James Nayler facts for kids

James Nayler, shown after his public punishment.

James Nayler (born 1618, died 1660) was an important early leader of the Quakers. The Quakers are a Christian group known for their peaceful beliefs. James Nayler was one of the "Valiant Sixty". This was a group of early Quaker preachers and missionaries. In 1656, Nayler became very well known. He acted out a famous Bible story. He rode into Bristol on a horse, like Jesus entering Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Because of this act, he was put in prison. He was accused of acting against religious rules.

Early Life and Army Service

James Nayler was born in a town called Ardsley in Yorkshire, England. In 1642, he joined the Parliamentarian army. This was during the English Civil War. He worked as a quartermaster under General John Lambert. He served in the army until 1650.

Finding His Faith

After leaving the army, James Nayler had a special experience. He felt like he heard God's voice while working in his fields. This led him to give up his belongings. He began searching for a deeper spiritual path.

He found what he was looking for in Quakerism. In 1652, he met George Fox. Fox was the main leader of the Quaker movement. Nayler quickly became a very important Quaker preacher. He was known as one of the "Valiant Sixty" evangelists. He helped many people become Quakers. He was also good at discussing religious ideas.

Disagreement with George Fox

Concerns About Nayler's Followers

Starting in 1656, George Fox began to worry about James Nayler. He also worried about Nayler's friend, Martha Simmonds. Fox felt their preaching was becoming too excited and unusual. His main concern was that Nayler's followers saw him as a very important prophet. Some even thought he was like a messiah figure.

In September 1656, Fox visited Nayler in prison. He tried to warn Nayler about these issues. But Nayler did not accept Fox's advice. A Quaker writer, Rufus M. Jones, described their meeting. Fox told Nayler that pride was dangerous. He said it was wrong to turn good things into bad. But Nayler did not listen. Nayler tried to show love to Fox. He even tried to kiss him. But Fox refused. He said, "James, it will be harder for you to calm your followers than it was to excite them."

The Bristol Event and Its Consequences

In October 1656, Nayler and his friends did something that caused big problems. They acted out the Palm Sunday story. This is when Christ arrived in Jerusalem. Nayler rode into Bristol on a horse. His followers walked with him.

After this event, Nayler and some followers were arrested. They were questioned by the Parliament. It was found that Nayler's followers had called him names like "Lord" and "Prince of Peace." They seemed to believe Nayler was somehow representing Jesus Christ. One follower, Hannah Stranger, would not say if she called him "Jesus."

On December 16, 1656, Nayler was found guilty. He was accused of serious religious disrespect. This trial was very public. He almost faced execution. Instead, he was sentenced to harsh public punishments. These included being put in the pillory. He also had a mark put on his forehead. This mark was meant to show he was guilty. After this, he was sent to prison for two years of hard labor.

At the time, Quakers were already facing pressure. People wanted them to reject some of their beliefs. Nayler's actions were seen as very risky. They caused more trouble for the Quaker movement. After this, George Fox worked to make the Quaker group more organized. This helped them avoid similar problems in the future.

What Happened Next

George Fox was very upset by the Bristol event. He wrote in his Journal that James "ran out into imaginations." He said Nayler and his group "raised up a great darkness in the nation." Even though Nayler believed his actions fit Quaker ideas, Fox and the Quakers publicly spoke out against him. This did not stop people who disliked Quakers from using the incident. They used it to say Quakers were wrong or dangerous.

Making Amends with Fox

Nayler was released from prison in 1659. He was very weak physically. Soon after, he went to see George Fox. He knelt before Fox and asked for forgiveness. He said he was sorry for his past actions. Fox formally forgave him, though he did so with some hesitation.

Final Years and Death

After being accepted by Fox again, Nayler joined other Quakers. They spoke out against the government at the time. In October 1660, Nayler was traveling to see his family in Yorkshire. He was robbed and left badly hurt in a field. He was then taken to a Quaker doctor's home in Kings Ripton, Huntingdonshire.

A day later, on October 21, 1660, James Nayler died at age 42. Just two hours before he passed away, he made a powerful statement. Many Quakers still value his words today:

There is a spirit which I feel that delights to do no evil, nor to revenge any wrong, but delights to endure all things, in hope to enjoy its own in the end. Its hope is to outlive all wrath and contention, and to weary out all exaltation and cruelty, or whatever is of a nature contrary to itself. It sees to the end of all temptations. As it bears no evil in itself, so it conceives none in thoughts to any other. If it be betrayed, it bears it, for its ground and spring is the mercies and forgiveness of God. Its crown is meekness, its life is everlasting love unfeigned; it takes its kingdom with entreaty and not with contention, and keeps it by lowliness of mind.

In God alone it can rejoice, though none else regard it, or can own its life. It is conceived in sorrow, and brought forth without any to pity it, nor doth it murmur at grief and oppression. It never rejoiceth but through sufferings; for with the world's joy it is murdered. I found it alone, being forsaken. I have fellowship therein with them who lived in dens and desolate places in the earth, who through death obtained this resurrection and eternal holy life.

James Nayler was buried on October 21, 1660. He was laid to rest in Thomas Parnell's burial ground at Kings Ripton. There is also a Quaker burial ground behind a place called 'Quakers Rest' on Ramsey Road in the village.

See also

• Leo Damrosch, The Sorrows of the Quaker Jesus; ISBN: 0-674-82143-2