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No. 106] | Established 1813.

THE

Annual Monitor

For 1918,

BEING AN OBITUARY

OF

MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS

IN

(Sreat § litem anb Ireianb,

FROM OCTOBER 1, 1916, TO SEPTEMBER 30, 1917.

JOHN BELLOWS, Eastgate, Gloucester.

1917.

JOHN BELLOWS

PRINTER

GLOUCESTER

13103

I 1297176

PREFACE

My first duty in writing this brief preface to the much belated Annual Monitor for 1918, '•; must be to apologise for the unavoidable delay in its appearance. This has arisen mainly from two causes — first, the very great difficulty attend- ant on all printing under present conditions, and secondly, the all but insuperable obstacles which ;. have stood in the way of my editorial work, the latter being by far the chief difficulty. During the last two years I have accepted responsibilities which have occupied practically the whole of every day, and my editorial labours have had to be performed late in the evenings in the in- tervals I could snatch from other pressing secre- tarial and other work.

Last autumn I had foreseen many of the obstacles which might lie in my path, and I had come to the conclusion that it would not be possible to produce the little book this year. Many friends, however, learning my intentions, strongly urged me not to drop the publication, even for one year, and so break the continuity which had hitherto remained unbroken for up- wards of a century. The result was that, at the

IV. PREFACE

close of 1917, I finally resolved to do my best, though I well knew that the little annual must necessarily be extremely late in making its appearance. I will say nothing further on this head, except to thank the many Friends who have sent me orders for copies during the long period of waiting, for their kind forbearance and patience, and to assure them that the pro- longed delay has been to me a matter of much concern.

I have this year made more extensive use of the material which has already appeared in the pages of The Friend, than is usually the case, partly because of the great excellence of many biographies published in that paper, and partly from sheer want of time to obtain further information from the friends of the deceased. Perhaps I ought to apologise to my readers for this, but I often think that it is to some extent excusable from the fact that these accounts are of great interest and value, and well deserve the greater permanence which a place in the Annual Monitor secures for them, rather than that given in the somewhat ephemeral pages of a weekly journal.

My thanks are due to the editors of The Friend, The Ploughshare, Nature, and some other periodicals for kind permission to reproduce material from their pages. Also to the Monthly

Meeting Clerks and Registering Officers in the whole of London and Dublin Yearly Meetings and some in the Colonies, without whose help I could not have compiled the Obituary. ' I am greatly indebted also to the many Friends who have so kindly and willingly prepared memoirs or sent me information from which these could be written. One or two of these memoirs properly belong, in point of time, to next year's issue, but considering the lateness of appearance of the Annual Monitor for 1918, I thought it best to include them in the current year.

Little comment is needed on the subject of the memoirs presented in this volume. We have a record of several who have led active business lives, and in most cases have passed away in the fulness of time, after a long and honourable career, loved and esteemed by all who have known them, and venerated by their fellow-citizens for their upright and consistent lives. Two scientists have left us during the year, one, after a long life of great usefulness ; the other cut off almost at the threshold of what promised to be a distinguished career. Two lives of missionaries are here recorded, one taken away in the midst of active service in China ; the other after a few years of retirement from the Indian mission field. The longest memoir

presented is that of our dear and honoured friend Isaac Sharp, about whom, had space per- mitted, much more might have been said. His position gave him a unique knowledge of Friends in all parts of the world, and his help in com- piling the Annual Monitor has often been of great value.

Last year the average age at death was much reduced by the fact that so many young men were called away at a comparatively early age, owing to the war. The number of these recorded last year was about thirty. I regret to say that this year the number has risen to fifty -three, far the majority of whom are reported as " killed in action." Although this awful war still con- tinues, there are, as I write, some indications of the " beginning of the end," though some who are supposed to be well informed warn us that the war may yet linger on for another year or two. Evidently no one is competent to pro- phesy. It is quite possible however, that before these words shall reach my readers, the terrible conflict may be near its end. I am glad to think that the attention of Friends is being increasingly turned in sympathy with those of our members who have thought it right to break with the Quaker tradition, and to engage in active service in the field. Whatever our own personal views may be as to the right or wrong of their action,

we are bound to admit that many of them have taken such a course from as strong a conviction of duty as those who are suffering imprisonment for refusing military service.

One of our Monthly Meetings, in common with others, recently issued a letter of sympathy and loving greeting to those of their members so engaged ; and amongst the replies which were received, one has come into my hands, from which I feel inclined to quote a few sentences, only remarking that although this expresses the individual views of but one young Friend, I know that his opinions are shared by many others.

" I desire to thank you for your letter in . which you refer to the sympathetic mention, made in the last Monthly Meeting, of those of us who have been led far from our homes by the path of duty. I greatly appreciate it, for I have often felt that the Society has been singularly lacking, as a whole, in sympathy for those of its members whose consciences have led them to combatant service. I have often regretted that, whilst such extrava- gant pity has been show7ered by Friends on those who, for conscience sake, have suffered by their resistance to the Military Service Act, so little has been given to those who, for

viii. PBEFACE

conscience sake also, have sacrified so much more, and endured untold hardships and dangers. My thoughts turn to the battle - front in France, and I see there tens of thou- sands of my comrades who, to uphold those Christian principles for which their conscience bade them fight, are enduring willingly and cheerfully conditions and hardships, dangers and horrors worse than the wildest nightmare, such as cannot be imagined by those at home. It is only six weeks since I returned from France, but even since I left them, thousands of these gallant men have made the supreme sacrifice. They have laid down their lives for conscience sake, and for us."

Jospjph J. Gill. Newcastle - on - Tyne ,

October, 1918.

PORTRAITS

Facing

Page

Edward Ransome Allen ... 2

Joseph Firth Clark - - - - 32

Mary Jane Davidson - - - - 41

William Dodshon 50

Janet Nisbet Erskine 53

Margaret Ford - - - - - 61

John Orr Green - - - - - 67

Margaret M. Lury 83

William R. Nash - - - - - 86

Daniel Oliver 94

Alice W. Pierce 101

Eliza Jane Richardson - - - 110

Joshua Wheeler Robson - - - 117

Isaac Sharp 132

John William Steel - - - 146

Agnes Ann Thompson - - - - 153

John H. Williams - - - - 164

LIST OF MEMOIRS

Edward Ransome Allen

John Gomersall

Armfield Dr. Sarah M. Baker Albert B. Bayes Wilks Brown Tom Bryan Thomas H. Chalkley William R. Chantler Joseph Firth Clark Mary Jane Davidson William Dodshon Janet Nisbet Erskine Margaret Ford John Orr Green Thomas J. Haslam Margaret M. Lury William R. Nash

Rachel Oddie Daniel Oliver Alice W. Pierce Douglas Price Eliza Jane Richardson

Stansfield

Richardson Joshua Wheeler

Robson Richard Shackleton Charles Sharp Isaac Sharp John William Steel Agnes Ann Thompson I Benjamin F.

Trueblood John H. Williams Morris Wood William Wright

H -5

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THE

ANNUAL MONITOR

1918

OBITUARY

The following list includes all the names of deceased Friends given in the official Monthly Meeting Returns supplied to the Editor. A few other names are given of those who, it is thought, were also either actual members, or very closely associated with the Society.

Age. Time of Decease.

Benjamin Ho warth Abbatt 62 20 6 1917

Bolton. Caroline Abbatt .. ..78 17 6 1917

Epping. Caroline Abbott .. ..79 11 4 1917

Stoke Newington. Eldest daughter of the late

Benjamin Abbott. Alfred William Addey 63 31 3 1917

Dublin. Thomas Addison .. ..49 11 6 1917

Mitcham, Surrey. Christopher James

Alexander . . . . 30 4 10 1917

International Agricultural Institute, Rome.

Son of Joseph Gundry and Josephine Alexander,

Tunbridge Wells, Died of wounds in Flanders. Jane Alexander . . . . 65 9 8 1917

Cork.

2 ANNUAL MONITOR

Edward Ransome Allen 75 G 12 1910

Stoke Newington. An Elder.

Edward Ransome Allen bore two names honoured in the annals of the Society, but known far beyond its limits, and he bore them worthily. His great-grandfather, Job Allen, baptised 1734, silk-weaver of Steward Street, Spitalflelds, joined the Society, and married Margaret Stafford, whose grandfather, Walter Stafford, joined at a much earlier date. On his mother's side he was descended from Richard and Phoebe Ransom, of North Walsham, Norfolk, of whom, Richard was " convinced of truth " about 1676, and for some fifteen years suffered imprisonment for conscience' sake. From this worthy couple are descended the Ransoms of Hitchin, the elder branch, and the Ransomes of Ipswich.

Edward R. Allen was born in 1841, at 7 Cowper Street, Finsbury, a house adjoining his father's business premises, being the second son of Stafford and Hannah Hunter Allen, better known amongst Friends as Hannah Stafford Allen. To the early training of such parentage as theirs he owed much that contributed to his useful career as citizen and Friend. The family moved from Cowper Street to Charles Square in 1845, and to Stoke Newington four or five years

Edward Ransome

Allen

EDWARD RANSOME ALLEN 3

later, being amongst the pioneers in that great wave of migration from the business portions of the city of London which continued with ever increasing volume during the later decades of the nineteenth century. From infancy, therefore, E. R. Allen has been associated with London and Middlesex Quarterly Meeting, and, with the exception of a few years spent in schooldays at Folkestone and Bootham, and as an apprentice at Ipswich, has resided within the " compass ' of Devonshire House Monthly Meeting. On his 23rd anniversary he was married to Ellen, second daughter of John Dawson and Ann Watlock, of Wandsworth, who survives him ; they celebrated their Golden Wedding in 1914. All his life after his Ipswich apprenticeship, .e. fifty -five and a half years, he was associated with the business of Stafford Allen & Sons, of Cowper Street, drug grinders, now Stafford Alien & Sons, Ltd., manufacturing chemists, of which Company he was Chairman at the time of his ! decease, actively participating in its interests, ilt may be said of him that he was " not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." [Nevertheless he was no recluse, not allowing jeither his business cares or his inner life to deter him from rational enjoyment of other pursuits and recreations. He was keen in his enjoyment of nature, and found to a large extent in his

4 ANNUAL MONITOR

own country the fascination which "many seek beyond seas. Both rod and gun had their attraction, and he was a cyclist from the early days of the " boneshaker " until recent years, when a modern " free-wheel " proved useful in the visitation of Meetings.

His work for the Society extended over a long period, during which he gave valuable help to his Monthly and Quarterly Meetings, acting as Clerk of the latter for several years. In the engagements of Committees of these Meetings, for which he very frequently acted as clerk, as also in the administration of their Trusts and Trust Property, he took a very active share, one might say up to the last, being in consultation about some of them within two or three days of his decease. To all these, and to the considera- tion of the affairs of the Church, he brought a valuable business experience combined with a wise and cautious conservatism in days in which events move with a rapidity unknown to our forefathers.

As an Overseer of many years' standing, he entered sympathetically into matters re- quiring judgment and delicate handling ; quali- fications invaluable in the discharge of the duties of Elder or Overseer. As an Elder of much experience his judgment was weighty, and he was fully conscious of the responsibility of the

JOHN GOMERSALL ARMFIELD 5

office. Thus has one more of the roll of good and honest men passed to his rest, leaving behind him the memory of a well -spent life.

The Friend.

Annie Campbell Anderson 74 31 1 1917

Ardrossan. Widow of John Anderson.

Hannah Appleton . . 68 6 5 1917

Boumville, Birmingham. Widow of Henry Appleton.

John Gomersall Armfield 86 24 4 1917 Tottenham. A Minister. *

John Gomersall Armfield was born at Reigate on the 13th of 8th month 1830. He entered the Friends' School at Croydon in 1839, where he remained for five years. On leaving school he joined his brother George in business as a coach-builder and undertaker.

As a lad of 18, when cholera was raging in London, he went into the City alone to per- form the duties of undertaker for Friends who had died, his elder brother being too nervous to accompany him. In 1853 he married Elizabeth, daughter of William and Elizabeth Claridge, of Bromley, Kent. They had been school- fellows at Croydon, and Elizabeth Armfield used to enjoy telling how she was first drawn to her future husband, when seeing him standing outside the Superintendent's office door for

6 ANNUAL MONITOR

punishment; "another proof," she would say " that pity is akin to love." For about a year after marriage J. G. A. was in business at Braintree, Essex, removing thence to Tottenham, which was to be his home for the remainder of his life. Husband and wife were keen Tem- perance workers, both having signed the pledge in school days. All through their married life of nearly 51 years they worked hard for the cause they loved, celebrating their Jubilee and Diamond Jubilee of Total Abstinence in 1889 and 1899. Early in life J. G. A. had entered the service of the Temperance and General Provident Institution, with which he remained connected for 45 years, and one of the Jubilee presents he received was a silver tea service from the Insurance Company he had served so long and so faithfully.

J. G. A. was a diligent and useful attender of Meetings and Committees, and was for many years a recorded minister. Perhaps his most distinguished service for the Society of Friends was his connexion with the Croydon and Saffron Walden Old Scholars' Association, of which he was the founder, now nearly half a century ago. He continued to the end a most loyal and energetic member of this association, never missing a single annual gathering, and being a member of the Committee the whole time.

JOHN GOMERSALL ARMFIELD T

In the early days of the association he personally did nearly all the work, being practically Pre- sident, Secretary and Treasurer, and the asso- ciation, we believe the first of its kind in any of our Friends' Schools, will ever owe him a debt of gratitude.

To those who knew John Armfield no account of his life and work would be complete without mentioning his concern for, and sympathy with, those who, through their Quaker training, were convinced that their duty lay in resisting the call to military service, as contrary to the dictates of their conscience, and were prepared to suffer rather than deny their principles.

Kathleen Mary Ashby 6 5 8 1917

Southampton. Daughter of Herbert and Minnie Ashby.

Samuel Ashby . . . . 64 8 3 1917

Bournemouth. Formerly of Southampton. Died at Sandford, near Bristol.

Frances Mary Ashford 89 4 2 1917

Edgbaston, Birmingham. Widow of George Ashford.

Emma Atkinson .. ..93 11 5 1917

Over, Cheshire.

George Baines .. ..80 13 5 191 7

Nottingham.

8 ANNUAL MONITOR

Christabel Kathleen

Baker 44 18 7 1917

St. Leonards -on -Sea.

Dorothy Mary Baker . . 38 3 2 1917

Maldon, Essex.

Sarah Martha Baker,

D.Sc., F.L.S 29 30 5 1917

Harlesden, London. Daughter of George Samuel and Martha Braithwaite Baker.

Botanists especially learned with deep regret of the death of Dr. Sarah M. Baker at the early age of twenty-nine. As a child she had an intense love for flowers and other works of nature, a sentiment which always remained with her and coloured her whole life. Energetic, imagina- tive and thoughtful, her early ideals prompted the study of medicine, with a view to becoming a missionary in the South Sea Islands. Deferring to her parents' judgment, that particular scheme was abandoned, and instead she followed a course of study at University College, London, and in 1909 look an honours degree in chemistry. Until her matriculation her studies were chiefly at home, for a part of the time in close association with her two brothers, who were engaged on similar courses. After graduating, her attention was increasingly turned to problems of plant life, and in 1914 she was awarded the degree of

DB. SARAH M. BAKER 9

D.Sc. for her original work in Botany, being elected a Fellow of the Linnsean Society the same year.

For several years, and up to the time of her death, she was Quain Student and Lecturer in Botany at University College, and was shortly to have been appointed to a new lectureship specially created for her. The investigations which she completed in a relatively short period of activity tend to emphasise the loss which science has sustained. Her paper entitled " Quantitative Experiments on the Effect of Formaldehyde on Living Plants " (1913) shows her mastery of biochemical technique, and may serve as a model of what such an investigation should be. It was in connexion with this work that Dr. Baker devised the very ingenious automatic waterer, whereby the culture -plants could be raised from seed and grown on for long periods without interference of any kind with the progress of the experiment. This contribution was followed by researches on osmotic phenomena, with especial reference to the mechanism of entry and transport of water in plants, opening up the question along new lines which may possibly lead to a complete solution of the problem of the rise of sap in trees. In addition to these, there was a series of four papers on the ecology and biology of brown

10 ANNUAL MONITOR

seaweeds, based on field investigations carried out at her father's country cottage at Mersea Island, and elsewhere. The drawings which illustrate some of these are fine examples of line work, deserving of the highest praise. It- was characteristic of Dr. Baker to throw herself ardently into whatsoever she undertook. Thus for the purpose of a public lecture which she delivered on Vegetable Dyes, she worked through the whole chemical basis of the subject, and was not content until she had discovered a number of new dyes, by the employment of mordants not previously used. At the time of her death she was investigating critically the bread -making value of a number of substitutes for wh eaten flour. Her scientific work was marked by variety of subject and method, persistence in thought and endeavour, and care in experimental detail, characteristics which won for her the respect and admiration of all her colleagues ; and many were the students whom she inspired along her own paths.

Apart from her University life, she rendered good service in lecturing to Adult Schools, study circles, &c, her lectures being always marked by clarity and simplicity. The children of her Sunday School recall her teaching that the universe is always singing, while only man is silent ; and that man must learn to listen, so

ALBERT B. BAYES 11

that his heart may join the universal chorus. A Friend from her birth, she valued our meetings for worship and for discipline, taking a keen interest in Society business. Although not often speaking in the ministry, her occasional utterances showed how, through a stage of inquiring doubt, she had reached a constructive faith which was the essence of her being.

From Nature and The Friend.

Robert Grenfell Barclay 66 15 10 1916 Shotley Bridge, Co. Durham, Son of the late John Barclay, of Falmouth.

Arthur Oakden Barritt 69 21 8 1917 Woodbridge.

Elizabeth Mary Barritt 67 6 7 1917

Maldon, Essex. Wife of Charles Ernest Barritt.

Lydia Barritt .. ..84 14 2 1917

Farringdon, Hants. Widow of Earn Barritt.

Richard Bastin . . . . 67 28 7 1917

Bournemouth.

Albert Ben Bayes . . 81 17 12 1916

Leeds.

Albert B. Bayes was born at Lumbutts, near Todmorden, in 1835. His schooling appears to have been of a very limited character,

12 ANNUAL MONITOR

beginning under a lady who held classes in the club room of an inn, and continuing under his father, William Bayes, who taught a number of " half-timers." He seems, however, to have made the best use of his opportunities, for a few years later he was able to take a teaching engage- ment at a school in Bradford, and on the death of his father he returned to Lumbutts to take charge of the school which he had conducted. Here he carried on night classes and was the leading spirit in a Mutual Improvement Society in Todmorden. The school inspector, in giving high praise to his work at Lumbutts, told him that he was " merely vegetating " in such a place. He now turned his attention to commercial pursuits, and after engagements in Liverpool, Bradford, and Mytholmroyd, he became a partner in a printing and stationery business in Todmorden. The firm were also the pro- prietors of a local paper, The Todmorden and ' District News. He continued this work until 1872, when he removed to Brighouse, Yorks., where he engaged in the same line of business, and two years later founded the Brighouse and Rastrich Gazette, in which, for the following 25 years, he rendered valuable public service. In 1899, his health failing, and competition having increased, he had to call his creditors together, but it is of interest

ALBERT B. B A YES 13

to record that in after years he devoted him- self to meeting his financial obligations, and he ultimately paid off his creditors, with one exception, so far as they were willing to accept.

Whilst living at Mytholmroyd, early in life, he joined in membership with the Society of Friends, and he took an active part in the work of the Society, filling the offices of clerk, treasurer, overseer and elder. He engaged accept- ably in vocal service in meetings for worship, but could never be induced to have his " gift in the ministry " formally acknowledged by his Monthly Meeting.

On his retirement from business, in 1899, he was invited by a nephew to accompany him on an extended visit to America. In the course of three and a half years their travels included visits to Toronto, Montreal, Quebec, Ottawa, in Canada, nearly a score of great cities, including the largest, in the United States, a winter in California, another in Florida, another in Mexico. In all the places he visited, if there was a Meet- ing of the Society of Friends, he always had a cordial welcome, and he took the opportunity of attending at least six of the American Yearly Meetings.

On his return to England he resided for a time at Fenny Stratford, Bucks., and Weston- super-Mare, but twelve months before his

14 ANNUAL MONITOR

death he returned to his beloved Yorkshire, and he died very suddenly at the home of his eldest son in Leeds.

During his last 18 years of comparative leisure he made extensive records of local his- tory, personal experiences, and the folk-lore of the borderland of Yorkshire and Lancashire, where his home had been most of his life. He also developed a gift, in which he succeeded his father, in the writing of poetry, much of which appeared not only in the local journals, but also in papers in Canada and the U.S.A., composed during his travels.

Marian Bayes . . . . 81 23 5 1917

Darlington.

Anna Baynes . . . . 80 8 12 1916

North Shields. Widow of William James

Sarah Susannah Beale . . 84 26 2 1917

Cork. Seymour Hampden Beale 59 9 1 1917

Banbury. For 23 years Art Master at

Sibford School.

Joseph Watson Beamish 76 17 4 1917 Sudbury, Suffolk.

John Lister Beck . . 68 19 2 1917

Billing shurst, Sussex,

ANNUAL MONITOR 15

Anna Jane Bell .. ..75 5 9 1917

Water ford. Wife of Henry Bell.

Charles Bentley . . . . 61 7 1 1917

York. Mary Bentley . . . . 69 5 1 1917

Oldham. Wife of Samuel Bentley.

Ada Bewley . . . . 62 18 12 1916

Bray, Go. Wicklow.

Thomas Wyburn Biddlecombe 1917

Son of T. Josiah and Amelia A. Biddlecombe.

Captain in the Australian Navy. Killed

in action. Jane Bigland .. ..69 27 4 1917

Darlington. Daughter of Hodgson and Jane

Bigland. Edith Rose Bishop . . 36 31 10 1916

Wanstead, Essex. Wife of Octavius Richard

Bishop. Died at St. Columba's Hospital,

Hampstead.

Edwin Bissell .. ..70 21 3 1917

Brighton. Late of Charlbury.

Joseph Brown Bolland 51 14 12 1916

Norwood, Surrey. Formerly of Lisburn

School. Mary Bowman .. ... 65 1 1 1917

South Shields. Wife of Temple Dawson

Bowman.

16 annual monitor

William Bowman . . . . 92 29 12 1916

Alport, near Bakewell, Derbyshire. Died at Northwich, Cheshire. An Elder.

William Bowyeb . . . . 59 31 12 1916

Chipping Sodbury, near Bristol. A Minister.

Mary Ann Bradford ..64 18 5 1917 Bedininster, Bristol. Wife of Walter James Bradford.

Margaret Bradley ..89 1711 1916

Ambleside. Widow of John Bradley.

Jane Hannah Bragg . . 79 4 1 1917/

Bristol. Widow of Robert Bragg.

John Newell Braithwaite 77 25 12 1916 Middlesbrough.

Anna Maria Bransby ..84 11 6 1917 Basingstoke.

Robert Broadhead ..72 6 7 1917

Leeds.

Sarah Broadhead ..67 1 6 191 f$

Leeds. Daughter of the late Joseph and Sarah Broadhead.

Jane Brockbank .. ..84 2 3 1917;

West Didsbury, Manchester. Widow of William j Brockbank.

Joshua Coe Broughton ..78 12 9 19171 Norwich.

wilks brown 17

Edward Dell Brown ..21 16 8 1917 Margate. Son of Ellen Josephine and the late William Henry Brown. Killed in action in France.

Eliza Brown . . . . 72 13 1 1917

Darlington. Widow of William Brown.

Flora Maria Brown . . 77 6 2 1917

Brighton.

Mariana Brown . . . . 82 18 6 1917

Wisbech. Widow of John Brown, late of Earith, Hunts.

Russell Brown . . . . 62 1 10 1916

Manchester.

Wilks Brown .. ..86 29 11 1916

Banbury.

' Wilks Brown was the son of the Rev. Edward Brown, a Congregational Minister who was for many years engaged in Protestant evangelical work in Ireland. Born at Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, in 1830, his early years were spent in Ireland, where he lived a happy, free |life, with energies and interests varied according to locality in which his parents resided. Whether playing with his brothers about the wonderful telescope in Lord Ross's park at Parsonstown, or among the ships on the river at Limerick, or listening to Dan O'Connell, or accompanying

18 ANNUAL MONITOR

his father on the daily round of visits to the families of the poor peasants, he was brought under an influence that affected his life and thoughts, and which no doubt had its share in forming that strength of character, fearlessness, and humbleness of mind, which were his special traits in later life. At this time also Father Matthew, at the suggestion of a Cork Friend, was travelling up and down Ireland on his crusade against drink. Far reaching was the effect of the eloquence and zeal of this early temperance reformer, and Wilks Brown was one of the boys who took the pledge at this time and received the blessing of Father Matthew.

His young active intellect and sympathetic disposition could not but be affected by all these widely differing influences, and to these were added the faith and devotion of his parents, the combat against the ignorance and superstition of the peasantry, the frequent removal from town to town as the Protestant garrisons shifted ! their quarters, the care and upbringing of ai numerous family, these were among the diffi- culties which confronted his father and mother.

When Wilks Brown was about 12 years of age, the family returned to England, and he was sent to Silcoates School near Wakefield, which at that time was conducted exclusively for the education of the sons of Congregational ministers.

WILKS BROWN 19

It was always the dearest wish of his father that his youngest son should become a " Mini- ster." But as the boy approached the time when a decision must be made, he felt that he could not undertake such work as a means of livelihood. At the age of 15 he therefore left school, and was apprenticed to the woollen drapery business, with W. & S. Medley of Liverpool. They were of an old Baptist family, and made it a custom that their apprentices should attend chapel with them. Here he sat under the ministry of the late Dr. Birrell, father of the Right Hon. Augustine Birrell, M.P., which brought a wider interest into his religious life, and helped to deepen his convictions on the side of right.

There were few opportunities in those days for educational teaching when a boy left school, unless he made it for himself. Wilks Brown spent much of his spare time in reading and private study, both during his apprenticeship and after. He also took an active interest in Sunday and Night Schools. He always had a peculiar sympathy for children and young people, which was much appreciated and fully returned by them. His breezy manner and robust energy had a marked influence on a young mind, and his love of out- door sport made him very human in his sympathies. Many a time in after years he learnt how one and another of these boys could

20 ANNUAL MONITOR

trace the turning point in their lives to their attendance at his classes.

It was at the end of his apprenticeship that Wilks Brown was again encouraged by his friends to become a minister, one of them offering to pay his college expenses if he would enter into that work. This he felt he must decline, chiefly because he could not receive payment for religious work.

He had not up to this time, come into close contact with the Society of Friends. But soon after he accepted a situation with the late Edward West, of Warrington, with whom he lived for some years. The upright character, and simple straightforward faith of his employer made a deep impression. It was not until some years after his marriage with Elizabeth West that he actually became a member of the Society of Friends. His marriage took place in 1861, when living at Kendal, and it was here he joined the Society.

Although from his highly sensitive nature he was not exactly fitted for the work, yet for about twenty years he was employed as a commer- cial traveller. While thus engaged he felt it his duty to oppose strenuously the practice of the commercial table of an hotel, by which each guest was obliged to pay for his share of wine whether he partook of it or not. Wilks Brown

WILKS BROWN 21

considered this to be a serious evil, and a tempta- tion to many young men just starting in life. His opposition to a custom of long standing, naturally brought him frequently into conflict both with his fellows travellers and the hotel proprietors, the latter on some occasions refusing him lodging in their hotel. He had the satisfaction, however, before the close of his commercial career, to see the evil he had fought so consistently very considerably lessened.

In the course of years the strain of constant travelling was so great that he decided to take a business at Stourbridge, which he conducted for some time. This being too far from his home, he transferred his energies and wide experience to help in developing his wife's business at Banbury, to which the family had moved in 1872. Here he spent his remaining years, taking an active interest in the commencement of an Adult School, where he came into touch with many working men.

He not infrequently took part in Meetings for Worship, and his communications were particularly helpful to the young. He had a great gift of expression, and was the happy pos- sessor of a simple faith in the Fatherhood of God, as of One who bears with the weaknesses and frailties of his children, and who always gives the needful strength and power to the child

22 ANNUAL MONITOR

whose desire and effort leads him to seek the right.

The following appreciation of his life and character appeared in The Friend soon after his decease.

" Wilks Brown whose bodily frame was laid to rest last week in the Midland town (Ban- bury) which knew him so well during the latter half of his long life, was one of nature's strong men. Of Highland Scottish descent, he was brought up with a wide out-of-door liberty in Tipperary, where his father was a minister of the Congregational Church, and he retained his love of walking and of all forms of healthy physical exercise until he was growing old. | His robust frame was indeed the fitting host of a robust and breezy mind. A staunch and life-long abstainer, he was during his twenty years' journeyings as a commercial traveller in frequent conflict with the prevailing practice of social drinking, and although he had many opponents he made no enemies. His views of the sphere of the religious -minded man were equally downright, and although active in all i schemes of social betterment, he felt he could I not, without compromise, himself take the office of magistrate or town councillor.

" Quite noteworthy was Wilks Brown's love of young men, a sentiment that was returned in no small degree. Doubtless his keen sense of humour, his quickness in debate and repartee contributed to the attraction, but there was something deeper and more essential than this bond. It was the sympathy and understanding'

TOM BRYAN 23

of a pure and strong nature that faced and overcame difficulties without shirking, that attracted the young man's spirit and retained his affectfon, once gained, for life. On him who had helped to brighten so many lives in his time some shadows had fallen in later years, but the Wilks Brown of his boyhood memory remains an inspiration to many a man now in his prime. And all these will thank God and take fresh courage for a long life well and truly lived."

Tom Bryan . . . . . . 52 19 8 19l7

Selly Oak, Birmingham. Warden of Fircroft.

Tom Bryan, who made his life work the welfare of the labouring classes, was himself a product of those classes. It was by working as an engineer's labourer in the vacations that he maintained himself at Glasgow University, thus supplementing a small bursary, until he attained his M.A. degree. An old fellow- student, writing in One and All, tells of the strenuous life they lived in that northern city.

" Up every morning at 7. Plate of porridge at half-past. Lecture at 8, ditto at 9. To diggings for breakfast at 10. Lectures again at 12 and 1. Bread and cheese at 2. Then a walk or a swim till 4. At 4.30 an indescrib- able meal (tea cum dinner). Next reading aloud in turn till 6. (' Princess of Thule,' ' Enoch Arden,' 4 Courtship of Miles Standish,' etc.) And from 6 to 12 every night, a steady, solid grind. Low living and high thinking in those days ! But

24 ANNUAL MONITOR

the men we heard ! Jebb, the great Greek scholar, with his marvellous translations ; Jack, the clearest of mathematicians ; Kelvin the master scientist ; and, best of all, Edward Caird, kindly soul and great philosopher. Naturally Caird influenced us most. Tom never seemed to forget a word Caird said."

He afterwards studied for three years at the Yorkshire United College, Bradford, with the view of entering the ministry, but he felt the need of freedom from parochial ties in his work for social reform, and he declined several in- vitations to enter the Church. For about ten years he was Sub -Warden of the Browning Settlement, Walworth, and he took an active part in municipal affairs in Southwark Borough, his chief work being in connexion with the Public Health Department, and the present comparative immunity of the borough from serious outbreaks of scarlet fever and diphtheria may be attributed in large measure to his practical work during the period of his chairmanship of the Public Health Committee. He served also as Mayor, and when he was approached with a view to his nomination to the mayoralty his " lack of pence " was thought to be a difficulty, and he was asked how he would meet the expenses considered to be inseparable from the position. " By not incurring them ! " was his characteristic reply. His home during this period was one of

TOM BRYAN 25

a row of tiny houses in a back street, and to-day it is regarded with veneration by many who were influenced by his exalted character.

The work of the later years of his. life lay chiefly at Woodbrooke and Fircroft. He was one of the lecturers at the former almost from the beginning, but after the opening of Fircroft in 1909, he devoted himself heart and soul to | its development.

H. G. Wood, Warden of Woodbrooke, writing in The Friend, says :

" Tom Bryan has been taken from us at the age of 52. The brave, patient conflict with disease which he waged for the last two years is over, and his friends will rejoice that he has been discharged from this warfare. But all who knew him will realise how much we shall miss his bodily presence and his active parti- cipation in the work he loved. He was a man who had an undisguised zest for knowledge, who had sought education and toiled for it, not because he wished to secure any social position and advantage, but because he found in it the bread of the soul. He valued ideas, not so much for logical clearness as for the strength they gave in daily living. The test he applied to knowledge was not usefulness in examinations, but value for life. Fircroft offered him the opportunity of working out his ideals, and to Fircroft he gave himself without stint. In plan and idea, Fircroft owes much to the Danish People's High Schools, and Tom

26 ANNUAL MONITOR

Bryan was drawn into close sympathy and association with some of the leaders in that great movement. Fircroft itself soon attracted Danish students. Many Danes felt that Fircroft con- tributed something fresh to the ideals of the People's High Schools. Like the Danish schools, it rests on the idea that a common residence is an essential part of higher education. Tom Bryan felt the importance of a building, of a tradition and of a common life for his students. All these are needed to develop true manhood and loyal comradeship. But in Fircroft, fellow- ship between teachers and taught was carried a stage further. The formal lecture gave place to question and answer, to the element of dis- cussion characteristic of the best Adult School. Tom Bryan laboured much for Bourn ville Village Meeting and helped to build it up as a Christian fellowship. In the course of his illness he was more than ever convinced of our depend- ence on the love of God. It was not enough for him to make men aware of the life of ages. He would have them find in that life the ' love of God unspent and free.' He was a minister of Jesus Christ."

Frederick Howard Bubb 29 22 3 1917 Malvern, Son of Frederick Robert and Zorah F. N. Bubb.

Frederick Bull .. ..59 5 11 1916

Dudley.

Robert Tasker Burnell 78 17 8 1917 New Southgate.

annual monitob 27

Frank Burrow . . ., 2| 21 6 1917

Leeds. Son of Clifford and Margaret Ethel Burrow.

Elizabeth Burt . . . . 69 10 4 1917

Newport, Isle of Wight. Wife of George W. Burt.

Annie Pickard Burtt . . 67 23 3 1917 New Mill, near Huddersfield. Wife of Edward Henry Burtt. An Elder.

Elizabeth Ann Butler ..81 13 2 1917 Weston super Mare. Formerly of Bristol.

Eric Busvine Butler . . 20 30 9 1917 Edgbaston, Birmingham. Son of Howard and Mabel Manser Butler. Killed in France.

William Henry Byard . . 62 26 2 1917 Forest Gate, E.

Joel Cadbury . . . . 78 20 12 1916

Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham.

Edith Capper . . . . 72 25 5 1917

Chiswick. Daughter of the late Mark Capper.

Thomas Capper . . . . 63 15 8 1917

Bournemouth. Formerly resident in Jamaica. Retired Commissioner of Education.

Georgina Jane Young

Carey 60 24 11 1916

West Hartlepool. Died at Aberchirdor. N.B.

28 ANNUAL MONITOR

Mary Carr 83 14 2 1917

Tettenhall, Wolverhampton. Widow of George

Thompson Carr.

George Baker Carter ..74 4 2 1917

Somerton, Somerset. Formerly of Darlington.

George Castleton . . 60 4 4 1917

Norwich.

Walter Caswell .. ..71 17 4 1917

Birmingham.

Thomas Henry Chalkley 59 18 12 1916 Lawrence, Kansas, U. S.A.,

Thomas H. Chalkley was the eldest child of Henry George and Hannah Chalkley, and was born in 1858. He was a pupil at Croydon School and subsequently stu ied in Germany. He was associated with the firm of H. G. Chalk- ley & Sons, of the Devonshire House Hotel, and with the American Land Mortgage business, 136 Bishopsgate, London. He was an energetic business man, and in Lawrence, Kansas, where he had lived for upwards of twenty years, he earned a reputation for business integrity second to none. During the trouble caused by the failure of the Jarvis Conklin business and other American Mortgage Companies, T. H. Chalkley's services to the Friends' Committee, who endeavoured to straighten out the tangled skeins, were in- valuable.

THOMAS H. CHALKLEY 29

In 1882 he married Ann Whieldon, formerly Librarian at the London Friends' Institute. She had poor health, but accompanied her hus- band to Lawrence, where she died in 1897, aged 39 years, leaving two children, a son and daughter, both surviving His second wife, now a widow, was Genevieve Howland, daughter of the first Unitarian Minister of Lawrence, a lady of high intellectual attainments, well known in the State of Kansas in connection with Women's Suffrage and numerous organisations for social betterment, some of which are the results of her own initiation.

T.H.C. was not merely a business man ; he belonged to a Club consisting of professors of Kansas University and business men in the city. The programme at meetings was a dinner followed by an address from a member, with general discussion.

Thomas Chalkley was a Friend by conviction as well as membership, and was for some time an appointed member of the Meeting for Suffer- ings. After going to America he remained a member of Tottenham Monthly Meeting, not seeing his way to unite with Friends of Kansas Yearly Meeting under the Pastoral system. He, with his family, attended the services at the Unitarian Church.

30 ANNUAL MONITOR

He undertook an extended business journey through Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana within a month of his decease, though feeling not quite equal to the fatigue involved. On reaching home it was found necessary for him to undergo an operation, from which he did not recover. Energetic to the last, he has passed away, when many years of further activity might have been expected. His loss is keenly felt, not only by relatives on both sides of the ocean, but by a wide circle of appreciative friends.

William Rogers Chantler 72 4 1 1918

Newport Pagnell.

William R. Chantler was the son of William and Christianna Chantler of Newport Pagnell, North Buckingham, where he was born in 1846. By his decease the town of Newport has lost one of its most useful and prominent inhabitants, and the Society of Friends a truly valued member. On leaving school he assisted his father in his business as chemist and druggist, and eventually carried on the business for many years.

In 1887 he was married at the Friends' Meeting House, Reigate, to Anna Maria Dann, who survives him.

During his life, W. R. Chantler occupied many public positions in connection with the

WILLIAM R. CHANTLER 31

town where his life was spent, including, for a long period, chairman of the Urban District Council, which position entitled him to a seat on the magisterial bench, and some years after- wards he was made a county magistrate. Inci- dentally it fell to his lot whilst chairman of the Council to proclaim the accession to the throne of two kings, — the late King Edward, and King George.

He served a period as President of the North Buckingham Liberal Association, and for some time acted as honorary assistant secretary, where his experience of men and affairs was most useful. In the Spring of 1916 however, he resigned his definite connection with the Association, finding the attitude of the official Liberal party with regard to the Military Service Act contrary to his political and religious convic- tions.

In 1896 he was recorded a minister of the Society of Friends ; he was an able speaker and his gift and service, especially in connection with his own Monthly Meeting, will long be remembered with thankfulness.

He was naturally an active man, bright in conversation, with a humorous side to his character. He always enjoyed talking of his school days with anyone who had been a scholar at Ackworth.

32 ANNUAL MONITOR

In more recent years he suffered from heart weakness, which much limited him in many ways. His health the last few months had caused his friends anxiety, and on January 4, 1918, he passed quietly away in his arm-chair.

Truly a good, reliable Friend has gone from our midst.

William Chapman . . 77 21 6 1917

Brantley, near Leeds.

Fanny Child .. ..82 13 11 1916

Yoakley's Buildings, Stoke Newington. Widow Of William Child.

Frederick Claridge ..77 8 1 1917

Brighton. Died at Shoreham.

Joseph Firth Clark . . 80 6 1 1918

Doncaster. A Minister.

Joseph Firth Clark was born at Doncaster in 1838. His parents traced their descent from a long line of Quaker ancestors. His brother, Henry Ecroyd Clark, carried the message of the Gospel to the people of Madagascar, and J. F. C. devoted his powers to the spread of the Redeemer's Kingdom at home. He dates his life -long interest in the Temperance question to a meeting which he attended when seven years old in company with his mother, at whose solicitation he signed

Joseph Firth Clark

JOSEPH FIRTH CLARK 33

the pledge. In some recollections of his early life he writes : —

" I have that pledge book still. It contains the names of William Dent, my father and others of the early adherents to the cause. I have kept the pledge ever since, and it has been one of the great blessings of my life, all the more sacred as written for me by the hand of one who was taken from us two years afterwards. The date of the pledge is 1845."

J. F. C. in the same autobiographical notes speaks of the fun the sisters and brother, nine in all, had in the fine old garden adjoining the house in Frenchgate, with its mulberry tree and other attractions.

When 11 years old J. F. C. became an Ack- worth Scholar. His father drove him over in a gig. He tells us he spent four happy years there, and that he cannot sufficiently be thankful for the education given and the moral and religious training he received. He had a great reverence for Thomas Pumphrey, the superintendent. J. F. C. repaid with compound interest any bene- fits he received from Ackworth School. For 40 years he was a member of the Committee, and rarely a month passed without a visit to the School, when his sympathy, loving interest and business powers were freely placed at the disposal of the institution. In 1907 he was President of

34 ANNUAL MONITOR

the Old Scholars' Association. In his address he

says : —

" My connection with Ackworth is hereditary as well as personal. My grandfather, John Clark, who died in the year of Waterloo (1815), my great-uncle, Joseph, and my father (who was a member of the Commiitee for a period of forty years), all took a deep interest in the welfare and j prosperity of the school. I am the last surviving * of six brothers, who were all educated here, and I have been a member of the Committee myself for over thirty years."

J. F. C. finished his schooling at Bootham under John Ford, whose earnest and powerful addresses on Sunday evenings made a great im- pression on the boys. J. F. C. says : —

" I have always been glad that at Ackworth and at Bootham we were made to learn off by heart long passages from Cowper and from Milton, which I have not forgotten, and which I am surei had a very good influence on our minds and] thoughts.'"

He was always fond of books, biographie; having a special attraction for him.

J. F. C. throughout his life was an enthusiasts worker in the Adult School. His first introduc tion to the work was at Nantwich, where for five years he was bound an apprentice to Samuet Harlock. The apostles of the new movement who fired his ardour were William White, Joseph

'

JOSEPH FIRTH CLARK 35

torrs Fry and John S. Rowntree. At Doncaster

e made a practice of being early at School in

rder to greet with a warm handshake his fellow -

holars. His genial loving spirit developed a fine

irifc in the school and meeting, and this power

comradeship was very noticeable in the co-

erative gatherings at Eastertime, where he and

shua Rowntree were living illustrations of a

ying of the latter " Social service follows

tomatically on spiritual aw^oning. as warmth

Hows from fire." JL <*C/ 7 JL € 6

After spending some time in Kendal, J. F. C.

1868, on the death of his father, joined the

of Joseph Clark and Sons, whose tannery

,tes back to the year 1756. In 1878 J. F. C.

arried Sarah Anne, a daughter of the late

rnes H. Barber, of Sheffield. The marriage

oved an ideal one. The three surviving

ildren were completely at one with their

rents on the outbreak of the War, and the

ungest son, Oswald, gladly upheld his strong

Ive of peace, even though it entailed a long

prisonment.

This same unflinching devotion to duty

d conscience was a characteristic of J. F. C.

pchdeacon Sandford, in an address he delivered

the funeral, spoke of the beautiful atmosphere

this Christian home. But he pointed out

at here strength and inspiration was gathered

36 ANNUAL MONITOR

for unceasing work for his fellows. The list of activities which the Archdeacon enumerated was a striking one. The long services rendered by him to his native town included the Infirmary, Bible Society, British School, Rescue and Temperance Work, Adult School, Board of Guardians, Grammar School, Corporation, Ma- gisterial Bench. J. F. C. never aimed at popu- larity, but diligently performed what he felt to be his duty. A noticeable illustration of j this occurred in 1908, when he was occupying the post of Mayor for the second time. Hej received an invitation through the Rt. Hon. L. V. Harcourt to meet the King on the race course immediately after the St. Leger had been run. He felt compelled to decline the honour, and wrote in a strain which would be appreciated by our late broad-minded King, though the Conservative paper, in an otherwise sympathetic review of J. F. C.'s career, says :

' ' This was an incident for which many of the jr burgesses never forgave him, but which showed,/, nevertheless, the length to which he was prepared to go for principles he held dear, and for the sake[ of his convictions. The incident caused a great | sensation at the time, and many people were little short of horrified that Doncaster's mayor should have declined to meet His Majesty."

J. F. C.'s letter was as follows :

JOSEPH FIRTH CLARK 37

" It would indeed have been a great honour, which I should have looked back upon all my life with the greatest gratification, as I have a profound respect and regard for our most gracious King, whom I desire to honour in every way as one of his most loyal subjects. Though I have lived in Doncaster all my life, I have never once attended the races, and did not therefore feel that I could consistently break through the rule even for so great an honour."

J. F. C. was a recorded minister for many years. His simple evangelical message was commended by his life, and so found ready acceptance. On his memorial cards were the words " I determined not to know anything among you but Jesus Christ and Him crucified." On the last Sunday morning before his death he quoted John xiv. 1 and 2, " Let not your heart be troubled." He recalled the fact that his father's last message to the meeting, 50 years before, had been from this text, and " then" says one who was present :

" Raising himself up with power and force, he passed on the message to those present, * To all this message comes with help and power in these dark times ; let us believe in the power of the Lord Jesus Christ to save and to help and to comfort.' "

Four days before his death J. F. C. with two other Friends was engaged in drawing

38 ANNUAL MONITOR

up a report of the state of the Doncaster meeting. The following sentence appeared in this report : —

• " We have rejoiced of late in the loving- helpfulness and kindly forbearance shown one to another. ' '

This was largely the result of his own personal influence. One of his fellow -members writes of him :

" How he watched over the meeting, took a personal interest in each one, young or old. None were neglected. How he visited the sick, how concerned he was with the ministry of every kind, and most of all how he longed for and rejoiced in any evidence of the fruits of the Spirit being shown in our daily work-a-day lives."

J. F. C. was present at the Ackworth Committee on January 1st. Two days after- wards he had a paralytic seizure, and passed quietly away on Sunday morning, January 6th.

Herbert William Clarke 32 25 3 1917 North Toronto, Ontario.

Sydney Clarke . . . . 19 29 8 1916

Levenshulme, Manchester. Son of Herbert and Annie Clarke. Killed in France.

John Thomas Clavering 72 14 8 1917 Sunderland.

ANNUAL MONITOR 39

Dorothy May Clements . . 14mos. 9 10 1916 Nottingham. Daughter of John and Martha Clements.

Margaret Cleminson .. 87 17 1 1917 Great Ayton. Widow of William Cleminson.

Ethel Clothier .. ..34 310 1916

Street, Somerset. Wife of James Henry Clothier.

Mary Ann Cole . . . . 67 2 10 1916

Boston Spa. Wife of John Cole.

Mary Elizabeth Collinson 66 8 7 1917

Beeston, Notts. Wife of Matthew Henry Collinson.

Elizabeth Phipps Coning 73 16 12 1916 Harrogate. Widow of Joseph Coning, late of Malton.

Ernest Coning . . . . 27 14 6 1917

Stockton-on-Tees. Son of John and Sarah Ann Coning.

Bernard Conway . . . . 12 28 2 1917

Stockport. Son of Peter and Mary Ann Conway.

Edward Henry Cooke . . 62 19 4 1917 Ilford, Essex.

Annie Cooper . . . . 53 21 2 1917

Hendon.

40 ANNUAL MONITOIl

Stanley John Cooper ..39 13 8 1917 Honor Oak Park, London. Killed in action in France.

Robert George Copling 58 2 4 1917

Plymouth. Formerly of Lowestoft.

John St. Clair Cotterell 26 13 5 1917 Bath. Son of T. Sturge Cotterell. Died at Westminster Hospital, London, from wounds received in France.

Mary Reid Cowan . . 72 18 5 1917

Kilmarnock. Widow of William Cowan.

Frank Frederick Cox ..56 25 11 1916 Plymouth. A Minister.

John Cox 63 27 1 1917

Coventry. Late of Toronto, Canada, and formerly of Birmingham.

Martha Cranstone ..78 29 1 1917

Lurgan, Co. Armagh. Widow of William Henry Cranstone, late of Hemel Hempstead.

Arthur M. Criswick ..31 11 8 1917 Died of wounds received in France.

Mabel Crosfield . . . . 50 29 9 1917

Reigate. Wife of Herbert Crosfield.

Pollie Crosland .. ..52 18 2 1916

Nunhead, S.E. 15. Wife of Joshua Robert Crosland.

Mary Jane Davidson

mary jane davidson 41

Joseph John Cross . . 80 7 6 1917

Colchester. Edith Winifred Crowley 50 4 6 1917

Croydon. Daughter of the late Alfred and

Mary Catherine Crowley.

James Dale . . . . 78 28 2 1917

Bessbrook, Go. Armagh. An Elder.

Anthony Daniel .. ..71 30 10 1916

York. Arthur John Dann ..36 7 11 1917

Banbury. Son of Arthur and the late Mary

Horniman Dann.

Mary Jane Davidson . . 71 8 1 1918

Cheng tu, West China. Wife of Robert J. Davidson. F.F.M.A. Missionary.

To many who knew her, our friend Mary Jane Davidson stood for what a capable woman, wholly consecrated to mission work, could do in the foreign fields ; to some who loved and worked with her in earlier life she was the ardent and successful organizer in London missions, and above all the devoted daughter in her home. Her father, Daniel Catlin, died in 1857, when Mary Jane was but 10 years old, and after the marriage of her sister Augusta to William Tallack, she lived alone with her mother, supporting both by her own hand-work, and

42 ANNUAL MONITOR

herself nursed her through her long and painful last illness. With characteristic independence, Mary Jane Catlin refused the financial help some of her friends would so gladly have given, preferring as always, the more perfect rather than the easy way. " Do say what a splendid daughter she was," pleads an old friend : " She was a wonderful woman who made the most of her talents, and took every opportunity of using her abilities for the work of the Lord." Therefore, of course, the opportunities soon multiplied — " to him that hath shall be given." Out of Mary Jane Catlin' s class work at the Bedford Institute grew needs which her energy as well as her love longed to fill. And whilst possibilities and impediments occupied her mind, the Master was preparing for her just that experience most needed to turn possibilities into facts, and to abolish difficulties. In the year 1875 she was one of those who entered into the rest of complete consecration of heart and life to God. Leaving to Him the whole care of guidance she found her part in the work to be simply instant obedience to His call as she heard it, His alone being responsibility as to results. Her life was changed from that hour. " Has the resting ever failed you since then ? " she asked a friend who had shared that early experience, the last time she was

MARY JANE DAVIDSON 43

in England ; and on hearing the expected answer " Oh no " she added : " never once in more than 36 years ; isn't it lovely." Not that life had no storms, ups and downs, turmoils, for her. With such forceful energy she experi- enced more of these than do the generality of even mission-workers, but that deep down, underlying all these, even as still calm underlies the ocean storm, was the rest of faith, the peace which nothing can take away. That was her secret of success.

She did much writing at various times for the Friends' Registrar, the Home Mission, the Friends' Syria Mission, the Howard Associa- tion, the Peace Association. She held her classes, clubs, etc., visited her poor and sick, laboured early and late, and accomplished generally the work of at least two ordinary people, and what she did, prospered.

In the year 1879 Mary Jane Catlin was engaged with other workers from the Bedford Institute in starting a Convalescent Home at Epping, and became its first indefatigable Secretary. She found time to visit this Home continually, looking personally into all matters connected with both housekeeping and patients, most of whom she knew personally. Later, when the Committee decided to open a seaside Home at Folkestone, she took also, to a large

44 ANNUAL MONITOR

extent, the visiting and oversight of that house in addition to all her other work. It became evident to her friends that a change must be coming for Mary Jane ; that whilst equal mentally to this huge expenditure of energy, her body could not long stand the strain ; that without a change she would in fact " work herself to death." The change was being prepared for her.

In 1886 Mary Jane Catlin married Robert John Davidson whose training for work in the F.F.M.A. in China had brought him from Ireland to London, and who had worked for some time in the Bedford Institute Association, especially at the old chapel in Hart's Lane, then used by Friends and under M. J. Catlin' s charge. China, as a field for work, had been much on her heart ; the step she took in marrying, therefore, not only brought her an exceptionally happy wedded life, but carried her right on to the work to which the Lord was calling her, and for which all her past experiences had so fully equipped her. She not only understood Home Mission requirements by long practical education, but had studied the foreign field problems as far as one living in England may, for the perfecting of her work as Secretary to a large active branch of the M. H. U. which she had organized in Stoke Newington. Before

MARY JANE DAVIDSON 45

leaving England she added nursing and midwifery to her other preparations.

The Davidsons left for China in 1886. They were obliged to spend the first two or three years in other missions, chiefly at Hanchung, where their son Robert Huntley was born ; anti -foreign feeling prevented for a time the opening of a new district. Mary Jane Davidson's skill in nursing made a way to much usefulness amongst her fellow missionaries during this interval, and many were the friends she thus made. At length in 1889 our friends opened the Friends' Mission at Chungking.

There they were stationed for 15 years. Whilst in this city the mother heart in M. J. Davidson went out in much sympathy to all missionary mothers, herself amongst them, whose children must be sent home for education, and a healthier moral environment, so young as inevitably to lose touch with their parents. She set herself vigorously to secure funds for a boarding school, which was in due course erected on the slope of a wooded hill outside the city. In Chungking also she became first editor of the West China Missionary News, herself dupli- cating the early issues of that paper, before there was a possibility of printing them, In 1904 R. J. & M. J. Davidson were sent to open the Friends' Mission in Chingtu, where the

46 annual Monitor

remainder of M. J. D.'s life was spent. Here she found an opening for work amongst native ladies of the upper class, and later took most active and intense interest in the educational schemes which were uniting missionaries of every persuasion. In an obituary article the West China Missionary News for February, 1918, the Editor writes :

"When the first whisperings of union in educational work began to be heard in the land, Mrs. Davidson, with her usual keen insight into the possibilities of the movement, enlisted in the ranks of the workers, and loyally gave her time and strength to it. Those early meetings were most strenuous times, when we were feeling after the best form of organization, and endeavouring to glean the fruit of much thinking and discussion. It was at that time that our friend showed her remarkable powers of grasping the details of a situation, while holding clearly in mind the essential principles. Her work as secretary to the secretary of the meetings was unending. The minutes of each day's sessions were ready for the next day's meeting, duplicated so that each

member could have a copy No task was

too small to miss her attention ; no difficulty too great to be overcome .... her entrance into the life of larger service and unhampered opportunity was abundant."

In Chengtu Mary Jane Davidson's particular joy was the Union Normal School for Women. A fellow -missionary, Margaret Silcock, wrote

MARY JANE DAVIDSON 47

in connection with her love for this Institu- tion :

" Though perhaps not its actual founder she certainty was its mother. Members of its com- mittee have changed, conditions have changed, but Mrs. Davidson remained to the end mothering it with a clinging wistfulness as she realized her failing strength."

Alongside this life of ceaseless public activity was ever the sacred personal life of home in which she who had been such a " splendid daughter " was equally the most devoted of wives* the tenderest of mothers. Her house- keeping was as thoroughly and capably managed as her outside work. The one with her, did not take the place of the other, but formed its complement. She thought and wrought incessantly for her husband and son. When the latter was about 14 years of age the dreaded separation became necessary ; his parents left him in England for his education. For some time his mother wrote him a little greeting each day, posting the letters every few days. In this and many other ways she kept the link between I them so firm that when, after several years, I they again met, there was none of the strange - |ness to be overcome which is so peculiarly ipainful between parent and child. And when after another separation her son took his bride

48 ANNUAL MONITOR

to Chengtu, to live close by his parents, hen joy was indeed full. Immediately after their re -union she wrote :

" You may rely on it we are blissfully happy,"

and again a little later :

" In our own little home with its double nests, peace, happiness, joy, reign — and in spite of all the sorrow and trouble in the world we cannot but be full of thankfulness for the good- ness and mercy which crown our days. I do indeed feel that my cup runneth over."

For some years Mary Jane Davidson suffered I from a sort of chronic neuritis on one side of i her face and head, yet she kept all her work going, was able to enjoy her " children," and \ in course of time her little grandson Geoffrey Huntley, born in Chengtu in 1916. Some indi- cations there were in her letters, however, of f a sense that strength had lessened ; especially since the outbreak of the war, which perplexed I and saddened her soul. At length, in the early days of January, 1918, came the " one clear call ' ' for the faithful worker, and after i five days illness she passed to higher service. Margaret Silcock wrote :

" She was never late with her work, she was always ready. The readiness for every occasion was a most striking trait in her character,

MARY JANE DAVIDSON 49

and when her call home came she was ready. Her work in every branch was in perfect shape for laying down. Her preparations for the end whenever it might come were so planned that ' the valley of the shadow of death ' was transformed into ' the way of peace' for the dear ones left behind."

So long as thought was clear she thought and arranged for the good of others ; then after a short time of wandering, but with no sadness of farewell, passed out to the freedom and fulness of heavenly life.

Charlotte Davies ..76 11 5 1917

Coulsdon, Surrey. Henry Davies . . . . 73 1 12 1916

Derby. Ena Daw .. . . ..21 14 12 1916

Exeter. Wife of Athelstan Daw. Died

at St. Germans, Cornwall. Edward Dawson . . . . 58 1 6 1917

Kirby Moorside, Yorks. Died at Scarborough. John Thomas Dawson . . 80 22 9 1917

York. Mary Ann Dawson ..76 11 12 1916

Hull. Widow of Joseph Dawson. Mark Anthony Dearlove 82 29 10 1916

Leeds. Richard Latimer Dell . . 64 19 10 1916

Ash ford, Kent.

50 annual monitor

Philip Fletcher Dixon . . 25 8 6 1917

Ilkley. Only son of John William and Marion Dixon. Killed in action.

William Dodshon ..72 16 2 1917

Harrogate and Stockton-on-Tees. An Elder.

William Dodshon, who passed away with startling suddenness at Harrogate, was a familiar figure at Durham Quarterly Meeting, London Yearly Meeting, the Meeting for Sufferings and its various committees. He was just starting as usual in the train for business at Stockton-on- Tees, when he collapsed and died. Though he had resided in Harrogate for the past ten years, his business" and public interests centred in Stockton, of which he was a native. Born in" 1845, and educated at Ackworth School, he en- tered the wholesale grocery business in 1861, and on the death of his father, John Dodshon, and the retirement of his elder brother, Lewis Dodshon, he became the principal partner of the firm of John Dodshon & Co., which he saw expand from a small business into one of the largest of its kind in the North of England.

In Stockton, where he was held in the high- est respect, he was intimately associated with many religious movements. The local Temper- ance Society (of which he was president for

William Dodshon

WILLIAM DODSHON 51

many years), the Y.M.C.A., the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, the Stockton and Thornaby Hospital, and the Free Church Council, were among the institutions which had his hearty support.

He was a keen politician, and at the time of his death was President of the Stockton & Thornaby Liberal Association, a position to which he had been elected on the death of William Whit well, in 1909. On at least one occasion he was invited to stand as Parliamentary candi- date for his native borough, but business and health considerations prevented his acceptance of the invitation.

Early in life he lost his right arm, and it is thoroughly characteristic of him that he deter- mined to do everything he could do before in spite of his loss, and in this resolve he was wonderfully successful. He will be greatly missed in many spheres of usefulness. The Friend.

George Herbert Doeg ..51 3 11 1916

Holyhead. Drowned at sea. Captain of SS. Connemara.

George William Doeg ..79 10 3 1917 Finchley. Late of Reading and Manchester.

Grace Lucy Annie

Donaldson .. .. 3mos.l2 1 1917

Edinburgh. Daughter of Robert W. Donaldson.

52 ANNUAL MONITOR

Eliza Maria Doncaster 85	11 4 1916
Sheffield.
Mary Jane Doncaster . . 72	6 11 1916
Sheffield. Died in Edinburgh.	Widow of
Daniel Doncaster.
Alfred Robson Douglass 24	18 9 1917
Close House, Bishop Auckland	I. Son of
Eleanor and the late John T	. Douglass.
Killed in action on shipboard.
John Thomas Douglass . . 54	3 8 1917
Close House, Bishop Auckland.
Geoffrey Bevan de
Rayne Drane . . 2	6 2 1917
Palmer's Green. Son of Charles Francis
and Adela H. Bowly Drane.
Henry Eaton . . . . —	16 5 1917
Sheffield.
Edward Edwards . . . . 65	21 1 1917
Coventry.
Emma Edwards . . . . 75	2 1 1917
Witney.
Sarah Ellershaw . . 70	1 2 1917
Manchester. Widow of William Guy
Ellershaw.
Charlotte Ellis . . . . 80	20 9 1917
Belgrave, Leicester. An Elder.
Isabella Ellis . . . . 85	6 10 1916
Belgrave, Leicester.

Janet Nisbet Ekskine

janet njsbet erskine 53

Elizabeth Ell well ..87 17 4 1917

Bournville, Birmingham. Esther England . . . . 61 12 7 1917

Leeds. Wife of John England, late of Castlef ord. Arthur Henry Enock ,.78 29 1 1917

Newton Abbott, S, Devon. Late of Birmingham.

Died in London, Robert Enock . , .. 33 10 11 1916

Chingford, Essex.

Janet Nisbet Erskine ..71 1012 1916 San Francisco, Cat. U.S.A. Late of Heanor, Derbyshire, and Sydney, N.S.W. Wife of Donald S. Erskine.

Had it been possible to consult her wishes in the matter, there is little doubt that Janet Nisbet Erskine would have spurned the idea of presenting any memorial of her career. A plain and simple life such as she had lived could not require any such recognition. But in the common walks, however lowly, there is sometimes shown a purpose and a power which may well merit a study and a record, not for exaltation but for commendation. " She hath done what she could " is the Master's approval of life's purposes fulfilled.

Janet Nisbet Erskine was born in the city of Dunfermline in 1845, of humble parent- age, her father being a hand-loom damask weaver.

54 ANNUAL MONITOR

He was, however, " a douce, God-fearing man," of sterling qualities, his oft repeated demand to all his children being, " Be truthful, honest and faithful in everything you say, or think, or do." No small requirement always to be followed either in youth or manhood, but in his daughter Janet's case he seldom found occasion for reproof. When she had reached the age of ten a serious crisis arose in the family history. The war with Russia in 1854-6 caused a great stagnation in the linen manufacture, consequent on the serious diminution of flax supplies, and much loss and poverty strode through Dunfermline city as well as elsewhere. But the little girl Jenny quickly rose to the occasion, and resolved to do something, however little, to aid in the emergency. She accepted the position of house- keeper to a well-to-do uncle, who had lost his wife, and needed the help of someone to care for his house and children, and by this means, young as she was, she was enabled to eke out some tangible help in the family provender. Remaining in this position for several years, she thus laid the foundation of ability in house- hold management for years to come. Her next step was a removal to Edinburgh, to a position in domestic affairs in the house of a Friend, Elizabeth Pease Nichol, of Huntly Lodge, Morningside, where she first became acquainted

JANET NISBET ERSKINE 55

with the Society of Friends. She always referred to this household as one of comfort, peace and happiness, and to Elizabeth P. Nichol as a lady of saintly loveliness of character.

In 1865 Janet Msbet was married to Donald S. Erskine, an old friend of her childhood, a union which extended over a period of more than 51 years, and was fraught with many vicis- situdes of change, but never marred by inharmoni- ous regrets. Removing to England in 1870, the little family settled at Heanor in Derbyshire, and soon afterwards both husband and wife joined in membership with the Society of Friends, a unity in Christian principles and worship which had been of gradual growth, and which culminated in a complete accordance with Friends in their essential views.

The following lines, written at that time to a friend of the family, in explanation of their action, may not be out of place here : —

Two foolish sheep went forth astray

From Presbyterian fold ; And up and down the wide world they, With tortuous steps and devious way,

Did wander in the cold.

4 Mong stranger flocks they sought that dream

Of heavenly peace and rest. They pitched their camp by Baptist streams And lit their lamps at Wesley gleams, In independent quest.

56 * ANNUAL MONITOR

By kindly hap they lighted near

A quiet, shady nook, And crouching low, in trembling fear,

Near it they shelter took.

With curry-comb Friend Barclay stood To smooth the rough fleeced hogs, And earnest George in sober mood Did cut the thongs which girded good Their Presbyterian clogs.

And kindly Penn stood meekly . there To court with many a smile,

Whose earnest pleas, in accents rare, Their spirits did beguile.

The sweetest memories are treasured of those times spent in Derbyshire. The ordinary meetings for worship, both on First-days and week-days, were always an oasis in the desert way, while the Monthly and Quarterly gatherings were like mounting on to Pisgah heights. What glad times were those spent in climbing the Derby- shire hills, or treading the way through their lovely vales. The visits, too widely apart, of Ministering Friends, coming with their words of cheer and comfort, or of spiritual solicitation, were always epochs in family history, and are held in grateful memory. Two of these were specially stencilled on Janet Erskine's tablet of recollections. They were those of Eli and Sybil Jones, and of Joel and Hannah Bean, of America, of the latter especially, since a renewal

JANET NISBET ERSKINE 57

of their loving fellowship was a precious ex- perience in years long after.

But Derbyshire had to be left behind, with heart burnings and sincere regrets. Her husband's health had become much impaired, and seemed to demand a more congenial climate for its restoration. So in 1890 it was deemed advisable to leave England for the more salubrious cftme of Australia, and they settled that year in Sydney, New South Wales, an apartment -house being purchased near the Friends' Meeting House. Janet Erskine's labours here included the care of an old lady Friend, Hannah Fowler. Their proximity to the Meeting House was a great privilege, as it rendered their home a house of call to many resident Friends and visitors, whose words of counsel and cheer were greatly esteemed. A few names might be mentioned, including Joseph James Neave, Alfred Wright from England, Samuel Morris and Jonathan Rhoades from America, and many others. Here her husband assisted in the Adult School, and her own hands were ever ready to help in every good work for the cause of truth and righteousness.

They now hoped to find a resting-place in Australia, but this hope was not realized. Some of the family had settled in California, and others of the younger members desired to

58 ANNUAL MONITOR

join them, but it was with great reluctance that the parents yielded to their wishes. The mother heart however clung to a united house- hold, and at last she assented to the change. Many were the longing looks and kindly thoughts cast back as they left the hospitable shores of sunny New South Wales and Sydney's lovely scenes and true hearted friends.

After crossing the great Pacific, and after visi- ting Auckland, and looking up friends there, the family arrived in California in 1898, and settling down at San Francisco, began a home-life anew. Here, as in former years, Janet Erskine soon drew together the embracing cords of a genuine home -circle. One serious drawback, however, was the Meeting for Worship. There were but few Friends in the city, and they met in a small room in the Y.M.C.A. building, one old Friend, Barclay Smith, taking the leading part One solace still remained, however, in the prospective meeting, at intervals, with the Friends of College Park, and the joy of grasping hands with her dear old friends Joel and Hannah Bean, and their devoted family.

April 18, 1906, was a black-letter day for San Francisco and its people, when many thousands of homes, of both rich and poor, were suddenly swept away in utter ruin. Janet Erskine's home was of this number. Household goods,

JANET NISBET EBSKINE 59

gathered together through more than 40 years, were ruthlessly dashed to pieces by the earth- quake's shock, and left to the devouring flames. Language utterly fails to express the record of that dire catastrophe during those three days of holocaust. However, despondency never entered the mind of Janet Erskine, and after a brief rest among her children and friends, her active soul began at once to re-establish the scattered structure of the family home life. Phoenix - like, the city had arisen from its smouldering ashes, and the effect on all hands was contagious. In less than a year a new cottage home was built on the hilly outskirts of the city, mainly by Janet Erskine 's energetic efforts, where she might rest in peace after her toilsome labour. But the aftermath early became apparent, for soul and body had been sorely taxed during that sad time. Yet, while a loss of physical power became painfully evident, her spiritual faculties remained unimpaired to the last. Household and other activities were now necessarily much curtailed, but one of the saddest losses was her inability to get to meetings for worship, and especially the half-yearly gatherings at College Park, which had always been looked forward to with great expectancy.

The last four years of life were mainly spent in the handicraft of needle-work or

60 ANNUAL MONITOR :J

knitting -pins, in making presents for her numerous friends, and by occasional visits to near-by neigh- bours, particularly to homes where some little word of friendly sympathy or kindly counsel might be of service.

No long term of sickness was her portion at the last, only a gradual weakening of the mortal frame, but with mental and spiritual vision undimmed. On the evening of seventh day, 12th month 9th, she finished a long piece of embroidery, on which she had worked for several weeks for one of her daughters-in-law, and laying it aside, she made the remark, " I wonder if that will be the last." The words seemed pro- phetic, for after passing a somewhat restless night, as the morning dawned over the summits of the distant Mt. Diablo, her head was laid gently on her husband's breast, and breathing one gentle sigh, she passed on to the glorious Sabbath of the Better Land.

Such " short and simple annals of the poor " may seem but of small account ; but a life, however lowly, if lived out in faithfulness, may still merit the Master's benediction, " Well done, good and faithful servant ; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."

Harold Escolme ..19 1 8 1917

Yealand Conyers. Son of John and Elizabeth Escolme. Killed in action in France.

Margaret Ford and Daughter

margaret ford 61

Dereck St. Clair Everett 21 31 10 191(3

East Harling, Norfolk. Son of Edmund E.

and Priscilla E. Everett. Killed in France. Joseph Fairfax , . . . 77 5 9 1917

Birmingham. Formerly of Evesham. Mary Ann Farrand . . 77 4 2 1917

Kumen, Auckland, N.Z. Widow of George

Farrand. Ann Burton Ferrao . . 64 29 3 1917

Torrisholme, Morecambe. Eliza Mewhort Ferrie

Saskatchewan, Canada.

Wife of David John Ferrie. Selina Ffennell . .

Foxrock, Co. Dublin.

Ffennell. Mary Ann Field . . . . 87 23 9 1916

Bradford. Widow of George Field. Robert Fishwick . . . . 63 27 10 1916

York. Died at Sheriff Hutton. James Manby Flower . . 76 23 12 1916

Eltham, 8.E. 9.

Margaret Ford . . . . 35 22 1 1917

Bentham. Wife of Rawlinson Charles Ford. Died at Bournemouth. An Elder.

Margaret Ford was the second daughter of William and Anna Maria Harvey, of Leeds. Her life as a child was a very happy one. A

. 26	19	2 1917
Late	of	Renfrew.
Ferrie.
. 84	18	6 1917
Widow	of	Robert

02 ANNUAL MONITOR

member of a closely united family, she was surrounded with loving influences, and inspired with the example of high endeavour in the lives of her parents and grandparents. Except for a time in childhood she was physically strong and vigorous, and able fully to enter into work and play, at home and at school.

At the Mount School, York, during her happy three years there, she formed friendships which were a precious possession all through life, and her influence in the school, though quiet, was strong and good. Later, she threw herself eagerly into study abroad and at home, went through a course of nursing in an East End Settlement Hospital, returned home to study practical housewifery and to work hard in a Girls' Club and in a Sunday Class, and in connec- tion with the Children's Country Holiday Fund.

Thus, at the time of her marriage with R. Charles Ford, in May, 1909, a varied and active life seemed to be before her, and she entered her new home at Bentham full of plans for the future. She looked forward to a home life after the pattern of her old one, where for twenty - seven years she had, unconsciously perhaps, breathed in the love and spirit of sacrifice, the simple faith and ideals of duty which were to stand her in such good stead in the last years of her life.

MARGARET FORD 63

Her longing to be useful was to be fulfilled, but not in the way which she had planned. After nearly two years of married life, and a few months after the birth of her little daughter, she was laid aside by illness which proved to be lung disease. At once she had to set aside all the activities she had so much enjoyed ; the many home duties which she loved, and could do so well, were to be hers no longer ; even the care of her little daughter had to be under- taken by others ; and the priceless mother privileges which are taken as a matter of course by so many were denied to her. At first it seemed almost more than she could bear, and she had to fight hard against depression, especially when it seemed right for her to spend seven or eight months in Switzerland, separated from her husband and her home. But quickly she learnt the great lesson,

" To will what God wills is the only way to bring us into peace ; "

and though the rest of her life was made up of long partings and short reunions, of improvement in health and relapses into weakness, those who knew her marvelled at the courage which helped her to struggle back to life ; and it was notice- able that she never lost her power of hearing and responding to the slightest call for service. One friend says how clearly her life taught

64 ANNUAL MONITOR

others never to give in ; " and we mean to begin again, to turn our backs on our relapses, our selfishness and laziness, and try to love God more, helped by the hope and courage learnt from her, and inspired by the remembrance of her purity of heart. ' ' Towards the end of her illness, in talking with her mother, she said : "It was very bitter at first, but all the bitterness has gone," and again, a few months before she was set free :

" You must not let anyone pity me ; I think I can truly say I have never been so happy in my life as now."

During her last summer she greatly enjoyed being able to join in the meetings of the Bentham branch of the Fellowship of Reconciliation. These were often held at her house, and whenever possible, she was present, taking part very help- fully, rejoicing in the opportunity of hearing- something of the wider life from which she was so much cut off.

Although as a child she was naturally im- patient and quick-tempered, she schooled herself to patience in such a way that all who came in contact with her felt the contagiousness of her hope. And so, when, after a few days of increased weakness, she slipped quietly away, the deepest feeling in the hearts of those who loved her was that of thanksgiving, first for her life and her

MARGARET FORD 65

example, and then for her release from limita- tions, and her entrance into the free, full Life of the Ages, where she knew she should find " fullest love and fullest service."

The Friend.

Agnes Forsyth . . . . 78 4 4 1917

Galston, Ayrshire.

Gertrude Amy Fox . . 21 5 6 1917

Upton St. Leonards, Gloucester. Daughter of Walter Henry and Emma Antoinie Fox.

John Hinoston Fox ..86 12 11 1916 Auckland, N.Z. Formerly of Bristol.

Martha Fulton . . . . 81 17 2 1917

Belfast. Wife of William Fulton,

Tabitha Garmonsway . . 29 1 3 1917

Walihamstow, Essex. Daughter of Alfred and the late Jane Garmonsway.

Martha Garner . . . . 83 4 1 1917

Chiswick. Widow of John Garner.

William Hubert Stuart

Garnett 34 21 9 1916

Hampstead. Died at Upavon, Wilts.

Charles Gayford. m.d., . . — 2 5 1917

Brixton. For some years F.F.M.A. Mis-

sionary at Hoshangabad, C.P., India.

Ethelwyn Gayner ..39 16 5 1917

Sunderland. Wife of Robert Heydon Gayner.

66

ANNUAL MONITOR

Esther Ann George ..65 26 12 1916 Rochester. Wife of Thomas George. For

many years caretaker of Friends' Meeting House, Rochester.

Whilhelmina Glasgow . . 73	7 10 1916
Warminster, Wilts. Widow of Benjamin
Glasgow.
George Frederick
Goldsbury . . . . 73	13 9 1916
Onehunga, N.Z. Formerly	of Ipswich.
Rachel Good . . . . 79	26 10 1916
Hull.
Joseph Gough . . . . 83	16 9 1917
Dublin.
Joseph Standen Gower . . 87	27 11 1917
Clapton, London. E.
Henry Grace . . . . 79	19 12 1916
Bristol. A Minister.
Joseph Lloyd Graham . . 67	24 2 1917
King's Heath, Birmingham.
Emily Jane Gravely . . 63	18 5 1917
Wellingborough. Daughter of Frederic Gravely.
Esther Gray . . . . 76	24 12 1916
Brighton. Died at Hayward's ]	ileath.
Widow of George Gray.
Ann Green . . . . 74	9 1 1917
Grindleton, near Clitheroe. Widow of Henry
Green.

john orr green 67

Donald Revis Green . . 21 26 9 1916 Southampton. Son of Walter C. Green. Killed in action in France.

Harold Green . . . . 24 28 2 1917

Kinnego, Lurgan. Son of William S. and

Susan E. Green. Killed in France.

John Orr Green . . . . 91 14 12 1916

Orrfield, Hillsborough, Co. Down. An Elder.

John Orr Green was born at Orrfield, near Hillsborough, Co. Down, in 1826. He was for four years at the Friends' School, Lisburn, and on leaving school entered at once upon his life occupation, that of farming, succeeding, on the death of his father, to the sole ownership of the property. He was twice married, first, in 1860, to Mary Jane Kirk, by whom he had four daugh- ters ; and secondly to Sarah Ann Baird, who bore him two sons. Four of these children survived him. He was a very successful farmer, an ardent Temperance worker, especially in a private, personal manner, and, when the Land Agitation arose, a staunch and fearless advocate of the rights and aspirations of the tenant- farmer. It is however as a philanthropist and an evangelist that John Orr Green made so deep an impression on his contemporaries. It was whilst at Lisburn School that he appears to have experienced his first religious impressions. There,

68 ANNUAL .MONITOR

he tells us, he often had a keen sense of the tenderness and depth of the love of God to him- self personally, melting him to tears, and con- straining him to go aside from others and wait in solitude upon the Lord. Under this divine influence he began the daily study of the Scrip- tures, pursuing the practice with such diligence that, before leaving school, he had read the Bible through three times ! The devotional habits thus early formed never, we believe, quite left him, although, as the affairs and temptations of the world pressed more insistently upon him, the brightness and vividness of the early vision were somewhat dimmed, devotion slackened, and religious duties were somewhat neglected.

But, at about 40 years of age, a great and vital change came over him. He was " conver- ted." A new revelation of the Divine was vouchsafed ; he saw that he himself was a lost and helpless sinner, and that Jesus was a complete and all-satisfying Saviour. John Orr Green was not " disobedient to the heavenly vision " ; he surrendered himself to the Divine guidance, and became thenceforth a fearless and tireless ambassador for Christ, preaching," in season and out of season," in fairs and in the market place, at cottage -meetings and in private, the truths now so dear to his heart. " Jesus " was his favourite title for the newly -found and precious

John Orr Green

JOHN ORE GREEN 69

Saviour, and to see him literally buttonhole a man, and plead with him, with tears in his eyes and loving tenderness in his voice, to accept this Jesus as his Saviour, was a never-to-be- forgotten sight. Even more remarkable and impressive a spectacle was it to see him stand up in a railway carriage of several open compart- ments, take off his hat, perhaps donning in its place the black velvet skull-cap, open his Bible, and, in the midst of a profound and respectful silence, read to and exhort the assembled company. Prayer, we believe, usually followed. On such occasions no opposition, so far as is known, was ever offered. His transparent sincerity, his manifest and utter self -forget fulness, his deep humility, his evident love for all about him, disarmed opposition and silenced criticism. It was with him an invariable custom to carry in his pockets a packet of sweets, partly perhaps for his own delectation, but mainly for the pur- pose of securing the good will of children. How often, during a railway journey, did he not pro- duce his packet, make his distribution, and having thus got at the hearts of the parents, set before them in moving tones the claims of his dear Jesus. A number of soldiers, with whom on one occasion he travelled to Dundalk, were so greatly impressed by his talk and his real interest in their best welfare that, as they

70 ANNUAL MONITOR

left the carriage, they one and all came up and cordially shook hands with him. It was in this private and personal capacity, and as a family visitor, that he mainly excelled, for, although regular and acceptable in his ministerial addresses in meetings for worship, he had not what are commonly regarded as the gifts of a public speaker, and was consequently never " recorded " as a minister of the Society. He was for many years in the station of Elder, and as such, regular in his attendance at the meetings for Ministry and Oversight, whose members he seldom failed to exhort to humility and meekness, to " keep low at the feet of Jesus." and what he preached he practised, for he made it, for many years, an invariable rule to retire, at about eleven o'clock in the forenoon, and to spend an hour in the home in meditation and waiting upon the Lord.

In the latter part of his life, the claims of Friends residing beyond the bounds of his own Quarterly Meeting were brought before him, and, in response to the call, he travelled extensively in Ireland and Scotland, his gifts of grace and meekness making way for him here as elsewhere. In 1898, in the 72nd year of his age, with the approval of Friends, and in company with James R. Jones, of Indiana, U.S.A., he travelled in Denmark and Norway,

JOHN ORE GREEN 71

Johann Marcussen acting as interpreter. In 1900 a second visit was paid to the same parts, he being accompanied on this occasion by Johann Marcussen alone. A yet more extended visit was paid in 1899 to Friends in Canada and in some parts of the United States. He journey- ed entirely at his own expense, and, not being a Recorded Minister, often without a minute.

He kept a careful journal descriptive of his experiences during these " travels in the ministry," and extracts from this were printed and issued shortly after his decease. We have only space to make a few brief quotations, but there is so much of interest in these diaries that selection is difficult. Our dear friend had a strong faith in the utility of prayer for bodily as well as for spiritual healing. On his first voyage to Denmark he writes :

"Left London for Harwich: sailed from that port : arrived on 7th day at Esbjerg at 4 a.m. Felt to cry to the Lord that our visit may not be in vain, and also that He would keep me from being sick, which the Lord graciously answered. Our dear friend, James R. Jones, was ill and unable to take breakfast. I felt, as the Lord had answered the prayer on my own behalf, that I was to ask the Lord in faith to heal this dear brother, which was the case in a short time. He came saying ' Brother ! thy prayer is answered ; I am well.' How good the Lord is ! our hearts praised Him together."

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On another occasion, in Norway, he writes :

" A sister of the Friend's wife was such a sweet young woman, but was lame of one side. She had such a sweet innocent countenance that I felt the Lord would have compassion on her and heal her, as He did while on earth. Felt the Spirit moving on my heart to say these things before her, provided she had faith in God. ' '

At every place he visited both in Scandina- via and in America he lost no opportunity of dealing faithfully, in private conversation, with any for whom he felt to have a word in season. When in Canada he writes :

" Next morning started early to pay four or five visits before leaving at 3.0 for Toronto. The visits were remarkable ones, feeling specially led to give a direct message to several. One was to one of the old Friends (orthodox). Jesus told Peter to launch out into the deep and let down the net. I felt led to tell her if she would let go her prejudices and launch out on God's love, He would make her a fisher of men. She thanked me and asked God to bless 'me and keep me."

On more than one occasion on his travels he felt it laid upon him to fast as well as to pray, and so abstained, sometimes for a whole day, from taking any food.

We cannot better conclude this memoir than . by a quotation from the Testimony of Lisburn Monthly Meeting.

JOHN ORR GREEN 73

" That with declining years there came no dimness over his spiritual vision was evident to all who knew him, and he continued publicly to testify to the goodness of his Saviour, even when his bodily strength was rapidly waning. As he lived, so he passed away in quietness and confidence into the presence of Him in whose service his life was spent, where his eyes have seen the King in His beauty, and have beheld the land that is very far off."

Sarah Ann Greenhalgh 76 1 3 1917

Bolton. Widow of Job Haslam Greenhalgh. John Greer Greeves . . 80 24 1 1917

Grange, near Moy, Co. Tyrone. An Elder.

Lizzie Lilian Gregg . . 33 6 6 1917

Evesham. Wife of Eli Gregg. Philip Armitage Gripper 17 17 3 1917

Tunbridge Wells. Died at Gresham School,

Holt, Norfolk. Son of William Henry and

Agnes Gripper. Ada Caroline Halford ..46 22 4 1917

Stroud Green. Wife of Martin Halford. Arthur Hall . . . . 26 15 9 1917

Wigton, Cumberland. Son of John and

Sarah Hall. Killed in action in France.

Thomas Hall . . . . 79 17 8 1916

Darlington. Anna Halliday . . . . 82 9 12 1916

Monkstown, Co. Dublin. Widow of Jacob

Halliday.

74 ANNUAL MONITOR

Samuel Halliday ..46 21 9 1917

Dublin.

Margaret Hodges Hannah 74 28 7 1917 Kilmaurs, Ayr. Widow of Thomas Hannah.

Geoffrey Hardy . . . . 27 27 5 1917

Banbury. Son of Ellen and the late Jo-

siah Patrick Hardy. Died in London from wounds received in France.

Margaret Elizabeth

Harlock 57 13 4 1917

West Didsbury, Manchester. Wife of George Henry Harlock.

Frances Rebecca

Harrington . . . . 66 24 1 1917

Ilford, Essex. Formerly of Wolverhampton. Widow of Frank Robert Harrington.

Frank Harrison . . . . 19 27 7 1916

Eccles, Manchester. Son of Edwin and

Margaret Harrison. Killed in France.

Percy Day Harrisson ..31 12 3 1917 Bournemouth. Only son of Henry and

Louisa A. Harrisson. Died in London Hos- pital from wounds received in France.

Mary Ann Hartley . . 68 5 1 1917

Oldham. Widow of Edward Hartley.

William Hartley ..79 12 11 1916

New House, near Kendal.

THOMAS JOSEPH HASLAM 75

Ellen Ann Hartshobne . . 59 21 4 1917 Yeovil, Somerset. Wife of George Morgan

Hartshorne.

Thomas J. Haslam . . 91 30 1 1917

Rathgar, Dublin. Formerly a Master at

Ackworth School.

Thomas Joseph Haslam, of Rathmines, Dublin, was born at Mountmellick, Queen's Co. in 1825. He was educated at the Friends' School, Mountmellick, then open to boys as well as girls, and he remained there for five years. On leaving school, in 1840, he wished to enter the teaching profession, and became an apprentice at the Friends' School, Lisburn. On the com- pletion of his apprenticeship in 1846, he received a teaching appointment at Ackworth School. The four " schools " into which the boys had hitherto been divided were just at this time changed into nine classes, and T. J. Haslam, had charge of the sixth class, Josiah Evans teaching the first class at the other end of the same schoolroom.

On the retirement of William Thistlethwaite, in 1847, at the first vacation ever given at the school the office of " Master-on-Duty " became vacant. Henry Wilson, afterwards of Kendal, had been appointed to the post, but was not able to take up his new duties till early in 1848.

76 ANNUAL MONITOR

In the meantime Thomas J. Haslam was asked to take the office temporarily for the last three months of 1847. During the previous adminis- tration the school had lapsed into a state of great disorder, but as Henry Thompson remarks in his " History of Ackworth School," in the brief period of three months, " T. J. Haslam, by his resolute will and keen sense of order and obedience, converted a tangle of confusion into a perfect machine." Soon afterwards he left Ackworth and the teaching profession, and returning to Ireland, entered on commercial pursuits, In 1854 he married Anna Maria Fisher of Youghal, who had for a short time been a teacher at Ack- worth.

The first few years of their married life were passed in Clonmel, but in 1857 they moved to Dublin, which remained their home for the rest of T. J. H's long life. After a time, his health failing, he had to abandon his commercial engagements. He was, however, devoted to literature, and several works, chiefly on this subject, were the product of his pen. The best known of these is entitled, " Good English for Beginners," published in 1892. He was much interested in the Friends' Institute in Dublin, where he often lectured, even up to his 90th year.

T. J. and A. M. Haslam lived to celebrate their golden wedding in 1904. They had both

THOMAS JOSEPH HASLAM 77

ceased to be members of the Society of Friends many years before, but they continued their association with the Society, though they never rejoined it in membership.

Lily Marjorie Hayden .. 3 1512 1915 Handsworth, Birmingham. Daughter of Wil- liam Henry Lyles and Jane Hayden.

Henry Parker Hayhoe . . 85 25 10 1916 Great Shelford. Cambridge.

Benjamin, Ha yllar ..80 30 3 1917

Philadelphia, U.S.A. Late of Newport

Pagnell.

William Hayward . . 87 24 3 1917

Torquay.

Robert Harold Heath . . 39 22 10 1916 Portland Place, London, W. Killed in

France.

John William Noel

Helliwell .. .. 26 2 1917

Wood Green, London. Only son of John and Ellen Edith Helliwell. Died of wounds in France.

Mary Helliwell .. ..80 15 2 1917

Leeds. Widow of William Helliwell.

Sir Jesse Herbert ..65 26 12 1916

Harrow. Richard Hill . . . . 67 19 8 1916

Northfield, Birmingham.

78 ANNUAL MONITOR

Henry Hills .. ..71 29 11 1916

Stafford.

William Frederick

Waller Hills . . . . 23 6 3 1917

Gampden Hill, London, W. Only surviving son of Edmond H. and Juliet Hills. Killed in France.

Eric Hobson . . . . lmo. 24 1 1917

Ratvtenstall. Son of F. J. and S. E. Hobson.

Joshua Hobson .. ..57 812 1916

Richhill, Co. Armagh.

Alice Horsnaill . . 52 1 10 1916

Aberdeen. Died at Croydon.

Mary Horsnaill . . . . 90 9 10 1916

Hornsey Rise Gardens, London.

Marriette Hughes ..64 1511 1916

Malahide, Co. Dublin. Widow of William J. Hughes.

Sarah Humphrey .. ..76 11 11 1916

Forest Gate, E. Wife of Thomas Humphrey.

Thomas Humphrey ..79 29 11 1916

Ilford, Essex.

Joseph Hunt . . . . 78 9 6 1917

Halford Bridge, Shipston-on-Stour.

Eliza Hutchinson . . 92 16 1 1917

Grange-over -Sands. Late of Malton.

annual monitor 79

Elizabeth Hutchinson ..19 210 191(5

Hull. Daughter of J. B. and A. B.

Hutchinson. Mary Impey . . . . — 6 8 1917

Chelmsford. Died at Bridgwater.

Widow of William Impey.

John Impson . . . . — 3 10 1916

Durban, Natal, S. Africa.

Abraham Isherwood ..66 912 1916

Manchester.

Annie Isherwood ..49 17 3 1917

Whitley Bay, Northumberland. Wife of Harry

Isherwood.

James Isherwood . . . . 23 1 8 1917

Whitley Bay, Northumberland. Son of Harry

and Annie Isherwood. Killed in France.

Kathleen Joyce Jackson 15 311 1916

Stafford. Daughter of Thomas and Nellie

Joyce Jackson. T. Gordon Jackson

Stockton Heath, Cheshire.

Dora Jackson. Albert Leverson James

Kingston-on-Thames.

Centre, Wakefield. Ewart White Jarvis . . 29 9 5 1917

Balsall Heath, Birmingham. Son of John

and Rosetta Jarvis. Killed in France.

12	14 4	1917
Son	of Foster and
30	17 5	1917
Died	at the	Work

80 ANNUAL MONITOR

Louis Bedford Jesper . . 56 31 1 1917 Carlisle. Son of Samuel and Susanna

Jesper, of Penrith.

Agnes Johnson . . 72 16 12 1916

Sunderland. Widow of James Oliver Johnson.

Frank Charles Johnson 42 21 5 1917 Auckland, N.Z. Son of Francis and Elizabeth Johnson, of Ruislip. Late of Chelmsford.

Jane Johnson . . . . 64 16 2 1917

Grey stones, Co. Wicklow, Died at Cardiff.

Widow of Mordecai Johnson.

John F. Willings Johnson 28 2 2 1917

Toronto, Canada. Killed in action.

Margaret Johnstone . . 72 26 1 1917 Preston. Widow of William Johnstone.

Sarah Jones .. . . 41 15 9 1916

Bournville, Birmingham. Wife of Albert R. Jones. An Elder.

Jane Topling . . . . 87 24 1 1917

Darlington. Widow of Joseph Topling.

Mary Hester Kay .. 65 7 10 1916

Leeds. Widow of Joseph Kay.

Mary Keighley . . . . 75 21 7 1917

Morecambe.

Amelia Kellett . . . . 65 23 5 1917

Nottingham. Widow of John Kellett.

annual monitor 81

Louisa Kelley .. ..40 21 9 1917

Colchester. Eliza Jane Kldd .. 66 18 11 1916

Belfast. Wife of James Kidd.

Eugenie King . . . . 60 8 6 1917

Sparkhill, Birmingham.

Eliza Hannah Kinson ..54 16 12 1916

Wakefield, Wife of James H. Kinson.

John Thomas Knapton . . 29 25 9 1916 Southport. Killed in action in France.

Diana Knowles . . . . 75 25 4 1917

Bentham. Wife of William Knowles.

Esther Ann Labrey ..80 23 2 1917

Allonby, near Mary port. Stephanie Elizabeth

Lange . 79 22 6 1917

Bowdon, Cheshire. Widow of Hermann

L. Lange, late of Manchester.

Lewis Lawrence

Lansdowne .. ..77 5 11 1916

Redland, Bristol. Eliza Latchmore ..79 1 8 1916

Halifax. Widow of Joseph Latchmore.

Helen Latimer . . . . 73 25 10 1916

Gloucester. Robert Lee . . . . 58 7 7 1917

New Mills, near Stockport.

82 annual monitor

William Thomas Lewis ..72 10 3 1917

Sunderland. Alice Ramsay Liddell ..61 3 1 1917

Woburn Sands, Beds. Wife of William Lid- dell. A Minister. May Florence Victoria

Lingford 41 13 6 1917

Darlington. Widow of Edward Lingford. Samuel Lithgrow ..72 18 2 1917

Linthorpe, Middlesbrough. Margaret Livingston . . 68 1 1 1917

Lurgan, Co. Armagh. Wife of Hamilton

Livingston. Thomas Lloyd . . . . 78 29 9 1916

Marshside, near Stockport. William Henry Lloyd .. — 13 3 1916

Hatch Beauchamp, Taunton. An Elder.

William Merrick Ellis

Lloyd — 19 5 1917

Barnt Green, Birmingham. Son of William

Ellis and Minnie A. Allen Lloyd. Killed

in France. Frederic William

Lockwood . . . . 77 30 6 1917

York. Formerly of Belfast. John Warner Lucas . . 74 21 2 1917

Ngawi, Java. Son of the late Edmund

Lucas, of Westminster.

margaret m. lury £3

Margaret Maria Lury ..66 31 12 1916 Clevedon.

Margaret M. Lury, Margency, Clevedon. If all to whom this name and address is familiar could meet together, what a large and varied company we should be ! How sweet and sacred our talk ! Children would remember the games they had — young people the unfailing sympathy they counted on ; and we who are older, would call to mind how we learned something new of the charm of hospitality. Margaret M. Lury was always delicate, and kept much to the house and garden of late years, but no one ever heard her complain, or saw her depressed. It was good to have a friend — and such a friend — who was sure to be at home when we called, and her greeting was a refreshment, or a comfort, or a bracing word, just as the occasion demanded. To find her in the garden, with her gardening tools, was a rare treat, for she was never too busy to sit down under the trees for a talk, and the something sweet-scented, which she offered as we left, was not the only treasure we carried away.

If she was within doors, and our talk turned to grave concerns, her hand would reach out for the Bible, always to be found on the big round table in the sitting room, and she would

84 ANNUAL MONITOR

quickly find the fitting passage which took on a new meaning as she read. Surely sweet and helpful influences will cling about that room as long as stones and mortar hold together.

But Margaret M. Lury's great concern was that the Society of Friends should not fall below the standard set by those who have passed away. She longed to see us all " Publishers of Truth," and Preachers of Peace, pressing on to higher ideals of life, until the Kingdom come and the will of God be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. Shall not we who love her strive that her hopes may be fulfilled ? In so striving we shall raise the only sort of memorial worthy of her name.

Llewellyn Malcomson ..24 510 1916

Portlaw, Go. Water ford. Son of the late Wil- liam and Adelina Malcomson. Killed in action in France.

Eliza Marriage . . . . 95 31 12 1916

Kingston, Surrey. Widow of William

Marriage.

Ellen Marriage .. ..79 9 2 1917

BirJcdale, Southport.

Thomas Marriage . . 51 7 4 1917

Bury St. Edmunds.

Margaret M. Lury

annual monitor 85

Ernest Martin . . . . 41 18 2 1917

Stoke Newington. Son of Joseph White

and Lydia B. Martin. Died in Hospital in France.

William Pride aux Martin 76 1 3 1917

Wellington, Somerset. An Elder.

Thomas Mason .. ..81 13 4 1917

Yew Tree Farm, Holme, near Carnforth. A Minister.

John William Matthews 66 4 5 1917

Oldham.

Gertrude G. McCullough 15 28 4 1917 Bessbrook, Daughter of James and Annie McCullough.

James McDowell . . . . — 24 4 1917

Cape Colony, S. Africa. Killed in action

in France.

Bertha Annie McRow . . 49 8 8 1917

Hunstanton.

William Metford . . 82 5 5 1917

Geneva.

Edith Middleton 56 22 3 1917

Craig-y-don, Colwyn Bay. Daughter of

Samuel Middleton. An Elder.

George H. Mills .. .. — 13 12 1916

Sheffield.

7

86 ANNUAL MONITOR

Emily Mitchell . .	..74 14 10 1916
Tullamore.
Mary Jane Moore	. . 69 2 12 1916
Sparkbrook, Birmingham	Widow of Walter
Moore.
Edith Morley	..68 21 7 1917
Woodbridge.
Joseph Morrison . .	..71 14 11 1916
Ballintore, Ferns, Co. Wexford. An Elder.
William Bellerby Morrod 20 12 3 1917
Acomb, York. Son of	George and Frances
H. Morrod. Died	in Netley Hospital,
Southampton.
John Morton	. . 83 24 3 1917
Cleckheaton, Yorks.
John Nainby	. . 64 17 5 1917
Frenchay, Bristol.
John Mason Nash . .	..61 10 7 1917
Ashton-on-Mersey. Manchester.

William Richardson Nash 82 15 3 1917 Carke-in-Cartmel. Lanes. A Minister.

The decease of William Richardson Nash, of The Mount, Carke-in-Cartmel, at the age of 82 years, has withdrawn a unique personality from the outward ken of those who knew and loved him. Unique, yet in one respect he represented

Willi am R. Nash

WILLIAM RICHARDSON NASH 87

a type of Quakerism. Like many another living in a quiet country district, or even in more com- plete isolation from central Quaker activities, if he did not shake the country for twenty miles round, he at least made his influence widely felt in an unobtrusive life of active service. He and others, by their lives, have stamped a hall- mark on rural Quakerism which, through death and migration to towns, we are in danger of losing. They have been men of action, of integrity, keen in the promotion of righteousness, men of speech too, as occasion has required, yet not given to waste their energies in too frequent use of words or pen.

William R. Nash was born in 1834, at Cannon Street, St. George's in the East, Middlesex. His parents were William and Rebecca Nash, members of Ratclirf Monthly Meeting before its union with Barking. In those days crowded meetings were held at RatclifT, and late comers had to find seats in the galleries. William Nash, senior, retired from his business as painter and removed to Allithwaite, Lancashire.

William R. Nash farmed Pit Farm, Grange - over -Sands, leaving it a few years ago, but still retaining some business interests in his new home. Meantime he had become invaluable for his service to Friends and to the neighbourhood. For forty -six years at least he has been Clerk of

88 ANNUAL MONITOR

Swarthmore Monthly Meeting, and Registering Officer for fifty -five years, making out personally all the Monthly Meeting trust property and other returns and attending to its business with great diligence. He was also a Recorded Minister. His last address on " The Light of the World " was given on the Sunday preceding his brief illness of five days. He was very fond of statis- tics, meteorological, economic and financial. Every month he issued his weather and farming notes, giving general details of weather and the results of barometric and other observations, with scrupulous exactitude and comparison of averages. The general local farming operations were noted, the blossoming of wild and garden flowers ; hints were given to farmers as to manures and treatment of land, with statistics of farming stock in the district and of the cockle and other industries. Finance interested him greatly, and he always quoted the price of Consols and the Bank rate of discount, with comparisons, and, as a bimetalist, the gold price of silver per oz. In his first letter addressed to the writer he spoke of bimetalism, adding, " most bimetalists are protectionists ; I am not, A.B. is," mentioning a well-known Quaker banker and farmer. A Liberal in politics, he did not hesitate to show up any serious mistake that he deemed the Government of the day to be making.

WILLIAM RICHARDSON NASH 89

Every year appeared the village almanac, well illustrated, full of valuable information and pithy stories, with references to local events of the past year and to deceased local celebrities, giving warm tributes to the worth of many to whom he was politically opposed. His almanac usually ended with the annual report of the Peace Committee of Westmorland Quarterly Meeting.

As Chairman of the Local District Council from its establishment, he was a Justice of the Peace, and latterly he was appointed a J. P. for the county. For upwards of fifty years he served as a Guardian. Recently he received a presentation of his portrait, which was to hang in the Board room. In presenting it, Lord Richard Cavendish spoke of the " very close per- sonal relationship " of William R. Nash with members of his own family, adding " my grand- father, my father and my brother [successively Chairmen of the Board] always looked to Mr. Nash as their right-hand man." He then re- ferred to the " unfailing help and kindness" he had " always extended " to himself. Speaking of the " chief characteristic " of William R. Nash, he said " without the slightest hesitation," it was " his genuine and warm-hearted love for his fellow human-beings. His life has been really one long effort, and in many varied phases, a most successful effort, to serve and ameliorate the lot

90 ANNUAL MONITOR

of humanity. Undeterred by temporary fail- ures or disappointments, he has constantly struggled to do what he believed to be right."

Fifty years ago William R. Nash founded the Furness and South Cumberland Building Society, and has been its Secretary during the whole period of its existence. It now numbers 3,000 members, and has assets exceeding £250,000.

His writings were picturesque, poetical in thought, and not without a spice of humour. Very charming were some of his descriptions. His account of breaking his leg one Sunday afternoon, through slipping on a slope whilst feeding his fowls, was quite humourous. A stalwart local football player was requisitioned with others to carry him into the house on an iron- ing board. Taken into a sunny room, he asked his bearers to carry him no further, as he wished to spend his time of recovery in a bright place. From day to day men of all sorts and conditions came to inquire after the invalid, who much ap- preciated the loving attention bestowed upon him. After this accident, he was obliged to use two sticks when walking, and he walked hatless because, as he said, if the wind blew his hat off he could not run after it and fetch it.

He wrote a delightful account of his old friend Edward Trusted Bennett, with whom he had spent some of his early years on the farm of a

WILLIAM RICHARDSON NASH 91

Friend in Sussex. His account of the funeral of his old nurse, which occurred during his at- tendance at a Yearly Meeting, is an interesting story of faithful loyalty through long years. From her abode in the East End of London, he and the late Thomas Sterry Norton followed the remains to the grave as " chief " and only mourners.

Apart from Yearly Meeting, business brought William R. Nash to London not infrequently, notwithstanding the difficulty of locomotion of later years. He once came up to vote at a Middlesex election of which a lady Friend, as it happened, had sent him notice, thinking, as she addressed it, that it was a waste of printing and postage. But William R. Nash thought the candidate a good man, worth the sacrifice of two days' travel and costs. On the occasions of his visits, he looked in upon his friends in the intervals between business engagements, and sometimes attended the mid-week meeting for worship at Devonshire House.

William Richardson Nash was married at Height in 1860, to Mary Jane Windsor, some two years his senior. She died at Pit Farm in 1885, the funeral taking place at Height. His son William, a young man of sterling character, left Grange- over- Sands in 1898 with a friend for Vancouver, en route for the Yukon River. He

92 ANNUAL MONITOR

was taken ill, and died in Alaska before completing his journey.

The funeral of William R. Nash took place at the Friends' burial ground, Height, Newton -in - Cartmel, on the 19th inst. The previous day the Flookborough bells were muffled and after evening service the choir sang hymns outside his house. On the plain memorial card occur the appropriate words, " Now the labourer's task is o'er." This hymn was sung at the grave- side, where, and at the meeting which followed, a large and representative company assembled. Appreciative testimony was given respecting the high character of the deceased and his devotion to public duty. At the close of the meeting, all united in " The Lord's Prayer " at the in- vitation of the Vicar of Cartmel.

The Friend.

William James Neill . . 39 27 10 1916 Belfast. Son of James and Margaret Neill.

Sarah Harriet Newland 76 26 1 1917 Reading. Widow of F. T. Newland. Formerly of Friends' Meeting House, Croydon.

Albert Davies Nickalls 50 21 1 1916 Wye, Kent. Killed in action in Mesopotamia. Was in the advance to relieve Kut-el-Amara. Was long reported " missing ;" is now repor- ted " believed killed."

RACHEL ODDIE 93

Eliza Nickalls . . . . 86 1(5 1 1917

Langside, Glasgow. Widow of Thomas

Nickalls, late of Ashford, Kent. John Nott . . ... . . 83 27 2 1917

Hereford. . Edward O'Brien . . . . 36 14 8 1917

Huddersfield. Margaret Elizabeth

O'Brien 23 6 11 1917

Wallasey, Cheshire. Daughter of Thomas

Henry O'Brien.

Rachel Oddie . . . . 78 22 3 1917

Southport. For many years " governess "

at Ackworth School. An Elder.

Rachel Oddie lived as a child at Ackworth School, her mother, Jane Oddie, holding the post of " Governess," or as it would now be styled " Head Mistress " at the School, a position which her daughter afterwards filled to great satisfaction for many years. Rachel Oddie earned the esteem of all by great dignity and efficiency in the fulfilment of her duties. After her retirement, in 1896, she went to live with her brother at Weston-super-Mare, but her later years were spent at Southport.

[It is hoped to present a more adequate memoir of Rachel Oddie in the Annual Monitor next year.]

94 annual monitor

Daniel Oliver, f.r.s., .. 86 2112 1916 Kew,

Daniel Oliver was of Quaker ancestry for several generations. He was the eldest son of Daniel and Ann Oliver and was born at Newcastle-on-Tyne, February 6th, 1830. His grandfather, also of the same name, a farmer, was a minister in the Society. But the farm had been given up in favour of a business in Newcastle. When quite a small boy, Daniel was sent off to school at Wigton. His master, Robert Doeg, gives but a poor report of him. There was no good to be got out of that lad, he was always in mischief and always experi- menting. He would try to make balloons or other such wild and useless things. He was interested in flowers and insects, had made plant collections and had thoroughly enjoyed the opportunities of country life.

On leaving school at 14 his exuberance of spirit quite left him. He was exceedingly shy and quiet at home as he took his part in the home business which was utterly distasteful to him. A Latin book would be found hidden away for study when he should have been occupied in more mundane matters.

In the Meeting however, he found several good friends and congenial spirits, among whom

Daniel Oliver, f.r.s.

DANIEL OLIVER 95

may be mentioned James Richardson, Henry Bowman Brady, Henry Tuke Mennell and Dr. Stewartson Brady from Sunderland. Among these and others was started the Arkesian Society, giving fortnightly lectures on scientific subjects at the Meeting House. Daniel Oliver was a prominent member of this society. His circle of friends also increased, and came to include John Hancock the ornithologist, and Sir Walter Trevelyan, who was instrumental in introducing him to Kew, the scene of his life's work.

As time went on he became more and more a keen botanical student, botany gradually ousting mineralogy and he brought to the task remarkable powers of observation coupled with thorough and patient criticism. When he was 21 he became a member of the Edinburgh Botanical Society, and 2 years later was made Fellow of the Linnaean. One of his earlier and most interesting botanizing expeditions was to Connemara, where he discovered Naice flexitis, a plant hitherto unknown in the British Isles.

He had one very severe illness as a young man ; it was at the time when the cholera was in Newcastle — the doctor visited him 8 times in one day. Also when quite a little boy he was badly bitten by a dog with whom he was

96 ANNUAL MONITOR

playing somewhat unguardedly. These incidents may have served to accentuate a decidedly nervous temperament.

In '58, hearing of a possible opening in Kew, he wrote to Sir William Hooker, then Director, offering his services. An invitation to Kew followed, and he accepted the post of Librarian of the Kew Herbarium.

In 1861 he became Professor of Botany at University College, London, which professor- ship he held for 27 years. It was in the Spring of '61 that he married Hannah, daughter of James and Jane Wall of Sheffield.

In his early manhood he became for a time somewhat of a strict Friend, but he entirely threw over such rigidity, though to the spirit of truth and freedom he remained firm. After his marriage, which was the happiest conceivable, art became ever an increasing interest with him — the botanical interest of a holiday faded into the background as he became an ardent sketcher, and this passion remained to the end of his life. He had quite a remarkable gift for recognising a pictorial subject.

He was always proud of being a Northum- brian. He had the deepest sympathy and love for the county, revelled in north-country lore and was most at home on its lonely moors.

DANIEL OLIVER 97

In '63 he was made a Fellow of the Royal Society, and in 1864 he was appointed keeper of the Kew Herbarium, which post he held till his retirement in 1890. These years were crowded with activity. He is especially remarka- ble for his work in the department of systematic botany. His Lessons in Elementary Botany has been the text -book for countless students. He lectured on botany for many years to the young gardeners. He was an arduous worker, with an ever alert mind. He was a man of utter sincerity, of simplicity of life and character, of quiet humour and of unbounded love of nature.

The common things of nature were the greatest delight to him — the Herb Robert, Knapweed and Stitch-wort of the country lanes.

He was a great lover of home and an ideal companion to his small children, whom he would entertain with stories of dragons and fairies. In later life his devotion to his little cat was quite a feature.

The friends he had were very real ones. He was never at home in much society, and resisted successfully all attempts to bring him into anything of the nature of lime -light.

Scientific recognition however, was accorded him by the Royal Society's bestowal of its Royal Medal in 1884, by the honorary degree

98 ANNUAL MONITOR

of LL.D. of the Aberdeen University in '91, and by the Linnsean Society's Gold Medal in '93.

His parents' removing to Jersey in 1870 led him, while paying his yearly visit, to extend his holiday into France, choosing a tour among those towns specially noted for some fine old church or cathedral. Of , these holidays, and of many also in the north of England, faithful record is left in many hundreds of delicate sketches, all arranged in orderly sequence in what had been originally intended for a botanical cabinet. He had great orderliness of mind and habit, and could never be unpunctual. He had an over-ruling sense of duty which was governed by a reserved but deeply religious spirit. On one occasion a friend spoke in his presence of some person being " common/' at which he rather gently and half humorously referred to the Society's query concerning tale- bearing and detraction. The speaker was a stranger to Quakerism, but the remark made a lasting impression.

He was fond of music, and at one time went as often as occasion permitted to hear Joachim, or to attend a Henshel concert.

When in 1890 Daniel Oliver retired from official life, he gave his new-found leisure with ardour to the study of oil -painting.

DANIEL OLIVER 99

These 26 years of retirement from official cares were perhaps the happiest of his life. He took to gardening and gave much time to reading. He was at one time a great reader of Ruskin and of Carlyle and he had considerable corres- pondence with and various visits from the former.

Of his favourite books may be mentioned the novels of Sir Walter Scott, Boswell's Life of Johnson, R. L. Stevenson's novels and the lives and writings of the pre-Raphaelite painters. He was also apt to have on hand one of the lives of the early Friends. These books he read and re-read. Joseph John Gurney's life was among the half-finished books at the time of his death.

Indeed the last quotation in his diary is from that book —

"I have nothing to look to, nothing to depend upon, except the one great source of hope and consolation, the infinite and unmerited mercy of God in Christ Jesus."

He attended Isleworth Meeting till very late on in his life, and when it became imprac- ticable to go so far, he and his old colleague and neighbour John Gilbert Baker arranged to hold meeting together at home.

In later life he had various close friends from the artist world — Arthur Hughes, T. M.

100

ANNUAL MONITOR

Rooke and Newton Benett, also in middle life A. W. Hunt, many of whose water-colours, as well as several by G. P. Boyce, he secured, i He died, after a very short illness, Decem-

ber 21st, 1916.

..35 19 Killed in France.

Grace Osborn . . . . 23

Sheffield. Died at Lincoln. Eliza Osborn.

Albert Owen Wellingborough,

Robert Partington

Bolton, Lanbs. Dinah Margaret Payne

Manchester. Emma Payne

Wellington, Somerset. Margaret R. Pease

Letchworth, Herts. Oswald Allen Pease

14 7 1917 Daughter of

2 1917

81

83

50

46

6 4 1917

30 6 1917

16 3 1916

30 1 1917

31 3 1917

Kelowna, B.C. Youngest son of the late

Thomas Pease, of Bristol. Killed in France.

Susan Ann Pease . . 88 21 9 1917

Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol. Widow of Tho- mas Pease.

Reginald Keith Peckover 20 7 6 1917

Worthing. Son of Charles E. and Anna

M, Peckover. Killed in action at Aden,

Alice W. Pierce

alice pierce 101

John New Pegler . . 80 30 1 1917

Auckland, N.Z. Formerly of Leeds.

Henry Allason Peile . . 20 1 7 1916

Carlisle. Only son of Gertrude and the

late Walter Peile. Killed in action.

Mary Ann Peirson . . 76 31 12 1916

Huntingdon. Benjamina Rickman Penney 91 30 3 1917

Poole, Dorset. Robert William Penrose 57 30 9 1916

Hurstmonceux, Sussex. Died in London Emmeline Fox Perrott 73 8 2 1917

Brook Green, London. Susannah Pettitt . . 88 30 6 1917

Dover. Widow of John Wyatt Pettitt. Thomas Phillips . . . . 78 15 12 1916

Darlington. Joseph William Pickard 53 2111 1916

Lancaster. An Elder. Martha Eliza Pickering 67 25 8 1916

Norwich. Widow of William Henry Pickering.

Alice Wycherley Pierce 76 12 9 1917 Melbourne. Widow of John Pierce.

[The following account of Alice Pierce is from the Testimony of Melbourne Monthly Meet- ing, kindly sent by the Clerk for insertion.]

It seldom falls to Melbourne Monthly Meeting to record the death of a Minister, and one so well

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known and loved ; for very few Quaker homes in Australia have not at one time or another, received a visit from our late Friend Alice Pierce.

Born in the little Oxfordshire village of Adderbury, in England; in 1840, Alice Wycherley was the eldest daughter of a large family, many of whom were extremely delicate.

The early years of her life brought care and sorrow ; one after another of her dearly loved ones passed away after long lingering illnesses. When at Croydon School she was hurriedly sent for to nurse her dying mother, and her bright happy school life ended. She bravely met her God- appointed task, and lovingly cared for the dear one, putting away all thought of the educational advantages she had lost, although Croydon school days remained one of her happiest memories.

She was then only sixteen years of age, frail and delicate looking, a forlorn, pathetic little girl-woman, bravely tackling housekeeping and the care of the younger children. Her father died a few years later, and Friends gathered round the desolate children and helped and looked after them in many kind ways.

So Alice Wycherley bravely struggled on, never once neglecting her Meeting when it was possible to get there, often walking miles to attend Quarterly Meeting. A little story is told of how, one day, on her way to Meeting, she observed a

ALICE PIERCE 103

very distinguished looking elderly Friend, wearing the broad -brimmed hat, knee breeches, etc., of that period, walking in an opposite direction to the Meeting House. Supposing him to be a stranger, she felt it to be her clear duty to put him with his face to the Meeting House, and although very shy and timid, she stopped him saying in her quiet way : —

" Are thee going to Friends' Meeting ? "

" No, I am not," was his curt reply. Not quite satisfied, Alice Wycherley repeated her question : " Are thee going to Friends' Quarterly Meeting "? Again the curt answer, this time more emphatic : ■ No, I am not"

She then discovered she had been addressing a Bishop of the Church of England, not (as she imagined) an elderly Friend.

One can imagine her very disturbed feelings as she hurried on to the quiet Meeting House.

At school she had acquired the habit of memorising passages of Scripture, a much valued store in later years, and as memory failed she would always encourage others to learn portions of the Bible when young. In the little Meeting to which she belonged, and indeed, in most of the English Meetings of her day, there was little definite religious teaching for the younger mem- bers.

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The Meetings were quiet and conservative, no First-day school, no Home or Foreign Mission work, and indeed, nothing to attract or help a young ardent seeker after truth.

In her early girlhood she experienced a change of heart ; God spoke to her, and she heard, and gladly gave her young life into His keeping, and for over sixty years she lived in the sunshine of God's presence.

Those who knew her most intimately in later life, felt the charm of the beauty of charac- ter that God gives to all who love and honour Him.

She was always ready to tell of her Saviour's love, and longed to help others to desire to love Him too.

Her marriage in 1877 with John Pierce, a native of the Isle of Wight and a Minister of the Society of Friends, brought her into a congenial circle of like-minded Friends. The family of which she became a loved member gave them- selves entirely to the service of the Society, considering the Lord's work of greater importance than worldly affairs.

Then came her voyage to Australia. John Pierce had been advised to try a warmer climate, as his health was failing, so, with brave hearts, they faced a new life in a new land.

They arrived in Tasmania in 1880, making their home in Hobart for a number of years.

ALICE PIERCE 105

Hobart Monthly Meeting recorded our dear Friend a Minister.

Her ministry was a quiet, gentle one. She sought out the lonely ones — knowing from her own experience what it meant to be lonely — and the isolated Friends, out of reach of any Meeting, fighting hard with nature in the building up of new homes.

She gave them sympathy and love, and kept up, until God called her, a constant friendly interest in all their concerns.

Then came her dear husband's death, in 1890, and relatives urged a return to England with the two daughters. Her heart was in England with her kindred, but she loved Australia too, and felt that there was work for her in this great land, so she remained, and God blessed her work.

Although frail in health, she carried on an extensive correspondence. This was to her an intense pleasure, and became, as time went on, a real service for the Master. As a Hobart Friend expressed it :

" She had a very useful place in our Society, and one that will not be easy to fill, in her loving and helpful care for and sympathy with those who were in difficult circumstances."

She felt specially drawn to help the humble ones, " the little ones," who are so precious in the Father's sight.

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She was an Evangelical Friend, but tried always to see the truth from another's point of view. The little Meetings too, were her care, and although her means were limited, she gave much time to the work that lay nearest her heart.

When she was no longer able to continue the business her husband had started, she gave herself completely to the service of the Society. Two winters were spent in Adelaide with the one remaining member of her family — several years in Ballarat. Then she visited Queensland Friends with a minute from her Monthly Meeting, and again visited Brisbane, with a continued desire to help the small Meetings into a fuller, stronger life.

For twelve years she made her home in Sydney, and did what she could to gather and shepherd a membership scattered over a great city. Her home was a centre of simple hospitality.

Six years ago, she came to Melbourne, tired and worn, the power to visit and receive Friends almost gone, but bright and cheerful as of old, living her favourite text from day to day : " I will mention the loving kindness of the Lord." Isaiah lxiii. 7.

She was one of the few remaining Friends of yesterday, a link with the quieter, more simple- living past.

The evening of her life was peaceful and happy, " an unruffled backwater." Ministered to

DOUGLAS PRICE 107

by a loving, devoted daughter, she passed into higher service on September 12th 1917. A step for her " into the open air, out of a tent already luminous. ' '

Florence Lilias Pike . . 57 3 6 1917

Besborough, Cork. Youngest daughter of

Edmund Pike. Edward Pim .. ..83 2 3 1917

Chesham, Bucks. James Pim

Dalkey, Co. Dublin.

Charles Pocock . . Wincanton, Somerset.

Mary J. Pollard . . N. Norwich, Canada.

Luke Ellis Preston East Ardsley, Yorks.

Douglas Price . . . . 42 12 12 1916

South Brisbane, Queensland. Son of Samuel and Caroline Price, of Birmingham.

Douglas Price was a son of Samuel and Caroline Price, of Birmingham. Born and brought up a Friend, he received a large part of his education under Church of England influ- ences, and partly perhaps as a consequence, he left Friends early in life and joined the Anglican

.. 81 An Elder.	25	6 1917
.. 80	19	2 1917
..76 7 Wife of Georg*	7 1917 3 Pollard.
. . 77	10	12 1916

108 ANNUAL MONITOR

Church." He studied at Durham University, where he took his M.A. degree with distinction, afterwards taking " orders " in the church of his adoption. He then became a curate at Lei- cester, where he soon gave promise of becoming a preacher of marked power and distinction. In 1903, he left England to take up the post of Professor of Theology at Brisbane, Queensland. On his arrival, however, the Bishop discovered that his views were too broad for him to be entrusted with the care of young theological students. His gifts as a preacher being un- doubted, he was placed in charge of All Saints, the oldest Anglican church in the city, and for the next eight years he attracted large congre- gations, with a high percentage of men. At the same time Douglas Price threw himself vigorously into efforts for the moral and in- tellectual well-being of the city, a purpose which he regarded as essential to the wholesome develop- ment of Christianity, the Quaker atmosphere in which he had been reared contributing, as he held, not a little in leading him to such an attitude. His successful career at All Saints was, however, cut short in 19.11 by the Bishop's withdrawal of the license to preach, in view of the expression of continually broadening views. As a conse- quence Douglas Price returned to England ; but in response to the urgent pleas of many of his

DOUGLAS PRICE 109

late congregation, he agreed to return and to open up an independent work in Brisbane.

Accordingly his friends gathered around him, while he preached in the new Modernist church and laboured for the improvement of the city, where Friends always received from him a hearty welcome. Besides his religious and civic activities, he had marked literary and musical gifts, and was the author of several works of fiction.

The end came suddenly. He had conducted the two services on the Sunday, and a day or two afterwards was found dead in his house in South Brisbane, where he lived entirely alone, having apparently passed away in sleep. So quietly closed the self-sacrificing life of one, of whom the Brisbane press speaks as intel- lectually and spiritually a more potential influence for the uplifting of life, in a community sadly materialistic in its outlook, than any other man who had lived in Queensland.

The Friend.

Margaret Priestman	..62 22	7 1917
North Ferriby, Hull.	Widow of	Samuel
Priestman.

Arnold Pumphrey ..26 21 9 1917

Sunderland. Son of Thomas Edwin and Mary Anna Pumphrey. Killed in action in France.

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Henry Quaife . . . . 24 14 0 1917

Robert Quaife . . . . 32 15 6 1917

Folkestone. Sons of Thomas and Jane Quaife. Both killed while stretcher-bearing in France.

Francis Reckitt . . . . 89 25 1 1917

Beaconsfield, Bucks. Formerly of Hull.

Elizabeth Redfern ..73 24 2 1917

Wilmslow, Cheshire.

Ann Elizabeth Richards 57 25 9 1917

Newport, Shropshire. Wife of Ephraim

Richards.

Eliza Jane Richardson ..88 1812 1916 Springfield, Lisburn. Widow of Joseph

Richardson. A Minister.

In the passing away of our beloved friend Eliza Jane Richardson we desire to express our feeling of gratitude to our Heavenly Father for the precious gift to us of her life and example, and she was a source of comfort and encourage- ment to many both old and young.

She was born in 1828, at Cahir, Co. Tip- perary, and was one of a large family of Fennells who were descendants of Captain Fennell, a follower of Cromwell in his Irish Campaign, who was awarded a grant of lands near Cahir, where his family dwelt for many generations, and became members of the Society of Friends.

Eliza Jane Richardson

ELIZA JANE RICHABDSON 111

In 1853 she married Joseph Richardson of Lisburn, and after residing for a few years in Liverpool, they settled at Springfield, near Lis- burn, which proved her happy home for sixty years.

Some of our elder Friends have not forgotten the impression she then made of simple, gracious womanhood. She had never been thoughtless or frivolous, and when still in girlhood she had seen a glimpse of the Heavenly Vision and had chosen the better part.

Her life was one of ever expanding usefulness ; there was much of a strong fortress in her charac- ter, combined with great business capacity ; but all was dominated by the religious element, to which other interests were subordinated. While of necessity the cares of a large family and her wifely duties as the companion of a husband greatly occupied in business affairs, caused her to be at times much in the world, yet she was palpably and earnestly not of the world, and its maxims did not guide her.

She was appointed an Elder in early life, and in this capacity her services were cheerfully and wisely rendered.

Some years later she was recorded a Minister. The centre of her belief was the Divine Person of our Lord, His example and His atonement — the Great High Priest who has passed into the Heavens,

112 ANNUAL MONITOR

and was in all points tempted like as we are. She was blessed with a glad and thankful spirit, and the part she took in our meetings for worship was very inspiring. She had a word of cheer for the children as well as for those who were already in the battle of life, and on the weary and heavy- laden her message fell as balm, pointing to Christ as the Captain of our Salvation and the great Deliverer in trouble. Her sermons still linger in memory. One stands out vividly, which was spoken more than twenty years ago, when she attended a mid-week meeting in Belfast, and for the first time sat in the new meeting room upstairs. Her text was " Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised, His greatness is unsearchable ; One generation shall praise Thy works to another and shall declare Thy mighty acts." She dwelt on the great responsibility of each generation towards those who followed, and earnestly desired we might so live and act that we should pass on undimmed the torch of faith, to those who should succeed us. The solemn pause after the address was felt to be a veritable consecration of the new building as well as of our lives to the Lord.

She held in succession the position of Clerk of the gatherings of Women Friends in their Monthly, Quarterly and Yearly Meetings, and over the last named she presided for sixteen years, and in all meetings her business ability, and great tact,

ELIZA JANE RICHARDSON 113

combined with deep spiritualty, caused her leader- ship to be exceedingly valued.

She took a warm interest in the Schools of the Society at Lisburn and Brookfield, the chil- dren of her people being specially dear to her, and she laboured unceasingly for their welfare. Many years ago she was made a* life member of the Committees of both Schools.

In the minute of Brookfield School Commit- tee recording her decease, allusion is made to her long and valued services, her gracious presence, her many kindnesses, her valuable counsel and her inspiring life.

A minute of Lisburn Preparative Meeting concludes with the words :

" We thank God for her loving and faithful service, and we desire that we may catch fresh inspiration from her life, and follow her as she followed her Lord."

In one sense her life was a continuous ministry, for notwithstanding the large share of prosperity and happiness that fell to her lot, she yet

" A heart at leisure from itself To soothe and sympathise."

For the last ten years of her life, increasing age caused her to give up attendance at meetings and committees, but she retained to the last her

114 ANNUAL MONITOR

keen interest in the life and work of the Society, and in the Schools which she had served so long.

During these years of enforced retirement she became increasingly the centre from which love radiated, not only to those who had the privilege of visiting her, but to many whom she could reach only by letter. The lonely and depressed always found in her an unfailing friend.

On the occasion of one of the last visits paid to her by a near relative, she spoke of her closing years with great thankfulness and then said :

" But I know dear it cannot last long and then — Oh, the light, and those who have gone before ! "

" Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth : Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours ; and their works do follow them." Rev. xiv. 13.

Maria Richardson . . 68 14 12 1916

Hunstanton. Wife of William Richardson.

Nancy Richardson ..75 25 5 1917 Bolton, Lanes.

Stansfield Richardson ..76 8 3 1917

Sunderland. Died whilst holding the office of Mayor of Sunderland.

By the death of Stansfield Richardson, ''Sunderland was suddenly deprived of her chief

STANSFIELD RICHARDSON 115

citizen, who was then occupying the mayoral chair for the fifth successive year. Stansfield Richardson, born in 1840, was a son of Caleb and Mary (Driver) Richardson, his father being a miller of Sunderland, the family, from Whitby and Cleveland, having started a tanning business in that borough in the latter part of the eight- eenth century. From that industry the flour milling was a development, and it was S. R's grandfather who, in 1814, established the business which became the Bishopwearmouth Steam Mills, and which in turn was carried on and developed by the founder's son, Caleb, and eventually by Stansfield Richardson and his brothers Edwin and Frederick. S. R. retired from the business in 1907, after having being- associated wTith the management for fifty years. In 1897 S. R. entered the Town Council, his election being unopposed, an experience repeated so long as he remained a Councillor. He was a few years later elected an Alderman, a position he retained to the end of his life. It had been his intention to retire at the age of 70, an in- tention relinquished in response to a widely signed requisition. He was prominently identi- fied with the Royal Infirmary, being chairman of the committee for upwards of twenty -five years. Shortly before his death he had taken a leading part in the raising of funds, totalling

116 ANNUAL MONITOR

upwards of £28,000, for the new War Hospital. He was for many years on the River Wear Com- mission, was a county and borough magistrate, the chairman of the local gas company and a director of the water company. As a practical farmer he farmed his own estate at Longnewton. His widow is a daughter of James Pirn, of Dublin.

The Sunderland Echo says of him :

" In his more youthful days he had served twice as mayor, 1891-3, and in the peaceful days before the war attained without any effort of his own to the same dignity. It thus came to pass that when the war began he sat in the chief seat of authority. Though a member of the Society of Friends, and therefore by train- ing and conviction, as well as by nature, a lover of peace, he regarded it as his duty to continue as a war mayor ; and with great earnestness, though at the sacrifice perhaps of physical strength, he so acted to the day of his death. Friends he had everywhere ; enemies none."

The Friend.

Elizabeth Ricketts . . 94 7 1 1917

Redland, Bristol.

Annie Maria Rider ..71 12 9 1917

Wednesbury. Widow of Robert Rider.

Jessie Gertrude Ritchie 82 26 8 1917 Norwood, Surrey. Late of Brighton. Died at Godstone, Surrey. Widow of George Ritchie.

Joshua Wheeler Robson

joshua wheeler robson 117

Mary Ann Roberts ..77 11 2 1917

Newcastle-on-Tyne. Widow of Thomas

Roberts. Arthur Anthony Robinson 80 25 1 1917

Tabooka, Beaudesert, Queensland. Formerly

of Liverpool.

Celia Robinson . . . . 77 17 3 1917

Hertford. Died at Steep, near Petersfield, Hants. Widow of Isaac Robinson. An Elder.

Charles Stephen Robinson 30 27 2 1917 Upton Park, London. E.

Joshua Wheeler Robson 85 26 1 1917 Huddersfield.

Joshua Wheeler Robson was the eldest of the three children of Isaac and Sarah (Wheeler) Robson, and the descendant of many generations of Friends. His father was a recorded minister, who visited America and other countries, inclu- ding Russia, where he had a special concern to the Mennonites, whom he helped to remove to America in their search for religious freedom. His grandmother, Elizabeth (Stephenson) Robson also travelled extensively in religious service in the early years of the 19th century, when foreign journeys were adventurous, at times even to the point of danger. On his mother's side, his great- grandfather was William Tuke, the founder of

118 ANNUAL MONITOR

York Retreat, and his uncle by marriage, Benjamin Seebohm, was one of the strongest influences of his early manhood.

It was natural therefore that Joshua Robson should be a devoted member of the Society of Friends. Tradition, early training, home influence and a Friends' School education, all acted upon a disposition naturally quiet and reserved, to produce a Friend of the faithful and reliable type, who though he may have little gift of speech, fills a very valuable place in a Meeting. Nothing but illness or absence from home was allowed to prevent his attendance at Meeting, and in later years the right holding of the Evening Reading Meeting grew to be his especial care He filled the position of Elder for nearly forty years.

As he looked back over his long life he often rejoiced in the change that he had seen in the Society of Friends. Yearly Meeting in his young manhood was largely concerned with what would term the "mint, anise and cumin," and hours were spent in discussing the exact meaning of the words used in answering the queries. The broadening outlook and freshening atmosphere brought about by the Adult School and kindred missionary undertakings were thankfully wel- comed by him. When, in 1856, Joseph Sturge, Joseph Storrs Fry and other leaders of the F.F. D.S.A. visited Huddersfield, Joshua Robson was

JOSHUA WHEELER ROBSON 119

one of those who met them, and, as a result of their visit, helped to begin a School in which he taught for more than sixty years, and which was always very dear to him.

It was a matter of regret to him in after life that his own school days ended early, when he was barely seventeen, just, he would say, as he was beginning to learn with understanding. He was at York when the School moved from Laurence Street to Bootham, and he has been described by his close rival, Fielden Thorp, as " the best speller the School has ever known." The love of Natural History, encouraged by John Ford, remained with him as one of the pleasures of his life, and gardening and meteorology were his favourite hobbies.

He was a wide reader, with an enthusiasm for dictionaries and theological works, and especially in later life, a keen love of fiction. It is possible that this was a natural reaction from his early training, when " Sandford and Merton " and 4 'Harry and Lucy" were the only light literature known. The little books of soul-searching theo- logy and Biblical teaching showered upon him in his nursery by loving relatives were replaced in his own children's nursery by literature of a happier kind, and in winter evenings he read Scott's novels^and other standard works aloud to them. Their first friendships with George Fox's

120 ANNUAL MONITOR

Journal and " The Pilgrim's Progress " were also made in this way.

Although Isaac Robson had felt it right to publish a little tract against Music, his son was not able to starve the artistic side of his nature, and he became one of the keenest supporters of the Subscription Concerts which provided his town with good music for very many years. In this, as in attendance at lectures and political meetings, he and his wife believed in sharing with their children as far as was possible, and their home life in consequence held a community of interest which grew with advancing years.

He married, in 1868, Elizabeth Rowntree of Scarborough, and they had seven children, of whom six are living. She passed on before him in September, 1914. It has been truly said that it is impossible to think of one without the other. Of the beauty and hospitality of their home life, the Testimony issued by Yorkshire Quarterly Meeting has spoken so fully that there is no need to reiterate it here.

In his business, that of a cotton yarn dyer, the relationship between Joshua Robson and his employees was a very friendly one. Many of them had grown grey in his service, and the warmly expressed resolution of sympathy sent to his family by their Trade Union was only one of many signs of the affection felt for him.

JOSHUA WHEELER ROBSON 121

When in a time of difficulty he was obliged to call his creditors together, he worked as hard as it was possible for man to work, until, in two years' time, everyone was paid in full. One of these has written : —

" It was my privilege to know him very intimately under trying circumstances, and then I learnt what a really good and true man could and should be. It was a lesson to me which I have treasured in many difficulties."

Although he was hampered by a naturally shy and retiring disposition, with little power of expression in words, his strong belief in the duty of citizens to take their right share in the govern- ment of their towns led him to work on many pub- lic bodies. He was for a time a member of the Town Council and a Magistrate, but his principal interest was in education. He served upon the School Board for seventeen years, for eleven of them as Chairman, helping to make his town, as it was then, a pioneer in educational work, and filling the position with a fairness and unlimited patience which are still remembered by those who were members^of the Board at the time. He was a co-opted member of the Education Committee at the time of his death. In politics he was a staunch Liberal, and he keenly felt the severance, when, in 1916, he resigned his membership of the local Association, as a protest against the intro- duction of Conscription.

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" With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation." The words of one of his beloved Psalms, the literature of all others which he preferred to read aloud, were associated by Joshua Robson with his father's death at the age of 84. By many they were felt to be equally appro- priate to himself, when he too reached the age which both his parents and his grandfather had lived to see. He was privileged to retain the faculties of sight, hearing and memory in large measure. The most responsible book-keeping for his business was done by him until within a few weeks of his death ; and, by his own wish, he undertook the close and intricate work of indexing a book for his daughter in the last year of his life, copying it with such exquisite clearness that it did not need to be typed for the publisher. A friendship and sympathy with many young lives, and a love of little children always strong in him mellowed in his old age, when the mere fact of his presence in Huddersfield was said to " make all the difference " to a girl, only slightly known to him, whose lot was cast in uncongenial work there for a time.

As he neared his 85th birthday, his desire became very strong to gather all his children and grandchildren round him for Christmas, and in spite of railway difficulties, this was accomplished. The youngest, a six-months-old grandson, seen

JOSHUA WHEELER ROBSON 123

then for the first time, was a great delight to his grandfather. Those who watched their happiness together could not help wondering whether the extremes of youth and age were not very close to one another, when perhaps our " clay -shuttered doors " are not quite sealed. After the attain- ment of his heart's desire, it seemed as if the hold on life gradually relaxed ; a brief illness, and he "fell on sleep" on January 26th, 1917. To those who loved him the words of Tagore came with peculiar meaning :

" Let it not be a death, but completeness."

Ann Rodgers . . . . 65 5 2 1917

Bessbrook, Co. Armagh. Widow of John

Rodgers.

Elizabeth Rogan . . 64 7 8 1917

Wakefield. Wife of H. Rogan.

Richard Laycock Routh 70 1712 1916 Sib ford Ferris, Banbury.

Amelia Rowntree . . 65 14 5 1917

Malton. Widow of William Rowntree.

John Sayer .. ..71 27 4 1917

Norwich. Margaret Schardt ..81 29 10 1916

Bournemouth. Wife of Carl Christof Schardt.

Elizabeth Seddon ..83 11 12 1916

Leicester. Widow of Thomas Seddon.

124 ANNUAL MONITOR

Margaret Sedgwick ..77 10 6 1917

Ot. Ay ton, Yorks. Widow of William Sedgwick. An Elder.

Mary Senior . . . . — 24 7 1917

Yelverton, S. Devon. Widow of Edward

Senior, late of Leeds.

Jane Sewell . . . . 87 20 4 1917

London. N.

Richard Shackleton ..75 212 1916

Sandy mount, Co. Dublin.

Richard Shackleton. son of George Shackle- ton and his wife Hannah Fisher, of Limerick, was born at Griesemount, Ballitore, on the 21st July, 1841. The youngest son of a large family, he was great -great -grandson of Abraham Shackleton, the founder of Ballitore school, and was a direct descendant, through his paternal grandmother, of Margaret Fell.

Brought up from childhood in his beautiful home of Griesemount, amongst all the scenes where his ancestors played an important part, he loved Ballitore, and the sweet country side around it. The old coach road which linked Dublin with the South passed over the hill close by Griesemount. After an education at Mountmellick (then open to boys and girls) Newtown, and Bootham, Richard Shackleton

RICHARD SHACKLETON 125

went into the milling business with his father and brothers at Ballitore. While still a young- man he married Charlotte E., daughter of James and Sarah Millner of Mountmellick — removed to Cannonbrook, Lucan, and became partner with his brothers Abraham and Joseph Fisher in the Anna Liffey Mills. In this neigh- - bourhood he spent more than thirty years of his life, where his genial manners and original and interesting personality, endeared him to a large circle of friends.

During this time it was his practice to drive regularly into Dublin Meeting on Sunday, for he dearly loved the Society of Friends, and appreciated deeply all that broad, living, tolerant Quakerism stands for. For many years he held the position of Overseer, and was ever ready to give a welcome to strangers — Friends or others — who came to Eustace Street.

Straightforward and unconventional, of strict honour in business matters, with him there were no shades of right or wrong. He was a moral enthusiast and could not bear oppression or injustice of any kind ; and he never hesitated when his convictions led him to advocate unpopular causes, and was a con- vinced Home Ruler when to be so required some moral courage. Greatly interested in politics, he often emoted Wm. Penn's words,

126 ANNUAL MONITOR

"it is the duty of a Christian to see that his country is well governed." The causes of Peace, Anti -Opium, Anti -vivisection, and Total Abstinence found in him an active supporter. The latter especially was very close to his heart, and he wore the blue ribbon to the end of his life. He did valuable work on Committees, and, as a County Magistrate, his influence was always in the direction of reduction of licenses, and he never lost an opportunity of pleading the cause of Temperance.

Sometimes in unexpected ways this " bread cast upon the waters " returned to him again. More than once, when he had helped to defeat publicans in their efforts to renew licenses, they came to thank him afterwards for having preserved them from a great temptation.

On one occasion Richard Shackleton was travelling by train through County Meath, when some young men, students of a famous Irish theological college, entered his compart- ment. Laughing and joking, as boys will, one more thoughtless than the rest produced a bottle of whiskey, and passed it round. Each in turn refused, save one. While he hesitated Richard Shackleton turned to the young man who had offered the drink, and spoke to him with great earnestness, of the great responsibility he (and all of them) would incur when they

RICHARD SHACKLETON 127

had parishes of their own, and exhorted them to uphold the cause of Temperance by example and precept, if they would follow in the foot- steps of their beloved and revered Father Matthew. Silence fell on the little band as he spoke, and when he had finished, slowly the student who held the bottle opened the window and sent it crashing on the railway line, exclaiming :

" I will never do such a thing again."

His first wife having died in early middle life, Richard Shackleton married in 1890, Mary Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Walpole, of Ashbrook, Queen's County.

All through his life Richard Shackleton had a love for little children ; he also had a wonderful knowledge of and love for birds and flowers : he used to say, that a nursery garden was his " public house " so great was its attrac- tion. Though not at all musical, he could tell from its first note without seeing it, the name of the bird that sang. He would always look for it amongst the branches, and when he found it, greet it with,

" Ah, there you are, my dear little friend. I see you."

For some years before his death, Richard Shackleton's health became precarious, and

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he gradually withdrew from business cares, and the various activities of life : but he still much enjoyed, when health permitted, joining with his Friends in public worship, and in the social circle : and almost to the end he attended the sittings of the Mountmellick School Commit- tee, of which he had been a member for over thirty years.

The last two years were clouded by the death of his youngest son, and the breaking out of the war, with all its unspeakable horrors, as well as the Sinn Fein rebellion in Easter, 1916. He was a convinced and uncompromising pacifist, and felt the latter to be a blow struck at Irish Nationalism ; a blow, alas, struck by men who were devoted to the cause of freedom, and loved Ireland too.

As the year was hurrying to its close in exceptionally severe weather, Richard Shackleton contracted a chill when out walking. Pneumonia supervened, and he passed quietly and peacefully away on 2nd December, in his 76th year, leaving behind him this world of war and sadness, and entering, we reverently believe, into the fuller and more beautiful life beyond.

" The best is yet to be, The last of life for which the first was made."

charles sharp 129

Charles Sharp .. ..80 11 2 1917

Southport. Late of Liverpool. A Minister.

In his youth Charles Sharp received a scienti- fic education : he was always a great reader and a lover of books ; and in 1868 he was appoint- ed librarian to the Pharmaceutical Society in London. He is remembered as an ideal librarian, always ready to assist readers in the choice of books, and to advise as to courses of reading for special lines of study. Later on he settled in Liverpool and became Secretary of the Liverpool Institute, which embraced a Boys' School, Girls' School, and a School of Art, only resigning the position when his health, which was always delicate, rendered the constant work impossible. He had always been a religious teacher, and, in answer to request had preached from the pulpits of many of the Free Churches of Liverpool and the neighbourhood. In 1892 he wrote to a friend who was engaged in publishing some articles on the views of George Fox and the early Friends.

"If I believed in the transmigration of souls, I should be more than half inclined to be- lieve I had a pre -existence sometime in the seventeenth century, and that George Fox's face and voice were not strange to me, so much a part of my mental and spiritual possessions are these views you are putting forward, as 'those of the primitive Quakers."

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Iii 1893 he became a member of the Society of Friends, and shortly afterwards was acknow- ledged as a Minister. He believed that

" Quakerism is peculiarly adapted to meet the wants of this age — to fulfil its aspirations, to aid in rectifying its wrongs, and to help it in attaining to righteousness."

Before his health failed he visited, by in- vitation, several meetings in Lancashire, York- shire, and the South of England, giving addresses or lectures on various subjects, his genial com- panionship and keen sense of humour making him a welcome guest, and he frequently ex- pressed the pleasure and refreshment these visits had been to himself.

A member of the F.A.U., in France, writes of him —

" I shall always very gratefully remember both Charles Sharp's preaching and friendship. The ministry of no other man, Friend or non- Friend, whom I heard in my teens, ever appealed to me like his, nor among all I have heard since . have I ever found one who was able to give me what I needed, as he did. He seemed to have a unique spiritual influence."

Another Friend, who frequently heard him, writes : —

" One of the most outstanding qualities of his ministry seemed to me its originality. His versatile mind could mould to high spiritual

CHARLES SHARP 131

uses such diverse material as an article from the Nineteenth Century, the translation of a Spanish poem, an incident in a street or tram, the Epistle to Philemon, or a picture from Punch. In his prayers we had the consciousness of perf e ct communion with the Father — we were carried right to the foot of the Heavenly throne by one whose faith was strong, and whose trust was unassailable, and above all by one to whom prayer was as natural as breathing.' '

The last years of Charles Sharp's life were spent in Southport, where his wife died in 1907. For some time he had been increasingly an in- valid, and after a day or two of unconsciousness, he passed gently away on the evening of February 11th, 1917, at the age of 80.

A few sentences from a* beautiful address at the funeral by a Wesleyan minister may be a fitting conclusion to this brief sketch.

" During the latter years of his life he was always frail, and frequently in pain, and one has rarely met so heroic a spirit. It is not enough to say that he was unconquered, he was triumphant ! and now he has gone, the sun of his life has set, but an unearthly radiance lingers, and we are satisfied. We could not wish him back. He brought the unseen things very near, and above all made them beautiful. There must be no gloom in our hearts to-day. Could he speak to us he would say, ' Be of good cheer.' For now he has passed to the other side of ' the dropped curtain of life,' and has seen the King in His beauty." J", - . ,

J The Friend.

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Isaac Sharp . . . . 70 9 10 1917

Leytonstone, Essex. Recording Clerk of the Society of Friends, London Y.M.

Isaac Sharp was born at Croydon School on June 16th, 1847, the third and youngest son of John and Hannah Sharp (nee Irwin) who were at that time the Superintendents of the School. His mother came from a long line of Quaker ancestry, his father had only two generations of Friends behind him, but was a staunch Friend himself and a man of sterling character, much valued in the ministry. This dear parent was removed by death when Isaac was only five years old, and his mother with her eight young children moved from the School to a small house near by. In some autobiographical notes he tells us that, while quite young, his mother often took him to Monthly and Quarterly Meetings, and that from this time he was interested in the business of the Society, and hoped that some day he might take an active share in it himself. When nine years old, he attended Yearly Meeting with her. At the age of ten, he entered Croydon School, and passed rapidly up it, being quick and ambitious in work, and taking place in class with those much older than himself, although, according to his own account, he was a troublesome boy and in all manner

ISAAC SHARP 133

of scrapes out of school hours. He was especially forward in arithmetic and mathematical subjects, which he could always enjoy as a recreation ; he took up French as an out-of -school study, and was interested in botany as a hobby. He acknow- ledged that he owed much to the enlightened teaching, at Croydon, of Joseph Radley, William Robinson and Josiah Evans. At the age of four- teen he entered Bootham, where he was under Silvanus Thompson and John Firth Fryer as teachers, Fielden Thorp as the resident head- master and John Ford, who, retaining some duties as Superintendent, exerted a wide influence in the school. Here he became interested in science and was active in games, being the means of introducing football into the school. After two years he went on to the Flounders Institute, and here " learnt to love and reverence Isaac Brown," from whom he had lessons in Greek alone in his study and imbibed a love of the classics which never left him. To the last a Greek Testament was his frequent companion. The freer life at the Flounders was much enjoyed, companionship with young men of kindred interests, all preparing to be teachers, the long walks home from the country Monthly Meetings, the proximity of Ackworth School, all made a full and varied life. At this time, too, he began the series of walking tours in

10

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which he and his brothers became familiar with the Yorkshire Dales, the Lake District, and other parts of England. In the winter of 1864 he had the sorrow of losing his dear mother, who, after a short illness, passed away on Christ- mas Eve, her fiftieth birthday. He left the Flounders sooner than he would otherwise have done, and took the post of assistant master in the School of Till Adam Smith at Weston- super-Mare, where he remained five years, and, in the intervals of teaching, studied for and passed his B.A. examination. During this time besides the recreations of cricket, swimming and long walks, he enjoyed frequent visits and week- ends at Sidcot, where his sister and her husband, Josiah and Mary Hannah Evans, were Super- intendents. It was here that he became ac- quainted with his future wife, who was teaching in the School.

During the summer of 1868 he had a delightful walking tour in Scotland, with an intimate school friend, Frederick Holdsworth, which left vivid memories of Iona, the Trossachs, Edinburgh, and other parts of Scotland, and of the comradeship of travel. The early death of this dear friend a few years later he mentions as " a deep grief." In after years foreign travel was a source of great and never-failing interest. Besides being familiar with many parts of Europe,

ISAAC SHARP 135

he was twice on the American continent, and once in later life, by the kindness of some Friends, he was able to leave his absorbing work at Devonshire House and enjoy for six weeks the hitherto untouched delights of Egypt and the Mediterranean. Always in good spirits, in- valuable as a guide when on familiar ground, his buoyant gaiety made him the best of travelling companions.

To return to the record of his life. In 1869, Isaac Sharp, then 22, left Weston, and went as private tutor in the family of Arthur and Charlotte Wallis at Basingstoke, having their four eldest boys under his care. The life there was extremely pleasant to him, and he enjoyed with his pupils the riding, fishing, skating, cricket or boating, which the seasons brought round. The following year, however, on the sudden death of Till Adam Smith, Isaac Sharp, with his elder brother, Irwin, took over the School, and Woodside, Weston- super-Mare became for the next few years the family home of the brothers and sisters.

In 1876, Isaac Sharp crossed the Atlantic and was married to Isabella Gregory, who had been resident for three years at her father's house in Canada, caring for eight young step -brothers and sisters, who had been left without a mother. The wedding took place at the Friends' Meeting House, Milldale, Ontario. The honey-moon

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which was an unusual one, embraced a visit to Niagara, and steamer trips down the St. Lawrence and Hudson Rivers, and acquaintance with New York and Philadelphia.

After another year at Weston, Isaac and Isabella Sharp established a home at Darmstadt, where boys, after leaving English Schools, could continue their studies and acquire a good know- ledge of the German language. It was here that their eldest child, Arthur John, now at the time of writing this, in Dorchester Gaol for conscience sake, was born, and duly registered as a British subject. From Darmstadt as a centre, holiday rambles in the Odenwald and visits to Heidelberg, Frankfort and the Black Forest were much en- joyed.

In 1879, on the retirement of Joseph Drewett from the School at Hitchin, Isaac Sharp left Darmstadt and joined Cranstone Woodhead in the conduct of the school, which, after three years, was left entirely in his own hands. He soon made a happy home among Hitchin Friends, and here his only daughter and younger son were born. Here, too, at the age of 33, he began to speak occasionally in Meetings for Worship, but only under a strong sense of duty and with much diffidence. He filled successively the offices of Clerk to the Preparative Meeting, Assistant Clerk to the Monthly Meeting and Clerk

ISAAC SHARP 137

to the Meeting on Ministry and Oversight. As time allowed, he took part in town affairs, con- tributed to the local paper, was a member, and, later on, Vice-President of the Liberal Association, and President of the local Temperance Society. He was a member also of the Committee of the Mechanics' Institute, and in this capacity discussed what books should be added to the Library. His interest in books and reading was always strong, and soon after he began his work at Devonshire House, he made a careful investigation of the Library there, which led to a separate department of work being established under the management of a well -qualified librarian and staff, thus increasing enormously the working value of the literary treasures there stored up.

In 1889 the lit' e at Hitchin, with all its pleasant associations, came to an end, when a scheme for resuscitating the Town Grammar School was set on foot, and Isaac Sharp gave up his school premises to the Managing Committee and ceased to be a schoolmaster. He, continued, nevertheless, all his life to be, a teacher in his daily conversation ; he delighted in making a point clear and in sharing with others his wide knowledge gathered from books and in his travels. He was also always learning, adding interest to interest.

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He had long desired more definite work for the Society of Friends, and when the office of Recording Clerk fell vacant, he became a candi- date for the post, and was accepted. He entered on his new duties in the summer of 1890, at the age of 43, with thankfulness and an inspiring zeal, that never abated during his tenure of office. Not only did he give of his best during office hours, but many evenings at home were largely devoted to Society work, such as he could better accomplish in these quieter surroundings. But he liked company even when working, and never seemed to mind interruptions. He enjoyed sharing his many interests with visitors, neigh- bours, train-companions, chance acquaintances, his staff and the many callers at the office. His sympathy and power to help in practical ways made him a welcome presence on occasions of joy or sorrow. Young people up to the last wanted him at their weddings, and it was often a rea/ concern with him to be present helpfully at funerals, especially in his own meeting. Busy as he was, he was never too busy to help.

He lectured occasionally on Quaker history, Devonshire House and its Library, travels and kindred subjects, and frequently wrote for The Friend and other periodicals, and hoped to do more in this line if years of leisure were given him.

ISAAC SHARP 139

He did good work for education. It was a concern with him to see that the right children were sent to Friends' Schools and that available funds were made use of for the purpose.

He kept a certain boyishness to the end, could never pass a game of cricket without stopping to watch, amusing himself inventing magic squares and setting his friends mathe- matical puzzles. He was pointed out by a boy to his father a few years ago, as " the best skater in Ley tonstone. " He kept certain friends of his boyhood to the last, was a friend and comrade to his children and entered into their various professional studies, equally willing to teach or learn.

From 1890 onward his home was in Ley ton- stone. He was too much occupied to take a great deal of part in town affairs, but he became Treasurer of the local Total Abstinence Society, and was the first Secretary of a Peace and Ar- bitration Society, which he and his wife had largely been the means of establishing. The work for the Society of Friends was all absorbing, and until the last three years when symptoms of the trouble which ended his life appeared, his health was excellent. Even then, he was rarely away from the office, and always kept a bright exterior. It was, however, with great joy and relief that he handed over, in July, 1917,

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his work and responsibilities to another, and looked forward to enjoying rest and leisure in his home. But this was not to be, and in October of the same year, after a serious operation, he passed away at the age of 70.

He leaves fragrant memories behind, that will ever be a joy to look back upon and an inspiration for those who remain. We can truly give thanks for the life thus lived, that has passed from us to the higher service beyond.

The foregoing was kindly prepared for the Annual Monitor by one or two members of the family. If we were to make extended quotations from the many appreciations of Isaac Sharp, in his capacity as Recording Clerk, our available space would be much exceeded It will only be possible to quote from a few of these.

L. F. Morland, writing in The Ploughshare, says : —

" The post of Recording Clerk, or Secretary to the Society of Friends, is one of great respon- sibility ; it has grown in importance during the last quarter of a century, as one after another new activities have arisen within the Society, or been attached to it. The work of the central office is varied and intricate, the mere keeping of the many accounts and acting as treasurer for the various funds demands much time and patient care. Isaac Sharp was never the mere administrator ; he never allowed his responsi- bility for the machinery to thrust out of sight

ISAAC SHARP 141

the principles and causes which supplied the motive power. He was never so immersed in detail that he could not pay attention to the spirit behind it. His attitude towards his work was expressed time and again in some such sentence as this : 'lam not a member of this Committee, but I am glad to attend at any time and give such information and help as I am able.' " His warm interest and sympathy was extended to any Friend who approached him. He was never too preoccupied to listen and to serve. It was not merely that he was unselfish, though he was always that, but he really took a pleasure in entering into the concerns of others and in learning their affairs. Each one of us, when we went to him, felt that this particular matter was of special interest to him, and might rightly claim his time and thought. His ac- quaintance extended to Friends on the other side of the Atlantic. When, five years ago, he attended the Five Years' Meeting and visited many meetings on the American Continent, he was welcomed wherever he went as an old friend, as the one living link between this side and that. No one in the Society could have more personal friends, could arouse more widely the feeling of affection and trust."

And L. F. M. concludes a most interesting article : —

" Isaac Sharp's goodness was positive ; he had a sympathy wide enough to include all. He has shown us what a beautiful thing true goodness is, and has helped us to realise the power and charm of the Master who went about doing- good."

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The Meeting for Sufferings spoke of him, on the occasion of his retirement, as

" Beloved by Friends the world over with whom he has come into touch personally and by correspondence."

Dr> Battin, of Swarthmore College, Penn- sylvania wrote of him :

" The work of this position is in no sense a light or easy task ; it is rather one of the most difficult I know. One called to be Recording Clerk needs an intimate and precise knowledge of the principles, testimonies and history of the Society of Friends, not only in Great Britain but elsewhere — needs a sound judgment and a great share of tact and discretion. Isaac Sharp possessed all these necessary qualifications, and always carried out the duties with unfailing energy and patience, whilst his inborn spirit of helpfulness made it a pleasure for me to go to him for assistance and advice. I admired

/^.particularly the deep sense of humour which

'"V he '■•• possessed to a rare extent."

The Friend adds to this testimony :

"So he appeared to his friends, and now that he has gone there remains a sense of the graciousness, sweetness, and the light which radiated from a truly lovable character."

A few extracts from the excellent Testimony of Ratcliff and Barking Monthly Meeting must close this memoir.

ISAAC SHARP 143

" As we think of him there are some special characteristics that stand out clearly in our memory — his devotion to duty, his unfailing courtesy and cheerfulness, his sense of humour, his kindness and unselfishness, and the readiness with which he would respond to any appeal for help. His wide all-round views and his good judgment enabled him to see the right course to take in very varying circumstances, while his tact and sympathy made him able not only to say the right thing but to say it in the right way. * With him,' writes an American Friend, ' You felt yourself in the presence of one who knew how to deal with men, and who kept in touch with God.' "

On his retirement Isaac Sharp said of his work :

" I have had twenty -seven years delightful work as Secretary of the Society. The work has been intensely interesting, and it has always been a pleasure. Had I been free to take up any occupation without regard to my livelihood, I would have chosen just the work I have been doing at Devonshire House."

[Writing just before the operation, I. S. said :] " Not unmindful of the risk for a man of seventy, I look forward with perfect confidence to the issue, knowing that in any eventuality all will be well. I have arranged all my affairs, and have no care or worry."

" A few days later the end came. His last words expressed kind thoughts for those about him, and on the 9th of October, 1917, he passed peacefully away.

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" The words from the Indian poet seem to come as a fitting close to this brief record : — ' I have got my leave. Bid me farewell, my brothers. We were neighbours for long, but I received more than I could give. Now the day has dawned. A summons has come, and I am ready for my journey.' "

Jambs Sheffield ..75 27 11 1916

Edgbaston, Birmingham. Louisa Shelley .. ..40 21 9 1917

Colchester. Buxton Shillitoe . . 91 23 1 1917

Bournemouth. Late of London.

Arthur Edward Sholl . . 24 30 9 1917 Leyton, N.E. Son of Martha S. and the late James Sholl. Killed in action.

Samuel Ashby Sholl ..81 22 1 1917

Godstone, Surrey. Richard Herbert Sikes 44 24 4 1917

Cork. Son of Richard C. and Susan I.

Sikes. Died of wounds in France.

Mary Ann Silcook . . 81 7 9 1917

Lisburn. Wife of James Silcock. An Elder.

Austin Gundry Simmonds 20 2 6 1917

Congresbury, Somerset. Son of T. G.

and A. E. Simmonds. Drowned in Lough Rea.

Caroline Simms . . . . 74 20 5 1917

Southport. Wife of Josiah Simms.

annual monitor 145

Harold Simpson .. ..26 11 4 1917

Cambridge. Son of John Henry and Dorothy Simpson. Killed in action.

Henrietta Elizabeth

Sinton 48 29 1 1917

Ballymena. Daughter of Samuel and

Elizabeth Sinton.

Rosanna Smart . . . . 66 20 5 1917

Bishopston, Bristol. Wife of Edwin Smart.

James Smeal, M.D. ■ . . 79 9 5 1917

Victoria, Australia. Formerly of Glasgow.

John Cruickshank Smeal 68 710 1916

Long Beach, California, U.S.A. Son of the late Robert and Mary Smeal, of Glasgow.

Joseph Smith . . . . 66 21 9 1916

Sheffield. W. Kenneth Smith . . 22 2 5 1917

Hoddesdon, Herts. Only son of Maurice

Smith. Died in Hospital at St. Omer,

France. Samuel Baker Smythe . . 52 17 6 1917

New Barnet.

Annie Sowden .. ..75 13 11 1916

Boumville, Birmingham. Widow of Joseph Sowden.

Annie Elizabeth Spark . . 35 29 1 1917 Coventry. Died at Sparkbrook, Birmingham.

146 annual monitor

John Foster Spence ..72 1 2 1917

Tynemouih.

Joseph Shewell Spence 65 9 8 1917

Hexham. Formerly of North Shields.

Eleanor Stacey .. ..60 17 9 1916

Putney.

Daniel Staines .. ..70 1 2 1917

Bath. Formerly of Derby.

Mary Stanley .. ..78 12 1 1917

Bridgwater. Widow of Nehemiah H. Stanley.

George Walter Hudson

Stead .. .. ..19 17 9 1916

Shortlands, Kent. Son of Laura and the late James Lister Stead. Killed in France.

Daisy Steed .. ..9 4 3 1917

Stafford. Daughter of Otho H. G. and Rosa L. Steed.

John William Steel . . 73 17 10 1917 Darlington.

John William Steel was born at Hutton Rudby, Yorks., where his father, who was a Scotchman, was in business as a builder. In early life he went to live at West Hartlepool, where he» entered a printing business, which he afterwards carried on for himself, and of which his brother is now the proprietor.

John William Steel

JOHN WILLIAM STEEL 147

About this time he began writing for the South Durham and Cleveland Mercury and other papers, and subsequently joined the staff of the Northern Echo, at Darlington. This paper was then edited by the late W. T. Stead, with whom he formed a lasting friendship. In a cottage garden outside Darlington, J. W. S. used to point out a swing in which he and Stead often disported themselves in leisure moments. Later, he went to Newcastle, where he became a member of the staff of the Newcastle Chronicle, with which journal he was connected for upwards of thirty years, holding, the greater part of that time, the position of commercial editor. The late Joseph Cowen was the proprie- tor, and between him and many members of the staff there was strong esteem and indeed affection : this was notably the case with J. W. S.

As a young man he displayed marked ability in his vocation. He had been reared in a district famed for its iron and steel, and this industry, together with others of paramount importance on the North East Coast, he studied in a special degree, in so far as the fluctuations of output and prosperity were concerned. Besides the iron and steel industries he made a special study of the coal trade and the various railway undertakings, and he became well versed in

148 ANNUAL MONITOR

the kindred subjects of shipping and ship- building. In everything he wrote on these matters there was evidence of a sure grasp of facts, a shrewd diagnosis of tendencies and a lucidity of expression that always made his articles instructive. He had rich sources of valuable data at easy command, and thus his writings were invariably illumined by compara- tive statistics and by informative matter drawn from long personal experience.

It is not given to every commercial journalist to be able to write interestingly, in a popular sense, on a trade subject, but with this attribute J. W. S. was liberally endowed. He was a particularly able writer on railway stocks and dividends, and the value of his work in this connection was recognised by those best able to judge as being of a high order.

He was a familiar figure on the Newcastle Commercial Exchange for a great many years, and was held in general esteem by the members. Apart from his journalistic work on purely commercial topics, he was gifted with considerable versatility, and contributions on general subjects from his pen often appeared in some of the best weekly periodicals and monthly magazines. He had an extensive acquaintance with Quaker literature and history, and his contributions on these subjects are of much value. Some

JOHN WILLIAM STEEL 149

years ago he collaborated with the late Thomas Pumphrey in producing a history of " The Society of Friends in Newcastle and Gateshead." He wrote many articles on topics connected with the Society, and his latest book was entitled I Early Friends in the North."

He may be truly said to have " died in harness," for shortly before he passed away, and when much too feeble to hold a pen, he dictated to his daughter an article for a paper on the iron and steel industry, the very last of a long series which were greatly valued by business men on our North East Coast.

J. W. S. was married in Ackworth Meeting House, to an Irish Friend, Mary Chapman, from County Armagh, who had been for some years Nurse at Ackworth School. He took no part in politics, though he held strong views on many subjects, and his Peace principles did not always make his journalistic work easy at the time of the Boer War. In private life he was distinguished for uniform courtesy and kindness, his friendships were true, and his regard lasting.

The following appreciation by a Friend who knew him intimately, may fittingly close this brief memoir.

" In the passing away of John William Steel, of Darlington, the Society of Friends in

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the North of England has lost one of its most consistent members. His reading was wide and various, and his first drawing to the Friends was through the writings and early records of that Society. In his early youth he had been brought up as a strict Presbyterian.

" His profession of journalism brought him into wide fields of knowledge, and he had a very extensive acquaintance with the beliefs, practices and customs of many sects and creeds, and was quite an authority in all matters connected with the Society of Friends, past and present, and was often appealed to for information from all parts of the country, which he willingly acceded to, often at great cost of labour to himself. Of him it might be said, ' mark the perfect man and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace,' not that he thought the word perfect should be applied to him, but as an upright man he was perfect. Those who had to do with him in business bore testimony to his high standard of doing what was right, irrespective of all consequences. He was not a man that could be bought in any sense of the word ; with him the question was, what is right in the sight of God ? A deep thinking man, he held strong views, and if at times* in business meetings of the Society he was in a minority, he was never heard to say one word outside the meeting. One endearing feature was his friendship for little children, and they too were fond of him. He did not forget children or young people who might be away from home or absent on business, or other reasons, and if he himself was ill, some- times there came quaint letters of friendship

JOHN WILLIAM STEEL 151

from some of his childish friends, and sometimes a short note from some young man away from home, which he treasured, and busy man though he was, replied to. At his interment, one who remembered his kindly interest with grati- tude and affection, said that once J. W. Steel had said to him ' they serve God most who serve humanity best,' and for five and twenty years this had remained with him as a helpful thought. J. W. Steel was not one who could lay bare the sacred things of the soul, but he lived his religion by his acts, and with a faith firmly fixed on our Lord Jesus Christ as his Saviour, he passed into His presence, to do higher work for his Lord. J. W. S. seemed to have realised the truth of the words —

' We live in deeds, not years, In thoughts not breaths, In feelings, not in figures on a dial ; We should count time by heart throbs. He most lives, who thinks most, Feels the noblest, acts the best.' "

Elizabeth Stephens ..78 11 1 1916

Ashfield, Budock, Falmouth. Widow of John Stephens. A Minister. (Memoir last year).

Joseph Ashby Sterry . . 82 1 6 1917

London.

John Stewart . . . . 23 12 4 1917

Kinmuck, Inverurie. Son of James and Mary Stewart. Killed in France.

152 annual monitor

Mary Jane Strange . . 83 29 12 1916 Highgate. Widow of John Clark Strange.

Frank William Strevens 52 21 8 1917 Dover. Late of Poole, Dorset.

John Strong . . . . 84 12 4 1917

Hesket Newmarket, Cumberland. Anna Christina

Sutherland .. ..50 12 11 1917

West Ealing, London. Died at York. Wife of

Donald George Sutherland.

Edgar Talliss . . . . 34 12 9 1916

Victor Kirk Talliss . . 30 20 2 1917 Saskatchewan, Canada. Sons of Harriet and the late William Talliss. Killed in i France.

Catherine Tanner ..61 7 6 1917

Bristol.

Laura Frances Tansley 3 16 9 1917 East Ham. Died at Children's Hospital, Great Ormond Street, London. Daughter of Charles Francis and Laura Edith Tansley.

Eliza Taylor . . . . 75 9 10 1916

Bournemouth. Widow of Frederic Taylor, formerly of Brighton and Sunderland.

Gertrude Cash Taylor . . 57 31 12 1916 Gt. Ayton, Yorks. Wife of Joseph Henry Taylor. An Elder.

Agnes Ann Thompson

agnes ann thompson 153

John Basil Taylor . . 32 13 4 1917

Bournemouth. Youngest son of the late

Frederic and Eliza Taylor, of Sunderland.

Killed in action in France. Sarah Taylor . . 66 18 1917

Chester. Late of Whitley Bay. . . Wife of

Thomas Myers Taylor . . . Wilfred Alan Taylor .. 6 mos. 4 11 1916

Newcastle-on-Tyne. Infant son of Laurence

and Selina Taylor. Louisa Teather . .

Eckington, Sheffield.

Teather. Joseph Temple

Sydney, N.S.W. F(

Alfred Samuel Tetley . . 48 4 9 1916

Scarborough. Died at Taunton.

Selina Thomas . . ..85 20 2 1917

Bristol. Wife of Thomas Thomas.

Agnes Ann Thompson ..81 21 11 1917 Gainsborough, Lines

It seems only fitting that the present issue of the Annual Monitor should contain some record of the life of one who was so regular a reader of its pages.

Having been a diligent attender of Monthly and Quarterly Meetings, she was greatly missed

75		24	9	1916
fide	)W	of	Reuben
67		5	11	1916
ly	of	Leeds.

L

154 ANNUAL MONITOR

when increasing age and ill health compelled her to discontinue the practice. A Friend writes :

" I always loved Agnes Ann Thompson before I knew her personally. At the Quarterly Meeting she was so good to my mother, looking after her and helping her almost as a daughter, which was greatly appreciated.

She not only won old hearts, but young boys spoke of her with warmest affection, and when I came to know her, I was much struck with the charm of her loving outlook and her sense of humour, so attractive to all around her. I shall never forget her unstinted hospitality and care for the guests.' '

A. A.T.'s genial hospitality and the readiness with which she entered into the interests of others, even if perfect strangers, were marked features of her life.

Latterly she was keenly interested in the Belgian Refugees and remarked more than once ■ ' Having them in our midst helps us to forget ourselves." A Friend, in expressing sympathy with the family after her Home -call wrote :

"Yet it can hardly be termed loss, f or j Life is Eternal, and Love Immortal, and death is only the horizon, and the horizon is only the limit of our earthly vision. Ever kindly and sympathetic to me and mine, I cannot express sufficient gratitude for the help and inspiration derived from our beloved friend."

AGNES ANN THOMPSON 155

Though never one to say much about religion, her genial influence was most noticeable ; young people especially have remarked on feeling uplifted by being in her presence.

To quote from the local newspaper :

" The poor of Gainsborough have lost one of the best friends they ever possessed by the death of Miss Agnes Anne Thompson. Her chief aim in life was to render all the aid she could to the sick and needy. Although generous to a fault, she was no indiscriminate bestower of charity. She had been an energetic member of the ' District Nursing Association ' and was Secretary of the Local Branch of the British Society for the Propagation of the Gospel amongst the Jews, having been connected with both Associations from the time of their commencement in the town."

We can hardly close more appropriately than by quoting the words on the Memorial Notice :

" There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God."

Eliza Thompson . . . . 80 27 10 1916

Sparkbrook, Birmingham. Widow of Thomas Thompson.

Mary Gower Thompson . . 66 27 5 1917 Winscombe, Somerset. Wife of Henry Woolcott Thompson.

156 annual monitor

Robert Thompson.. ..65 26 4 1917

Wincanton, Somerset. Sarah Ann Thompson ..82 10 11 1916

Exmouih. Daughter of the late Walter

Trevelyan Thompson, of Guisbrough, Yorks. William Ralph Thompson 4 16 3 1917

Spafield, Wexford. Son of W. Herbert and

Eleanor R. Thompson. Margaret Thomson ..71 25 10 1916

York. Widow of Alfred Thomson. Harold Thorp . . . . 36 22 9 1917

Kingstown, Co. Dublin. Son of Sara and

the late John William Thorp, of Bessbrook.

Died of wounds in France, R.A.M.C. John Fincher Thursfield 79 12 12 1916

Kettering. A Minister. Fanny Mary Till yard ..57 5 3 1917

Letchworth, Herts. Jane Tolerton . . . . 83 4 7 1917

Trastevere, Rome. Formerly of Dublin. John Allen Tregelles . . 67 8 8 1917

Hoddesdon, Herts.

Benjamin Franklin

Trueblood .. ..69 26 10 1916

Newton Highlands, Mass, U.S.A. A Minister.

The following memoir, from the pen of Prof. Rufus M. Jones, which we are permitted

DR. BENJAMIN F. TRUEBLOOD 157

to quote, was contributed to The Friend shortly after Dr. Trueblood's decease.

Dr. Benjamin F. Trueblood has left us at a time when " the bud of brotherhood " seems terribly nipped with frost, and when " the pro- phesying light " was burning at its dimmest. But he always lived and worked with a large faith in the infinite power and love of God, and even in these days of winter's frost and darkness he did not lose hope in the happier future for the race. He had for a full generation been one of the most impressive figures of our Society, both in America and Europe, well known in Quaker circles for his large contribution to its educational work, its public causes and its deeper life, and very widely known outside our fold for his large and constructive advocacy of peace and arbitration and higher ideals in international relationships.

He was born at Salem, Indiana, of excellent Quaker stock, in 1847, and was educated in the institutions of the Society, graduating from Earlham College in 1869. For twenty-one years he was among the forefront leaders of the edu- cational work of Friends in the Middle West. He was successively principal of Raisin Valley Seminary in Michigan ; professor of English Literature and governor at Earlham College ; professor of Greek and Latin in Penn College, and

158 ANNUAL MONITOR

one of its founders ; president of Wilmington College, and finally president of Penn College, which latter position he vacated to devote his entire time to the promotion of International Arbitration.

After attending the Second International Peace Congress, held in London in 1890, he went to the Continent and thoroughly learned the French language, without the acquisition of which he could not have carried on his international work effectively. When he was chosen to be Secretary of the American Peace Society in 1892, he was admirably equipped for the position. This Society had been founded in 1828 by the distinguished philanthropist, William Ladd. It had already had an honourable career, though it had not yet made its influence powerfully felt on the national life. Dr. Trueblood threw himself with great energy into the task of carrying the ideals of this Society into a vastly larger group. He was determined that its candle should not be hid, but should light the whole country. During the twenty -three eventful years of his service to the work of the American Peace Society the membership increased from a meagre three or four hundred to eight thousand, and the cir- culation of the Advocate of Peace, which he edited, expanded from 1,500 to 11,000. But these figures do not begin to show the real increase of

DR. BENJAMIN F. TRUEBLOOD 159

candle-power which came to the Peace Society during these years. In 1911 it moved its head- quarters from Boston to Washington, where it was able to exert a far greater influence upon the practical politics of the country. During these same years Dr. Trueblood had a large sphere of influence in the International Peace Congresses, the Lake Mohonk Conferences on Arbitration, the first International Conference at the Hague, and in a multitude of less noted movements and organisations for the promotion of the main cause to which his life was devoted. He was all the time using his pen effectively, contributing to magazines and periodicals, producing pamphlets, and writing a valuable book on " The Federation of the World." A great many opportunities came to him to give his message to large audiences in this and other countries, and he was strikingly effective as a speaker.

He was a man of splendid physical build and proportions, his mind was well developed, he was a clear and forceful thinker, and withal he was a deeply religious man, with a first- hand experience of the vital realities of the religious life. He was recorded a Minister in early life, and throughout his extensive public career he continued to be a strong and telling exponent of the Gospel, with a warm and intimate appreciation of its transforming power.

100 ANNUAL MONITOR

He has done his work well and valiantly. He has served his generation faithfully, and he has gone trustfully and without fear to enter the larger life, where the bud triumphantly blossoms into full flower.

George Thomas Tuckey 63 20 6 1917 King's Norton, Birmingham.

Esther Maria Tuke . . 90 26 1 1917 Hanivell. Widow of Dr Daniel Hack Tuke.

James Turner . . . . 73 15 3 1917

Ashton-on- Mersey, Manchester. Formerly

Superintendent of Penketh School.

Herbert Samuel Turtle 49 11 4 1917 Knock, Belfast. Son of William John and Frances Turtle.

Sophia Jane Unwin . . 70 1 9 1917

Folkestone.

Henry Albert Upri Gilford, Co. Down. Emily Uprichard.

William Uprichard Lurgan, Co. Armagh.

William Venables . . 84 3 1 1917

Barking, Essex. Henry Wadman . . . . 65 28 3 1917

Wincanton, Somerset.

HARD 36	1 7 1916
Son of	Henry A. and
Killed in	France.
.. 70	9 2 1917

annual monitor 161

Harriet Tunnicliffe

Waite 87 15 1 1917

Leeds. Widow of Elisha Waite.

Theophilus Mentor

Waldmeier . . . . ■ — 10 6 1917

Brummana, Syria. Eldest son of the late Theophilus Waldmeier. Secretary of the British Consulate at Damascus.

Esther Walker . . . . 61 28 12 1916

Cockermouth. An Elder. Sarah Walker .. ..78 7 3 1917

Millbrook, Jersey. Widow of J. J. Walker.

Marion Lucy Waller .. — 19 7 1916 Beechworth, Victoria, Australia. Wife of Frederick Jesse Waller.

Frederick Jesse Waller 69 7 6 1917

Beechworth, Victoria, Australia.

William Edward Waller 70 22 10 1916 York. (Memoir last year).

Basil Wallis .. ..35 29 1 1917

Helston, Cornwall. Son of Henry Marriage and the late Sarah Elizabeth Wallis, of Reading.

Annie Elizabeth

Walmsley .. ..62 17 3 1917

Stafford. Wife of Elijah Walmsley.

Edward Walpole . . 79 13 1 1917

Blackrock, Co. Dublin.

162 ANNUAL MONITOR

John William Walton ..79 G 5 1917

Bishop Auckland. Jane Ward .. ..75 21 10 1916

Edgbaston, Birmingham.

Robert Ward . . . . 61 30 1 1917

Bradford.

Maria Wardell . . . . 67 2 4 1917

Belfast. Daughter of George and Ann Wardell.

Martha Waring . . . . 96 20 3 1917

Dublin. Widow of Thomas Waring, late of Ferns, Co. Wexford.

Adeline (Ada) Warner . . 66 24 2 1917 St, Leonard's.

Bertram Warner . . 28 12 4 1917

Waddan, Croydon. Youngest son of John and the late Alice Warner. Killed in action in France.,

Evelyn Ethel Warner . . 38 13 12 1917 Gharlbury, Oxon. Wife of Alfred W. Warner.

James Waterman .. ..76 11 7 1917

Brighton. An Elder.

Henry Vasie Watson . . 5 22 4 1917 Darlington. Son of Ernest and Ethel Spence Watson.

John Webster . . . . 74 16 1916

Meersbrook, Sheffield.

annual monitor 163

Albert Wedmore .. ..73 10 6 1917

Portishead, near Bristol.

Margaret Wells . . . . 80 31 12 1917

Kettering. Widow of Alfred Wells.

Samuel Wetherill ..78 10 5 1916

Sheffield.

Alfred Wheeler . . . . 71 — 2 1917

Worcester. Nephew of the late Edmund Wheeler, of London, the popular science lecturer.

Alfred Edward White ..61 8 3 1917

Bournemouth. Late of Hull.

" George Edwin White ..73 2 1 1917

Waterford. Died at Bournemouth.

Frederick Ernest Whitlock 7wks. 27 9 1917 Winnipeg, Canada. Son of Ernest E. and Olive Whitlock.

Mary Anne Whitton ..68 11 8 1917 Gloucester. Widow of Robert Whitton.

Elizabeth Wilkinson ..59 10 1 1917 Tranmere, Birkenhead. Widow of Robert Wilkinson.

Isaac Mennell Williams 86 5 1 1917

Torquay. Son of the late Dr Caleb Williams, of York.

164 annual monitor

John Handyside Williams 76 2 9 1917

Leominster. A Minister. Formerly F.F.M.A. Missionary at Sohagpur, India.

John H. Williams was born in Edinburgh in 1841, and received part of his schooling in the " Modern Athens," at the hands of the famous pedagogue Professor John Stuart Blackie. Taking up the trade of printing, he was for some years in India as an army printer. Returning to England in the early seventies, he was occupied in the Isle of Wight, and while there married Erne Brodie, of Perth, in March 1873, a union of heart and soul which became fruitful of much blessing to others. In the following' year J. H. & E. Williams removed to Leominster, where he took up work at the Orphans' Printing Press. Here they quickly became active in Band of Hope and Mission work, and before long joined in membership with the Society of Friends. As a girl, and later, Effie Williams had been brought into contact with that body, and while in India J. H. W. had become con- vinced of the Peace principles of Friends. Living among the dusky peoples of our Eastern Empire, his missionary spirit had also been aroused, and among the Quaker circle of Leo- minster, with its evangelistic and missionary enthusiasts of that period, the flame was fanned,

John H. Williams

JOHN H. WILLIAMS 165

and it was not long before J. H. & E. Williams offered themselves to the Friends' Foreign Mission Association (started some eleven years previously with the late Henry Stanley Newman as Hon. Sec.), for service in India.

In 1878 John H. and Effie Williams, with their two little boys, accompanied the late Samuel Baker to India, and settled at Hosh- angabad, in the Central Provinces. At that time the only other Friend missionary in India was Rachel Metcalfe, then a confirmed invalid, the jubilee of whose sailing as the first Friend foreign missionary was recently celebrated. The little band of missionaries, in an area occupied

jby two million people, found opportunities for

^ service on every hand, preaching in the markets, conducting Sunday Schools, Bible Classes, etc., itinerating in the villages, colportage, etc. In the course of a year plans were made for the building of a Friends' Meeting House, the carrying out of which was left under the

I care of J. H. W.

The year 1880 was one of much trial, when

i their two youngest children died, and J. H.

I Williams suffered a long and tedious illness.

| Towards the end of the year the visit to the mission of Henry S. Newman was a source of cheer, and his visit to another centre, Sohagpur, with J. H. W., led to the opening of a new

2

166 ANNUAL MONITOR

station. In 1881, accordingly, operations com- menced at Sohagpur, which henceforth became the home of the Williams family in India. Describing the place and district at the annual meeting of the F.F.M.A., in 1888, on his first furlough after nearly ten years' service, J. H. W. said :

" Sohagpur is a little town of about 9000 inhabitants, half Hindu and half Mohammedan. It is right in the middle of the Central Provinces, on the Great Indian Peninsula Railway, in the great wheat-growing district of India.

" The people round about in all the villages are agriculturists ; they are poor people, but intelligent and kind-hearted. A good many in the town are shopkeepers and tradespeople."

Describing the work in Sohagpur some years after its establishment,the India Committee of the F.F.M.A. said :

John H. Williams fills a post of much usefulness and his services are appreciated both by Europeans and by natives. It is his daily practice to visit the boy's school in the town, and hardly a day passes without patients coming to the bungalow for medicine. His work among the European residents is very important, and it is not easy to over-estimate the need for such work, when we remember that Europeans are looked upon as Christians by the natives, and that the lives of evil-doers amongst Europeans are a great stumbling-block in the way of the heathen, The sympathy and kindness of Erne

JOHN H. WILLIAMS 107

Williams is greatly valued by those with whom she is brought into contact, and her influence is felt by many."

The work among Europeans included the local railway servants and many of the soldiers passing through Sohagpur, which, being upon the main line of railway, was a constant encamp- ment during the cold weather, the place being used alike for the soldiers on their way to England as for those going up country. They would have a halt of twenty-four hours, and then J. H. W. would visit the camp, distribute tracts, etc., and get into conversation with the men.

Perhaps the most noteworthy of the Indians who became a Christian through the work at Sohagpur in John H. Williams' time, was a Brahman of good family who had spent years in travelling all over the country as a fakir.

Speaking at the annual meeting in 1894, the late Arthur Pease, M.P., who had recently returned from his visit to India on the Opium Commission, described his meeting with this convert, Ram Char an. He said :

" At Sohagpur I met a religious mendicant who has joined Friends, and who seemed to have been, like Martin Luther, desperately earnest in search of truth. He had travelled from the mouth to the source of the Narbada River and back again twice over. He had

168 ANNUAL MONITOR

visited all the sacred shrines of the country, and passed from teacher to teacher, endeavouring to learn from books those truths from which he might find rest for his soul ; but he had failed. One day at Sohagpur, he found a copy of the Gospel of Matthew, and he was led by a little child to John Williams, who, with a native teacher, took him in hand, and expounded to him the way of life. He accepted the truth and became a living disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is deeply versed in the Sanscrit and the books of the Hindus, and is now working in connection with Friends. This man met another mendicant, to whom he spoke about Christianity. He told him that he was going to read the sacred books, and that if he failed to find peace through them, he would look into Christianity. Our friend said : ' Save yourself the trouble ; I have gone through all that. I have not found peace in them, but I have in Christianity.' "

In 1894 the missionaries at Sohagpur were joined by Ada Stephens, but in the following year, after serious illness, John and Efne Williams were obliged to return home ; and eventually it became clear that a return to India was inadvisable. Settling in Leominster, so long- as health permitted, they were actively associated with the work of Friends in the town and neigh- bourhood. Being both of a musical temperament, they found many outlets for their talents both at home and abroad. Cheery, genial and sociable, they readily united in social life. J. H.

JOHN H. WILLIAMS 169

Williams was an acknowledged minister, and his voice was frequently heard in our meetings ; and when, from time to time, he touched on the subject of Foreign Missions, it was evident how deeply he felt the responsibility of the Church towards the Non- Christian world.

In 1905 Erne Williams passed away at the age of 58 ; life in India had severely taxed her health. During the succeeding twelve and a half years J. H. Williams gradually became more and more an invalid ; but his active interest in affairs was maintained to the last. He was devotedly cared for by his daughter Erne. No doubt anxiety respecting his two sons in France told on his strength, and the end came after but a short illness, at the age of 76. -y^

Margaret Williams . . 43 7 2 1917

Vancouver, B.C. Daughter of Sarah and

the late Richard Williams, of Randall's Mills,

Co. Wexford. Mary Ann Williams . . 86 12 10 1916

Dorking. Widow of Joseph Williams. Emily Ann Willmore . . 69 15 12 1916

Falmouth. Wife of Arthur Willmore. Walter Wade Willmott 78 16 5 1917

Darlington. Mary A. Wilmot . . . . 66 23 2 1917

Alveston, Gloucester. Wife of Samuel Mullett

Wilmot.

170 annual monitor

Elizabeth Ann Wilson ..80 1312 1916 Sunderland. Widow of John Wilson.

John Wilson . . . . 69 15 2 1917

Walthamstow.

Margaret Wilson . . ..86 13 6 1917

Banbury, Widow of Thomas Wilson.

Maria Wilson . . . . 85 18 4 1917

Bristol. Wife of James Wilson.

Sarah Wilson . . . . 51 7 10 1916

Sheffield. Wife of Edward Wilson.

John Winder . . . . 56 4 7 1917

Doncaster.

Hubert Frederick

Winfield . . ..26 27 12 1916

Gloucester. Son of Frederick G. Winfield.

Died at a casualty clearing station in France.

Sarah Winstanley . . 50 3 3 1917

Anfield, Liverpool. Wife of William James Winstanley.

Sarah Winter .. ..77 11 3 1917

Chelmsford. Wife of Albert Winter.

Thomas Roy Winter ..25 1 11 1917

Landport, Portsmouth. Died at York. Orderly in F.A.U. Hospital.

Ellen Louise Wood . . 44 30 10 1916 Dunstable. Died at Aylesbury.

morris wood 171

Morris Wood .. ..74 5 11 1917

Dunstable, Beds. Died in London.

Morris Wood was the youngest child of George and Margaret Wood, of Chelmsford, and was born there in 1845. He was educated at Ackworth, and on leaving school was appren- ticed to James Bissell, of Stockport. He after- wards gained further experience at Bridport, and then for three years held the position of manager for Thomas Edmondson, of Dublin. On leaving Dublin in 1868 he entered into partnership with his old schoolfellow William Impey, in an ironmongery business at Bourne- mouth. Theirs was at that time the only business of the kind in the then young town. He well remembered when cattle fed in the fields which now form the beautiful central gardens of Bourne- mouth, and he liked to tell of the days when the now prosperous town was still very small and comparatively unimportant.

In 1888 he was married to Florence Mary Matthews, of Didsbury, but the union was only of short duration, as his wife died at the birth of their first child. Eighteen months later he married Alice Matthews, the marriage being celebrated at Christiania, in Norway. Morris Wood will be remembered by many visitors to Bournemouth, for the great interest

172 ANNUAL MONITOR

he took in the Friends' Meeting there. He had been largely instrumental in raising the funds for building the first Meeting House. Previously to this he used to drive six miles to Poole to attend at the old Meeting House there, often taking visitors and others over in his conveyance.

M. W. was of a genial disposition, and on his giving up his business in Bournemouth and removing to Dunstable, Beds., in 1910, he was much missed by Friends and other visitors to the town.

Early in October, 1917, he went to London to undergo an operation for cataract, after which heart trouble and other complications arose, and he passed away, November 5th, aged 74 years.

Cranstone Woodhead .. 69 29 10 1916 Point Loma, South California, U.S.A. Son of the late Godfrey and Maria L. Wood- head, of Manchester.

Samuel Benson Woodhead 75 16 2 1917 Manchester. Eldest surviving son of the late Godfrey Woodhead.

Susannah Greeves

Woodhead .. ..65 20 10 1916

Manchester. Wife of Samuel Benson Wood- head.

william wright 173

John Drearer Woods ..50 16 3 1917 Tooele, Utah, U.S.A.

John Wragg . . . . 79 23 4 1917

Bradwell, Derbyshire. Mary Wrathall . . . . 71 12 7 1917

Cowling, near Keighley, Yorks. Widow of

John Wrathall. Francis Noel Wright . . 26 18 9 1917

Carlisle. Youngest son of William Ingle

and Eliza Margaret Wright. Killed in action

in France, Maria Wright . . . . 91 10 8 1917

Esher, Surrey. Died at York. Widow of

Alfred Wright. Robert William Wright 27 30 11 1916

Sudbury, Suffolk. Son of Edward S. and

Sophia Wright. Killed in action in France.

William Wright .. ..77 23 5 1917

Friedenau, Berlin. Eldest son of the late Samuel and Alice E. Wright.

William Wright was the eldest son of Samuel and Alice R. Wright, of Darlington. He was an Ackworth Scholar and Teacher, and a student at the Flounders Institute. He afterwards held teaching appointments in Friends' families and schools, one of these being at Waterford. He then went on the Continent to perfect himself

174 ANNUAL MONITOR

in foreign languages, and for some years he was a student in Paris, Rome and Halle. He eventu- ally settled in Berlin as a teacher of languages, and his residence in Germany extended over nearly half a century. He married a German lady ; as a relative expressed it at the time, " an afternoon's skating, a lady's fall on the ice, and a sprained ankle led to the ' catastrophe.' "

His visits to this country, where he had a large circle of relatives, were not frequent, but much appreciated when they occurred. He was an admirable letter -writer, and his letters were richly illustrated with clever pen-and-ink sketches. A kindly, genial soul, he leaves happy memories with those whose privilege it was to know him. As an old resident in Berlin, and a septuagenarian, he escaped the internment which so many of his resident compatriots have suffered at

Ruhleben. .

The Friend.

Sarah Ann Wycherley . . 87 26 1 1917 Lewes. Widow of Henry Wycherley.

Arnold Wynne . . . . 37 9 4 1917

Cape Town, South Africa. Son of Lucy and the late Edwin H. Wynne. Killed in action in France.

George James Yates . . 45 2 6 1917

Moseley, Birmingham,

3frtettirs' flratriiiettt institution

See the two following pages.

How to Provide for—

Depreciation of Estates caused by payment of

DEATH DUTIES

Death Duties have to be paid before Probate can be granted, on all Property passing at death.

The F.P.I. "Estate Duty Policy" is a convenient method of providing for these Duties ; because : —

(1) It provides for payment of Estate Duty direct to the Inland Revenue, prior to grant of probate.

DEATH DUTIES

(continued)

(2) There is no depreciation in the Sum Assured.

(3) The cost is very low.

(4) Income Tax rebate on the premiums is allowed by Government within certain limits.

Full Particulars will be supplied on appli- cation to the

Iriimits' fjroiri&ntt Institution

Head Office : Bradford.

London Office : 17 Gracechurch St., E C. 3.

November, 1918.

BELLOWS'

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