The Monmouth inquirer., 1923-04-05
81. Peters Church,
Freehold and It's RectOrs
BIZ MAxcy APPLEaATE. SR.
REV. GEORGE KEITH, FOUNDER OF
FREEHOLD
ONE OF TIE FIRST QUAKER
MISSIONARIES.

ONE OF TIE FIRST QUAKER
MISSIONARIES.
One Of the most highly priced books
in our Library is the Account OF the
Life of John Richardson. who de-
parted this life. near Hutton in the
Hole, the I'd Of the4th March, 1853, In
the 87th year Of his age. In the sign
ers to the testimony both at Castleton
and York, England appear smany
names familiar in Monmouth County
such as w Pierson, j. Flintoft, j.
Wilson, w. Ward, g. Hoopus, Isaac
Stockton, John Baker. Thomas
Wood, John Stephenson, Isaac Tay-
Tor. John Martin, George Mason, r.
Wilson, William Hartas. &c. In the
testimonial signed at York, appea RS
Middleton, Scott, Henderson, Shack
elton, Firlank. Hird, Kilden, Rowland,
| Grimshaw. Adam, Payne, Greenwood
William Brown, Sutcliffe,
Richardson speaks of having been in
America about 1870. He went on board
ship in the River Thames with
Thomas Thompson, Josiah Langdale
and John Estough and other friends,
when conviction came to him that
they should not sail on that ship, (the
ship was wrecked near the Isle Of Jer-
sey or Guernsey and about 70 were
drowned.
They went on Board another ship
called the Arundel, Splenden Rand.
Master, iii which they embarked on
the 18th of the 9th month 100. and af-
ter is weeks at sea arrived at the
River Patuxent in Maryland.
MEETS GEORGE KEITH
Mr.. Richardson narrative says In
the next place came to Lynn, to Sam
Ael Ceilings where / had not been
long before | met with an unusual
time would fall upon me, having heard
of George Keith's intention of being at
Lynn Monthly Meeting the next day
One came in haste to desire me to
come down, for George Keith was
come to the Door; and great num-
Der of people and a Priest with him
and was railing against Friends exceed
ingly. | said, Inasmuch as | under
stand this Lynn meeting is, although
large, mostly a newly convinced peo-
pie, / advise you to be swift to hear
but slow to speak, for George Keith
hath life in argument, and let MS as
people seek unto, and cry nightly to
the Lord to look, down upon us and
help US for His names sake, for our
preservation, that none may be
hurt.
The Country was much alarmed,
for as Friends said, George Keith had
given notice two weeks beforehand,
that he intended TO be at this month
ly meeting and that people were in
great expectation to hear the Quakers
run down, for George Keith had boast
ed much of what he would prove
against Friends. So after some pause,
retirement and fervent seeking to the
Lord for direction and Counsel in
this important affair, I went to the
rails, and leaned my arms on them
nearGeo. Keith's horses head as he sat
on his back and many people were
with him; but the few Friends who
were come stood with me in the yard.
My fervent prayers were to
the Lord, that if he gave me
anything to speak to George, it might
/ go forth in that power and wisdom
which was able to wound that wick
ed spirit in which he appeared and
boosted over Friends after the follow
| ing manner, crying. Is here q man
that is q scholar? Is here a man that
understands the language amongst
you? Ii so | will dispute with him.
| told him that it was probable that
the English tongue was most gener-
ally understood and used amongst
that people, and therefore l thought
| it was the best to keep to it. He
went on and said that he was come
in the Queens name to gather the
Quakers from Quakerisn, to the
Mother Church, the good old Church
of England, and that he intended to
exhibit in our meeting on the morrow
these following charges against US,
which, he said, he could prove we
were guilty of out of our Friends
| books, viz errors, heresies, damnable
doctrines and blasphemies. Look, said
he, to answer for yourselves, for if you
| do not, the auditory will conclude.
that what / exhibit against you is
ltrue.
I was reused up IN my spirit in holy
zeal against his wicked insults and
great threatenings, and said to him,
| that it was the fruit of malice and en-
wv, and that he was to US but as 3
heather man and a publican: tbnt
more of this anon Then he began
to, cast what slurs and odiuin he could
upon Friends, with such bitter lnyec-
| tives as his malice could invent. l
stood with an attentive ear and a
Iwatchful mind; for as ! stood leaning
upon the rails. with no small concern
upon my mind, felt the Lords power
arise and by it my strength was re-
lnewed in the inner man, and faith, Wis
idon and courage with it, 20 that the
fear.o man with all his parts and
learning. was taken from me; and IN
this state George Keith appeared to
me but as little child, or as nothing;
| renowned be the most excellent name
Of the Lord, now and forever. But this
geat champion, (Goliah like, at least
in his own IminG | supposed feared
not any there. he overlooked us all,
aud in the pride of his heart, dis
damned us; but the Lord of heaven and
Iearth looked down upon us IN very
acceptable time, and helped us for His