Lights of Walton

Lights of Walton a class of enthusiasts who appeared in the 17th century at Walton-on- Thames, Surrey, England. The story of their origin is related as follows: In the beginning of Lent, 1649, Mr. Fawcet, then minister of Walton, having preached in the afternoon, when he had concluded it was nearly dark, and six soldiers came into the church, one with a lighted candle in a lantern, and four with candles unlighted. The first soldier addressed the people, declaring that he had received in a vision a message from God, which they must listen to and believe on pain of damnation. The message consisted of five lights:

1. The Sabbath is abolished; "and here," said he, "I should put out my first light, but the wind is so high that I cannot light it."

2. Tithes are abolished.

3. Ministers are abolished.

4. Magistrates are abolished, repeating the same words as he had uttered under the first head.

Then taking a Bible from his pocket, he declared that it is also abolished, as containing only beggarly elements, which are unnecessary now that Christ is come in his glory, with a full measure of his Spirit. Then taking the lighted candle from his lantern, he set fire to the pages of the Bible, after which, extinguishing the candle, he added, and here my fifth light is extinguished."