Mary Oates

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Sr Mary Oates dictated the following Ap 8th 1812

Thy blood, thy blood the deed hath wrought ye I was born June 26th 1747 in Great Horton, in the Parish of Bradford. My father being one of the first Brn there he was called home to our Saviour when I was only 2 yrs old, and my Mother was left with five children of whom I was the youngest, I can remember when very young being sent to the Children’s meetings and liked them very much and hearing of our Saviours love to children, made an imprewssion on my heart and that verse; Dearest childn hark and see, what a Saviour now have we prove’d a blessing to me. But yet I sport the years of my youth without knowing or experiencing much, untill I was anout 18 years. I had a great desire to live in a Congn but as I was the only daughter, I could not leave my mother, It was at that time the custom, that those who lived in the Country might not have the priveledge to be re’d into the Congn and to partake of the H Comn. On this account I felt very unhappy, as it appeared to me that I could neither enjoy the Congn nor the World. I now fully, experienced the truth of that text. The carnal mind is enmity with God. I felt my sinful inclinations, and the desire to enjoy the World, so strong that I sometimes thought; I did not care what became of me, I said once in my grief, I will never be in the Congn yet my heart condemnd me. One night when I had fully determined to drop all connection with the Brns people. I recd a hurt on my

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neck in fetching water from a well; I suffered great pain, and was brought into a very weak state of health. As soon as I was able I went to Fulnec, and called to see Sr Seidel who was then the Labouress, she looked earnestly at me and asked what I thought, for if the hurt had turned inwardly, I might have died in a moment, this was like a thunderbolt to my soul. I went to the preaching but could hear nothing for misiry feeling that I was not let to die. I returned home but had no rest. reflecting on my unhappy state, my earnest pray’r and desire was now that our Saviour would pardon all my sins.

At that time there much said in the meetings, that if we had any clearness of our sinfulness, we should see our Saviour in his crucified form, this brought me into self working and I thought that I never could be saved unless I had that particular manifestation in which I heard it describd However one morning when I awoke, it was as if our Saviour said to me. I know the thoughts which I think towards thee, thoughts of peace? that word peace. comforted my heart, and has always been something to me thro my future course, This was in my 23rd year. I now felt a great desire to be recd into the Congn that favour was granted me April 12th 1773. and the peace of God which I felt on that occasion, I shall never forget. I now spent my time happily and enjoyed the meetings, when I awoke in the morng it was my first pleasing thought. I shall hear of our Saviour to day. I wished much to partake of

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the H. Comn but it was long before that favour was granted me. A conversation previous to it with the late Br Tranecker, proved a great blessing to me, He asked if I had felt a clearness that our Saviour had pardoned all my sins, to which I answered as mentioned before, upon he spoke very encouraging words to me, and said that our Saviours ways were different with every poor sinners.

Decr 8th 1776 I had the favour to partake for the first time of the H Comn. In 1779 I removed with my Mother Bankhouse, where I spent 3 years very comfortably, tho I had many schol schools for my own heart. but our Savior helped me and proved my faithful friend.

After the happy departure of my dear Mother whom I nursed to my end, I went to live at Heckmondwyke to care for my Br Children, where I staid until June 28th 1783 when I came to the Srs house here. I entered this house with my whole heart, according to my wished for desire, and no trials whatsoever have made me wish to leave it. My own temper and work made it sometimes trying, but little uneasinesses were soon settled again, and I can truly say that my living in this house has proved a Blessing to me. Where I have learned to know more of myself and of our Saviours leading

Had I not thee O Lamb of God once bleeding Were not thy blood for me a sinner pleading Where should I poorest among all the needy Find succour ready

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In 1799 my Niece Rachel Oats, with whom I had lived 16 years in the Srs house, was married to Br Jackson and went to Jamacia, and two months after my oldest Br who had been as a father to me, departed happily These sircumstances were great trials to me, and made me look earnestly to our Saviour, for His help even in externals and He has never put me to shame.

I now commend all my friends and relations to the Lord, may He bless them with spiritual & temporal Blessings and may he help & support me, thro this Vale of tears till I shall have the favour to see Him face to face