baptized a female. He then continued preaching from place to place, and saw much of the goodness of God. Meetings, in general, were very solemn, and the audience very much affected. On the 24th he left the Purchase, on his return home; and continued his journey, preaching occasionally, until July 1, when he arrived at his own house, having been absent forty days, and found his family in health. AN EXTRACT FROM ELD. JOHN LAWTON'S MISSIONARY TOUR. On the 12th of June, 1811, I left home, and rode to Homer, where I met with Eld. J. Peck, and the next day we rode to Virgil, where we preached. On the 15th we came to Br. Doty's, in Caroline, on the Owego creek. In the evening there came in two Africans, who were slaves, one of them about forty years of age, and member of a Baptist church in Virginia: he appears to be much engaged in religion. The other was a young man about eighteen years of age, newly converted, and desirous of baptism. He gave a satisfactory relation of his Christian experience. The interview closed with prayer by the young slave, who appears to be the Lord's freeman. 16th, Lord's day morning James,* the young African, came in with another, whose name is Abram, and who was desirous of baptism, and gave a satisfactory relation of his experience. We then proceeded to the school-house. It being rainy, many were prevented from attending; however, there was a handsome collection of people. I preached in the forenoon, and Br. Peck in the afternoon. We then repaired to Owego creek, because there was much water there, and Br. Peck went down into the water with the candidates, and he baptized them there; and when they came up out of the water, the candidates went away rejoicinga most pleasing and solemn season: it brought to mind the ancient prediction, "Ethiopia shall stretch out her hands unto * His proper name is James Haborn. After his baptism he soon manifested that he possessed a gift that would be useful in Zion. After a suitable trial, the church which was constituted in this place gave him a license to preach, and by the churches assisting, he purchased his freedom. After that he preached for a season to the colored people in Troy; and has for a number of years been pastor of the African church in New York. thee." It appears that God hath wrought wonderfully among these slaves. There are eighteen of them; one was baptized last winter, and there was a young woman among them who desired baptism, but could not obtain permission of her master. We found a young white woman, who had obtained a hope, and was convinced of believers' baptism, but had not strength to go forward. There is a little handful of believers, say eight or ten, who stand in need of assistance. On the 17th we proceeded on our journey to Candor. Here we found a little church in tried circumstances. On the 18th we rode to Owego village, and here, with regret, I parted with Eld Peck, who returned homeward.* I then proceeded on my way alone, preaching every day until the 21st, when, being afflicted with a pleuretic complaint, I was bled, and rode to Capt. Harknes's, in Murraysfield, a settlement in Smithfield, Lycoming Co., Penn., and preached in the afternoon. Being very much indisposed, I tarried until Lord's day, when I delivered two discourses to the people collected. I think I never saw a more solemn, attentive, and affected, assembly, than here, especially in the afternoon; when the eyes and ears of the audience seemed to be opened, and they appeared to catch every word with avidity. It was truly delightful to see a number of blooming youth bathed in tears, while many fathers and mothers gave testimony, by their weeping, of the power of divine truth. Oh! may God in mercy bless them, and may these hopeful beginnings end in the salvation of their souls and the glory of God! And may my soul be enabled to praise God for what I have seen and felt this day. Though I was much indisposed, and at one time nearly fainted in the public exercises, yet God upheld me, and caused my soul to rejoice. I felt an unusual regret in leaving this agreeable people. The professors were *He preached in the afternoon at the village, and then rode to Br. Taylor's, and preached at 5 o'clock. On the next day preached to a large collection of people at Br. Taylor's, and rode to Caroline, preaching by the way. At this place a large assembly convened, to whom he preacheda very solemn and affecting season. A few of the black people assembled, the rest not being permitted to meet on working days. It is worthy of notice, that these poor slaves held a prayer-meeting every Saturday evening. Next day preached at Br. Kingman's, in Virgil, in the afternoon at Br. John J. Gee's, likewise in Virgil, and the next day returned home, having been absent twelve days, preached fourteen times, and baptized two persons. of the Presbyterian order, yet very desirous to be remembered and assisted by the Society. I think that missionaries would find great satisfaction in visiting this people. I then passed on to Burlington, Alba, and Sugar creek, in the town of Tioga. Here I tarried two days, and found eight or ten professors, but in very destitute circumstances. They were remote from any church, and in the space of eight years but two Baptist ministers had visited them. From thence I rode to Burlington, and attended churchmeeting. Met the two Eld. Rich's, father and son, who reside at this place-had a very agreeable season-the church in unison. Lord's day, 30th, I preached twice and attended communion. There were between fifty and sixty communicants, many of them blooming youth-had a very comfortable season. July 1st I left Burlington-rode down Sugar creek, and passed over to Tawanda creek-preached at Br. Crofut's -an affecting season-a number of blooming youth in tears. 3d of July, preached at Mr. Wilcox's, on Tawanda. Here were two young women that were at meeting yesterday, and had rode seven miles this day to attend meeting. I then rode to the mouth of Tawanda creek-preached in the schoolhouse-had an agreeable time. I then crossed the Susquehannah river, passed up the Wysox creek, from thence to the Wyalusing, and so on to Bethany, in the county of Wayne-preached twice in the court-house in Bethany, then returned through Hartford to the town of Rush, on Wyalusing creek, where I had an appointment-preached to a solemn and attentive assembly. I then returned to Wysox, and preached to the people. Here I find a little handful of Baptist professors, but no church within twenty miles of them. Indeed, all this part of the country is very destitute of preaching. On the 13th I left Wysox, on my way home, and came to Candor; on the next day I delivered two discourses to the people. Here I had the pleasure of witnessing some of the pleasing effects of Br. Peck's preaching in this place on his return home. This church has passed through great trials, and have excluded a number of its members on account of their adherence to David Jaynes, and his odious tenets. On Monday I preached twice-16th rode to Lisle-heard Mr. Bull, a Presbyterian, preach the funeral sermon of a young man that was killed by lightning. On the 19th of July I returned home, and found all well, having, in the space of five weeks and three days, traveled four hundred and twenty miles, and preached thirty-seven times. The country through which I traveled is almost entirely destitute of the preached gospel. It is truly affecting to see with what avidity many will try to hear the word, while at the same time others are lamenting their destitute situation. I remain, dear brethren, your unworthy JOHN LAWTON. EXTRACT FROM ELD. ASHBEL HOSMER'S LAST TOUR. On the 22d of October, 1811, I left my family, and set out on a missionary tour to the westward, preaching as I had opportunity, until the 29th, when I arrived at Clarence, on the Holland Purchase. On the 30th a council met at the house of Br. Johnson, for the purpose of ordaining Br. Bell. The council, after due examination, agreed to unite with the church in setting apart Br. Bell to the work of the ministry by solemn ordination. I preached the sermon, and assisted in the ordination, together with Elds. Furman, Goodale, and Gorton-a very comfortable season. I then returned to Batavia, and proceeded on my way, preaching in Caledonia and Riga, until the 5th of November, when I arrived at Genesee, and preached near Br. White's. On the 6th, in company with Br. White, set out for Nunda. This day rode thirty miles, through the most barren desert that I ever saw -passed the Genesee river about dark. Here I found dear Br. Goodale, who had previously arrived, and appointed a meeting at Br. Hammer's. Here is a new settlement. Some of the people received the news of the meeting at sunset, and came, both men and women, two miles and a half on foot, to hear preaching. After we had both preached, went two or three miles, and between 12 and 1 o'clock obtained some refreshment. On the 6th I set forward, accompanied by a brother who conducted me through the Indian settlements. We crossed the river. I then proceeded on my way, through exceeding bad roads, to Candea: the people collected-I preached, and then conversed with them concerning the conduct of one Isaiah Smith, a man who had forfeited his character, but was preaching and baptizing in those parts. I then continued my travels, preaching every opportunity, until the 13th, when I arrived at Danville, where I visited a sick woman, who appeared just departing, but enjoying much consolation. On the 14th I rode to May Mills, in Sparta; from this place I rode a circle of one hundred miles, and have found but one minister, a few licensed Methodists excepted. On the 16th rode to Nunda, and on the next day returned to Br. Hammer's, and met the people, some of whom came seven or eight miles to meeting. I preached one sermon, then baptized a woman, and a girl fifteen years of age-had a conference to consult on the expediency of forming a church. On the 18th rode to the seventh town, first range, and preached at 1 o'clock. The evening was taken up in hearing experiences. 19th, met at 9 o'clock-preached on the subject of baptism; then baptized two men, one female, and a boy fourteen years of age. On the 21st rode to the river, and met the people in a conference-agreed on sending for a council for forming a church; then heard experiences; then repaired to the water, and baptized five males and two females. 22d, an afflicting scene in parting. I then rode on, preaching and exhorting, as opportunity offered, until the 25th, when I arrived at Naples, at the head of the Hemlock lake. Here I found twelve families. I advised them to set up meetings. I then proceeded on my travels, preaching every opportunity; and on Friday, 6th of December, arrived in safety at my own house in Hamilton, having been absent forty-five days, and preached forty times, attended one council and ordination, three conferences, one church-meeting, and baptized eleven persons. I have found my health and strength increase. I have not wanted for attentive audiences. And what good will come of it, I must leave with Him who is infinite in wisdom. I remain, dear brethren, your affectionate ASHBEL HOSMER. |