human faculties that ever so delighted me from a child to this day, as that of preaching, and none in which I ever thought I should be so happy, as in being a herald for Jesus, a proclaimer of the everlasting gospel. But latterly, when I have contemplated the state of my health-my lungs subject to almost perpetual inflammation through very small degrees of exposure-and my nervous system so broken to pieces, as for a great part of the time to paralyze all the energies of moral, mental, and bodily action, I have concluded the Lord had designed me to act in some other sphere of usefulness to his creatures, than in public speaking. Then again, when I have meditated on the provisions of the glorious gospel, and have seen the deplorable state of perishing sinners, dying! ―dying !—dying!-with a rich and ample feast spread at their door, and urging admittance-then when I have had a view of the infinite the infinitely infinite-mercies of God to me, in having mercy on so poor, wicked, undone, and blasphemous a wretch as myself-O wretch that I am! have I exclaimed; most merciful Lord God, shall I reason thus ? Shall I decline using my shattered faculties in thy service, merely because their better days and more vigorous exertion have been spent in the service of satan? O! no. "Here am I, send me," for if my powers are half of them lost, it is no reason that I should not spend the rest in thy service, in warning such poor wretches as I once was, and-but for the mercy of Infinite Love-am now. Sometimes when I have seen the leaders of the people, who ought to be fathers in Zion, dealing out to the young shepherds, and the tender lambs, instead of the bread of life, poison! poison! poison !—and shall I say damnable heresies?-when I have seen these things, my spirit has been stirred within me, sleep has departed from my eyes; and could the briny pillows speak they would bear witness to the nightly sorrows of my soul. Then I have queried, can I ever content myself to labor with the dumb and unfeeling language of the pen, while others are engaged in the open field? No-my heart has said, rather let me be placed in the front of the battle-in view of the enemy, where I can come in open contact, and openly oppose him in defence of precious souls. Sometimes I have longed to become a member of the Free-will Baptist denomination and labor with all my powers, and wear out my life in defence of the gospel.

Your brother in tribulation,

SAMUEL BEede.

CHAPTER XXIV.

Particulars of Mr. Marks' labors, sickness, &c. together with extracts from his correspondence from the close of his "Narrative" as published by himself, September 1831, to October 1832.

The preceding chapters contain, in an abridged form, the narrative of Mr. Marks' labors, as published by himself in the year 1831. For a few months afterwards, he generally kept a regular journal; but as he has recorded nothing of the causes which directed his subsequent course, it is deemed proper to state them briefly, before resuming the thread of the narrative; also to introduce frequent explanatory paragraphs, together with extracts from his correspondence, in connection with his journal.

At this period, Free-will Baptists, as a denomination, had engaged in but few of those benevolent enterprises which distinguish the operations of the church in the present day, and which have so greatly enlarged the sphere of her usefulness. The Morning Star, however, (which had been published since 1826 by a company of brethren at Limerick, Me. under the patronage of the denomination and devoted to its interests,) advocated gospel order, temperance, missions, Sabbath schools, education, and improvement generally; and there were many ministers and others in different parts of the connexion who were warm friends of these causes, and were laboring for their promotion. The subject of these Memoirs, hitherto seems to have had his mind mostly engrossed with one idea-the immediate conversion of souls; and for the attainment of this object, he had directed his whole studies and energies. His mind had now become painfully exercised with the state of the denomination to which he was in sentiment and in heart much attached. His extensive travels and labors had given him an opportunity to see that something must be done efficiently and immediately, or the denomination would be rent asunder by many schisms. Inaction in the cause of missions, education, support of the ministry, &c. had opened the way for the introduction of many evils, disheartened some of the most talented and intelligent ministers, and prevented the union of many with the denomination, who had been converted under the labors of its faithful preachers. Indeed, he had seen a great share of the fruits of his own toils, from the above named causes, gath"ered into other churches of dissimilar sentiments. False ideas on fundamental points of faith were also exerting an influence. In a few sections, Unitarian views of the character of Christ and the

doctrine of the annihilation of the wicked had obtained place in the minds of some through the preaching of Elias Smith, not far from the time of the rise of the sect called Christians. Mr. Smith was refused admission into the Free-will Baptist denomination, on account of his sentiments.

Although Mr. Marks was deprived of early literary privileges, as the reader of the preceding pages has seen, the absence of educational advantages was, in his case, in a measure, compensated by an unusual activity of mind, and a plodding perseverance, which would not yield to obstacles. Still he was ever a close Biblical student, and to this, no doubt, with the Divine blessing, is to be attributed his great success in winning souls. He had committed to memory the writings of the four Evangelists, Acts and Romans, and so ready and retentive was his memory, that, if a passage was named in either of these books, he could in a moment tell the chapter and verse, or if any particular chapter or verse was called for, he could instantly repeat it. He had also, without an instructor, and mostly while walking or riding, become well acquainted with several English branches, and had acquired sufficient knowledge of Greek to read in the New Testament with the aid of a lexicon. Highly as he valued knowledge, and diligent as he was in its acquisition, still he had not been much awake to the importance of a thoroughly educated ministry. Engaged constantly in preaching himself, he seldom listened to a sermon, and was little aware to what an extent study was neglected among Free-will Baptist ministers. Grieved by the little spirituality and success that attended the labors of most of those he had known who had pursued the usual course of study in our Theological schools, he had imbibed the impression that their course of discipline had a tendency to destroy spirituality instead of increasing it, and for a time he had prejudice against such institutions.

The subject of missions had engaged little of his attention. Not that the conversion of the world was not an object for which at any time he would have laid down his life, but the slanders of the enemies of missions repeated to him by Christians, produced an appathy in his mind on this subject. Consequently he had interested himself little in reading the reports of missionary operations. The temperance cause had his sympathies from its commence

ment.

After his mind became painfully anxious about the state of his beloved people, he used often to unbosom his feelings to his friend, S. Beede, who, instead of trying to console him with a hope of a better state of things, set himself to present existing evils in a still stronger light, till sometimes Mr. Marks' agony of soul was almost overpowering. But his was a spirit that could not sink under dif

*

ficulties, nor give up in despair. He set himself to study carefully the cause of the evils and their remedy. Thus was his mind prepared to examine, with careful attention, several articles that appeared about this time in the Morning Star on the establishment of a "Book Concern," the first of which was written by Mr. William Burr. These much interested him, particularly several anonymous communications, signed B- -n. He thought he saw in a well regulated Book Concern, a bond that would tend to unite the denomination, and would afford an antidote to many evils. This subject he often discussed with Mr. Beede, and finally they, with others, matured a plan which they thought would succeed, provided they could gain the approbation of the General Conference, which was to meet in a few days.

The following is a continuation of Mr. Marks' journal, in an abridged form, from the closing date of the preceding chapter.

"September 17 and 18, I attended the Maine Western yearly meeting in Buxton. Fifteen ordained ministers were present and several hundred people more than could be convened in the meeting house. I preached twice during the session. My mind was made very solemn by the news that the Indian cholera, the overflowing scourge that had swept through the old world, had entered New Brunswick. I endeavored in my preaching to improve these tidings to the good of souls. The assembly seemed much affected. I next went to Sandwich, N. H. to attend a "four days' meeting," which by request I had appointed three months before. I preached in Ossipee by the way. Several came forward for prayer, and one young lady promised to seek the Lord till she found him. Several ministers attended the meeting in Sandwich, some of whom preached during its progress. On the Sabbath, twelve or fifteen hundred people attended, and great solemnity rested on the assembly. A number came forward to manifest that they were decided to attend to the salvation of their souls. Sabbath evening, I preached in Ossipee, and found the young lady who made a covenant to seek the Lord indulging a joyful hope. Several presented themselves for prayer, and a little boy following me out of the house, weeping, gave me his hand and said, "Will you pray for me ?"

The fourth session of the General Conference, to be held in Wilton, Me. was drawing near. Having been appointed a delegate by the Holland Purchase yearly meeting, Monday, Sept. 26, I commenced journeying in that direction, accompanied by my

These articles were written by S. Beede at the solicitation of Mr. Burr, but no other person knew the author till the hour Mr. Beede was dying. Mr. Burr then revealed it, feeling that he was absolved from the injunction of secrecy Mr. Beede laid upon him.

companion, having appointments by the way previously notified. During the seven days ensuing, I held meetings in Limerick, Portland, Brunswick, Topsham, Gardiner, and several other towns. In Topsham, I was filled with sorrow and weeping for perishing sinners. After facing for about fifty miles one of the severest storms of rain and sleet I ever knew, I arrived in Wilton, Oct. 12. Col. Charles Morse had made provision to entertain all the members of the Conference at his own expense, and had furnished a large chamber for convening its sessions, so that the meeting house might be free for public worship.”

The business of the Conference was conducted with much har

mony. A question was proposed from the Holland Purchase yearly meeting, inquiring, "What do Free-will Baptists believe to be the Scripture doctrine with regard to the character and offices of Christ ?" H. Hobbs, S. Beede, and D. Marks were appointed a committee to prepare a reply. S. Beede drafted a very able article, showing that Christ was "God manifest in the flesh," that he was the true God and eternal life," which perfectly accorded with the views of the other members of the committee. The report was received unanimously by the Conference.

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The subject of a "Book Concern" was presented and referred to a committee of three, viz. E. Place, D. Marks, and S. Beede, who made the following report, which passed the Conference:

Agreed, that in our opinion, the establishment of a Book Concern on a scale sufficiently extensive to answer the demands of our connexion for books is desirable. And we believe that such an establishment, suitably encouraged and supported, would contribute as much to usefulness in our churches, and aid as much in spreading Christian knowledge in the world, as any other single course of measures that we can, under the present circumstances, pursue. But as we know of no advisable means, whereby we can at present furnish ourselves with funds that would be necessary to commence the establishment on a large scale, we think it proper to appoint some brother a Book Agent, to officiate and act for us till the next General Conference; and that said agent publish for the Conference such books as they may direct, and hold himself responsible to the Conference for his doings; and also be responsible for all contracts made by him relative to publishing books; and that he be authorized to take the necessary and prudent measures for selling such books as may be published; and at the next Conference present a full report of his doings, and the circumstances of the Book Concern intrusted to his charge." See Minutes of fifth General Conference, page 8.

Mr. Marks was then chosen Book Agent, and H. Hobbs, S. Beede, and Wm. Burr, a "Publishing and Advisory Committee