a member of the Presbyterian church in this place, and much esteemed by all. We had understood, that she had 'relieved the afflicted,' and prayed at almost every sick bed in the vicinity, and that her faith and good works were spoken of by thousands. She was often, contrary to their usual custom, suffered to speak in their meetings, and sometimes in their assembly on the Sabbath. But, to the surprise of her brethren, she told them she had been convinced by the word and Spirit of the Lord God, that it was her duty to be baptized. She received a dismission, united with the Free-will Baptists, and was baptized in the presence of a large assembly. This person, I was informed, was the first that had been immersed in this village, though it had been built forty years. She told us that for seven years she had set apart every Friday, to fast and pray for the conversion of her family. Few Christians are more constant in prayer than this woman; and since she was baptized, her husband and five or six of her children have been hopefully converted.

After the quarterly meeting, I preached in Elba and Royalton; then went into Upper Canada, attended a meeting at Stony Creek, and on the Sabbath preached in Oxford. We met an affectionate reception from our friends, and the next day held a meeting in Zorra. On Tuesday I preached in a new settlement to forty or fifty people who were very serious, and one requested prayers. I preached thrice in Oxford; and on Sabbath morning, June 6, started with Elder Harris and another brother, for Norwich. After passing eighteen miles, of which eight miles were in a foot-path, through a forest, we reached the place at 10 o'clock. Being wet and fatigued, I thought I should not speak much over half an hour; but the Spirit rested on the assembly, and I spoke an hour and a half. In the afternoon, we walked eight miles to the lower part of the town; the way being difficult, we arrived an hour past the time. The meeting was large and powerful. Two or three backsliders confessed, and some desired prayer. Monday, we passed through a ten mile wood, returned to Oxford, and held a meeting. Next day I preached in Nissouri with considerable freedom. Wednesday I started with Elder Harris and others, for the annual conference of the Free Communion Baptists.

Friday, June 11, the annual conference commenced in this town. Brother Straight and myself had been appointed by the Holland Purchase yearly meeting to attend this conference and labor for a .union. The subject was introduced, and dismissed, without any new decision. After the meeting of business, I preached with some freedom. Saturday morning, a sermon was preached by Elder Harris: and in the afternoon, their covenant and articles of faith were read. A woman under conviction, who had walked

more than twenty miles to this meeting, was relieved of her burden, and rejoiced in the Lord. In the evening I preached in Dunwich. Several converts and females were present, who had walked thirty miles. I have often been affected at the pains the poor people in Canada take to attend meetings, and at their gladness to hear the word of the Lord. On the Sabbath two sermons were delivered, and the communion administered. Sabbath evening, with the Free-will Baptist church in the east part of Southwold, I enjoyed a blessed season, which continued till midnight.

Monday, I preached at St. Thomas, and felt the power of the Lord. Tuesday we went to London, where I preached with freedom. The state of our churches in Canada was nearly the same as a year before. A few had been added in London. Brother Huckins appeared humble and engaged. He had gathered a small church in a place called Long Woods, which was enjoying a revival.

I held meetings again in Zorra, Nissouri, and Oxford; and on Thursday, June 24, we bade our relatives farewell, and returning to New York, attended a few meetings by the way. July 2, we arrived at North Penfield. Several had been converted since our last visit, and eighteen added to the church. We attended the Ontario quarterly meeting, held the 3d and 4th. On the Sabbath, during a discourse, the power of the Lord fell on a proud young man, who had been appointed to manage a ball the next day. He became much distressed, went a little distance from the assembly into the wood, and cried aloud for mercy. He found comfort soon after, and was baptized. After returning to Canandaigua, we held four meetings, and then started for the south. Between the 12th and 18th of July, I preached in Jerusalem, in Benton, four time in Milo, and once in Barrington. Some of these meetings were blessed; and at the latter, I rejoiced to find a revival.

Sabbath, July 18, I preached twice in Catlin; and Elder Stid, who attended with me, baptized six. Here the wilderness had become a 'fruitful field;' in a short time many had been converted, and more than fifty baptized and added to the church. Monday and Tuesday, I preached in Jersey and at Mount Washington, and enjoyed solemn seasons. For several days I had been indisposed, and on Wednesday was able to ride only to Poultney, where I was confined till the next Sabbath. We were mostly at the house of Dr. Dean, whose skilful services, at this and several other times, were rendered gratis. In consequence of this illness, I disappointed sixteen congregations, four of which were supplied by a preacher, whom I engaged to attend in my stead.

Sabbath, July 25, I preached twice in Poultney, and on Tuesday arrived at Canandaigua. Being still unwell, I stopped five or six

days, held three or four meetings, and baptized one. In the next week, I attended the Benton quarterly meeting, at West River in Middlesex. The reports of the churches were interesting. Tuesday, Aug. 10, we left Canandaigua, and in four days held meetings in Bristol, Richmond, and Sheldon, and visited my brother Ives, in Hamburg. He accompanied us to Boston, N. Y. where we spent the Sabbath and held two meetings. My brother here informed us that he had obtained a hope in Christ, and publicly confessed it for the first time. He was an apprentice, separated from his acquaintance, and suffered almost constantly from a lameness; yet he appeared resigned, and said he was happy in saying, "Thy will be done." On our arrival at Batavia, we met Elders Brown, Jenkins, and Straight, with an assembly coming out of the court house, where they had just organized a church of eleven members. A revival was progressing under the labors of brother Straight, which, we understood, was the first that had ever been in this village. After an hour's notice, about two hundred assembled in the court house, to whom I spoke with much freedom. I next held meetings in Bethany and Middlebury, which were solemn and impressive. At the latter place, I have since understood, a revival followed. July 21-23, we attended the Bethany quarterly meeting at Groveland. The exercises were spiritual, and some came forward for prayers.

Friday, Aug. 27, 1830, we attended the Holland Purchase yearly meeting at Clarkson. The reports from the quarterly meetings were unusually interesting. The general state of engagedness appeared to have greatly increased, and a time of such revival had never before been enjoyed. At this time the Allegany quarterly meeting was received:—and it appeared that within the year past, the number of members in the yearly meeting had increased nearly one quarter. Saturday, four discourses were delivered; on the Sabbath the assembly was large, and eighteen ordained ministers were present. Three excellent sermons were preached, which were followed by weighty and spiritual exhortations. One of these was from Elder R. Carey. He had been ill for years, yet he had come seventy-five miles, by short stages, to attend this meeting. A little son of his came to take care of him; and late in the afternoon, which was as soon as he was able, some brethren helped him ascend the stand, and being seated, he addressed the people. Every eye was fixed on his pale face, and every ear attentive to his voice. Several dropped a tear at his feeble appearance, and our sympathy was increased by the reflection, that his abundant labors to win souls to Christ, had increased his infirmities, and compelled him to retire from the gospel field. His words were few and weighty; and on leaving the stand, he wept-as though conscious

he might no more meet his brethren in yearly meeting. Many were much affected. The subject of Masonry was again introduced; and a resolve passed, I think in the following words: "Agreed, that, if anything can be proved by human testimony, it is abundantly manifest that the institution of Free Masonry is wicked in the extreme; and we do most earnestly entreat all our brethren to renounce their masonic obligations; and have nothing to do with that system."

CHAPTER XXIII.

My Fifth Journey to New England.

Having been appointed a delegate to the General Conference, which was to meet the ensuing Oct. in R. I., I made arrangements to spend the winter in New England. Monday, Sept. 6, we commenced our journey, and during the week travelled one hundred and forty miles, and attended meetings in Tyre and Fabius. In consequence of illness I failed of three other appointments. Saturday and Sabbath, we attended the first session of the Norwich quarterly meeting at New Berlin. Two years and a half previous, Elder Adon Aldrich came to this town and gathered the first Freewill Baptist church in these parts. The quarterly meeting contained three churches, about one hundred and twelve members, two elders, and three unordained preachers. During the meeting, I gave three discourses; the brethren were engaged, and conviction reached the hearts of sinners. Saturday, Sept. 18, we arrived at Arlington, Vermont, the native town of my companion, and met a kind reception from our relatives. We attended worship with the Episcopalian church on the Sabbath, and Mr. Perkins, their pastor, invited me to preach in the afternoon. The invitation was unexpected, but accepted with pleasure.

Mon. Sept. 27, we resumed our journey, and Oct. 1st arrived at Burlington, Conn., where we were kindly welcomed by my uncle Marks and family, Six years before, I had a sweet interview with my grandfather Marks, but now his place was empty. He died of apoplexy five years since. I attended three meetings in Burlington; and the week following we visited relatives in Newtown, Danbury, New-Milford, and Southington. In Southington we passed the house where my mother's parents once resided, and where I spent months of my childhood; but nearly all the former

inhabitants were dead, and strangers dwelt in their place. O time, what changes dost thou make! Saturday, we visited my aunt Graves in Middletown. But O what a change in this family since my former visit! Elder Graves and two of his daughters had fallen by the spotted fever. Next day, we attended meeting with the Calvinistic Baptists. Being invited, I spoke to the people in the afternoon, and felt the doctrine of the Lord distil upon me 'like the dew.' I understood the church of which Elder Graves had the care severely felt the loss of their pastor, and were in a low state; but as the time of Conference was near, I could not visit them.

Monday morning, my aunt accompanied us a little distance to the grave-yard, where Elder Graves, his parents, his two daughters, and a young man engaged to one of them in marriage, all lay side by side. At the head of each was a large white marble slab with appropriate inscriptions. Aunt remarked, that this lonely spot seemed more like home, than her empty habitation. Thus 66 man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep." Never did I feel a deeper sense of man's mortality, than at this time. O what is man? "He cometh forth like a flower-he fleeth also as a shadow." In two days, we arrived at Greenville in Smithfield, Rhode-Island; and rejoiced to meet with many dear brethren, particularly Elder E. Place, whose labors had been a blessing to us at the last Conference.

Thursday, Oct. 14, 1830, the General Conference commenced at 9 o'clock, A. M. The meeting of business continued till Saturday evening. In general, much unanimity prevailed, and our hearts were so united by love, that we could say, as did two disciples on another occasion, "Did not our heart burn within us?" At this Conference, from the reports received, there appeared to be in the denomination, seven yearly meetings, thirty quarterly meetings, four hundred and thirty-six churches, and three hundred and ten ordained preachers. Probably some of these numbers fall short of a correct enumeration.

Messengers were present from every part of the connexion, except Ohio yearly meeting, from which a refreshing letter was received. During the sitting of Conference, meetings of worship were held at the meeting-house, except on the forenoon of Thursday and Friday. Sabbath morning, about two thousand people assembled, and, unexpectedly, I was informed that the preachers thought it would be my duty to preach. I had no particular subject on my mind, and wished some other one to go forward; but all declined. A sense of the importance of this hour-the responsibility of the speaker, and the reflection that the aged and the