CHAPTER XIX.

1726: SKETCH OF ANDREW JAFFRAY'S LIFE, DEATH, AND CHARACTER, WITH SOME ACCOUNT OF HIS FAMILY.

THE JAFFRAYS have been prominent throughout the greater part of this volume. As the first portion of it was wholly devoted to the religious experience of one of that family, who became the foremost in the north of Scotland to show himself a convert to the opinions of the Friends; so has their name been conspicuous in the present division of the work,— holding no unimportant position amongst their associates of this persuasion. For no sooner had the memoirs of Alexander Jaffray been pursued to a conclusion, than we find his son Andrew, deliberately attaching himself to the same stock of Christian reformers; and proving, through a long life of dedication, the sincerity of his views. And now, that the reader is about to quit these historical collections, there are yet to be submitted to his attention a few summary particulars concerning the life and latter end of this individual, the last of that generation of worthies, whose memory deserves to be held up to a succeeding age.

Andrew Jaffray, from his earliest years, was one, on whose behalf ascended the continual incense of parental prayer. This, the Diary of his father gives full warrant for asserting, if the general character and profession of both parents is not alone sufficient to prove it. He was also permitted the inestimable privilege of their counsel, example, and care, up to the period

when he became of age; shortly after which, and within a very short interval, it may be remembered, he was by death deprived of both of them. They seemed, indeed, at their departure, to have set a broad seal of recommendation, not likely soon to be effaced from the mind of their son, in favour of those gospel views, which they themselves had so firmly embraced. Of Andrew, it is recorded, that in his very youthful days he was reached unto by the power of God; so that, many times, in secret places, he would be broken into mourning and tears before him ; being attended with a fear, lest he should be utterly cast off from the Divine presence and favour. Yet afterward, this good concern and working of the Holy Spirit upon his heart was considerably withdrawn, by giving way to youthful vanity, and his own desires and devices; although at times, on these accounts, still pursued with strong convictions, as well as wonderfully preserved by merciful interposition from the more gross outbreakings of evil. When arrived at about the 24th year of his age, the Lord once more condescended effectually to visit him, and to awaken him to a deep sense of his miserable condition while in a state of nature. Submitting to those righteous judgments, which lay heavily upon him for sin and transgression, he became as a tender penitent, prostrated before the all-seeing and holy God, being made altogether willing to undergo the secret but effectual operation of the heavenly leaven within him. Thus, in due season, was he given to know in his measure, the fulfilment of that Scripture passage, which the Apostle applies to some believers in his day, "But ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." 1 Cor. vi. 11.

At length he was called upon by Christ, who had become his Saviour, his Leader, and his Light, to proclaim unto others that grace by which we must be saved, and of which he had so richly partaken. His father had given him a liberal education; but when brought to behold the simplicity and beauty of the Truth as it is in Jesus, we are told, that he quickly came to esteem all learning but as dross and dung, compared with the learning and knowing Jesus Christ according to his second or spiritual coming in the soul, and a being hereby purified from all dead works to serve the living God. For this appeared to him to be one end and purpose of His coming in the flesh, that he might put an end to sin, finish transgression, and bring in everlasting righteousness. In the promulgation of such glad tidings, he soon became a zealous, faithful, and able minister; for his heart was freely given up to labour, as well for the convincement of those who were scattered upon the barren mountains of an empty profession, as for the confirmation of such as were acquainted with the things of God's kingdom. His utterance is represented as clear, full, and penetrating; in doctrine and argument he was sound, bold, and perspicuous; on many occasions to the confusion and defeat of those who undertook to oppose his testimony, which was often levelled with great power against all description of willworship, and a spurious or man-made ministry. Yet in his demeanour, there was remarkable humility manifested, being always disposed to esteem others better than himself, though a great despiser of the honour, riches, and vain glory of this world. He was eminently led forth as an instrument on various public occasions; and had a peculiar talent in visiting the sick, but especially the distressed of every rank, pro

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fession, and character within his reach-and with great acceptance; many," as his friend Robert Barclay the younger observes, "bearing grateful remembrance of his love and service, and of the strength and efficacy that attended his ministry of consolation.' For, he was a man who, through life, had travelled much in the track of the "weary and heavy laden," having had in his own experience to pass through many deep and bitter exercises of spirit, with manifold temptations of the enemy. This kept him in a fresh and humble condition, and in great tenderness towards others; always admiring the boundless mercy and long-suffering of God, who, through all, had preserved him from fainting and showed him favour, -raising him over all, to bless his holy name!

It is not needful here to specify the cheerfulness and alacrity, with which he underwent any hardship that might befall him, in those services to which he believed himself called; his sufferings for conscience sake having been amply testified of in the course of this publication. He was a very useful man among his neighbours, endeavouring to serve the interests of vital godliness, to disseminate the true faith of Christ, and to follow peace with all men. Among his friends, he was a pattern of good works and of gospel order; one who tenderly cherished whatever in religion savoured of that heavenly life, without which all observances are vain; at the same time, strenuous and unyielding in his opposition to that which he fully believed gendered to bondage and spiritual death.

Andrew Jaffray travelled in the work of the ministry in various parts of his native country, and in England; once, in the year 1698, being accompanied by his daughter Margaret, who, like some females of old, laboured with him in the gospel. Phil. iv. 3.

She also, two years afterward, undertook a journey on the like errand of love both to England and Ireland, being then but a young woman. Her friends describe her to have been a worthy and zealous preacher of righteousness, as well in life and conversation as in word and doctrine. On one occasion, she addressed the inhabitants of Aberdeen with a paper, on the subject of an appointed fast which had been then recently kept; the danger of hypocrisy and formality in such stated observations, no doubt had strongly affected her serious and feeling mind. Another circumstance, it will be proper to notice respecting this individual, before resuming the account of her father.

Among the Excerpts from the Register of the Presbytery of Aberdeen, as given in a History of that place, the following appears among the remarkable events :-" 1698. 17th February.-Last Sabbath, at Newhills, Margaret Jaffray, daughter of Andrew Jaffray of Kingswells, coming with other Quakers, entered the church, and cried, Do not believe that deceiver, &c.'"The Author did not think himself at liberty to omit the insertion of this record; for unquestionably, Andrew Jaffray, as well as his daughter, with Robert Barclay the Apologist, and many other ministers among the early Friends, several times took their share in such very humiliating line of testimony.

In several publications relating to these times, some of them of late years brought before the public, statements somewhat similar have been made; without being accompanied by any explanation of the attendant circumstances, under which such extraordinary conduct took place. It would be surely better for the interests of religion in general, that facts so peculiar