tender care of them for their good; their lamps gone out, and scarcely any oil retained in a single vessel. Thus have some meetings died away and are lost; and others appear to be in a languid, sickly condition, seeming scarcely likely to live long, except they timely apply to the great and good Physician, who is both able and willing to restore life, health, soundness and vigour, to raise up 'judges as at the first and counsellors as at the beginning.""

places with propriety. Of their survivors, on the one hand, a considerable number retained the ancient plainness of language and habit, and rigidly censorious of any deviation therefrom, valued themselves upon this, as if it were the only test and badge of discipleship; while their hearts were gone after their covetousness, in eagerly pursuing and sordidly hoarding temporal wealth. On the other hand, a large body of youth and others were shooting up in self-indulgence, in conformity to the world, and rushing headlong into the Certainly, the painful picture thus held up temptations of the times. Yet, amidst this to us to ponder over, must be admitted as coninundation of negligence and revolt, there re-veying, in very faithful though vivid colours, mained in most places a number of sincere- not only a historical delineation of the past, hearted Friends, a few worthy ministers and but likewise of some of the actual tendencies elders but within these twenty years past and outgoings of our day; on these it is very there has been a great alteration for the needful we should bear to dwell, so as duly worse. The love of God in many waxeth and profitably to be humbled before the Lord cold! How they make light of religious du- because of them, and in order that the remedy ties! What a slender attendance of Week-day may be the more heartily sought for, clearly Meetings for the worship of God, as well as seen, and thoroughly availed of.-"The whole those which are held for our united care of head is sick, and the whole heart faint," cried the good of the church. So that it may now the mournful prophet! but such prophets in be said of many, as in sorrowful days for- such times are deemed but as fools, and the merly, The ways of Zion mourn, because spiritual man mad. Thus satan contrives by none come to her solemn feasts.' one specious device or another, to block up "Again, what restlessness in meetings, what the way of return, and to render void the reoutward indications of spiritual indolence, of iterated efforts, the patient exercises of "the absent or wandering minds, of neglect of the preserved of Israel" and the Lord's "hidden awful duty of worship, due from us to our ones," for the furtherance of that work of regreat Creator! What gazing about, or falling formation, which will yet ultimately be the asleep! What violations of our Christian tes- total and eternal downfall of the kingdom of timony in its sundry branches, what weakness darkness. The writings of the ancient proin conduct, and inconsistency with that divine phets, being mainly designed both to rally and principle which we profess! Again, how many to warn backsliding Israel, are full of consoin these perilous days run back and draw others with them into the vanities of the times, into a conformity with the world both in dress and address, into the company of such as indulge the same dispositions, till the plain, honest manners of sincere and affectionate Friends are falling into disuse, being such as some are ashamed of. From these pernicious liberties have proceeded mixed marriages, running out to the priests, confusion in families, affliction and anguish of parents,-painful wounds to our Christian Society.

lation and encouragement, of denunciation and judgment also, adapted to a decrepid, weakly, morbid state of things; and the work which some of them had to do, was to rouse up and stimulate the fainting energies of those sincere in heart, who were ready to say, "My strength and my hope is perished from the Lord." Among these, how beautiful, how animating to the drooping courage and fainting spirits of such, is the language of the prophecy of Zechariah, in various parts! and how desirable to have faith to appreciate what belongs to us and to our children therein, and which was written for our instruction, "upon whom the ends of the world are come," "that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope."

"Turn ye unto me, saith the Lord of hosts, and I will turn unto you."

"If we look over our Society in this nation [Ireland], and take a view both of those who are plain in dress and who are otherwise, how many have their minds fast rooted in this present world, devoting all their talents to it, rejecting the counsel of Christ, who directs us to seek first the kingdom of God.' Hence, in some places, what poor lifeless meetings! How little of the sacred fire of divine love burning! How little of the glory of God shining! No living minister left among them, and scarce one living member of the body of Christ, to feel for the others, and take some "I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies."

And when the inquiry went forth, "How long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah?" the condescending answer was conveyed "with good words and comfortable words."

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My cities through prosperity shall yet be this judicious remark:-"It is very observaspread abroad, and the Lord shall yet comfort ble in the history of our Society, that the deZion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem." clension or revival of religious zeal has ever "I will be unto her a wall of fire round been accompanied by a corresponding relaxaabout, and will be the glory in the midst of tion or increase of care in the exercise of the her." discipline." Introduction to Rules of Disci "I will save you, and ye shall be a bless-pline, p. xxv.-The Journal of Joseph Pike, ing: fear not, but let your hands be strong." and some of his letters, furnish a fresh and "Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners strong illustration on this point, setting forth of hope." on the one hand the obligation and benefits of genuine church authority, and on the other the woful effects of negligence and false liberty, especially in any of those who should be "ensamples to the flock."* Our religious body in Ireland has from the first been zealous in forwarding, and exact in fulfilling this branch of Christian duty, the maintenance of mutual guardianship and subordination; and however slightly or unworthily some may indulge in thinking of their labour of love, as overstrained in some respects, this was not the opinion of able and judicious men with regard to the times of Joseph Pike and his coadjutors. William Penn, in the year 1698, when on a religious visit to that land, addressed an epis tle to the Yearly Meeting in London, which was also signed by his companions in travel, wherein they strongly mark their sense of the superior state of the discipline, and the exemplary degree of oversight in that portion of the church, which their system and methods embraced.

Those who desire in uprightness to have a part in such "good things to come," assuredly must be made willing to labour for an entrance into this promised "rest" and "refreshing;" since it is "the willing and obedient," and they alone, who "shall eat the good of the land." Although it be written, that "except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain who build it;" yet we may remember for our encouragement, it is also written, "The God of heaven, he will prosper us, therefore we his servants will arise and build," and, on the other hand, for our warning, "By much slothfulness the building decayeth, and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through." That was a beautifully clear and simple assertion, uttered by Ezra and his fellows before the king, the undeviating truth of which they knew full well, as the servants of the Most High have ever found,—"The hand of the Lord is upon all those for good that seek him." It was not however enough, that, on that memorable occasion, these exemplary "So that, dear brethren," they remark, reformers mourned, and fasted, and even "sat" we have good tidings to give you of truth's astonished," in the view of abounding desola-prosperity at large; and more especially in tions, and also entreated the Lord for the re- the church, having had the comfort of the vival of that good work, which he himself had General Meeting of this nation, consisting of stirred them up to set their hearts towards; many weighty brethren and sisters from all they were instructed of him to set their own parts thereof, which was held in the city of hands to it in his fear, and with an eye to his Dublin, in much love, peace and unity for se aid and blessing. They were given to see veral days; wherein we had occasion to obnot only what they were to do, but what in serve their commendable care for the prosvarious respects they were to undo and to for- perity of the blessed truth, in all the branches bear to do; in effect, " ceasing to do evil," of its holy testimony, both in the general and while learning and attempting to do well," in the particular; improving the good order honestly and utterly refraining from every that is practised among the churches of Christ thing with which the Lord had a controversy, in our nation. Indeed their simplicity, gravity under that dispensation, even from "all ap- and coolness in managing their church affairs; pearance of evil." And surely, in our day of greater privileges, a similar engagement of mind should rest upon those who would build up Zion, who "take pleasure in her stones and favour the dust thereof." This consistency of care, this holy propriety in all their proceedings, was evinced by Joseph Pike, as it has in *The editor takes this opportunity of making measure been kept in view by every wise-reference expressly to two or three letters from hearted, watchful, weighty elder in the church of Christ, both before and since his time.

Our Yearly Meeting, in putting forth a few years back a new edition of its Rules of Discipline for the government of Friends, makes

their diligence in meetings, both for worship and business; their despatch in ending differ ences, and expedients to prevent them; but especially their zeal against covetousness, and against indifferency in truth's service, and ex

one of his correspondents, Deborah Bell, as coming from a deeply exercised soul, baptized under a faithfulness, which some experienced servants of suffering sense of that departure from primitive the Lord in the present day have painfully to deplore.

emplary care to discourage an immoderate written against them as upon their stout walls, concern in pursuit of the things of this life, and high towers, and even upon their very and to excite Friends to do good with what altars, "Ye are they which justify yourselves they are possessed of, while they have it and before men; but God knoweth your hearts: time to do good withal;-these have very for that which is highly esteemed among men greatly comforted us. And, in the sweet and is abomination in the sight of God?" These blessed power of Christ Jesus, the meetings love to gather to their own heap, and "sacriended, and Friends departed. The Lord grant fice unto their own net:" they cannot rightly that you also may make the same purpose the “ pray for the peace of Jerusalem," for they travail of your souls, and end of your labour know not that "quiet habitation," where every and service of love, as not seeking your own man sits under his own vine, and drinks water things, but the things of Jesus Christ, in this out of his own cistern; but rather seem to deyour solemn General Meeting." light to look upon Zion in her defiled or beclouded condition, in a state of comparative stripping, of scattering, and of shame."Aha! Aha! our eye hath seen it! Ah! so would we have it"-If the editor please not such as these, he will not be disconcerted nor discouraged.

In the Journal of Thomas Story we likewise have this remark in commendation of the religious care of Friends over their own body in that country.

"The same afternoon was their meeting for business, [at Mount-melick,] where things were managed with a just severity against every appearance of evil, to the great comfort of the upright, and discouragement of evildoers; a great instrument of exact discipline being that ancient and worthy Friend, William Edmundson, who lived within the precincts of that meeting for whom, not they only, but also all Ireland, may give thanks to the Lord, for due observation of order in the churches of Christ in that kingdom." p. 137.

With regard, however, to his readers in general, and especially a small, but chosen, and increasing band, whether avowedly belonging to our religious denomination or not, who are little in their own eyes, poor in spirit, trembling at the presence of the Most High, yet loving and looking for the spiritual appearing of Jesus Christ, both as the evidence of his mercy towards them, and as the earnest of their inheritance in him,―with regard to such as these, wherever and however situated, who have of late been strongly drawn towards each other in the Lord, they will, he trusts,

The editor has thus expatiated in a manner, which nothing but his undiminished fervency of interest in all that appertains to the wellbeing of this Society could warrant or perhaps be far otherwise minded:-they well know, excuse; but which the affecting position of through much anguish, weariness, and wading some portions of it, of recent times, superadd- of spirit, how to estimate whatever in the ed to its previous weakly condition, seemed to slightest or simplest manner genuinely tends call for at his hands. He may be thought by to the exaltation of our blessed Redeemer's some to have exceeded what was required of kingdom of righteousness, peace, and truth in him, in the humble character of editor, on the earth. These sigh for the times of more such an occasion; and his authors, both of ample reformation in the church, the more them, may also be liable to the imputation of perfect restoration of her ancient lustre, digtediousness or insipidity as to style and quality.nity, strength, and dominion over the man of Such a judgment he is prepared to expect from sin; and to them nothing is immaterial, or of those, who, it is to be feared, "seeing see not,' ," little worth, nothing is burdensome, which "neither do they understand," though they may tend, as the cup of cold water, to the resay, "We see." Leaning to their own under- viving of the hearts of the Lord's heritage. standings, and the strength of their. own spirits, rather than waiting to receive "the spirit of wisdom and revelation," to enlighten "the eyes of their understandings," what wonder if, like some of old, they are in degree blind to the things of the kingdom, to that which goes to make up the excellency and simplicity and purity of the truth as it is in Jesus? Instead of being prepared to adopt the petition, "That which I see not, teach thou me," they are in danger of the woe which attaches to those that are wise and prudent in their own sight; preferring to be their own masters and their own judges in religious matters, is it marvellous, if the language should be found

It is for the sake of this class, both among his fellow-professors, and others of a retired, seeking, contrite description, who have been the more attracted towards our Christian principles, in consequence of the calumnious outcry raised against them, that the editor is induced, before he lays down the pen, to spread before his friends a deeply important quotation from a writer, who was far more worthy than he is, and better qualified to address the churches in "a day of trouble and of treading down, and of perplexity," "of rebuke and of blasphemy" also.

"The church is called the body of Christ.' Christ is called the head of the church.'

The church is called the pillar and ground of the truth.' Thus the church hath a name that is sacred, and the necessity of keeping this name holy, appears evident. For where a number of people unite in a profession of being led by the Spirit of Christ, and publish their principles to the world, the acts and proceedings of that people may in some measure be considered as such which Christ is the author of.

"Now, while we stand in this station, if the pure light of life is not followed and regarded in our proceedings, we are in the way of profaning the holy name, and of going back toward that wilderness of sufferings and persecutions, out of which, through the tender mercies of God, a church hath been gathered. 'Christ liveth in sanctified vessels,' and where they behold his holy name profaned, and the pure Gospel light eclipsed, through the unfaithfulness of any who by their station appear to be standard-bearers under the Prince of Peace, the living members in the body of Christ, in beholding these things, do in some degree experience the fellowship of his sufferings. And as the wisdom of the world more and more takes place in conducting the affairs of this visibly gathered church, and the pure leadings of the holy Spirit are less waited for and followed, so the true suffering seed is more and more oppressed.

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My mind is often affected with a sense of the condition of sincere-hearted people in some kingdoms where liberty of conscience is not allowed, many of whom being burdened in their minds with prevailing superstition joined with oppressions, are often under sorrow. And where such have attended to that pure light, which hath in some degree opened their understandings, and for their faithfulness thereto have been brought to examination and trial, how heavy are the persecutions which in divers parts of the world are exercised upon them! How mighty as to the outward is that power, by which they are borne down and oppressed!

"As these things are often fresh in my mind, and this great work of God going on in the earth has been open before me, that liberty of conscience with which we are favoured has appeared not as a light matter. A trust is committed to us, a great and weighty trust, to which our diligent attention is necessary. Wherever the active members of this visible gathered church use themselves to that which is contrary to the purity of our principles, it appears to be a breach of this trust, and one step back toward the wilderness, one step towards undoing what God in infinite love hath done through his faithful servants in a work of several ages, and like laying the foundation for future sufferings.

"I feel a living invitation in my mind to such who are active in our religious Society, that we may lay to heart this matter, and consider the station in which we stand: a place of outward liberty, under the free exercise of our conscience towards God, not obtained but through great and manifold afflictions of those who lived before us. There is gratitude due from us to our heavenly Father, and justice to our posterity :-can our hearts endure, or our hands be strong, if we desert a cause so precious, if we turn aside from a work, under which so many have patiently laboured?

"May the deep sufferings of our Saviour be so dear to us, that we may never trample under foot the adorable Son of God, nor count the blood of the covenant unholy! May the faithfulness of the martyrs, when the prospect of death by fire was before them, be remembered! And may the patient, constant sufferings of the upright-hearted servants of God in latter ages be revived in our minds! And may we so follow on to know the Lord, that neither the faithful in this age, nor those in ages to come, may ever be brought under suffering, through our sliding back from the work of reformation in the world.

"While the active members in the visible gathered church stand upright, and the affairs. thereof are carried on under the leadings of "There have been in times past severe the holy Spirit, although disorders may arise persecutions under the English government, among us, and cause many exercises to those and many sincere-hearted people have suffered who feel the care of the churches upon them; death for the testimony of a good conscience, yet, while these continue under the weight of whose faithfulness in their day hath ministered the work, and labour in the meekness of wis encouragement to others, and been a blessing dom for the help of others, the name of Christ to many who have succeeded them. Thus, in the visible gathered church may be kept from age to age, the darkness being more and more removed, a channel at length, through the tender mercies of God, hath been opened for the exercise of the pure gift of the Gospel ministry, without interruption from outward power; a work, the like of which is rare, and unknown in many parts of the world.

sacred. But while they who are active in the affairs of this church continue in a manifest opposition to the purity of our principles, this, as the prophet Isaiah expresseth it, is as when a standard-bearer fainteth. And thus the way opens to great and prevailing degeneracy, and to sufferings for such, who through the power

of divine love are separated to the Gospel of Christ, and cannot unite with anything which stands in opposition to the purity of it.

a perfect resignation of our wills, it is like a seal to a book wherein is written that good and acceptable and perfect will of God concerning us; but when our minds entirely yield to Christ, that silence is known, which followeth the opening of the last of the seals, Rev. viii. 1. In this silence, we learn abiding in the divine will, and there feel that we have no cause to promote, but that only in which the light of life directs us in our proceedings; and

"The necessity of an inward stillness hath under these exercises appeared clear to my mind: in true silence strength is renewed; the mind herein is weaned from all things, but as they may be enjoyed in the divine will. Where the fruits of that spirit which is of the world, are brought forth by many who profess to be led by the Spirit of Truth, and cloudiness is that the alone way to be useful in the church felt to be gathering over the visible gathered of Christ, is to abide faithfully under the leadchurch, the sincere in heart who abide in true ings of his holy Spirit in all cases; and being stillness, and are exercised therein before the thereby preserved in purity of heart and holiLord for his name's sake, have a knowledge ness of conversation, a testimony to the purity of Christ in the fellowship of his sufferings: of his government may be held forth through and inward thankfulness is felt at times, that us to others."-Extracted from an Epistle through divine love our own wisdom is cast addressed to the Society of Friends, by John out, and that forward active part in us sub- Woolman, 1772. jected, which would rise and do something in the visible gathered church, without the pure leadings of the Spirit of Christ.

"While aught remains in us different from

Stoke Newington, Eleventh
month, 1837.

JOHN BARCLAY.

SOME ACCOUNT

OF THE

LIFE OF JOSEPH PIKE,

WRITTEN BY HIMSELF ABOUT THE SIXTY-FIFTH YEAR OF HIS AGE, AND CONTINUED TO THE SEVENTY-FIRST.

Let the Elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour. 1 Tim. v. 17. The Elders, I exhort-Feed the flock. 1 Peter v. 1, 2.

PART I.

IT hath, for a long time, laid with some pressure on my mind, to write something of my pilgrimage in this world, and of the Lord's providence and merciful dealings with me, both spiritually and temporally, from my childhood to this day; not only for the benefit and instruction of my children, for whom it is chiefly intended, but for others also, into whose hands it may come. To this end, things have been often revived upon my mind, and freshly brought to my remembrance; yet I have hitherto delayed this work, till now at length I could not be easy without doing it, not expecting that my time will be long in this world.

ing their predecessors, particularly my father and mother, I shall, in the first place, give an account of them, not as to their nobility of birth, great riches, or grandeur in this world, but of their being virtuous and godly people, who endeavoured to educate their children in the same steps. What I write on this head, I had, for the most part, from my dear mother, who lived to the year 1688; my father dying, when I was about eleven years and a half old. My father, Richard Pike, was born in Berkshire, at the town of Newbury, about the year 1627; his parents being of good reputation, and having some estate in houses there. My mother, Elizabeth Pike, was born in London about the year 1636; her maiden name was Jackson: she also came of parents of good As my children, grandchildren, &c. may repute, some of her connexions having been be desirous to have some information concern-chief magistrates of that city.