Elder Morrill preached, I spoke in exhortation. After its close, no one inviting me to a lodging, I was left alone in the house. But soon after, Elder Morrill kindly inquired for me, returned, and took me to the place where he was staying. The grief and discouragement that overcame me, touched his heart; and taking me into his lap, as he would a child, he spoke words of consolation that gave me relief. I enjoyed much satisfaction in the revival in these towns; and notwithstanding my severe trials, my faith was confirmed, that duty called me to labor in the vineyard of the Lord; and my heart was encouraged by the success with which God blessed my feeble endeavors in the awakening and conversion of a few.

It was calculated, that in Brutus, Camillus, and the adjacent towns, six or seven hundred professed to pass from death unto life. In this work I labored about one month and attended forty-four meetings; but did not confine myself to a text, or pretend to sermonize. When about to return home, I was much interested at Treat settlement, with Moses Manrow, a lad of about fifteen years, belonging to the denomination called Christian. He exhibited much talent in public speaking, for one of his age, appeared humble, and dedesired to travel with me. The proposal was pleasing, for I believed he would make a good yoke fellow in the gospel; and being admitted as a companion, on the 17th of April, 1821, he accompanied me on my return to my parents.

CHAPTER IV.

Particulars of a three months' journey to Holland Purchase.

A week soon passed in the society of the family circle, and its enjoyment was sweet to my soul. During this period, my mother conversed and advised much with me on such subjects as she thought would be useful; a presentiment seeming fixed in her mind, that she was enjoying the last opportunity she should ever have, to bestow her counsel. Her words sunk deep into my heart, and, with thankfulness, I blessed God for a pious and affectionate mother. The passing moments seemed precious, while I listened to the sweet accents that fell from her lips, and endeavored to treasure up the instruction she was giving me. Home was pleasant; but the time was at hand that required my departure.

The church in Junius had given me a letter of commendation; and the morning of April 26, was appointed for my departure. It dawned a beautiful morning; but grief sat heavy on our hearts. Together we bowed at the altar of mercy, where often in days that are past, we had felt the consolations of Heaven, and had been united to each other by ties stronger than those of natural affection. My mother, with a trembling voice, called on the name of the Lord, and fervently entreated, that his preserving power and choice blessings might attend her beloved son, just going from her care, perhaps for ever. Often she had prayed for me-and bitter now was the thought, that this might be the last time I should ever hear her supplications in my behalf. The moment of separation had come; and giving my brothers and sisters the parting hand, I passed from the parental roof. My parents followed me to the corner of the house. The weeping father then took me by the hand, and in a faltering voice, said, "Whenever you wish to return, my house shall be your home. God bless you, my son. Farewell." My dear mother then giving me a dollar, grasped my hand, and pressed it affectionately. On casting a look at her features, I saw they were convulsed; the big swelling tears rolling fast from her eyes, betrayed the conflict in her bosom. Her chin quivered, her lips moved, and she faintly articulated, "Adieu! my child, adieu! The Lord go with thee." My spirit almost failed within me, while I witnessed their agonizing emotions. Bidding them farewell, I sighed adieu, again and again. But O, the feelings of my heart! Where am I going? Into the wide world; to face its frowns; endure its taunts and vile reproaches, as once my Master did. But, "It is enough that the servant be as his lord." Coming to a rise of ground, in sight of my father's house, I turned to view once more the beloved forms of those dear parents, and cast on them my last look. They were standing where we parted, apparently weeping, and following with their eyes the departing child, as though anxious to catch the last glimpse. My mother's face was somewhat bowed down, and the sight touched again every tender feeling, awakening all my sympathy, till, in addition to my own, their sorrow became my sorrow. I gave another look, thinking perhaps it was the last, then sighed farewell. The places where I had passed the scenes of childhood, now met my sight, and seemed bound to my affections by a thousand tender associations. But while grief was almost bursting my heart, the sweet promise of Christ, contained in Mark 10:29, 30, dropped as if from heaven into my soul; "There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, but he shall receive a hundred fold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and

children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life." My mourning was now turned into rejoicing, and my tears into songs of praise.

After walking twenty-one miles, in company with the lad before mentioned, we found entertainment for the night a few miles south of Geneva, with a Congregationalist family, who were kind. In the morning we proceeded to Benton; and there visited from house to house, conversing with all, as opportunity presented, upon the importance and necessity of a speedy preparation to meet God. A young man at a tavern, whom I thus counselled, scoffed at me, and ridiculed religion. My soul was pained, and falling on my knees, I besought the Lord to touch the heart of this young man by his Spirit-give him to see the aggravated nature of his transgressions, and to feel his need of the Savior. While thus supplicating the mercy of God, the young man continued to talk in a loud tone of voice, and finally asked me to take some tobacco. His mother, though a professor, instead of reproving him, reprimanded me severely, for going about talking to people older than myself. After justifying my practice, by telling her I believed the Lord required it at my hand, she closed the conversation with a remark too vulgar to name. Taking leave of them, I went on my way, sighing for the evil done by professors, who are destitute of the mind that was in Christ Jesus. Their conduct strengthens the hands of the wicked. They enter not into the kingdom themselves, and them that would enter, they hinder.

April 29, Sabbath, we attended a meeting in Milo-in which I spake a few minutes under considerable embarrassment—and afterward retired to a wood much depressed in spirit, and sorely pained with doubts and fears, lest I had mistaken the path of duty in attempting to labor in Zion. Returning to the house of a friend, and finding no relief, I determined to fast and pray. In doing this, all doubts and gloom were dispersed, and my heart was encouraged to continue in the work of the Lord.

Tuesday, May 1, I spoke to a crowded and solemn audience, and it was a season of refreshing to my soul. Meeting an assembly at the house of Deacon Knapp, in Wayne, I spoke from this text,"The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord." The Holy Spirit touched the hearts of some, and many wept. Thursday, in a meeting on the east side of Crooked lake, the Lord was with me, and his Spirit attended the word. After this, crossing the lake near Bluff Point, and walking a few miles into Poultney, I spoke to an assembly; but to me it was a barren season, and the language of my heart was, 'how can I preach the gospel to a hard-hearted and gainsaying people.' Finding an answer, "My grace is sufficient for thee,"

we went to the north part of Poultney, and there spoke the word to a few, who heard with candor.

Saturday, May 5, I went to Jerusalem, and gave out appointments for the next day. Sabbath morning, at the hour of nine, we met for worship on the west hill in Jerusalem. The assembly was large, and it was a time of Emmanuel's power: several wept, and kneeled for prayers. At one o'clock, P. M., the Lord assisted me in speaking to a crowded and solemn assembly on the east hill of Jerusalem: two manifested a resolution to seek the Lord. At three o'clock, P. M., I met another congregation in the north part of the town, and enjoyed the presence of my Master. Here, M. Manrow left me suddenly, without assigning any reason. At six in the evening, I attended a fourth meeting in Middlesex, and the next day walked twelve miles, and attended two meetings. The day following, I visited Canandaigua; and meeting the Episcopalian minister in the street, stated to him my desire to speak to the people concerning the things of eternity. "What!" said he, "are you preaching? You are not capable of preaching. You cannot preach. We put young gifts to learning, till they become men." He then left me. After several fruitless attempts to find a house open for meeting, among professed Christians, I turned to "Cesar's kingdom," and without difficulty obtained leave to hold a meeting in the court house. About one hundred assembled. While stating in my introduction, the reason of my leaving home, and the particular exercises of my mind concerning public speaking, a gentleman in the jurors' seat, looked me steadfastly in the face, and said, "Young man, we came to hear you preach; not to hear your experience. If you are going to preach, we wish you to proceed." This somewhat confused me; however I named a text, and proceeded with some embarrassment. About twenty left the assembly before the conclusion of the discourse. At the close of the meeting, one gentleman gave me half a dollar, and another, a small piece. During my discourse, I observed two men without the court house in earnest conversation, and pointing towards me; and when passing the jail, a woman came to the door, and asked me a number of questions concerning my manner of life. After proceeding a little distance, I saw a man leave the jail, and come after me in a wagon with much speed. These circumstances, together with that of many having left the meeting, induced me to think they might possibly look on me with suspicion, and wish to put me in jail. The man overtook me, said he supposed I was a stranger, and invited me to go home with him. As it was three miles from my purposed route, it was after considerable solicitation that I returned. He was a Calvinistic Baptist, and treated me as a friend.

The little good effect apparent from my last meeting, and the contempt manifested at my endeavors to warn the wicked, bore heavily upon me. In addition to this, my friend told me, he thought my learning was not sufficient to make my public addresses generally interesting; and advised me to go home and stay, till I should be of age, or at least two or three years. I now felt a deeper loneliness than I had ever before experienced. Though entreated, I could not eat, but retired to my lodging, where sleep was a stranger, and there gave vent to my grief, till my eyes were sore with weeping. In the morning my grief was not assuaged, nor the fountain of my tears drained. I ate no breakfast, but went my way before the sun rose, passed through the village of Canandaigua into Gorham, and there turned aside in a wood, and laid myself on the earth. My sorrow seemed greater than I could bear; and life seemed such a burden, that I was tempted to starve myself. As this would be sin, I dared not resolve, but thought, could I go home, gladly would I haste to parental care. Beneath the shady boughs of Gorham, I mourned, somewhat like Jonah under the gourd, and desired death, unless my faith and hope should be increased; then lifting my eyes toward heaven, I said, 'O Lord, why hast thou sent me, a child, when men of experience might go? Why hast thou called an ignorant youth, and left the learned at home? I am had in derision, and mocked by the enemies of the cross.' Two ways appeared; either to go home, and renounce all ideas of ever attempting to preach again, and thus please the greater part of my acquaintance, many of my brethren, and my natural mind-or to continue laboring in the vineyard, and face a storm of opposition. Feeling that necessity was laid upon me, that wo would be mine if I preached not the gospel, I dared not disobey. Leaving the wood, I went to a house, where the people were kind. They gave me some food, and had a meeting notified in their vicinity. The next day, I attended three meetings; and the day following, walked twenty-five miles to Lyons, where the Benton Quarterly Meeting was to be held the 12th and 13th of May.

Here I received a letter from my mother. It brought heavy tidings, and a trial of which I had not thought. My father's house was again burned with all its contents. This trying scene happened only the Wednesday previous. My parents desired me to return and visit them in their affliction, provided I could have permission from the Lord. Retiring to a field alone, solitude seemed written on all below. I thought of the continued series of misfortunes that had afflicted my dear parents, till all my sympathies were awakened. Reading the letter again and again, I laid the case before the Lord, when Luke 9:59, "Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father," occurred to my recollection; and our