This story takes place in Ulverston, England, about 300 years ago. George Fox, an English
religious leader and the founder of the Society of Friends, also called Quakers, lived during that
time.
Twelve-year-old Tommy Stafford and his sister, Celia, become involved when their father, a
minister, breaks with the traditional church. Tommy and Celia witness the violence and
persecution brought on by the words and ways of Fox. His courage, calmness, and power with
God influenced the whole family.
Fox was constantly in trouble with the government officers and the people who attended the
regular churches in England. They did not like his way of preaching the gospel. George Fox told
the people that the steeple house was not the church. He proclaimed the church to be the people
who believe the Bible and tried to obey what it said. As Fox preached and helped the sick, his
power with God became known wherever he went.
George Fox was constantly being persecuted. He was imprisoned, beaten, and ridiculed, but this
only increased the number of his followers. William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania, was one
of Fox’s disciples. The Stafford family decided to make the dangerous voyage to America where
they settled in Pennsylvania and worshiped freely.
