THE TESTIMONY OF THE MEETING OF CORK, CONCERNING JOSEPH PIKE. before his chiefest joy; taking great delight in hearing when the affairs thereof went well, particularly in hearing any account of young men coming up in a right concern for Truth. Ir having for some time past lain on the was both acceptable and serviceable, and minds of divers Friends, that something by even sometimes when the circumstances of his way of testimony concerning that worthy family might have been a reasonable excuse elder, our dear deceased friend, Joseph Pike, for his staying at home. But his love to might be of service, we hope a few lines re- Truth and concern for the prosperity thereof lating thereto will not be thought unseasonable outbalanced other considerations; and some of at this time. us, who were intimately acquainted with him He was the son of Richard and Elizabeth for many years, are witnesses of that deep Pike, who were early convinced of the blessed exercise and travail of soul he laboured under Truth, and continued zealous for it and faith- for Zion's sake; more especially of late years ful to the end, he dying a prisoner for his tes- since the removal of many of our worthy timony thereunto. It pleased the Lord in his ancient and faithful elders from among us, great love, to visit this our dear friend in his under a sense and consideration how few tender years, being under eight years of age, in the present age come up in their places. and by his Holy Spirit strove with him, to It may truly be said of him, that he prebring him off from the vanities that childhood ferred the welfare and peace of the church and youth are incident to, and until he was twelve or thirteen years of age. About this time, that honourable elder, William Edmundson, came to visit Munster Province, by whose ministry at a meeting in Cork, the Lord's heavenly power took hold of him, opening to him He was a man of a clear understanding, his inward state and condition, which begat in and sound judgment and impartiality; tender him earnest cries to the Lord, that by the help over the weak, where tenderness appeared, of his Holy Spirit he might be enabled to come but sharp against the high-minded and stub into obedience for time to come. And as he born, though nearly related. Much might be grew in years, and was brought into obedience said of the many excellent qualifications with to the workings of Truth in his own heart, he which it pleased the Lord to favour him; of found a concern upon his mind to join with which favours he was truly sensible, and faithful Friends in church discipline, for which oftentimes, in great awfulness and brokenness service it pleased the Lord to gift him in an of spirit, humbly acknowledging his own uneminent manner, as appears by some manu- worthiness of the great love and goodness of scripts written some time before his departure, God extended towards him every way, both as also by that excellent Treatise on Baptism inwardly and outwardly. In conversation and the Supper; and on many occasions solid and weighty, without affectation, yet showing himself to be a man of an universal cheerful and agreeable without levity. A spirit. worthy elder, ruling his own house well, and of great service in the church, as is well known to many that yet remain, who are more and more sensible of the church's loss in his removal. As a good steward of the grace and gift received, he was faithfully and zealously concerned for the holy name and testimony of the Lord, that the line of judgment without partiality might be kept up, and over that And as he had often desired, that he might spirit that has long and does still endeavour have a short and easy passage out of this to lay waste the Lord's work, by introducing world, he had his desire granted; for after a a false liberty into the church; he being, from lingering weakness which had attended him the time of his first admittance into meetings for several years, he was suddenly taken with for business, preserved from joining with or a fit of illness, and in a few minutes departed strengthening the hands of any loose, disor- this life, the 7th day of the eleventh month, derly spirits, but on the contrary, had a testi- 1729; and we doubt not, he is entered into mony in his heart against them to his dying that rest which is prepared for the faithful. day. He was a good example in duly attend-. ing meetings for worship, and sincerely devoted himself to the serving of Truth: constantly, for many years together, attending the National Half-yearly Meeting at Dublin, and often the Yearly Meeting at London, where he Signed on behalf of the said meeting, by CHARLES HOWELL, THE END. EDWARD BAURICK. JOHN DENNIS, RICHARD PIKE, NICHOLAS HARRIS. JOSEPH OXLEY'S JOURNAL OF HIS LIFE, TRAVELS, AND LABOURS OF LOVE, IN THE FAITH AND FELLOWSHIP OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. "I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him." Gen. xviii. 19. Joseph Oxley's Address to his children. I am now pretty far advanced in years, My dearly and well beloved children, unto waiting daily until my change shall come, whom I send greeting: grace unto you, and having no desire to stay longer than is my peace from God our Father, and the Lord Master's good will and pleasure. In this state Jesus Christ. of resignation I desire to live, and to live so You are nearer and dearer to me than all as to be fit to die. I trust, in this passage things here beside. Divine Providence was through life, I have not been unmindful of pleased to bestow you on me in the days of that great work, unto which I have appremy youth, since which you have been my hended myself called; and when concerns of constant care; and, as you have been increas-a religious nature have appeared to be my ing in years, so in like proportion have my duty, have not to charge myself with neglect. cares been increasing towards you. While or backwardness; but stood in passive subvery young, you were instructed to fear and worship your great Creator, and oftentimes directed to him, and to the guidance of his blessed, holy, unerring Spirit, which, as due regard is paid thereunto, would lead and guide you into all truth. This becoming the rule of government of our actions, will make us, of the children of men, the children of God. I have not been wanting in bestowing on you a liberal education, to qualify you for business, and brought up and settled you in such business and callings as are in esteem and reputation, in all which I have had an eye to the glory of God. mission to be made willing in the day of his power. Herein, as I was made to give up, I had great peace, and have no cause to murmur or repine at any of his requirements, though I thought myself not worthy, not pure enough to run on his holy errands. I do not know how better to recommend you, than to follow me, my dear children, in like manner, only in greater degrees of purity. The more pure and holy and perfect we are made, the fitter we are to be sent on his errands, and to bear the Gospel message. In former manuscripts I have recommended brotherly love and unity, without which there can be no real, true hapAs occasion required, I have exhorted, ad- piness. The same I again recommend to you. vised, reproved, and restrained you. You There is much beauty in beholding brothers know well that I was exemplary in attending and sisters living in love, endeavouring to religious meetings, and you also therein be- help one another as occasion may require, in came my companions. My increasing cares, counselling and advising in temporal or spiritand laudable endeavours, through Divine fa- ual matters. I charge you be not unmindvour, have in some good degree procured for ful in so doing, my dear children; peace will me that blessing, which above all temporal flow in upon you abundantly, and your blessings I have desired, the blessing of sober reputation and honour will be increased and virtuous children. It is the all-wise, great among men. The Lord will delight himself and good Benefactor, the Lord, the everlasting in you, and you will be a praise to his great I AM, the Alpha and Omega, before whom my name. soul seeks to worship at this time, and with My life being attended with variety of disearnestness to entreat, that he would still vouch-pensations, I have, as opportunity presented, safe the renewings of celestial rain upon the committed to paper some things, among many seed of his poor servant, that thereby they that have fallen to my lot, in the course of my may grow as plants of the Lord's own right pilgrimage; not with any intention or desire hand planting, to his glory and praise for ever of its going forth to the public, but intending and ever. chiefly to have it kept within the circle of my own family; not thinking it better worth. You Him who is perfect, who delighteth not in the will find in the perusal of these few sheets, the death of sinners, but is graciously seeking, tender dealings and merciful visitations of the immediately and instrumentally, to save sin Almighty to me, after long provoking him to ners from their sins, and to preserve them anger; by which means, judgment and con- from sinning. How strange a thing it is that demnation were brought over my soul. May minds should be so infatuated, as to prefer he who reached poor me when I was gone pleasures rather than peace. It is by seeking astray, and brought back again that which and pursuing after pleasures, that many hearts was lost, in like manner effectually reach are wounded and slain; but they that seek the hearts of my dear children, that closely after peace, shall be made peace-makers, and joining in with the visitation of Truth, they shall be called the children of God. The tes may at length become warriors and champi- monies and labours of the Lord's servants, ons in our Israel, contenders for the God of tend to bring off from those things that are of their father, in their generation; and the Lord a hurtful and destructive nature and evil tenso bless the work in their hands, that sinners dency, wounding the poor soul, bringing it may be converted from the error of their into great distress and confusion; which do ways, that souls may be saved from death, not settle it upon a right bottom and sure and thereby hide a multitude of sins. In that foundation, wherein dwelleth true happiness, day the wisdom of God will be made mani- comfort, and peace. Thus is an understandfest, and according to the saying of the pro- ing given, not a verbal declaration only; for phet Daniel," those that are wise shall shine the knowledge and Christian experience of as the brightness of the firmament, and they such, as have been seeking after the Truth, that turn many to righteousness, as the stars, and by obedience to its manifestations have for ever and ever!" For this great and good found it, and have it in possession, speaks of end, many have been called into the Lord's what they know, and not of what they know work and service, and their reward shall be not. I therefore direct and recommend you according to their measure and faithfulness. Great is the loss which many sustain who have been long hearing, and not obeying, being diverted and turned aside by strangers, of which there are many to delude and enchant; deceivers, and not true, captivating allurements, called by fine names. Thus it is, that the creature is exalted above measure, and is set up in the mind above the heavenly witness; turning aside the deep counsels communicated from such teachers, and to the teacher of them, the Lord Jesus Christ in your own hearts, the true and infallible Teacher; that by attending thereto, you may come in this manner to at tain to the like experience, and in the end obtain your hope, even the salvation of your souls. Remember my counsel, herein recommended, and depart not from it. It is what above all things else I covet for you. JOURNAL OF JOSEPH OXLEY'S LIFE AND TRAVELS, &c. CHAPTER I. I HAVE had it on my mind for a considerable time, to commit to writing some of the many occurrences that have befallen me; and of the precious visitations, and merciful deal ings of the Almighty with me from my youth up. parted this life the 27th of the sixth month, 1720; and was interred at Castlethorp, in Friends' burial-ground, the 30th day following, aged thirty-three years and three months. She was a virtuous, zealous woman, sometimes publicly engaged in meetings, and loved and entertained Friends heartily who came to visit I was born at Brigg, in Lincolnshire, on the us. She was naturally a woman of a ready 4th day of the ninth month, old style, 1715. wit, charitable to the poor, a friendly neighMy father's name was John, son of John and bour, and well beloved of all. We had a Mary Oxley of Criggleston, in the parish of good meeting at her interment, wherein seve Sandel, and county of York. My mother's ral testimonies were borne concerning her; name was Ann, daughter of Joseph and Cathe- also at the burial-ground, all signifying her rine Peckover, of Fakenham, in the county of departure was in peace with the Lord." About Norfolk. three years afterwards, it pleased Divine Providence to visit my dear father with a sore fit of sickness, of which he also died, the 29th Respecting my mother, my father left this short testimony" Ann Oxley, of Brigg, de of the twelfth month, 1723, aged forty years; leaving three children, Joseph, Ann, and John, thus rendered destitute not only of natural, but religious parents. I was the eldest. me, he was afraid to take me, because I was so very low of stature, and sent me to school again, to a Friend who lived in the town, where I also underwent some profitable corAbout the eighth year of my age, we all came rection, as well as acquired useful learning. under the care of my grandfather and grand- The following summer, my uncle, Edmund mother, Joseph and Catherine Peckover; my- Peckover, being on a religious visit in these self more particularly under the guardianship parts, I was bound an apprentice to Robert of my dear and honourable uncle Edmund Henderson, of Scarborough, clock maker. Peckover. My sister became the care of my My uncle recommended to my master, that grandmother, and my uncle Joseph Peckover, he should let me attend week-day meetings as of Fakenham, took the care of my brother often as it was convenient. His great care John, who was the youngest. I was boarded over me in that respect made lasting impres at Brigg, with Ann Bethell, widow, a valuable sions on my mind, even to this day; and I Friend, until such time as my relations could have been careful to be exemplary therein, settle my father's affairs. I went to school in and in bringing up my family in that comthe town, but have no reason to think I was mendable practice. My master and dame, for one of the best boys; for though I was very so I was ordered to call my mistress, were young, I well remember that one night on both sober, valuable Friends, and orderly in going to bed, curiosity led me to look into the their conversation; but such of us as were maid's trunk, which was in the chamber, and under their care as apprentices, journeyunlocked: on opening and searching the trunk, men, &c., were unruly and disorderly, very I found a little screw box which I ventured to unbecoming and reproachful, idle, loose, and examine; its contents were chiefly silver. I profligate, corrupting one another in many thought I might hazard to take sixpence, and evils, frequenting ale-houses, and gaming; not be found out; which I did, and no more. practices destructive both to body and soul. My mistress, with whom I went to school, Let all beware lest they unhappily fall into sold nuts, gingerbread, sweetmeats, &c., some these evils, and bring the Lord's displeasure of which I bought, and distributed amongst on them as I did. I liked very well the busimy school-fellows, and played truant; on which ness, but it was too hard and laborious for my I was suspected, and at night my pockets were strength. I had also a pretty deal of other examined, and I was found to have spent about business, such as cleaning boots and shoes, two-pence, for which the next day I underwent looking after my master's horses, &c., as octhe discipline of the rod, which I have had rea-casion required, which kept me very backward son to think was of service to me, not remem- in my business. Having served my master bering I have ever done the like since. Soon after this I was sent to Gilbert Thompson's school, at Sankey, in Lancashire, a very good school; but I was very unapt at learning my books, though few exceeded me at play. One time in particular I have reason to remember. My master being from home, I had agreed with another boy to run a race, and for each of us to carry another boy on our backs; and in running, I fell down with my leg under me, by which means I broke my thigh, which proved a source of long confinement, sorrow, and trouble. The surgeon who set it, not being sufficiently mindful, set it wrong, and in this state it remained several days, when at length it had to be broken again and set afresh, which indeed proved an unspeakable sorrow; but afterwards the parts united and did well. seven years, my time with him expired. I am far from being able to give a good account of myself during these seven years. I remained exceedingly raw and ignorant respecting religion, negligent in attending meetings, for which my master and dame would often reprove me, and on a first-day evening they would fre quently call us together to read in the Holy Scriptures. My mind seemed at this time to be estranged from anything that was good, and I turned a deaf ear to all advice and counsel that had a tendency to settle the mind in the fear of God. Being now in the twenty-second year of my age, I left Scarborough, and by order of my uncles, Edmund and Joseph Peckover, went to Brigg, my native place, and by their advice, disposed of an estate of my late father's: from thence into Norfolk, to see my relations About this time my dear grandfather Peck- there, which afforded me very great satisfacover, of Fakenham, departed this life, and tion, and not the least to see my dear brother, bequeathed something for my further educa- who was then an apprentice to John Northern, tion, &c. After being at school more than a Friend at Walsingham, in said county: I had five years, I was sent to Scarborough, in not seen him for about thirteen years. We Yorkshire, to be an apprentice to a clock- were exceedingly rejoiced to see each other, maker. But when my master came to seel and though we were so long parted, I believe VOL. II.--No. 11. 53 About this time there came to town a young man, George Whitefield, educated a clergyman, who preached sometimes in steeple-houses and at other times in fields, &c.; and many were excited to go and hear him, amongst whom I was one, and as I thought, he spoke as one that had authority and not as the scribes; so I returned very well satisfied. Soon after, I heard he was to preach at Kennington Common, a short distance from London, to which place I resorted amongst a great many thousands of people. The day was excessively hot, and I was in the throng of the brotherly affection remained as strong as if we master about one year and a half, and so far had lived together all that time. I spent some from growing better, I grew worse, and brought time in the country with my aged and hon-great sorrow and trouble on my relations and ourable grandmother, who was a mother in friends in the country, whom I wanted to see, our Israel, and would often be giving me such and an agreeable opportunity offering I venadvice as I stood in need of, but it had little tured to go. But I met with a very cool reeffect at that time. It now became time for ception, and whilst I staid in the country rather me to think how I must live in the world, for lost than got reputation and favour. I soon at present I was neither in circumstances, nor returned again to London, and my master reotherwise qualified, to set up in my business, fceived me very cordially. being altogether ignorant in the watch-making branch, which I thought highly necessary to know; and, in order thereto, I went up to London, where I met with my uncle Edmund, and by the interest he made, I got a place, though not so suitable as could be desired. My instructor was a good workman, and in many respects kind; but he was very much wanting in religion, seldom or never going to any place of religious worship. He was by profession of the Church of England, so called. I indented with this man for two years to learn to be a watch-maker, which I liked very well. My master was a good-natured man, and wil-people, and being very low of stature, was lingly agreed with my uncle's proposal, in overcome to such a degree with the crowd letting me go to a week-day meeting once a pressing me, and continued so long, that I week. Thus was my uncle's kindness and thought verily I should have been smothered care continued over me so long as I remained to death in a very little time. Oh! the disunder his charge. My master would often tress of mind I was now in! the horror and take me out with him, and make me as his confusion of my soul was beyond all descrip companion: I used to be frequently with him tion! the terrors of the Lord were upon me; at his clubs and places of diversion, and at the stings of a wounded conscience I felt to these places I learned to sing what they called pierce through and through for sin and transa good song, and so became one with them.gression. I thought I was in a few moments But even at that time, I was under such strong going to launch out of time into eternity, noinward convictions, that my heart was filled thing but everlasting woe and misery seemed with grief, and however joyous I might appear to be my portion for ever and ever! My agony outwardly, I was inwardly condemned. My mistress was a Dutch woman, but not of that free disposition as was my master. Once on a trifling occasion she was angry with me, and her passion increased to such a degree, that she threatened my life, and caught up a case-knife for that purpose, and in her great fury and rage made an attempt to give the fatal stroke; but providentially, for I cannot call it anything less, the maid-servant interposed, and took hold of her arm, by which means she was prevented doing the intended evil, and gave me an opportunity of making my escape. My master being from home was sent for, and was under great concern and sorrow; he requested I would pass by the offence, and promised he would do what lay in his power to make me easy, and to prevent in future any such insults, which he found difficult to do. I believe the greatest dislike she had to me was, because I was one called a Quaker. Though far from what I should be, yet I could not compliment her in the way she required of me. I had now lived with my was so great, both in body and mind, as to make it intolerable to bear without loud shrieks and cries, which were heard far and near, by very many. The press was so great, that they who had their arms down could not get them up, till at length a gentlewoman in a coach noticed my condition, extended herself as far out as she well could, and with her fan yielded me some relief, which enabled me to stand it till the preacher had done. Now was my heart made to rejoice, and my tongue broke forth into singing, unto Him to whom I was so largely indebted, and by whose providence I was yet spared; and even at this time I cannot help saying, "I thank thee, O my heavenly Father! in that thou didst not call me away in that unprepared hour, to give an account of my stewardship; very unfit I most assuredly was to appear before thy great tribunal: I beg, I may ever, whilst I live, reverently and gratefully remember and ac knowledge this day, wherein thou wast pleased so mercifully to spare, to reach, and to visit so effectually my soul. 'Now I know that my very |