And a monitor within,

I felt forbidden to do. strengthened me to resist temptation, and avoid condemnation, by resolving to continue in the work; for it appeared that I must know my duty for myself; and that, as another could not discharge the same, so another could not decide upon a case, that was wholly between God and my own soul. So I returned to the quarterly meeting about the time it closed, and spoke to those who would stay to hear.

Monday, I held two meetings; in one of which, some appeared to be deeply convicted of their lost condition. On the day following, I attended three meetings: in one of these, after soliciting those who desired religion, to rise, and promising that I would try to pray for them, twenty stood up in the assembly; and several of them by sighs and tears, confessed the danger they were in, by living in sin.

Wednesday, I spoke to an assembly in Bennington. The Spirit of the Lord was present, to the joy of saints and the conviction of sinners. At eight the next morning, agreeably to appointment, I met a congregation in Attica. Six were awakened to view their lost condition, and promised to seek the Saviour. At evening in the same neighbourhood, I held a meeting that continued till after three o'clock in the morning. The Spirit of God was manifest in a marvellous manner. Saints rejoiced and shouted aloud for joy; sinners fell to the floor, wept and cried aloud for mercy. Having never witnessed such a scene before, I said, rashly, within myself, it is confusion;' and this scripture, "Our God is not the author of confusion,' came to my recollection; and in my heart, I condemned the work, till several of the mourners spoke forth the praises of God, before my eyes, and told what the Lord had done for their souls. Then, after considering the subject again, and the accounts in sacred writ of certain meetings, where the Spirit of the Lord was powerfully manifested, (see Ezra 13: 12, 13. Acts 2:13-37) I could but be convinced it was the work of Israel's God.

I tarried in Attica and Bennington ten days, and attended twelve meetings; in which several, for the

first time, bowed before the Lord and called upon his name. Seven professed to be brought into the fold of Jesus, and several wanderers were reclaimed. Oh how glad was my heart, when the Lord looked upon the afflictions of David; and granted him the desire of his soul, in permitting his eyes to see the salvation of God. These few souls, which the Lord gave me, were dear to my heart, even as children; and appeared as seals and witnesses, that the Lord had commissioned me to declare his word to the sons of men. next went to Sheldon, and attended several meetings; in one of which, nearly twenty came forward for prayers, and two were soon brought to rejoice in the liberty of the sons of God.

I

Sunday, May 27, I attended six meetings; two in Sheldon, one in Bennington, and three in Attica. The congregations were large and attentive. No unusual occurrence marked these meetings, yet it was believed good was done. The next day, I travelled twenty-five miles and preached twice. The second meeting was in Attica, and continued till two o'clock in the morning. Six happy converts were present, and we sat together in a heavenly place in Christ. Yea, many could say,

My willing soul would stay in such a frame as this, And sit, and sing itself away to everlasting bliss." Tuesday, after travelling fifteen miles, I attended one meeting; and the day following, preached three

times.

The Lord was present in the assemblies, and many rejoiced in bright hopes of a happy immortality. Thursday, I walked 12 miles, and held three meetings; and the next day preached in the north part of Sheldon. The day following, I went to China, where the Erie quarterly meeting was in session. Elders Richard M. Carey and Jeremiah Folsom were present; the preaching, and other exercises were spiritual and interesting.

One circumstance at this meeting greatly affected me. Having retired from the assembly a small distance, I heard a very singular sound in the barn where they were convened, that excited anxiety and alarm. I returned in haste; and on entering the

meeting, saw a young man standing before the assembly in a flood of tears; who, by signs and gestures, was attempting to describe the joys of heaven, and the horrours of hell. The sound of his voice was inarticulate, but varied with his signs to express happiness and misery. The whole assembly was deeply affected; and, to my astonishment, I found that this young man, though deaf and dumb, had opened his mouth to persuade the wicked from the way to hell. He had lately experienced a hope in God, and related his experience by signs; showing his fears of punishment by looking at the fire, and then pointing downward; and his views of heaven, by touching things that were bright, or of the colour of gold, and pointing upward. He desired and received baptism, and became a faithful member of the church. exercises of the meeting appeared to interest him, as much as any one; and, though he could neither hear words, nor articulate them, yet he had sounds peculiar to exhortation, prayer, and singing, accompanied by suitable gestures. And I understood his public exercises had been blessed to the conversion of several. This was loud preaching, and many said: "If the Lord hath opened the mouth of the dumb, it is time for us, who have the use of speech, to confess Christ with the mouth unto salvation."

The

Sunday, June 4, I went to Concord, appointed a meeting, and enjoyed unusual freedom in speaking. The day following, I went to Boston, Erie county, N. Y.; and the next morning, at the hour of six, spoke to a crowded congregation, where my soul was led out into the liberty of the gospel. Six preachers were present; and the hearts of the people seemed melted by the presence of the God of Sabbaoth; and it was a time that doubtless will be remembered in eternity. I went to Nichol's settlement, and in the early part of the evening, gave out an appointment. The house was soon filled, and we enjoyed a solemn waiting before God. Convicting power touched the hearts of some, who, before the exercises closed, desired the prayers of christians. In the morning, I held another meeting at the same place, and several

covenanted to kneel and pray thrice a day, for four weeks. The day following, I preached in Zoar: this was a solemn, refreshing season; and at the close, a number promised to seek the Saviour. Saturday, I travelled fifteen miles, and held two meetings; in which, twenty-five manifested their desire for the thing needful." One or two of the number soon professed to find pardon through the blood of the Lamb.

one

Sabbath morning, June 10, after speaking to an assembly in a barn, at the hour of seven, I went to Zoar, where a large congregation was present; and in declaring the glad tidings of salvation, enjoyed much freedom. Here five solemnly covenanted to kneel and pray twice a day, for the four weeks ensuing. After preaching again in Nichol's settlement, I rode ten miles to Boston, and found a numerous assembly, who had come out to hear the "boy preacher, the appellation by which I was generally known. The Lord gave me confidence, with a good degree of his Spirit, and it was a weeping season. Here our hearts were made glad; twenty-five precious awakened souls came forward, desiring the prayers of God's children. Monday, after walking twenty-seven miles, I preached once. Near the close of the meeting, I invited those who felt a need of salvation, and desired to obtain it, to come forward and bow before the Lord, saying I would pray for them; five accepted the invitation. After visiting and preaching in Sheldon, Bennington, and Attica, I held a meeting in Pike; and in the same, was publicly opposed by a Universalist; yet there appeared some good signs.

I tarried the night with a brother in Christ, whose name was Johnson. Soon after rising in the morning, the form of my mother suddenly appeared to my view, with a pallid countenance, and clad in the habiliments of death. Before I was aware, turning to the family, I said: "My mother is dead;" and related the impression. For some time previous, she had been in my thoughts but little, and the idea that it was, or might be so, caused a bitter pang. Though fears now troubled me, I hoped they would prove groundless.

From Pike, I went to Centerville, and attended a meeting, which was truly solemn. Some were awakened and desired to be remembered at the throne of grace. Sunday, June 17, I preached to four large congregations, in Rushford and Centerville. The power of Emmanuel was present in each meeting, and sinners wept as they viewed themselves in the gospel glass. The next day, I spoke the word to a solemn audience in Pike; and, early in the following day, at Six Acre lake. In the afternoon, I was highly favoured of the Lord, while pointing precious souls to the Friend of sinners, at the east part of the town.

Wednesday, I preached in China; the day after, walked thirteen miles in the rain, and attended three meetings. My shoes were worn off from my feet; and on reaching the last appointment, I was much wearied; my feet were blistered, and so painful, that I was obliged to sit while speaking to the people. But amidst my privations and sufferings for the cause of Christ, my heart felt that more than double was rendered, by seeing one sinner this evening persuaded to turn and live.

On Friday, I went to a camp meeting in Boston; and being requested, preached in the evening, and tarried the next day. On the Sabbath, feeling constrained by the love of Christ and a sense of duty, though my feet were still bare, I addressed the people from the stand, and enjoyed good freedom. At the close of my discourse, a man who was not a professor, left nearly two dollars in my hand, and told me to purchase a pair of shoes; but before an opportunity presented, a pair was given me.

On Monday, I preached in Buffham settlement, and in Aurora. In the latter place, a heavenly season was enjoyed; fifteen mourning souls promised to seek the Lord, and two of them were soon brought to rejoice. The day following, I held a meeting in Wales; the next day, travelled sixteen miles, and preached twice. In the latter meeting, two requested prayers. Thursday, after riding twenty miles, I preached once; and the day following, attended a meeting in Pike, but saw none persuaded to turn to God,