The Life of Alice Hayes

ALICE HAYES A MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL IN THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul. Ps 66:16 A Short Account Of Her Conversion and Travails COMPILED AND EDITED BY FRIENDS' LIBRARY 1838 Revised and Printed by FRIENDS OF JESUS CHRIST 168 Croswell Road Farmington Falls, Maine 04940 2002 I t hath been in my heart for many years, to leave behind me a brief relation of the Lord's dealings with me from my youth up to this day for the encouragement of the young to faithfulness and continual trust and confidence in the Lord, who is never wanting to those that truly depend upon him, either in temporal or spiritual mercies. I was born at Rickmansworth, in Hertfordshire, in the year 1657 of honest parents who educated me in the profession of the public worship of the church of England. My mother died when I was very young. But whilst she lived, she was a tender, affectionate parent to me, almost to excess. One instance of her affection was very remarkable. I being at one time very weak and, as was supposed, nigh unto death, the exercise thereof was so hard to her that she fell down upon her knees and prayed the Lord to take her and spare me, which he did, for what end was best known to himself. I continued at home with my father till about the age of sixteen years under the sharp government of a mother-in-law whose austerity to me made me weary of living with her, insomuch that I left my father's house and went to service so that I might live more at peace than I had done. The Lord in mercy remembered me and looked upon my affliction in that day, though I was not yet come to the knowledge of the truth. And he followed me in those days with his reproofs in my conscience for the sins of my youth, which were dancing, singing, telling idle stories, and some other pastimes into which youth are too liable to run. And not being reproved by my parents nor by the priest, I went on in the same, grieving the Holy Spirit of God in myself, not yet knowing what it was that reproved me in secret for these things. However, through the Lord's great mercy and goodness to me, I was addicted to no worse evils in all my life. Nevertheless, when the Searcher of all hearts came by his light to open my understanding and to set my sins in order before me and to make known what it was that reproved me for my misspent time, then, oh! then it was that the day of Jacob's trouble was witnessed. Oh! dreadful was it to me to consider how I had overlooked the reproofs of the Almighty! And often was I ready to bemoan myself after this manner—Oh! that I had but had parents that could have informed me that those things for which I was reproved were evil or that those reproofs that I often felt in secret were of the Spirit of the Lord! Surely I never would have done as I did. But neither my parents nor the priest taught me any such doctrine, both of them counting those things but innocent and harmless diversions. And as for the light and grace, or Spirit of God, that reproved me, I had never heard there was any such thing so near me as I felt it and found it. Then was I grieved to think that the Lord of glory should have so long knocked at the door of my dark heart and waited for entrance, and that I had so long kept out him who still followed me with his judgments, and in great mercy to my poor soul often brought me into deep sorrow. The consideration of my latter end he laid weightily before me, and the thoughts of eternity, and the words "ever and ever" laid fast hold of me. Then, oh! the trouble and surprise I was in, insomuch that I could not tell what course to take, neither unto whom to discover my distressed condition. Sometimes I have gone into company and striven that way to divert my sorrow, but that would not do. And then I would seek some secret place and there I would fall upon my knees and pour out my spirit before the Lord, begging for mercy and forgiveness at his hands. Now I am about to relate how the wise hand of the Almighty guided me. After I left my father's house, I went inquiring for a place and soon heard of one where I continued some time. And I was well beloved in the family and I served them honestly and in love. But it may not be amiss to state how I spent my time at my first service with relation to religion, which was after this manner. I kept close and constant, as opportunity permitted, in going to the public worship, and very often went alone into private places to pray, and greatly delighted to read the Scriptures and to get passages by heart. And when my hand has been in my labor, my heart was meditating on good matter and I was very glad that I was from my father's house because of the quietness I enjoyed. I was often comforted in my heart in those days, though I knew not from whence it came. As I thus continued in well-doing, according to the best of my knowledge, the Lord was pleased to appear to me in an extraordinary manner, and a sweet visitation I had. For I was led into a deep silence before the Lord, there to wait, and dared not utter words, notwithstanding I had gathered much in the brain of good words and Scripture sentences. But now I came to see that that would not do. After this manner that time was spent, and a good time it was to me. It was the Lord's doing, and he shall have the praise of it, blessed be his name for ever! After some time, I went to live at the house of a justice of the peace where my first husband and I became acquainted. But I should first notice that I went for a short time to a brother's house before I entered into my second service, and while I was there, I heard a report about the neighborhood of a woman preacher, greatly esteemed among the Quakers, and who was to be at one of their meetings not far from my brother's house. Some of the neighbors, in curiosity, had a mind to hear and see, and asked me to go with them, to which I consented. When I came to the meeting, it made a great impression upon my mind. The solidity of the people and the weighty frame of spirit that they were under occasioned many deep thoughts to pass through my heart, by beholding so much difference between their way of worship and that of those among whom I went. After some time of silence, a woman stood up and spoke, whose testimony affected my heart and tendered my spirit, so that I could not refrain from weeping. But, alas! alas! after the meeting was over, the enemy soon prevailed again and darkened that little sense that I had by his instruments without and suggestions within, so that I went no more to any such meeting for several years. The time being come to go to my service at the justice's, my mistress, before I had been long with her, would be often saying, "This Alice will be a Quaker," though still I had no such thoughts. But through the Lord's goodness to me I spent all my spare time either in reading or in getting alone or in some religious performance, and I continued diligent and faithful to the trust that my master and mistress reposed in me, to their satisfaction and my own too, being well pleased with my place. It was in this family, as I said before, that I became acquainted with my first husband, Daniel Smith, who in love made suit to me and we continued together in that family near two years. About the end of that time it pleased the Lord to visit me with sore lameness occasioned by a wrench in my ankle. But for some time longer I continued in my service. That winter my master and mistress, removing to London, had not occasion for so many servants in town as they kept in the country. Some they dismissed, and my mistress provided a place for me till summer when they were to return. At this place I received hurt as to my spiritual condition. Here I had no help towards heaven, but the contrary by the ill example of vain and irreligious conversation in that family. I therefore caution young people to take especial care what company they join and to fly from bad associates as from a serpent. For surely it was a sore venom to me because it helped to drive good things out of my mind, and forgetfulness of God followed, which caused me to have many a sorrowful hour when the Lord brought me to a sense of it. Blessed be his name, he did not permit me to go on long in this state, for now my lameness grew worse, and the time came that I was to leave this family and to return to my former master, the justice, where I longed to be because it was a more orderly family. I fain would have been well of my lameness in my own time so that I might be able to go through my business. But I found that the more I strove for a cure, the worse I grew, insomuch that I was obliged to go home to my father's louse, which was no small exercise on account of my mother-in-law. But blessed be the Lord, the day of his love was still lengthened out, though in judgment, yet mixed with mercy. Great was my pain in body, and much greater my sorrow of mind. In this affliction, like Israel of old, I cried to the Lord for help, for now I saw that if he did not help me, I was undone for ever. As for man's help I despaired of it, for I tried many to no purpose, so that great and many were my cries and prayers to God to restore me, resolving to serve him in newness of life. This was the covenant I was ready to make with him. Oh! the matchless mercies and long forbearance of a good and gracious God to a poor, distressed, disconsolate, and unworthy creature! Very remarkable was the faithfulness and constancy of my dear friend, Daniel Smith, afterwards my husband, who, in all my distress and weakness, never shrunk in his love to me, but continued constant, though I was brought to be a poor cripple and went with crutches. And he was a comely, handsome man and had now entered upon a farm where he was likely to do very well, and seemingly might have had far better matches. He, like an honest man, never regarded that, but continued firm and constant and waited two years to see how the Lord would deal with me. And at the end, seeing no amendment, proposed marriage to me, and accordingly we were married. A faithful, tender, loving husband I had in him who provided for me all things that were needful and comfortable. A mercy and blessing that I hope I shall never forget. And his constancy and faithfulness are worthy to be recorded. The blessing of God was his reward in this life, and I have no doubt that he is at peace with his and my God. My lameness in a few months grew better so that I left my crutch and could go pretty well. But, oh! it was to be lamented that I missed the way. For being recovered from my lameness and grown strong, living in heart's content with a loving husband and outward things prospering, I forgot, like Israel of old, the tender dealings and mercies of so gracious a God and the promises and covenants I had made with him, and I gave myself what liberty my unstable mind desired. Thus I went on for about one year and a half after marriage when the Lord, with an eye of pity, looked upon my wretched and miserable condition and laid his hand upon me in order to awaken me out of this false ease and by sickness brought me near to death. Then my conscience being thoroughly awakened, I beheld my backslidings and disobedience with amazement. Horror and condemnation took fast hold upon me and the witness [of God in my heart] arose, which caused sore distress of mind. In this condition, I seemed just about to step out of time into eternity. I saw that if I died in this state, my portion must be with the unbelievers and disobedient in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone for evermore. And just would God have been if he had cut me off for my covenant-breaking and disobedience. Dreadful it was to me to behold my time so short and the work I had to do so great. Oh! the horror and amazement I lay under, to think how to endure the torment I deserved. Let the thoughts of this sink deep into the heart of every one who reads these lines, that they may become prepared and truly fitted for the kingdom of rest and peace when pale death looks them in the face. Then will it be easier with them than it was with me. For no mortal can tell the disquiet I lay in for several nights and days, looking for that dreadful sentence, "Depart hence, for time to thee shall be no more." Oh! the fervent cries and prayers I put up to the Lord at this time that he would be pleased to spare me this one time more. And I begged all that came near me to pray for me. My cry was, "Spare me a little longer and try me once more, and I will become a new creature." Thus I ventured once again to enter into covenant with the Lord who in great mercy and pity looked upon me and spared, and pardoned, and raised me from the brink of the grave. Oh! the boundless mercies of God, how shall they be sufficiently set forth by me? Everlasting glory be given unto him and let all that is within me praise his name. And forasmuch as it pleased him to hear my petition and to raise me up again and to give me a little strength, a remembrance of that state seized me daily and called for the performance of my vows and promises to become a new creature. And now I began, according to the best of my knowledge, after this manner. Morning and evening I failed not to pray and to read the Scriptures and other books which I took to be good ones, constantly going to the public worship if able, also resolving to have a care both of my words and actions and to act justly by all men. And I thought I would walk very humbly before the Lord in order to become a new creature. For he let me see that it was holiness he called for at my hands and that it was my duty to persevere therein, not for a day, a week, a month, or a year, but if I would be saved, I must hold out to the end. Notwithstanding I set myself strictly to observe the aforesaid performances. Many months had not gone over my head before I found a very strange alteration and operation in me, the like I had never felt before. The foundation of the earth within me began to be shaken, and strange and wonderful it was to me. I had hoped that now being found in the aforesaid practice, I should have witnessed peace and comfort, but behold the contrary. Instead of peace came trouble and sorrow, wars and commotions. I feared that my condition was such that never was the like, not knowing that the messenger of the covenant was coming to his temple, even he whom my soul had been seeking, and that he must sit there, that is, in my heart, "as a refiner's fire," and "as a fuller's soap," to clear his own place which was defiled by the usurper who had taken up his habitation there too long. Oh! it was a long time indeed that the Lord of life and glory was kept out of his habitation, for an entrance into which he had waited and knocked nearly twenty years, in which time there was much fuel for the fire and much work for the refiner, whose skillful, as well as merciful hand, preserved me in the furnace. The bad part in me was so great and the good so small that I thought all would perish together. For the heat of that fire in my heart was great and terrible, so that, like David, I was ready to say, "My bones are all out of joint." And in the depth of my distress, the enemy was very strong with his temptations. But, oh! the kindness of God to me in that day, "for then did succor come in the time of need." The old adversary was strong and not willing to lose his habitation and have his goods spoiled. But Christ, the stronger, overcame him in due time and cast him out, and blessed be God, in a good measure spoiled his goods. The struggling that I felt in those times I hope will never be forgotten. And my desire is that these lines of experience may, and I do believe they will, be of service to some poor distressed traveler that may have such steps to trace. I thought that if I had met with the account of any that had gone through such exercise it would have been some help to me. I searched the Scriptures from one end to the other and read several books, but I thought none reached my state to the full. The third chapter of Lamentations and many of the Psalms, and the seventh of the Romans did somewhat affect me at times, whereby a little hope would arise in the thought that the writers of these had passed through something of it. And, oh! the bitter whisperings of Satan and the thoughts that passed through my mind, such as my very soul hated! Yet such were the suggestions of the enemy that he would charge them upon me, as if they were my own. But the Lord in his own due time gave me to see that "he was a liar from the beginning." Indeed, had not a secret hand of power supported me in this my bewildered state, I had surely fainted and laid down in the depth of despair. Day and night were alike to me. There was no flying from "the presence of the Lord, and his righteous judgments" which pursued me and were now poured upon the transgressing nature in me which had long continued and taken deep root. Now was the refiner's fire very hot in order to burn up the dross and the tin. Oh! happy man and happy woman that doth thus abide the day of his coming. For sure I am that "his fan is in his hand," and if men will but submit when he appears, he will thoroughly do that for them which no other can do, "purge the floor," which is man's heart, where the chaff is to be burnt. This is the baptism that doth people good and may the Lord bring thousands more through this inward experience to make an offering to God in righteousness, for nothing short of it will do or stand in the great and notable day of the Lord. After this manner did the Almighty in great loving-kindness deal with me, his judgments being mixed with mercy to the unworthiest of thousands. And as I continued in patience, resolving to press forward towards the mark, various were the inward states I passed through. Yet by the assistance of the light of Christ, without which I had surely fallen in the vast howling wilderness where so many dangers did attend, I came to witness in the Gospel dispensation what Israel of old passed through while in Egypt's land and by the Red Sea, and their travels through the deeps, with their coming up on the banks of deliverance, and likewise their travels through the great and terrible wilderness where the fiery serpents and scorpions were, and the drought, wherein there was no water, as in Deut 8:15. Marvelous it is to think that I should ever be preserved through these diversities of states, and that altogether without the assistance of any outward instrument, which, blessed be God, many now have. For I was still under the hireling teachers to whom I very frequently resorted, and willingly would I have settled under them. I was constant in resorting to the steeple-house, but sorrowful I went in, and so I came out, week after week, and month after month, seeking among the dead forms and shadows the living Lord who is not to be found there. And well might it be so with me for want of the Lord Jesus Christ, whom my very soul desired more than any outward enjoyment. I was grieved at my very heart in that day to behold the barrenness of both priest and people. I looked for some fruits of sobriety, especially in the time of worship, but I saw some light and airy with actions of pride, others rude and wanton, and some sleeping, and so little solidity that I was often ready to say to myself, "Is there no people that serve the Lord better than these?" For I observed with sorrow that they would be talking of their farms and trades till they came to the very door, and then again as soon as they came out, of which thing I thought not well. But still I continued under my exercise, grievously weighed down and bowed in my spirit, wishing in the morning, would to God it were evening, and in the evening longing for morning. So great was the horror I lay under that I often wished I had never been born. But now it was not long before I came to witness some tenderness spring in my heart that had been so long hard. I could weep in the sense of my lost and undone state. For as yet I knew not where to look or wait for the appearance of Christ, although I had felt all these inward workings and strivings. And when I felt a little ease or comfort, I felt it within where indeed was my grief and wound, though not knowing that God was so near me or who conveyed it to my soul. I thought that God was only in the heavens above the skies, for the Scriptures were as a sealed book to me, and I knew not that he was so near to me, as by his light to let me see the outgoings of my mind and the very thoughts and intents of my heart. However, at times I felt a little warmth in my heart and a breathing to God on this wise, "Oh, Lord, make me one of thy fold, a sheep of thy pasture!" These cries to God, and little else, passed through my heart for many months, for that was the first good desire he begot in me after he led me through judgment for sin. Then the light, or good Spirit of Christ, which is one, let me see plainly that I was not in society with his flock. Therefore the cry remained, "Lord, make me one of thy fold, a sheep of thy pasture," for as yet I did not see who they were nor where they were folded. But as I continued thus exercised, the Lord was pleased to discover his people to me after many mournful nights and days. But indeed it was a great cross to me and great sufferings I went through before I could submit to be counted "a fool amongst the people of God," with whom now I have true unity, and I bless God for the privilege. If any should question and say, "How camest thou to have these people discovered to thee by the Lord, as thou sayest?" Truly I give thee this answer, and in much simplicity and integrity of heart. As I continued under the aforesaid exercise, it frequently ran through my mind, "Go to the Quakers." And it was as intelligible to my understanding as if I had heard an outward voice. But I was not hasty to give up to that motion, fearing and doubting, lest it should be the enemy of my soul to deceive and beguile me and lead me into errors. And so I continued going to the public worship of the church of England. At last no peace nor comfort could I find there, but still the voice followed me, "Go to the Quakers." But I still lingered for the aforesaid reasons. Then came into my mind that passage in the tenth of the Acts of the apostles concerning Cornelius who had continued a long time in prayers and alms and an angel from God was sent to direct him to send for Simon Peter who should tell him what to do. These Scriptures opened plainly in my mind. But notwithstanding I had enough to reason within myself, saying in my heart, "As for Cornelius, an angel directed him, but as for me, what do I see?" (Not then knowing what an angel was, which is a ministering spirit.) "I only hear, as it were, a voice within me, saying, 'Go to the Quakers.' And I may be deceived if I heed it." So I strove against the motions of the Spirit of Truth, not knowing I was under that dispensation wherein God speaks now to us by his Son in the hearts of his people. Yet such was the mercy and love of God to me that in this time of my ignorance and infancy he was pleased in great mercy still to follow me so that I can truly say that I witnessed the Scripture to be fulfilled where it is said, "In the day of thy power, thy people shall be willing." It was no less than the power of God that constrained me to go and hear what sort of doctrine was preached by them, for I had never but once heard any of those people preach, and that was five or six years before. And after long struggling and reasoning I inquired for a Quaker's meeting and was informed of the place and day. I went, not acquainting any body where I was going, neither had I opened my condition to anyone, nor could I. When I came to the meeting, there I saw a small number of people waiting upon the Lord, and after some time a servant of God stood up and declared such things as I had never heard before from any, whereby my state was fully spoken to so that I could set my seal to it that it was the truth. The power that attended the testimony reached to the witness of God in my heart and a zeal for him was raised within me by the hopes that were begotten through the preaching of the word of truth. When meeting was over, I went away with joy and gladness of heart, and my understanding was in some measure opened and a faith raised in me that the Lord had still a regard unto me, forasmuch as my condition was so plainly opened by a handmaid of the Lord whom I had never seen before. The Lord alone knew my condition in that time. And as I continued faithful to what he made manifest unto me, it pleased the Almighty One to make bare his powerful arm for my deliverance, through the many and various exercises that I met with for the Gospel's sake. Soon after I received the truth, I met with other sorts of enemies that the old adversary raised. But forever blessed be the God of my life, he gave me power and dominion over my inward enemies, and delivered me also from the outward ones. My going to meetings being known both in my family and neighborhood, some wicked instruments did the devil raise up to set my husband against me. My dear husband, who was so tender and loving to me all our days till now, grew very unkind and his love turned into hatred and contempt. This was very hard for me to bear from one whom I so dearly loved. But it seemed good to the Lord so to suffer it, to try me, whether I loved anything better than himself. Sometimes when I went to dress myself to go to meeting, my husband would take away my clothes. But that I valued not and would go with such as I had. So he soon left off that. And many other trials I met with from him which I think not proper here to mention. One very close trial he put me to was this. He being pretty cool in his temper, very seriously spoke to me after this manner. "Now I am come to a resolution in my own mind what to do. If you do not leave off going to the Quakers, I will sell all that I have and pay every one their own, and go and leave you." This came close to my very life, and then also came the saying of Jesus into my mind, "He that loveth anything better than me, is not worthy of me." Then was I brought to the very proof whether I loved Christ Jesus best or my husband, for one of the two must have the preeminence in my heart. Now was the time come indeed for the full proof of my love to God, whether I could leave father and mother, brothers and sisters, yea, and a husband that I had loved best of all, for Christ and the Gospel's sake. This was a trial none can tell but those who experience the same, for those relations are very near, and without an invisible support the soul cannot be upheld under such trials. But they whose hearts are true to God, being sanctified and made clean by the washing of regeneration, are enabled to deny themselves, not of the unlawful things only, but also of the dearest lawful things, for Christ's sake and the Gospel's. My husband was waiting for my answer to what he proposed. After some time of weighing the thing in my spirit, I said, with a true concern upon my heart, after this manner, "Well, husband, if it must be so, I cannot help it," giving him to understand that I could not let go that interest I had in God through faith in his Son who was come to save me from my sins, by refraining, in compliance to him, from going to worship God amongst that people whom God so visibly and so fully satisfied me that he owned, and among whom I had felt and witnessed his presence. Everlasting praises be given to his name, because when hopes had been raised in me that through faith in the Son of God my sins would be pardoned for his name's sake, I could not let go this interest in my Savior for the love of a husband, though nothing else in this world was so dear to me. Many a sore exercise the Lord suffered him to inflict upon me which were as wormwood and gall to me for the time they lasted. I received them as from the Lord's hand in kindness to try how constant I would be in my dependence upon him alone, when all in this world that were near and dear to me were turned against me, yea, father and mother, brothers and sisters, but nothing came so near me as my husband. When I came truly to take up the cross for Christ's sake, I met with persecution of divers sorts, but that of the tongue was the hardest for me to bear, and a large share I had of that, with cruel mockings. But thanks forever be to that power who upheld me through all gross abuses, false reports, undervaluings, and slightings. The very remembrance thereof bows my heart and humbles my spirit in the sense of the kindness of God to me in that day, who enabled me with patience to go through all the clamor of their tongues, till it pleased the Lord to remove out of my way many of my persecutors and slanderers, some of whom I may have occasion to mention. It being spread about that I was turned Quaker, the priest of the parish, whose name was John Berrow, hearing of it, came to give me a visit. Among the rest of his discourse and reasonings with me, he was so hardy as to venture to tell me that the Quakers denied the Scriptures and the resurrection, and the man Christ Jesus who died without the gates of Jerusalem and that they only believed in a Christ that was in them. I answered, "No, they do not say so, nor preach such doctrine." He replied, "It may not be yet, till they have got you. You do not discern the hook or the pill that is gilded. It is a dangerous doctrine that they hold and damnable heresy they are in." To which I only replied, "If they deny Christ, I never will be a Quaker," and so he went his way. And after much labor both of body and mind in searching the Scriptures and comparing their doctrine and principles therewith, I found him to be a false accuser. Some years after, I found a weighty concern upon my spirit to go to his public place of worship and charge him with this falsehood, to clear the professors of the truth and my own conscience, more of which I shall hereafter have occasion to mention. I shall now proceed to say something concerning those instruments before hinted at who were the authors of much disturbance to my dear husband and exercise to me. A cook-maid that lived with the justice whose servant I formerly was, and a servant maid of my own, being both of a bad spirit, mattered not what lies they made and reported of me. But the Lord discovered their wickedness and my innocency in his own time. My maid, by her stories and deceitful carriage to the justice's family, thought to have preferred herself there, knowing it pleased the justice's wife to hear stories concerning me, because of the dislike she had to the Quakers. But in less than six months after she went from me she was found to be a thief and ran out of the parish, and I never saw her more. As for the cook-maid, she in a very short time came to much poverty, and often afterwards I relieved her. Two others were very sour to me, the justice's wife and my husband's mother. The two before mentioned had so filled them with bitter unkindness towards me that they very much hurt my husband by setting him against me. The justice's wife especially caused me to go through much exercise. But, however, it lasted not long, for in a few months after I was convinced of the truth, she went to London where she stayed some time. The time of her intended return being come and the coach provided to fetch her home, death struck her, and she was brought home dead. My husband's mother being very full of wrath and bitterness towards me, I thought to have pacified her by entreaty and by acquainting her a little with some part of my exercise, and that I did not go to the Quakers in a stubborn mind or self-will, nor with any ill design of undoing my husband, as some reported. But when I began to speak to her, she flew into a bitter passion, grievously reflecting upon me, saying I would undo her child, meaning my husband. I could by no means gain her into any moderation, nor would she hear what I had to say, but departed from me, expressing herself in much anger after this manner, "I will never endure you any more." She went home where she soon fell sick and died and was buried in less than a week's time. But the enemy soon stirred up another, my husband's step-father. He came one time to our house full of prejudice against me and brought a great book with him and sat down. My husband soon came in and they both set upon me, reflecting upon the Quakers. I attempted to go out of doors, but my husband prevented me, for he placed himself by the door to hinder my going out. In those days I could not talk or contend much for the truth, but blessed be God, I was made willing to suffer for it many ways. But that which was hardest for me to bear was from my husband whom I loved as my own life. We had not then been married above two years, so that if God had not upheld me, I had fainted. My husband not permitting me to go out as I intended, the great book was laid upon the table, and they said, if I lacked a book to read, there was one for me to look in, and urged me to read it. I took it and read awhile to myself, but I soon shut it up and would read no more. I saw it to be written by an adversary to the truth. I then took up the Bible in my hand, and the first place I cast my eye upon was that passage in the Psalms where it is said, "It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man; yea, it is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes." Oh! the comfort I felt in reading it! It was more to me than any outward treasure, for I found my strength renewed and patience given to me to bear all and suffer quietly. My father-in-law used many bitter expressions, saying that if he were my husband, he would never see me want, insinuating that he would leave me, my husband being then present and having himself before threatened me with the same thing. Then my husband's step-father began to curse and swear, for which I could not forbear reproving him in the plain language, which so enraged him that he was like a madman, cursing, and saying; "Do not thee and thou me!" And in a despising manner, he said, "A Quaker! away with it. If you had been anything else. Had you been a Baptist and gone to hear them every day in the week, it had not been so bad as this. A Quaker! away with it." And again, "If you will not turn, I will buy a chain and chain you to that maple tree that stands in the green and there you shall be glad to turn for hunger." More might be mentioned, which I omit for brevity's sake. But my poor husband said not much at that time, only kept me within doors to see and hear what his step-father could do with me. But blessed be the Lord, it did not move me. And let all be encouraged to trust in that ancient arm of power that never failed in time of need, nor ever will, those that have a single eye to his glory. It was not long before the Lord brought them both to a sense of their error, for the next time that they met, my father-in-law told my husband that he was very sorry for what he had said and done to me and that he would never do so more. And neither indeed did he, but ever after he was very loving and moderate to me. And such an impression was made upon him that he became very moderate and respectful to all Friends with whom he conversed. Afterwards my dear husband's love returned, and he continued to his life's end a loving and tender husband and an indulgent father to our children. And through the Lord's goodness to him, he was convinced that it was the truth for which I suffered. And I do believe he died in the faith and is at rest with his God, for which, and all his mercies, let all that is within me give him the praise. Having been made an experimental witness of the dealings of the Lord and passed through several states, it pleased the Lord to make me instrumental in his hand to speak a word in season to others both in public and private. And in my obedience to the motion of the Spirit of God, I found peace and strength, and encouragement to persevere. But I may first make a little observation upon the deceitful spirit by which John Berrow, the priest of the parish of Watford, was led, which I beheld to my grief and sorrow, insomuch that I felt a concern upon my spirit to go and reprove him publicly in his worship-house for his false accusations—as that the Quakers denied the Scriptures, the resurrection, and the man Christ Jesus that died without the gates of Jerusalem, and that they only believed in a Christ within them, and for his going about from house to house to discourage well-inclined people from going to a Quaker's meeting. For he found the people declining from him, as at that time a good thing was stirring among them, and many were inquiring after the kingdom of heaven. For these reasons, I found a great concern upon my spirit that the way of the Lord and his people might not be misrepresented and that the honest inquirer might not be turned out of the way. As this had rested long and weightily upon my spirit, I often cried to the Lord to enable me faithfully to discharge that which I saw he required at my hand. The concern was weighty and I was not forward, lest I should be found to run before I was sent. Therefore I waited patiently to be fully satisfied in the matter, not only a day, or a week, but many months. And as my concern grew heavier upon me, I gave up, begging the Lord to be with me, and to give me a full mission for so weighty a service. It pleased the Lord to confirm me in it several ways. Notwithstanding, as poor Gideon of old, I presumed to prove and try the Lord once more. So I said in my heart, "Oh Lord, if thou wilt be pleased to send thy servant Francis Stamper to this town tomorrow, then I shall be confirmed." I had not as yet told anybody what I had to do, and it pleased the Lord to grant me my request. On the morrow, which was the 31st of the eighth month, 1696, when meeting time came and Friends were going, Francis was not yet come. But I had faith to believe he would. As I was going to meeting with some Friends, I said to them that I would go back and tarry for Francis Stamper, whereat the Friends smiled, because he was but lately come home from a long journey. I waited but a little time before he came, and soon afterward he went into a Friend's house. I very well remember his words. "Oh! how hath my spirit been dragged hither. I was late last night at London, but must go to Southgate." There he had a country house, and the watch was set when he came out of London. I took good notice of his words, but said nothing to him of my concern till after meeting. When coming to a Friend's house, I told him what I had to do and I asked him if he would go with me. To which he answered, after weighing the thing in himself, "I may go with thee." In the afternoon we both went to the steeple-house and sat down in the alley against the priest and waited till he had done his sermon and prayer. Then I stood up and said to the priest, "Neighbor Berrow, I have a question to ask thee, and I do desire thee and this assembly to hear me." But he would not, and hastened out without hearing what I had to say. Seeing him go so hastily away, I applied myself to the people, and said, "John Berrow came to me and said that the Quakers would tell me that I must deny the man Christ Jesus who died without the gates of Jerusalem and that I must believe only in a Christ that was within me." And I bore this testimony to all present at that assembly, saying, "We do own the Scriptures and do say that we believe that there is no other name given under heaven whereby any can be saved but the name of Jesus Christ who died without the gates of Jerusalem and was buried, and rose again the third day, and now sitteth at the right hand of God, glorified with the same glory which he had with the Father before the world began." Then I stopped and Francis Stamper stood up and would have said something to the people by way of advice, but one of the churchwardens with some others came and compelled us both to go out. I stepped upon one of the seats and acquainted the people that we would have a meeting that evening at our meeting-house where all who were so inclined might come. And blessed be God, a large and good meeting it was, where the glorious presence of the Most High was with us and amongst us. And good service for his God had that faithful servant Francis Stamper that evening, as also at many other times here and in these parts, where a great openness was among the people and many were convinced. In a fresh and lively remembrance of this faithful servant of the Lord, a testimony springs in my heart to leave behind me. He was a man given up in his day, faithful to his God, and ran to and fro on the earth for God's honor and the good of souls, rising early and lying down late. He was industrious in God's vineyard and harvest field, for the Lord had made him a skillful and laborious workman, and a valiant soldier who feared not the great and potent adversary. Eminent was that power which did attend this man of God, my friend and brother. I esteem it a mercy from the Lord that I had the privilege of being well acquainted with him in the service of truth as well as in meetings. I, with many thousands more, have been refreshed under his living testimonies which have dropped upon the tender plants like dew, or the small rain that nourishes the tender blades. Oh! the remembrance of it often affects my heart. And the Lord greatly blessed his labor of love, for by the power that attended his ministry, many were turned "from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God." He was a man of a tender spirit, and though not advanced in years, he was as a nursing father. Many are witnesses how ready and willing he was upon all occasions to go at any season to visit those who were in distress either in body or mind, having a word suitable to their several conditions. And often was the broken heart bound up and the sin-sick soul encouraged. Great was the sorrow and mourning for the loss of such an instrument, but not as without hope. My hope is firm in the living God, and I have faith to believe that he will raise up to himself more witnesses and faithful laborers in the room of those he hath been pleased to remove and take to himself out of this evil world, as he hath done to this his servant who is gone in peace and has entered into that rest which God hath prepared for the righteous. In the close of this short testimony for my dear friend and fellow-laborer in the work of the ministry, I must say that it is of the Lord, and he is worthy to do whatever he pleaseth. All that he doeth is well done, whether he gives or takes away, blessed be his name for evermore. Alice Hayes After the Lord had tried me with exercises of divers sorts, he was pleased to prove me further by persecution for tithes, both in the spoiling of my goods and by imprisonment. I was taken from my farm and family, having five fatherless children, and was committed to Alban's jail where I was kept prisoner about thirteen or fourteen weeks and had several score pounds worth taken from me in corn and cattle by the priest and impropriator because for conscience sake I could not in this Gospel day pay to support that worship, neither that anti-Christian yoke of tithes. A testimony lives in my heart to encourage all those who are convinced of God's truth to be faithful in this matter, and in all things which the Spirit of Jesus Christ shows them to be evil. I mention my sufferings, not in a boasting way, but for the encouragement of the weak, for he that bore up my head under all my trials and exercises will bear up every sincere and honest soul that desires faithfully to do his will. I bless God in my very heart that he has counted me worthy to suffer for his name's sake. And of a truth I can say, "He never suffered any exercise to attend me but that he assisted me with power and patience to go through it," and his word have I witnessed to be fulfilled. A husband he hath been to me, and a father to my fatherless children. It is my desire that all, both rich and poor, may be faithful to God in all his requirings with respect to tithes, whether to priest or impropriator, for they are all one in the ground and are demanded and recovered by the same law, viz., the statute of Henry VIII, an old popish law whereby they sue "for God and holy church." Forasmuch as we are now under the Gospel dispensation, wherein God hath begun to work by his great power against that spirit of antichrist that denies the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, my faith is that he will bring down that anti-Christian yoke of tithes under which his innocent people have long suffered. I further believe that had all been faithful who have been convinced of the evil thereof and stood firm to their testimony by patiently suffering in the "meek spirit of the Lamb," that ravening, devouring spirit had been well nigh famished, and the consumption determined by God Almighty would have been much more on that spirit of persecution by this time. But, oh! as it was of old, so it is now. Unfaithfulness makes the work go on slowly and the journey more tedious. But, blessed be God, there is a small remnant who are fully given up to follow their true Shepherd, Christ Jesus, who is come in the power of his Spirit and is revealed in a remnant, who are thereby enabled to stand as witnesses for God against all hireling preachers and time-servers. For his purpose is to set his Son on the top of all hills and mountains of show and shadows of religion. It is my belief that by the assistance of that grace which is come by Christ Jesus many more will be raised to bear witness to the free ministry of the Lamb of God. And happy, yea, thrice happy will everyone be who serves God with all of his heart and all of his outward substance too, if he calls for it. Oh! let no one withhold anything that the Lord requires, but remember that "the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof" and the cattle on a thousand hills are his and he knows what we need. If a time of stripping from these outward enjoyments is suffered, it is but for a trial of our faith. Oh! that not one who may be deeply tried may faint or distrust the Lord, "whose care and whose eye is over the righteous and whose ear is open to their prayers." As all come to trust in his name, the God of Israel will care for them and appear in a way and by a means they think not of, so that he will be found to be "a God nigh at hand, and a present help in every needful time." Therefore, let all that fear his name trust in him, "for the life is more than meat, and the body than raiment," and to every one that trusts in him, he will give "life for the soul and bread for the body," as he hath done for me in a wonderful manner. Here it may not be unfit to mention something of my own suffering on the account of impropriation, for the information of some who have heard a report thereof and may be misinformed. For I am concerned that none may be deceived and say or do that which may bring trouble upon themselves. For some have taken the liberty to reflect upon me on the one hand, and some on the other. The impropriation at Watford seemed to differ from most, if not all in England, in this particular. It was a dowry of the lady Essex and no part of it either belongs to church or priest. And through ignorance Friends scrupled not to pay it, not knowing it to be tithes in the ground, and that it is upon the same foundation as other tithes and granted and maintained by the same power and recovered by the same law. I say, we ignorantly paid it till it pleased the Lord to open our understandings. It was customary with the collectors of this impropriation to contract with us who rented farms for so much money to be paid yearly, and the contract which my husband had made and signed with the collectors some time before his death, being now expired, they came to me to renew it with them, to which I consented. But after it was done, a fear possessed me lest I had done what was not "right in the sight of God," and much reasoning I had in my mind about it. The concern grew heavier upon my mind, and in great fear and trouble I continued many days and weeks, earnestly crying to the Lord for a clear understanding of his will concerning this matter of impropriation.

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The Life of Alice Hayes

Alice Hayes

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