Flossie Fullerton, Shelia Bach, and I were fortunate to tour the “1652 country” after the Friends World Committee Gathering in Dublin. This involved visiting Swarthmore Hall, climbing Pendle Hill, visiting Firbank Fell, and visiting many Meeting Houses and burial grounds.

On third day of the tour, we started the day at Brigflatts Meeting. It is remarkable for several reasons. It was built in 1675, before the Act of Toleration was passed. This meant that it could be torn down at any time. How many of us have the faith to put up a building that might legally be destroyed at any moment? Originally, it had neither floor nor ceiling, though a roof. It now has both and also has a small room upstairs for a guest. It also still has a dog pen in the entrance built long ago for shepherds to put their dogs in the pen while at meeting. Bob Fetter met us here, having come independently.

From there, accompanied by Bob Fetter, we went to Firbank Fell (Hill). It is now a field with a rock outcropping sheep grazing all around, but in 1652, there was a church nearby. The church has been moved, but not the graveyard. Fox was asked to preach at the church, but refused. Instead, there was a meeting for worship at the rock outcropping. Fox spoke for four hours to a thousand people after a preliminary silent meeting of three hours. This preaching attracted the Seekers into the Quaker movement. Their leaders became leaders of the Society of Friends. From the experiences of Firbank Fell and Pendle Hill, Fox went to Swarthmore Hall and met Margaret Fell.

Seeing these sites gave me a better feel for the life of the founders of the Society of Friends. I have greater respect for their work. Some of the areas look as they did 350 years ago. If you have a chance to tour the 1652 country, do so. If you would like to know what it is like to climb Pendle Hill or what happened on the other days of the tour, contact me.

Howard Fullerton