2 1 2 History of the 



made. Joseph Piccop, who may be considered as the legitimate 

 successor of Crossley at Bacup— the church under Henry Lord 

 having eventually become extinct— was a man cast in no ordinary 

 mould. Born and nurtured in the humblest possible circumstances, 

 for even in his manhood he was at first only a day-labourer, 

 lacking the rudiments of education, and far removed from the 

 knowledge and wisdom which Colleges are supposed to impart, he 

 yet rose to distinction as a public teacher ; and on frequent 

 occasions in the metropolis (for he often visited London) his 

 eloquent and earnest discourses were hstened to and admired by 

 those best capable of judging of their worth. 



Mr. Hargreaves relates an anecdote of the man, which serves to 

 exhibit one phase of his character. " Mr. Piccop," says the 

 author of the life of John Hirst, " being engaged for the first time 

 to preach at a certain chapel in the city, arrived at the vestry and 

 sat down as an unknown stranger. It should be remarked that 

 Mr. Piccop did not make a very genteel appearance. The hour 

 appointed for the service approached, and several people came 

 into the vestry. After waiting some time in expectation of the 

 Preacher's arrival, they began to express their fears of a disappoint- 

 ment. Mr. Piccop suffered their patience to be pretty well tried, 

 and then, after inquiring if the hour was come, arose and 

 ascended the pulpit, to the no small astonishment and disgust of 

 the people. Their behaviour in the commencement of the services, 

 betrayed their uneasiness and disapprobation. After prayer they 

 appeared a little more reconciled to the preacher. Before Mr. 

 Piccop read his text, which on that occasion was Amos iii. 12, it is 

 reported that he spoke to the following effect : ' That there is 

 nothing very inviting in my outward appearance is evident to all ; 

 and whether there is anything within that will be more engaging, 

 is not for me to say ; but of that you will be better able to judge 

 for yourselves presently — however, such as I have, I give. I will set 

 before you "Two legs, and a piece of an ear,'" and then he 

 proceeded marvellously to expound and apply his singular text. A 

 certain gentleman who had been very agreeably disappointed, 



