Perhaps it is not surprising that the most vivid picture of Quaker life towards the end of that period comes from a convert, William Marten (1764-1823). He was born in Barcombe and brought up in the Church of England, but went at the age of 17 to live and work with his uncle, Thomas Marten of Lewes, who was a draper and author of the book Quakerism No Delusion. For two years he attended the meetings of the General Baptists, and then the Calvinists for three years. After a conversion experience he rejoiced, and spent much of his time in prayer and singing, But this was a short-lived enjoyment; for I soon found it was practised more to gratify the creature, than to exalt the great Creator. Eventually he attended the meetings of Friends, and also became convinced of the propriety of wearing plain apparel; of using the singular pronoun in addressing one person; and of forbearing to take off my hat by way of compliment. I was much tried with respect to this latter custom.

At this time Friends had the practice of 'Recording Ministers'. All were bound to speak in meeting if moved to do so, but Friends who often spoke helpfully were officially recognised, and given seats on the 'stand' or 'gallery' in front of the meeting. William Marten records that Our worthy friend and minister, Daniel Burns, of Lewes, being very ill, I felt it to be my duty to go and see him. On my entering his room, he drew a chair, that I might sit beside him: he endeavoured to speak, but was not able. After having spent about half an hour in solemn silence, I took leave of him, not expecting to see him again alive. When I had gone about forty yards from his house, a voice, which appeared to proceed from his departing spirit, addressed me thus: 'William, what shall I give thee?' I replied: 'A double portion of thy good spirit.' My mind then felt seasoned with good; and, from that time, I believed that it would be my lot to succeed my dear friend in the ministry.

Some time after this, a service exceedingly trying to the creaturely part, was required of me; viz. to bear a public testimony against stage entertainments, by delivering papers, 'on the right Employment of Time', to such as might be going to the playhouse. At first I was tempted to send them by the person who distributed the play-bills; but a secret voice said: 'Shall the Lord employ those in his work whom the devil employs?' I then thought of another person, but he also was rejected: I was to do it myself. The enemy, working with the flesh, suggested that I should, by such conduct, lose my business, be slighted by my relations, and called crazy; and that I might even lose my life. But I knew it to be the Lord's will and work; and was favoured with strength to deny myself, in order to obey his command. Accordingly, on the evening of the 31st of the 8th month, 1789, I stationed myself before the theatre, and distributed about 250 of the papers. A clergyman, who was about to go in, on reading the paper went away. I had also procured several printed copies of a paper, written in the form of a play-bill, and describing, in a very striking manner, 'The Great Assize, or Day of Judgment'. Some of these I caused to be posted, the next morning, opposite the theatre.

Times of national rejoicing then were celebrated by 'illuminations' - lights placed in the front windows of each house. Friends did not observe them as they were generally for military victories, and Friends mourned the loss of life on both sides. The people regarded Friends as unpatriotic and vented their fury on houses without lights. On March 11th 1789 William Marten wrote: This night there has been a general illumination, on account of the restoration of the king's health. We had only three panes of glass broken, in consequence of not exhibiting lights; although some of our friends sustained considerable damage. I am glad that Friends stand steadfast in our testimony against the practice of illuminating, but I believe that we all sincerely rejoice at the restoration of the health of so good a king. He commented at a later date, The English, having gained a victory at sea, over the French, the town was illuminated as a testimony of rejoicing. Oh that men would learn the religion of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, then would they cease to rejoice at the destruction of their fellow-creatures.

John Mackellow wrote in his autobiography that he was in Brighton Barracks in 1800, and began to feel that he should lay down his arms and refuse doing military duty. So he went to Lewes with a letter to William Marten's house. He was offered refreshment, but told that Marten had gone to Brighton with his wife for the day. Soon after he came in and said that he felt constrained to come home, under an impression that something was the matter. He seemed glad to see me, and after a pause, he told me all that I had been suffering and that when the time came for me to lay down my arms, it would be in the light, and not under a cloud, and more to the same import. The scene from that time was wholly changed with me: I went in a state of mourning and returned rejoicing.

Daniel Burns had been 'convinced' while serving in the army, and in welcoming soldiers William Marten was following his example. In 1788 Burns, one of the people called Quakers, and other inhabitants of this town, rescued by their humane and public spirited interference, an unhappy private of the Eleventh Regiment of Light Dragoons, from the barbarous and persevering malignity of one of his officers. They not only exerted themselves (at considerable expense) to lay a temporary restraint on the cruelties of this military oppressor, but finally obtained the poor man's discharge by an application to the War Office. William Marten recorded that it appeared to be required of me, to go to a minister of the Church of England, and advise him against being lifted up with having a large congregation, but to continue humble. I went accordingly, and he received the message in love.' Later he wrote 'This evening took a walk with ---, a minister of the Church of England, whose conversation was edifying. I am persuaded that there are many in this establishment, both ministers and others, who are members of the church of Christ; to whom may my soul be expanded in charity.

In 1805 he opened a first-day school for the instruction of poor children in reading and had forty to begin with. This continued until 1811, when most children were attending the Subscription School. He withdrew from business in 1817, having been engaged therein about thirty years, and have been abundantly blessed; for although I have been diligent in my outward calling, my heart has been preserved from centering in temporal things; so that I have been enabled cheerfully to leave them all, when religious duty required. He had other social concerns: in 1814 he collected 693 signatures for a petition against the slave trade, and he also collected £123 for 'The Retreat', the Quaker Hospital at York which pioneered humane treatment and care for the mentally ill.

He died in 1823, and his obituary in the Sussex Weekly Advertiser reads: Died on Monday, the 6th instant, at his house in this town, aged 58, Mr. William Marten, one of the Society of Friends, and well known in Sussex and the neighbouring counties, as a man of eminent piety and the most diffusive benevolences, though little in his own apprehension he was in the truest sense of the word, Great in the estimation of all that knew him. His remains were interred yesterday morning in the Friend's burial ground in this town, attended by a numerous and respectable train of relatives and other sincere admirers, and also by about 500 children from the Lewes Subscription School, of which he has been one of the first promoters and most active Directors.