The following is a summary of a discussion of the first few pages of Fox's Journal that occurred a couple of weeks ago in a New Foundation Fellowship conference call set up for that purpose. The summary is followed by two comments: the first coming from another participant in the discussion, and the second from one who was unable to join in that day.

(1) A small number of us gathered by conference call to read and discuss the Works of Fox, beginning with volume one. So this time we began with Fox's account of his early years of how the Lord prepared and fitted him for the work to which he was called. We read as far as Fox's account of the deep trouble and despair he had to undergo before coming to that opening of "There is one, even Christ Jesus, that can speak to thy condition...."

Our discussion centered on the universality of the human condition of realizing that we have an essential lack. Some people do everything in their power to run from that realization; some do everything they can to fill that void with human invented religion or materialism; some realize that this is something that must be grappled with or gone through. It was a mark of faith or the beginning of faith in Fox to seek for answers to those problems. He sought among those accounted reputable in the established church as well as in the separatists, but found them all equally worthless. Sing songs; take tobacco; join the army; get married would not reach to his condition. By persevering and enduring the uncertainty, Fox was brought through all his troubles to find that which alone answers the essential lack. We noted that those who run from this encounter and try to fill the void with all manner of other things experience much discomfort in the presence of those who have gone through the ordeal of searching and finding the voice of Christ that can speak to our condition, enough discomfort in many instances to be the cause of persecutions. A later comment via email likened Fox's perseverance with Peter's statement in John 6 "Lord, where else can we go? You have the words of life."