This was the last meeting I had in Scotland; the Truth and the power of God was set over that nation, and many, by the power and Spirit of God, were turned to the Lord Jesus Christ, their Saviour and Teacher, whose blood was shed for them; and there is since a great increase and great there will be in Scotland. For when first I set my horse's feet upon Scottish ground I felt the Seed of God to sparkle about me, like innumerable sparks of fire. Not but that there is abundance of the thick, cloddy earth of hypocrisy and falseness above, and a briery, brambly nature, which is to be burnt up with God's Word, and ploughed up with His spiritual plough, before God's Seed brings forth heavenly and spiritual fruit to His glory. But the husbandman is to wait in patience.[106] [106] This passage has suggested the idea which finds beautiful expression in the closing stanzas of Whittier's "Barclay of Ury": "Knowing this, that never yet Share of truth was vainly set In the world's wide fallow; After hands shall sow the seed, After hands from mill and mead Reap the harvests yellow. "Thus with somewhat of the seer Must the moral pioneer From the future borrow; Clothe the waste with dreams of grain, And, on midnight's sky of rain Paint the golden morrow." CHAPTER XII. Great Events in London. 1658-1659. We came into Bedfordshire, where we had large gatherings in the name of Jesus.[107] After some time we came to John Crook's, where a general yearly meeting for the whole nation was appointed to be held.[108] This meeting lasted three days, and many Friends from most parts of the nation came to it; so that the inns and towns round thereabouts were filled, for many thousands of people were at it. And although there was some disturbance by some rude people that had run out from Truth, yet the Lord's power came over all, and a glorious meeting it was. The everlasting gospel was preached, and many received it, which gospel brought life and immortality to light in them, and shined over all. [107] There were few novel experiences on the way from Scotland to Bedfordshire. At Nottingham he had a controversy with Rice Jones, an opposer of the earlier visit. He pointed out that many of Rice Jones's followers "were become the greatest foot-ball players and wrestlers in the whole country," which is an interesting comment on the ministry of Rice Jones! [108] "John Crook's House" was at Luton, in Bedfordshire. This is among the first of the great national general meetings out of which came in course of development the present London Yearly Meeting of Friends. The first general meeting was held at Swannington in Leicestershire in 1654. Isaac Penington was convinced at this meeting. He tells us that he "felt the healings drop upon his soul from under His wings."