La De Dodd Farm: Day 6- Sedbergh, Brigflatts Meeting House, and Firbank Fell LONG! With LARGE font.

I meant to tell this story yesterday. Before leaving Pendle Hill, I told our guides (Ben and Roy) about my father-in-law, Terry. I said, "My father-in-law is from Bury." Ben repeated Bury, correcting my pronunciation. I'm looking at this beautiful, historical, spiritual site and say, "my naughty father-in-law rode his motorcycle up Pendle Hill." Both men looking at the terrain and the paths, "how long ago." I said, "Well, he's seventy two so probably fifty years ago." Ben's vice is motorcycles and vintage cars. They're looking at the hill and thinking about how one would do that. And, Ben says, "I bet it was quite fun." I said, "so he says."
Also, at dinner last night John told us about going to the Weston Meeting in LA, CA. He taught First Day School to Gwenyth Paltrow.

I woke at five o'clock this morning, put on a sweater- it was chilly. I thought I'm going to see the sunrise. I got dressed went outside and saw three fawns on the other side of the fence. I heard all kind of birds I've never heard before. Then, I saw Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny. The sky was a bit pink, but I couldn't find the sunrise. I realized no wonder George Fox climbed to the top of the hill, so he could see. Ben told us it was not common for people to climb the hills, during that time. I can't remember why, I'll have to ask him.

Benjamin Bunny and Peter Rabbit

waiting for the sunrise, this was all I saw

morning hike to Woody Bridge

This doesn't look real, does it. It looks like I'm at Olan Mills.

glorious Montbretia. We have this in front of the CH Meeting House.

Click on panorama photos.

George Fox very carefully planned his visit to Sedbergh, for the time when most people would be there. This time was called Whit Sunday, meaning White Sunday, near the Resurrection. During this time, farmers would buy animals from the market that lined up and down the main street. This was also a time when workers would come to find employment for the following six months. George Fox is told to look for Richard Robinson. Fox searches for a house at Brigg Flats. Fox stayed overnight with Robinson, where he says, “I declared the everlasting truth to him.” At some point in the night jealousy came over Robinson and he feared that Fox might rob him. Robinson locked Fox in his room, and that was the last time Fox stayed with Robinson. Fox spent the following night on First Day (meaning Sunday) with Justice Benson.

In the town of Sedbergh there was the Church of England Parish. Fox knew there would be a crowd of people there as well. Out front of the Parish is an ancient Yew tree. Yew trees are some of the oldest trees, older than the churches where they are found. It is believed that Fox climbed the tree and spoke of the word of the light, for several hours. That they themselves might know, that they might be the temple of God. “This man speaks with authority instead of the scribes, says Hagel (sp) (comparing Fox to Jesus). Fox said, “The house is not the church, but the people are the church.”He spoke to whomever he thought would be sympathetic to his cause; an Army Captain to Justice of Peace, Valiant 60, some who later traveled to America. Many of these people were shattered Baptist, Fox wanted to find people who knew the Bible well but were dissatisfied. In the Cromwellian Army he found people who wanted the reign of King Jesus instead of King Charles. Fox declined an offer to be General saying, “I told them that I live in that life and power that takes away all wars.” Fox saw value in using the armed forces towards promoting the light of God. Many of the people were prepared to

wait in faith for the next step. They believed the guidance came from George Fox. These dissatisfied people were already doing things differently. They were marrying without a priest and burying themselves. These people came out of the group of The Seekers.

George Fox used a phrase from the book of Job, “day of the Lord.”

This was a phrase he repeated, “Every day is the day of the Lord.” He believed sin (meaning arrow not reaching the target) meant not having achieved all that God has for us. Fox also said, “you can be in Heaven, now.” You can have Heaven on Earth through your direct connection to God.

Later while traveling he sees a friend, Harvey who asked, “George, have you been saved?” Fox replied, “Everyday Friend, every day.”

We visited the St. Andrew's Church of England Parish in Sedbergh. And, surprisingly found George Fox in a tapestry. Fox is standing on a pulpit speaking to a group of people and below him is a tree. Catholics are allowed to have mass in this church now. St. Andrew's has come a long way.

Next, we walked down to the BrigFlats Meeting House. The path is lined with raspberries and blackberries. I was stung by a bee while picking a few raspberries, but it was worth it. An elderly woman from the BrigFlatts Meeting walked part of the way with me. We looked to the left and saw pieces of a cedar tree placed in a circle like little seats. She said, “oh, that must be for the children.” Ken Randal from the BriggFlats Meeting goes to NC Yearly Meeting every couple of years.

The BrigFlats Meeting House is beautiful, made of stone with a Yorkshire stone roof. Not slate, but 40 tons of Yorkshire stone. The Quakers hoped to fireproof the Meeting House to withstand the test of time, and it has. There is a balcony inside, and upstairs a door that looks like it would go out to the roof. I asked about the door, and was told it goes to a very small room, probably used for travelers. Almost the same dimension as the room Fox was locked in at Robinson's house. Robinson's house is next door to the Brig Flats Meeting House. You can see the window in the photo of the Meeting House. Downstairs near the front door is a place for sheep dogs, two sides of a wooden fence that would close behind after everyone was seated- to hold the dogs.

From Pendle Hill in the afternoon (on a clear day) Fox could see Lancashire Sea, where the Seekers lived. He knew of the Seekers already. He knew they had bravely separated from the church. And, he heard in Denton the people had stopped paying the tithe. We don't know much about the Seekers, but we do know they had moments of silence in their worship.

That night while asleep, Fox had a vision of people in white raiment in the country side. That is what he found in Sedbergh.

People in Sedbergh asked Fox, because of his accent, “where are you from?” Fox replied, “from the Lord.”

Next, we went to Firbank Fell. We could see the Lancashire Sea from top of the Fell.

The marker says, “Let Your Lives Speak. Here or near this rock George Fox preached to about one thousand seekers for three hours on Sunday, June 13^th,1652. Great power inspired his message and the meeting proved of first importance in gathering the Society of Friends known as Quakers. Many men and women convinced of the truth on this Fell and in other parts of Northern counties went forth through the land and over the seas with the living word of the Lord enduring great hardships and winning multitudes to Christ.”

During the day, we heard British Air Force jets overhead at four different times. Today, is August 6^th, the anniversary of Hiroshima. Emilie stood up at dinner and said she was born in Japan, can we have a moment of silence. I had dinner with Connie, she spoke of moving to Norway as a young woman and learning all about fish. I had trout for dinner, a crayfish tail starter, and chocolate mousse for dessert. Roy, Pam and Connie had insightful comments about happiness and love of God being found in the now. Always when you stop to be in the moment. I was reminded of how worship was difficult for me, today. I was distracted, falling asleep and I couldn't quiet my mind. I think this shows the lesson of perseverance, and practice. We spoke of the similarities between Buddhism, meditation, and Quaker worship.

Have I mentioned how much the English love their dogs? Dogs are everywhere, the English bring them on holiday. In Sedbergh I saw a sticker on a telephone poll that said, “Sedbergh Community Dogs, No Fouling.” I passed two dogs on the path. One barked at me and the owner said, “shush.” Not “hush” but “shush.” I went into town around five and all the stores were “shut” not “closed” but “shut.” I bought a 1938 coverlet in Sedbergh at an antique store, for practically nothing. I asked the woman, “where do you find the beautiful white lace curtains.” She said, “you can't find them anymore.” I guess it is becoming a lost art.