state he was impressed by a strange vision of a sacred light, and a feeling of joy came over him. This event was

never forgotten, and in after years he spoke of it as a" divine manifestation." Penn and his mother then went to London, where he entered a private school in Tower Street.

The admiral, after his release, moved with his family to Ireland, and Penn was placed under a private tutor, who took great interest in his education. So rapid was his progress that at the age of fifteen he was ready for Oxford. He entered that university in 1659, through the influence of the King of England and of the Duke of York. Here he acquired the reputation of being a diligent student. He read the classic literature of Greece and Italy in the original, acquired an excellent knowledge of history, and studied French, German, Dutch, and Italian. One of his

chief pleasures was the study of theology, particularly the doctrines of the Puritans. Being of an adventurous spirit, a fine horseman, a skillful oarsman, and an athlete, he became a general favorite at college.

It was while at Oxford that he heard Thomas Loe, a celebrated minister of the Friends, teaching the doctrines of George Fox. Loe spoke against the forms of the church, such as the wearing of gowns and the ritual ceremonies. At this time there was a difference of opinion in the university about the adoption of a new service. Penn sided with the nonconformists, or Puritans, as they were called, who objected to wearing gowns and attending regular service. His absence was noted, and he, with others, was brought up before the authorities and fined. This action on the part of the university aroused all the young nonconformists to rebellion, and they paraded the streets, and even tore the gowns off the backs of the courtly youths. In all this Penn was a leader, and as such was finally expelled from the university.

His father at first refused to believe that his son was expelled, much less that he had accepted the principles of

the Friends. He scorned the idea that his son had turned "Quaker." With clouded brow he silently awaited the return of the boy to his home. Learning from his son's own lips that the report was true, he was greatly grieved. The father was proud of his son, of his peronal charms, his talents, and his business ability; in him his worldly ambitions were centered. At first he pleaded with the boy, then treated him with great severity; but all in vain. Although sorrowing deeply on account of his father's opposition, Penn remained firm. His father's table was loaded with luxuries, but he scarcely ate. In his father's house were gathered the wit and beauty of the land, but he shunned their company. He sang no ballads, made no courtly speeches; he even gave up his dog and gun. To divert his attention from serious subjects, his father took him to the theater to see a satirical play on the Puritans, but this did not change the young man's convictions. At last his father sent him to Paris with some college friends, in hopes that amid the pleasures of that gay city he might lose the convictions and practices so objectionable to his parents and friends. He was presented to the king, Louis XIV., and became a welcome guest at court. Subjected to influences so fascinating to a young man, Penn in a measure forgot his Quaker fancies.

From France he went to Italy. On the way he met Algernon Sidney, the republican exile from England, whose ideas of government received the hearty approval of Penn. In Italy he studied the Italian language and literature, and the science of government. From here in 1664 he was summoned home to England by his father.

Admiral Penn was delighted to find his son an accom

plished gentleman and a scholar of varied and general culture, and immediately took him to court, where he became a favorite. He is represented as fair of face and gentle of manner, yet possessing a firmness of character which impressed all who met him. Nature and art had combined to make him a perfect gentleman.

William Penn was now entered as a law student at Lincoln's Inn. Soon after, war was declared against the Dutch, and for a time he served on his father's staff, carrying dispatches from the fleet to the king. In 1665 the plague broke out in London, bringing the young law student face to face with the great problems of life and death, thus reviving his religious convictions. His father, returning from war, sent Penn to Ireland to look after his estates. While in Ireland he met Lord Arran, under whom he enlisted to quell an insurrection. Penn in war r was said to be "the coolest of the cool, and the bravest of the brave." He now petitioned his father for leave to take up the profession of arms, and had his portrait painted in armor. The admiral promptly refused his request, advising him to live a "discreet and sober life." While at Cork, Ireland, Penn again heard Thomas Loe speak. The minister's first expression, "There is a faith that overcomes the world, and there is a faith that is overcome by the world," caused Penn to repent of his indifferent life, and that very evening he resolved to become a Friend, even at the expense of fortune, fame, and associates.

Hearing of this, the admiral sent for his son to come home. He found him fixed in purpose, but expressed a willingness to forgive him if he would take off his hat before the king, the duke, and himself. Penn asked three days

for consideration and prayer, at the end of which time he decided not to lift his hat to any mortal, as it was a sign of placing man on an equality with God. Penn now

felt himself called to the ministry. He laid aside his cloak and his sword, and assumed a plain garb. He prayed for those who were the cause of all his trials, used "thee" and "thou," and by precept and example taught "peace on earth, good will to men."

His father was indignant, threatened him, and finally turned him away from home. Penn, however, was not without consolation, for his new friends made him welcome, and his mother interceded in his behalf and secretly. sent him money. In a few months he was permitted to return to his home, but his father would not speak to him nor sit at the table with him. He then exchanged the sword for the pen, writing several essays and a pamphlet entitled "Sandy Foundations Shaken." For this he was imprisoned, "without indictment, trial, or conviction," December 16, 1668. During the eight months of his imprisonment he wrote his principal work, “No Cross, no Crown." He was set free through the influence of the Duke of York. The firmness with which William Penn maintained his principles made his father feel there must be something in his son's doctrines worthy of consideration and respect, and his heart began to soften toward him.

In 1670 Penn was again arrested for preaching the doctrine of the liberty of conscience, and also for conspiracy. On his trial he pleaded the rights of Englishmen under the Great Charter, as did also a Captain William Mead, who had been arrested with him. The jury were kept two days without food, fire, or water, and