where many People of different Profeffions were gathered. He was a very diligent Attender of our Monthly-meetings, and very ferviceable therein in many Refpects, promoting Peace and Righteousness; alfo a frequent Attender of our Quarterly-meeting, and often at the Yearly-meeting, and other Meetings for Truth's Service.

He was a loving and kind Husband, a gentle and prudent Mafter, and a good Neighbour; whofe Readiness to be affifting in many Cafes, gained him a general Refpect amongst them ; a Lover of Peace, and very inftrumental in compofing of Differences; fo that his Removal from us feems not only to be a Lofs to the Church, but others alfo; yet his great and everlasting Gain.

Some Months before his Departure, he told fome Friends, He did not expect to continue long amongst us; and, in the particular Meeting whereunto he belonged, he feemed in his Exercise like a Perfon hafting to be discharged of his Day's Work; which was particularly remarked by fome.

On the 8th of the First Month 1728, he was suddenly seized with a Fever, and tho' the Distemper was very violent upon him, he bore it with Chriftian Patience and Refignation. He gave good Advice to young People, and others who visited him, and often spoke thankfully of the Goodness of God to him, and of the Sweetness of true Love, right Unity, and Brotherhood,

1

Brotherhood, which he had laboured to promote, and then recommended. He appeared without any Surprize at the Approach of fo fudden a Change; often praying for divine Help to bear and go through; and nigh his laft Moment defired, That he might have to draw his Breath in the Senfe of Life; which fome there prefent fully believed was mercifully granted him and that he is now entered into the Kingdom of Glory and Peace that never fhall have an End.

;

He departed this Life the 14th, and was buried in Friends Burying Ground at Hardcaftle Garth the 16th of the First Month 1728, being attended to his Grave by many Friends and others. Aged about Fifty three Years. A Minifter nigh Thirty Years.

A Teftimony from the Quarterly-meeting, held at Pardshaw-hall, for the County of Cumberland, concerning THOMAS DREWREY Senior.

TH

HOMAS DREWREY Senior, of Bolton in the County of Cumberland, was convinced of the Truth about the Fourteenth Year of his Age There being but very few in those Days who made Profeffion thereof, he was much vilified, derided and reproached, by his Parents, Relations and others, who ufed what Means they could to perfwade him not to

leave the Way of his Ancestors; during which Time, he underwent great Afflictions upon feveral Accounts; yet, being fupported by the Power and Virtue of that which he profeffed, he was enabled to ftand through all. As he grew in Years, he grew in Strength and faving Knowledge, and by degrees came to witness an Improvement in that Gift the Lord had bestowed upon him, fo that in due Time he was engaged to open his Mouth in publick Teftimony, and to declare unto others, what the Lord had made him an Experiencer of His diligent and fervent Labour was, that all might be made Sharers thereof. He was not eloquent of Speech, nor accomplished with Literature, but was attended with the Life and Power of Truth, which is the Subftance of the true Ministry: This made his Offerings beneficial and edifying to the Church. He did not travel much abroad, except fometimes into the South and Western Parts of England and Wales, but very diligently attended the Meetings he belonged to; and alfo often vifited Meetings in his native County. He was a good Example in a blameless Life and Converfation, and a faithful Sufferer for the Teftimony of Truth, in the Time of Perfecution. He had a Fine of Twenty Pounds impofed upon him for keeping a Meeting at his Houfe, and the fame being levied, made great Havock of his fmall Stock; yet, as he often faid, he never fuffered Want. His Heart

was

was open to entertain Friends, and often to contribute to the Neceffity of the Poor, which he frequently advised Friends unto, faying, The Lord loves a cheerful Giver. So being an Encourager of Good, in all refpects, he found the Bleffing and Comfort thereof in his declining Days, infomuch, that when he advanced in Age, and Infirmity of Body grew upon him to that degree, that he was unable to attend Meetings, he was preserved in a tender and sweet Frame of Spirit; during which Time, the Vifits of Friends were very acceptable to him, having great Love to them for Truth's Sake, and saying, He greatly loved the Company of Friends, and hoped he should die in Unity with them; and that, as Truth had been his Choice in his Youth, it was his Support and Comfort in his old Age, or elfe his Infirmity of Body would be heavier to bear. Yet he often expreffed his Defire to be diffolved and to be at Reft, feeling nothing but Peace with God, and Goodwill towards all Men. And being fenfible the Time of his Departure drew near, he was very defirous of his eldeft Son Thomas's Company, who had many folid Times of Conference with him, about Truth and the Affairs thereof; but the most memorable and weighty Expreffions which he uttered, near the Time of his Conclufion, were to this Effect. I have lived to a good old Age, and gone through divers Exercifes and Trials; and, through all, the Lord hath been my Help and C 2 Support;

Support; and now I have fo much Peace and Satisfaction in my inner Man, that it seems to me, if 1 bad my Days to spend over again, I could not spend them better.

After this, his Time was but short; his Body weakned, and his Speech failed, so was not well to be understood; and as Peace had been his Delight in his Life-time, he was favoured with a peaceable and quiet End, without either Struggle, Sigh or Groan.

He departed this Life the 29th Day of the Third Month 1729, in the Ninety first Year of his Age. A Minifter Fifty Years, or upwards.

Some