George Fox (1624-1691)

Epistle 257
1668

"Sitting Nodding"

(Let this be read in all your Meetings.)

DEAR Friends, be faithful in the Service of God, and mind the Lord's Business, and be diligent, so will the Power of the Lord be brought over all those that have gain-say'd it. And all ye that are faithful, go to visit them that have been Convinced, from House to House, that if it be possible ye may not leave a Hoof in Egypt. And so, every one go seek the lost Sheep, and bring him home on your backs to the Fold, and there will be more joy of that one Sheep than the ninety and nine in the Fold.

And Friends, all take heed of Sleeping in Meetings, and Sottishness, and Dulness; for it is an unsavoury thing to see one sit Nodding in a Meeting, and so to lose the Sense of the Lord. And it's a Shame and a Sadness both, and it grieveth the Upright and Watchful, that wait upon the Lord, to see such things; and for the Priests People and others, that come into your Meetings, and see you, that come together to Worship God and to meet together to wait upon him, and to have Fellowship in the Spirit, for you to sit Nodding, it is a shame and an unseemly thing. Therefore be Careful and Watchful, and let it be mended; and mind the Light and Power of Christ Jesus in you, and that will condemn all such things, and lead you out of, and above, such things, and make you watchful one over another for your good.

G.F.