancashire, but returned to his native county. He met with many
friendly people in the course of this journey, and had many serious
conversations with them, but he never joined in profession with any. At
Duckenfield, however, and at Manchester, he went among those, whom
he termed "the professors of religion," and according to his own
expressions, "he staid a while and declared truth among them." Of these
some were convinced but others were enraged, being startled at his
doctrine of perfection. At Broughton in Leicestershire, we find him
attending a meeting of the Baptists, at which many of other
denominations were present. Here he spoke publicly, and convinced

many. After this he went back to the county of Nottingham. And here a
report having gone abroad, that he was an extraordinary young man,
many, both priests and people, came far and near to see him.
In 1648 he confined his movements to a few counties. In this year we
find him becoming a public character. In Nottinghamshire he delivered
himself in public at three different meetings, consisting either of priests
and professors, as he calls them, or professors and people. In
Warwickshire he met with a great company of professors, who were
praying and expounding the scriptures, in the fields. Here he discoursed
largely, and the hearers fell into contention, and so parted. In
Leicestershire he attended another meeting, consisting of Church
people, Presbyterians, Independents, and Baptists, where he spoke
publicly again. This meeting was held in a church. The persons present
discoursed and reasoned. Questions were propounded, and answers
followed. An answer given by George Fox, in which he stated that "the
church was the pillar and ground of truth, and that it did not consist of a
mixed multitude, or of an old house, made up of lime, stones, and wood,
but of living stones, living members, and a spiritual household, of
which Christ was the head," set them all on fire. The clergyman left the
pulpit, the people their pews, and the meeting separated. George Fox,
however, went afterwards to an